They may be tiny, but mites have shown that we have something to learn from them. Researchers from Japan have discovered that mites can aid in the understanding of the evolution of reproductive barriers.

Tardigrades, also known as water bears, are a diverse group of charismatic microscopic invertebrates that are best known for their ability to survive extreme conditions. A famous example was a 2007 trip to space where tardigrades were exposed to the space vacuum and harmful ionizing solar radiation, and still managed to survive and reproduce after returning to Earth. Tardigrades are found in all the continents of the world and in different environments including marine, freshwater, and […]

As far back as ancient Rome, spider silk has been used as a remedy to treat everything from skin lesions to warts. In the past, doctors have covered open wounds in cobwebs or advised patients to place cocoons on infected teeth. In modern times, however, the literature contains conflicting reports of whether or not spider silk has antimicrobial properties. In the journal iScience on October 5th, researchers revisit these old experiments and debunk the myth of antibiotic spider silk.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the resistance of micro-organisms to antibiotics, antivirals or antifungals, is a huge global problem. Left unchecked, AMR threatens to become one of the world's biggest health problems, surpassing diabetes and cancer. As more bugs become drug resistant we will lose the ability to rely on antibiotics for routinely treatments—including for basic surgery, cancer treatments or cesareans.

Eurypterids, normally known as sea scorpions, are an important group of Paleozoic chelicerate arthropods. As a "star animal" in the Silurian (about 430 million years ago) sea, its evolutionary history and paleoecological significance have always attracted attentions.