Studies of mitochondria show that polar people evolved greater ability to create heat; study has health implications for energy-deficiency diseases, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.

Flower power: Orchid makes a chemical that attracts wasps by mimicking female pheromone.

Genes of giant tortoises reflect ancient volcanic eruption in Galapagos Islands.

A new study reveals rapid evolution of white-footed mice in Chicago, in just 150 years.

Rock climbing may be harming snail populations along the Niagara Escarpment.

Stanford researchers learn that fast-moving elephants are running, not walking.

Spotted knapweed produces a chemical that fights other weeds. Read about a natural herbicide.

All carnivorous mammals of Madagascar descended from a common ancestor.

Dog behavior study shows ability to find food, beating chimpanzees and wolves. More on our best friend!

Many things distinguish human from rodent. Those ever-growing teeth. That habit of digging through foundations. The ability to design web pages or dream up the ridiculous game of golf… If you haven’t looked under the hood lately, these talents come from quintessentially human section of brain, the cerebral cortex. How does the cerebral cortex develop?