The evolution of whales from land to sea
Genomes of cetaceans help tell story of mammals who returned to life aquatic. Enlarge / Whales and their kin evolved from land-dwelling mammals, a transition that entailed major physiological and morphological changes—which gen.....»»
Double-peaked supernovae offer clues to pre-supernova outbursts
New research helps in understanding the evolution and final stages of massive stars, the role of binary interactions, and the mechanisms behind mass loss, which ultimately affect the properties of the resulting supernova and its remnant. This work al.....»»
The New Glenn rocket’s second stage set to roll to the launch pad on Monday
The large rocket will attempt to land on its debut flight. Enlarge / Image of the New Glenn second stage on its mobile test stand. (credit: Blue Origin) Blue Origin plans to enter the final phase of its launch preparati.....»»
Tuberculosis under the sea: A marine sponge microbe provides insights into the bacterium"s evolution
The surprising discovery of a bacterium in a marine sponge from the Great Barrier Reef with striking similarity to Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the pathogen responsible for tuberculosis (TB), could unlock and inform future TB research and treatment st.....»»
Spectroscopy study reveals electrons in cocatalyst periphery drive photocatalytic hydrogen evolution
Synchronizing periodic excitations of photocatalysts with a Michelson interferometer on operando FT–IR spectroscopy, researchers led by Toshiki Sugimoto succeeded in observing and identifying the reactive electron species for photocatalytic hydroge.....»»
Larger ant colonies drive the evolution of worker castes: Division of labor is key to life"s complexity, says study
Just like human societies, ant societies have a division of labor. Within a colony, some individuals feed the young while others are soldiers who protect the colony from intruders. New research across 794 ant species, published in Nature Ecology & Ev.....»»
Global timber supply threatened as climate change pushes cropland northwards
Climate change will move and reduce the land suitable for growing food and timber, putting the production of these two vital resources into direct competition, a new study has found......»»
Land-sea "tag-team" devastated ocean life millions of years ago, reveal scientists
Scientists have revealed how a "tag-team" between the oceans and continents millions of years ago devastated marine life—and altered the course of evolution on Earth......»»
From rhino horn snuff to pangolin livestock feed: A half-century of patents reveals the wildlife trade"s evolution
The bright blue blood of the horseshoe crab is used around the world to detect bacterial contamination in vaccines. Synonymous with luxury, sturgeon caviar has been patented as an antidote to impotency in China. Rhino horn is used in traditional Asia.....»»
International report confirms record-high global temperatures in 2023
Greenhouse gas concentrations, the global temperature across land and the ocean, global sea level, and ocean heat content all reached record highs in 2023, according to the 34th annual State of the Climate report......»»
Scientists use evolution to bioengineer new pathways to sustainable energy and pharmaceuticals
Using evolution as a guiding principle, researchers have successfully engineered bacteria-yeast hybrids to perform photosynthetic carbon assimilation, generate cellular energy and support yeast growth without traditional carbon feedstocks like glucos.....»»
Bird species are disappearing at an alarming rate in Kenya, study finds
Sub-Saharan Africa has a vast amount of uncultivated, arable land—about 2 million km2, accounting for about 50% of the global total. This land is a critical habitat for many animal species, including birds......»»
Whaling: why the practice will not go away
The detention in Greenland of anti-whaling campaigner Paul Watson pending possible extradition to Japan has turned the spotlight on the widely condemned practice of hunting whales......»»
From coal plant to data center: Old power stations are being repurposed
Industrial sites have the large tracts of land and resources needed. Enlarge (credit: Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images) Booming demand for artificial intelligence is encouraging big tech companies and their suppliers to e.....»»
Vernicia montana"s genome unearths new breeding horizons
A study has unveiled the genetic blueprint of Vernicia montana, a plant renowned for its high-value tung oil and ornamental beauty. The research decodes its chromosome-level genome, providing unparalleled insights into its evolution and setting the s.....»»
Survival tactics: AI-driven insights into chromatin changes for winter dormancy in axillary buds
Evolution has enabled plants to survive under adverse conditions. The winter bud of a plant is a crucial structure that establishes adaptability. Depending on environmental and intrinsic conditions, buds can transition between growth and dormancy. Th.....»»
The disappearing mountains and hungry volcano: Researching the evolution of the Teton Range
Once upon a time, the Teton Range, a 40-mile-long mountain range in the northern Rocky Mountains, may have extended much longer than it does now......»»
Ancient microbes linked to evolution of human immune proteins
When you become infected with a virus, some of the first weapons your body deploys to fight it are those passed down to us from our microbial ancestors billions of years ago. According to new research from The University of Texas at Austin, two key e.....»»
What the unique shape of the human heart tells us about our evolution
Mammals, from the mighty blue whale to the tiny shrew, inhabit nearly every corner of our planet. Their remarkable adaptability to different environments has long fascinated scientists, with each species developing unique traits to survive and thrive.....»»
Q&A: Sierra Leone"s women farmers use a custom called bora to access land—but it"s making them more vulnerable
Bora—a type of thank you gift—is a Sierra Leonean custom of respect that is often used in relation to land. For instance, informal farmers pay bora to landowners to be able to farm on their land......»»
Starfield August Update: What’s New
Bethesda’s latest Starfield update is a big one. The new software brings much needed bug fixes and it also features the highly anticipated land vehicle. Most Starfield patches go though a beta process before they are released to the public, but.....»»