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Scientists find 2 marsupial species, thought to have gone extinct 6,000 years ago, living in the forests of New Guinea
The pygmy long-fingered possum and the ring-tailed glider, two marsupials believed to have died out thousands of years ago, are still alive in Papuan Indonesia.
Will humans and animals ever be able to converse? Here’s what science says.
In the movie Hoppers, scientists “hop” human consciousness into animal-like robots to talk to other species. We asked the experts their thoughts on how conceivable the plot is.
Will humans and animals ever be able to converse? Here’s what science says.
In the movie Hoppers, scientists “hop” human consciousness into animal-like robots to talk to other species. We asked the experts their thoughts on how conceivable the plot is.
About 250 years ago, the nation’s Founding Fathers took on one of the nation’s first invasive species
The invasive Hessian fly spurred suspicions of biological warfare, threatened the new nation’s economy and inspired the nation’s first citizen science projects.
Prehistoric water-dwelling weirdo with sideways teeth and a twisted jaw was already a 'living fossil' 275 million years ago
Scientists have described Tanyka amnicola, a newly identified species of prehistoric creature that lived 275 million years ago and had a bizarre twisted jaw with sideways-facing teeth.
Every ant is a queen in this parasitic species — and they reproduce by cloning themselves and hijacking other ant colonies
A rare Japanese ant is the only species known to lack female workers and males; all of its young develop into parasitic queens that try to take over other colonies.
Scientists Accidentally Discovered a Brand-New Species of Living Fossil
“Living fossil” is often misused, but chitons really haven’t changed much in about 300 million years.
For every known vertebrate species, two more may be hiding in plain sight
Earth’s vertebrate diversity may be far richer than anyone realized. A sweeping analysis of more than 300 studies suggests that for every known fish, bird, reptile, amphibian, or mammal species, there are about two nearly identical “cryptic” species hiding in plain sight—genetically distinct but visually almost impossible to tell apart. Thanks to advances in DNA sequencing, scientists are uncovering these long-separated lineages, some evolving independently for over a million years.
The ancient human ancestor ‘Little Foot’ gets a new face
A new digital reconstruction of the face of an early Australopithecus specimen helps add details about the origins of our own species.
U-M study finds noise pollution affects birds' reproduction and health
Of nine different behavioral or fitness-related responses in 160 bird species examined, noise pollution had negative impacts on eight of them.
Mosses are often overlooked. St. Louis scientists are leading the charge to protect them
More than 1,600 plants and animals are protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, but out of all of those, only one is a moss. A new effort seeks to protect these often overlooked plants.
US Government Is Accelerating Coral Reef Collapse, Scientists Warn
Proposed Endangered Species Act rollbacks and military expansions are leaving the Pacific’s most diverse coral reefs legally defenseless.
Why older whale dads are now winning the mating game
A new study sheds light on the illuminating, sometimes counterintuitive dynamics of mating and how species survive.
Scientists compared dinosaurs to mammals for decades but missed this key difference
Baby dinosaurs weren’t coddled like lion cubs or elephant calves—they were more like prehistoric latchkey kids. New research suggests that young dinosaurs quickly struck out on their own, forming kid-only groups and surviving without much parental help, while their massive parents lived entirely different lives. Because juveniles and adults ate different foods, faced different predators, and moved through different parts of the landscape, they may have functioned almost like separate species within the same ecosystem.
Scientists Say Most Snake Species Are Cannibals, Breaking a Basic Law of Nature
A study analyzed 503 documented cases of serpent cannibalism and found that the behavior can be seen in different snakes across the world in different contexts, whether between mates, siblings, or rivals.
The Password That Lets Caterpillars Hide in an Ant’s Lair
Some butterfly species can’t grow unless they trick ants into taking them home with a complex rhythmic signal.
Science knows of 21,000 bee species. There are likely thousands more
A new paper provides the first statistically derived estimate of bee species richness around the world. But this is about more than bees.
