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<ul class="summary-list"><li>A baby tardigrade riding a nematode won $600 in Nikon's Small World in Motion Video Competition.</li><li>Quinten Geldhof captured the video using a microscope and an iPhone. His setup cost under $1,000.</li></ul><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/fossilized-tardigrade-trapped-in-amber-2021-10">Tardigrades</a> may be the world's cutest and most famous microscopic critters.Also known as water bears or moss piglets, tardigrades are waddling eight-legged animals with a reputation for survival.There are nearly 1,500 known species of tardigrade across the planet, from the poles to the tropics, from the highest mountains to the bottom of the sea. They can even survive in such extreme conditions as the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tardigrades-on-moon-spacecraft-beresheet-likely-still-alive-2019-8">surface of the moon</a>.<div type="image" title="Tardigrade" height="1552" width="1800" msid="113465769" hostid="261" sizebytes="103060"></div>One baby tardigrade had the confidence to hitch a ride on the back of one of its greatest predators — <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/forty-six-thousand-year-old-worm-found-siberian-permafrost-brought-back-to-life-2023-7">a microscopic worm called a nematode</a> — in a video that won fifth place and $600 in Nikon's Small World in Motion Video Competition on Tuesday."Nematodes often eat tardigrades, and so it felt like the stakes were quite high," Quinten Geldhof, the 24-year-old hobbyist who took the video of this "wild ride" <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/years-best-microscope-photos-reveal-hidden-world-around-us-2022-10">through a microscope,</a> told Business Insider in an email. "I had never seen anything quite like it."See the video, below, for yourself:This Wild West scene is a bit bizarre, but not totally surprising to experts."It is one of those occasions that can occur but rarely do you have a camera handy to record the event," Sandra McInnes, a scientist with the British Antarctic Survey who <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tardigrade-water-bears-wildest-experiments-survived-2022-12">studies tardigrades</a>, told BI in an email.McInnes said the animal in this video appears to be a species of Diphascon tardigrade, which are about 0.35 millimeters long on average.There's a practical reason it might have hopped on the nematode train."Tardigrades cannot walk on glass/plastic petri dishes," Paul Bartels, a tardigrade researcher and professor of biology at Warren Wilson College, told BI in an email. "I believe this tardigrade simply encountered the nematode, and it was something it could grasp which is better than flailing around helplessly."<h2 id="da25861d-c434-428d-9811-99287fb2910f">A microscope and a smartphone</h2>Geldhof says he had gathered some moss from the sidewalk near his home in Winthrop, Massachusetts, and used a device called a Baermann funnel to filter out microorganisms. He ended up with a nematode and a batch of tardigrade eggs, visible through his microscope.He stored them on a glass slide in a homemade humidity chamber — basically, a closed box with wet paper towels to prevent the slide from drying out.In a few days, the tardigrades had hatched and there were about five babies roaming the slide."One of these little moss piglets wandered in the direction of a nematode on the slide and promptly climbed aboard much to my surprise," Geldhof said.He was filming at just the right time, using a Swift 380B microscope he bought on Amazon and an adapter that held his iPhone 14 Pro camera up to the microscope's eyepiece. The whole setup costs less than $1,000, he said.Geldhof got into microscope videography about two years ago, after he started watching several microscope video creators on YouTube. He shares his own videos on Instagram, where his handle is <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.instagram.com/microhobbyist/">@microhobbyist</a>."I found it absolutely fascinating to see things from a microscopic point of view, just putting all sorts of things from around the house or pond water, ocean water under the microscope, and I wanted a way to share that with people," he said."There's always something surprising to find wherever you look," he added.

Award-winning footage shows a baby tardigrade riding one of its greatest predators in a rare microscopic Wild West scene

<ul class="summary-list"><li>A new study found hundreds of unique viruses called bacteriophage on toothbrushes and shower heads.</li><li>Phage target bacteria, not humans, and could be a useful tool against disease.</li></ul>The next big breakthrough in <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/disease-prevention-ideas-us-could-learn-from-uk-israel-canada-2022-12">disease-fighting innovation</a> could be no further away than your bathroom.A recent study found hundreds of viruses on samples from toothbrushes and shower heads, including many that have never been seen before, let alone examined.But this specific kind of viruses, known as bacteriophage, aren't concerning for human health because they target and infect bacteria, not us, according to Erica Hartmann, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at Northwestern University who led the study."It's still a big deal; it's just not scary. It's actually really exciting," Hartmann told Business Insider.Understanding how these infectious particles work could be a valuable step in protecting us from <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/health/conditions-symptoms/what-is-the-difference-between-bacteria-and-virus">harmful pathogens and bacteria</a>, including those that cause tuberculosis and other serious diseases."The more we know about what's in shower heads and what's on toothbrushes with regard to viruses and microbes, the more we can advance in understanding how we get sick and even devise new tools to fight those pathogens," Miryam Wahrman, a professor of Biology at William Paterson University of New Jersey who was not involved with the study, told Business Insider.<h2 id="cfd924b0-3be2-4e3b-8329-12a9c8ebdb95">Unexplored ecosystems are living on your household items</h2>Researchers from Northwestern University were inspired to investigate toothbrushes because of a previous study investigating whether <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/photos-show-droplets-aerosols-emerge-when-flush-toilet-2022-12">flushing the toilet could release aerosols</a> that might contaminate a toothbrush left out on the countertop.The good news is that the study, nicknamed "Operation Pottymouth," found no evidence of poop-related germs on toothbrushes."Overwhelmingly, we find that microbes on your toothbrush come from your mouth," Hartmann said.The research team decided to put all those used toothbrushes to good use and took a closer look at what's hanging out there.In a previous study, they also analyzed samples taken from <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/home/how-to-clean-shower-head">shower heads</a> to offer even more insight into our bathrooms' microscopic occupants.The researchers weren't surprised to find that these household items were home to many germs because of their warm, moist environments.But they were blown away by how many different kinds of viruses were present. There was so much diversity that there was almost no overlap between the samples, meaning each toothbrush and shower head was host to its own unique microscopic world.The findings were published October 9 in <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiomes/articles/10.3389/frmbi.2024.1396560/full">Frontiers in Microbiomes</a>."I'd encourage people to look at things they see every day and think of these as places where we could be making exciting discoveries for new biotechnology," Hartmann said.<h2 id="a5e9a1f5-fb1b-4af8-9e10-a9a211c4ecf9">Phages could be the new frontier in disease-fighting biotech</h2>There's no reason to be grossed out by the tiny inhabitants sharing our homes."I don't think there's any need to change behavior or enhance cleaning. These are not viruses that are going to infect you, these are viruses that are potentially cool," Hartmann said.It's a common misconception to think of all germs and microorganisms as potential threats, but plenty of microbes are neutral, beneficial, and sometimes <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/foods-better-than-probiotics-for-gut-health-2023-8">necessary for human health</a>.Bacteria and viruses have sparked groundbreaking innovations in science, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/longevity-stem-cell-biotech-reverse-aging-cellular-reprogamming-2024-9">biotechnology</a>, and healthcare that we benefit from every day, such as penicillin and DNA research."Microbes are everywhere all the time, and the vast majority of them won't make you sick," Hartmann said. "If we approach with wonder and curiosity instead of fear, we can work with microbes instead of against them."Phage are exciting because they specialize in attacking and replicating inside bacteria, including bacterial pathogens. These pathogens make us sick and can become resistant to our current protective strategies, like <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/health/treatments/how-long-does-it-take-for-antibiotics-to-work">antibiotics</a>."The enemy of our enemy is our friend. They are potentially a very helpful tool for us," Wahrman said.Researchers have known about the existence of phage for more than a century, but antibiotics have gotten most of our attention. Now that some pathogens have outsmarted antibiotics, phage are a wide-open frontier for innovation.In the future, phage might be a rich source of biotech innovations like <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ampliphi-phage-therapy-treatment-bacterial-infections-2017-10">phage therapy,</a> in the same way pharmaceuticals have developed medicines from plants or animals. Rather than scouring remote reaches of the planet, these discoveries could come from digging deeper into what surrounds us every day."There are a lot of things waiting to be discovered just under our noses or on our toothbrushes," Hartmann said.

