May 17, 2026

Astronomers have discovered a massive galaxy from the early universe that appears to not be rotating. (Artist's impression). Illustration: depositphotos.com

Webb Space Telescope Detects Ancient, Nearly Rotationless Galaxy

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A massive galaxy formed less than two billion years after the Big Bang does not show an orderly rotation, contrary to expectations from models of galaxy formation. An ancient merger with another galaxy may have disrupted its motion.
Continental drift. Illustration: depositphotos.com

Africa continues to tear apart: Scientists have found signs that a new tectonic rift is developing beneath Zambia

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Analysis of gases from hot springs in a frozen rift indicates the intrusion of gases originating from the Earth's mantle. Researchers estimate that this may be an early stage of a continental rift in South Africa.
The figure illustrates how changes in genetic control lead to changes in the shape and structure of animals during evolution. The upper part shows larvae of two species of Drosophila: Drosophila melanogaster (left), which has dense rows of tiny hairs, and Drosophila sechellia, which has lost many of these hairs during evolution. These differences arise from changes in the expression of the shavenbaby gene during the embryonic stage (center of the figure). The lower part shows the control region of the shavenbaby gene, which includes a large number of control sequences called enhancers, which are important for ensuring stable expression of the gene. In D. sechellia, four of the enhancers have lost their activity, each through a different molecular mechanism – deletion of essential sequences, loss of binding sites for transcription factors, acquisition of repressive activity, and even exposure of previously existing repression. As a result, gene expression decreases and the tiny hairs disappear.

The stability paradox: How does the shape of creatures change throughout evolution?

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Researchers from the Technion have discovered how changes in genetic control sequences can lead to changes in body structure, even when the gene control systems are stable and resistant to change.
Artistic illustration of Nagatitan. Credit: Patchanop Boonsai

The largest dinosaur in Southeast Asia was discovered in Thailand: a 27-meter-long titan

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Nagatitan chaiyaphumensis was a giant herbivorous sauropod that lived 100 to 120 million years ago. The discovery reinforces Thailand's position as one of the most important centers for dinosaur research in Asia.
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