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.

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

All carnivorous mammals of Madagascar descended from a common ancestor.

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?

Arrival of snakehead fish raises question of invasive species, weeds and exotic species. Meet 8 of the worst.

Protecting small fish may cause a genetic change that promotes slow-growing fish. Is it smarter to protect the large fish instead?

Atlantic Ocean releases giant bubble of hydrogen sulfide gas near Namibia, tracked for first time from space.

Big squid photos seen from deep ocean. Animal is 7 meters long, and lives more than a kilometer below the surface. Wouldn’t you love to see one in person?