Animals

Life

Horses may have become rideable with the help of a genetic mutation

To make horses rideable during domestication, people may have inadvertently targeted a mutation in horses to strengthen their backs and their balance.

Animals

The mysterious, extinct ‘Fuegian dog’ was actually a semi-tame fox

Historic European accounts long described the canids as domesticated dogs. A new study suggests that’s probably not true.

Animals

The phoenix isn’t the only critter to survive the flames

There are no real phoenixes hiding anywhere. But science has revealed that some living things can take quite a bit of heat.

Animals

Around the world, birds sing longer in light-polluted areas

In light-polluted landscapes, birds' singing time is an average of 50 minutes longer per day. It's still unclear if this hurts bird health or helps.

Animals

Frilly bug feet inspire a water-striding robot

Ripple bugs’ nimble movements on the surface of water inspired a robot with automatically unfurling fans on its feet.

Animals

These giant carnivorous bats hug, cuddle — and even share dinner

Infrared cameras in Costa Rica revealed that the world’s largest carnivorous bat maintains close social bonds through wing wraps and prey sharing.

Animals

Streaked shearwaters poop only while flying over the ocean

In-flight defecation may help the birds stay away from feces that can contain pathogens such as bird flu while also fertilizing the ocean.

Animals

A single protein makes lovesick flies spill their guts

Producing a male-specific protein in digestion-related neurons may have led to the evolution of an odd “romantic” barfing behavior in one species of fruit flies.

Animals

Warm autumns could be a driver in monarch butterflies’ decline

In the lab, higher temperatures during fall migration led monarchs to break their reproductive pause, increasing their risk of death.

Life

Squashing the spotted lanternfly problem may require enlisting other species

The invasive spotted lanternfly has spread to 17 states and can threaten vineyards. But bats, fungi, dogs and even trees may help control them.

Genetics

This snail may hold a secret to human eye regeneration

Golden apple snails can regrow full, functional eyes. Studying their genes may reveal how to repair human eye injuries.

Plants

These plants build ant condos that keep warring species apart 

The unique architecture of some ball-like plants high in trees in Fiji lets violent ants live peacefully and feed the plant with valuable droppings.