Environment

A newly discovered pterosaur fossil is shedding light on the evolutionary journey of these ancient flying reptiles. This complete specimen, named Skiphosoura bavarica, provides crucial insights into how pterosaurs transitioned from early, smaller forms to the later, gigantic species. By analysing the unique features of Skiphosoura, paleontologists can now trace the step-by-step evolution of pterosaurs

A new nasal whooping cough vaccine showed an ability to prevent both infection and transmission of the disease in mice. Current vaccines offer treatment but fail to halt transmission of the bacteria that cause the disease. As whooping cough cases rise in the U.S., a new nasal vaccine developed by Tulane University may hold the

Many living organisms are able to regenerate damaged or lost tissue, but why some are particularly good at this and others are not is not fully understood. Molecular biologists have now made an important contribution to clarifying this question in a new study. In it, they explain the molecular mechanism of regeneration in marine worms

Too much of a good thing is no good at all. Living organisms enjoy sunlight -- in fact, many need it to stay alive -- but they tend to avoid light that is too bright. Animals go to their shelter, humans have a siesta, even plants have mechanisms to avoid an overdose of light. But

Southeast Asia's tropical forests are renowned for their biodiversity, but at the same time face significant threats from the expansion of oil palm plantations. With global demand for palm oil rising, the urgency for effective restoration strategies in these landscapes has become critical. A long-running experiment has investigated how ecological restoration promotes biodiversity recovery in

A new study has highlighted just how significantly the level of the Mediterranean Sea dropped during the Messinian Salinity Crisis -- a major geological event that transformed the Mediterranean into a gigantic salt basin between 5.97 and 5.33 million years ago. Mediterranean Sea dropped during the Messinian Salinity Crisis -- a major geological event that

Recent research suggests the unique stresses from farm life may be taking a toll on one of the pillars of the families that make your dinners possible: the women who keep farming families running. If you're like most Americans, you probably don't give too much thought to where your food comes from. And you likely

A new study reveals alarming risks that pesticides pose to ground-nesting bees, which are crucial for pollination and food production. As agriculture increasingly relies on pesticides to protect crops, the unintended consequences for these essential pollinators are becoming clearer. A new study reveals alarming risks that pesticides pose to ground-nesting bees, which are crucial for

The history of a major animal group, composed of millions of species of insects, arachnids, and nemotodes, has been elusive -- until now. A team has now identified the oldest known ecdysozoan in the fossil record and the only one from the Precambrian period. Everyone has a past. That includes the millions of species of

Researchers have found a potential method to slow heart failure progression. They fed mice a diet high in soybean protein, which influenced gut bacteria and supported heart health. Analysis showed that this diet increased the production of the short-chain fatty acids in the gut that help to protect the heart. A research team from the

An international group of authors who developed the science behind net zero demonstrate that relying on 'natural carbon sinks' like forests and oceans to offset ongoing CO2 emissions from fossil fuel use will not actually stop global warming. The science of net zero, developed over 15 years ago, does not include these natural carbon sinks

Fish stocks along the West African coast have declined significantly over the past five decades, threatening food security and the livelihoods of the fishing communities that depend on them, according to a new study. Fish stocks along the West African coast have declined significantly over the past five decades, threatening food security and the livelihoods