Evolution
Why don’t humans have hair all over their bodies? A biologist explains our lack of fur
Why don’t humans have hair all over their bodies? A biologist explains our lack of fur Humans don’t have hair all over their bodies like other animals because our ancestors evolved to lose fur over time. This change likely occurred around 7 million years ago, when humans and chimpanzees took different evolutionary paths. The main […]
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Ancient land bridge let humans, animals move between continents
Ancient land bridge let humans, animals move between continents New research explores how ancient land bridge activity led to human and animal migration between Asia and Africa. A plume of hot rocks from the Earth’s mantle, which formed millions of years ago, may have played a crucial role in human evolution. The formation of a […]
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What’s the secret of the longevity of crocodile relatives?
What’s the secret of the longevity of crocodile relatives? A new study has uncovered the secret to the longevity of crocodile relatives, which could help conservationists better protect vulnerable species. Crocodylians are surviving members of a 230-million-year lineage called crocodylomorphs, which includes living crocodiles, alligators, and gharials, and their many extinct relatives. They have persisted […]
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Tiny cut marks on animal bone fossils reveal that human ancestors were in Romania 1.95 million years ago
Tiny cut marks on animal bone fossils reveal that human ancestors were in Romania 1.95 million years ago Researchers have discovered tiny cut marks on animal bone fossils from the Grăunceanu site in Romania, dating back to at least 1.95 million years ago. The discovery provides evidence that human ancestors were present in Eurasia by […]
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Race isn’t a ‘biological reality,’ contrary to recent political claims − here’s how scientific consensus on race developed in the 20th century
Race isn’t a ‘biological reality,’ contrary to recent political claims − here’s how scientific consensus on race developed in the 20th century The concept of “race” as a biological reality is a human invention, not a natural phenomenon. The idea that humans can be divided into fixed groups based on physical characteristics like height or […]
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Bonobos communicate a lot like humans
Bonobos communicate a lot like humans Bonobos have been found to communicate in complex ways similar to humans, using combinations of calls that convey meaningful information. A new study used novel methods from linguistics to demonstrate that bonobo vocal communication relies on compositionality, a key feature of human language. The researchers created a “bonobo dictionary” […]
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Study may rewrite what we know about megalodon
Study may rewrite what we know about megalodon The megalodon has long been imagined as an enormous great white shark, but new research suggests that perception is all wrong. The study finds the prehistoric hunter had a much longer body—closer in shape to a lemon shark or even a large whale. The researchers used a […]
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Wild marmots’ social networks reveal controversial evolutionary theory in action
Wild marmots’ social networks reveal controversial evolutionary theory in action A small group of wild yellow-bellied marmots near the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory in Colorado. D.T. Blumstein It probably feels obvious that having a close friend can influence your well-being. But do the groups that you’re a part of also affect your well-being? For example, […]
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How snakes use patterns of invisible colors
How snakes use patterns of invisible colors A new study uncovers the secret color language of snakes. The new study examines a color range that humans can’t see and often ignore: color in the ultraviolet range. Examining snakes, the researchers categorized how the animals used patterns of UV color and tested for factors that promote […]
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Amid a tropical paradise known as ‘Lizard Island,’ researchers are cracking open evolution’s black box – scientist at work
Amid a tropical paradise known as ‘Lizard Island,’ researchers are cracking open evolution’s black box – scientist at work After gathering data on the captured anole, the team releases it back to the wild. Neil Losin/Day’s Edge Prods. Every morning in Miami, our fieldwork begins the same way. Fresh Cuban coffee and pastelitos – delicious […]
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