Nature News -- ScienceDaily

Nature. Read the latest scientific research on the natural world, ecology and climate change.

Hungry flathead catfish are changing everything in the Susquehanna

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 18:54:21 EDT

Flathead catfish are rapidly reshaping the Susquehanna Riverâ??s ecosystem. Once introduced, these voracious predators climbed to the top of the food chain, forcing native fish like channel catfish and bass to shift diets and habitats. Using stable isotope analysis, researchers uncovered how the invaders disrupt food webs, broaden dietary overlaps, and destabilize energy flow across the river system. The findings show how a single invasive species can spark cascading ecological consequences.

Scientists discover 14 strange new species hidden in the deep sea

Sun, 02 Nov 2025 21:12:17 EST

Scientists are revolutionizing how new marine species are described through the Ocean Species Discoveries initiative. Using advanced lab techniques, researchers recently unveiled 14 new species from ocean depths exceeding 6,000 meters. Their findings include a record-setting mollusk, a carnivorous bivalve, and a popcorn-like parasitic isopod. The project aims to make taxonomy faster, more accessible, and globally collaborative.

Why women live longer than men, explained by evolution

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 13:39:43 EDT

An international team of researchers led by scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, working with 15 collaborators around the world, has conducted the most comprehensive study yet of lifespan differences between the sexes in mammals and birds. Their findings shed new light on one of biologyâ??s enduring mysteries: why males and females age differently.

A tiny mineral may hold the secret to feeding billions sustainably

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 01:22:30 EDT

Rice, a staple for billions, is one of the most resource-hungry crops on the planetâ??but scientists may have found a way to change that. By applying nanoscale selenium directly to rice plants, researchers dramatically improved nitrogen efficiency, boosted yields, and made grains more nutritious while reducing fertilizer use and cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

Hidden bacterial molecules in the brain reveal new secrets of sleep

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 03:48:24 EDT

New studies show that a bacterial molecule, peptidoglycan, is present in the brain and fluctuates with sleep patterns. This challenges the idea that sleep is solely brain-driven, instead suggesting itâ??s a collaborative process between our bodies and microbiomes. The theory links microbes not only to sleep but also to cognition, appetite, and behavior, pointing to a profound evolutionary relationship.

Scientists unearth a 112-million-year-old time capsule filled with ancient insects

Sat, 11 Oct 2025 11:33:09 EDT

Researchers have unearthed South Americaâ??s first amber deposits containing ancient insects in an Ecuadorian quarry, offering a rare 112-million-year-old glimpse into life on the supercontinent Gondwana. The amber, found in the Hollín Formation, preserved a diverse range of insect species and plant material, revealing a humid, resin-rich forest teeming with life.

Scientists shocked as birds soaked in â??forever chemicalsâ?� still thrive

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 03:09:36 EDT

Tree swallows in polluted U.S. regions are accumulating high levels of â??forever chemicals.â?� These durable pollutants, used in firefighting foams and consumer products, are found everywhere from soil to human blood. Surprisingly, researchers observed no significant impact on the birdsâ?? reproduction, suggesting possible resilience in wild populations.

Life found in a place scientists thought impossible

Sun, 09 Nov 2025 05:05:38 EST

Deep beneath the ocean, scientists uncovered thriving microbial life in one of Earthâ??s harshest environmentsâ??an area with a pH of 12, where survival seems nearly impossible. Using lipid biomarkers instead of DNA, researchers revealed how these microbes persist by metabolizing methane and sulfate. The discovery not only sheds light on deep-sea carbon cycling but also suggests that life may have originated in similar extreme conditions, offering a glimpse into both Earthâ??s past and the limits of life itself.

Glowing sugars show how microbes eat the ocean's carbon

Sun, 19 Oct 2025 22:54:42 EDT

Researchers have developed a light-emitting sugar probe that exposes how marine microbes break down complex carbohydrates. The innovative fluorescent tool allows scientists to visualize when and where sugars are degraded in the ocean. This breakthrough helps map microbial activity and carbon cycling, providing new clues about how the ocean stores and releases carbon.

Why some plants are taking over the world

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 18:41:32 EDT

Plants are spreading across the globe faster than ever, largely due to human activity, and new research shows that the very same traits that make plants thrive in their native lands also drive their success abroad. A study of nearly 4,000 European species reveals that tall, adaptable, nutrient-loving generalists dominate both at home and in foreign ecosystems.

