Researchers found that cities in Mesoamerica with collective forms of governance, infrastructural investments, and collaboration tended to remain important for a thousand years or more. Early efforts to construct dense residential spaces and central plazas were key factors in sustainability.
Scientists discovered a Pink-throated Brilliant hummingbird with gold throat feathers, which is actually a hybrid of two pink-throated species. The hybrid's unique coloration is explained by the complex interaction of genetic and structural factors that determine feather colors.
A new study estimates that Madagascar's unique modern mammal species could take 23 million years to evolve if the endangered ones go extinct, highlighting the urgent need for conservation action. The island's biodiversity is threatened by habitat loss and human activities.
A recent study found a female zebra shark reproducing via parthenogenesis even with healthy males present, contradicting previous assumptions about the process. The discovery has implications for conservation efforts and the care of zebra sharks in zoos and aquariums.
Researchers discovered that a group of wood-boring clams has evolved to build chimneys made of poop to get pure water in and expel waste, dominating their habitat. These clams have adapted to low oxygen conditions with unique traits like mucosal linings and hemoglobin-rich blood.
A new study compiled data on over 3,000 species to show how climate and geologic changes across Asia influenced the evolution of mammals. The research found clear links between changes in Earth's climate and the distribution of mammals in different regions.
Fossils of Whatcheeria, a six-foot-long lake-dwelling creature, revealed that it grew big by front-loading its growth in its youth. Contrary to the slow-and-steady growth pattern seen in many modern reptiles and amphibians, Whatcheeria's rapid growth as a juvenile provided a competitive advantage as a top predator.
Researchers digitally reconstructed a Jeholornis skull, shedding light on its vision and sense of smell. The study found that Jeholornis had a larger olfactory bulb than modern birds, suggesting it relied heavily on its sense of smell.
Researchers found that closely-related rhododendron species in China's Hengduan Mountains coexist by bursting into bloom at different times of the season. This diversification allows them to reduce competition for resources and pollinators, enabling their survival.
Researchers analyzed high-resolution photos of SUE's jaw with healed breaks in other fossil skeletons and compared them to trepanation holes made by Inca surgeons. The study found that SUE's injuries were consistent with these examples, suggesting the animal survived long enough for bones to begin repairing themselves.
Researchers found that mice from western sides of mountains in Patagonia were bigger due to increased food availability caused by higher rainfall. This discovery supports the rain shadow effect hypothesis, which suggests that precipitation patterns can impact mammal size.
A new genus of shrew-mouse has been discovered on a mountain in the Philippines, revealing unique characteristics and insights into biodiversity. The discovery is significant as it provides crucial information to protect giant eagles, one of the critically endangered bird species found in the area.
Scientists discovered that an early bird species called Jeholornis ate fruits and seeds, helping plants dominate the world today. The bird's skull shape and stomach contents showed evidence of a seasonal diet with whole fruits during fruit season.
Researchers found compact fragments in the Aguas Zarcas meteorite that wouldn't break apart, leading to CT scans revealing deformed rocks with the same orientation. The team proposed a hypothesis that asteroids 'spit out' pebbles due to high-speed collisions and thermal cycling, which can cause rock brittleness.
Scientists used inner ear biomechanics to infer body temperatures in ancient mammals. Mammal ancestors didn't develop ideal inner ear structures for warm-bloodedness until 233 million years ago.
Researchers at the Field Museum used innovative techniques to extract usable DNA from centuries-old specimens, including a two-foot-long greenish-brown snake from Borneo. The study successfully determined the snake's family affiliation, providing insights into biogeography and evolutionary history.
A new study shows that community science activities can produce high-quality taxonomic data sets, empowering community scientists and supporting biodiversity discovery. Thousands of microscopic liverwort leaves were measured by community scientists over two years, with surprising accuracy.
A new study has found that most dinosaurs were warm-blooded, contrary to long-standing debate. By analyzing molecular waste in fossilized bones, researchers inferred dinosaur metabolic rates and found they were generally high.
The rediscovery of Gasteranthus extinctus, a tropical wildflower thought to be extinct, brings hope for conservation efforts. The plant was found in the Centinela Ridge, where extensive deforestation has led to 'Centinelan extinction,' and is now being protected by Ecuadorian conservationists.
A study using century-old museum collections and modern data shows that about a third of bird species in Chicago are laying eggs nearly a month earlier than they did a hundred years ago. Climate change is believed to be the main culprit behind this shift, with rising temperatures affecting nesting habits.
Researchers found that Spinosaurus and its close relative Baryonyx had dense bones that would have allowed them to submerge underwater to hunt. In contrast, Suchomimus had lighter bones that made swimming difficult, leading the team to conclude that these dinosaurs likely waded instead.
Researchers found that Monte Albán's defenseable hilltop location and collective form of government attracted people to the settlement. The study challenges the idea that fertile land was a primary factor in its foundation.
Researchers discover new species of burrowing frog, Synapturanus danta, in Amazon peatlands. The frogs' unique calls and adaptations make them an important part of their underground ecosystem, contributing to nutrient cycling and soil structure.
Researchers identified two new species of ancient bird fossils found in northwestern China. One species, Brevidentavis zhangi, had small peg-like teeth and a movable bony appendage at the tip of its lower jaw that may have helped it root for food.
