Evolution News and Research

RSS

New Study Expands Understanding of Protocell Formation on Early Earth

One leading theory on the origins of life on Earth proposes that simple chemical molecules gradually became more complex, ultimately forming protocells-primitive, non-living structures that were precursors of modern cells.

8 Feb 2025

Fruit Fly Study Sheds Light on Virus Susceptibility and Host Evolution

A study of fruit flies shows some species are highly susceptible to a wide range of viruses.

8 Feb 2025

Male Flies Evolve Sharper Vision to Outwit Female Mating Tricks

With bloated bellies and hairy legs, female flies try to look bigger to get food from courting mates. But male flies, in turn, have sharpened their eyesight to call their bluff.

6 Feb 2025

Genetic Map of Yerba Mate Offers Insight into Evolution of Caffeine Biosynthesis

Yerba mate, along with tea and coffee, is one of the world's most popular caffeinated beverages. Widely consumed in South America, this remarkable plant is rich in diverse, bioactive compounds that contribute many health benefits.

5 Feb 2025

New Method Helps Detect Mutations Causing Immune Escape in Viruses

Viruses are masters at disguise. When they are pushed too far by our immune system, they send new virus variants into play that are no longer recognized by immune cells.

31 Jan 2025

Studies Reveal Early Resistance to Newly Developed Antibiotics

Researchers from the HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Szeged (Hungary), have made a concerning discovery about the future of antibiotics. Two recent studies, published just days apart in Nature Microbiology and Science Translational Medicine found that resistance can develop against new antibiotics even before they are widely used, compromising their effectiveness from the start.

31 Jan 2025

Genome Analysis Reveals How Giant Clams Evolved to Coexist with Algae

Giant clams, some of the largest mollusks on Earth, have long fascinated scientists. These impressive creatures can grow up to 4.5 feet in length and weigh over 700 pounds, making them icons of tropical coral reefs.

28 Jan 2025

Genome Dynamics Reveals the Keys to Long-Term Survival in an Asexual Mite

An international group of researchers at the University of Cologne have explored the asexual reproduction of oribatid mites using genome sequencing methods.

27 Jan 2025

Mystery of the “Fungus-Eating Plant” Solved

A researcher from Kobe University has discovered the function of the structure that gave rise to the name of a fungus-eating plant 130 years after it was given, exposing a new method by which plants guarantee reproduction.

27 Jan 2025

Bacteria Can Degrade PFAS and Its Toxic Byproducts

In the quest to take the "forever" out of "forever chemicals," bacteria might be our ally.

24 Jan 2025

New Technology Revolutionizes Single-Cell Analysis

Researchers can now see millions of cells at once as they develop into a new organ, like the pancreas, thanks to a new technique called Moscot (“Multi-Omics Single-Cell Optimal Transport”).

24 Jan 2025

Segmented Nerve Cords Enable Precision and Flexibility in Cephalopod Arms

Findings on cephalopod nerve cords highlight segmentation's role in sucker movement control, advancing knowledge of neural architectures in soft-bodied species.

24 Jan 2025

Understanding the Impact of Microbial Associations on Insect Evolution

The evolutionary success of leaf beetles, the most varied herbivores on Earth, was investigated by researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology in Jena, Max Planck Institute of Biology in Tübingen, Germany, and a group of scientists from around the world.

20 Jan 2025

Deep Sea Foraminifera Species Unveil Secrets of Life in Extreme Environments

Most life on Earth relies on the sun's energy for survival, but what about organisms in the deep sea that live beyond the reach of its rays? A new study led by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), published in The ISME Journal, sheds light on how a species of foraminifera, single-celled organisms found in almost all marine habitats, thrives in a dark, oxygen-free environment.

17 Jan 2025

Researchers Develop Method to Produce Strigolactones Using Microbial Cell Factories

Sometimes just using a different tool makes the job a whole lot easier. A team of researchers co-led by the University of California San Diego has developed a method to produce a special class of plant hormones, known as strigolactones, at unprecedented levels using microbial cell factories.

17 Jan 2025