News Archive Search
Chameleons fine-tune camouflage to predator's vision
A South African chameleon can modify its colour changes depending on the visual acuity of the predator, tests reveal
A South African chameleon can modify its colour changes depending on the visual acuity of the predator, tests reveal
Evolution
Source: New Scientist
Posted on: Wednesday, May 21, 2008, 9:42am
Rating: | Views: 1257 | Comments: 0
Source: New Scientist
Posted on: Wednesday, May 21, 2008, 9:42am
Rating: | Views: 1257 | Comments: 0
Unique adaptive evolution in snake proteins 
Prior to the advent of large sequence datasets, it was assumed that innovation and divergence at the morphological and physiological level would be easily explained at the molecular level. Molecular explanations for physiological adaptations have, however, been rare.
Prior to the advent of large sequence datasets, it was assumed that innovation and divergence at the morphological and physiological level would be easily explained at the molecular level. Molecular explanations for physiological adaptations have, however, been rare.
Molecular Biology
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Wednesday, May 21, 2008, 8:38am
Rating: | Views: 1154 | Comments: 0
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Wednesday, May 21, 2008, 8:38am
Rating: | Views: 1154 | Comments: 0
'Poets' and 'jocks' can both win in songbird duels
While the best male singers can win females by singing popular tunes well, lousy singers have to get original, according to a new theory
While the best male singers can win females by singing popular tunes well, lousy singers have to get original, according to a new theory
Evolution
Source: New Scientist
Posted on: Wednesday, May 21, 2008, 8:38am
Rating: | Views: 1173 | Comments: 0
Source: New Scientist
Posted on: Wednesday, May 21, 2008, 8:38am
Rating: | Views: 1173 | Comments: 0
Five things humans no longer need
Vestigial organs are hotly disputed, with some, like the appendix, possibly not vestigial after all. We pick out five that almost certainly are
Vestigial organs are hotly disputed, with some, like the appendix, possibly not vestigial after all. We pick out five that almost certainly are
Evolution
Source: New Scientist
Posted on: Tuesday, May 20, 2008, 11:18am
Rating: | Views: 1726 | Comments: 0
Source: New Scientist
Posted on: Tuesday, May 20, 2008, 11:18am
Rating: | Views: 1726 | Comments: 0
Teaching evolution: Legal victories aren't enough
In a new essay published in the open-access journal PLoS Biology, political scientist Michael Berkman and his colleagues show that despite these many legal victories, a surprising number of public high school biology teachers still include creationism or intelligent design in their curriculum.
In a new essay published in the open-access journal PLoS Biology, political scientist Michael Berkman and his colleagues show that despite these many legal victories, a surprising number of public high school biology teachers still include creationism or intelligent design in their curriculum.
Evolution
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Tuesday, May 20, 2008, 8:06am
Rating: | Views: 1228 | Comments: 0
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Tuesday, May 20, 2008, 8:06am
Rating: | Views: 1228 | Comments: 0
Neotropical treefrog can choose to lay eggs in water or on land
When frogs reproduce, like all vertebrates, they either lay their eggs in water or on land – with one exception, according to new research by a team of Boston University scientists who discovered a treefrog (Dendropsophus ebraccatus) in Panama that reproduces both ways.
When frogs reproduce, like all vertebrates, they either lay their eggs in water or on land – with one exception, according to new research by a team of Boston University scientists who discovered a treefrog (Dendropsophus ebraccatus) in Panama that reproduces both ways.
Evolution
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Monday, May 19, 2008, 5:30pm
Rating: | Views: 1132 | Comments: 0
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Monday, May 19, 2008, 5:30pm
Rating: | Views: 1132 | Comments: 0
The 10 smartest animals
Humans top the list of the most intelligent creatures But don't underestimate the other members of the animal kingdom. Scientists say the definition of animal vs. human intelligence is merely a matter of degree.
Humans top the list of the most intelligent creatures But don't underestimate the other members of the animal kingdom. Scientists say the definition of animal vs. human intelligence is merely a matter of degree.
Scientists unveil new tool to understand evolution of multi-domain genes
Carnegie Mellon scientists have discovered critical flaws in the standard method used to analyze gene evolution. Standard methods fail when applied to genes that encode multi-domain proteins, an important class of proteins crucial to human health.
Carnegie Mellon scientists have discovered critical flaws in the standard method used to analyze gene evolution. Standard methods fail when applied to genes that encode multi-domain proteins, an important class of proteins crucial to human health.
