Biology
From the smallest microbe to the largest dinosaurs and from the tiniest spore to the biggest giant sequoia, biological research continues to uncover weird and wonderful secrets.
Latest News
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Tiny 'false' scorpion catches scorpion taxi to new neighborhood
January 22, 2024Pseudoscorpions have been seen hitching a ride on a true scorpion, and it’s the first time this interspecific rideshare has been observed. While they have eight legs of their own, these tiny insects prefer to sit back and relax on their road trips. -
We finally know just how tardigrades are all but invincible under stress
January 21, 2024For the first time, scientists have uncovered the precise molecular mechanism that gives the tardigrade, one of the toughest organisms on the planet, its ability to switch on a near-invincibility cloak when faced with life-threatening conditions. -
Scientists chronicle the life journey of one remarkable woolly mammoth
January 18, 2024Genetic and isotopic analyses have pieced together a remarkable narrative of a 20-year-old female woolly mammoth, detailing her health, status, travels and ultimate ending in interior Alaska – even though her story is now more than 14,000 years old. -
Cannibalism seen for first time after marsupials' suicidal sex sessions
January 18, 2024The sex life of a tiny Australian marsupial known as an antechinus is already pretty bizarre. But now its mating season has gotten even stranger – and darker – thanks to the introduction of cannibalism, as observed by field researchers. -
Surprise plant cell discovery unlocks human anti-aging potential
January 17, 2024Scientists have discovered a new contender in the quest to hack the human aging process, and it's within each of our cells. They believe this breakthrough may have far-reaching implications for how we approach premature aging and age-related diseases. -
Easy artificial evolution makes for solar-powered yeast
January 15, 2024Scientists have given yeast a brand new ability – gaining energy from light. The technique was remarkably easy, the team says, and could not only help us understand evolution but make better beer and biofuel. -
New species of giant Tyrannosaurus predates T. rex by 6 million years
January 14, 2024If T. rex is too mainstream, discerning 10-year-olds may now have a new answer when asked their favorite dinosaur – Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis. The newly identified species appears to be more primitive than its famous cousin, but just as big and scary. -
With help of lasers, mystery of giant 'King Kong' ape's demise finally solved
January 11, 2024For two million years, a 10-feet-tall, 660-pound ape thrived in the forest, until it mysteriously vanished during the late middle Pleistocene. After 10 years of work, scientists at last reveal just what happened to our largest known distant relative. -
In a first, study finds just how romantic love rewires the brain
January 10, 2024Scientists have uncovered how the brain's far-reaching Behavioral Activation System, along with chemical drivers, can override other cognitive processes when we experience romantic love, driving that all-consuming focus on the object of our affection. -
Activating certain brain cells slows aging and boosts lifespan in mice
January 09, 2024Slowing down the dreaded aging process interests everybody, and now scientists have uncovered a new pathway to doing so. The team identified a feedback loop in the brain, and found that ramping up its activity helped mice live longer and healthier. -
Tiny sea creature's 'snot palace' inspires new water-pump tech
January 08, 2024A house made of mucus may not sound like a desirable abode, yet researchers have found that the crafty animal creating such an unappealing structure may help engineers design cheaper and more efficient pumps for industrial uses like water filtration. -
'Giant' predatory worm half a billion years old unearthed in Greenland
January 04, 2024Scientists have uncovered a new huge predatory worm species thought to have hunted in the Earth’s water column around 518 million years ago. They also believe this worm, whose name means terror beast, was one the earliest carnivorous swimming animals. -
Wound healing affected by perception of time that's passed
January 03, 2024For the first time, scientists have established that our perception of the passing of time can, independently, influence how a wound heals. It opens the door to better understanding the mind-body's connection and its role in healing and recovery. -
T. rex teeth to headbutting dinosaurs: Fossil finds of 2023
January 03, 2024With rapidly advancing techniques to assess fossils, we've never been in a better position to piece together Earth's early days. While there are still plenty of mysteries dating back millions of years, in 2023 we solved a few – and discovered even more. -
Synthetic biology breakthrough fixes CO2 from the air better than nature
January 03, 2024Scientists have developed a synthetic pathway that can capture CO2 from the air more efficiently than in nature, and shown how to implement it into living bacteria. The technique could help make biofuels and other products in a sustainable way.
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