Evolution news
Mass Extinctions, Ancient Viruses May Hold Clues to Life’s Origins
Apr 03, 2009 |
4.7 / 5 (30) |
16
(PhysOrg.com) -- Mass extinctions occur repeatedly, though irregularly, throughout Earth’s history, and occasionally these extinctions have been devastating to life on our planet - or have they? Extinction ...
Ancient penguin DNA raises doubts about accuracy of genetic dating techniques
Nov 10, 2009 |
4.7 / 5 (23) |
15
Penguins that died 44,000 years ago in Antarctica have provided extraordinary frozen DNA samples that challenge the accuracy of traditional genetic aging measurements, and suggest those approaches have been ...
What is the meaning of 'one'? Evolutionary biologists argue for new meaning of 'organismality'
Nov 09, 2009 |
4.8 / 5 (6) |
6
Rice University evolutionary biologists David Queller and Joan Strassmann argue in a new paper that high cooperation and low conflict between components, from the genetic level on up, give a living thing its "organismality," ...
Why sex with a partner is better (w/ Video)
Oct 21, 2009 |
3.4 / 5 (18) |
1
(PhysOrg.com) -- OK, it takes two for human reproduction, and now it seems that plants and animals that can rely on either a partner or go alone by self-fertilization give their offspring a better chance for ...
Modern men are wimps, according to new book
Oct 21, 2009 |
3.8 / 5 (40) |
40
(PhysOrg.com) -- A new book claims even modern athletes could not run as fast, jump as high, or have been nearly as strong as our predecessors.
Are humans still evolving? Absolutely, says new analysis of long-term survey of human health
Oct 19, 2009 |
4 / 5 (21) |
36
Although advances in medical care have improved standards of living over time, humans aren't entirely sheltered from the forces of natural selection, a new study shows.
Time in a bottle: Scientists watch evolution unfold
Oct 18, 2009 |
4.6 / 5 (42) |
13
A 21-year Michigan State University experiment that distills the essence of evolution in laboratory flasks not only demonstrates natural selection at work, but could lead to biotechnology and medical research ...
Fish vision discovery makes waves in natural selection
Oct 16, 2009 |
5 / 5 (8) |
1
Emory University researchers have identified the first fish known to have switched from ultraviolet vision to violet vision, or the ability to see blue light. The discovery is also the first example of an ...
Unnatural selection: Birth control pills may alter choice of partners
Oct 07, 2009 |
4.1 / 5 (14) |
20
There is no doubt that modern contraception has enabled women to have unprecedented control over their own fertility. However, is it possible that the use of oral contraceptives is interfering with a woman's ability to choose, ...
In amoeba world, cheating doesn't pay
Oct 01, 2009 |
4.8 / 5 (6) |
0
(PhysOrg.com) -- Cheaters may prosper in the short term, but over time they seem doomed to fail, at least in the microscopic world of amoebas where natural selection favors the noble.
Ratchet-like genetic mutations make evolution irreversible
Sep 23, 2009 |
4 / 5 (6) |
8
(PhysOrg.com) -- A University of Oregon research team has found that evolution can never go backwards, because the paths to the genes once present in our ancestors are forever blocked. The findings -- the ...
Genetic sex determination let ancient species adapt to ocean life
Sep 16, 2009 |
5 / 5 (3) |
0
(PhysOrg.com) -- A new analysis of extinct sea creatures suggests that the transition from egg-laying to live-born young opened up evolutionary pathways that allowed these ancient species to adapt to and thrive ...
Molecular Decay of Enamel-Specific Gene in Toothless Mammals Supports Theory of Evolution
Sep 04, 2009 |
4.6 / 5 (17) |
42
(PhysOrg.com) -- Biologists at the University of California, Riverside report new evidence for evolutionary change recorded in both the fossil record and the genomes (or genetic blueprints) of living organisms, ...
Mice living in sandy hills quickly evolved lighter coloration
Aug 27, 2009 |
4.8 / 5 (5) |
9
In a vivid illustration of natural selection at work, scientists at Harvard University have found that deer mice living in Nebraska's Sand Hills quickly evolved lighter coloration after glaciers deposited ...
Evolution of the appendix: A biological 'remnant' no more
Aug 20, 2009 |
4.9 / 5 (29) |
36
The lowly appendix, long-regarded as a useless evolutionary artifact, won newfound respect two years ago when researchers at Duke University Medical Center proposed that it actually serves a critical function. ...
