Scientists

When did animal life begin on Earth? Scientists are closer to the answer

OXFORD, England —  When did animals appear on Earth?  It’s a question that has puzzled naturalists since Charles Darwin. Now, a groundbreaking study led by the University of Oxford sheds light on the timing of the appearance of animals in Earth’s history. The Cambrian period, spanning from 539 to 485 million years ago, witnessed a […]

Scientists bioengineer plants to have an animal-like immune system

Evolution is in a perpetual cycle of churning out new pathogens. Luckily for us humans and many other animals, we have a very advanced immune system — known as the adaptive immune system — that allows our bodies to very precisely target pathogens using antibodies and a whole host of other weapons, like T cells. […]

Scientists vacuumed animal DNA from the air in a forest and had amazing results • Earth.com

On an early autumn morning, a group of researchers from the Globe Institute at the University of Copenhagen embarked on an intriguing expedition into a Danish forest. Armed with plastic boxes, these scientists sought to “vacuum” animal DNA from the air.  The boxes, rigged with DNA air samplers, were strapped onto tree trunks, air filters […]

Scientists discover evolutionary secret behind different animal life cycles

The worm that the researchers studied and for which they sequenced the genome. It is a segmented worm that is abundant on the coasts of the UK and Europe. It lives inside a tube that it secretes itself burrowed in the sand. Credit: Chema Martin. For more than 100 years, biologists have wondered why animals […]

Scientists study ‘world’s oldest meal’ to learn about our animal ancestors

The “last meal” consumed by some of the earliest known animals has helped scientists discover new clues about some odd ancient creatures that are our animal ancestors, according to the Australian National University. Ediacaran biota, the lifeforms that were present on Earth during the Ediacaran period around 575 million years ago, are some of the […]

Scientists rush to create vaccine for world’s biggest animal disease outbreak | African swine fever

Tucked between motorways in the west of the city, the drab brick building belonging to Madrid’s Complutense University stretches the length of a football pitch. Inside, a series of sterile laboratories – capable of handling the world’s most dangerous pathogens – can be found along a brightly lit hallway. This is the frontline of the […]

Fish GPS? Scientists find goldfish go farther next to certain stripes | Animal behaviour

Goldfish may spend most of their time swimming up and down a glass tank but researchers have found they have a sophisticated navigation system that allows them to estimate distance. While researchers have previously shown a wide array of fish can navigate efficiently, questions remained about the mechanisms involved. Understanding those, scientists say, could help […]

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