â??Lostâ?� giant rat found alive in Papua mountains after 30 years

Thu, 23 Oct 2025 23:34:34 EDT

In the mist-shrouded mountains of New Guinea, a Czech researcher has achieved a world-first â?? capturing photos, video, and data of the elusive Subalpine Woolly Rat, Mallomys istapantap. Once known only from museum specimens, this giant, shaggy rodent has been rediscovered after three decades, revealing a hidden ecosystem of biodiversity. Working alongside indigenous hunters, the expedition not only unveiled new scientific insights but also strengthened the bridge between local knowledge and modern research â?? offering hope for conservation in one of the planetâ??s last unexplored frontiers.

A volcano erased an islandâ??s plants. Their DNA revealed how life starts over

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 23:33:10 EDT

Volcanic eruptions on the remote island of Nishinoshima repeatedly wipe the land clean, giving scientists a rare chance to study lifeâ??s earliest stages. Researchers traced the genetic origins of an extinct purslane population to nearby Chichijima but found striking quirksâ??evidence of a founderâ??s effect and genetic drift. These discoveries shed light on how plants recolonize harsh environments and how ecosystems evolve from scratch.

Scientists just found rare spores inside a fossil older than dinosaurs

Sat, 27 Sep 2025 02:58:01 EDT

Scientists reclassified a long-misunderstood fossil from Brazil as a new genus, Franscinella riograndensis. Using advanced microscopy, they discovered spores preserved in situâ??a rare find that links fossil plants to microfossil records. The breakthrough reshapes knowledge of Permian ecosystems and highlights the power of revisiting classic fossils with new tools.

A new microscopy breakthrough is revealing the oceansâ?? invisible life

Sun, 02 Nov 2025 00:57:07 EDT

A pandemic-era breakthrough has allowed scientists to literally expand our view of plankton. By using ultrastructure expansion microscopy, researchers visualized the inner workings of hundreds of marine species for the first time. The effort, tied to the TREC expedition, maps the evolutionary architecture of lifeâ??s smallest ocean dwellers. Itâ??s the start of a global atlas revealing how complexity evolved beneath the waves.

This flower smells like dying ants, and flies canâ??t resist it

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 04:07:22 EDT

Vincetoxicum nakaianum tricks flies into pollinating it by imitating the smell of ants attacked by spiders. Ko Mochizuki stumbled upon this finding when he noticed flies clustering around the flowers and later confirmed their unusual preference. The study reveals the first known case of ant odor mimicry in plants, expanding our understanding of how diverse floral deception can be.

Microbes that breathe rust could help save Earthâ??s oceans

Sun, 09 Nov 2025 09:41:02 EST

Researchers from the University of Vienna discovered MISO bacteria that use iron minerals to oxidize toxic sulfide, creating energy and producing sulfate. This biological process reshapes how scientists understand global sulfur and iron cycles. By outpacing chemical reactions, these microbes could help stop the spread of oceanic dead zones and maintain ecological balance.

Archaeologists uncover lost land bridge that may rewrite human history

Sun, 12 Oct 2025 09:04:36 EDT

New research along Turkeyâ??s Ayvalık coast reveals a once-submerged land bridge that may have helped early humans cross from Anatolia into Europe. Archaeologists uncovered 138 Paleolithic tools across 10 sites, indicating the region was a crucial migration corridor during the Ice Age. The findings challenge traditional migration theories centered on the Balkans and Levant, suggesting instead that humans used now-vanished pathways across the Aegean.

Scientists discover orchids sprouting from decaying wood

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 03:09:34 EDT

Kobe University researchers found that orchids rely on wood-decaying fungi to germinate, feeding on the carbon from rotting logs. Their seedlings only grow near deadwood, forming precise fungal partnerships that mirror those seen in adult orchids with coral-like roots. This discovery highlights a hidden carbon pathway in forest ecosystems and explains the evolution of fully fungus-dependent orchid species.

Ancient fish with human-like hearing stuns scientists

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 23:54:45 EST

Long ago, some saltwater fish adapted to freshwater â?? and in doing so, developed an extraordinary sense of hearing rivaling our own. By examining a 67-million-year-old fossil, researchers from UC Berkeley discovered that these â??otophysanâ?� fish didnâ??t evolve their sensitive Weberian ear system in rivers, as long thought, but rather began developing it in the ocean before migrating inland. This new timeline suggests two separate invasions of freshwater, explaining why so many freshwater species exist today.

