biologija

Happy boy and his grandfather cheering during sports game at the stadium. / Foto: Drazen Zigic

Večna mladost

Imate 60 let, počutite pa se jih 40? Znanost pojasnjuje, zakaj to ni le iluzija

Bee going to sting woman on light blue background, closeup / Foto: Liudmila Chernetska

Matematiki narave

Čebele znajo šteti: nova raziskava razkriva presenetljivo numerično inteligenco domačih čebel

**VIDEO AVAILABLE: CONTACT INFO@COVERMG.COM TO RECEIVE**BY MARK WORGANOctopuses have a special 'sex arm' they use to identify partners by taste and mate with them, according to researchers at Harvard University.The findings, published in the journal Science, show that males can locate and fertilise females without seeing them, sometimes mating at arm's length.Scientists say the research sheds new light on how these largely solitary animals reproduce, and may help explain how new species evolve.Male octopuses have eight arms, but one - known as the hectocotylus - is specially adapted for reproduction."Male octopuses use a specialized arm called the hectocotylus to identify females and navigate their internal organs to reach the oviduct and deliver sperm," the researchers, led by lead author Pablo Villar, write in their paper.During mating, the arm searches for the female's mantle cavity and deposits packets of sperm, known as spermatophores. The researchers found that the arm is lined with receptors similar to those used by other arms to explore the seabed.Octopus limbs are highly sensitive, with each suction cup containing thousands of sensory cells. Much of the animal's nervous system is distributed throughout its arms, allowing them to act independently of the brain.To test how the animals use these abilities, scientists observed mating behaviour in the California two-spot octopus (Octopus bimaculoides).Males and females were placed on opposite sides of a tank, separated by a barrier with small openings. Despite being unable to see each other, males were able to extend their specialised arm through the divider, locate the female and begin mating.The study found that such interactions could take place even in complete darkness. When two males were paired, however, no mating attempts were observed, suggesting females emit a specific chemical signal.Further experiments pointed to the hormone progesterone as a key factor.Research

odkritje

Ljubezen na dosegu roke: lovka hobotnice je jezik in spolni organ hkrati

Mother with newborn baby son lying in bed / Foto: Alemoraes244

MATERINSTVO

Zakaj so avtoimunske bolezni pogostejše pri ženskah? Znanost odkriva skrivnost v materinem telesu

Bill Gates, who pledged on Thursday to give away almost his entire personal wealth in the next two decades and said the world's poorest would receive some 0 billion via his foundation, speaks with Reuters during an interview in New York City, U.S., May 8, 2025. REUTERS/Mike Segar

tehnološka prihodnost

Bill Gates razkriva: trije sektorji, ki bodo kljub vzponu umetne inteligence ostali varni

ODKRITJE

Spermiji proti Newtonu: moške semenčice kršijo 300 let star fizikalni zakon

Njegov rilec je nekaj izjemnega. / Foto: Istock

ŽIVALSKI SVET

Znanstveniki so odkrili eno najbolj varovanih in nežnih skrivnosti slonov

Na celični ravni ostanemo povezani vse življenje. / Foto: Istock

DOGNANJE

Presenetljivo odkritje: zakaj celice matere v nas ostanejo vse življenje

Znanost

Slovenski raziskovalci izdelali strukture znotraj živih človeških celic