Evolution

Scientists have discovered that snow flies, small wingless insects, produce antifreeze proteins and generate their own body heat to remain active in subfreezing temperatures as low as -6 degrees Celsius. Researchers at Northwestern University sequenced the insects' genome for the first time, revealing unusual genes and reduced sensitivity to cold pain. The findings, published March 24 in Current Biology, offer insights into adaptations for extreme cold.

25. marts 2026 Rapporteret af AI

Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley have found ethanol in the nectar of most plant species examined, meaning pollinators like bees and hummingbirds consume alcohol daily. An Anna's hummingbird drinks an amount equivalent to one human alcoholic beverage per day, yet shows no intoxication. The findings, published March 25 in Royal Society Open Science, suggest evolutionary tolerance to low-level ethanol.

Paleontologists have found the southernmost fossils of Purgatorius, the earliest known relative of primates including humans, in Colorado's Denver Basin. These tiny teeth, smaller than a fingertip, suggest the shrew-sized mammal spread southward soon after the dinosaur extinction 66 million years ago. The discovery fills a gap in the early geographic history of primate ancestors.

3. marts 2026 Rapporteret af AI

En etøjet skabning, der levede for 600 millioner år siden, er blandt menneskehedens ældste forfædre og gav oprindelse til vores moderne øjne, ifølge en undersøgelse fra Lunds Universitet. Forskere analyserede lysfølsomme celler i forskellige dyrehgrupper for at forklare, hvorfor hvirveldyrs øjne adskiller sig fra andres. Undersøgelsen er publiceret i tidsskriftet Current Biology.