Your toothbrush is home to hundreds of new viruses. They could be the future of biotech.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Researchers are studying a 44,000-year-old mummified wolf found in the permafrost in Russia.</li><li>The wolf may tell scientists what its lifestyle and diet were like during the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/extinct-giant-mammals-pleistocene-megafauna-ice-age-north-america">Pleistocene era</a>.</li></ul>This <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/photos-ancient-intact-wolf-pup-mummy-yukon-permafrost-2020-12">wolf looks pretty good</a> for its age, considering it's 44,000 years old.In 2021, residents of Yakutia in eastern Russia found the wolf in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/forty-six-thousand-year-old-worm-found-siberian-permafrost-brought-back-to-life-2023-7">thick permafrost</a> — soil that normally remains frozen year-round, but in many places has begun to thaw as average global temperatures rise.Now, researchers at North-Eastern Federal University in Yakutsk, Russia, are studying the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ancient-egyptian-didnt-intend-preserve-mummy-bodies-say-scientists-2022-12">mummified remains</a> to learn more about the animal.The frozen conditions helped mummify and perfectly preserve the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/fires-may-have-caused-la-brea-tar-pit-extinctions-thousands-of-years-ago-2023-8">Pleistocene predator</a>. Its teeth and much of its fur are still intact, as are some of its organs.<div type="image" title="mummified wolf on a table close up of its head with matted fur and complete teeth bared with someone wearing protective gear and gloves writing a note beside it" height="1500" width="2250" msid="111350430" hostid="261"></div>"It's shocking, actually," Robert Losey, an anthropologist at the University of Alberta who wasn't involved in the research, told Business Insider."It's the only complete adult Pleistocene wolf that's ever been found, so that in itself is really remarkable and completely unique," he added.There's a lot to learn from such a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/gold-miner-discovers-mummified-squirrel-mangled-fur-ball-yukon-2023-4">well-preserved ancient animal</a>, including its genetics, lifestyle, diet, and even what kind of ancient bacteria and viruses it had."<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/scientists-revived-frozen-zombie-virus-48000-years-infects-other-cells-2023-3">Living bacteria can survive</a> for thousands of years, which are a kind of witnesses of those ancient times," Artemy Goncharov, a researcher at the Institute of Experimental Medicine, said in a translated <a target="_blank" href="https://www.s-vfu.ru/news/detail.php?SECTION_ID=25&amp;ELEMENT_ID=238886">statement</a>.<h2 id="734c7516-2f1b-4e9b-b497-8b3cd03e4cfc">The wolf's stomach may hold its last meal and much more</h2><div type="image" title="people in protective white coveralls and masks and gloves hold open the stomach of a mummified animal while one reaches long tweezers inside" height="1500" width="2250" msid="111350428" hostid="261"></div>This 44,000-year-old wolf likely belongs to an extinct species and was probably larger than <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/colorado-has-released-10-gray-wolves-into-the-wilderness-2023-12">modern wolves</a>, Losey said. Studying the animal's genome will help reveal where it fits into the canine family tree.After examining one of its teeth, the scientists believe the wolf was an adult male. It probably hunted in a flat, cold environment full of mammoths, wooly rhinoceroses, extinct horses, bison, and reindeer. Remains of some of those animals might even be left in the wolf's gut. Researchers took samples of its stomach and digestive tract to learn more and are awaiting results.The researchers may also be able to tease out what functions ancient <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/boost-improve-gut-health-simple-effective-methods-2024-1">microbes performed</a> in the wolf's gut, and whether it had parasites, Losey said. If any of the microorganisms are unknown to science, they could play a role in the development of future medicines, the researchers said in the statement.This discovery is just part of a larger collaboration to study other ancient animals, including fossil hares, a horse, and a bear. The researchers previously studied a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/40000-year-old-severed-wolfs-head-was-discovered-in-siberia-2019-6">wolf head</a> from the Pleistocene era and have another wolf fossil awaiting dissection.<h2 id="250b2f60-7497-4526-9685-dc6cfbb60b63">Ancient animals and infectious agents are thawing</h2><div type="image" title="illustration of an anthrax virus" height="2160" width="3840" msid="111350422" hostid="261"></div>As the world's permafrost thaws due to rising global temperatures, more ancient creatures like this are re-emerging. In the Yukon, for example, paleontologists are still fawning over an impeccably preserved baby mammoth discovered in 2022.Not everything in the permafrost is so harmless, though.In 2016, thawing in Siberia's Yamal Peninsula released anthrax from a once-frozen reindeer carcass, causing an outbreak that infected 36 people and killed one child.Researchers fear that other <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ancient-viruses-may-reemerge-as-permafrost-melts-climate-change-study-2023-8">pathogens may slumber in the tundra</a>, with the thaw of a warming world slowly creeping toward them.Last year, researcher Jean-Michel Claverie announced that he had revived a 48,000-year-old virus they found in the Siberian permafrost. It could still infect single-celled amoebas."We view these amoeba-infecting viruses as surrogates for all other possible viruses that might be in permafrost," Claverie told <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/08/world/permafrost-virus-risk-climate-scn/index.html">CNN</a> at the time. "We see the traces of many, many, many other viruses. So we know they are there. We don't know for sure that they are still alive."Any ancient viruses or bacteria in the guts of the Yakutia wolf could help researchers better understand the microbes hiding inside permafrost creatures.

