https://phys.org/ en-us Latest news from PeerJ A study published in the journal PeerJ, conducted by a researcher from the Institute of Systematics, Evolution and Biodiversity (ISYEB) at the French National Museum of Natural History, in collaboration with a researcher from James Cook University in Australia, reveals that domestic animals are involved in the transport of an invasive flatworm species in France. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-dogs-cats-invasive-flatworm-species.html Ecology Tue, 10 Feb 2026 07:00:02 EST news689847901 For decades, scientists have been counting annual growth rings—similar to tree rings—inside fossilized leg bones of Tyrannosaurus rex to estimate how old the giant carnivores were when they died and how quickly they grew to adulthood. The best estimates from previous studies were that T. rex typically stopped growing at around age 25. https://phys.org/news/2026-01-rex-grew-slowly-reveals-king.html Paleontology & Fossils Wed, 14 Jan 2026 07:00:03 EST news687517769 Paleontologists have identified a new species of ancient marine reptile from Germany's world-renowned Posidonia Shale fossil beds, expanding our understanding of prehistoric ocean ecosystems that existed nearly 183 million years ago. https://phys.org/news/2025-07-necked-marine-reptile-species-germany.html Paleontology & Fossils Mon, 04 Aug 2025 07:00:01 EDT news673172221 A recent study has established a predictive framework for identifying the source populations of Chondria tumulosa, a cryptogenic red macroalga that has been rapidly overtaking coral reef ecosystems in Hawai'i's Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument since its first observation in 2016. https://phys.org/news/2025-06-potential-source-populations-invasive-red.html Plants & Animals Tue, 24 Jun 2025 14:50:03 EDT news669995402 A study published in PeerJ Computer Science reveals significant accuracy-bias trade-offs in artificial intelligence text detection tools that could disproportionately impact non-native English speakers and certain academic disciplines in scholarly publishing. https://techxplore.com/news/2025-06-reveals-bias-ai-text-tools.html Machine learning & AI Tue, 24 Jun 2025 14:22:03 EDT news669993722 Researchers have successfully adapted a standardized system for analyzing facial expressions to include bonobos, our closest living relatives, alongside chimpanzees. https://phys.org/news/2025-06-facial-action-coding-bonobos-insights.html Plants & Animals Fri, 13 Jun 2025 07:00:01 EDT news668942845 A survey of Oman's marine waters has revealed over 100 species of ribbon worms (Nemertea), marking the first systematic study of these marine predators in Arabian waters. https://phys.org/news/2025-05-ribbon-worm-diversity-oman-reveals.html Plants & Animals Wed, 28 May 2025 07:26:04 EDT news667635962 A newly described plesiosaur fossil from southern Germany is providing crucial evidence about the diversification of these ancient marine reptiles during the Early Jurassic. https://phys.org/news/2025-03-plesiosaur-discovery-early-jurassic-evolution.html Evolution Mon, 31 Mar 2025 09:30:03 EDT news662632202 A new study published in PeerJ reveals that the teeth of South American sea lions (Otaria byronia) hold valuable clues about past population dynamics. Researchers from the Instituto de Biología de Organismos Marinos, the Centro para el Estudio de Sistemas Marinos, and the Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco analyzed changes in tooth size and growth layer groups (GLGs) over the past century. Their findings suggest that tooth size can serve as a reliable indicator of density-dependent effects on somatic growth. https://phys.org/news/2025-03-tooth-size-south-american-sea.html Ecology Sat, 08 Mar 2025 11:30:01 EST news660576522 A study published in PeerJ unveils refined techniques for in vitro fertilization (IVF) in four key Caribbean coral species, offering a crucial advancement in coral reef restoration efforts. https://phys.org/news/2025-01-optimized-vitro-fertilization-techniques-boost.html Plants & Animals Fri, 31 Jan 2025 07:00:02 EST news657454861 In a fascinating blend of technology and artistry, researchers present a study in PeerJ Computer Science, showcasing how humanoid robots can collaborate seamlessly with human musicians during live musical performances. This innovative work highlights the evolving role of robotics in entertainment and creativity. https://techxplore.com/news/2025-01-humanoid-robots-human-musicians-synchronized.html Robotics Tue, 28 Jan 2025 08:28:04 