In the rugged cliffs of West Africa, a humble plant named Virectaria stellata has sparked a scientific puzzle. This plant, found in Guinea, has unique star-shaped hairs that don't belong to its family. This discovery is shaking up what we thought we knew about how plants evolve and pass on traits.
In the northern Adriatic Sea, a young bottlenose dolphin faced a serious problem: it got tangled in fishing gear. This is not a rare issue for dolphins and other small whales. They often get caught in fishing nets. Sometimes, they die right away. Other times, they escape but with parts of the net st
Dr. Toby Kiers, a leading evolutionary biologist, has been awarded the prestigious Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement. This honor is often called the "Nobel Prize for the Environment. " At the same time, her non-profit organization, SPUN, is launching a new project called "Underground Advocat
In the dense forests of the Serra do Divisor National Park, a new bird species has been found. This bird, called the Slaty-masked Tinamou, is part of a group that includes ostriches and emus. What makes this bird special is its unique call, which echoes through the forest. This call is so distinct t
In a surprising turn of events, a fish species thought to be gone forever has been spotted in a small pond in Bolivia. This fish, known as Moema claudiae, hadn't been seen by scientists in over 20 years. Its home, a seasonal wetland, was destroyed to make way for farms. But against all odds, a small
The number of deer in Britain has skyrocketed in recent decades. Estimates suggest there are now around two million deer, a significant jump from the 450, 000 counted in the 1970s. This surge has led to various issues affecting drivers, farmers, and the environment. Deer are causing serious problem
In Pennsylvania, a group of passionate volunteers is stepping up to protect the state's water resources. These dedicated individuals, known as Master Watershed Stewards, are working tirelessly to support local governments and conservation efforts. They are helping to implement stormwater regulations
Lesser Kestrels are small birds of prey that often use man-made nest boxes to raise their young. Scientists wanted to see if a female kestrel's health affects the size of her eggs. They studied this over four years in Greece. They measured the females' body condition using a special method called t
In the quiet eucalyptus groves of Santa Cruz, a unique project is underway. Citizen scientists are using smartphones to track monarch butterflies. This is thanks to tiny Bluetooth tags called Blu+. These tags help researchers understand the migration patterns of these beautiful insects. The western
The Thames River in London is home to a unique creature, the German hairy snail. This small snail has a hairy shell, which helps it live in wet areas. The hairs help the snail manage moisture, making its slime stickier. This allows it to hold onto plants and debris in its environment. However, the G
