‘Croco-salamander’ bones offer clues to how early animals emerged from water

A study overturns the long-held belief that ancient species grew at slow, steady pace, and offers insights into human maturation.

Caitlin McDermott-Murphy • harvard
Dec. 5, 2022 • ~7 min

Beware of 'Shark Week': Scientists watched 202 episodes and found them filled with junk science, misinformation and white male 'experts' named Mike

A recent study offers evidence that marine biology’s biggest stage is broken, and suggests ways to fix it.

David Shiffman, Post-Doctoral and Research Scholar in Marine Biology, Arizona State University • conversation
Nov. 30, 2022 • ~10 min

Scientists discover five new species of black corals living thousands of feet below the ocean surface near the Great Barrier Reef

Black corals provide critical habitat for many creatures that live in the dark, often barren, deep sea, and researchers are learning more about these rare corals with every dive.

Jeremy Horowitz, Post-doctoral Fellow in Invertebrate Zoology, Smithsonian Institution • conversation
Nov. 23, 2022 • ~6 min

Scientists unveil the functional landscape of essential genes

Researchers harness new pooled, image-based screening method to probe the functions of over 5,000 essential genes in human cells.

Nicole Davis | Whitehead Institute • mit
Nov. 21, 2022 • ~6 min

Harvard study looks at how cephalopods develop their big brains

How squid and octopus get their big brains.

Juan Siliezar • harvard
Nov. 16, 2022 • ~5 min

Genome-wide screens could reveal the liver’s secrets

A new technique for studying liver cells within an organism could shed light on the genes required for regeneration.

Anne Trafton | MIT News Office • mit
Nov. 15, 2022 • ~8 min

The study of evolution is fracturing – and that may be a good thing

There is more to evolution than the genes species inherit.

Erik Svensson, Professor (Evolutionary Ecology Unit, Department of Biology), Lund University • conversation
Nov. 9, 2022 • ~8 min

New Harvard class on dog behavior

Harvard students discern why dogs do what they do in new class.

Juan Siliezar • harvard
Nov. 8, 2022 • ~8 min

A new control system for synthetic genes

Researchers have developed a technique that could help fine-tune the production of monoclonal antibodies and other useful proteins.

Anne Trafton | MIT News Office • mit
Nov. 1, 2022 • ~7 min

Celibacy: family history of Tibetan monks reveals evolutionary advantages in monasticism – podcast

Listen to the first episode of Discovery, a new series available via The Conversation Weekly podcast, telling the stories of fascinating new research discoveries from around the world.

Gemma Ware, Editor and Co-Host, The Conversation Weekly Podcast, The Conversation • conversation
Oct. 31, 2022 • ~3 min

/

107