A new paper published today (April 24) in the journal Nature by an international team of 279 scientists led by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew presents the most up-to-date understanding of the flowering plant tree of life. Using 1.8 billion letters of genetic code from more than 9,500 species covering almost 8,000 known flowering plant … Read more
An international group of scientists, co-led by researcher Ariadna Mechó of the Barcelona Supercomputing Center—Centro Nacional de Supercomputación (BSC-CNS), observed 160 species on seamounts off the coast of Chile that had not yet been known to live in the region and suspect that at least 50 of these species are new to science. The recent … Read more
Mummy Juanita, also known as the “Ice Maiden,” is one of the most significant archaeological discoveries in the Andes region and a poignant symbol of ancient Inca culture and religious practices. Discovered in 1995 on Mount Ampato in southern Peru by anthropologist Johan Reinhard and his team, Mummy Juanita captivated the world with her remarkably … Read more
All the royal mummies found in the 19th and 20th centuries have long since been opened for study. With one exception: egyptologists have never been bold enough to open the mummy of Pharaoh Amenhotep I. Not because of any mythical curse, but because it is perfectly wrapped, beautifully decorated with flower garlands, and with face … Read more
For decades, a 2.3 million- to 1.2 million-year-old human relative named Paranthropus boisei has been nicknamed Nutcracker Man because of his big, flat molar teeth and thick, powerful jaw. But a definitive new University of Utah study shows that Nutcracker Man didn’t eat nuts, but instead chewed grasses and possibly sedges – a discovery that … Read more
The Children of Llullaillaco, also known as the Llullaillaco Mummies, are three well-preserved Inca child mummies discovered on the summit of Mount Llullaillaco in the Andes Mountains of Argentina. This discovery has provided unique insights into the sacrificial rituals and religious beliefs of the Inca civilization. The story of these children, their lives, and their … Read more
In 1934, American entomologist Elwood Zimmerman, then an undergraduate student at Berkeley, participated in the “Mangarevan expedition” to Polynesia. Among the samples he collected were three tiny (4 mm long), orange-brown solitary bees found on tahetahe flowers in the Tuamotu Archipelago. The specimens rested undisturbed in the Bernice P Bishop Museum of Honolulu until 1965 … Read more
A multinational team of animal behavior researchers has uncovered intriguing insights into the reproductive dynamics of glass frogs, shedding light on the intricate interplay between parental care and reproductive anatomy. Their groundbreaking study, published in the esteemed journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B, unveils a compelling correlation between the involvement of male glass frogs … Read more
It’s a small piece of obsidian, just over 5 centimeters long, likely found on a hard-scrabble piece of ranchland in the Texas panhandle. But when SMU anthropologist Matthew Boulanger looks at it, he gets a mental image of Spanish explorer Francisco Vasquez de Coronado making his way across the plains more than 470 years ago … Read more
In a groundbreaking expedition, scientists have captured images of a bird long believed to be lost to the annals of history. The elusive Yellow-crested Helmetshrike, scientifically known as Prionops alberti, had faded into obscurity for nearly two decades, earning the status of a ‘lost bird’ by the American Bird Conservancy. The remarkable discovery unfolded in … Read more
In the depths of the remote African jungles, researchers from the University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC) have unveiled a fascinating discovery: a new genus and five previously unknown species of millipedes. Amidst the lush foliage of Tanzania’s Udzungwa Mountains, Professor Andy Marshall and his team stumbled upon these curious creatures, whose peculiar heads bear … Read more
“On the Origin of Species” stands as one of the most influential and groundbreaking works in the history of science. Published by Charles Darwin in 1859, this seminal book revolutionized our understanding of the natural world and forever changed the course of biology, philosophy, and society. Through meticulous observation, compelling argumentation, and bold theorizing, Darwin … Read more
If life ever existed on Mars, the Perseverance rover’s verification of lake sediments at the base of the Jezero crater reinforces the hope that traces might be found in the crater. In new research published in the journal Science Advances, a team led by UCLA and The University of Oslo shows that at some point, … Read more
In the ancient depths of the Early Cambrian, a groundbreaking discovery has unveiled the existence of a formidable group of aquatic predators that prowled the waters over 518 million years ago. These newly identified creatures, named Timorebestia, meaning ‘terror beasts’ in Latin, are colossal worms with distinctive features such as fins along their body, elongated … Read more
The South Magnetic Pole, like its northern counterpart, is a crucial element in Earth’s magnetic field, influencing navigation, scientific research, and technological applications. Unlike the geographic South Pole, which marks the southernmost point on Earth’s surface, the South Magnetic Pole is where the planet’s magnetic field points vertically downward. Studying the South Magnetic Pole involves … Read more
The North Magnetic Pole is a point on Earth’s surface where the planet’s magnetic field points directly downward. This magnetic pole, distinct from the geographic North Pole, has been the focus of scientific exploration and study for centuries. Understanding its behavior, movement, and the associated magnetic anomalies is crucial for various practical applications, including navigation, … Read more
An astronomical unit (AU) is a fundamental measurement used in astronomy to denote distances within our solar system. It provides a convenient way to express distances on a scale relevant to planetary orbits and is particularly useful when dealing with the vast expanse of space. The concept of the astronomical unit is pivotal for understanding … Read more
Carl Linnaeus (1707–1778) was a Swedish botanist, physician, and zoologist, often referred to as the “father of modern taxonomy.” Linnaeus developed the binomial nomenclature system, which assigns a two-part scientific name to each species, helping to organize and classify the diversity of life. His work, particularly the publication of “Systema Naturae,” laid the foundation for … Read more
Charles Darwin (1809–1882) was a British naturalist and biologist renowned for his groundbreaking theory of evolution through natural selection. His seminal work, “On the Origin of Species,” published in 1859, presented evidence for the gradual development of species over time. Darwin’s ideas revolutionized the understanding of the diversity of life on Earth and had a … Read more
In the first study to examine ice cores from the summit of the highest tropical mountain in the world, new evidence provides unique insight into the climate record of the Amazon Basin over the last six decades. Nestled within the central Peruvian Andes lies Nevado Huascarán, a tropical mountain whose glaciers preserve the climate histories … Read more