Archive for the ‘Biological Evolution’ Category


How a fly detects a poison - Thursday, July 2nd, 2009

Animals spend a lot of energy avoiding toxic chemicals in their food. A new type of gene that does this in fruit flies reinforces the importance of reproduction in shaping evolution.



Celebrating Darwin and evolution - Thursday, February 5th, 2009

The theory of evolution is 150 years old, but forever young. We examine proofs for evolution, and four cool studies showing just how correct Charles Darwin was. Want to talk about silent crickets?



Fish prove: The eyes have it! - Thursday, October 2nd, 2008

The color, vision and genetics of an African fish all vary depending on the clarity of its home waters. A new study suggests how species can form without geographic barriers.



Caterpillar camouflage - Thursday, February 21st, 2008

Presto-chango! Caterpillar larva looks like a bird dung — and then like a leaf. New study points a finger at hormonal balance…



Nobel goes to gene-knockouts. - Thursday, October 18th, 2007

A technology that revolutionized medicine and genetics gets the big Nobelian Nod. Cancer. Heart disease. Obesity. Research into virtually every major disease has gotten a boost from the Knockout Nobel!



Breeding dogs, breeding other animals - Thursday, August 9th, 2007

Football star convicted for bloody dog-fighting operation. What made the wolf turn into 400+ breeds of dog? How have farmers and animal breeders changed cattle and chickens? Why bother saving an old breed of horse?



Polyandry: Bees do it. What’s the big advantage? - Thursday, July 19th, 2007

A honeybee queen mates with 15 guys. This weakens family ties in the hive, possibly hampering the selfless behavior these bees need for survival. Does polyandry have hidden benefits for bees?



Ancient, gliding reptile discovered - Thursday, June 21st, 2007

220-million-year-old rock reveals four-legged reptile with wings. Fossils could not be removed, so the images came from CT scanner.



Biodiversity: Species Form Faster Near Poles - Thursday, March 15th, 2007

Conventional wisdom says species form faster in the biodiverse tropics. But a new study shows fast speciation and extinction at the poles. Why didn’t we think up this study?



Size of Sperm: Is Bigger Better? - Thursday, July 6th, 2006

Evolution favors tiny sperm, which boost a guys chance of fertilizing an egg. So why do some fruit flies make giant sperm?


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