Nature : Science World Report

Mar 12, 2012 10:32 AM EDT

The First Dinosaur Discovered in Spain Is Younger than Originally Thought

The research group from Aragon that has the same name as the first Aragosaurus ischiaticus dinosaur discovered 25 years ago in Teruel reveals that it is 15 million years younger than originally believed. Its new dating now means that it was the ancestor of the Titanosauriforms, which includes the bi...

Mar 12, 2012 10:02 AM EDT

Experts Develop Salt-tolerant, High-yield Wheat

Scientists in Australia have crossed a popular, commercial variety of wheat with an ancient species, producing a hardy, high-yielding plant that is tolerant of salty soil.

Mar 12, 2012 09:46 AM EDT

Genetic Survey of Endangered Antarctic Blue Whales Shows Surprising Diversity

More than 99 percent of Antarctic blue whales were killed by commercial whalers during the 20th century, but the first circumpolar genetic study of these critically endangered whales has found a surprisingly high level of diversity among the surviving population of some 2,200 individuals.

Mar 11, 2012 04:20 PM EDT

Global Warming Threat to Coral Reefs: Can Some Species Adapt?

Coral reefs are among the ecosystems most severely threatened by global warming, but hopeful new evidence has emerged that some coral species may be able to adapt to warmer oceans.

Mar 09, 2012 03:02 PM EST

Scientists Warn EPA on Monsanto Corn Rootworm

A group of plant scientists is warning federal regulators that action is needed to mitigate a growing problem with biotech corn that is losing its resistance to plant-damaging pests.

Mar 09, 2012 02:07 PM EST

Iridescent, Feathered Dinosaur: New Evidence that Feathers Evolved to Attract Mates

The detailed feather pattern and color of Microraptor--a pigeon-sized, four-winged dinosaur that lived about 120 million years ago--had a glossy iridescent sheen. Its tail was narrow and adorned with a pair of streamer feathers, suggesting the importance of display in the early evolution of feath...

Mar 09, 2012 12:17 PM EST

Orientation of Desert Ants: Every Cue Counts

Desert ants have adapted to a life in a barren environment which only provides very few landmarks for orientation. Apart from visual cues and odors the ants use the polarized sunlight as a compass and count their steps in order to return safely to their home after searching for food. In experiments ...

Mar 09, 2012 10:42 AM EST

An Insight into Human Evolution from the Gorilla Genome Sequence

Researchers announce today that they have completed the genome sequence for the gorilla, the last genus of the living great apes to have its genome decoded. While confirming that mankind's closest relative is the chimpanzee, the team shows that much of the human genome more closely resembles the gor...

Mar 09, 2012 10:02 AM EST

Smithsonian Joins Mission Blue Submarine Expedition in Panama

From Mar. 4-10, Eldredge Bermingham, Director of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and Staff Scientist HÃ©ctor GuzmÃ¡n joined Mission Blue, founded by Sylvia Earle, oceanographer and environmental advocate, to survey the fauna of Panama's Hannibal Bank and environs.

Mar 09, 2012 07:33 AM EST

'Chum Cam' Underwater Video Survey Shows that Reef Sharks Thrive in Marine Reserves

A team of scientists, led by the Institute for Ocean Conservation Science at Stony Brook University, used video cameras to count Caribbean reef sharks (Carcharhinus perezi) inside and outside marine reserves on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef in the Caribbean Sea. Using survey data collected from 200 ...

Mar 08, 2012 04:22 PM EST

Insect DNA Offers Tiny Clues about Animals' Changing Habitats

The long-term impact of climate change on natural communities of wild animals could be better understood thanks to a new study. The research will help predict how migration of animals or changes to their habitats associated with climate change could impact on the evolution of relationships between ...

Mar 08, 2012 02:42 PM EST

Smithsonian Scientists Discover that Multiple Species of Seacows Once Coexisted

Sirenians, or seacows, are a group of marine mammals that include manatees and dugongs; today, only one species of seacow is found in each world region. Smithsonian scientists have discovered that this was not always the case. According to the fossil record of these marine mammals, which dates back ...