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“Life science” is a broad area of study, and that means Virginia C. Ellett Deputy Director of Education Timshel Purdum's top 5 stories can cover everything from coffee to transparent mice. And boy do they ever!

#5 Coffee's On!

If you love coffee, this one is for you. Scientists have recently uncovered more about the origins of the most common form of coffee, Arabica. This type of coffee originated in Ethiopia between 300 and 600,000 years ago through the hybridization of two different coffee species. The new species kept the entire genomes of both parents, rather than the typical half. This phenomenon is common in plants and responsible for favorite foods, like strawberries.

While this unique genetic makeup likely initially benefited Arabica, it also made it more susceptible to diseases like coffee leaf rust. Thankfully, researchers also identified a region in the genome that provides disease resistance which may help us develop new, less vulnerable, coffee varieties in the future.

#4 Galactic Slime

Slime molds are fascinating single-celled organisms that, well, don’t fit the “mold.” Slime molds can form a large, interconnected mass that oozes through the environment searching for food in a coordinated manner, exhibiting surprising intelligence for something that doesn’t have a brain! Experiments have shown that slime mold units can solve mazes and even map complex networks, like subway systems, by following the food.

To understand how the universe has developed and organized over time, astronomers need a detailed map of what is known as “the cosmic web.” Inspired by the slime mold’s talents, astronomers created a computer algorithm that mimics how they search for food.

By “feeding” the algorithm the locations of “galaxies,” astronomers produced a detailed map of the cosmic web's structure. Compared to previous human-designed programs, the slime mold algorithm created a more accurate picture of the universe.

#3 Trilobite Pompeii

The city of Pompeii is famous for being preserved by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 A.D. Recently, paleontologists in Morocco made a remarkable fossil discovery that was also preserved by a volcanic eruption over 570 million years ago!

The fossils are of Trilobites, cousins of crabs and spiders, that were the rock stars of the paleozoic oceans but went extinct before the dinosaurs. The perfectly preserved fossils have allowed scientists to see parts of these amazing creatures in extraordinary detail for the first time.

Scientists used X-ray technology to scan the fossils and create three-dimensional images of the trilobites, revealing intricate features like their delicate leg bristles and for the first time their mouthparts. They were even able to see tiny organisms that had been living on the trilobites' backs!

#2 Transparent Mice

Ever wished you had X-ray vision? Doctors certainly do! They often need to peek beneath the skin to diagnose what's going on, but traditional methods like biopsies, X-rays, and MRIs can be invasive or expensive. Scientists are exploring ways to make skin temporarily transparent using dyes.

Skin is opaque because its various components – cells, fats and water – scatter light in different directions. To make it transparent, scientists are looking for ways to reduce the scattering.

In this experiment, scientists applied FD&C yellow # 5, a food dye found in one of our most popular triangular chips, to mouse skin. They dye reduced red light scattering causing the skin to appear transparent for about 10 minutes.Scientists could see working blood vessels, nerves, and other structures beneath the skin.

This technique is in its early stages and rubbing your skin with orange chips won’t make you invisible, so don’t try it at home kids!

#1 Catfishing Spiders

Maybe fireflies should think twice before following the light…

Scientists recently discovered that some sneaky spiders use male fireflies as bait to lure in unsuspecting victims for a fatal rendezvous.

Researchers set up cameras on the spider's webs and placed male fireflies in them. On some webs, they removed the spider while on others they left the spider and watched what happened.

In webs without a spider, male fireflies did not change their flashing pattern and no additional fireflies were caught.

When the spider was present, however, the spider bit and wrapped the male firefly–leaving the flashing organ uncovered. In these webs, the male flashing pattern changed to resemble a female flashing pattern. Unsuspecting male fireflies flew in for a closer look and BAM! Dinner time for the spider.

Scientists are now investigating whether this change in flashing is a physical manipulation caused by the bite or a result of the spider's venom.

From sipping coffee to slimy science, see-through skin, and spooky spiders, 2024 was a scientific sensation! Stay tuned to the Science Museum of Virginia as future discoveries unfold.