Nature — Page 6

The immortal jellyfish can revert to its juvenile polyp stage after reaching sexual maturity.

This species, Turritopsis dohrnii, can transform its adult cells back into young cells through a process called…

The largest known living organism on Earth is a honey fungus in Oregon, covering over nine hundred hectares underground.

This species, Armillaria ostoyae, spreads through a vast network of underground mycelium, being much older and more…

Trees communicate with each other through an underground fungal network.

This symbiotic network connects the roots of different trees in the forest, allowing them to share water, nutrients…

A mature baobab tree can store up to 120000 liters of water in its trunk.

To survive prolonged dry seasons in Africa, this gigantic tree developed a hollow and spongy trunk that acts as a…

Some fungi can create zombie ants by taking over their nervous system.

The Cordyceps fungus infects the insect, multiplies inside it, and releases chemicals that control the ant's muscles…

The Amazon rainforest relies heavily on dust blown from the Sahara desert for its nutrients.

Every year, winds carry millions of tons of phosphorus-rich dust across the Atlantic Ocean. When this dust falls in…

Trees can communicate and share nutrients through an underground fungal network.

This network, called the mycorrhizal network, allows older and larger trees to transfer carbon and water to younger…

A single bolt of lightning contains enough energy to toast one hundred thousand slices of bread.

An average lightning bolt releases about one billion joules of energy, which is roughly equivalent to the energy…

The smell of freshly cut grass is actually a chemical distress signal from the plant.

The volatile organic compounds released when grass is cut serve to alert neighboring plants of a herbivore attack…

A teaspoon of soil contains more microorganisms than there are people on Earth.

Soil is one of the most complex ecosystems on the planet. A single teaspoon of healthy soil can contain billions of…

The characteristic smell of rain has a scientific name called petrichor.

Petrichor is produced by oils released by certain plants during dry periods and by a substance called geosmin…

The characteristic smell of rain on dry soil has a specific scientific name.

This aroma is called petrichor. It is produced mainly by a chemical substance called geosmin, which is released by…

Bamboo is technically a type of grass and not a tree.

Bamboo belongs to the Poaceae family, the same family as wheat and corn. Some bamboo species are the fastest growing…

Fungi are evolutionarily closer to animals than to plants.

Genetic analyses show that fungi and animals share a more recent common ancestor than either does with plants. Both…

The characteristic smell of rain is called petrichor and is caused by soil bacteria.

Petrichor is produced when geosmin, a compound released by soil bacteria called actinobacteria, is released into the…

Bamboo can grow up to ninety one centimeters in a single day.

Certain species of bamboo, such as giant bamboo, are the fastest growing plants in the world. In ideal conditions of…

The Sahara Desert was once a lush, green savanna with lakes and rivers.

About six thousand years ago, during the African Humid Period, the Sahara was covered with vegetation, lakes, and…

Lightning can strike the same place more than once.

Contrary to popular myth, lightning is attracted to high and conductive points. Tall buildings like the Empire State…

Ants do not have lungs or a centralized respiratory system.

Ants breathe through small openings called spiracles, located along their exoskeleton, which distribute oxygen…

Giant sequoias depend on fire to reproduce.

The cones of giant sequoias need the intense heat of forest fires to open and release seeds. Fire also clears the…

Trees communicate and share nutrients through an underground fungal network known as the mycorrhizal network.

This network, often called the Wood Wide Web, connects tree roots to symbiotic fungi. Through this connection, trees…

The total estimated biomass of all ants on Earth is roughly equivalent to the total biomass of all humans.

Recent studies estimate there are about twenty quadrillion ants in the world. Although each ant weighs very little…

Lightning strikes the Earth about 100 times per second.

It is estimated that between 50 and 100 electrical discharges occur per second worldwide, adding up to about 8…

Giant sequoias have bark so resistant to fire that they survive forest fires.

Sequoia bark can be up to 60 centimetres thick and is poor in resin, which makes it hard to burn. In addition, the…