Biology
'Classic example' of sexual dimorphism in fossil record actually shows nuance between males and females
For decades, paleontologists have held up uintatheres as a prime illustration of sexual dimorphism, or the tendency for males and females of a species to be physically different. …
Dogs and owners disturb each other in the night, but still get pretty good sleep
Sleeping alongside your dog probably doesn't disrupt your sleep as much as you might think, according to a study published Oct. 7, 2026, in the journal PLOS One by Ming Fei Li of …
Jonathan the giant tortoise, 194, offers up insight into secrets of longevity
DNA analysis of oldest living land animal reveal patterns on genes that appear to protect functioning of mitochondriaThe ancient quest to extend human lifespan has received a boos…
Deep-sea clams adjust bacterial partnerships to cope with dwindling chemical energy
A research team led by professor Qian Peiyuan, chair professor in the Department of Ocean Science at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), in collaboration w…
A new hope for dogs with dementia: Researchers explore gene therapy
The moment Kate Heath saw her 12-year-old pug, Ivy, sitting silently and staring at a wall, she knew something was wrong.
Orangutan mothers seek out playmates for their young
Playing with peers is a crucial part of growing up—so crucial that orangutan mothers will go out of their way to arrange playdates for their young, according to a 15-year study of…
Tortoise beetles use pigmentation protein to shield bacteria that help digest plants
More than 80 years ago, scientists discovered that differences in yellow pigmentation were critical to courtship success and failure for fruit flies. It was one of the first demon…
Combining science and community knowledge could shape coral reef conservation in Indonesia
Coral reefs in Indonesia's Spermonde Archipelago are under pressure from both natural and anthropogenic activities. Researchers from Hasanuddin University assessed reef conditions…
Gut bacteria reveal ancient ties to human migrations across continents, genetic analysis suggests
As waves of humans left Africa tens of thousands of years ago, eventually populating the entire planet, they were joined on their world-conquering ride by the trillions of microor…
'Top predator' from the Jurassic measures just half a meter
The "top predator" from the Jurassic is relatively small: Megacauda sungei measures just half a meter (1.6 feet) from its nose to the tip of its tail. The furry ancestor of today'…
Nuclear traces in whales' teeth help scientists reconstruct their life stories
New analysis of traces of radioactive fallout from nuclear weapons testing trapped in the teeth of stranded whales has helped scientists reconstruct their life stories.
New framework developed for moving endangered species to safer locations
A new framework designed to guide one of the hardest decisions in conservation—whether to move a species outside its historical range to save it from extinction—has been published…
Conservationists are discovering 'bright spots' around the globe. Here's why they matter
Every few years, the elders of Muluk, a tiny coastal community in Papua New Guinea, close a stretch of their reef to fishing. They do this to give these underwater gardens room to…
Plants, people and progress for native prairie seeds
Across much of the central United States, there are ongoing efforts to restore native prairie. Returning native plants to the landscape can improve soil health and water quality a…
Nobel prize in chemistry awarded for work on mirror-image molecules
Henri B Kagan and Kensō Soai awarded prize for discovery of nonlinear effects and autocatalysis in asymmetric organic synthesisThe Nobel prize in chemistry 2026 has been awarded t…
Moment Karl Deisseroth tells his family he won the Nobel prize in medicine – video
Stanford University has shared video of Karl Deisseroth giving the news to his two daughters and one of his sons on Monday.Deisseroth had spent hours fielding congratulatory calls…
Petal 'windows' affect the abundance of microbes within flowers
Some flowers have petals with small semitranslucent sections. Research in New Phytologist reveals that these "windows" alter the amount of light and heat entering the flower and c…
Biodegradable nanoparticle technology may improve agricultural production
Farmers use a manufactured version of a natural plant hormone called gibberellic acid to improve the health and growth of crops, but it is highly sensitive to heat and light. A st…
Sorghum may help European agriculture face climate change
Research by INRAE and AgroParisTech suggests that global warming could have an overall positive effect on sorghum yields in Europe. Sorghum is a promising alternative to maize in …
New crocodile species discovered in rocks used to build the Great Sphinx
A new species of extinct crocodile from Egypt has been discovered, sharing more than just its home with the Great Sphinx. Herugavialis cairensis was found in the very same rocks u…
From coral reef conservation to climate resilience: Turning Indonesia's marine wealth into global impact
For Dr. Jamaluddin Jompa, the ocean has never been simply a subject of scientific study. He was born in Takalar, a coastal region of South Sulawesi, Indonesia, and his connection …
Hydrothermal vents supply a geochemical precursor of ATP that could have powered early life
Where did the energy come from to power the chemical origin of life, and how did phosphate come to be the universal energy currency of cells? Biologists from the Institute of Mole…
Hydra loses its immortality after cold triggers switch to sexual reproduction
The freshwater polyp Hydra oligactis is essentially immortal and reproduces asexually by cloning itself. Except when it gets too cold: then the animal switches to sexual reproduct…
Which eggplant farming practices pay off?
Fabrice Diangoné Bi Tra, a doctoral student in the 100 Ph.D.s for Africa program of the UM6P-EPFL Excellence in Africa initiative, has published a new study in Agriculture.