A mummified 44,000-year-old wolf is so perfectly preserved its stomach could contain remnants of its last meal

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Dr. Tim Spector, an epidemiologist, tries to eat 30 plants a week for better gut health.</li><li>He shared an easy way to add a variety of plants to meals.</li></ul>A top nutrition scientist shared his easy hack for reaching his target of eating <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/gut-health-dietitian-microbiome-foods-meals-30-plants-a-week-2024-2">30 different plants each week</a>.Dr. Tim Spector, a British epidemiologist and cofounder of the nutrition company ZOE, told Business Insider that he keeps a "diversity jar" on hand to increase the number of plants he eats to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/signs-symptoms-unhealthy-gut-how-to-fix-gastrenterologist-2024-3">improve his gut health</a>.A diversity jar is "simply a collection of nuts, seeds, and other plants that you can eat as a snack or add to meals," he said.He adds a handful from his jar to his breakfast of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/foods-better-than-probiotics-for-gut-health-2023-8">kefir, yogurt</a>, and berries each morning. He also uses it to top his salads and pasta dishes, he told BI."I use my diversity jar for most meals, as nuts and seeds go well with most things," he said. "Sometimes, I add it to sourdough with some hummus, too."Gut health is a buzzy topic right now. According to Forbes, the gut microbiome industry was estimated to be worth $84.27 million in 2021 and is expected to grow by 31.24% from 2022 to 2030.Spector's company, ZOE, sells probiotics and personalized programs that promise to improve gut health and help people reach a healthy weight, feel less bloated, and sleep better.But you don't need to spend money on programs or probiotics for good gut health. Simple changes to your diet, such as adding nuts and seeds from a diversity jar, can add up."Every time you eat is an opportunity to improve your health," Spector told BI.<h2 id="a9afe3f4-c0fd-4fcf-8e42-864eb247216a">Spector tries to eat 30 plants a week for his gut health</h2>The diversity jar helps Spector reach his goal of eating <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/plant-based-shopping-list-dietitian-no-meal-prep-2024-3">at least 30 different plants</a> a week. He continuously tops up his jar with bags of mixed seeds and nuts to increase the plant count.He does this because "eating a diverse, plant-based diet helps support long-term health," he said.This is because the gut microbiome — the microorganisms in our digestive system — thrives on a varied diet. A healthy gut microbiome affects overall health as well as digestion; research has linked good gut health to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8001875/">better</a> immune function and the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6682904/">prevention</a> of chronic diseases such as cancer and bowel disorders.A diversity jar containing 10 or so plants "gives you a good head start" on packing 30 plants into your week, Spector said.BI has previously reported on more of his tips to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/boost-improve-gut-health-simple-effective-methods-2024-1">increase the number of plants in your diet</a> to help you get in that other 20.<h2 id="21a9d76d-0de0-4ffa-8419-03b39b15ac21">Nuts and seeds are great for health</h2>Not only do the nuts and seeds in the diversity jar help Spector eat more plants, but they also have specific benefits.Walnuts and chia seeds are sources of Omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, which are beneficial for heart health. A serving of hemp seeds contains more protein than an egg, which allows muscle growth and maintenance. Meanwhile, almonds contain calcium, which helps strengthen bones and teeth and regulates the heartbeat.Plus, a 2022 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="c-link" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9776667/">review</a> of studies found links between a higher consumption of nuts and seeds and a lower likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease and dying from health issues such as cancer.Nuts and seeds also contain fiber, which most people in the West don't eat enough of, Spector said. Fiber is <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/health/diet-nutrition/fiber-benefits">important for digestion</a> and has also been associated with a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/colon-cancer-risks-young-people-reduce-diet-alcohol-2024-2">lower risk of colon cancer</a>, so getting the recommended amounts is beneficial for long-term health.

