Cancers are in an evolutionary battle with treatments – evolutionary game theory could tip the advantage to medicine

Applying the principles of ecology and evolution could help oncologists anticipate cancer drug resistance and optimize their treatment plans for patients.

Anuraag Bukkuri, PhD Student in Integrated Mathematical Oncology, University of South Florida • conversation
Nov. 16, 2021 • ~7 min

Genetic GPS system of animal development explains why limbs grow from torsos and not heads

Hox genes make sure all your body parts grow in the right place. Understanding how they work can reveal the process of evolution and lead to potential treatments for congenital birth defects.

Ethan Bier, Professor of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego • conversation
Nov. 10, 2021 • ~10 min

When and how was walking invented?

Walking has taken a very long time to develop, with evidence of bipedalism among early humans in Africa roughly 4.4 million years ago.

Jan Simek, Professor of Anthropology, University of Tennessee • conversation
Nov. 1, 2021 • ~7 min

Viruses are both the villains and heroes of life as we know it

Viruses have gotten a bad rap for the many illnesses and pandemics they’ve caused. But viruses are also genetic innovators – and possibly the pioneers of using DNA as the genetic blueprint of life.

Ivan Erill, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore County • conversation
Oct. 19, 2021 • ~8 min

Cellphone data shows that people navigate by keeping their destinations in front of them – even when that's not the most efficient route

As you’re walking through city streets on your way to work, school or appointments, you probably feel like you’re taking the most efficient route. Thanks to evolution, you’re probably not.

Carlo Ratti, Professor of Urban Technologies and Planning, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) • conversation
Oct. 18, 2021 • ~8 min

Zinc-infused proteins are the secret that allows scorpions, spiders and ants to puncture tough skin

Many small animals make their teeth and claws from a smooth blend of proteins and heavy elements. These materials can form very sharp tools that make it possible to cut tough substances using tiny muscles.

Robert Schofield, Research Professor in Physics, University of Oregon • conversation
Sept. 1, 2021 • ~5 min

Vaccines could affect how the coronavirus evolves - but that's no reason to skip your shot

A 2015 paper on chicken virus evolution is being taken out of context and used to fuel fears about COVID-19 vaccines. Its lead author aims to clarify the science in hopes of saving lives.

Andrew Read, Professor of Biology, Entomology and Biotechnology, Penn State • conversation
Aug. 27, 2021 • ~10 min

Why animals recognise numbers but only humans can do maths

A wide range of animals seem to have a grasp of numbers – but humans hold the trump card.

Silke Goebel, Reader (Associate Professor) in Psychology, University of York • conversation
July 28, 2021 • ~8 min

We solved the mystery of why some fish are warm-blooded

Warm-blooded fish can swim 1.6 times faster than their cold-blooded relatives.

Lucy Harding, PhD Candidate in Fish Physiology, Trinity College Dublin • conversation
July 5, 2021 • ~4 min

Darwin got sexual selection backwards, research suggests

The sexual selection of larger males may be driven by an abundance – not a scarcity – of females.

Tamas Szekely, Professor of Biodiversity at The Milner Centre for Evolution, University of Bath • conversation
June 17, 2021 • ~8 min

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