Molecular Biology
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Friday, May 16, 2008, 9:05am
Rating: | Views: 1141 | Comments: 0
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Friday, May 16, 2008, 9:05am
Rating: | Views: 1141 | Comments: 0
Small primate ancestors had a leg up
Smaller primates expend no more energy climbing than they do walking, Duke University researchers have found. This surprising discovery may explain the evolutionary edge that encouraged the tiny ancestors of modern humans, apes and monkeys to climb into the trees about 65 million years ago and stay there.
Smaller primates expend no more energy climbing than they do walking, Duke University researchers have found. This surprising discovery may explain the evolutionary edge that encouraged the tiny ancestors of modern humans, apes and monkeys to climb into the trees about 65 million years ago and stay there.
Evolution
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Thursday, May 15, 2008, 1:46pm
Rating: | Views: 1162 | Comments: 0
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Thursday, May 15, 2008, 1:46pm
Rating: | Views: 1162 | Comments: 0
Larger horns a gamble for young Soay sheep
When it comes to winning mates, larger horns are an asset for male Soay sheep. But those that grow them may be putting their young lives on the line, according to a study published online on May 15th in Current Biology, a publication of Cell Press.
When it comes to winning mates, larger horns are an asset for male Soay sheep. But those that grow them may be putting their young lives on the line, according to a study published online on May 15th in Current Biology, a publication of Cell Press.
Evolution
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Thursday, May 15, 2008, 11:50am
Rating: | Views: 1200 | Comments: 0
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Thursday, May 15, 2008, 11:50am
Rating: | Views: 1200 | Comments: 0
Rapid, dramatic 'reverse evolution' in the threespine stickleback fish
Evolution is supposed to inch forward over eons, but sometimes, at least in the case of a little fish called the threespine stickleback, the process can go in relative warp-speed reverse, according to a study led by researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Evolution is supposed to inch forward over eons, but sometimes, at least in the case of a little fish called the threespine stickleback, the process can go in relative warp-speed reverse, according to a study led by researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Evolution
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Thursday, May 15, 2008, 11:50am
Rating: | Views: 1162 | Comments: 0
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Thursday, May 15, 2008, 11:50am
Rating: | Views: 1162 | Comments: 0
Geneticists trace the evolution of St. Louis encephalitis
Before West Nile virus arrived in this country, we had (and still have) a home-grown relative of this pathogen. An epidemic of unknown origin exploded around St. Louis, Missouri in the autumn of 1933, a disease that is now known to be transmitted by mosquitoes from birds to people.
Before West Nile virus arrived in this country, we had (and still have) a home-grown relative of this pathogen. An epidemic of unknown origin exploded around St. Louis, Missouri in the autumn of 1933, a disease that is now known to be transmitted by mosquitoes from birds to people.
Epidemiology
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Thursday, May 15, 2008, 10:16am
Rating: | Views: 1243 | Comments: 0
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Thursday, May 15, 2008, 10:16am
Rating: | Views: 1243 | Comments: 0
Researchers find natural section favors parasite fitness over host health
Why do parasites harm their hosts? Classic evolutionary theory predicts that parasites become more virulent because they must transmit themselves between hosts, yet scientists have found little data to support this idea, until now.
Why do parasites harm their hosts? Classic evolutionary theory predicts that parasites become more virulent because they must transmit themselves between hosts, yet scientists have found little data to support this idea, until now.
Evolution
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Monday, May 12, 2008, 5:57pm
Rating: | Views: 1194 | Comments: 0
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Monday, May 12, 2008, 5:57pm
Rating: | Views: 1194 | Comments: 0
Ancient protein offers clues to killer condition
More than 600 million years of evolution has taken two unlikely distant cousins – turkeys and scallops - down very different physical paths from a common ancestor. But University of Leeds researchers have found that a motor protein, myosin 2, remains structurally identical in both creatures.
More than 600 million years of evolution has taken two unlikely distant cousins – turkeys and scallops - down very different physical paths from a common ancestor. But University of Leeds researchers have found that a motor protein, myosin 2, remains structurally identical in both creatures.
Genetics
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Monday, May 12, 2008, 9:39am
Rating: | Views: 1158 | Comments: 0
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Monday, May 12, 2008, 9:39am
Rating: | Views: 1158 | Comments: 0
The Antennae Galaxies move closer
The Antennae Galaxies are among the closest known merging galaxies. The two galaxies, also known as NGC 4038 and NGC 4039, began interacting a few hundred million years ago, creating one of the most impressive sights in the night sky. They are considered by scientists as the archetypal merging galaxy system and are used as a standard against which to validate theories about galaxy evolution.