A top nutrition scientist eats 30 plants a week for gut health. His 'diversity jar' makes it easy.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Dr. Uma Naidoo is a Harvard-trained psychiatrist and professional chef.</li><li>She explains why eating well helps to fuel beneficial bacteria in the gut, supporting the brain. </li></ul>You can eat your way to a younger brain and healthier gut by stocking up on some basic ingredients from your local grocery store, according to a doctor and nutrition expert.Dr. Uma Naidoo is a Harvard-trained psychiatrist and professional chef featured in a new brain health class from <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://affiliate.insider.com?h=dca498db3f46521f6d82c09959a4d7e953c5d5982d79130d01490503e3003767&amp;postID=666b0099e7e1e0003ff5f40b&amp;postSlug=nutritional-psychiatrist-shares-foods-she-buys-for-healthy-brain-2024-6&amp;site=bi&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.masterclass.com%2F">MasterClass</a>, which offers simple tips to help improve memory and focus while preventing cognitive decline that comes with aging.She told Business Insider that what you eat can significantly boost your brain health and mood while supporting your digestive system all at the same time.That's because the brain and the gut are closely connected — so much so that the gut is a key producer of neurotransmitters like serotonin that we need to maintain mental health and cognitive function."People think of the brain as an above-the-neck concept that is unrelated to the rest of the body, but gut health is so critically important as well," Naidoo said.The upshot of the brain-gut connection is that eating well is a double win for your health, and you don't need expensive superfoods or supplements to do it. Naidoo's favorite brain-boosting staples on her grocery list include yogurt, dark chocolate, and fresh herbs."The first and foremost thing I want people to really learn from this class is that healthy food can be delicious," she said. "All you need to do is add in very simple ingredients, easily accessible ingredients, whether it's leafy greens or herbs and spices."<h2 id="b6e5f3dc-754a-477f-8069-02ddfe02b837">Yogurt and cottage cheese are rich in protein and gut-friendly probiotics</h2>Two of the major staples in Naidoo's fridge are plain yogurt and cottage cheese, known as <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-improve-gut-health-with-food-full-meals-dietitian-2023-3">probiotic foods</a>. They're packed with <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/foods-better-than-probiotics-for-gut-health-2023-8">beneficial bacteria</a> from the fermentation process, which can help support the friendly microorganisms that live in the human digestive system. Both yogurt and cottage cheese are good protein sources to help you feel full, too.The key to making yogurt or cottage cheese a healthy breakfast or snack is being mindful of what you mix in. A lot of premade products or additives like granola can be high in sugar, too much of which is linked to potential health issues, including <a target="_blank" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0149763418308613">higher risk of anxiety and depression</a>.Naidoo said she makes her own brain-food granola (the recipe is included in <a target="_blank" href="https://umanaidoomd.com/">her book</a>) with hearty oats, seeds as a source of healthy fats, and a bit of honey for natural sweetness.<h2 id="a73bdb4b-87a0-4c94-87db-4a1077a7bbcd">Nuts and berries are full of fiber for a healthy snack</h2>Popular snacks like chips and pasties are <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/processed-foods-may-increase-dementia-risk-study-finds-2022-12">processed foods</a>, which research has linked to worse mood and brain function.Naidoo's go-to snacks instead include nuts and berries, which provide plenty of fiber to keep your digestive system healthy.Berries are often recommended for brain health as part of eating plans like the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mind-diet-longevity-brain-health-ways-to-follow-2024-2">MIND diet</a> because they're packed with disease-fighting compounds called antioxidants."We want to eat antioxidants because these fend off oxidative stress in the body and the brain," Naidoo said.<h2 id="18e612ce-8185-42d9-9238-4ee32956b58e">Leafy greens may keep your brain younger</h2>Another easy way to eat healthier is to add a few servings of leafy green veggies to your regular meals, Naidoo said.Produce like spinach and kale contain high amounts of nutrients such as vitamin K and folate, and research suggests they're linked to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mediterranean-mind-diet-linked-to-lower-alzheimers-risk-brain-study-2023-3">healthier aging</a>.Also, look for microgreens like cress, arugula, and pea shoots. These are easy to mix into recipes like salads for extra vitamins and minerals."If I see microgreens, especially in the summer, I try to get some of those because that added to the top of my salad just is more nutrition for me," Naidoo said.<h2 id="793afbe9-cab5-4a2a-abc5-5d22bca410f3">Dark chocolate is a brain-boosting dessert</h2>Brain food can also include treats, according to Naidoo. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tea-hot-cocoa-good-for-your-brain-according-to-science-2020-11">Dark chocolate</a> offers a wealth of minerals and a specific type of nutrient called flavanols, which are linked to cognitive benefits."Not only is it a brain-healthy food, it's low in sugar. So rather than a candy bar, I have my patients get used to eating small chunks of extra dark natural chocolate," Naidoo said.For best results, avoid products with a lot of sugar or other additives and look for a high percentage (at least 70% cocoa) to get the most out of your chocolate. Enjoying <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/eat-chocolate-cheese-for-better-heart-health-study-suggests-2021-8">chocolate in moderation </a>is also key, since too much can cause you to overdo it on sugar and/or calories and offset the potential health benefits, research suggests.Naidoo added that pairing chocolate with citrus, like an orange or clementine, can make it even more nutritious since vitamin C helps the body absorb iron.<h2 id="b19ed97f-a457-479b-bd12-b0100203d627">Fresh herbs like basil and parsley add nutrients and make healthy food delicious</h2>Naidoo's training as a professional chef has taught her that healthy food can be delicious but doesn't have to be complicated.Stocking up on fresh herbs like basil and parsley can boost flavor and provide even more healthy benefits.In the brain health class for MasterClass, Naidoo shares recipes for brain-healthy foods like jerk cauliflower that you can make at home. Over time, you can explore your favorite herbs and spices to find flavors and recipes that work for your tastes and support good health."The most important thing is that people understand how simple healthy food can be and that it is tasty, that they're not giving up flavor," Naidoo said.

A nutrition expert and chef shares 7 foods for a healthy brain and gut that are always on her grocery list