A new study found that algae in common lichens can't adapt to temperature changes as fast as the Earth is warming, putting them at risk of extinction. The researchers' analysis suggests it could take hundreds of thousands or millions of years for these algae to evolve and adapt to modern climate change.
Researchers found that societies without written languages could still be large and complex, but those with elaborate writing systems tended to have less shared power. Writing was often used to convey messages between high-status individuals rather than facilitating communication across vast distances.
Researchers compared microscopic inner ear structures of two main bat groups, revealing extra neurons and specialized ear structures that align with a split in bat evolution. This discovery provides the first physical evidence to support genetic data on the split of bats into two major groups.
A new study reveals that tusks originated from ancient mammals before the dinosaurs, with dicynodonts being their closest living relatives. The researchers defined what makes a tusk and found that some dicynodont teeth are indeed tusks, while others have large teeth.
Researchers use handheld devices resembling ray guns to record how plant leaves reflect different wavelengths of light, revealing genetic variation within species. This new method is faster and cheaper than genetic testing, increasing efficiency in mapping and monitoring biodiversity.
A new plant species, Aenigmanu alvareziae, has been identified after nearly 50 years of scientists unable to classify it. The plant's DNA analysis revealed its closest relatives were in the Picramniaceae family.
Researchers tracked individual Kirtland's Warblers and found that their gut bacteria differed in The Bahamas and Michigan. This suggests that birds' microbiomes adapt to changing environments during migration.
Scientists discovered a fossil bird with elaborate tail feathers, showing how natural and sexual selection influenced bird evolution. The discovery sheds light on the balance between traits that aid survival and those used for display.
Researchers analyzed skunk DNA to determine the correct number of species, revealing seven species, including the previously recognized four. The revised family tree highlights the distinct evolutionary lineages of each species, making conservation efforts more effective.
A new study in Molecular Ecology found that blood-sucking flies specialize on bats by following chemical cues from skin bacteria. Researchers analyzed dozens of bat species and identified unique bacterial profiles associated with each group.
A new study has confirmed the Xerces blue butterfly's extinction due to human activities, sparking concerns about the impact on ecosystems. The DNA analysis reveals a unique genetic sequence distinct from other butterflies, emphasizing the importance of protecting remaining species.
A new study in PNAS reveals that a rainforest in the Putumayo region of Peru has been home to relatively unaltered forest for 5,000 years. Researchers found microscopic silica and charcoal in the soil, which indicate that humans coexisted with nature without altering the environment.
A team of scientists successfully artificially inseminated 97 baby sharks, including some with no father at all, using a new technique that could help aquariums expand their shark breeding programs. The study found that freshly collected semen was effective in fertilizing eggs in 27.6% of cases.
Researchers analyzed museum specimens to find that fish have been ingesting microplastics since the 1950s, with concentrations increasing over time. The study highlights the importance of natural history collections in museums and serves as a wake-up call for addressing plastic pollution.
Scientists have discovered fossils of three new species of giant cloud rats in Philippine caves, dating back tens of thousands of years. The rodents filled an ecological role similar to that of squirrels in the US and were resilient for at least 60,000 years, but two of the species disappeared around 2,000 years ago.
Scientists have found that the Earth's largest mass extinction event took place on land, occurring over a period of millions of years. Researchers analyzed fossil data from four-legged animals in what is now South Africa and discovered that life on land underwent a longer period of extinctions compared to the oceans.
Researchers have identified two new species of critically endangered screech owls in the Amazon and Atlantic forests. The study used tape recordings to draw out the birds' calls, revealing variations indicative of different species.
Researchers analyzed ancient Maya house remains to find a link between autocratic governance and wealth inequality. They found that societies with more collective governance had more similarly sized houses, indicating less wealth disparity.
Researchers analyzed blood samples from over 1,000 bird species to understand malaria ecology. They found that the strains of malaria present in a local area don't always align with the types of birds living there, instead being influenced by weather patterns such as rainfall.
A study of 30 pre-modern societies found that societies with broad, equitable tax systems and functioning bureaucracies were more likely to have open political institutions and prioritize public well-being. This challenges the notion that democracy is a modern Western phenomenon.
Researchers found quartz crystals in the stomach of a 120-million-year-old bird, complicating its dietary mystery. The discovery challenges current understanding of enantiornithine birds' digestive systems and highlights the complexity of their ancient ecosystems.
Researchers found higher levels of glucocorticoid stress hormones in animals from smaller forest patches, indicating chronic stress. The study highlights the impact of habitat destruction on wildlife, particularly in fragmented landscapes.
Researchers found that reindeer lichens have unexpected levels of genetic diversity, indicating more gene-mixing among individuals. This contradicts the long-held assumption that these organisms mainly reproduce asexually.
A team of researchers rediscovered a species of mouse thought to be extinct after Mount Pinatubo's devastating eruption 30 years ago. The survey revealed that native rodents were abundant and thriving in the disturbed landscape, contradicting expectations.
A recent study published in Meteoritics & Planetary Science reveals that the 'Fireball' meteorite, recovered quickly from a frozen lake in Michigan, contains pristine extraterrestrial organic compounds. This discovery provides valuable insights into the origins of life on Earth.
Researchers found that societies with good governance, characterized by equitable power and wealth distribution, tend to collapse more thoroughly than autocratic regimes. Leaders who abandon core principles and moral guidelines can destabilize their societies, leading to a loss of citizen confidence and fiscal health.