Nature News -- ScienceDaily

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

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.

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.

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.

500-million-year-old â??squidâ?� were actually ferocious worms

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 11:14:39 EDT

A stunning discovery in North Greenland has reclassified strange squid-like fossils, revealing that nectocaridids were not early cephalopods but ancestors of arrow worms. Preserved nervous systems and unique anatomical features provided the breakthrough, showing these creatures once ruled as stealthy predators of the Cambrian seas. With complex eyes, streamlined bodies, and evidence of prey in their stomachs, they reveal a surprising past where arrow worms were far more fearsome than their modern descendants.

Scientists discover armored â??goblin monsterâ?� in prehistoric Utah

Fri, 29 Aug 2025 10:44:02 EDT

Scientists have identified a new giant lizard, Bolg amondol, from Utahâ??s Kaiparowits Formation, named after Tolkienâ??s goblin prince. Part of the monstersaur lineage, Bolg reveals that multiple large lizards coexisted with dinosaurs, suggesting a thriving ecosystem. Its discovery in long-stored fossils underscores how museums hold hidden scientific gems.

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.

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 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.

Bumble bees balance their diets with surprising precision

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 01:07:24 EDT

Bumble bees arenâ??t random foragers â?? theyâ??re master nutritionists. Over an eight-year field study in the Colorado Rockies, scientists uncovered that different bee species strategically balance their intake of protein, fats, and carbs by choosing pollen from specific flowers. Larger, long-tongued bees seek protein-rich pollen, while smaller, short-tongued species prefer carb- and fat-heavy sources. These dietary preferences shift with the seasons and colony life cycles, helping bees reduce competition, thrive together, and maintain strong colonies.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Sharksâ?? teeth are crumbling in acid seas

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 03:28:46 EDT

Even sharksâ?? famous tooth-regrowing ability may not save them from ocean acidification. Researchers found that future acidic waters cause shark teeth to corrode, crack, and weaken, threatening their effectiveness as hunting weapons and highlighting hidden dangers for ocean ecosystems.

Scientists found the missing nutrients bees need â?? Colonies grew 15-fold

Sat, 23 Aug 2025 05:53:35 EDT

Scientists have developed a breakthrough food supplement that could help save honeybees from devastating declines. By engineering yeast to produce six essential sterols found in pollen, researchers provided bees with a nutritionally complete diet that boosted reproduction up to 15-fold. Unlike commercial substitutes that lack key nutrients, this supplement mimics natural pollenâ??s sterol profile, giving bees the equivalent of a balanced diet.

A tiny embryo fold changed the course of evolution

Thu, 04 Sep 2025 02:22:48 EDT

A small tissue fold in fly embryos, once thought purposeless, plays a vital role in stabilizing tissues. Researchers show that it absorbs stress during early development, and its position and timing likely shaped its evolutionary emergence.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Salmonâ??s secret superfood is smaller than a grain of salt

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 18:26:15 EDT

Tiny diatoms and their bacterial partners act as natureâ??s nutrient factories, fueling insects and salmon in Californiaâ??s Eel River. Their pollution-free process could inspire breakthroughs in sustainable farming and energy.

In the dark for 11 million years: How blind cavefish rewrote evolution

Fri, 29 Aug 2025 22:11:12 EDT

Yale scientists discovered that cavefish species independently evolved blindness and depigmentation as they adapted to dark cave environments, with some lineages dating back over 11 million years. This new genetic method not only reveals ancient cave ages but may also shed light on human eye diseases.

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.

Living night lights: Succulents that store sunlight and shine for hours

Fri, 29 Aug 2025 06:00:52 EDT

Scientists have created glow-in-the-dark succulents that can recharge with sunlight and shine for hours, rivaling small night lights. Unlike costly and complex genetic engineering methods, this breakthrough relies on phosphor particlesâ??similar to those in glow-in-the-dark toysâ??carefully sized to flow through plant tissues. Surprisingly, succulents turned out to be the best glow carriers, with researchers even building a wall of 56 glowing plants bright enough to read by.

Baby pterosaurs died in ancient stormsâ??and their fossils reveal the truth

Fri, 05 Sep 2025 22:56:23 EDT

Two tiny pterosaurs, preserved for 150 million years, have revealed a surprising cause of death: violent storms. Researchers at the University of Leicester discovered both hatchlings, nicknamed Lucky and Lucky II, with broken wingsâ??injuries consistent with being tossed through the air by powerful gusts. These storms not only claimed their lives but also created the rare conditions that preserved them so perfectly in the Solnhofen limestones.

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.

Flamingos reveal their secret to staying young

Sun, 07 Sep 2025 19:02:51 EDT

Some animals donâ??t age at the same pace, and flamingos may hold the key to why. A decades-long study in France reveals that resident flamingos, which stay put, enjoy early-life advantages but pay later with accelerated aging, while migratory flamingos endure early hardships yet age more slowly. This surprising link between movement and longevity challenges old assumptions and offers new insights into the science of aging.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This is where tree planting has the biggest climate impact

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 00:34:57 EDT

Planting more trees can help cool the planet and reduce fire riskâ??but where they are planted matters. According to UC Riverside researchers, tropical regions provide the most powerful climate benefits because trees there grow year-round, absorb more carbon dioxide, and cool the air through processes like evapotranspiration, or â??tree sweating.â?�

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.

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.

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.

Most of Earthâ??s species came from explosive bursts of evolution

Sat, 23 Aug 2025 05:33:02 EDT

A new study reveals that the majority of Earthâ??s species stem from a few evolutionary explosions, where new traits or habitats sparked rapid diversification. From flowers to birds, these bursts explain most of the planetâ??s biodiversity.

Why tiny bee brains could hold the key to smarter AI

Sun, 24 Aug 2025 03:15:28 EDT

Researchers discovered that bees use flight movements to sharpen brain signals, enabling them to recognize patterns with remarkable accuracy. A digital model of their brain shows that this movement-based perception could revolutionize AI and robotics by emphasizing efficiency over massive computing power.

Why most whale sharks in Indonesia are scarred by humans

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 04:01:37 EDT

Whale sharks in Indonesia are suffering widespread injuries, with a majority scarred by human activity. Researchers found bagans and boats to be the biggest threats, especially as shark tourism grows. Protecting these gentle giants may be as simple as redesigning fishing gear and boat equipment.

Ancient fossils in Ethiopia rewrite the first chapter of human evolution

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 07:56:24 EDT

Newly discovered fossils in Ethiopia show that Homo coexisted with Australopithecus 2.6 million years ago, rewriting the timeline of human evolution. Far from a straight line, early human history was a tangled web of competing species.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 the secret to orangutan survival in the trees

Sat, 30 Aug 2025 00:11:57 EDT

Young orangutans master the art of building intricate treetop nests not by instinct alone, but by closely watching their mothers and peers. Researchers tracking wild Sumatran orangutans over 17 years discovered that â??peeringâ?�â??the deliberate act of observing nest constructionâ??is the key to learning.

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.

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.

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.

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.