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Brains grew faster as humans evolved, study finds

Modern humans, Neanderthals, and other recent relatives on our human family tree evolved bigger brains much more rapidly than earlier species, a new study of human brain evolution has found.

Fossilized dung reveals clues to dinosaur success story

In an international collaboration, researchers at Uppsala University have been able to identify undigested food remains, plants and prey in the fossilized feces of dinosaurs. These analyses of hundreds of samples provide ...

New tools filter noise from evolution data

While rates of evolution have appeared to accelerate over short time periods, new analysis suggests that statistical noise is affecting the data patterns. A professor at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and his colleague ...

'Genetic time machine' reveals complex chimpanzee cultures

In recent decades, scientists have clearly demonstrated that chimpanzees, like humans, pass on complex cultures such as tool use from generation to generation. But human culture has become vastly more sophisticated, from ...

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Evolution
Algorithm predicts DNA methylation in ancient specimens, providing insight into human evolution
Evolution
Superior photosynthesis abilities of some plants could hold key to climate-resilient crops
Plants & Animals
How humans evolved to be 'energetically unique'
Evolution
Ancient DNA sheds light on adaptation of early Europeans at the dawn of the agricultural revolution
Evolution
Human evolution in an AI world: Predicting changes in brain size, attention and social behaviors
Evolution
How brain evolution is linked to the use of tools
Plants & Animals
Blind cavefish study provides new insights into the evolution of neurons in vertebrate brains
Evolution
Seemingly 'broken' genes in coronaviruses may be essential for viral survival
Evolution
Human brain organelles study shows dopamine neurons must work a lot harder than those in primate relatives
Evolution
New fossil reveals the evolution of flying reptiles
Evolution
Tiny worm makes for big evolutionary discovery: Scientists describe 'Uncus,' the oldest ecdysozoan
Plants & Animals
Study shows how social bonds help tool-using monkeys learn new skills
Plants & Animals
Paper wasps study shows that body size is larger in habitats nearer the equator
Evolution
Study links relative brain volume to temperament in diverse dog breeds
Evolution
Genes of ancient animal relatives used to grow a mouse: Study reveals hidden history of stem cells
Evolution
3D virtual skulls study maps missing piece of brain evolution
Evolution
Q&A: Holobiont biology, a new concept for exploring how microbiome shapes evolution of visible life
Evolution
Genetic legacy of Jomon hunter-gatherers linked to increased BMI in modern Japanese populations
Evolution
Fossil teeth suggest a long childhood is the prelude to the evolution of a large brain
Evolution
Bird brain from the age of dinosaurs reveals roots of avian intelligence

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Condensed Matter
New spin quantum battery can be charged without an external field
Astronomy
Cosmological model proposes dark matter production during pre-Big Bang inflation
Archaeology
Evidence of silk found in Bronze Age sacrificial pits
Plants & Animals
How a species of ground squirrel manages to go without food and water over the winter months
Condensed Matter
Promising strategy leverages atomic displacements to control quantum properties of a vanadate perovskite
General Physics
Why timekeeping is now on the verge of a giant leap forward in accuracy
Veterinary medicine
Five reasons your dog might really benefit from canine clothing
Astronomy
Observing dark matter at cosmic dawn
Social Sciences
Census data analysis shows the South had a much higher mortality rate than the North in the US Civil War
Optics & Photonics
Higher-density storage technique could allow diamond disk to store equivalent of 2,000 Blu-ray discs
Optics & Photonics
An unexpected delay in a standard quantum optical process generates pairs of photons
Planetary Sciences
Ryugu asteroid samples indicate damage from microscopic meteoroid bombardment
Archaeology
Archaeologists reveal musical instruments depicted in Zimbabwe's ancient rock art
Biochemistry
Chemists find alkyl groups are electron-withdrawing, challenging a century-old belief
Archaeology
How did they make it? New insights into the production of the Nebra Sky Disc
Archaeology
Early Neolithic genetic data suggest that central Europe's first farmers lived in equality
Condensed Matter
Researchers uncover link between quantum information theory and particle and condensed matter physics
Archaeology
Case study suggests expanded opportunities drew people to mega settlements and spurred innovation 6,000 years ago
Analytical Chemistry
New hybrid catalyst developed for clean oxygen production
Archaeology
Archaeologists suspect shipwreck found near Kenya may be from Vasco da Gama's last voyage

Microbial slime: The ultimate system to understand our planet

Billions of years ago, Earth was home to extreme environments, including intense UV radiation, frequent volcanic eruptions, and very high concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Yet, under these conditions, biofilms ...