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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.
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…
Did “Lucy” Fall Out Of a Tree?
Perhaps you’ve heard of “Lucy,” the famous Austrolopithecus afarensis specimen found back in 1974. What you may not…
Crabs have evolved five separate times – why do the same forms keep appearing in nature?
Full size blue crab. Matthew Wills, University of Bath Charles Darwin believed evolution created “endless forms most beautiful”.…
Are dogs left- or right-handed? What the science says
Understanding paw preference. Shutterstock/In Green Deborah Wells, Queen’s University Belfast The vast majority of people use one hand…