Ecology’s war on ‘invasive’ species isn’t science
Ecology is pervaded by a nativist dogma against invasive species that distorts the science and undermines wildness
De-Extinction: Can Science Really Bring Species Back to Life?
Extinction has always been treated as the final full stop in evolutionary history. De-extinction is now challenging that assumption.
Ocean floor expedition discovers creatures never cataloged by science
Expedition in Argentina discovers enormous reef and nearly 30 species never before recorded in the deep Atlantic.
Scientists Discovered the Ancient, Unassuming Creature That Invented Salads
The 300 million-year-old Tyrannoroter heberti had an extra set of conical-shaped teeth, indicating it likely ate plants. It’s one of the earliest species to do so.
New 'scimitar-crested' Spinosaurus species discovered in the central Sahara
A paper published in Science describes the discovery of Spinosaurus mirabilis, a new spinosaurid species found in Niger. A 20-person team led by Paul Sereno, Ph.D., Professor of Organismal Biology and ...
An ‘astonishingly’ large new dinosaur species has been discovered in the Sahara | BBC Science Focus Magazine
This school-bus-sized predator was so unusual that scientists didn't recognise it at first
95 million-year-old Spinosaurus had a scimitar-shaped head crest and waded through the Sahara's rivers like a 'hell heron'
Researchers have identified a new Spinosaurus species with a blade-like crest in Niger, changing our understanding of dinosaur evolution and behavior.
Thousands of Alien Species Could Invade the Arctic, Scientists Warn
More than 2,500 alien plant species could find suitable conditions in the Arctic, especially in northern Norway and Svalbard.
Whoops, Scientists May Have Severely Miscalculated the Number of Species on Earth
A new study focused on cryptic species—animals that look the same but are genetically different—found that they’re more widespread among vertebrates than we previously thought.
Mystery seed deliveries prompt warning from agriculture officials: ‘This is serious business’
The mysterious packages, first seen in 2020, have resurfaced in Texas, Ohio, and New Mexico, posing potential risks of invasive species.
Making science more visible
As he enters a laboratory with saltwater pools full of fish, Luka Žuvić explains how climate change is affecting the feeding ecology and reproductive biology of Atlantic bluefin tuna, and how the species is adapting.It is a topic that may seem remote to many people. But in a country where fishing and aquaculture are important to the economy and national identity, Žuvić’s research is at the intersection of science and society. “In Croatia, marine and environmental science are closely connected to people’s lives because fisheries, aquaculture, tourism and coastal development are a big part of our lives,” explains Žuvić, a doctoral student working at the Croatian Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries in the Adriatic coastal city of Split. He also serves as one of Croatia’s ambassadors to Science Comes to Town (SCTT), a European Commission-funded project that aims to make scientific research more accessible, while inspiring young people to study the sciences. The project kicked off in Spilt on 20 January with a conference attended by partner institutions, community representatives, policymakers and scientists. Along with Split, Brest (in France) and Kiel (in Germany) will host a year of activities connecting scientists with the public.Žuvić, 31, is part of the Young Researchers' Career Development Project, a doctoral programme funded by the Croatian Science Foundation. His research on Atlantic bluefin tuna builds on a foundation-backed project focusing on the reproductive potential of farmed tuna, including their sexual maturation and spontaneous spawning in captivity, which has implications for the restoration of the Adriatic Sea's natural tuna populations. He also studies the tuna's feeding ecology through stomach-content analysis, using DNA metabarcoding and morphological approaches, and employs geometric morphometrics to improve the identification of juvenile tuna and related species. The research aims to enhance understanding of the tuna farming ecology, improve fish farm management and contribute to sustainable aquaculture and fisheries research.Engaging with local communitiesConnecting with the community is crucial for Žuvić’s research. Conversations with fishermen help him better understand the bluefin tuna's habits and how marine pollution affects the fish. “They are also curious about the biology and ecology of bluefin tuna,” he says of local fishermen, adding that sharing research with non-scientists benefits everyone. “Sometimes scientific research is invisible,” he explains. “That's why we as researchers need to go out from our institutions and labs to the public so that we can show them what we are working on. This helps create more trust in the scientists and their research.”Engaging