Biology
Flexible tails could boost ancient sea predators' ambush speeds, fossil-based models suggest
Some of the giant marine reptiles that ruled the seas during the age of dinosaurs were better built for surprise attacks, while their relatives were better suited to chasing prey …
All the news and science from the 2026 Nobel prizes – podcast
This year’s Nobel prizes in chemistry, physics and physiology or medicine have celebrated work that has been used to develop countless drugs and transform modern medicine, allowed…
Compact CRISPR alternative uses bacterial proteins to insert large DNA segments
A new engineered gene-editing system, proven in bacteria and showing promise for use in plants, animals and humans, addresses some limitations of current gene-editing tools, with …
This is what the 2026 Nobel prize for chemistry is all about
The Nobel prize in chemistry 2026 has been awarded to two scientists, Henri B Kagan at Paris-Sud University in France and Kensō Soai at Tokyo University of Science in Japan. Their…
A honey trap: Female-baited beetle traps reveal habitat variation in Japanese forests
Monitoring biological indicators plays a crucial role in forest management, which requires finding a delicate balance between timber use and biodiversity conservation. Across fore…
Scientists uncover how the world's smallest flowering plant became so tiny
A new study has revealed how some plants pack the same structures as larger species into a tiny space, making them promising candidates for future crops.
194-year-old tortoise reveals stable gene switches that may help resist aging
Researchers studying a giant tortoise named Jonathan say it's not just good genes but a lack of genetic wear and tear that has kept him going for nearly two centuries.
Ancient spotted bat samples help researchers understand present-day population dynamics
Understanding changes in North American bat populations is critical to measuring the risk of extinction from emerging threats such as habitat loss, climate change, white-nose synd…
'Classic example' of sexual dimorphism in fossil record actually shows nuance between males and females
For decades, paleontologists have held up uintatheres as a prime illustration of sexual dimorphism, or the tendency for males and females of a species to be physically different. …
Dogs and owners disturb each other in the night, but still get pretty good sleep
Sleeping alongside your dog probably doesn't disrupt your sleep as much as you might think, according to a study published Oct. 7, 2026, in the journal PLOS One by Ming Fei Li of …
Jonathan the giant tortoise, 194, offers up insight into secrets of longevity
DNA analysis of oldest living land animal reveal patterns on genes that appear to protect functioning of mitochondriaThe ancient quest to extend human lifespan has received a boos…
Deep-sea clams adjust bacterial partnerships to cope with dwindling chemical energy
A research team led by professor Qian Peiyuan, chair professor in the Department of Ocean Science at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), in collaboration w…
A new hope for dogs with dementia: Researchers explore gene therapy
The moment Kate Heath saw her 12-year-old pug, Ivy, sitting silently and staring at a wall, she knew something was wrong.
Orangutan mothers seek out playmates for their young
Playing with peers is a crucial part of growing up—so crucial that orangutan mothers will go out of their way to arrange playdates for their young, according to a 15-year study of…
Tortoise beetles use pigmentation protein to shield bacteria that help digest plants
More than 80 years ago, scientists discovered that differences in yellow pigmentation were critical to courtship success and failure for fruit flies. It was one of the first demon…
Combining science and community knowledge could shape coral reef conservation in Indonesia
Coral reefs in Indonesia's Spermonde Archipelago are under pressure from both natural and anthropogenic activities. Researchers from Hasanuddin University assessed reef conditions…
Gut bacteria reveal ancient ties to human migrations across continents, genetic analysis suggests
As waves of humans left Africa tens of thousands of years ago, eventually populating the entire planet, they were joined on their world-conquering ride by the trillions of microor…
'Top predator' from the Jurassic measures just half a meter
The "top predator" from the Jurassic is relatively small: Megacauda sungei measures just half a meter (1.6 feet) from its nose to the tip of its tail. The furry ancestor of today'…
Nuclear traces in whales' teeth help scientists reconstruct their life stories
New analysis of traces of radioactive fallout from nuclear weapons testing trapped in the teeth of stranded whales has helped scientists reconstruct their life stories.
New framework developed for moving endangered species to safer locations
A new framework designed to guide one of the hardest decisions in conservation—whether to move a species outside its historical range to save it from extinction—has been published…
Conservationists are discovering 'bright spots' around the globe. Here's why they matter
Every few years, the elders of Muluk, a tiny coastal community in Papua New Guinea, close a stretch of their reef to fishing. They do this to give these underwater gardens room to…
Plants, people and progress for native prairie seeds
Across much of the central United States, there are ongoing efforts to restore native prairie. Returning native plants to the landscape can improve soil health and water quality a…
Nobel prize in chemistry awarded for work on mirror-image molecules
Henri B Kagan and Kensō Soai awarded prize for discovery of nonlinear effects and autocatalysis in asymmetric organic synthesisThe Nobel prize in chemistry 2026 has been awarded t…
Moment Karl Deisseroth tells his family he won the Nobel prize in medicine – video
Stanford University has shared video of Karl Deisseroth giving the news to his two daughters and one of his sons on Monday.Deisseroth had spent hours fielding congratulatory calls…