Evolution
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. […]
💻 Technology
Neanderthals likely ate fermented meat with a side of maggots
Neanderthals likely ate fermented meat with a side of maggots Neanderthals likely ate a diverse diet that included fermented meat, plant foods, and insects like maggots, challenging the long-held assumption that they were primarily meat-eaters. The high nitrogen-15 (δ¹⁵N) values found in Neanderthal bones may be due to the consumption of maggots, which are rich […]
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How new words enter our language
How new words enter our language According to linguistics expert Christopher Green, most new words in American English are not entirely new creations, but rather repurposed pieces of existing terms or nuanced changes in meaning. New words often emerge and spread rapidly through digital platforms, such as social media, which accelerates language evolution and helps […]
📰 News
War, politics and religion shape wildlife evolution in cities
War, politics and religion shape wildlife evolution in cities Human cultural practices, including religion, politics, and war, can shape wildlife evolution in cities, leading to genetic drift, population differentiation, and changes in ecosystem dynamics. The construction of walls around religious buildings in Oviedo, Spain, led to the isolation of fire salamander populations on either side, […]
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Galápagos tomatoes are evolving in ‘reverse’
Galápagos tomatoes are evolving in ‘reverse’ Scientists have discovered that Galápagos tomatoes are evolving in “reverse” by reverting to a more primitive genetic state, producing ancient chemical defenses similar to those found in eggplant. The study, published in Nature Communications, suggests that this reversal may be a case of reverse evolution, where organisms re-acquire features […]
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Bonobos are more optimistic after hearing laughter
Bonobos are more optimistic after hearing laughter Bonobos exhibit increased optimism after hearing laughter, similar to humans, according to a new study published in Scientific Reports. The study found that bonobos’ decision-making was influenced by the sound of laughter, making them more likely to approach ambiguous stimuli and expect positive outcomes. Laughter has been shown […]
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