The 7th International Palaeontological Congress (IPC7) will be held in Cape Town, South Africa, from November 30 to December 3, 2026. Researchers and experts will present their latest findings and projects, and discuss developments in the field of palaeoscience.
A study found anticoagulant rat poisons in 78% of tested caracals, highlighting a hidden problem for the city's wildlife. Researchers call for tighter control over the sale, distribution, and use of these poisons, which can accumulate in animals' bodies and harm non-target predators.
Astronomers have discovered a new population of faint, rapidly fading remnant radio galaxies, revealing a shorter, more dynamic afterlife of black hole jets. The study found that these remnants are relatively young, with ages ranging from 8-42 million years, and span a wide range of evolutionary stages.
Researchers found that the Agulhas Current supplies heat and moisture that strengthen weather systems, causing severe floods in the Western Cape. In contrast, the Benguela Upwelling System has a minor role in intensifying rainfall.
A new study finds that climate change has slightly increased malaria overall, but rising temperatures could increase risk in southern and East Africa while reducing it in warm regions like West Africa.
A new study found that Pygmy Falcons require less than 1 km² to raise their young, contrary to long-held assumptions. The birds operate within a small breeding home range and coexist with Sociable Weavers in communal nests. This research provides a crucial baseline for understanding the spatial requirements of small raptors.
A new review highlights how animals exchange information through movements, visual displays, calls, and other cues to coordinate interactions and align interests across species. This cooperation enables individuals to access shared resources and exchange services, such as protection from predators.
Researchers at the University of Cape Town have identified a critical molecular switch that drives the formation of cancer-associated antigens. By understanding how enzymes relocate within a cell, they have uncovered key mechanisms for tumorigenesis.
A new study provides the first direct evidence of cuckoo egg-laying behaviour in cavity nests, rejecting a centuries-old myth about egg-carrying. Cuckoos use two distinct strategies to parasitize host nests, involving trade-offs between accuracy and risk.
The study found that the 2023-2024 El Niño event triggered record-breaking sea level surges in Africa, with acceleration outpacing the global average. This unprecedented crisis threatens over 15 million coastal residents with flooding, land subsidence, and extreme weather.
A comprehensive study reveals substantial declines in many South African raptor and large terrestrial bird species over the past 16 years. Researchers detected sharp declines in threatened and iconic raptors, including the Endangered Secretarybird, highlighting the vulnerability of species dependent on multiple regions.
Researchers have discovered that crocodiles' growth rates are flexible and change depending on environmental conditions, revealing new insights into their life history. The findings challenge traditional methods used to age dinosaurs, suggesting a reevaluation of how growth marks are interpreted.
Researchers found that humans in northern Mozambique use distinct calls, trills, grunts, whoops, and whistles when communicating with honeyguide birds. These regional dialects allow communities to coordinate cooperation with greater honeyguides, revealing a striking parallel to human language diversification.
A team of scientists uncovered fossil evidence of a tiny ecosystem that helped revive marine life after the end-Ordovician ice age and mass extinction event. The discovery provides insights into ancient biological processes and highlights the importance of seafloor ecosystems in regulating carbon and nutrient cycles.