Biology

The evolution of joints is how we went from blobs to badasses

A century after the Scopes trial, hopeful prospects beckon for teaching the unifying principle of the biological sciences in the U.S.’s classrooms

This strange sea creature stumped scientists for 20 years. Here’s what it really is

The genes that build the cartilage of fish gills were repurposed to build the cartilage in mammals’ outer ears

DNA inherited from Neandertals may influence modern human cognition

Tiny specks called biomolecular condensates are leading to a new understanding of the cell

Just as people often yawn or scratch themselves when they see someone else do so, for chimpanzees, peeing is contagious

Songbirds may socialize across species during nighttime migrations

Transplanted chloroplasts endured two days inside animal cells—and got to work

Bowhead whales were known to live up to 200 years, and a new study finds that southern right whales may live up to age 150 if they aren’t being hunted

A planned octopus farm is facing opposition. Here’s why

Three-dimensional models of Australopithecus afarensis hint at the muscular adaptations that made modern humans better runners