Why Is the Kiwi's Egg So Big?
(audubon.org)
The flightless kiwi is so unbirdlike that many biologists call it an “honorary mammal.”
The flightless kiwi is so unbirdlike that many biologists call it an “honorary mammal.”
All roses were once yellow
(phys.org)
Red roses, the symbol of love, were likely yellow in the past, indicates a large genomic analysis by researchers from Beijing Forestry University, China.
Red roses, the symbol of love, were likely yellow in the past, indicates a large genomic analysis by researchers from Beijing Forestry University, China.
Earth's oceans used to be green, and they could turn purple next
(newatlas.com)
For ages, Earth has been known as a blue planet, a vision largely shaped by the vast oceans that cover three-quarters of its surface. But what if this wasn't always the case, and our oceans used to be green? That's the surprising claim in a new study published in Nature Geology & Evolution.
For ages, Earth has been known as a blue planet, a vision largely shaped by the vast oceans that cover three-quarters of its surface. But what if this wasn't always the case, and our oceans used to be green? That's the surprising claim in a new study published in Nature Geology & Evolution.
Are these chimps having a fruity booze-up in the wild?
(arstechnica.com)
New data suggests that the human inclination toward feasting in groups is part of our deep evolutionary history.
New data suggests that the human inclination toward feasting in groups is part of our deep evolutionary history.
Magnetic Collapse: A Spur to Evolution?
(centauri-dreams.org)
The sublime, almost fearful nature of deep time sometimes awes me even more than the kind of distances we routinely discuss in these pages.
The sublime, almost fearful nature of deep time sometimes awes me even more than the kind of distances we routinely discuss in these pages.
Bird Went Extinct and Then Evolved into Existence Again
(vice.com)
The Aldabra white-throated rail, a flightless bird that lives on its namesake atoll in the Indian Ocean, doesn’t look like anything special at first glance. But the small bird has big bragging rights, because it has effectively evolved into existence twice after first going extinct some 136,000 years ago.
The Aldabra white-throated rail, a flightless bird that lives on its namesake atoll in the Indian Ocean, doesn’t look like anything special at first glance. But the small bird has big bragging rights, because it has effectively evolved into existence twice after first going extinct some 136,000 years ago.
Chicken-or-egg evolutionary problem solved by missing link molecule
(cosmosmagazine.com)
An accidental discovery could provide clues to a chicken-or-egg question which has puzzled scientists for decades: what came first – oxygen production by photosynthesis or oxygen consumption by aerobic metabolism?
An accidental discovery could provide clues to a chicken-or-egg question which has puzzled scientists for decades: what came first – oxygen production by photosynthesis or oxygen consumption by aerobic metabolism?
Molecular clock: bacteria used oxygen long before widespread photosynthesis
(phys.org)
Molecular clock analysis shows bacteria used oxygen long before widespread photosynthesis
Molecular clock analysis shows bacteria used oxygen long before widespread photosynthesis
Why Everything in the Universe Turns More Complex
(quantamagazine.org)
A new suggestion that complexity increases over time, not just in living organisms but in the nonliving world, promises to rewrite notions of time and evolution.
A new suggestion that complexity increases over time, not just in living organisms but in the nonliving world, promises to rewrite notions of time and evolution.
In the evolution of life, did metabolism come first?
(knowablemagazine.org)
Four billion years ago, our planet was water and barren rock. Out of this, some mighty complicated chemistry bubbled up, perhaps in a pond or a deep ocean vent. Eventually, that chemistry got wrapped in membranes, a primitive cell developed and life emerged from the ooze.
Four billion years ago, our planet was water and barren rock. Out of this, some mighty complicated chemistry bubbled up, perhaps in a pond or a deep ocean vent. Eventually, that chemistry got wrapped in membranes, a primitive cell developed and life emerged from the ooze.
A recent study suggests that insects branched out from crustaceans
(smithsonianmag.com)
Shrimp look an awful lot like bugs. The exoskeletons, jointed legs and compound eyes of both groups of living things give them more than a passing resemblance to each other, so no wonder some people call shrimp-like crawfish “mudbugs,” and a tattoo reading “shrimps is bugs” became a viral meme for underscoring the resemblance. But the tattoo got the reality backwards. Shrimp are not bugs. Bugs—or, more properly, insects—are technically a form of crustacean.
Shrimp look an awful lot like bugs. The exoskeletons, jointed legs and compound eyes of both groups of living things give them more than a passing resemblance to each other, so no wonder some people call shrimp-like crawfish “mudbugs,” and a tattoo reading “shrimps is bugs” became a viral meme for underscoring the resemblance. But the tattoo got the reality backwards. Shrimp are not bugs. Bugs—or, more properly, insects—are technically a form of crustacean.
Mammoth genetic diversity throughout the last million years
(sciencedaily.com)
A new genomic study has uncovered long-lost genetic diversity in mammoth lineages spanning over a million years, providing new insights into the evolutionary history of these animals.
A new genomic study has uncovered long-lost genetic diversity in mammoth lineages spanning over a million years, providing new insights into the evolutionary history of these animals.
Intelligence Evolved at Least Twice in Vertebrate Animals
(quantamagazine.org)
Humans tend to put our own intelligence on a pedestal. Our brains can do math, employ logic, explore abstractions and think critically. But we can’t claim a monopoly on thought. Among a variety of nonhuman species known to display intelligent behavior, birds have been shown time and again to have advanced cognitive abilities.