The billion-year reign of fungi that predated plants and made Earth livable

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 10:53:40 EDT

Fungi may have shaped Earthâ??s landscapes long before plants appeared. By combining rare gene transfers with fossil evidence, researchers have traced fungal origins back nearly a billion years earlier than expected. These ancient fungi may have partnered with algae, recycling nutrients, breaking down rock, and creating primitive soils. Far from being silent background players, fungi were ecosystem engineers that prepared Earthâ??s surface for plants, fundamentally altering the course of lifeâ??s history.

Scientists uncover a hidden universal law limiting lifeâ??s growth

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 05:28:34 EST

Japanese researchers uncovered a universal rule describing why lifeâ??s growth slows despite abundant nutrients. Their â??global constraint principleâ?� integrates classic biological laws to show that multiple factors limit cellular growth in sequence. Verified through E. coli simulations, it provides a powerful new lens for studying living systems. The work could boost crop yields and biomanufacturing efficiency.

Humans evolved faster than any other ape

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 11:55:32 EDT

UCL scientists found that human skulls evolved much faster than those of other apes, reflecting the powerful forces driving our brain growth and facial flattening. By comparing 3D models of ape skulls, they showed that humans changed about twice as much as expected. The findings suggest that both cognitive and social factors, not just intelligence, influenced our evolutionary path.

Scientists just discovered how octopuses really use their arms

Sat, 13 Sep 2025 11:09:35 EDT

Octopuses arenâ??t just flexibleâ??theyâ??re astonishingly strategic. A new study reveals how their eight arms coordinate with surprising precision: front arms for exploring, back arms for locomotion, and every arm capable of twisting, bending, shortening, and elongating in unique ways. Researchers observed nearly 7,000 deformations across multiple habitats, capturing behaviors from camouflage tricks to elaborate hunting techniques. This insight doesnâ??t just unlock secrets of octopus biology, it could also inspire new innovations in robotics and neuroscience.

Soil warming experiments challenge assumptions about climate change

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 02:08:51 EDT

Heating alone wonâ??t drive soil microbes to release more carbon dioxide â?? they need added carbon and nutrients to thrive. This finding challenges assumptions about how climate warming influences soil emissions.

Birds, not wind, brought life to Icelandâ??s youngest island

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 09:41:48 EST

When Surtsey erupted from the sea in 1963, it became a living experiment in how life begins anew. Decades later, scientists discovered that the plants colonizing this young island werenâ??t carried by the wind or floating on ocean currents, but delivered by birds â?? gulls, geese, and shorebirds serving as winged gardeners. Their findings overturn long-held beliefs about seed dispersal and reveal how deeply interconnected life truly is.

A warming Earth could accidentally trigger a deep freeze

Sun, 02 Nov 2025 05:02:16 EST

Earthâ??s climate balance isnâ??t just governed by the slow weathering of silicate rocks, which capture carbon and stabilize temperature over eons. New research reveals that biological and oceanic feedback loopsâ??especially involving algae, phosphorus, and oxygenâ??can swing the planetâ??s temperature far more dramatically.

Strange new hybrid bird spotted in Texas backyard

Sat, 20 Sep 2025 23:45:10 EDT

In Texas, biologists have documented an extraordinary bird â?? the natural hybrid offspring of a green jay and a blue jay. Once separated by millions of years of evolution and distinct ranges, the two species were brought together as climate change expanded their territories. A backyard birderâ??s photo led to the discovery, and after years of elusiveness, scientists confirmed the birdâ??s identity through genetic testing.

Scientists just found hidden parasitic wasps spreading across the U. S.

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 03:08:30 EDT

Researchers discovered two new parasitic wasp species living in the U.S., tracing their origins back to Europe and uncovering clues about how they spread. Their arrival raises fresh questions about biodiversity, ecological risks, and the role of citizen science in tracking hidden species.

A 480-million-year-old parasite still infects oysters today

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 07:52:56 EST

Researchers discovered fossil evidence showing that spionid worms, parasites of modern oysters, were already infecting bivalves 480 million years ago. High-resolution scans revealed their distinctive question mark-shaped burrows. The finding highlights a parasitic behavior that has remained unchanged for nearly half a billion years.

Scientists stunned as island spider loses half its genome

Sun, 02 Nov 2025 21:48:10 EST

On the Canary Islands, scientists discovered that the spider Dysdera tilosensis has halved its genome size in just a few million yearsâ??defying traditional evolutionary theories that predict larger, more repetitive genomes in island species. This unexpected downsizing, revealed through advanced genomic sequencing, shows that despite its smaller DNA, the island spider is genetically more diverse than its continental relatives.

