The brightest take on this week’s science
Welcome back to Spark!
This week, we’re exploring a new cancer clue scientists have found swimming in our saliva, plus the age-old wisdom of the samurai.
Next week, we’re interviewing a real NASA astronaut about life in space. Got a question you’ve always wanted to ask? Hit reply, and launch it our way! 🚀
Also in this issue:
🤯 A mind-blowing science fact
🔬 A microscope mystery
Let’s see where the science takes us!
LOOK IN
New cancer clue discovered in our saliva
(PhotoAlto/Alix Minde/Getty Images)
Scientists have discovered a brand-new type of DNA element swimming in our saliva.
The giant loops of genetic information – named ‘inocles’ – are linked to oral health, the immune system, and cancer risk.
Those with head and neck cancers show far fewer of these DNA elements in their mouths.
Inocles are found in roughly 75 percent of the population.
Like little survival kits, their presence might help certain oral bacteria during stressful times, possibly altering the microbiome in our mouths.
How that impacts tumor growth is a mystery to solve. Right now, 95 percent of the genes in inocles remain elusive…
HEADLINES
What else we're watching
🏅This week’s most read: Muscle cramps have a surprise cause we never realized
LOOK OUT
"The Mountain" shatters deadlift record
(Hafthor Bjornsson/YouTube)
The actor who portrayed Ser Gregor "The Mountain" Clegane in the HBO series Game of Thrones is unbelievably strong in real life too.
This September, at the World Deadlift Championships, Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson deadlifted 410 kg (1,124 lb).
That’s a world record.
With that sort of sheer strength, Björnsson could lift a grand concert piano all on his own.
Scientists still don’t fully understand what allows certain humans to lift such extreme weights.
In 2024, however, a study examined the physique of a previous deadlift champion and found a surprising result…
ZOOM ZONE
Microscope mystery: What do you see?
(Anatoly Mikhaltso)
A) Diatom
B) Pollen grain
C) Dust grain
D) Succulent
Answer at the bottom.
LOW-KEY GENIUS
Acting like a samurai is useful in old age
(Jacob Wackerhausen/Getty Images)
The mindful movements of the Japanese samurai may help protect seniors against falls and injuries.
In a randomized controlled trial, elderly individuals who spent just five minutes a day sitting and standing like a samurai had significantly stronger knees after three months.
Ancient wisdom can still prove useful in the modern world.
WOW FACTOR
Science fact of the week
(Holcy/Getty Images)
Tardigrades sometimes hitch rides on land snails like little bus riders.
These microscopic ‘water bears’ can’t walk very far on their own, so the land snail is the perfect vehicle for getting around.
Even if it’s just for a few centimeters, the slime-y ride is well worth it.
DOPAMINE HIT
Before you go…
Tardigrades sometimes use their legs, too…
Microscope answer: A diatom.
This gorgeous specimen is the tiny fossil of a diatom – a marine microalga with an intricate glass shell that died between 32 and 40 million years ago. When diatoms fossilize, they form a chalky white material that today is often used in toothpaste.
That’s all for today… see you next week!
- Carly
