Evolution
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Magic mushrooms kill the appetite
Gene transfer may be behind the hallucinogenic compound.
New research on the evolutionary genetics of fungi reveals that the compound that makes some mushrooms ‘magic’ may ha...
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Raven species reverse Darwin’s tree
DNA analysis finds two lineages have merged, not converged.
A new study of the genetic make-up of ravens has revealed a startling and little-known side to evolution – “reverse s...
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Birds offer clues to dino running
Chickens provide insight into how T. rex moved.
Do the bird: Queensland scientists studied how birds run in order to gain insights in dinosaur locomotion. Queensland...
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Ancient lizards legged it
South Korean discovery suggests lizards ran on two legs.
Among the many things that we think make human beings special is our upright stance and two-legged gait, known as “bi...
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A pope didn’t domesticate bunnies
Split between wild and tame occurred years earlier.
In the Christian religion, the period known as Lent lasts for 40 days, winding up just before Easter, and involves ma...
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Cockroaches diversified earlier than thought
Changes were underway before supercontinent split.
Around the globe there are nine recognised families of cockroaches – and new research has found that they last shared...
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What is de-extinction and how do you do it?
How is it possible, and is it a good idea?
In February of this year, scientists from Harvard University in the US announced their plans to create a live woolly ...