Warm ocean beneath Saturnâ??s icy moon Enceladus may be perfect for life

Sun, 09 Nov 2025 03:46:46 EST

NASAâ??s Cassini mission has revealed surprising heat flow at Enceladusâ?? north pole, showing the moon releases energy from both ends. This balance of heat could allow its subsurface ocean to remain liquid for billions of years, supporting conditions for life. The study also refined estimates of ice thickness, giving scientists a clearer picture of where to search next.

This tiny butterfly has the most chromosomes of any animal on Earth

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 23:31:07 EDT

Scientists have confirmed that the Atlas blue butterfly carries the most chromosomes of any animal, with 229 pairs. Unlike duplication, its chromosomes split apart, reshaping its genome in surprising ways. This discovery sheds light on evolution, conservation, and even cancer research.

Plastic-eating bacteria discovered in the ocean

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 08:54:51 EST

Beneath the oceanâ??s surface, bacteria have evolved specialized enzymes that can digest PET plastic, the material used in bottles and clothes. Researchers at KAUST discovered that a unique molecular signature distinguishes enzymes capable of efficiently breaking down plastic. Found in nearly 80% of ocean samples, these PETase variants show natureâ??s growing adaptation to human pollution.

Tiny protein pairs may hold the secret to lifeâ??s origin

Thu, 18 Sep 2025 09:29:18 EDT

A team from the University of Illinois has uncovered surprising evolutionary links between the genetic code and tiny protein fragments called dipeptides. By analyzing billions of dipeptide sequences across thousands of species, the researchers revealed that these molecular pairs trace the earliest steps in the origin of life.

Before plants or animals, fungi conquered Earthâ??s surface

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 12:11:34 EDT

Fungiâ??s evolutionary roots stretch far deeper than once believed â?? up to 1.4 billion years ago, long before plants or animals appeared. Using advanced molecular dating and gene transfer analysis, researchers reconstructed fungiâ??s ancient lineage, revealing they were crucial in shaping Earthâ??s first soils and ecosystems.

DNA in seawater reveals lost hammerhead sharks

Sat, 08 Nov 2025 11:03:47 EST

A revolutionary eDNA test detects endangered hammerhead sharks using genetic traces left in seawater, eliminating the need to capture or even see them. This powerful tool could finally uncover where these elusive species still survive, and help protect them before they disappear for good.

How orangutans thrive in feast and famine without gaining weight

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 01:47:10 EDT

Orangutans, humansâ?? close evolutionary relatives, have developed remarkable strategies to survive in the unpredictable rainforests of Borneo. A Rutgers-led study reveals that these apes balance protein intake and adjust their activity to match food availability, avoiding obesity and metabolic disease. Unlike humans, who often overeat processed foods without adjusting energy use, orangutans switch between fruits, leaves, and even stored body fat depending on the season. Their ability to maintain protein levels and conserve energy during scarcity offers insights not only into their survival but also into healthier dietary habits for people.

DNA from old ants reveals a hidden insect apocalypse in Fiji

Sat, 20 Sep 2025 20:45:02 EDT

Insects are essential for ecosystems, but mounting evidence suggests many populations are collapsing under modern pressures. A new study used cutting-edge genomic techniques on museum specimens to track centuries of ant biodiversity across Fiji. The results reveal that nearly 80% of native ants are in decline, with losses intensifying in the past few hundred years as human activities expanded.

A â??scaryâ?� new spider species found beneath Californiaâ??s beaches

Sun, 02 Nov 2025 21:28:59 EST

UC Davis scientists uncovered Aptostichus ramirezae, a new trapdoor spider species living under Californiaâ??s dunes. Genetic analysis revealed it was distinct from its close relative, Aptostichus simus. The species was named after pioneering arachnologist Martina Ramirez. Researchers warn that shrinking coastal habitats could threaten both speciesâ?? survival.

The Red Sea that vanished and the catastrophic flood that brought it back

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 04:27:10 EDT

Researchers at KAUST have confirmed that the Red Sea once vanished entirely, turning into a barren salt desert before being suddenly flooded by waters from the Indian Ocean. The flood carved deep channels and restored marine life in less than 100,000 years. This finding redefines the Red Seaâ??s role as a key site for studying how oceans form and evolve through extreme geological events.

