Environment
Top stories featured on ScienceDaily's Plants & Animals, Earth & Climate, and Fossils & Ruins sections.
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Hidden in genetics: The evolutionary relationships of two groups of ancient invertebrates revealed
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Montana bio station researchers discuss mine risks to salmon rivers
Recently, a group of 23 science and policy experts from the U.S. and Canada published a review of mining risks to watersheds ranging from Montana to British Columbia and Alaska. The paper brought together experts in salmon ecology, watershed science, mining impacts and mining policy to integrate knowledge across research fields that often work independently from one another. -
How placentas evolved in mammals
The fossil record tells us about ancient life through the preserved remains of body parts like bones, teeth and turtle shells. But how to study the history of soft tissues and organs, which can decay quickly, leaving little evidence behind? In a new study, scientists use gene expression patterns, called transcriptomics, to investigate the ancient origins of one organ: the placenta, which is vital to pregnancy. -
Dinosaurs took over amid ice, not warmth, says a new study of ancient mass extinction
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Mining's effect on fish warrants better science-based policies
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Rare wild ancestors of feral pigeons found living on British and Irish islands
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Crushed, zapped, boiled, baked and more: Nature used 57 recipes to create Earth's 10,500-plus 'mineral kinds'
A 15-year study details the origins and diversity of every known mineral on Earth, a landmark body of work that will help reconstruct the history of life on Earth, guide the search for new minerals and ore deposits, predict possible characteristics of future life, and aid the search for habitable planets and extraterrestrial life. -
Scientists warn of links between soil pollution and heart disease
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Whales learn songs from each other in a cultural 'deep dive'
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New study reveals impact of plastic on small mammals, as four out of seven species identified as 'plastic positive'
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Research reveals structure of a human endogenous reverse transcriptase
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Bacteria for blastoff: Using microbes to make supercharged new rocket fuel
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California's Dixie Fire shows impact of legacy effects, prescribed burns
The 2021 Dixie Fire burned over nearly 1 million acres in California and cost $637 million to suppress, making it the largest and most expensive wildfire to contain in state history. Fire history largely determined how severely the wildfire burned, and low-severity fire treatments had the largest impact on reducing the worst effects of the fire, according to a research team. -
The hawk has landed: Braking mid-air to prioritize safety over energy or speed
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Signaling molecule potently stimulates hair growth