evolution
How Dinosaurs Morphed Into Birds
Scientists have identified the gene regulatory sequences that could explain how birds evolved from dinosaurs.
How Life (Barely) Survived The Great Extinction
The survival of a transient community of microbes and sea urchins that lived over 250 million years ago suggests how life might respond to a warmer climate today.
Tea Tree Genome Sequenced
Chinese scientists have sequenced the genome of the tea tree, unraveling clues about how one leaf produces many flavors.
Mushroom Munchers Shed Light On How Fungi Evolved
Intact mushrooms and mushroom-eating rove beetles preserved in amber shed light on the early evolution of mushrooms.
Lasers Make Dino Flesh Glow In The Dark
Laser-stimulated fluorescence has helped scientists reconstruct the soft tissue of a feathered dinosaur, illuminating the mysteries behind the origin of birds.
The Ancient Origins Of East Asian Ancestry
Modern day East Asian populations living in the Amur Basin can trace their ancestry to Stone Age hunter-gatherers who lived in the same area nearly 8,000 years ago.
How Two Pandas Got Their Thumbs
A new study finds genetic evidence for convergent evolution in giant pandas and red pandas.
How Smells Can Split Species
An altered sense of smell could drive the formation of new species, as seen in hawthorn flies and apple flies.
How Genes Jumped From Bacteria To Sea Squirts
A high proportion of Gs and Cs helped a bacterial gene become useful to sea squirts.