Glowing shark and hidden crab found deep off Australia

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 03:09:43 EDT

In a stunning glimpse into the mysteries of the deep, scientists have uncovered two new marine species off Western Australiaâ??a glowing lanternshark and a tiny porcelain crab. The discoveries, made from specimens collected during a 2022 CSIRO research voyage, highlight both the dazzling adaptations of life in the deep sea and the vast number of species yet to be described.

From gentle giants to ghostly hunters, sharks face an unseen peril

Sat, 04 Oct 2025 09:29:09 EDT

New research reveals that deep-sea mining could dramatically threaten 30 species of sharks, rays, and ghost sharks whose habitats overlap with proposed mining zones. Many of these species, already at risk of extinction, could face increased dangers from seafloor disruptions and sediment plumes caused by mining activity.

A hidden temperature law governs all life on Earth

Sat, 25 Oct 2025 23:54:42 EDT

In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists at Trinity College Dublin have identified a "universal thermal performance curve" that governs how all living organisms respond to temperature. This finding reveals that evolution has been unable to escape a single, unifying rule linking performance and heat across every branch of lifeâ??from bacteria and plants to reptiles and fish. The curve shows that while organisms perform better as temperatures rise, performance rapidly collapses beyond an optimal point, posing grave risks in a warming world.

Insects are disappearing from the last places we thought were safe

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 01:51:44 EDT

A long-term study in Colorado reveals that insect populations are plummeting even in remote, undisturbed areas. Over two decades, flying insect abundance dropped by more than 70%, closely linked to rising summer temperatures. The results suggest that climate change, not just human land use, is driving massive losses. Scientists warn that biodiversity hotspots, especially mountain ecosystems, are now at serious risk.

Theyâ??re smaller than dust, but crucial for Earthâ??s climate

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 09:54:52 EDT

Coccolithophores, tiny planktonic architects of Earthâ??s climate, capture carbon, produce oxygen, and leave behind geological records that chronicle our planetâ??s history. European scientists are uniting to honor them with International Coccolithophore Day on October 10. Their global collaboration highlights groundbreaking research into how these microscopic organisms link ocean chemistry, climate regulation, and carbon storage. The initiative aims to raise awareness that even the smallest ocean dwellers have planetary impact.

Dinosaurs were thriving when the asteroid struck

Sun, 26 Oct 2025 11:05:11 EDT

Dinosaurs werenâ??t dying out before the asteroid hitâ??they were thriving in vibrant, diverse habitats across North America. Fossil evidence from New Mexico shows that distinct â??bioprovincesâ?� of dinosaurs existed until the very end. Their extinction was sudden, not gradual, and the recovery of life afterward mirrored climate-driven patterns. Itâ??s a powerful reminder of lifeâ??s adaptability and fragility.

Closest alien civilization could be 33,000 light years away

Sun, 12 Oct 2025 04:51:44 EDT

Complex, intelligent life in the galaxy appears vanishingly rare, with the nearest possible civilization perhaps 33,000 light-years distant. Yet despite the odds, scientists insist that continuing the search for extraterrestrial intelligence is essential â?? for either outcome reshapes our understanding of life itself.

Japanâ??s hot springs hold clues to the origins of life on Earth

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 07:40:09 EDT

Billions of years ago, Earthâ??s atmosphere was hostile, with barely any oxygen and toxic conditions for life. Researchers from the Earth-Life Science Institute studied Japanâ??s iron-rich hot springs, which mimic the ancient oceans, to uncover how early microbes survived. They discovered communities of bacteria that thrived on iron and tiny amounts of oxygen, forming ecosystems that recycled elements like carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur.

No one knows what these strange larvae grow into

Sat, 13 Sep 2025 11:37:08 EDT

Not all barnacles just sit on rocks and ships. Some invade crabs, growing like a parasitic root system that hijacks their bodies. A mysterious group called y-larvae has baffled scientists for over a century, with no known adult stage. Genetic evidence now reveals theyâ??re related to barnacles and may also be parasites â?? lurking unseen inside other creatures.

Scientists just found a surprising twist in Earthâ??s extinction story

Mon, 27 Oct 2025 08:32:40 EDT

Extinction rates are not spiraling upward as many believe, according to a large-scale study analyzing 500 years of data. Researchers found that species losses peaked about a century ago and have decreased since, with different drivers shaping past and present threats. Whereas invasive species once caused most island extinctions, habitat destruction now looms largest on continents.

