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Nature
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As grandiose as we might think our civilizations have become, we are but the latest entry in the long chronicle detailing life on Earth. We humans share this planet with fellow organisms whose vast numbers completely tower over our own. We borrowed this planet from its previous inhabitants from eons ago and whose lives were written on the soil-turned-rock on which they were laid to rest. Modern Sciences urges its readers to contemplate our planetary co-inhabitants, both past and present.
We’re Redefining What It Means to be “Sticky”—And We’re Taking Lessons From Geckos
The setae on the bottom of most geckos’ feet are what give them their adhesive properties. Geckos can…
Underwater noise is a threat to marine life
Graeme Shannon, Bangor University Oceans are full of sound. Waves, earthquakes and calving icebergs all contribute to the…
Exploding carp numbers are ‘like a house of horrors’ for our rivers. Is it time to unleash carp herpes?
Ivor Stuart/The Conversation Ivor Stuart, Charles Sturt University; John Koehn, Charles Sturt University; Katie Doyle, Charles Sturt University,…
They’re on our coat of arms but extinct in Tasmania. Rewilding with emus will be good for the island state’s ecosystems
Shutterstock Tristan Derham, University of Tasmania; Christopher Johnson, University of Tasmania, and Matthew Fielding, University of Tasmania The…
How we cracked the mystery of Australia’s prehistoric giant eggs
The giant bird Genyornis went extinct in Australia around 50,000 years ago. Gifford Miller, Author provided Matthew James…
In the Year of the Rabbit, spare a thought for all these wonderful endangered bunny species
A black-tailed jackrabbit. ranchorunner/Shutterstock Emma Sherratt, University of Adelaide What do you think when you hear the word…
Claims that foetuses are surrounded by bacteria in the womb are incorrect – new review
Turns out it is a sterile environment after all. Rawpixel/Shutterstock Jens Walter, University College Cork When a baby…
Why do cats and dogs get the zoomies?
Shutterstock Susan Hazel, University of Adelaide; Ana Goncalves Costa, University of Adelaide, and Julia Henning, University of Adelaide…
Here’s Why Darwin Wasn’t a Fan of Barnacles
Barnacles have perplexed scientists for decades, and while we know a lot more about them now than we…
The study of evolution is fracturing – and that may be a good thing
Darkdiamond67/Shutterstock Erik Svensson, Lund University How will life on Earth and the ecosystems that support it adapt to…