Homo luzonensis: A new human species discovered
Apr 12, 2019 Kshitij Jadhav
A team of International scientists have uncovered the mortal remains of a new human species in Philippines, which indicates that this region played an important role in the human evolution. These fossil re... Read more
After 2020, a better convention is needed to preserve biodiversity
Apr 12, 2019 Erwin van den Burg
Scientists argue that the current international target for the protected area estate, accepted by 190 nations, is failing.
The use of simple percentage targets has proven not to be effectiv... Read more
Just like humans, birds have different personalities which determine when breeding starts
Apr 09, 2019 Erwin van den Burg
Studies in great tit (Parus major) have shown that breeding behavior changes under predation threat.
Aggressive and exploring birds, normally starting the laying of eggs late in the breedin... Read more
Social insecurity causes stress
Apr 08, 2019 Erwin van den Burg
A new study found that social insecurity increases stress in chimpanzees, and that the amount of urinary cortisol (a stress hormone) did not correlate with hierarchy in the group.
Also, dur... Read more
Feather mites help to keep the feathers of birds clean
Mar 29, 2019 Erwin van den Burg
Birds have found to benefit from the presence of feather mites in their plumage, and not suffer from them as previously thought.
Scientists have reached this conclusion after studying the g... Read more
Bacteria might travel large distances by air
Mar 26, 2019 Erwin van den Burg
Molecular analysis of bacteria living in hot springs shows that populations living in different places share genetic markers of bacteriophage (viruses of bacteria) infections. This shows that bacteria from... Read more
Immune system of plants is triggered by the energy molecule ATP
Mar 25, 2019 Erwin van den Burg
Scientists have discovered that the molecule known as ATP, and normally used for energy within cells, triggers defensive reactions in plants when it appears outside the cells following damage.
Read more
Ancient bird could walk directly after hatching
Mar 22, 2019 Erwin van den Burg
A fossil of a hatching bird, dating back to the days of the dinosaurs, has puzzled scientists since its discovery. What could have possibly been the lifestyle of this bird?
Now, by making u... Read more
Fungi are necessary for plants to colonize new territory
Feb 28, 2019 Erwin van den Burg
Fungi determine whether plants will colonize new territory or not, a new study shows. Fungi, known as mycorrhiza, supply plants with nutrients that they have taken up from the soil. Plants pass carbohydrat... Read more
Producing functional human proteins in tobacco plants
Feb 27, 2019 Erwin van den Burg
Scientists have for the first time demonstrated that a functional human protein can be produced in tobacco plant cells.
The human protein is called interleukin 37 (IL-37), which is produced... Read more
Understanding animals’ social life could help save endangered species
Feb 26, 2019 Alexandru Ciobanu
A new scientific publication supports the idea that understanding the rich social life of animals might help conservation efforts. The cultural aspects of different animals can help scientists understand w... Read more
The way unicellular aquatic organisms move might inspire robots ’mobility
Feb 26, 2019 Alexandru Ciobanu
The unicellular aquatic organisms called Euglena move in a mysterious, yet very efficient way. A new study shows that these organisms move fast and elegant even in narrow environments.
The s... Read more
This is why zebras have stripes
Feb 21, 2019 Alexandru Ciobanu
The origin of the typical stripe pattern of zebras has puzzled scientists for decades. Now, a new study suggests an interesting theory: the stripes may be a defense mechanism against bloodsucking parasites... Read more
Molecular image of key enzyme in photosynthesis obtained
Feb 15, 2019 Erwin van den Burg
With the aid of the recently developed direct electron counting camera, researchers have succeeded in obtaining a molecular blueprint of a protein complex called NADH dehydrogenase-like complex from cyanob... Read more
Asymmetrical pollen grains are preferred by nature
Feb 12, 2019 Erwin van den Burg
Plants favor the production of uneven, asymmetrical patterns on the surface of pollen grains over more symmetrical patterns, a new study shows.
It seems that pollen evolve into asymmetrical... Read more
Sea snakes do not drink seawater
Feb 11, 2019 Erwin van den Burg
In contrast to what biologists had always assumed, sea water snakes do not drink seawater, and need freshwater in order not to dehydrate.
Now it turns out that sea snakes can drink freshwat... Read more
Hidden history of bacteria evolution revealed
Feb 08, 2019 Alexandru Ciobanu
Since bacteria is not well represented in fossil records it is difficult for science to understand how different groups evolved. Now, researchers have devised a new approach to pinpoint evolutionary milest... Read more
We are eating large animals to extinction
Feb 07, 2019 Erwin van den Burg
Scientists report that 143 species of large animals are decreasing in number, and 171 are under threat of extinction.
The major cause of the decline of large animals appears consumption b... Read more
Leprosy brought to Ireland by Vikings, according to new evidence
Feb 01, 2019 Alexandru Ciobanu
Little is known about leprosy in medieval Ireland, therefore a team of scientists studied the skeletons of five ancient humans with leprosy, from cemeteries around Dublin, to understand more.
... Read more
On the ecology of anemones and fish
Jan 29, 2019 Erwin van den Burg
While it was known that smaller fish hide between anemones, marine biologists have found that bigger fish do the same thing, but only as juveniles.
Fish do this to avoid predation. In return for providing protection, the anemones get acce... Read more
