February 22, 2014
The New World Crocodile Assemblage: Crocodiles Part VII
A momentous thing is about to happen. Take a deep breath and prepare yourself. Today is the day when… I finish my series of articles on the crocodiles of the world.
Evolutionary Biology
EvolutionFebruary 22, 2014
The Hunt for Neandertal Genes [Excerpt]
Biologist Svante Pääbo describes the thrilling discovery of DNA from the bones of an ancient Neandertal in this excerpt from his new book
The Young American Scientists Event—Register Now
The SciencesFebruary 21, 2014
Biggest Mass Extinction Was Fastest, Too
It took just 60,000 years for the End Permian extinction to wipe out 96 percent of aquatic species and 70 percent of land species some 252 million years ago. Cynthia Graber reports
February 21, 2014
Although Purebred Dogs Can Be Best in Show, Are They Worst in Health?
Why diseases plague purebred dogs and how breeders, owners and genetics can help
February 19, 2014
Wing and fin motions share universal principles
Tricks common to animals ranging from whales to insects could inspire designs for air and water vehicles
Mind & BrainFebruary 19, 2014
Hole-y Phobia May Have Evolutionary Origins
Images that induce trypophobia, the fear of holes, share visual features with images of certain venomous animals, implying that the aversion has an evolutionary basis. Allie Wilkinson reports
EvolutionFebruary 18, 2014
Asian Elephants Console One Another When in Distress
Using trunks and vocalizations, elephants reassure one another when distressed
EvolutionFebruary 18, 2014
Baboons Use Yawns to Convey Social Messages
Gelada baboons use three separate types of yawns, differentiated by the amount of teeth and gums showing, to demonstrate friendliness and aggression
February 12, 2014
Ancient Genome Suggests Native Americans Really Did Descend from the First Americans
The new analysis of "Clovis boy" DNA also stirs an ethics debate about the handling of tribal remains
EvolutionFebruary 7, 2014
Salmon Use Magnetic Field–Based Internal Maps to Find Their Way
Even salmon raised in captivity have an innate sense of how to reach their oceanic foraging grounds
February 7, 2014
Making Winter Sports Olympic Champions out of Australian "Beach Babes" [Excerpt]
In The Sports Gene David Epstein explores what separates elite athletes from the rest of us
EvolutionFebruary 6, 2014
Is the Quintuple Jump in Figure Skating Physically Possible?
Some scientists think that the human body is incapable of surpassing the quadruple jump, currently considered the most challenging figure-skating move