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Scientists have managed to extract evidence from an ancient fossil of early life on Earth. </li><li>Rock in South Africa is thought to contain some of the oldest known fossils in the world.</li></ul>Earth may have been teeming with a complex ecosystem of microorganisms as far back as 3.4 billion years ago.Scientists, led by the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/125309.html">University of Göttingen</a> in Germany, studied fossils taken from the Buck Reef Chert in the Barberton Greenstone Belt in South Africa.The area is known for having well-preserved ancient sedimentary rocks close to its surface, which can provide a snapshot of our planet's history.In some of these rocks, researchers found chemical signatures that provided an insight into the biodiversity of ancient organisms, adding evidence to the early beginning of life on our planet."What I'm reading out of this is that early life was working very much similarly to life today," Frances Westall, an expert in ancient biology from the French National Centre for Scientific Research, who was not involved in the study, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.newscientist.com/article/2413292-traces-of-ancient-life-reveal-a-3-4-billion-year-old-ecosystem/">told New Scientist</a>.<div type="image" title="Three samples of fossils are shown side by side. The fossils are shown either in black and white or as seen under fluorescent light." height="1000" width="2000" msid="107057816" hostid="261" sizebytes="103048"></div><h2>Life on Earth more than 3 billion years ago</h2>Scientists think that life on Earth began around 4.3 billion years ago, but tracking down evidence dating back to that time is a difficult task.Still, by drilling straight into ancient rock, scientists have found peculiar, carbon-rich layers in several cores taken from around the world.These layers are widely thought to be fossilized life, frozen in rock billions of years ago.The oldest accepted rock core containing fossilized life was found in Pilbara, Australia. This is thought to be more than 3.5 million years old.Older carbon-rich layers have been uncovered, but because of their age, it's not possible to know for sure that these are fossils or another non-biological process.So scientists have been racing to understand all they can from these ancient fossils. And what they've found is that Earth was already teaming with life more than three billion years ago."It's very difficult to see the trend, simply because of a lack of well-preserved rocks," says Westall."Personally, I think life emerged on Earth during the Hadean, probably about 4.2, 4.1 billion years [ago]," Westall said referring to a period of time that ended about four billion years ago.<h2>Microbes' metabolisms, billions of years after they died</h2>The samples from the Barberton Greenstone Belt are among the oldest known fossils of life — dating back to about 3.42 billion years ago.<div type="image" title="a map pinpoints the location where the rock cores were extracted" height="1062" width="1466" msid="107057818" hostid="261" sizebytes="49752"></div>Earlier analyses had looked at the shape of the fossilized microbes in the rock, suggesting these were varied and probably lived near water.The new analysis, published in the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301926824000020#da005">peer-reviewed journal </a>Precambrian Research on January 12, pushed the analysis even further by looking at the chemicals that made up the microbes.Their study showed that, as expected, there were a lot of "photoautotrophs" back then, meaning the bacteria were able to take sunlight and turn it into energy, much like some bacteria that exist today.But they also found evidence that some microbes were likely already able to use up sulfate and make complex chemicals like methane and acetate.This reinforces the idea that life was already very complex 3.4 billion years ago, capable of using up carbon in a variety of ways that we still see today, the scientists said in the study."These results highlight the existence of an advanced biological carbon cycle as early as 3.42 Ga ago," they said.

Remnants of life in ancient rocks reveal Earth had a rich ecosystem 3.4 billion years ago

US President <keyword id="99719" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="joe-biden" source="Orion">Joe Biden</keyword> on Sunday departed from Delhi to <keyword id="13486" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="vietnam" source="Orion">Vietnam</keyword> after concluding the <keyword id="42982" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="G20-Summit" source="Orion">G20 summit</keyword>. <keyword id="60973" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="biden" source="Orion">Biden</keyword> had arrived on the evening of September 8 to attend the G20 Summit in the national capital. He held bilateral discussions with Prime Minister <keyword id="6354477" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="narendra-modi" source="Orion">Narendra Modi</keyword> on the same day, where both the nations agreed to co-operate in the sectors like telecom, space, renewable energy, defence and education. Biden along with Modi also announced the launch of the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/policy/economy/news/g20-biofuel-alliance-can-generate-opportunities-worth-500-bn-in-next-3-yrs-member-nations/articleshow/103548504.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Global Biofuels Alliance</a> on the sidelines of the G20 Summit on Saturday. A total of 19 countries and 12 international organisations have so far agreed to join the alliance, including both G20 members and non-member countries. India, Brazil and the US are the founding members of the alliance. Apart from this, Biden was also present during the announcement of the launch of the India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor. The first-of-its-kind economic corridor will be a historic initiative on cooperation on connectivity and infrastructure involving India, UAE, Saudi Arabia, EU, France, Italy, Germany, and the US. The summit has been attended by more than 30 heads of state and top officials from the European Union, invited guest countries, and 14 heads of international organisations. The theme of this year's G20 Summit, which is taking place under India's presidency, is "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam," or "One Earth · One Family · One Future," - which is drawn from the ancient Sanskrit text of the Maha Upanishad. Essentially, the theme affirms the value of all life-human, animal, plant, and microorganism-and their interconnectedness on the planet Earth and in the wider universe.

US President Biden departs for Vietnam after attending G20 Summit

<ul><li>PM Modi welcomed the dignitaries with an '<keyword id="18722201" type="General" weightage="60" keywordseo="angrakha" source="Orion">angrakha</keyword>'.</li><li>UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and IMF head Kristalina Georgieva were amongst the first to arrive. </li><li>The leaders will also sign on the 'Peace Wall' at the Leaders' Lounge.</li></ul> Prime Minister <keyword id="6354477" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="narendra-modi" source="Orion">Narendra Modi</keyword> on Sunday received G20 leaders at <keyword id="6362865" type="General" weightage="90" keywordseo="rajghat" source="Orion">Rajghat</keyword> where they will pay tributes to <keyword id="6355532" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="mahatma-gandhi" source="Orion">Mahatma Gandhi</keyword>. United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres and IMF head Kristalina Georgieva were amongst the first to reach the venue. Modi welcomed the dignitaries with an 'angrakha'. After paying tributes to the Mahatma, the leaders also signed the 'Peace Wall' at the Leaders' Lounge. India is hosting the <keyword id="42982" type="General" weightage="70" keywordseo="g20-summit" source="Orion">G20 Summit</keyword>, scheduled on over the weekend under its Presidency amid divisions in the grouping over the Russia-Ukraine war. World leaders, including US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Japan PM Fumio Kishida, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, are in the capital for the event. The summit is being attended by more than 30 heads of state and top officials from the European Union, invited guest countries, and 14 heads of international organisations. The theme of this year's G20 Summit, which is taking place under India's presidency, is "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam," or "One Earth · One Family · One Future," - which is drawn from the ancient Sanskrit text of the Maha Upanishad. Essentially, the theme affirms the value of all life-human, animal, plant, and microorganism-and their interconnectedness on the planet Earth and in the wider universe. With text inputs from PTI &amp; ANI

