In 1995, NASA sent 30 fertilised Japanese quail eggs to the Mir space station for 16 days; what scientists found after they returned raised new questions about life without gravityIn 1995, NASA launched a fascinating experiment by sending fertilized quail eggs to the Mir space station. The objective was to explore how...
04 Sep, 2026, 07.50 PM IST
In 1966, NASA launched Biosatellite I with 13 biology experiments and more than 10 million organisms; its retrorocket failed, and the spacecraft was never recoveredIn 1966, NASA's Biosatellite I mission attempted to carry over ten million organisms into orbit, but a retrorocket malfunction led to the c...
04 Sep, 2026, 01.40 PM IST
In 1967, NASA flew flour beetle pupae on Biosatellite II for 45 hours; radiation and weightlessness raised wing abnormalities in flight from 29.9% to 44.8%During the 1967 Biosatellite II mission, flour beetles displayed notable wing deformities, underscoring how weightlessness amplified the ad...
04 Sep, 2026, 01.30 PM IST
A synthetic hormone was added to a remote Canadian lake in tiny amounts — then an entire fish population nearly collapsedA synthetic estrogen introduced into a Canadian lake caused a significant ecological shock. This chemical, present in tiny amounts, severel...
03 Sep, 2026, 06.02 PM IST
In 1998, NASA flew crickets on Neurolab to study how spaceflight affects developing nervous systems; across the 16-day mission, they joined about 2,000 animals in spaceDuring the Neurolab mission, the space shuttle Columbia hosted 2,000 animals, crickets being one of them, to examine spaceflight's impacts ...
02 Sep, 2026, 01.50 PM IST
In 1967, Biosatellite II irradiated parasitic wasps for 2 days in orbit; females later laid as many eggs as controls, and hatchability remained excellentA 1967 NASA mission sent parasitic wasps into orbit around Earth. These wasps showed surprising resistance to radiation damage while in spa...
02 Sep, 2026, 01.00 PM IST
Science says butterflies taste with their feet, here’s why evolution put chemical sensors on their legsButterflies have specialized sensory structures on their legs, known as gustatory sensilla, that allow them to detect chemicals when they l...
01 Sep, 2026, 02.53 PM IST
In 2014, Arizona used fish poison to clear an invasive fish from Virgin River after mechanical removal methods failed. Then the red shiner came backFor years, conservationists waged a relentless battle against the invasive red shiner in the Virgin River. Initial rotenone treatments show...
31 Aug, 2026, 05.11 PM IST
Quote of the day by Maya Angelou: 'Remember, people will judge you by your actions not your intentions. You may have a heart of gold but so does a...' - Celebrated American poet's timeless wisdom on why actions speak louder than intentions and how our choices shape the way others see usQuote of the day by Maya Angelou: As a legendary poet, memoirist, and civil rights champion, Maya Angelou captured hearts through her monum...
31 Aug, 2026, 01.29 PM IST
In 2001, USDA researchers released salvinia weevils in Texas and Louisiana; by 2003, weed cover had fallen near release sites while untreated controls stayed chokedA tiny weevil has proven to be a powerful ally in the battle against giant salvinia, an invasive aquatic weed. Tested in Texas and Louisian...
30 Aug, 2026, 04.40 PM IST
Can fish populate space? In 1994, four medaka fish were flown aboard Columbia. They laid 43 eggs; 8 babies were born in space with no gravity. Adult fish, however, forgot to use one organ in their bodyIn 1994, Japanese astronaut Chiaki Mukai was pleasantly shocked to find that new life could indeed be born in space. Four fish he had carri...
29 Aug, 2026, 06.59 PM IST
In 1989, the space shuttle Discovery carried 32 fertilized chicken eggs for 5 days; all 16 early embryos died, while 8 older embryos later hatched without anatomical malformationsIn 1989, the space shuttle Discovery transported thirty-two fertilized chicken eggs into microgravity. Although younger embryos did not end...
28 Aug, 2026, 01.00 PM IST
In 1992, Endeavour carried 4 female African clawed frogs into orbit; their eggs were fertilized in microgravity and developed into apparently normal tadpolesIn 1992, four frogs embarked on a journey aboard the space shuttle Endeavour as part of a groundbreaking reproductive experiment. Their egg...
27 Aug, 2026, 01.50 PM IST
Dolly the sheep was named after Dolly Parton, but do you know the reason? Here’s how the world’s first adult-cell clone got its name from the country music legendDolly the sheep made headlines in 1996 when she became the first mammal to be cloned from an adult somatic cell using a technique called so...
26 Aug, 2026, 10.18 AM IST
In 1973, NASA sent two fish into space to test their swimming ability in zero gravity; they initially swam in loops but later used light as cue to move normally after 21 daysIn 1973, NASA sent two mummichog fish and 50 eggs aboard Skylab 3 to study how weightlessness affected their sense of balance. The fish ini...
25 Aug, 2026, 08.12 AM IST
In 1973, NASA sent about two spiders into space to test web-building without gravity; within days, they adapted and spun complete webs in orbitTwo spiders, Arabella and Anita, flew on Skylab 3 to test web-building in space. Initially disoriented, the spiders eventually adapted to t...
24 Aug, 2026, 11.01 PM IST
In July 2019, scientists watched mayflies mistake solar-like glass for water; females landed and deposited eggs on the dry surfaceFemale mayflies are confusing solar panels for water surfaces, which is causing difficulties with their reproduction. This issue, termed po...
21 Aug, 2026, 02.10 PM IST