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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.
A chance discovery of a 350 million-year-old fossil reveals a new type of ray-finned fish
An artist’s rendition of the newly discovered fish, Sphyragnathus tyche. (C. Wilson), CC BY Conrad Daniel Mackenzie Wilson,…
Why cats sleep on their left side: It’s a brainy survival tactic
Researchers conclude that a cat’s preference for sleeping on its left side is a key survival strategy that primes its brain to respond to threats rapidly.
To build on Mars, scientists create self-sustaining ‘living’ material
Scientists have developed a self-sustaining material derived from microbes that can transform Martian dust into concrete for constructing future habitats.
The Real Animals Behind 5 Famous Monsters
This video reveals how many of history’s most famous monsters are likely folk memories of real animals, including extinct megafauna and misinterpreted wildlife that our ancestors once encountered.
Scientists discover ‘hemifusome,’ a new cellular structure key to cell health
The discovery of a new cellular organelle, the "hemifusome," is reshaping our understanding of how cells manage internal cargo and could offer new insights into devastating genetic disorders.
Scientists develop surfaces that trick bacteria, thwarting deadly biofilms
A breakthrough in material science reveals how microscopic surface textures can trick bacteria into self-lubricating, preventing the formation of dangerous biofilms on medical plastics.
The Viewpoint: Bridging the Gap: A Look at Transitional Fossils
Transitional fossils bridge the evolutionary gap between ancestral species and their descendants, offering a fascinating glimpse into how life on Earth has changed over millions of years.
Ancient leaf waxes reveal a wetter African past than dust records suggested
New evidence from ancient leaf waxes reveals that northern African summer rainfall remained stable even as the world plunged into an ice age, challenging a long-held view of the continent's climate history.
The great coral reef relocation
An Acropora coral during a spawning event. Coral Brunner/Shutterstock Jack Marley, The Conversation Underwater cities. Rainforests of the…
Study finds wild Galápagos tomatoes resurrecting ancient chemical defenses
New research reveals how a single enzyme acts as a molecular switch to create distinct chemical defenses in plants, such as tomatoes and eggplants, even driving evolution in reverse.