Bees likely evolved from ancient supercontinent, earlier than suspected
The origin of bees is tens of millions of years older than most previous estimates, a new study shows.
Evolution
Jul 31, 2023
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Evolution news
'Mind controlling' parasitic worms are missing genes found in every other animal, researchers find
In a world full of bizarre animals, hairworms are some of the strangest. Hairworms are parasitic worms that manipulate the behavior of their hosts in what's sometimes called "mind control."
Evolution
Jul 18, 2023
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277
Artificial cells demonstrate that 'life finds a way'
Evolutionary biologist Jay T. Lennon's research team has been studying a synthetically constructed minimal cell that has been stripped of all but its essential genes. The team found that the streamlined cell can evolve just ...
Evolution
Jul 5, 2023
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7930
Taming wild animals with a single gene change, a genomic take on goat domestication
Domestication of animals may have a genetic component, according to research led by Northwest A&F University in China. In their paper, "A missense mutation in RRM1 contributes to animal tameness," published in Science Advances, ...
Orangutans can make two sounds at the same time, similar to human beatboxing, study finds
Orangutans can make two separate sounds simultaneously, much like songbirds or human beatboxers, according to a study led by the University of Warwick. The paper, "Wild orangutans can simultaneously use two independent vocal ...
Plants & Animals
Jun 27, 2023
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1305
Magnetic bacteria provide clues for the early diversification of bacteria
Magnetotactic bacteria, which can align with the Earth's magnetic field, have been discovered in a new location. Previously observed on land and in shallow water, analysis of a hydrothermal vent has proven that they can also ...
Evolution
Jun 27, 2023
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471
Snake genome reveals burrowing past and re-adaptation to surface life
Chromosome-level assembly of 14 snakes in a study led by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, China, has created a high-resolution genomic reference for the study of snake evolution. In a paper, "Large-scale snake genome analyses ...
Genetic variation, selection and hybridization all contribute to desert adaptation in foxes
Genomic research led by the University of California at Berkeley has looked to uncover the origins and history of desert adaptation in foxes. In a paper, "North African fox genomes show signatures of repeated introgression ...
First hominin muscle reconstruction shows 3.2 million-year-old 'Lucy' could stand as erect as we do
A Cambridge University researcher has digitally reconstructed the missing soft tissue of an early human ancestor—or hominin—for the first time, revealing a capability to stand as erect as we do today.
Evolution
Jun 13, 2023
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494
A documented case of a crocodile virgin birth
A team of entomologists and reptile specialists from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, the Chiricahua Desert Museum, the Illinois Natural History Survey, Reptilandia Reptile Lagoon and Parque Reptilandia ...
