Evolution
Forests on land kicked off life in the deep sea
Forests on land kicked off life in the deep sea Forests that evolved on land around 400 million years ago played a crucial role in sparking life in the deep sea, according to new research. The study found that the deep ocean didn’t become permanently oxygenated until about 390 million years ago, much later than […]
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AI reveals which predators chewed ancient humans’ bones – challenging ideas on which ‘Homo’ species was the first tool-using hunter
AI reveals which predators chewed ancient humans’ bones – challenging ideas on which ‘Homo’ species was the first tool-using hunter Researchers used AI to analyze tooth marks on ancient human fossils from Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania, which challenged the long-held idea that Homo habilis was the first tool-using hunter. The study found that the tooth marks […]
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Aging chimps show human-like cognitive decline
Aging chimps show human-like cognitive decline Aging chimpanzees may be showing signs of human-like cognitive decline, similar to Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new study published in eLife. The researchers observed that older female chimpanzees who used to be skilled at cracking nuts with stones were confused and faltered in performing tasks, suggesting a decline […]
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Why and how does personality emerge? Studying the evolution of individuality using thousands of fruit flies
Why and how does personality emerge? Studying the evolution of individuality using thousands of fruit flies Fruit flies, like all animals, have unique personalities that emerge from their individual experiences and genetic makeup. A study using thousands of fruit flies found that even simple behaviors, such as turning left or right in a maze, can […]
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3-legged lizards can thrive against all odds, challenging assumptions about how evolution works in the wild
3-legged lizards can thrive against all odds, challenging assumptions about how evolution works in the wild Researchers have discovered that 3-legged lizards can thrive against all odds, challenging assumptions about how evolution works in the wild. A global survey of over 60 colleagues worldwide documented 122 cases of limb loss across 58 lizard species, revealing […]
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Hobbits of Flores evolved to be small by slowing down growth during childhood, new research on teeth and brain size suggests
Hobbits of Flores evolved to be small by slowing down growth during childhood, new research on teeth and brain size suggests Hobbits of Flores, also known as Homo floresiensis, evolved to be small by slowing down growth during childhood, according to new research on teeth and brain size. The discovery of Hobbits challenged the long-held […]
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‘Publish or perish’ evolutionary pressures shape scientific publishing, for better and worse
‘Publish or perish’ evolutionary pressures shape scientific publishing, for better and worse The “publish or perish” culture in scientific publishing is driven by evolutionary pressures that prioritize quantity over quality, leading to issues such as citation cartels and low-quality research. The traditional model of academic publishing relies on subscription fees, which can block access for […]
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This fish has forehead teeth it uses for mating
This fish has forehead teeth it uses for mating New research has identified forehead teeth on spotted ratfish, a shark-like species native to the northeastern Pacific Ocean, which are used for mating. The discovery challenges the long-standing assumption in evolutionary biology that teeth are strictly oral structures and suggests that teeth could be growing elsewhere […]
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Team figures out how cavefish lost their eyes
Team figures out how cavefish lost their eyes Researchers have discovered how cavefish lost their eyes, which provides a method for dating cave systems. The study found that different species of amblyopsid cavefish colonized caves independently and evolved similar traits, such as eye loss and reduced pigment, to adapt to dark environments. The researchers developed […]
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Is AI the end of software engineering or the next step in its evolution?
Is AI the end of software engineering or the next step in its evolution? The author’s experience with ChatGPT to code was reminiscent of “The Monkey’s Paw,” where wishes are granted but at a brutal cost. ChatGPT implemented the requested change, but also introduced unrelated lines of code, making it difficult to untangle the output. […]
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