G20 leaders pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Saman Khalesi has dedicated his career to studying how nutrition can impact health.</li><li>Khalesi takes two supplements to boost his health after the holidays: a multivitamin and a probiotic.</li></ul>December is a joyful holiday season: a time of parties, fun, and lots of good food and drink. But it can also be a time of overindulgence, leaving you feeling bloated and unhealthy.<a target="_blank" href="https://staff-profiles.cqu.edu.au/home/view/233">Dr. Saman Khalesi</a>, Senior Lecturer and Discipline Lead in Nutrition at Central Queensland University in Australia, has spent his career studying how nutrition can benefit health. But even Khalesi indulges during the holidays."I might drink a little bit more, eat not as healthy as I always do," Khalesi told Insider.To help get back on track after the holidays, Khalesi said he takes two types of supplements: a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.insider.com/probiotic-supplements-good-brain-health-stress-2023-11">probiotic</a> and a multivitamin."I do take probiotics and multivitamins, not regularly, but I do take them occasionally, especially if I'm on holiday after coming back," Khalesi said.<h2>Probiotics</h2><div type="image" title="Probiotic supplements/pills" height="3208" width="4816" msid="106488424" hostid="261" sizebytes="155866"></div>Eating poorly, lack of exercise, and drinking can all negatively impact our <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-affects-your-microbiome-2015-11">gut microbiome</a>, the trillions of microorganisms like bacteria and yeast that inhabit our gut.To boost gut health after the holidays, Khalesi said he takes a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.insider.com/guides/health/diet-nutrition/probiotics">probiotic supplement</a>.Probiotic supplements contain "good" gut bacteria, and can help restore gut health after unhealthy — but enjoyable — holiday merrymaking.While probiotics supplements can contain all different kinds of probiotic strains, Khalesi said he gravitates toward ones that contain different strains of lactobacillus and bifidobacterium. "I prefer those ones that are more researched," he said.For people who have an underlying health condition, like <a target="_blank" href="https://www.insider.com/signs-of-ibs-2018-11">irritable bowel syndrome</a>, it might be necessary to take probiotics for a few weeks to a few months in order to reap benefits, Khalesi said.But for people who are generally healthy and just eating poorer during the holidays, "even taking your probiotics and vitamins every couple of days, or every three days — it helps." Khalesi said.<h2>A multivitamin</h2><div type="image" title="New Chapter Perfect Prenatal Multivitamin" height="600" width="600" msid="106488426" hostid="261" sizebytes="24438"></div>While research on whether you <a target="_blank" href="https://www.insider.com/experts-why-multivitamins-vitamin-e-are-a-waste-of-money-2022-6">actually need multivitamins</a> is mixed, they could help make sure you're still getting all your essential nutrients. This could be especially important during the holiday season, when you're less likely to hit your daily serving of fruits and veggies."During Christmas and holiday time, people usually don't eat as healthy as they are supposed to," Khalesi said. "I know that my lifestyle during the holidays is not as good as it should be."Just like with probiotics, Khalesi said he doesn't necessarily take a multivitamin everyday; he just takes a few as he makes his way through the holiday season.<h2>Get back to your normal routine ASAP</h2>Although taking probiotics and multivitamins can help you recover from lifestyle changes during the holidays, "the most important thing is getting back to the routine," Khalesi said.Specifically, Khalesi said it's key to eat foods that support the health of good gut bacteria, like <a target="_blank" href="https://www.insider.com/what-resistant-starch-benefits-gut-health-high-fiber-foods-2023-8">complex carbohydrates</a>, dietary fiber, fruits, and vegetables.Eating a healthy diet can encourage good gut bacteria to diversify and thrive, Khalesi said, and is the most important thing you can do for gut health."Never, ever omit fruits, vegetables and complex carbohydrates from your diet," Khalesi said. "Those are the best things that happen to our diet."

A nutrition expert takes these 2 supplements to recover after the holidays

<ul class="summary-list"><li>A gastroenterologist shared a method he uses to make sure he's eat enough gut-healthy foods.</li><li>It's called F-GOALS and includes plants such as garlic, broccoli, fruit, and legumes. </li></ul>A gastroenterologist shared the trick he uses to make sure he's eating enough fiber to improve his <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-improve-gut-health-with-food-full-meals-dietitian-2023-3">gut health</a>, and his overall health in turn.Dr. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/smoothie-recipe-gut-health-gastroenterologist-breakfast-daily-drink-2024-1">Will Bulsiewicz</a>, author of "Fiber Fuelled," developed the F-GOALS acronym, which stands for: fruit and fermented foods; greens and grains; omega-3; aromatics; legumes; and seaweed, sulforaphane, and 'shrooms.Speaking on "<a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqabbfk9wV8">The Diary Of A CEO" podcast</a> earlier this month, Bulsiewicz said <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/health/diet-nutrition/how-to-kickstart-a-healthy-gut">gut health</a> is not only important for digestion, but is also thought to affect other parts and functions of the body, including the immune system, mental health and cognition, metabolism, and hormones.Growing evidence suggests the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/gut-health-expert-probiotics-that-can-treat-ibs-balance-microbiome-2022-8">gut microbiome</a> — or the microorganisms including bacteria that live in the digestive system — can influence our health, because of its symbiotic relationship with our bodies and how it interacts with and aids our bodily functions. For instance, 80% of the body's immune cells are contained in the gut.Bulsiewicz told Bartlett that one of the biggest misconceptions people have about improving gut health is that they need to restrict their diet, when it's actually about increasing the variety of foods they eat.Find out more about his F-Goals acronym below.<h2>F — fruits and fermented foods</h2>Bulsiewicz said that <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/man-weight-loss-12-pounds-spiking-increasing-blood-sugar-levels-2023-10">fruit has been "inappropriately villanized</a>" but is "amazingly good for us" and that people who consume more of it are less like to have diabetes. One 2023 study found that those who ate an additional 300 grams of fruit over a three year period had an 8.2% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes.He also recommended people eat <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/probiotic-packed-meals-eat-for-gut-health-nutritionist-approved-2022-3">fermented foods</a> such as sauerkraut, kimchi, and pickles to improve their gut health. Bulsiewicz cited a 2021 Stanford School of Medicine study that found participants who added fermented foods to their diets for 10 weeks increased the diversity of the bacteria in their gut microbiome.<h2>G — greens and grains</h2>Greens and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/health/diet-nutrition/whole-wheat-vs-whole-grain">grains</a> — specifically unrefined, whole grains — are high in fiber and resistant starches, Bulsiewicz said. Research suggests both fiber and resistant starches are great for the gut microbiome because they promote bacteria diversity.<h2>O — omega-3s from fiber-filled foods</h2><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/health/diet-nutrition/omega-3-foods">Omega-3</a> fatty acids, found in foods such as chia seeds, flaxseeds, hempseeds, and walnuts, are also important for gut health, Bulsiewicz said.Emerging evidence suggests omega-3 could help regulate the types and quantities of bacteria in the gut and help control inflammation.<h2>A — aromatics</h2>Aromatics are food such as onions, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/health/diet-nutrition/garlic-benefits">garlic</a>, and shallots. Not only are these foods delicious, Bulsiewicz said, but they are great for the heart and are thought to protect against cancer.According to <a target="_blank" href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/are-onions-good-for-you">The Cleveland Clinic</a>, studies suggest that a diet rich in onions could reduce the risk of developing colorectal, brain, bladder, breast, lung, ovarian, and stomach cancers, as well as helping to control high blood pressure and lower cholesterol levels.<h2>L — legumes</h2>"Legumes are the number one superfood," Bulsiewicz said.Research shows eating more legumes appears to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and coronary heart disease.Bulsiewicz also called legumes "longevity foods." Business Insider previously reported that beans are commonly eaten in the world's <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/high-protein-plant-based-foods-blue-zones-diet-longevity-2022-1">Blue Zones</a>, where people regularly live to over 100 years old.<h2>S — 'shrooms, seaweed, and sulforaphane</h2>These foods are great sources of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/5-fiber-mistakes-how-to-fix-2023-9">fiber</a>, Bulsiewicz said, while sulforaphane is a chemical found in cruciferous vegetables including broccoli, kale, and cabbage that is thought to help prevent cancer.Bulsiewicz said eating lots of different sources of fiber is great for gut health because certain foods feed "specific families of microbes and lifts them up.""The choices that you make impact which microbes get to eat," he said.