EST news657275281 A team of international scientists, led by researchers from the University of Otago, has introduced a new method to improve the accuracy of prey size estimation using footage captured by animal-borne cameras. This innovative approach, published in PeerJ, enhances our understanding of predator-prey interactions in natural habitats by refining a critical tool for ecological research. https://phys.org/news/2025-01-animal-borne-cameras-insights-predator.html Plants & Animals Tue, 28 Jan 2025 07:00:01 EST news657197882 As the climate crisis accelerates, the urgent transition to renewable energy sources is at the forefront of global sustainability efforts. However, a new study by Kylee Fleckenstein, published in PeerJ, reveals a critical challenge in balancing renewable energy development with biodiversity conservation in the arid Southwest United States. https://phys.org/news/2025-01-highlights-overlap-solar-energy-potential.html Environment Thu, 02 Jan 2025 11:29:15 EST news655039753 Research led by Kerstin Ozkan and published in PeerJ has uncovered the complex and contrasting effects of human-generated noise on Western Bluebird (Sialia mexicana) parental behavior, raising critical questions about how anthropogenic noise affects wildlife in both urban and non-urban settings. https://phys.org/news/2024-11-opposing-effects-short-term-noise.html Plants & Animals Tue, 26 Nov 2024 07:00:01 EST news651768240 A new study led by Dr. Jack Tseng, published in PeerJ, has shed light on the intricate relationship between tooth wear and jaw mechanics in highly carnivorous mammals, known as hypercarnivores. https://phys.org/news/2024-11-hypercarnivores-reveals-unique-jaw-function.html Evolution Mon, 11 Nov 2024 15:21:57 EST news650560915 A study published in PeerJ has reshaped our understanding of the evolutionary history of sea stars, particularly the family Asteriidae. The study, titled "Phylogenetic and taxonomic revisions of Jurassic sea stars support a delayed evolutionary origin of the Asteriidae," introduces new findings that challenge longstanding assumptions about the evolutionary timeline of these marine invertebrates. https://phys.org/news/2024-10-reveals-delayed-evolutionary-asteriidae-sea.html Evolution Thu, 31 Oct 2024 08:00:01 EDT news649499943 A new species of small, venomous reptile, Microzemiotes sonselaensis, has been discovered in the Late Triassic Chinle Formation in northeastern Arizona. The findings, recently published in PeerJ, shed new light on the evolution of venomous feeding strategies in reptiles and offer insights into the ancient ecosystems of the southwestern United States. https://phys.org/news/2024-10-venomous-reptile-species-late-triassic.html Paleontology & Fossils Tue, 15 Oct 2024 11:44:03 EDT news648211442 Freshwater crayfish, keystone species of aquatic ecosystems, are now at the center of a new tool that promises to revolutionize conservation efforts. World of Crayfish (WoC), a newly launched web platform, aims to provide real-time global mapping of freshwater crayfish and their pathogens, offering an invaluable resource for researchers, conservationists, and environmental stakeholders. https://phys.org/news/2024-10-web-platform-global-freshwater-crayfish.html Plants & Animals Mon, 14 Oct 2024 07:00:01 EDT news647866141 A PeerJ study has revealed a significant departure of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) from the central portion of the Gulf of California, is linked to the collapse of the jumbo squid (Dosidicus gigas) population, their primary prey. https://phys.org/news/2024-10-sperm-whale-departure-linked-decline.html Plants & Animals Tue, 08 Oct 2024 07:00:01 EDT news647509201 A new PeerJ study has revealed that sloths, the famously slow-moving creatures of Central and South America, may face existential threats due to climate change. The research, conducted by scientists studying the metabolic response of sloths to rising temperatures, suggests that the energy limitations of these animals could make survival untenable by the end of the century, particularly for high-altitude populations. https://phys.org/news/2024-09-sloth-survival-threat-due-climate.html Plants & Animals Fri, 27 Sep 2024 09:46:20 EDT news646649176 An article published in PeerJ Life & Environment has uncovered insights into how mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) respond to approaching vehicles, revealing that these common waterbirds are poorly equipped to avoid collisions, particularly at high