Humans tend to put our own intelligence on a pedestal. Our brains can do math, employ logic, explore abstractions and think critically. But we can’t claim a monopoly on thought. Among a variety of nonhuman species known to display intelligent behavior, birds have been shown time and again to have advanced cognitive abilities.
Bonobos use a kind of syntax once thought to be unique to humans
(newscientist.com)
Bonobos combine their calls in a complex way that forms distinct phrases, a sign that this type of syntax is more evolutionarily ancient than previously thought.
Bonobos combine their calls in a complex way that forms distinct phrases, a sign that this type of syntax is more evolutionarily ancient than previously thought.
Scientists uncover key mechanism in evolution: Whole-genome duplication drives
(sciencedaily.com)
Sometimes, the most significant scientific discoveries happen by accident.
Sometimes, the most significant scientific discoveries happen by accident.
Deadly bacteria have developed the ability to wipe out competitors
(phys.org)
A drug-resistant type of bacteria that has adapted to health care settings evolved in the past several years to weaponize an antimicrobial genetic tool, eliminating its cousins and replacing them as the dominant strain.
A drug-resistant type of bacteria that has adapted to health care settings evolved in the past several years to weaponize an antimicrobial genetic tool, eliminating its cousins and replacing them as the dominant strain.
When the Animals Went Electric
(nautil.us)
What a superpower sense tells us about evolutionary creativity
What a superpower sense tells us about evolutionary creativity
Thrive is a free, open-source game about the evolution of life
(github.com/Revolutionary-Games)
This is the code repository for Thrive. For more information, visit Revolutionary Games' Website.
This is the code repository for Thrive. For more information, visit Revolutionary Games' Website.
Genomic study: our capacity for language emerged at least 135k years ago
(phys.org)
It is a deep question, from deep in our history: when did human language as we know it emerge? A new survey of genomic evidence suggests our unique language capacity was present at least 135,000 years ago. Subsequently, language might have entered social use 100,000 years ago.
It is a deep question, from deep in our history: when did human language as we know it emerge? A new survey of genomic evidence suggests our unique language capacity was present at least 135,000 years ago. Subsequently, language might have entered social use 100,000 years ago.
Tiny changes in gene expression make big difference in eye size of fruit flies
(phys.org)
An international team of scientists has discovered that tiny changes in the timing of the expression of a single gene can lead to big differences in eye size.
An international team of scientists has discovered that tiny changes in the timing of the expression of a single gene can lead to big differences in eye size.
The Prehistoric Psychopath
(worksinprogress.co)
Life in the state of nature was pleasant, cooperative and longer than you might think. Most of our ancestors avoided conflict. But this made them vulnerable to a few psychopaths.
Life in the state of nature was pleasant, cooperative and longer than you might think. Most of our ancestors avoided conflict. But this made them vulnerable to a few psychopaths.
A 62M-year-old skeleton sheds light on an enigmatic mammal
(sciencedaily.com)
For more than 140 years, Mixodectes pungens, a species of small mammal that inhabited western North America in the early Paleocene, was a mystery.
For more than 140 years, Mixodectes pungens, a species of small mammal that inhabited western North America in the early Paleocene, was a mystery.
A longer, sleeker super predator: Megalodon's true form
(news.ucr.edu)
The megalodon has long been imagined as an enormous great white shark, but new research suggests that perception is all wrong.
The megalodon has long been imagined as an enormous great white shark, but new research suggests that perception is all wrong.
Chimeric particles expand species boundaries in chromosomal island mobilization
(biorxiv.org)
Some mobile genetic elements spread among unrelated bacterial species through unknown mechanisms.
Some mobile genetic elements spread among unrelated bacterial species through unknown mechanisms.
What if Eye...?
(eyes.mit.edu)
We created a virtual petri dish where digital creatures evolve eyes from scratch, replaying millions of years of evolution.
We created a virtual petri dish where digital creatures evolve eyes from scratch, replaying millions of years of evolution.
Birds have developed complex brains independently from mammals
(phys.org)
Two studies published in the latest issue of Science have revealed that birds, reptiles, and mammals have developed complex brain circuits independently, despite sharing a common ancestor.
Two studies published in the latest issue of Science have revealed that birds, reptiles, and mammals have developed complex brain circuits independently, despite sharing a common ancestor.
Ear muscle we thought humans didn't use activates when people listen hard
(frontiersin.org)
If you can wiggle your ears, you can use muscles that helped our distant ancestors listen closely.
If you can wiggle your ears, you can use muscles that helped our distant ancestors listen closely.
Tiny algae shaped the evolution of giant clams
(colorado.edu)
Giant clams, some of the largest mollusks on Earth, have long fascinated scientists. These impressive creatures can grow up to 4.5 feet in length and weigh over 700 pounds, making them icons of tropical coral reefs.
Giant clams, some of the largest mollusks on Earth, have long fascinated scientists. These impressive creatures can grow up to 4.5 feet in length and weigh over 700 pounds, making them icons of tropical coral reefs.
Giant, Mysterious Spires Ruled the Earth Long Before Trees Did
(smithsonianmag.com)
When land plants were still the relatively new kids on the evolutionary block and the world’s tallest trees reached only a few feet in height, giant spires of life poked from the Earth.
When land plants were still the relatively new kids on the evolutionary block and the world’s tallest trees reached only a few feet in height, giant spires of life poked from the Earth.