A gastroenterologist shares an easy trick he uses to make sure he's eating enough gut-healthy foods

<keyword id="103932" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Dandruff" source="Orion">Dandruff</keyword>, those tiny white or yellowish flakes that dot our shoulders and cause embarrassment, is a common scalp condition that affects millions worldwide. While it's not a serious health issue, dandruff can be annoying, itchy, and even downright frustrating to deal with. Fortunately, with the right approach and a bit of patience, conquering dandruff and achieving a <keyword id="20601980" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="flake-free-scalp" source="Orion">flake-free scalp</keyword> is entirely possible. In this article, we'll delve into the causes of dandruff, explore effective treatment options, and provide <keyword id="20601979" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="simple-steps-for-a-flake-free-scalp" source="Orion">simple steps for a flake-free scalp</keyword>. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Understanding Dandruff" comment="subhead" text="Understanding Dandruff">Understanding Dandruff</cmsannotation> Dandruff, also known as seborrheic dermatitis, is a chronic scalp condition characterized by the shedding of dead skin cells in the form of flakes. It often presents as itching, redness, and flakiness on the scalp, although it can also affect other areas rich in oil glands, such as the eyebrows, ears, and nose. While the exact <keyword id="10322641" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cause-of-dandruff" source="Orion">cause of dandruff</keyword> is not fully understood, several factors are believed to contribute to its development: Malassezia: A type of yeast-like fungus called Malassezia is found naturally on the scalp of most adults. However, in some individuals, an overgrowth of Malassezia can lead to irritation and inflammation, triggering the characteristic symptoms of dandruff. Sebum Production: Excessive oil (sebum) production by the sebaceous glands on the scalp can create an environment conducive to the growth of Malassezia, leading to dandruff. Dry Scalp: On the other hand, a dry scalp lacking sufficient moisture can also contribute to dandruff formation. Dry skin cells are more prone to flaking and shedding, exacerbating the appearance of dandruff flakes. Stress and Hormonal Changes: Stress, hormonal fluctuations, and certain medical conditions can also exacerbate dandruff symptoms by affecting the balance of oils and microorganisms on the scalp. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Effective Treatment Options for Dandruff" comment="subhead" text="Effective Treatment Options for Dandruff"><keyword id="20601981" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Effective-Treatment-Options-for-Dandruff" source="Orion">Effective Treatment Options for Dandruff</keyword></cmsannotation> Fortunately, there are numerous treatment options available to help manage dandruff and alleviate its symptoms. These include: Anti-Dandruff Shampoos: Over-the-counter anti-dandruff shampoos containing active ingredients such as zinc pyrithione, selenium sulfide, ketoconazole, or tea tree oil can help reduce flaking and control the growth of Malassezia. Use these shampoos regularly as directed for best results. Scalp Exfoliation: Regular exfoliation of the scalp can help remove dead skin cells and prevent the buildup of flakes. You can use a gentle scalp scrub or a soft-bristled brush to exfoliate the scalp before shampooing. Moisturizing Treatments: For individuals with dry scalp, using moisturizing treatments such as coconut oil, olive oil, or aloe vera gel can help hydrate the scalp and reduce flakiness. Apply the chosen treatment to the scalp, leave it on for a few hours or overnight, then wash it out with a gentle shampoo. Medicated Treatments: In cases of severe or persistent dandruff, prescription-strength medicated shampoos or topical treatments may be necessary. These may contain higher concentrations of active ingredients or additional medications to target inflammation and fungal growth. Dietary Adjustments: Some research suggests that certain dietary factors, such as consuming excessive sugar or unhealthy fats, may contribute to dandruff. Adopting a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins may help improve scalp health and reduce dandruff symptoms. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Preventing Dandruff Recurrence: simple steps for a flake-free scalp" comment="subhead" text="Preventing Dandruff Recurrence: simple steps for a flake-free scalp"><keyword id="20601982" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Preventing-Dandruff" source="Orion">Preventing Dandruff</keyword> Recurrence: simple steps for a flake-free scalp</cmsannotation> While treating existing dandruff is essential, preventing its recurrence is equally important. Here are some practical tips for maintaining a flake-free scalp: Maintain Good Hygiene: Wash your hair regularly with a gentle shampoo to remove excess oil, dirt, and dead skin cells from the scalp. Use Lukewarm Water: Avoid washing your hair with hot water, as it can strip the scalp of its natural oils and exacerbate dryness and flaking. Limit Hair Products: Reduce the use of styling products such as gels, mousses, and hairsprays, as they can build up on the scalp and worsen dandruff. Manage Stress: Practice stress-reduction techniques such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises to help manage stress levels, as stress can exacerbate dandruff symptoms. Protect Your Scalp: Wear a hat or use sunscreen to protect your scalp from excessive sun exposure, as sunburn can worsen dandruff and scalp irritation. Avoid Scratching: Resist the urge to scratch your scalp, as it can damage the skin and worsen inflammation and flaking. Consult a Dermatologist: If dandruff persists despite home treatments, consult a dermatologist for further evaluation and personalized treatment recommendations. Conquering dandruff and achieving a flake-free scalp requires a combination of effective treatment strategies, preventive measures, and patience. By understanding the underlying causes of dandruff and adopting appropriate treatment options, you can effectively manage symptoms and maintain a healthy scalp. Remember, consistency is key, and with dedication and perseverance, you can bid farewell to dandruff and enjoy a confident, flake-free mane. Note: The article is based on content generated by AI models like Bard and Chatgpt.