the public also raises awareness about the anthropogenic changes to the marine environment resulting from human activities and pollution. Žuvić helps remove plastic and other rubbish from the Adriatic Sea that pose a direct threat to marine species. Predators, such as bluefin tuna, are especially vulnerable to ingesting waste churned up by fishing trawlers. “They are very opportunistic fish that follow trawlers and ingest everything,” he notes. To illustrate the impact, he has shown students the contents of bluefin tuna stomachs. “Finding a plastic bottle cap in the stomach of a bluefin tuna is concerning,” he says. "Science can be a powerful way to turn curiosity into practical solutions,” Žuvić adds, and sharing research outcomes “helps increase public awareness and improve understanding of human impacts on the marine environment.”The research also has implications for Croatia's economy. The Atlantic bluefin tuna’s rich, flavourful meat is highly valued for sushi and other raw fish dishes. However, overfishing nearly brought its population to collapse by the early 2000s. Although the species has made a comeback in the Atlantic and Mediterranean regions, catches continue to be managed through agreements with the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas. Croatia was a pioneer in developing commercial aquaculture as an alternative to open-sea fishing and accounts for about 10% of the EU’s farmed production of the bluefin tuna, with Japan being a key export market.A history of European collaborationCroatia has participated in Europe’s framework programmes for research and innovation since 2007, six years before officially joining the EU. Žuvić believes that EU funding and collaboration with other European researchers is vital for Croatian science. As part of the SCTT opening conference, the Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, the University of Split and other local institutions were part of a science fair to showcase research on topics, such as robotics and an EU LIFE project on the protection of sharks and rays in the Mediterranean. “I hope that Science Comes to Town will help increase scientific literacy and curiosity among citizens, particularly students, and show that science is not something that is distant or abstract, but something that directly affects everyday life,” Žuvić concludes. “Ultimately, I hope that projects like it contribute to building a society that values knowledge and critical thinking, and that we can think about long-term sustainability using knowledge from science.”Science|Business, which connects policymakers, academics and industry through its news reporting, analysis and events, is an SCTT partner.
Forests are changing fast and scientists are deeply concerned
Forests around the world are quietly transforming, and not for the better. A massive global analysis of more than 31,000 tree species reveals that forests are becoming more uniform, increasingly dominated by fast-growing “sprinter” trees, while slow-growing, long-lived species are disappearing. These slower species act as the backbone of forest ecosystems, storing carbon, stabilizing environments, and supporting rich webs of life—especially in tropical regions where biodiversity is highest.
‘Everything is quagga mussel now’: can invasive species be stopped?
While ecologists believe invasive species play a major role in more than 60% of plant and animal extinctions, stopping them in their tracks is almost impossible. Biodiversity reporter Phoebe Weston tells Madeleine Finlay how invasive species spread, how conservationists are trying combat them and why some think a radical new approach is needed.
Marine biologists discover 28 new deep sea species—and an old VHS tape
The level of ocean biodiversity near Argentina staggered researchers.
Quebec fisherman reels in 244-pound, record-breaking Atlantic halibut — for science
Alain Hamel caught the largest Atlantic halibut ever recorded in the Saguenay Fjord on Saturday. Working with the local Fjord Museum, the ice fishing was part of a scientific project aiming to gain more information about the species.
On the Future of Species by Adrian Woolfson review – are we on the verge of creating synthetic life?
A genomic entrepreneur’s guide to the coming revolution in biology raises troubling questions about ethics and safety
Scientists Explored an Island Cave and Found 1 Million-Year-Old Remnants of a Lost World
Up to 50 percent of species—which included 12 bird species and 4 frog species—on Aotearoa’s North Island went extinct before humans arrived
Monkey Business: Using Genetics to Understanding Decision-Making in Monkeys
Abigail Morris first visited the Peruvian Amazon when she was 6 years old. Now, as a Ph.D. candidate in the Animal Behavior Graduate Group, she has returned to study how seasonal flooding affects the behavior, diet and population genetics of two species of monkey: monk sakis (Pithecia monachus) and large-headed capuchins (Sapajus apella macrocephalus).