The Antennae Galaxies are among the closest known merging galaxies. The two galaxies, also known as NGC 4038 and NGC 4039, began interacting a few hundred million years ago, creating one of the most impressive sights in the night sky. They are considered by scientists as the archetypal merging galaxy system and are used as a standard against which to validate theories about galaxy evolution.
Astronomy
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Friday, May 09, 2008, 9:17am
Rating: | Views: 1896 | Comments: 0
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Friday, May 09, 2008, 9:17am
Rating: | Views: 1896 | Comments: 0
Flowers 'wave' at passing insects
Flowers "wave" at passing insects to get their attention and increase chances of pollination, scientists find.
Flowers "wave" at passing insects to get their attention and increase chances of pollination, scientists find.
Evolution
Source: BBC News
Posted on: Thursday, May 08, 2008, 1:08pm
Rating: | Views: 1420 | Comments: 0
Source: BBC News
Posted on: Thursday, May 08, 2008, 1:08pm
Rating: | Views: 1420 | Comments: 0
Sea creatures had a thing for bling
Fossilised sea creatures have been found that coated themselves in tiny diamonds created in the asteroid impact that killed off the dinosaurs
Fossilised sea creatures have been found that coated themselves in tiny diamonds created in the asteroid impact that killed off the dinosaurs
Evolution
Source: New Scientist
Posted on: Thursday, May 08, 2008, 12:08pm
Rating: | Views: 1167 | Comments: 0
Source: New Scientist
Posted on: Thursday, May 08, 2008, 12:08pm
Rating: | Views: 1167 | Comments: 0
Sexy orchids do more than embarrass wasps: study
Orchids that mimic female wasps may not only waste the time of the male wasps they lure into spreading their pollen -- they also seduce them into wasting valuable sperm
Orchids that mimic female wasps may not only waste the time of the male wasps they lure into spreading their pollen -- they also seduce them into wasting valuable sperm
Evolution
Source: Reuters
Posted on: Thursday, May 08, 2008, 11:26am
Rating: | Views: 1163 | Comments: 0
Source: Reuters
Posted on: Thursday, May 08, 2008, 11:26am
Rating: | Views: 1163 | Comments: 0
You're Not Cuckoo: These Birds Look the Same
Researchers figure out why cuckoos and sparrowhawks are so easily mistaken
Researchers figure out why cuckoos and sparrowhawks are so easily mistaken
Evolution
Source: Science
Posted on: Thursday, May 08, 2008, 10:04am
Rating: | Views: 1837 | Comments: 0
Source: Science
Posted on: Thursday, May 08, 2008, 10:04am
Rating: | Views: 1837 | Comments: 0
Why face symmetry is sexy across cultures and species
In humans, faces are an important source of social information. One property of faces that is rapidly noticed is attractiveness. Research has highlighted symmetry and sexual dimorphism (how masculine/feminine a face is) as important variables that determine a face’s attractiveness.
In humans, faces are an important source of social information. One property of faces that is rapidly noticed is attractiveness. Research has highlighted symmetry and sexual dimorphism (how masculine/feminine a face is) as important variables that determine a face’s attractiveness.
Evolution
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Wednesday, May 07, 2008, 9:14am
Rating: | Views: 1653 | Comments: 0
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Wednesday, May 07, 2008, 9:14am
Rating: | Views: 1653 | Comments: 0
Lots of Animals Learn, but Smarter Isn’t Better
New research indicates that growing smarter has dangerous side effects that make its evolution even more puzzling.
New research indicates that growing smarter has dangerous side effects that make its evolution even more puzzling.
Break it down
The model fungus Podospora anserina (P. anserina) has undergone substantial evolution since its separation from Neurospora crassa, as revealed from the Podospora draft genome sequence published in BioMed Central’s open access journal, Genome Biology.
The model fungus Podospora anserina (P. anserina) has undergone substantial evolution since its separation from Neurospora crassa, as revealed from the Podospora draft genome sequence published in BioMed Central’s open access journal, Genome Biology.
