Extraterrestrial life may look nothing like life on Earth − so astrobiologists are coming up with a framework to study how complex systems evolve

A specific set of chemical conditions led to the emergence of life on Earth. But can life emerge from other chemistries?

Chris Impey, University Distinguished Professor of Astronomy, University of Arizona • conversation
Dec. 6, 2024 • ~10 min

Corals can adapt to warming oceans, but not fast enough – new research

Natural selection won’t keep pace with global warming if the Paris climate agreement isn’t realised.

Peter J Mumby, Chair Professor, Coral Reef Ecology, The University of Queensland • conversation
Nov. 29, 2024 • ~8 min

Cacti are surprisingly fragile – and five other intriguing facts about these spiky wonders

Cacti are more complex and mysterious than you might realise.

Jamie Thompson, Lecturer in Evolutionary Biology, University of Reading • conversation
Nov. 12, 2024 • ~10 min

Plants and animals with bigger genomes grow less efficiently – new research helps explain why they never died out

The size of DNA cells between the biggest and smallest genomes varies by as much as 10,000 times.

Kimberley Simpson, Research Fellow, School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield • conversation
Nov. 7, 2024 • ~6 min

Are these tiny insects the world’s most bone-idle bugs?

If you’ve ever struggled with chores while your freeloading siblings looked on, you might relate to these tiny insects.

James Gilbert, Lecturer in Zoology, University of Hull • conversation
Nov. 6, 2024 • ~7 min

Deep sea rocks suggest oxygen can be made without photosynthesis, deepening the mystery of life

A study has found rocks at the bottom of the ocean can make oxygen.

Lewis Alcott, Lecturer in Geochemistry, University of Bristol • conversation
Oct. 30, 2024 • ~4 min

We’ve worked out a way of understanding how microbial communities shape life on Earth

Microbial communities are essential to life, yet their complexity has long puzzled scientists. Now, a new framework aims to unravel how these intricate ecosystems form.

Miguel Lurgi, Associate Professor in Computational Ecology, Swansea University • conversation
Oct. 7, 2024 • ~6 min

Cuffing season: an evolutionary explanation for why people want to settle down for the winter months

Another reason could be men’s testosterone levels increase over the winter months.

Martin Graff, Senior Lecturer in Psychology of Relationships, University of South Wales • conversation
Oct. 3, 2024 • ~6 min

Rare Florida fossil finally ends debate about how porcupine jaws and tails evolved

Modern North American porcupines are at least twice the size of their southern cousins and have stronger jaws. But how long have they looked that way?

Natasha S. Vitek, Assistant Professor of Ecology and Evolution, Stony Brook University (The State University of New York) • conversation
Sept. 20, 2024 • ~6 min

Why we haven’t evolved better knees – new research

And why it’s harder than you might think to evolve knees.

Michael Berthaume, Reader in the Department of Engineering, King's College London • conversation
Sept. 11, 2024 • ~6 min

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