Tiny mammals are sending warning signs scientists can finally read
Small mammals are early warning systems for environmental damage, but many species look almost identical, making them hard to track. Scientists have developed a new footprint-based method that can tell apart nearly indistinguishable species with remarkable accuracy. Tested on two types of sengi, the system correctly identified them up to 96% of the time. It offers a simple, ethical way to monitor ecosystems before they quietly unravel.
This odd vine contradicts long-standing evolutionary theory
‘They don’t follow the classic ideas of how we would have imagined the species evolved.’
Bay science: Trying to unlock shrimp biology with baking soda
Burrowing shrimp are a well-documented native pest species in Willapa Bay that have been a nuisance to bottom-culture shellfish farmers for over a century. Methods for controlling shrimp populations have […]
Should you eat invasive species? We asked an ecologist.
Tuck into some kudzu dip or feral hog sausage—they're delicious and good for the planet.
Scientists call for urgent action as dangerous amoebas spread globally
Scientists are warning that a little-known group of microbes called free-living amoebae may pose a growing global health threat. Found in soil and water, some species can survive extreme heat, chlorine, and even modern water systems—conditions that kill most germs. One infamous example, the “brain-eating amoeba,” can cause deadly infections after contaminated water enters the nose. Even more concerning, these amoebae can act as hiding places for dangerous bacteria and viruses, helping them evade disinfection and spread.
Collaborative Science Is Key to Conserving Highly Mobile Marine Species
Research from Pew marine fellows is a critical resource for helping to protect large ocean species and can offer invaluable input as a network of high seas marine protected areas (MPAs) nears reality.
Scientists ranked monogamy across mammals and humans stand out
A new study suggests humans belong in an elite “league of monogamy,” ranking closer to beavers and meerkats than to chimpanzees. By comparing full and half siblings across species and human cultures, researchers found that long-term pair bonding is unusually common in our species. Even societies that permit polygamy show far more monogamy than most mammals. This rare evolutionary shift may have played a key role in human social success.
Blind, slow and 500 years old – or are they? How scientists are unravelling the secrets of Greenland sharks
Described by one researcher as looking ‘already dead’, the enigmatic creatures are one of the least understood species on the planet
A Bite-Size Column About Delight and Wonder in Science
In Trilobites, reporters aim to share new findings in the science world, be it interspecies friendships or discoveries of ancient fossils.
Why Connecting With Others is Good For Your Health
By Carole Tanzer Miller HealthDay ReporterSUNDAY, Jan. 18, 2026 (HealthDay News) — A third of U.S. adults are lonely, and a quarter lack social and emotional support — and research underscores that’s just not healthy. "Humans are a social species. We are highly dependent on others from birth," said
Viral manta ray video sparks legislation to ban captures for entertainment in Florida
A video recorded last summer off Panama City shows anglers pulling a massive manta ray onto their boat and placing it into a kiddie pool. The manta ray, a threatened species, was later exported overseas for exhibition.
From the Galápagos to the Deep Sea, Cal Academy Scientists Describe 72 New Species
Academy researchers identified 72 species new to science in 2025, including the newly recognized Galápagos lava heron, a shy deep-sea fish, and a rare sunflower relative found in a U.S. national park.
Conservation’s unfinished business
Conservation often presents itself as a technical enterprise: how much land to protect, which species to prioritize, what policies deliver results. A recent paper in Nature argues that this framing misses something fundamental. Many of the field’s most persistent failures, the authors contend, cannot be understood without confronting how race, power, and historical exclusion continue […]
Zombie fungus, ‘living stones’ among favorite botany discoveries of 2025
Scientists document thousands of new plant and fungus species every year.
