worms

Scientists found at least 10 likely new species of bizarre branching worms inside sea sponges; one was hiding in a museum specimen collected in Japan in 1914

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Scientists found at least 10 likely new species of bizarre branching worms inside sea sponges; one was hiding in a museum specimen collected in Japan in 1914

PC: Nicole de Voogd/University of Göttingen Scientists have discovered at least ten new species of branching marine worms after studying their DNA, newly collected specimens, and body structures. These unusual worms live inside sea sponges and have a distinctive body, with one head connected to a tree-like network of branches. For more than a century, … Read more

A methane leak in the South China Sea formed a plume over 1km high; but bacteria and worms built a ‘worm bed’ within two years shocking scientists and theories

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A methane leak in the South China Sea formed a plume over 1km high; but bacteria and worms built a 'worm bed' within two years shocking scientists and theories

There is a vast amount of methane trapped beneath the seafloor, across the planet. If it were to be released, the results could be potentially catastrophic for all forms of life. This is why finding out how ecosystems respond to methane leaks is important to ocean scientists. Generally, these investigations take place on purpose in … Read more

Scientists are using worms that eat human waste to turn toilet waste into compost, but parasitic eggs can survive the process

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Scientists are using worms that eat human waste to turn toilet waste into compost, but parasitic eggs can survive the process

Tiger worm toilets are designed to turn human waste into vermicompost using worms that feed on and break down organic material. The approach can reduce the amount of waste that builds up in a toilet and has been studied as a form of non-sewered sanitation. Researchers tested whether tiger worms could destroy Ascaris eggs under … Read more