Environment

The researchers examined lake sediments from Olduvai Gorge in northern Tanzania, looking for biomarkers -- fossil molecules -- from ancient trees and grasses.

Dec 25, 2012 02:59 PM EST

Fluctuating environment may have driven human evolution

A series of rapid environmental changes in East Africa roughly 2 million years ago may be responsible for driving human evolution, according to researchers at Penn State and Rutgers University.

Dec 24, 2012 02:10 PM EST

New Data Challenge Old Views About Evolution of Early Life

A research team led by biogeochemists at the University of California, Riverside has tested a popular hypothesis in paleo-ocean chemistry, and proved it false.

Dec 24, 2012 04:23 AM EST

Delayed Diversification of Eukaryotes Not Due to Lack of Zinc,Study Finds

The delayed diversification and proliferation of eukaryotes, creatures that possess a membrane-bound nucleus, was not due to less availability of zinc, a new study finds.

Dec 24, 2012 01:32 AM EST

Colorado River Flow Likely to Decline by 10 Percent in Next Few Decades: Study

A new study predicts a 10 percent drop in the annual stream flow of Colorado River over next few decades, owing to climate change and human population growth.

Dec 23, 2012 03:55 AM EST

Groundwater Causing Hawaiian Islands to Dissolve From Within, Study Shows

Mountains on the Hawaiian islands are slowly dissolving from within and will turn into a flat, low-lying island, a new study shows.

Dec 21, 2012 05:46 AM EST

Source of Gulf Sheen Near BP Oil Spill Site Still Unidentified

The U.S. Coast Guard and BP are yet to solve the mystery behind a sheen that appears on the surface of the Gulf of Mexico, near the deepwater horizon spill site.

Dec 20, 2012 06:10 AM EST

Scientists Identify First Known Mosasaur That Lived in Freshwater

Scientists have identified a new species of mosasaurs that once dwelled in freshwater environments, according to a new study.

Dec 20, 2012 02:41 AM EST

Humpback Whales Sing in Feeding Grounds, Study Finds

A new study suggests that humpback whales are increasingly singing songs outside their traditional breeding grounds.

Dec 19, 2012 06:31 AM EST

Microbes Hitch Rides on Dust Plumes From Asia to North America, Study Finds

A large number of microorganisms are hitching a ride through dust plumes in the upper troposphere, from Asia across the Pacific Ocean and land in North America.

Dec 19, 2012 02:48 AM EST

Venezuelan Pitcher Plants Use Wettable Hairs to Trap Insects

A pitcher plant in Venezuela is using its hairs to trap insects, reveals a new study.

Credit: Jason Roberts/Survival International

Dec 18, 2012 07:36 AM EST

10 Fascinating Facts About Reindeer Beyond Christmas [PHOTOS]

Here are some interesting facts about reindeers and its people, besides Christmas

Dec 17, 2012 07:22 AM EST

New Species of Blind Catfish Discovered in South India

Scientists have discovered a new species of blind catfish in southern India.

Dec 17, 2012 06:20 AM EST

Microbe May Have Caused Permian Extinction, Scientist Says

A scientist suggests that a microbe may have caused the Permian extinction, which killed 90 percent of the Earth's species around 251 million years ago.