Evolution
How Evolution Has Shaped the Superhero Physique
New research suggests our fascination with these comic books and movies is based, in part, on the exaggerated sex appeal of their characters.
Do Animals Prefer Smarter Mates?
A recent paper has revealed the first direct link (in a non-human species) between female mating preference and intelligence.
How Ancient Diets Shaped Our Brains
Early hominins may have bashed bones to harvest fatty nutrients from marrow and brains, creating a cerebral expansion that kickstarted evolution.
How Humans Evolved to Love Horror Movies
New research suggests evolution predisposes us to seek out horror films.
Celebrity Endorsements Help Doubters Accept the Truth of Evolution
People who don't believe scientists will listen to George Clooney.
Panamanian Frogs Evolve to Cope With a Lethal Skin-Eating Disease
A new study finds populations of several frog species in Panama appear to be gaining resistance to a deadly pathogen that can lead to extinction.
Can Evolution Outpace Climate Change?
At least one sea creature—the purple sea urchin—appears to pass on the ability to rapidly adapt to a harsh environment.
New Research Shows That Neanderthals Were Artists
We always assumed humans were the only species to create art. It now seems we were wrong.
A New Single-Celled Organism Is an Evolutionary Game Changer
Researchers have discovered a new organism that has no known evolutionary relatives, causing them to reconsider how genes evolve.
Even Chimps Want to See Justice Served
Chimpanzees and children as young as six will pay to see offenders punished, suggesting justice-seeking behavior in humans has deep evolutionary roots.
Will Decreasing Rainfalls Destroy Hawaii's Waterfall-Climbing Fish?
The fish, called O'opu, have developed the ingenious ability to climb hundreds of feet up the side of waterfalls in order to breed.
How Animals Adapt to Polluted Environments
Numerous species are evolving to cope with the dirge of pollutants put into the world by human beings, and it's taking a toll.
What Can 'Drunken Monkeys' Teach Us About Alcohol Addiction?
Turns out, our ancient ancestors' consumption of fermented fruits created a genetic mutation that be the cause of alcoholism in people today.
Tragedy of the Common
The extinction crisis extends far beyond rare and endangered species.
Is Polygamy a Natural Impulse?
A conversation with biologist David P. Barash on the biological underpinnings of human polygamy.
Is Humanity Endangered?
A species of animal is defined as much by its culture as by its genetics. By that criterion, humanity’s status is quite precarious.
O Christmas Tree! How Evolutionarily Constrained Are Your Branches?
A study shows that most of the variation in plants and trees comes down to just two factors: overall size and the "leaf economics spectrum."
Lemurs Like to Chit-Chat Too
Ringtailed lemurs, just like humans, reserve conversation for those they feel more connected with.
The Evolution of Anti-Evolution Laws
A biologist uses Darwin's theory to understand the history of creationist "academic freedom" and "science education" laws.
Why Are There Gay People?
A novel study suggests nature just wanted a little variety.
The Unique Flexibility of the Human Brain
Scientists find that, compared to our closest primate relatives, the landscape of the human brain is exceptionally sensitive to external influences.
Bees Bred With Some Special Genes Are Killing It
Backyard breeders are creating a new kind of hero honeybee—one that chomps off the legs of mites and saves the hive.
Bad Religion’s Greg Graffin and the Co-Existence Theory of Evolution
Is nature nasty, brutish, and at war with itself—or is it all about co-existence? A punk rocker argues the latter.
Even Atheists Intuitively Believe in a Creator
New research suggests seeing the natural world as purposefully created is our default setting.