The first flowers evolved before bees—so how did they become so dazzling?
Colorful flowers, and the insects and birds that fly among their dazzling displays, are a joy of nature. But how did early relationships between flower color and animal pollinators emerge?.....»»
New analysis suggests human ancestors nearly died out
Study claims 99% of human ancestors died off 930,000 years ago. Enlarge (credit: Getty Images) Multiple lines of evidence indicate that modern humans evolved within the last 200,000 years and spread out of Africa startin.....»»
Researcher reveals the secret life of bumble bees
Bees that build microbreweries, ride a miniature merry-go-round and possibly even wear diapers: In biologist Tobin Hammer's UCI lab, all sorts of unusual projects unfold......»»
The Top Programming Languages 2023
Welcome to IEEE Spectrum’s 10th annual rankings of the Top Programming Languages. While the way we put the TPL together has evolved over the past decade, the basics remain the same: to combine multiple metrics of popularity into a set of rankings.....»»
Examining the role of LhWRKY44 in anthocyanin accumulation
Anthocyanins are a group within the flavonoid family of plant secondary metabolites that determine the color of flowers and organs and protect plants from reactive oxygen species produced under environmental stresses......»»
Study shows how historic red tide event of 2020 was fueled by plankton super swimmers
A major red tide event occurred in waters off Southern California in the spring of 2020, resulting in dazzling displays of bioluminescence along the coast. The spectacle was caused by exceedingly high densities of Lingulodinium polyedra (L. polyedra).....»»
How bees can monitor pollution for us: Everything from toxic metals to antimicrobial resistance
Our cities are complex places of work, industry and residential activities. This often makes it hard to pin down the spread of different contaminants throughout them......»»
Bees from the time of the pharaohs found mummified on the southwest coast of Portugal
A new study reports the discovery of hundreds of mummified bees inside their cocoons. These cocoons, produced almost 3,000 years ago, were discovered in a new paleontological site discovered on the coast of Odemira, in Portugal......»»
Fungi-eating plants and flies team up for reproduction
Fungi-eating orchids were found for the first time to offer their flowers to fungi-eating fruit flies in exchange for pollination, which is the first evidence for nursery pollination in orchids. This unique new plant-animal relationship hints at an e.....»»
The "weird" male Y chromosome has finally been fully sequenced. Can we now understand how it works, how it evolved?
The Y chromosome is a never-ending source of fascination (particularly to men) because it bears genes that determine maleness and make sperm. It's also small and seriously weird; it carries few genes and is full of junk DNA that makes it horrendous t.....»»
Why we desperately need wild bees
Native pollinators are crucial for both ecology and agriculture. Enlarge / The black and golden bumblebee, Bombus auricomus, is typically found in grasslands in the Great Plains and eastern states. (credit: alle12 via Getty).....»»
Study demonstrates immune defense was key for plants conquering land
A new study, led by Hirofumi Nakagami at the Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research in Cologne, Germany, demonstrates that one of the two branches of plant immunity was likely to have evolved early during the establishment of plants on dry.....»»
Chicago stargazers find more light pollution and wildfires are obscuring the skies
Some of Drew Carhart's earliest memories remind him of his love of nature. Not just trees, flowers or birds—but the stars, planets and galaxies visible in the night sky......»»
It"s so metal: Scientists confirm nickel plays a key role in an ancient chemical reaction
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the most abundant greenhouse gas causing climate change but has existed on Earth long before humans started releasing it into the atmosphere at unprecedented levels. As such, some of the planet's earliest organisms evolved to.....»»
Bees helped make San Diego one of the country"s most biodiverse places: The city plans to return the favor.
San Diego may soon have more rooftop green spaces and community gardens as part of a new campaign to boost the shrinking population of local bees, which serve as crucial pollinators needed to sustain agriculture and ecotourism......»»
Why moths might be more efficient pollinators than bees and butterflies
If you've ever felt underestimated and ignored, spare a thought for your local moths. Honeybees, bumblebees and butterflies are almost synonymous with pollination. People love them for their intimate relationship with flowers—we can't grow a lot of.....»»
Thick ones, pointy ones—how albatross beaks evolved to match their prey
Albatross are among the world's largest flying birds, with wingspans that can stretch beyond a remarkable three meters. These majestic animals harness ocean winds to travel thousands of kilometers in search of food while barely flapping their wings......»»
A newly discovered immune strategy protects bacteria and more advanced species, from corals to bees
Every time we make a call, send a text message or watch a video, some of the energy stored in the cell phone battery is depleted. Living cells also store energy in "currencies" they can cash in when needed, in order to fuel life processes. The main e.....»»
How CISOs break down complex security challenges
The role of the CISO has evolved into a critical position that encompasses many responsibilities aimed at safeguarding digital assets, preserving data integrity, and mitigating cyber threats. In essence, the role of the CISO is a complex and ever-evo.....»»
Study explains how part of the nucleolus evolved
Inside all living cells, loosely formed assemblies known as biomolecular condensates perform many critical functions. However, it is not well understood how proteins and other biomolecules come together to form these assemblies within cells......»»
Elephant ancestors" teeth evolved in response to long term changes in diet and climate in Africa
The latest study about of proboscideans (elephants and their ancient relatives) from the University of Helsinki provides proof that some proboscideans started to adapt to locally grass-rich environments in East Africa first by changing their behavior.....»»