speeds. https://phys.org/news/2024-09-reveals-mallards-flight-responses-ineffective.html Plants & Animals Wed, 25 Sep 2024 12:41:58 EDT news646486907 A new species of flatworm has been discovered and has already invaded several states in the southern United States. The particularity of the new species is that it looks a lot like Obama nungara, a species that has invaded much of Europe. The new species has been named Amaga pseudobama in reference to this resemblance. https://phys.org/news/2024-09-species-flatworm-states.html Plants & Animals Tue, 24 Sep 2024 07:00:01 EDT news646301041 A study published in PeerJ Life and Environment has uncovered alarming levels of seafood mislabeling and the use of ambiguous market names in Calgary's seafood market, often concealing species of conservation concern. This research marks the first Canadian study to investigate both invertebrate and finfish mislabeling and the implications of unclear market names. https://phys.org/news/2024-09-reveals-high-seafood-mislabeling-ambiguous.html Plants & Animals Mon, 23 Sep 2024 09:10:05 EDT news646301401 New research highlights the precarious status of one of Madagascar's most threatened amphibians, the harlequin mantella (Mantella cowanii), revealing small population sizes and the possible extirpation of the species from several of its historic habitats. https://phys.org/news/2024-09-urgent-efforts-extirpation-threatened-malagasy.html Plants & Animals Mon, 16 Sep 2024 09:35:40 EDT news645698129 A new discovery by a team of paleontologists, led by Dr. Mathieu Boisville (University of Tsukuba, Japan), has uncovered a new species of the extinct genus Ontocetus from the Lower Pleistocene deposits in the North Atlantic. This species, named Ontocetus posti, displays surprising similarities in feeding adaptations to the modern walrus (Odobenus rosmarus), highlighting an intriguing case of convergent evolution. The research is published in the journal PeerJ. https://phys.org/news/2024-08-species-extinct-walrus-mammal-north.html Plants & Animals Tue, 13 Aug 2024 07:00:01 EDT news642693841 In new research published in PeerJ, researchers from the University of Washington, University of Texas at Austin and Oregon Institute of Technology, led by undergraduate student Abby Burtner, have advanced our understanding of the evolutionary origins of flight in bats. https://phys.org/news/2024-07-evolution-gliding-flying-hypothesis.html Plants & Animals Thu, 25 Jul 2024 07:00:01 EDT news641054042 In a study published in PeerJ, scientists have revealed the intricate vocal patterns of Bornean orangutans, shedding new light on the complexities of their communication. Titled "Vocal Complexity in the Long Calls of Bornean Orangutans," the research, led by Dr. Wendy Erb from the K. Lisa Yang Center for Conservation Bioacoustics at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, unveils the remarkable diversity and variability within orangutan long call vocalizations. https://phys.org/news/2024-05-scientists-mysteries-orangutan-communication.html Plants & Animals Tue, 14 May 2024 10:46:02 EDT news634902361 A team of researchers led by Alexander Pohle has unveiled a treasure trove of ancient fossils from Queensland, Australia's Black Mountain. The findings, published in PeerJ, shed new light on the complex three-dimensional siphuncle morphology of Plectronoceratids, a pivotal group of mollusks from the latest Cambrian period. https://phys.org/news/2024-02-australia-unveil-fossil-trove-cambrian.html Paleontology & Fossils Thu, 29 Feb 2024 07:00:01 EST news628361343 Whiteflies, particularly the African cassava whitefly (Bemisia tabaci, SSA1-SG1), pose a significant threat to agricultural productivity in sub-Saharan Africa by transmitting viruses that cause cassava brown streak disease and cassava mosaic virus disease. In a new study published in PeerJ, Dr. Tadeo Kaweesi and his team at the National Agricultural Research Organization identify potential gene targets that could revolutionize the management of this devastating pest and prove vital for food security in the region. https://phys.org/news/2024-02-potential-gene-cassava-whitefly-viral.html Molecular & Computational biology Fri, 23 Feb 2024 07:00:01 EST news627876316 In a recent PeerJ study, Professor Jennifer Vonk from Oakland University presents compelling evidence that exotic cats possess the remarkable ability to discriminate between familiar and unfamiliar human voices. https://phys.org/news/2024-02-exotic-cats-ability-familiar-human.html Plants & Animals Thu, 15 Feb 2024 07:00:01 EST news627148897