Biology
Killer whale grandmothers boost survival of young, may explain menopause
Although they are not able to conceive anymore, orca grandmothers boost the survival of their grand-offspring. Could this explain menopause?
A 6,000-year-old fruit fly gave the world modern cheeses and yogurts
A lucky encounter between a fruit fly and a pail of milk around 5,500 years ago set the stage for dairy product.
We have the first genetic evidence of human self-domestication
Our ancestors screened partners for 'niceness' -- and our genomes reflect that.
Fossil Friday: this meat-eating dino could grow a fresh tooth in 60 days
It takes me longer to even decide to go to the dentist.
Neanderthal extinction could have been driven by inbreeding, demographic issues — not modern humans
"Our results indicate that the disappearance of Neanderthals might have resided in the smallness of their population(s) alone," the paper's abstract reads.
New heart rate measurements suggest that blue whales are about as large as animals can get
Anything larger would need more blood than a heart can pump.
The genomes of hibernating mammals could help us fight obesity and metabolic disorders
A new study reports on 364 genetic elements that could be involved in obesity regulation.
When in trouble, just surf — that’s what honeybees do
This was the first time such a behavior was observed in insects and may represent a unique adaptation to bees.
‘Half-Earth’ conservation schemes would affect over a billion people
We should do more with less. Nature needs it.
New, free app modifies antibiotics to work against drug-resistant infections
"There's an app for that" has never been more relevant.
Rare genetic mutations and the fruit fly explain how Zika causes microcephaly
Researchers found that the Zika virus interrupts the growth of the brain by taking control of a pathway that regulates the generation of new neurons.
Fluffy dinosaurs used to live at the South Pole, this treasure trove of fossil feathers suggests
A treasure trove of fossilized dinosaur and bird feathers has been recovered in Australia. In ages long past, however, these animals lived beyond the southern polar circle. Image credits Uppsala...
‘Lost’ deer species rediscovered after 30 years
The adorable-looking fanged critter has been rediscovered in Vietnam after it was presumed extinct for three decades.
The best fossils may need oxygen — just a little — to form
Oxygen, in the right place at the right time, makes for spectacular fossils.
Your hairs hide secrets — some subsets of schizophrenia can be detected by biomarkers in our hair
They told me my new haircut was crazy but I never expected this!
Fossil Friday: paleontological trove shows how mammals took over from the dinosaurs
Mammals quickly grew in size after the dinosaur linage collapsed, an exciting new study shows.
Researchers map the molecular structure of wood in bid to make it more resilient
"If we can increase the strength of wood, we may start seeing more major constructions moving away from steel and concrete to timber," says the team.
