Hidden bacterial molecules in the brain reveal new secrets of sleep New studies show that a bacterial molecule, peptidoglycan, is present in the brain and fluctuates with sleep patterns. This challenges the idea that sleep is solely brain-driven, instead suggesting it’s a collaborative process between our bodies and microbiomes. The theory links microbes not only to sleep but also to cognition, appetite, and behavior, pointing to a profound evolutionary relationship.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/r....eleases/2025/09/2509

This flower smells like dying ants, and flies can’t resist it Vincetoxicum nakaianum tricks flies into pollinating it by imitating the smell of ants attacked by spiders. Ko Mochizuki stumbled upon this finding when he noticed flies clustering around the flowers and later confirmed their unusual preference. The study reveals the first known case of ant odor mimicry in plants, expanding our understanding of how diverse floral deception can be.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/r....eleases/2025/09/2509

Mushrooms evolved psychedelics twice, baffling scientists Researchers found that magic mushrooms and fiber caps independently evolved different biochemical pathways to create psilocybin. This convergence shows nature’s ingenuity, but the reason why remains unknown—possibly predator deterrence. Beyond evolutionary mystery, the discovery provides new enzyme tools for biotech, with promising applications for producing psilocybin-based medicines.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/r....eleases/2025/09/2509

Fish love songs recorded for 12 years reveal a surprising shift By recording grouper grunts for 12 years, scientists discovered major shifts in how red hind spawn and compete. Courtship calls once dominated, but territorial sounds have surged, suggesting changes in population structure. Machine learning helped decode the patterns quickly, offering a groundbreaking way to monitor and conserve reef fish.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/r....eleases/2025/09/2509

Dogs can tell how toys work without any training Gifted dogs can categorize toys by function, not just appearance. In playful at-home tests, they linked labels like “fetch” and “pull” to toys—even ones they’d never seen before. The findings hint that dogs form mental concepts of objects, much like humans, pointing to deeper cognitive abilities.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/r....eleases/2025/09/2509