Animals

Genetics

Ancient DNA pushes back timing of the origin of dogs

DNA extracted from the fossil of an ancient wolf indicates dogs and wolves diverged longer ago than previously thought.

Animals

Octopuses can ‘see’ with their skin

Eyes aren’t the only cephalopod body parts with light-catching molecules.

Animals

Rising temperatures may cause problems for cold-blooded critters

Ectotherms cannot easily handle extreme temperatures, a new study finds.

Animals

Crows safeguard sticks to speed future food-finding forays

New Caledonian crows safeguard the sticks they use to find food. As the risk of losing the tool increases, the more protective the birds become.

Animals

Pandas’ gut bacteria resemble carnivores’

Unlike other vegetarians, the bamboo eaters lack plant-digesting microbes.

Animals

Vampire squid take mommy breaks

The vampire squid again defies its sensationalist name with a life in the slow lane.

Life

Male stag beetles face weighty problem for flight

Male stag beetles need enormous mandibles to fend off other males and find a mate, but computer simulations show that the giant jaws make running and flying very difficult.

Psychology

Quantity counts for baboons

Counting-like logic helps baboons track and compare accumulating sets of peanuts.

Animals

A summer challenge: Observe nature

Opportunities for observing nature are plentiful, no matter where you live.

Animals

Ants snap jaws, shoot skyward, escape death

Emergency trap jaw launchings help some ants pass death tests.

Animals

Deepwater dweller is first known warm-hearted fish

The opah, a deep-diving fish, can keep much of its body warmer than its surroundings, making it similar to warm-blooded birds and mammals.

Neuroscience

Fruit flies flee from shadows

Studying flies’ responses to an ominous shadow may lead to a deeper understanding of humans’ emotions.