Homo erectus wasn't the first human species to leave Africa 1.8 million years ago, fossils suggest
A new analysis of enigmatic skulls from the Republic of Georgia suggest that Homo erectus wasn't the only human species to leave Africa 1.8 million years ago.
Never-before-seen footage captures moment scientists find new, giant anaconda species in Amazon
Scientists recently discovered a new species of green anaconda in the Amazon rainforest. A new Nat Geo series shows the moment they encountered this snake in the wild.
From sea slugs to sunflowers, California Academy of Sciences described 72 new species in 2025
Researchers at the California Academy of Sciences kept busy throughout 2025. Along with collaborators from across the globe, they described 72 new-to-science species from six continents — creatures living in unexplored ocean depths, in plain sight on the Galápagos Islands, and in a U.S. national park. The species include a bird, two worms, two lizards, […]
Tarantula with XXL genitalia, 'death ball' sponge among cool species of 2025
A spider with extraordinary genitalia, a carnivorous caterpillar that wears its prey's body parts, and a tiny opossum are among the cool new species described by science in 2025.
20 Delightfully Strange New Deep Reef Species Discovered In “Underwater Hotels”
Featuring several ghostly-looking critters and a crab with spaghetti vibes.
The poison frog that fooled scientists for decades
Researchers discovered that a poison frog species described decades ago was based on a mix-up involving the wrong museum specimen. The frog tied to the official species name turned out to be brown, not the colorful animal shown in the original photo. After tracing old records and images, scientists corrected the error and reclassified the frog as part of an already-known species. The case underscores how vital museum collections are—and how even small mistakes can ripple through science for years.
A legendary fossil is forcing scientists to rethink human origins
One of the most complete human ancestor fossils ever found may belong to an entirely new species, according to an international research team. The famous “Little Foot” skeleton from South Africa has long been debated, but new analysis suggests it doesn’t truly match any known Australopithecus species. Instead, researchers say its unique mix of features points to a previously unidentified human relative, reshaping ideas about early human diversity.
Scientists Find a Never-Before-Seen Animal Living in the Great Salt Lake
Utah biologists have characterized D. woaabi, the first of two nematode species recently discovered in the lake’s microbialites.
There is as much life left to discover on planet Earth as that which is already known
Around 16,000 new species are described each year, but most animals and plants are listed as threatened as soon as they are brought to light
This tiny plant is helping solve crimes
Moss may look insignificant, but it can carry a hidden forensic fingerprint. Because different moss species thrive in very specific micro-environments, tiny fragments can reveal exactly where a person has been. Researchers reviewing 150 years of cases found moss has helped solve crimes across multiple countries, including one case where it led investigators directly to a buried child. The study urges law enforcement to pay closer attention to these silent witnesses.
Scientists replayed evolution and found a surprise
Environmental change doesn’t affect evolution in a single, predictable way. In large-scale computer simulations, scientists discovered that some fluctuating conditions help populations evolve higher fitness, while others slow or even derail progress. Two populations facing different kinds of change can end up on completely different evolutionary paths. The findings challenge the idea that one population’s response can represent a whole species.
'Stop and re-check everything': Scientists discover 26 new bacterial species in NASA's cleanrooms
Scientists discover 26 new bacterial species in NASA cleanrooms, revealing surprisingly resilient microbes with potential uses in biotechnology and medicine.
The science of staying strong
Muscles power every movement, but they also tell the story of aging itself. Scientists are uncovering how strength fades, why some species resist it and what lifestyle and molecular clues could help preserve muscle health for life.
Racing against time: Inside a Nahant genome bank’s bid to save marine diversity before it’s lost
The Ocean Genome Legacy Center and other biorepositories like it are increasingly crucial to climate change research as global warming threatens marine species.
