This Week in Science: Blue Dogs, a Cancer-Protective Gray Hair Theory, a Mushroom 'Mushristor', and More

This Week in Science: Surprising Finds and Curious Oddities

This week’s roundup highlights a mix of unexpected discoveries and quirky observations: intensely blue-coated dogs spotted in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, new evidence that gray hair may be a cancer-protective response, a promising antibiotic found in a common soil bacterium, a working memory device built from shiitake mushrooms, research linking creative hobbies to younger-looking brains, and fresh guidance suggesting longer walks benefit heart health more than many short ones.

Powerful antibiotic found in Streptomyces

Researchers identified a potent antibiotic compound in the well-studied soil bacterium Streptomyces coelicolor. Notably, when Enterococcus bacteria were exposed to the compound continuously for 28 days, they did not develop resistance — an encouraging sign that the molecule could remain effective over longer periods.

Creative pursuits linked to younger biological "brain age"

Multiple creative activities appear associated with biologically younger brains. In the study, tango dancers showed brain markers indicating more than seven years younger than their chronological age; musicians and visual artists about five to six years younger; and gamers roughly four years younger. The findings suggest regular engagement in varied creative hobbies may support brain health.

Bright-blue dogs seen in Chernobyl — likely stained, not irradiated

Photographs from the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone captured dogs with vivid blue coats. Authorities and conservation groups say radiation is an unlikely cause; the most plausible explanation is that animals rolled in chemical dyes or contaminants. "We do not know the reason and we are attempting to catch them so we can find out what is happening," Clean Futures Fund wrote on Instagram. "Most likely they're getting into some sort of chemical."

Gray hair may reflect a cancer-protective response

Researchers in Japan propose that hair graying can result from the body eliminating damaged stem cells that could pose a cancer risk. The team found that the same stem cell population can follow divergent fates — exhaustion (leading to graying) or expansion (linked to melanoma) — depending on stress type and local signals.

“These findings reveal that the same stem cell population can follow antagonistic fates — exhaustion or expansion — depending on the type of stress and microenvironmental signals,” said lead author Emi Nishimura of the University of Tokyo. “It reframes hair graying and melanoma not as unrelated events, but as divergent outcomes of stem cell stress responses.”

Mushroom memory: a working "mushristor"

Scientists built a form of memory device from shiitake mushrooms — dubbed a "mushristor" — and report performance comparable to some silicon-based components. The device switched at roughly 5,850 Hz with about 90% accuracy, toggling signals approximately 5,850 times per second (about once every 170 microseconds).

Longer walks may be better for your heart than many short ones

A UK study suggests that taking one or two longer walks (about 10–15 minutes each at a comfortable but steady pace) provides more cardiovascular benefit than splitting the same total number of steps into many short walks. "Simply adding one or two longer walks per day... may have significant benefits — especially for people who don't walk much," said co-lead author Matthew Ahmadi of the University of Sydney.

Takeaway

This week's science highlights both practical health tips and imaginative technological advances — from new antibiotics and heart-health advice to mushroom-based electronics and intriguing biological insights into aging and pigmentation.