Brainy Monkey

  • Home
  • Brainy Monkey

Brainy Monkey Fascinating facts, trivia, and mind-bending quizzes.

Scientists discovered a black fungus called Cladosporium sphaerospermum growing on the walls of Chernobyl where radiatio...
25/07/2025

Scientists discovered a black fungus called Cladosporium sphaerospermum growing on the walls of Chernobyl where radiation levels were dangerously high. According to Forbes, this fungus didn’t just survive, it appeared to thrive by absorbing radiation and converting it into energy through a process called radiosynthesis. The key lies in its melanin, the same pigment found in human skin. In this fungus, melanin absorbs gamma radiation and transforms it into chemical energy, much like how chlorophyll enables photosynthesis in plants.

Studies have shown that C. sphaerospermum grows faster in radioactive environments than in normal ones, suggesting it actively uses radiation to fuel its metabolism. This adaptation has sparked interest in potential applications, from bioremediation of nuclear sites to radiation shielding in space. NASA has even tested the fungus aboard the International Space Station to explore its use in protecting astronauts from cosmic rays

Before vomiting, your body activates a subtle yet vital defense system that starts in your mouth. According to the Natio...
25/07/2025

Before vomiting, your body activates a subtle yet vital defense system that starts in your mouth. According to the National Institutes of Health, your salivary glands rapidly increase saliva production in the moments before you throw up. This isn’t just a side effect of nausea, it’s a deliberate biological response to help protect your teeth and tissues from the harsh effects of stomach acid.

Stomach acid has a pH level between 1 and 2, which is strong enough to damage tooth enamel and irritate soft tissues in your throat and mouth. According to the British Dental Journal, enamel erosion caused by acid exposure can lead to tooth sensitivity, discoloration, and long-term dental issues. Your saliva is slightly alkaline and contains bicarbonate, which helps neutralize the acid before it causes harm. It also acts as a lubricant, making the passage of vomit less abrasive on your throat and esophagus.

The first computer mouse wasn’t a sleek plastic device—it was a humble block of wood. According to the Computer History ...
25/07/2025

The first computer mouse wasn’t a sleek plastic device—it was a humble block of wood. According to the Computer History Museum, this groundbreaking invention was created by Douglas Engelbart in 1964 while working at the Stanford Research Institute. He called it the “X-Y Position Indicator for a Display System,” but its function was instantly recognizable: it allowed users to move a cursor across the screen by translating the rotation of two perpendicular wheels underneath into horizontal and vertical motion. The casing was made of wood simply because it was readily available and easy to shape.

Engelbart’s invention was part of a much larger vision for interactive computing. According to Stanford University archives, the mouse was just one component of his ambitious project known as the oN-Line System or NLS, which also introduced revolutionary ideas like hypertext, real-time collaboration, and video conferencing. These innovations were showcased in the now legendary 1968 demonstration dubbed “The Mother of All Demos,” where Engelbart unveiled the mouse alongside other features that would eventually define modern computing.

After water, tea holds the title as the most consumed drink globally, enjoyed by billions every day. According to Culina...
25/07/2025

After water, tea holds the title as the most consumed drink globally, enjoyed by billions every day. According to Culinarylore, It's estimated that for every cup of coffee, about three cups of tea are consumed worldwide.

Tea’s popularity spans continents, from green tea in China and Japan to black tea in India, Turkey, and the UK. Its versatility, affordability, and perceived health benefits have helped it become a daily ritual for billions of people. Coffee does give it a run for its money in some regions, especially in Europe and the Americas, but tea still holds the global crown.

According to a 2024 study published in the Journal of Ethology and reported by Smithsonian Magazine and CNN, California ...
25/07/2025

According to a 2024 study published in the Journal of Ethology and reported by Smithsonian Magazine and CNN, California ground squirrels have been observed actively hunting, killing, and eating voles, a small rodent species. This marks the first recorded instance of widespread carnivorous behavior in this species.

The discovery was made in Briones Regional Park near Oakland, where researchers documented 74 interactions between squirrels and voles over two months. In 42% of those cases, squirrels were seen stalking, pouncing, and even decapitating their prey before consuming it. What’s especially striking is that squirrels of all ages and sexes participated in the hunts, and the behavior was observed almost daily once researchers began looking for it. According to UC Davis researcher Sonja Wild, this dietary flexibility may help squirrels adapt to changing environments, including urbanization and climate stress.

In the Paris suburb of Rambouillet, the startup Glowee has installed bioluminescent streetlights powered entirely by mar...
25/07/2025

In the Paris suburb of Rambouillet, the startup Glowee has installed bioluminescent streetlights powered entirely by marine bacteria, specifically Aliivibrio fischeri. According to Good News Network, these bacteria naturally emit a soft blue-green glow through a chemical reaction involving the enzyme luciferase, and the process requires no electricity.

The bacteria are housed in transparent tubes filled with a nutrient-rich gel and seawater. When oxygen is introduced, the bacteria glow, creating a gentle, ambient light that’s carbon-neutral and silent. To turn the lights off, oxygen flow is simply stopped. Rambouillet partnered with Glowee to turn the town into a full-scale bioluminescence lab, testing how this living light could replace traditional streetlamps in parks, pathways, and signage. While the brightness is lower than standard LEDs, the system offers major sustainability benefits: zero emissions, low maintenance, and minimal light pollution.

