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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.
New Bartonella bacteria found in Amazon sand flies
A study in Brazil's Amazon rainforest has uncovered a new Bartonella bacteria genotype in sand flies, closely related to the pathogen that causes Carrión's disease.
Cultivating for color: The hidden trade-offs between garden aesthetics and pollinator preferences
Colorful gardens can be pollinator-friendly with native flowering plants. Borchee/E+ via Getty Images Claire Therese Hemingway, University of…
The Viewpoint: Study Finds Over 99% of Dogs in U.S. Show Moderate to Severe Behavior Issues
According to a major new study, over 99% of U.S. dogs have behavior problems, with aggression and separation anxiety being the most widespread issues.
Denisovan DNA helped first Americans adapt, study says
A unique segment of Denisovan DNA, inherited through Neanderthals, was favored by natural selection and may have contributed to the adaptation of the first peoples to life in the Americas.
New dating reveals Greek skull is at least 286,000 years old
Scientists have established a new minimum age of 286,000 years for the mysterious Petralona cranium, clarifying its place in the human evolutionary tree.
‘DishBrain’ cells learn video games faster than AI
In a landmark study, lab-grown neural networks learned to play Pong more efficiently than sophisticated AI, demonstrating the superior learning speed of biological systems.
First forests sparked deep-ocean oxygen, study says
A new study reveals how the emergence of Earth’s first forests permanently oxygenated the deep ocean, triggering a significant evolutionary diversification of marine animals approximately 390 million years ago.
Why Don’t Animals Need to Go to the Gym?
While humans hit the gym to train, animals, from geese to kangaroos, perform incredible feats of endurance and strength through instinct and biological adaptation, rather than through intentional workouts.
How Ancient Crocs Survived Two Apocalypses
While modern crocodilians are impressive survivors, their ancestors—from armored plant-eaters to swift two-legged hunters—used entirely different strategies to survive ancient apocalypses and conquer the world.
Why Our Entire World Depends on This One Tree
The modern world relies on natural rubber, a material that cannot be fully replicated, sourced from a single tree species at risk of being wiped out by a devastating disease.