Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 15 i NatureVolve

“A wave is a disturbance in space that conveys the traversal of energy or information.” This is the first definition we’re taught about waves in middle school science class, or at least, the one *I* was taught. And whenever someone hears the word “wave”, they usually associate it with some sort of energy or movement, like the light waves from a light bulb, or the waves colliding with the seashore. There is some tendency to look over the last word in that definition: information!” What most people don’t realize is that waves rule the information exchange in our world, in the form of radio signals, cellular data, astronomical spectroscopy and even cameras and microphones! However, one form of waves that nearly no one expected to hold valuable information is gravity…

As a person of Indian ancestry, I was horrified to learn that certain school boards in India had dropped evolution from their curriculum. With this art piece, which shows endosymbiotic theory and natural selection being taught on a chalkboard, I hope to bring awareness to this issue. About Sonhita Chakraborty is a scientific editor who is fascinated by living cells and how they function. While completing her PhD in plant molecular biology, Sonhita took to making whimsical watercolour and digital paintings of cells. Her work has been featured in science journals, biology laboratory manuals, international conferences and plant guides. Contact Website:https://linktr.ee/cyberabbit Instagram:@cyberabbit…

Step into the world of feline beauty, and you’ll likely come across the captivating and mysterious calico cat. These stunning creatures are renowned for their unique coat patterns, which consist of a mesmerizing blend of orange, black, and white fur. However, calico cats are more than just aesthetically pleasing companions; they hold a fascinating genetic background and boast a rarity that makes them truly remarkable. Calico cats are often regarded as a rarity in the feline world, adding to their allure. Their rarity stems from their genetic composition, which requires a specific combination of genes to produce their distinctive coat pattern. It’s estimated that only one in every 3,000 calico cats is male, making them an even more elusive sight. To understand this, let’s take a peek into their genetic…

Today we are undergoing what has been called “The Sixth Extinction” due to the huge number of species that are disappearing from our planet. There are about 8 million species of plants and animals on Earth. It is estimated that currently one million of those species are threatened with extinction. Added to this, we are running out of time to halt and reverse biodiversity loss. According to the UNEP, we only have until 2030 before it’s too late. But what can be done? Environmental issues often seem too large for a citizen to participate in the solution, yet it turns out that volunteering and community science can be two powerful tools to fight biodiversity loss. Aaron N.K. Haiman is an environmental scientist with a passion for birding. He has been…

Spontaneous calcium oscillations play important roles in modulating neuronal activity such as neurone development, release of hormones and cell communication. This electrical activity further co-ordinates with mechanical cues to influence their microenvironment, in a process known as mechano-electrical coupling (MEC). Mechanical motion such as stretching can impact neurons by changing their microstructure and downstream electrical signalling. However, the underlying mechanism behind this phenomenon remains elusive. In addition, the relevance of basal calcium oscillations and MEC is not fully understood. In my research project, we are trying to determine if basal oscillations are caused by environmental stress and can influence the occurrence of spontaneous calcium oscillations in cells. About Jade Roberts has a background in Biomedical Sciences, where she studied an undergraduate course at the University of Reading (BSc) and a…

It’s no secret that humans’ failure to recycle plastic correctly is destroying our oceans and killing our sealife – with a report revealing that the global beauty industry alone produce 120 billion units of plastic waste each year. But what can beauty brands do to help consumers clean up their haircare routine? Ahead of Plastic Free Beauty Day (June 17th), Alice Dawkins of leading hair extensions brand Milk + Blush shares tips for brands looking to improve their sustainability efforts. Review packaging materials One of the first things customers will notice when choosing a product is its packaging, so where possible, brands must commit to choosing recycled and recyclable materials to package items in. Sustainable materials like paper, bamboo or aluminium are easy to recycle, can be reused and require…