R.I.P. to the legendary Hulk Hogan!Wrestling icon Hulk Hogan, born Terry Bollea, passed away on July 24, 2025, at the ag...
24/07/2025

R.I.P. to the legendary Hulk Hogan!

Wrestling icon Hulk Hogan, born Terry Bollea, passed away on July 24, 2025, at the age of 71 following cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida. According to WWE and multiple news outlets, he was surrounded by loved ones and pronounced dead shortly after arriving at Morton Plant Hospital.

Hogan was one of the most recognizable figures in pop culture and a driving force behind WWE’s global rise in the 1980s. He headlined the first WrestleMania in 1985 and went on to become a six-time WWE Champion, later inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame twice, once individually in 2005 and again in 2020 as part of the New World Order. Beyond the ring, Hogan starred in films like Rocky III and Mr. Nanny, and had his own reality show Hogan Knows Best.

During World War I, mercy dogs, also known as casualty dogs or Red Cross dogs, were specially trained to locate wounded ...
24/07/2025

During World War I, mercy dogs, also known as casualty dogs or Red Cross dogs, were specially trained to locate wounded soldiers in no man's land, often under the cover of night. According to HistoryNet, these dogs carried saddlebags filled with water, liquor, and first aid supplies, allowing injured soldiers to treat themselves if they were still conscious.

If a soldier was too badly wounded to help himself, the dog would return to the trenches with a piece of the soldier’s uniform to guide medics back to him. In cases where the soldier was dying and beyond help, the dog would often stay by his side, offering comfort in his final moments. This behavior wasn’t just trained, it was instinctive, and many military surgeons praised the dogs’ ability to triage better than humans, sensing life where medics thought none remained.

Across both World Wars, an estimated 20,000 mercy dogs served in various armies. Their presence saved thousands of lives and brought comfort where there was none. Their instincts, loyalty, and bravery made them trusted companions in humanity’s darkest hours, silent figures who delivered hope in the midst of chaos.

Dolphins have been filmed interacting with pufferfish in unusual ways, including gently chewing and passing them around....
24/07/2025

Dolphins have been filmed interacting with pufferfish in unusual ways, including gently chewing and passing them around. According to a BBC documentary Dolphins: Spy in the Pod, young dolphins were seen provoking pufferfish to release small amounts of tetrodotoxin, a powerful neurotoxin, and then entering what appeared to be a trance-like state.

Zoologist Rob Pilley, who worked on the series, described the behavior as deliberate and possibly recreational, noting that the dolphins seemed mesmerized and unusually calm afterward. The footage showed them floating near the surface, staring at their reflections, and handling the fish with surprising care, unlike their usual treatment of prey.

Mourning geckos (Lepidodactylus lugubris) are parthenogenetic, meaning nearly all individuals are female and reproduce a...
24/07/2025

Mourning geckos (Lepidodactylus lugubris) are parthenogenetic, meaning nearly all individuals are female and reproduce asexually without males. According to Reptile Direct, each female lays viable eggs that hatch into genetic clones of herself, allowing populations to grow rapidly without mating. Rare males do appear, but they’re typically infertile and don’t contribute to reproduction.

This cloning ability gives them a major advantage when colonizing new environments. Their eggs are resistant to saltwater, which means they can survive ocean crossings on driftwood or boats. This has helped mourning geckos spread across tropical islands, coastal regions, and even human dwellings from Southeast Asia to the Galápagos.

According to a 2025 study published in PNAS and reported by ScienceAlert, researchers at Case Western Reserve University...
24/07/2025

According to a 2025 study published in PNAS and reported by ScienceAlert, researchers at Case Western Reserve University developed a drug called SW033291 that protects the blood-brain barrier, a critical defense layer between the bloodstream and brain tissue. Instead of targeting amyloid plaques like most current treatments, this drug blocks an enzyme called 15-PGDH, which is elevated in Alzheimer’s, traumatic brain injury, and aging.

By inhibiting 15-PGDH, the drug prevents inflammation and preserves the integrity of the blood-brain barrier. In mouse models, this protection stopped neurodegeneration and preserved memory and cognition, even when the drug was administered a full day after injury. The research team is optimistic that this approach could lead to treatments not only for Alzheimer’s but also for brain injuries and other neurodegenerative conditions. Clinical trials in humans will be the next step, but the early results are a hopeful sign for millions affected by cognitive decline.

Scientists recently discovered one of the largest deep-sea nurseries ever found, filled with more than 2.6 million golde...
24/07/2025

Scientists recently discovered one of the largest deep-sea nurseries ever found, filled with more than 2.6 million golden eggs near an underwater volcano off the coast of Canada. According to marine biologist Cherisse Du Preez and her team at Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the eggs belong to the Pacific white skate, a deep-sea relative of sharks and rays. These leathery golden egg cases were clustered around geothermal vents, where volcanic heat creates a rare warm spot in an otherwise freezing habitat. This warmth significantly speeds up development, which is important because skate eggs can take up to ten years to hatch.

This nursery has been described by experts as “exceptionally rare” and ecologically important. According to the research team, the area’s unique conditions may offer protection and faster development, critical for species that live in slow-motion environments. The discovery has sparked calls for increased conservation efforts to protect the site from potential disturbance. The golden glow of these eggs, paired with the surreal volcanic setting, makes this one of the most otherworldly biological finds in recent years.

Address


Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Brainy Monkey posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

  • Address
  • Alerts
  • Claim ownership or report listing

  • Want your business to be the top-listed Media Company?

Share