Oldest human genetic data may expand our ‘family tree’

The oldest human genetic data ever recovered could shed light on the evolution of our ancestors and clarify the branches of the human family tree.

Mathias Traczyk-Copenhagen • futurity
April 2, 2020 ~6 min

Some blobby frog heads hide amazing spiny skulls

Beneath their slick skin, some frog skulls sport spines, spikes, and other skeletal secrets called hyperossification.

Natalie van Hoose-Florida • futurity
March 26, 2020 ~7 min


How we know the new coronavirus comes from nature

"We determined that SARS-CoV-2 originated through natural processes by comparing the genetic sequences and protein structures of other coronaviruses to those of new virus..."

Keith Brannon-Tulane • futurity
March 19, 2020 ~7 min

Team finds origins for building blocks of life

"We think we have found the building blocks of life—the Lego set that led, ultimately, to the evolution of cells, animals, and plants."

Todd Bates-Rutgers • futurity
March 17, 2020 ~4 min

Team finds origins for building blocks of life

"We think we have found the building blocks of life—the Lego set that led, ultimately, to the evolution of cells, animals, and plants."

Todd Bates-Rutgers • futurity
March 17, 2020 ~4 min

Ancient hornwort hints at new ways to grow crops

The genome of the hornwort, one of the first plants to colonize land, may offer a way to grow crops more efficiently with less synthetic fertilizer.

Kurt Bodenmueller-U. Zurich • futurity
March 16, 2020 ~4 min

City lizards have evolved to beat the heat

City lizards can handle heat, research finds. "It's kind of like a hidden superpower that only presents itself in the right environment."

Talia Ogliore-WUSTL • futurity
March 12, 2020 ~8 min

Ants with giant heads show evolution can go ‘backward’

A new study of big-headed turtle ands shows "the space that evolution has to play with is actually quite a bit larger than previously thought."

Katherine Fenz-Rockefeller • futurity
March 10, 2020 ~4 min


Aussie rocks show early Earth was a ‘water world’

Early Earth 3.2 billion years ago was a world of vast oceans and submerged continents. The new findings could have implications for the origins of life.

Mike Krapfl-Iowa State • futurity
March 2, 2020 ~4 min

Super popular weed killer threatens biodiversity

Roundup, one of the world's most popular weed killers, can make ecosystems more vulnerable to pollution and climate change.

McGill University • futurity
March 2, 2020 ~4 min

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