Read the latest positive news, breakthroughs, and inspiring stories about evolutionary biology, curated daily by BrightWire.
A towering fungus the size of a toddler discovered in Chinese forests represents an entirely new family that emerged right after the asteroid wiped out dinosaurs. Nicknamed "D-rex," this gentle giant weighs up to five pounds and could rewrite what we know about fungal evolution.
Scientists discovered butterflies that live nearly a year without aging, potentially unlocking secrets to longevity. These tropical wonders maintain their strength and body mass while relatives fade in weeks.
Scientists discovered butterflies that live almost a year instead of weeks and show no signs of physical decline as they age. The finding could unlock secrets to understanding longevity across species.
Scientists discovered that Neanderthal genes inherited by millions of people today may boost muscle mass by over half a pound. The ancient genetic gift is most common in South and East Asia, where up to 24 percent of people in some regions carry it.
Scientists just discovered insect larvae thriving at crushing depths in Lake Malawi where no insects should survive. Their secret? Specially reinforced air sacs that resist extreme underwater pressure.
Researchers are flipping cancer treatment on its head by switching therapies before tumors develop resistance, potentially improving cure rates. Three clinical trials are already testing this "kick it while it's down" approach.
Out of millions of animal species on Earth, humans have only domesticated 30-40 of them. The reason comes down to four surprising requirements that explain why we ride horses but not zebras.
Scientists have found a gene that makes organisms grow faster and reproduce earlier but shortens lifespan and increases cancer risk. The breakthrough could unlock new ways to fight aging and disease in humans.
Scientists discovered that deer keds intentionally dim their own eyesight after finding a host, trading sharp vision for energy to fuel reproduction. This remarkable adaptation shows how parasites optimize their bodies for dramatically different lifestyles.
Scientists at UT Austin mapped the protein networks of a billion-year-old organism that gave rise to all complex life, uncovering hundreds of genes connected to human diseases. The breakthrough has already helped identify genetic causes of three rare disorders.
Scientists just mapped your blood's family tree all the way back to single-celled organisms that lived 700 million years ago. The discovery reveals how your immune system carries evolutionary secrets from Earth's earliest life forms.
Scientists in Brazil discovered that 540-million-year-old fossils once thought to be traces of early animals were actually preserved communities of bacteria and algae. The finding reshapes our understanding of when complex life first emerged on Earth.