We are living in a golden age of species discovery
The search for life on Earth is speeding up, not slowing down. Scientists are now identifying more than 16,000 new species each year, revealing far more biodiversity than expected across animals, plants, fungi, and beyond. Many species remain undiscovered, especially insects and microbes, and future advances could unlock millions more. Each new find also opens doors to conservation and medical breakthroughs.
What scientists are still discovering about mistletoe
New species of the plants are still being discovered, and their parasitic biology is being probed for potential cancer treatments.
Scientists say they have discovered 20 new species deep in the Pacific Ocean
Researchers retrieved reef monitoring devices that had been placed in deep coral reefs in Guam. The devices were placed up to 330 feet below the surface.
Scientists say they have discovered 20 new species deep in the Pacific Ocean
Researchers retrieved reef monitoring devices that had been placed in deep coral reefs in Guam. The devices were placed up to 330 feet below the surface.
Deep sampling recovers a species forgotten by science since 1906
Researchers rediscover tiny tropical land snails, reclassifying lost species and reshaping the tree of life in Central America.
This “mushroom” is not a fungus, it’s a bizarre plant that breaks all the rules
Balanophora is a plant that abandoned photosynthesis long ago and now lives entirely as a parasite on tree roots, hidden in dark forest undergrowth. Scientists surveying rare populations across East Asian islands uncovered how its cellular machinery shrank but didn’t disappear, revealing unexpected similarities to parasites like malaria. Some island species even reproduce without sex, cloning themselves to colonize new habitats. This strange survival strategy comes with risks, leaving the plant highly vulnerable to habitat loss.
What your mouth can reveal about your health
Scientists are discovering that the oral microbiome—home to hundreds of species of bacteria and fungi—may help predict everything from cancer risk to heart and brain health.
'Just' A Blue Jay? Don't Overlook These Magnificent Common Birds
This Christmas Bird Count, we salute the fabulous, underappreciated, common species. Here's to you, house sparrow.
Tiny tracker following monarch butterflies during California migration
When this monarch butterfly hits the sky it won't be traveling alone. In fact, an energetic team of researchers will be following along with a revolutionary technology that's already unlocking secrets that could help the entire species survive.
Humans rank among leading monogamous mammals, study finds
Human beings in 7th place out of 35 species on monogamy scale but behind moustached tamarins and Eurasian beavers
Gut micro-organisms associated with health, nutrition and dietary interventions
Nature - Comprehensive large-scale studies of multi-national populations identified microbiome species consistently associated with favourable and unfavourable health markers, informing future...
National Geographic unveiled its Pictures of the Year. Here are 7 of the most striking wildlife photos.
National Geographic's annual Pictures of the Year issue features stunning wildlife photos highlighting endangered species and fragile ecosystems.
Findings may move science closer to growing organs in other species
Failure of human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) to survive when grown with the PSCs of distantly related species occurs because of an innate immune reaction in the nonhuman cells, a study led by UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers suggests.
Fingernail-sized fish species discovered has an organ that is new to science
Scientists reveal Priocharax rex, a tiny Amazonian fish with a strange skin “wing” that redefines evolution in miniature.
Tybee Island Marine Science Center hosts Whale Week to educate about endangered North Atlantic right whales
Conservationists continue working to ensure the species doesn’t disappear forever as the whales face ongoing threats in their critical habitat areas.
'Intelligence comes at a price, and for many species, the benefits just aren't worth it': A neuroscientist's take on how human intellect evolved
In his book "One Hand Clapping," Nikolay Kukushkin explores explanations for how consciousness evolved, and ultimately, what makes us human.
Shark scientists want their research to help save threatened species, but don’t know how. Our new paper can help.
Sharks are some of the most threatened animals on Earth, and accordingly many scientists who study sharks want their research to be useful for conservation. However, most scientific training does n…
Uniting Citizen Science for Leporidae Conservation in Mexico
In a ground-breaking study set to be published in December 2025, researchers led by Emili Ramírez-Bravo have embarked on a crucial exploration aimed at the conservation of three distinct Leporidae species in the central mountains of Mexico. This unprecedented investigation