Say goodbye to Dandruff: simple steps for a flake-free scalp

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Fabian Weston makes videos of tiny organisms filmed under a microscope.</li><li>One of his videos provided the missing piece to link 400-year-old fossils with living euglenoids.</li></ul>Sometimes, it really does help to Google it. Especially when you're a stumped scientist who's exhausted all other angles.That's what one research team did after all else had failed. And it helped them solve a scientific mystery that's confused biologists for decades.<h2>400-million-year-old microscopic fossils</h2>There have been <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/signs-of-6th-mass-extinction-2019-3">five mass extinctions</a> on Earth. Some events <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/dinosaurs-ancient-fossils/extinction/mass-extinction">killed off</a> 95% of living species. Euglenoids survived them all."Euglenoids are microscopic life forms that combine both animal and plant traits," Bas van de Schootbrugge, a geosciences professor at Utrecht University, told Business Insider via email. They eat like animals and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/extreme-heat-climate-change-stop-tropical-trees-photosynthesis-kill-plants-2023-8">photosynthesize like plants</a>.You can find the organisms in freshwater ponds all around the globe, van de Schootbrugge said. But they're rarely found in the fossil record, even though they've been around for eras.To find ancient evidence of euglenoids, van de Schootbrugge and his colleagues looked at microfossils — teensy fossils that are only a <a target="_blank" href="https://manoa.hawaii.edu/exploringourfluidearth/physical/ocean-floor/oceanic-crust-and-seafloor/weird-science-oceanic-microfossils">few millimeters</a> in size."We worked on a hunch that these <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/oldest-fossils-life-hydrothermal-vents-2017-3">microfossils</a> could be cysts of euglenoids, but no one had ever seen a euglenoid make a cyst in nature or in a lab," van de Schootbrugge said.Dating back 400 million years, some euglenoids made cysts that protected the organism during <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/these-7-animals-have-crazy-adaptations-to-help-them-to-survive-in-their-habitats-2016-7">unfavorable conditions</a>. But it was unclear what these cysts looked like.A chance viewing of a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wytez4cAjb8">YouTube</a> video helped van de Schootbrugge and his colleagues link the fossils and living euglenoids.The finding could help establish euglenoids as some of the earliest ancestors of all living plants and animals.<h2>The proof was in a pond (and on YouTube)</h2>There were two main problems with the cyst microfossils: what they were called and what they looked like."People working in different time slices had basically given different names to the same kind of microfossils, obscuring their long evolutionary history," van de Schootbrugge said.They were Paleozoic Chomotriletes, Mesozoic Pseudoschizaea, and Cenozoic Concentricystes. The researchers went through 500 papers to find mentions of all the different names.Other scientists had noticed the similarities between all these microfossils, but "the cysts have a structure that is unlike anything that has been seen before," van de Schootbrugge said. Since no one had ever documented a euglenoid making a cyst, there was nothing from the present to compare the ancient examples to.And then one of van de Schootbrugge's co-authors, Paul Strother, Googled "Euglena cysts" and a result on YouTube popped up.In the video, Fabian Weston was showing a sample of pond water under a microscope. The New South Wales resident has a YouTube channel devoted to filming all sorts of microscopic organisms.In the video below, you can see the Euglena form into a ball with a thick, ribbed wall. "The cysts look layered, and this may be constructed from the mucus that is typically on the outside of certain euglenoids," van de Schootbrugge said. "After watching it, we were convinced that what was seen in the video is Euglena making the kind of structure we see as microfossils," van de Schootbrugge said.It was the missing piece."What we did, really, was to make the connection with the most recently living forms, which tied the taxonomic names to the living microorganisms," Strother told Business Insider via email.They recently published their paper in the peer-reviewed journal <a target="_blank" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0034666723002129?via%3Dihub">Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology</a>.Van de Schootbrugge noted that they haven't yet seen Weston's cysts themselves and hope to go look at the pond's sediment for Chomotrilete microfossils.<h2>The evolutionary tree of life</h2>Strother thinks this study is a piece of the puzzle regarding the eukaryotic Tree of Life (eTOL). Eukaryotes are the domain of organisms that all animals and plants belong to. Unlike bacteria, their cells have a nucleus.In other words, they're some of our earliest eukaryotic ancestors.Scientists think euglenoids could have evolved over a billion years ago, according to a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.uu.nl/en/news/microfossils-shed-light-on-the-long-fossil-record-of-euglenoids">press release</a> about the study. Knowing which eukaryotes evolved first would be a huge step in understanding how they've survived for so long.<div type="image" title="A black-and-white image of euglenoid cyst magnified showing its unusual structure" height="876" width="1557" msid="107404251" hostid="261" sizebytes="178966"></div>Extending euglenoids' fossil records this far back in geological time suggests that they're among the oldest eukaryotes, Strother said, adding that "the question that this work addresses — but does not necessarily 'answer' — is, 'Which species are at the root of the eTOL?'"

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