Biology

Already armed with an impressive sonar system, new research reveals that dolphins have an extra ability that evolves as they mature in the area where their baby whiskers once were. The super sense may help them navigate and find hidden food sources.

CRISPR systems are powerful tools for genetic engineering, but they have their limitations. Now, scientists have discovered almost 200 new CRISPR systems in bacteria, and found that some can edit human cells even more precisely than existing ones.

If you overindulge in sugary treats, the good news is that your sweet tooth will be silenced. The bad news, though, is that this triggers a hormonal call out for fatty foods. And even worse news, too much fat will then switch sugar cravings back on.

Research has found that signals linked to how food tastes are sent to our brains almost immediately to slow our eating pace, with the well-known stretch signals from the gut coming later, providing greater insights into how the body controls appetite.

What has eyes, antennae, swimming bristles, a genes stash and a feel for autonomy? The rear end of the bizarre Japanese green syllid worm. Scientists now know how the end of the animal detaches and swims off to find a similar tail of the opposite sex.

Research has found that iron levels trigger the formation of a kind of ‘memory’ in bacteria that drives their subsequent behavior and is passed on to their progeny. The discovery could help prevent bacterial infections and address antibiotic resistance.

Male serotine bats living in a Dutch church attic have been captured on camera engaging in marathon sessions of non-penetrative sex, while armed with a heart-shaped penis that's seven times longer than the female's vagina. Yes, this is a true story.

A new study has found that feeding dogs uncooked meat increases their risk of excreting E. coli that is resistant to a widely-used antibiotic, thereby increasing the potential that the bacteria will be passed on to owners and cause illness.

With complex ecological modeling, scientists have found that plants may be soaking up 20% more CO2 than earlier predicted. It's no "get-out-of-jail-free card," but it highlights the crucial role nature needs to play as we try to stem global warming.

There is a growing body of evidence that points to night shift work being extremely bad for our health. But scientists believe some big, hairy "extreme shift workers" may hold the cellular secrets to staying healthy amid circadian rhythm disruptions.

They've lived on earth for 280 million years at least, but starfish – or sea stars – remain a huge mystery in biology. Now, long-held beliefs regarding their unique design have been upended, as genetics reveal they're not all arms but nearly all head.

A 15-year project trying to build a synthetic yeast genome has hit a major milestone – yeast cells with more than 50% synthetic DNA for the first time. The team created synthetic versions of almost all its chromosomes plus a completely new one.

Genitalia in the animal kingdom is rarely dull, from penis 'sword' fighting flatworms, to echidnas with four-headed phalluses. Let us introduce a new odd member contender: a beetle with an appendage that looks like you could crack open a beer with it.

With spines like a hedgehog, feet like a mole and snout like an anteater, this bizarre animal is hard to miss. Yet it has been missing, presumed extinct since 1961 – that was until it had the audacity to saunter past a well-placed research camera.

Cells from two genetically distinct macaque embryos have been combined, resulting in the first chimeric primate live birth. The newborn male's green glow reveals how large a part the injected stem cells played in development, stunning scientists.