Microbiology
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Tuesday, May 06, 2008, 8:52am
Rating: | Views: 2243 | Comments: 0
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Tuesday, May 06, 2008, 8:52am
Rating: | Views: 2243 | Comments: 0
Ecologists tease out private lives of plants and their pollinators
The quality of pollen a plant produces is closely tied to its sexual habits, ecologists have discovered. As well as helping explain the evolution of such intimate relationships between plants and pollinators
The quality of pollen a plant produces is closely tied to its sexual habits, ecologists have discovered. As well as helping explain the evolution of such intimate relationships between plants and pollinators
Ecology
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Tuesday, May 06, 2008, 8:52am
Rating: | Views: 1170 | Comments: 0
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Tuesday, May 06, 2008, 8:52am
Rating: | Views: 1170 | Comments: 0
How David Blaine Held His Breath
He went a record-breaking 17 minutes without breathing, thanks to intensive training, stamina and some lucky human evolution
He went a record-breaking 17 minutes without breathing, thanks to intensive training, stamina and some lucky human evolution
Physiology
Source: Time Magazine
Posted on: Friday, May 02, 2008, 4:11pm
Rating: | Views: 1421 | Comments: 0
Source: Time Magazine
Posted on: Friday, May 02, 2008, 4:11pm
Rating: | Views: 1421 | Comments: 0
First draft of transgenic papaya genome yields many fruits
A broad collaboration of research institutions in the U.S. and China has produced a first draft of the papaya genome. This draft, which spells out more than 90 percent of the plant’s gene coding sequence, sheds new light on the evolution of flowering plants.
A broad collaboration of research institutions in the U.S. and China has produced a first draft of the papaya genome. This draft, which spells out more than 90 percent of the plant’s gene coding sequence, sheds new light on the evolution of flowering plants.
Plant Biology
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Wednesday, Apr 23, 2008, 12:51pm
Rating: | Views: 1241 | Comments: 0
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Wednesday, Apr 23, 2008, 12:51pm
Rating: | Views: 1241 | Comments: 0
Variety is the spice of life: too many males, too little time...
Female Australian painted dragon lizards are polyandrous, that is, they mate with as many males as they can safely get access to.
Female Australian painted dragon lizards are polyandrous, that is, they mate with as many males as they can safely get access to.
Evolution
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Wednesday, Apr 23, 2008, 11:47am
Rating: | Views: 1156 | Comments: 0
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Wednesday, Apr 23, 2008, 11:47am
Rating: | Views: 1156 | Comments: 0
No sex for all-girl fish species
A fish species, which is all female, has survived for 70,000 years without reproducing sexually.
A fish species, which is all female, has survived for 70,000 years without reproducing sexually.
Evolution
Source: BBC News
Posted on: Wednesday, Apr 23, 2008, 11:33am
Rating: | Views: 1320 | Comments: 0
Source: BBC News
Posted on: Wednesday, Apr 23, 2008, 11:33am
Rating: | Views: 1320 | Comments: 0
Early parents didn't stand for weighty kids
Scientists investigating the reasons why early humans – the so-called hominins – began walking upright say it’s unlikely that the need to carry children was a factor, as has previously been suggested.
Scientists investigating the reasons why early humans – the so-called hominins – began walking upright say it’s unlikely that the need to carry children was a factor, as has previously been suggested.
Evolution
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Wednesday, Apr 23, 2008, 9:11am
Rating: | Views: 1151 | Comments: 0
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Wednesday, Apr 23, 2008, 9:11am
Rating: | Views: 1151 | Comments: 0
Insects use plant like a telephone
Dutch ecologist Roxina Soler and her colleagues have discovered that subterranean and aboveground herbivorous insects can communicate with each other by using plants as telephones. Subterranean insects issue chemical warning signals via the leaves of the plant. This way, aboveground insects are alerted that the plant is already ‘occupied’.
Dutch ecologist Roxina Soler and her colleagues have discovered that subterranean and aboveground herbivorous insects can communicate with each other by using plants as telephones. Subterranean insects issue chemical warning signals via the leaves of the plant. This way, aboveground insects are alerted that the plant is already ‘occupied’.
Evolution
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Wednesday, Apr 23, 2008, 9:11am
Rating: | Views: 1140 | Comments: 0
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Wednesday, Apr 23, 2008, 9:11am
Rating: | Views: 1140 | Comments: 0
Freshwater herring had salty origin
East Africa’s Lake Tanganyika has a highly diverse fauna which closely resembles marine animals. A researcher at the University of Zurich has traced the origins of the freshwater herring of the Lake to a marine invasion which occurred in West Africa 25 to 50 million years ago, coincident with a major oceanic incursion into the region.
East Africa’s Lake Tanganyika has a highly diverse fauna which closely resembles marine animals. A researcher at the University of Zurich has traced the origins of the freshwater herring of the Lake to a marine invasion which occurred in West Africa 25 to 50 million years ago, coincident with a major oceanic incursion into the region.
Evolution
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Wednesday, Apr 23, 2008, 8:38am
Rating: | Views: 1150 | Comments: 0
Source: EurekAlert
Posted on: Wednesday, Apr 23, 2008, 8:38am
Rating: | Views: 1150 | Comments: 0
 |
 |
Friends