Nature : Science World Report

Nov 06, 2014 07:37 AM EST

Missing Link Between Land and Sea Discovered in New Ancient Ichthyosaur Fossil

Scientists have just filled in an evolutionary gap. They've discovered the first fossil of an amphibious ichthyosaur in China, which is the first ever link to the dolphin-like ichthyosaur to its terrestrial ancestors.

Nov 06, 2014 07:08 AM EST

Giant Groundhog Skull from the Age of Dinosaurs Reveals How Mammals Evolved

Imagine a groundhog that weighs 20 pounds or more. Now imagine that groundhog living during the age of the dinosaurs.

Nov 05, 2014 11:38 AM EST

The Benefits of Being Fat, But Not Obese: Elephant Seals Dive Better

It turns out that being fat may be an advantage--at least for elephant seals. With the help of tracking devices, scientists have found that adding body fat helps seals dive more efficiently by changing their buoyancy.

Nov 05, 2014 11:10 AM EST

Jewel-Toned Hummingbirds Spar with Their Beaks as Weapons

Jewel-toned hummingbirds that delicately sip nectar from flowers may not be as peaceful as you might think. These bright birds don't just use their beaks to feed; they also use them while fight to stab at their opponents' throats.

Nov 05, 2014 10:36 AM EST

Fourth Largest African Diamond Mine Holds Footprints of Dinosaurs

One of the largest diamond mines in Africa may not just hold modern-day riches; it may also hold paleontological treasures.

Nov 05, 2014 08:42 AM EST

Scientists Sequence the Coffee Tree Genome

As you drink your morning cup of coffee, you can be confident in knowing that there are teams of scientists in the world working on improving coffee--with the help of genetics.

Nov 05, 2014 07:40 AM EST

Earth's Tectonic Plates are, Surprisingly, Not As Rigid as Previously Thought

It turns out that the tectonic plates aren't as rigid as we first thought. Scientists have found that these puzzle pieces that make up Earth's crust actually flex and bend, challenging the notion that the plates are stiff and unyielding.

Nov 04, 2014 04:18 PM EST

Miracle Newborn: LA Hippo Has Baby After Being On Birth Control

The Los Angeles Zoo received a bit of a Halloween surprise: the birth of the first hippopotamus in 26 years. Though this might not sound like the craziest thing for a zoo,there's a bit of a catch--the mother hippo was on birth control.

Nov 04, 2014 12:21 PM EST

Ice Sheet Height May Impact Global Climate as Ice Melts

It turns out that the height of an ice sheet doesn't just impact a regional climate; it may impact a global climate. Scientists have used computer models to simulate changing ice sheet height and have found that it could influence conditions around the world.

Nov 04, 2014 11:49 AM EST

At Risk Lemurs are the Gardeners of Madagascar

The lemurs of Madagascar are crucial to the region's biodiversity. Yet a majority of the 101 species of lemurs there are now threatened with extinction. Scientists have now taken a closer look at what might happen to the region with their disappearance.

Nov 04, 2014 11:06 AM EST

Scientists Discover a New Driver for Warming Arctic Temperatures

Scientists may have discovered a new mechanism that could be a huge contributor when it comes to warming in the Arctic.

Nov 04, 2014 10:21 AM EST

Three Abrupt Pulses of Carbon Dioxide May Have Melted the Last Ice Age

What caused the end of the last ice age more than 10,000 years ago? It turns out that it wasn't a gradual process. Instead, scientists have found that three abrupt pulses of carbon dioxide may have ended the cold snap during that time period.