Rate of relative evolution of brain mass. Credit: Nature Ecology & Evolution (2024). DOI file: 10.1038/s41559-024-02451-3 The largest animals don’t have proportionally larger brains, and humans are an exception to this trend, according to a study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution has revealed. Researchers from the University of Reading and the University of Durham … Read more
A new study of 1,500 species shows that larger animals do not have proportionally larger brains, challenging old ideas and introducing a curve model for brain-body size relationships, with significant findings in primates, rodents and carnivores. Credit: SciTechDaily.com Researchers have discovered that brain size in larger animals does not increase proportionally with body size, contradicting … Read more
Resume: A new AI-powered study examines evolutionary differences between male and female birdwing butterflies, shedding new light on a historic debate between Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace. Using machine learning to analyze more than 16,000 butterfly specimens, researchers found that both sexes contribute to species diversity. Males tend to show more variation, supporting Darwin’s … Read more
Resume: A new AI-powered study examines evolutionary differences between male and female birdwing butterflies, shedding new light on a historic debate between Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace. Using machine learning to analyze more than 16,000 butterfly specimens, researchers found that both sexes contribute to species diversity. Males tend to show more variation, supporting Darwin’s … Read more
Why do people live so long? A new study suggests that a mother’s care could be an important part of that. The Cornell University study says the reason humans and other primates live so long can be at least partially explained by the mother-infant relationship. Maternal care leads to the evolution of “long, slow lives,” … Read more
Researchers have mapped the entire X and Y chromosomes of several great ape species, revealing significant evolutionary variations, especially in the rapidly evolving Y chromosome. This study, which highlights both stable and dynamic genomic regions, provides new insights into primate and human evolution, as well as the conservation of these endangered species. Credit: SciTechDaily.com Complete … Read more
This article was reviewed according to Science fact checked peer-reviewed publication trusted source proofread OK! A green Timema cristinae morph stick insect goes well with the California lilac shrub (Ceanothus spinosus). Credit: Aaron Comeault × close to A green Timema cristinae morph stick insect goes well with the California lilac shrub (Ceanothus spinosus). Credit: Aaron … Read more
Editor’s note: A version of this story appeared in CNN’s science newsletter Wonder Theory. To receive it in your inbox, Register for free here. CNN — Dinosaur means ‘terrible lizard’. The idea that the prehistoric creatures were scaly, sluggish reptiles with sprawling postures that dragged their tails through tropical swamps is deeply imprinted in the … Read more
Small seems really nice from an evolutionary perspective. The largest dinosaurs, pterosaurs and mammals may look impressive, but these giants are vastly outnumbered by microscopic bacteria and single-celled algae and fungi. Small organisms are also ancient and incredibly resilient. The first evidence of single-celled organisms dates from about 3.8 billion years ago, shortly after the … Read more