Search Results for: grassland

Anthropology

Hobbit history gets new preface

Jaw, tooth fossils put new spin on evolution of Homo floresiensis.

Genetics

Single exodus from Africa gave rise to today’s non-Africans

Genetics and climate studies differ on when modern humans left Africa.

Climate

Tranquil ecosystems may explain wild swings in carbon dioxide stashing

Semiarid ecosystems, such as grasslands and shrublands, are behind the large variation in the amount of atmospheric carbon dioxide sucked in by land each year.

Genetics

Extinct species may get a second chance

An evolutionary biologist explains the obstacles scientists must overcome to revive extinct species.

Paleontology

Rise of East African Plateau dated by whale fossil

A whale fossil is helping to pinpoint when the East African Plateau started to rise and how the uplift played a role in human evolution, scientists say.

Life

North American bird update finds a little good news

Conservation measures have succeeded in improving the plight of certain North American bird species, but overall the national report card says “needs improvement.”

Anthropology

Pots from hunter-gatherer site in China tell tale of lifestyle shift

Chinese foragers settled down and made pottery shortly before farming’s ascent.

Climate

Warm, wet weather may have helped Genghis Khan rule

Mild, wet weather — not drought — may have helped Genghis Khan expand the Mongolian empire to the largest in human history.

Genetics

Gene drives spread their wings

Gene drives may wipe out malaria and take down invasive species. But they may be difficult to control.

Animals

Eliminating prairie dogs can lead to desertification

Earth

Shrinking ancient sea may have spawned Sahara Desert

The Saharan Desert probably formed 7 million years ago as the ancient Tethys Sea, the forerunner of the Mediterranean Sea, shrank.

Animals

Apes do the darndest things

Several chimp behaviors have researchers wondering if apes are a good model for early hominid life.