evolution
6 stories related to this topic, newest first.
bbc.comGene Conversion Helps Amazon Molly Persist Asexually for ~100,000 Years, Study Finds
A new study shows the all-female Amazon molly uses frequent gene conversion to limit harmful mutations, offering an alternative to sexual reproduction for maintaining genome health.
New ScientistBook Argues Symbiosis Key to Understanding Life's Origins
Rowan Hooper's new book states that symbiosis has been overlooked in explanations of biology. The work links symbiosis to the emergence of complex life and current research on life's beginnings at hydrothermal vents.
ForbesHuman Eyes Block Ultraviolet Light Through Lens Absorption
Humans detect less than 1 percent of the electromagnetic spectrum because the eye's lens absorbs ultraviolet wavelengths. A 2011 study linked UV exposure to lens damage and cataract risk. Individuals without a natural lens can sometimes perceive near-UV light.
ForbesGenetic Study Questions Traditional Shark Family Tree
A new analysis of cartilaginous fish genomes found conflicting signals on whether frilled and cow sharks belong inside or outside the main shark group. The preprint posted to bioRxiv examined 48 species and produced different trees depending on the genomic regions analyzed.
Usa TodayStudy Links Human Right-Handedness to Bipedalism and Brain Size
Researchers examined handedness across 41 primate species and found that upright walking and larger brains distinguish human right-hand dominance from patterns seen in other primates.
Substrate placeholder — needs review500-Million-Year-Old Fossil Reveals Pincers Potentially Linked to Spider Origins
A fossil from 500 million years ago contains pincers on a tiny organism, prompting scientists to reconsider the evolutionary origins of spiders. The discovery, detailed in a recent study, suggests early arthropods may have possessed chelicerae-like structures. Researchers indicat…