Historian Geertje Dekkers' biography, "Myriad, Microscopic and Marvellous," published by Reaktion in 2025, details the groundbreaking discoveries of microbiologist Antoni van Leeuwenhoek. In 1674, van Leeuwenhoek observed single-celled life forms, including bacteria and protozoa, in lake water using a microscope, marking a pivotal moment in microbiology.
Dekkers highlights that van Leeuwenhoek also accurately described red blood cells, capillaries, striated muscle fibres, spermatozoa, and the crystalline lens of the eye. Van Leeuwenhoek's meticulous observations and detailed descriptions established him as a pioneer in the field.
Upon his death in 1723, the UK Royal Society acknowledged the loss of a highly valued correspondent, underscoring the significance of his contributions to scientific knowledge.
In "Naturekind," anthropologists Melissa Leach and James Fairhead explore the interconnectedness of humans and the natural world through the lens of biosemiotics. Published by Princeton University Press in 2025, the book examines how meaning is constructed in interactions between humans and other living entities, such as chickens, horses, bees, bats, and plants.
Leach and Fairhead consider various environments, including forests, seas, soils, and cities, emphasizing the relationships between living and non-living components. By linking biological findings to semiotics, the study of signs and symbols, the authors develop a framework for understanding the complex relationships between humans and the environment.
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Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney delivered a speech suggesting the U.S. can no longer be trusted as a global leader, prompting President Trump to criticize Canada and rescind their invitation to his new Board of Peace. This exchange highlights a significant fracture in the historically strong relationship between the two nations, with implications for international cooperation and diplomacy.
Hollywood bid a fond farewell to Robert Redford at a star-studded Sundance gala, with Ethan Hawke, Ava DuVernay, and Chloe Zhao delivering heartfelt tributes to the festival's late founder. Redford's vision not only launched countless indie careers but also created a cultural touchstone that will continue to inspire filmmakers and audiences for generations to come.
Gregg Araki's "I Want Your Sex" explores intergenerational attitudes toward sex through the lens of a provocative relationship between a contemporary artist and her young assistant, played by Olivia Wilde and Cooper Hoffman. The film, reminiscent of past BDSM-themed workplace comedies, pushes boundaries with its explicit content while examining power dynamics.
Lights, camera, Chhattisgarh! India's newest ₹400-crore (about $49 million) film city, Chitrotpala, is set to become a major production hub, potentially drawing in Bollywood blockbusters and boosting the region's cultural scene. With government backing and state-of-the-art facilities, this film city could be a game-changer for India's entertainment industry.
A new mockumentary, "The Moment," featuring Charli XCX, blends reality and fiction, depicting the artist navigating her "Brat Summer" phenomenon. While aiming for authenticity, the film's straightforward approach misses opportunities for deeper satire, raising questions about the evolving role of celebrity documentaries in reflecting and shaping public perception.
Gladys Mae West, the pioneering mathematician whose work was foundational to GPS technology, has passed away at 95; her contributions involved programming powerful computers and pushing the boundaries of computation for the US Navy. Overcoming racial and gender barriers, West's work significantly impacted navigation and communication systems, underscoring the vital role of women in the Cold War-era tech boom.
This science briefing highlights how infant microbiomes are significantly altered by nursery attendance, impacting their gut flora development. Additionally, it presents the first documented case of tool use in cattle, demonstrating surprising cognitive abilities in the animal kingdom and raising questions about animal intelligence.
This week's book summaries explore diverse topics, from the groundbreaking discoveries of early microbiology and the interconnectedness of humans with nature through biosemiotics, to the fascinating study of human memory and its fallibility. These works shed light on both the microscopic world and the complex cognitive processes that shape our understanding of reality.
A recent study challenges previous assumptions, suggesting that giant Ice Age kangaroos, some weighing over 250 kilograms, could hop despite their size. Researchers analyzed the leg bones and tendons of both modern and fossilized kangaroos, finding that the extinct Protemnodon species likely used short bursts of hopping, potentially as a defense mechanism. This discovery enhances our understanding of the biomechanics and evolutionary adaptations of these megafauna.
Researchers have developed a tungsten carbide catalyst that significantly outperforms platinum in both breaking down plastic waste and converting carbon dioxide into valuable resources. This innovation offers a more sustainable and cost-effective solution for plastic upcycling and CO2 utilization, potentially reducing reliance on scarce and expensive platinum catalysts, which are vital in various industrial processes worldwide. The development could have significant implications for global waste management and the creation of a circular economy.
Astronomers have discovered a quasar powered by a supermassive black hole growing at an unprecedented rate in the early universe, defying current theoretical limits on black hole feeding. This unusual object simultaneously emits intense X-rays and launches a powerful radio jet, challenging existing models and potentially revealing a brief, unstable phase in black hole evolution.
A new radio image provides an unprecedented view of the Milky Way, revealing previously unseen details of star formation and stellar remnants. Created by astronomers in the Southern Hemisphere, this detailed map utilizes low-frequency radio waves to expose galactic structures and processes, offering insights into the life cycle of stars within our galaxy.
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