A study published in Royal Society Open Science has shed new light on the remarkable behavior of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). Researchers from the University of Hawaiʻi’s Marine Mammal Research Program (MMRP) and the Alaska Whale Foundation (AWF) have uncovered evidence that these majestic marine mammals not only use tools but also create and manipulate […]
Animals
Posted inScience
The dodo was neither slow nor fat, it was a giant, strong and fast land pigeon
The dodo bird, often depicted as a slow, chubby creature doomed to extinction, has long been misunderstood. However, new research published in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society challenges these misconceptions, revealing the dodo as a giant, ground-dwelling pigeon that was both strong and fast. This study, conducted by researchers from the University of […]
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New Fossil Discovery Reveals the Ancestry of Mollusks as Armored Spiny Slugs
Researchers from the University of Oxford have unearthed a fossil that reshapes our understanding of the early evolution of mollusks. This remarkable find, a new species named Shishania aculeata, dates back 500 million years and provides insights into the origins of one of the most diverse and widespread groups of animals on the planet. The […]
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Female sharks have begun reproducing without males through parthenogenesis
In a surprising development in marine biology, recurrent parthenogenesis has been documented for the first time in the shark Mustelus mustelus, also known as the common smooth-hound. This discovery, reported in the journal Scientific Reports, highlights these sharks’ ability to reproduce without the intervention of a male, a phenomenon that could have significant implications for […]
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Chimpanzees Have the Ability to Speak Like Humans, According to an Experiment
A recent study published in the journal Scientific Reports has revealed surprising findings that challenge prevailing theories about the evolution of human speech. This work, conducted by Axel G. Ekström and collaborators, analyzes historical recordings of two enculturated chimpanzees who managed to produce the word mama. The results of this study suggest that chimpanzees possess […]
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Spectacular fossil of four snakes that died together 38 million years ago is first evidence of reptilian social behavior
In a groundbreaking discovery, a fossilized group of four snakes dating back 38 million years has provided the first evidence of social behavior among reptiles. The discovery, made in western Wyoming, showcases a new species of snake named Hibernophis breithaupti. These findings shed light on the social behavior and evolutionary trajectory of the boa family […]
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The Fascinating “Leaf Sheep”, Hermaphroditic Mollusks that Detach Pieces of Their Body to Escape Predators
Earlier, we talked here about Elysia chlorotica, a marine mollusk that we described as being half animal and half plant because it somehow had the ability to perform photosynthesis. Something similar happens with its cousins, the leaf sheep, which are also mollusks and were discovered in 1993. Its scientific name is Costasiella kuroshimae, and it […]
Posted inAncient Egypt
Surprising Contents of an Egyptian Cat Mummy Discovered Through Virtual Reality
The Rennes Museum of Fine Arts has recently unveiled a fascinating discovery about the contents of an ancient Egyptian cat mummy, thanks to an innovative virtual reality project. The cat mummy in question is part of the extensive Egyptology collection at the Rennes Museum of Fine Arts, which has its roots in the 18th-century cabinet […]
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Magnetic Bacteria in Migratory Animals: The Key to Their Navigation Skills?
Recent research suggests that the exceptional navigational abilities of migratory animals may be influenced not just by the Earth’s magnetic fields but also by magnetic bacteria residing within them. Robert Fitak, an assistant professor at the University of Central Florida (UCF), has spearheaded this research by developing a comprehensive DNA database. This database houses millions […]
Posted inMedieval Archaeology
Disturbing Cat Fur Use During the Middle Ages, Confirmed by Evidence Found in Portugal
In a recent archaeological find in Portugal, disturbing evidence about the fate of domestic cats during the Middle Ages has been discovered. This study, led by Eva Pires and published in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, reveals that cats were not only common in medieval Portuguese households but were also sacrificed and skinned for […]
