“Forbidden Phenotype” – Why Are There No Animals With Three Legs?
If “Why?” is the first question in science, “Why not?” must be a close second. Sometimes it’s worth thinking about why something does not exist….
If “Why?” is the first question in science, “Why not?” must be a close second. Sometimes it’s worth thinking about why something does not exist….
How do you weigh a living whale? The obvious response is very carefully, but scientists can’t exactly put these large marine mammals on a scale….
A team of evolutionary biologists, led by Dr. Rui Diogo at Howard University, USA, and writing in the journal Development, have demonstrated that numerous atavistic…
Researchers discover that a protein in tiny tardigrades binds and forms a protective cloud against extreme survival threats such as radiation damage. Diminutive animals known…
A new study shows that aquarium hobbyists can play an important role in freshwater fish conservation by filling in the gaps left by the scientific…
Jellyfish are animals that possess the unique ability to regenerate body parts. A team of Japanese scientists has now revealed the cellular mechanisms that give…
Caltech scientists have discovered a new species of worm thriving in the extreme environment of Mono Lake. This new species, temporarily dubbed Auanema sp., has…
Listening triggers synchronized activity in the ‘visual’ cortex in blind adults. In adults that are born blind, the “visual” cortex is activated in a similar…
Natural selection alters genes that control roundworms’ sense of smell. Artificial and natural selection affect the same genes in roundworms In both cases, genes are…
Success is no accident: To reach your goal you need perseverance. But where does the motivation come from? An international team of researchers led by…
Tracking the world’s second-largest shark species has revealed that it moves to different depths depending on the time of year. Basking sharks spend most of…
Cells that eventually become neurons (red, orange, and yellow spheres) migrate during embryonic development. The migrating baby neurons that build the spinal cord are color-coded…
Western Australia’s famous 3.5-billion-year-old stromatolites contain microbial remains of some of the earliest life on Earth, UNSW scientists have found. Scientists have found exceptionally preserved…
New findings reveal many different structural models, which can eventually lead to developing more targeted antiviral vaccines. New research reveals that the way viruses were…
Molecular Link Between Chronic Pain and Depression Revealed Researchers at Hokkaido University have identified the brain mechanism linking chronic pain and depression in rats. Their…
Scientists from the University of Würzburg have discovered that spider silk contains an exceptional protein. It generates high bonding strength by making use of an…
In the arms race between predators and prey, each evolves more and more sophisticated ways of catching or escaping from the other. Rachel Page, staff…
Hamilton College researcher reveals body size shapes mammal immune defenses. What species is better at fighting an infection, a mouse or an elephant? Body size…