Nature
Team uncovers secret of fungi that eats charcoal
Team uncovers secret of fungi that eats charcoal New research reveals the genetic secrets behind fungi’s ability to thrive in charred environments, including their unique methods of digesting charcoal. Fungi have evolved three main ways to break down charcoal: gene duplication, sexual reproduction, and horizontal gene transfer from bacteria, allowing them to survive and even […]
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Shrews shrink their brains and bodies to get through winter
Shrews shrink their brains and bodies to get through winter Two new studies have shed light on how shrews adapt to winter by shrinking their brains and bodies through a process called Dehnel’s phenomenon. The research, conducted by Stony Brook University researchers, reveals genetic and biological changes that occur in shrews during this process, including […]
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No animal alive today is ‘primitive’ – why are so many still labeled that way?
No animal alive today is ‘primitive’ – why are so many still labeled that way? Many animals are still labeled as “primitive” or “ancient,” but modern evolutionary biology shows that all species alive today are equally evolved and have long lineages, rather than being ancestors or descendants. The concept of a hierarchical view of evolution, […]
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Red, Green Light Show
Red, Green Light Show Auroras, also known as the northern or southern lights, are colorful displays caused by particles from space colliding with Earth’s atmosphere. The International Space Station was orbiting above the Mediterranean Sea when this photo was taken on Jan. 19, 2026, capturing a stunning green and red aurora over Europe. Auroras occur […]
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‘Supergene’ helps butterflies mimic wing patterns to stay safe
‘Supergene’ helps butterflies mimic wing patterns to stay safe Researchers have discovered how a single genetic switch, called doublesex, helps butterflies mimic wing patterns to protect themselves from predators. The study found that this supergene, which controls complex traits like color patterns and mating behaviors, gained its ability to control wing patterns by becoming linked […]
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Team cracks mystery of how plants ‘do the twist’
Team cracks mystery of how plants ‘do the twist’ Researchers have cracked the mystery of how plants “do the twist” by growing twisted organs, such as roots that skew hard right or left to avoid obstacles. The team found that a change in gene expression in the plant epidermis, rather than a full null mutation, […]
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Fossils offer clues to animal life millions of years ago
Fossils offer clues to animal life millions of years ago Fossilized bones from animals that lived 1.3 to 3 million years ago have been analyzed for metabolism-related molecules, revealing insights into their health, diets, and environments. The study found warmer and wetter conditions across these environments compared to today, with many metabolites pointing to genes […]
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With wolves absent from most of eastern North America, can coyotes replace them?
With wolves absent from most of eastern North America, can coyotes replace them? Coyotes have expanded their range across eastern North America, potentially filling the ecological role left by wolves that were extirpated from the region. Research found that coyotes and wolves have different diets, with wolves eating more medium-sized herbivores like beavers and nutria, […]
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New species are being discovered faster than ever before
New species are being discovered faster than ever before New species are being discovered at an unprecedented rate, with over 16,000 new species identified each year, according to a recent study. The study analyzed taxonomic histories of roughly 2 million species and found that scientists are discovering species quicker than ever before, contradicting the idea […]
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Key cell traits help plants survive in saltwater
Key cell traits help plants survive in saltwater R researchers have identified key cell traits that help plants survive in saltwater, which could lead to creating salt-tolerant crops. The study focused on mangrove trees, which have evolved to thrive in salty environments and found that they have unusually small cells and thicker cell walls. These […]
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