#Biology

A sweeping new analysis of lifespan across 1,176 species – mammals and birds kept in zoos worldwide – points to a genetic explanation for why women often outlive men. In mammals, females tend to live about 13 percent longer than their male counterparts, a pattern that holds across roughly three-quarters of species studied. In birds, however, the pattern shifts: a sizable fraction of species shows males living longer than females. The study has been hailed as the most comprehensive cross-species test to date, offering support for the idea that differences in sex chromosomes play a protective role for females, independent of culture, country, or century. The key idea is simple in theory: having two X chromosomes provides a biological backup that can shield against harmful mutations, a redundancy men lack because they carry only one X chromosome and a Y that carries a different genetic load. Yet researchers emphasize that chromosomes don’t tell the whole story; physiology, behavior, life history, and mating systems all shape how long a species’ members live.

Recent research has highlighted some of the most perplexing mysteries of human anatomy that evolutionary science still grapples to explain, sparking animated discussions among biologists worldwide. While Darwin’s theory eloquently describes the gradual adaptation of organisms, certain quirky features of the human body—such as our unique chin or the puzzlingly intermediate size of male reproductive organs—still defy straightforward evolutionary rationales. A new article by a University College London professor, published by the BBC, summarizes current thinking and lingering questions, offering Thai readers a fascinating window into the ongoing detective work of evolutionary biology (BBC Future).

A fresh evolutionary science perspective sheds light on some of the body’s most puzzling features and the questions researchers are still pursuing. While Darwinian theory explains broad adaptation patterns, quirks such as the human chin and the nuanced size of male testicles invite ongoing study. A recent analysis summarized from a University College London piece and BBC Future offers current thinking and remaining gaps, providing Thai readers with insight into how scientists investigate our shared human past.

Sperm power human reproduction, a fact scientists have explored for centuries. Yet despite advances, many aspects of this tiny cell remain mysterious. Recent studies remind us that sperm are far more complex than once thought, and the questions they raise continue to push research forward.

For Thai audiences, questions about fertility touch daily life, health, and national family planning goals. While fertility technologies such as IVF have progressed, global data show a worrying trend: sperm counts appear to be declining, and many cases of male infertility remain unexplained. Thailand mirrors this global situation, underscoring the importance of reproductive health in public policy and everyday decisions.

Sperm, the key driver of human reproduction, has fascinated scientists for almost 350 years—yet much about this microscopic “explorer” remains tantalisingly unclear and continues to confound researchers even today. Despite their crucial role in the survival of humanity, recent research reveals that sperm is far more mysterious and complex than once believed, leaving many fundamental questions unanswered and opening new frontiers for scientific inquiry.

For Thai readers, whose concerns span from personal fertility to national demographic trends, the continuing enigma of sperm research is not just a matter for scientific curiosity—it touches on health, society, and the future wellbeing of families across the nation. The paradox is striking: even as advances have been made in reproductive technologies such as IVF and fertility treatments, global evidence indicates that sperm counts are on a worrying decline, and male infertility remains unexplained in the majority of cases, according to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2023).

A long-standing puzzle about why orange cats are so commonly male has been finally explained by new genetic research published in Current Biology. Scientists identified a specific deletion in DNA near the ARHGAP36 gene on the X chromosome. This mutation activates orange fur production, clarifying why most orange cats are male, while females require two copies to display full orange coloration. The discovery also explains why calico and tortoiseshell patterns are predominantly female, due to different X-chromosome inactivation. The findings come from independent studies by teams from a renowned U.S. university and a leading Japanese university, marking a milestone in feline genetics and veterinary science.

A century-old mystery surrounding the striking orange coats of domestic cats has finally been unraveled by new genetic research published on May 15 in the journal Current Biology (source). Scientists have identified a unique “meow-tation” in feline DNA that not only gives orange cats their distinctive hues, but also explains why the vast majority of them are male—a question that has perplexed geneticists and cat fanciers alike since the early 20th century.