Who are the Papua New Guineans? New DNA study reveals stunning origins

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 08:38:14 EDT

On remote islands of Papua New Guinea, people carry a story that ties us all back to our deepest roots. Although their striking appearance once puzzled scientists, new genetic evidence shows they share a common ancestry with other Asians, shaped by isolation, adaptation, and even interbreeding with mysterious Denisovans. Yet, their unique history â?? marked by survival bottlenecks and separation from farming-driven booms â?? leaves open questions about the earliest migrations out of Africa and whether their lineage holds traces of a forgotten branch of humanity.

A pink bumpy snailfish was just discovered miles beneath the ocean

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 09:31:52 EDT

Scientists have identified three new species of deep-sea snailfish, including the strikingly pink â??bumpy snailfish,â?� thanks to MBARIâ??s advanced technology and global collaborations. Found thousands of meters below the surface off California, these elusive fish demonstrate remarkable adaptations for life under crushing pressure and darkness.

A 151-million-year-old fly just changed what we know about evolution

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 04:06:53 EDT

Scientists have uncovered a 151-million-year-old midge fossil in Australia that challenges long-held views about insect evolution. Named Telmatomyia talbragarica, the fossil shows freshwater adaptations previously thought to exist only in marine species. This discovery suggests that Chironomidae may have originated in Gondwana, offering new insight into ancient biogeographical patterns.

Birds around the world share a mysterious warning cry

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 05:11:13 EDT

Birds across the globe independently evolved a shared warning call against parasites, blending instinct and learning in a remarkable evolutionary pattern. The finding offers a rare glimpse into how cooperation and communication systems evolve across species.

150-million-year-old teeth expose dinosaursâ?? secret diets

Sun, 14 Sep 2025 11:20:39 EDT

By analyzing tooth enamel chemistry, scientists uncovered proof that Jurassic dinosaurs divided up their meals in surprising waysâ??some choosing buds and leaves, others woody bark, and still others a mixed menu. This dietary diversity helped massive plant-eaters coexist, while predators carved out their own niches.

Meet the desert survivor that grows faster the hotter it gets

Sun, 09 Nov 2025 04:01:43 EST

In Death Valleyâ??s relentless heat, Tidestromia oblongifolia doesnâ??t just surviveâ??it thrives. Michigan State University scientists discovered that the plant can quickly adjust its photosynthetic machinery to endure extreme temperatures that would halt most species. Its cells reorganize, its genes switch on protective functions, and it even reshapes its chloroplasts to keep producing energy. The findings could guide the creation of crops capable of withstanding future heat waves.

Scientists uncover a mysterious Jurassic lizard with snake-like jaws

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 07:40:13 EDT

A strange Jurassic lizard discovered on Scotlandâ??s Isle of Skye is shaking up what we know about snake evolution. Named Breugnathair elgolensis, the â??false snake of Elgolâ?� combined hook-like, python-style teeth and jaws with the short body and limbs of a lizard. Researchers spent nearly a decade studying the 167-million-year-old fossil, revealing that it belonged to a newly defined group of squamates and carried features of both snakes and geckos.

After 25 years, scientists solve the bird-eating bat mystery

Sun, 02 Nov 2025 01:06:24 EDT

After decades of mystery, scientists have finally proven that Europeâ??s largest bat, the greater noctule, hunts and eats small songbirds mid-airâ??more than a kilometer above ground. Using tiny biologgers strapped to bats, researchers recorded astonishing dives and mid-flight chewing sounds confirming bird predation long suspected but never observed.

Soil microbes remember drought and help plants survive

Sun, 02 Nov 2025 00:47:40 EDT

Researchers discovered that soil microbes in Kansas carry drought â??memoriesâ?� that affect how plants grow and survive. Native plants showed stronger responses to these microbial legacies than crops like corn, hinting at co-evolution over time. Genetic analysis revealed a key gene tied to drought tolerance, potentially guiding biotech efforts to enhance crop resilience. The work connects ecology, genetics, and agriculture in a novel way.

The oceanâ??s most abundant microbe is near its breaking point

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 18:07:08 EDT

Tiny ocean microbes called Prochlorococcus, once thought to be climate survivors, may struggle as seas warm. These cyanobacteria drive 5% of Earthâ??s photosynthesis and underpin much of the marine food web. A decade of research shows they thrive only within a narrow temperature range, and warming oceans could slash their populations by up to 50% in tropical waters.