Biology

Back in July, we heard how orcas were hunting great white sharks in South Africa. While scientists were basing their findings on examinations of shark carcasses, they've now gained new insights by analyzing aerial video of a hunt in action.

Evolution occurs as species adapt to environmental pressures, and few environments exert pressures like the Chernobyl exclusion zone. A new study shows evolution in action as frogs within the radioactive region are turning blacker than those outside.

Ever wonder how deep-sea fish and other animals are able to survive in an environment where the water pressure would kill us humans? According to a recent study, the secret lies in a chemical that occurs naturally in their cells.

An ecologist from Utah State University is warning one of the world’s largest living things, a colony of genetically identical trees sharing a single root system, is in danger of breaking up into distinct parts, for the first time in its long history.

Soft tissues don’t fossilize well, so scientists have to infer organ anatomy from bones. But an unexpected treasure trove of new information has been discovered in Australia, with a 380-million-year-old fish fossil preserving the oldest heart ever found.

Even though the basking shark is the world's second-largest fish, much of its life has eluded observation. Now, however, researchers have determined that the usually solitary animals find mates by meeting up and circling around one another.

As many couples trying to conceive know, much can go wrong during that fateful meeting of sperm and egg. Now scientists have identified a new protein eggs use to draw in sperm, which could one day lead to new fertility treatments and contraceptives.

Scientists studying the biology of the tardigrade have filled in important new details around how the tiny aquatic creature can survive the harshest of conditions, highlighting a newfound mechanism that kicks into gear as dehydration sets in.

A fascinating study has discovered an insulin-suppressing protein that can help extend the lifespan of some ants by 500%. It revealed that in a certain species of ant this anti-aging pathway is activated when workers transition to the position of queen.

A new study on fruit flies may help explain why siestas came to be such an important habit in many cultures, revealing a type of brain thermometer that kicks sleep-promoting cells into action as the mercury starts to climb.

By combining cutting-edge digital modeling with analysis of a rare, one-of-a-kind fossil, scientists have managed to piece together the first 3D reconstruction of the megalodon, the largest shark to ever live.

Colossal has plans to resurrect the mammoth, and now it's revealed the second species on its de-extinction list – Australia’s lost thylacine. Partnering with a University of Melbourne lab, the project could revive the creature in about a decade.

While prehistoric insects encased in amber certainly are fascinating, they usually don't look all that different from today's insects. A newly discovered one, however, is so bizarre that it has been placed in its own unique family.

When we think of animals that work together to hunt prey, we typically think of creatures such as wolves or orcas. Common bats may soon be added to that list, as a new study suggests that they show each other where the tasty insects can be found.

Scientists have demonstrated a new system that can restore crucial molecular and cellular functions in pigs one hour after death. The experiments could help widen the organ transplantation pool and may even lead to new treatments for heart attacks.