The brightest take on this week’s science
Welcome back to Spark!
This week, scientists announced they’ve found ancient microbes living on Ötzi the Iceman.
Plus, a slice of sea cucumber refuses to die, years after it was surgically removed. Could it live forever?
Read on to find out…
Also in this issue:
🤰 An ultrasound patch that could transform pregnancy care
🤯 A mind-blowing science fact
🔬 A microscope mystery
Scroll for the science!
LOOK IN
Signs of Active Life in Ötzi The Iceman
Ötzi the Iceman is one of the most studied individuals in the world. (South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology/Eurac Research/Marion Lafogler)
Ötzi the Iceman is one of the oldest and best-preserved human mummies ever discovered.
But the corpse may not be completely devoid of life.
Scientists have now discovered traces of active microbes that are potentially over 5,000 years old.
Swab samples were taken from all over Ötzi's body, as well as the meltwater inside him.
DNA and RNA sequencing revealed ancient microbes that were heavily degraded, as well as examples of relatively fresh organisms.
Could these be the descendants of a long line of microbes secretly living on Ötzi's body?
HEADLINES
This Week in Science
LOOK OUT
A Sea Cucumber’s Tissue May Live Indefinitely
Pieces of excised sea cucumber tissue have survived years and regrown parts of themselves. (Jobson et al., Sci. Adv., 2026)
A humble sea cucumber has a secret longevity trick.
Scientists in Canada have now discovered that a species of scarlet sea cucumber has tissue that may live indefinitely.
When tube feet and antennae are cut off this creature, they can survive on their own in natural running seawater.
They seem to refuse to die.
Years after the tissue was removed, these parts are still growing and flourishing. The antennae even respond to touch, indicating an intact neural network.
No other creature has been found like this. It could give scientists important clues on how to keep tissues alive.
ZOOM ZONE
Microscope Mystery: What Do You See?
(Sheri Neva/Connect Images/Getty Images)
A) Tears
B) Snowflake
C) Fern
D) Honey
Answer at the bottom.
LOW-KEY GENIUS
New Ultrasound Tech May 'Transform' Pregnancy Care
(Natalia Lebedinskaia/Moment/Getty Images)
Ultrasounds have provided a snapshot of the womb since the 1950s.
Now, scientists are working on providing a continuous window.
A newly designed sticky patch, placed onto the stomach, can monitor a fetus for hours on end while a mother lies in bed.
The invention works hands-free, without the need for a sonographer on hand.
It’s called UPatch, and Mariana Tome, study co-author and obstetrics doctor at the University of Oxford, thinks the invention could "transform pregnancy care".
"This is the kind of technology obstetrics has been waiting for," she claims.
WOW FACTOR
Science Fact of The Week
Gif by pbsnature on Giphy
Earth’s weather can be downright temperamental, but count your blessings.
On some ‘hot Jupiter’ planets outside our Solar System, scientists think it may rain molten glass.
So much for that umbrella.
DOPAMINE HIT
Before You Go…
Nature is sweet.
(Gif by dualvoidanima on Giphy)
Microscope answer: Tears
The tears that fall from your eyes are not just water. Each droplet contains about 0.3 milligrams of salt. Dried out under a microscope, our tears take the form of beautiful salt crystals.
That’s all for today… see you next week!
- Carly
