Mammals : Science World Report

Jul 09, 2015 05:40 PM EDT

The Black Bear May Hold The Key To Future Astronaut Therapy

Decreased physical activity in mammals can lead to significant bone loss and increased fracture risk over time. Yet this is not quite the case for the black bear (Ursus americanus), who is physically inactive for up to six months annually but somehow manages to keep a strong, healthy skeletal struct...

Jun 19, 2015 04:54 PM EDT

Some Insect Societies Appear To Share Brain Power

New findings published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B reveal that brain regions for central cognitive processing in social insect species actually shrank over time--the opposite pattern seen with sociality in other vertebrate animals, including mammals, birds and fish.

Jun 03, 2015 11:37 AM EDT

Elevation May Drastically Impact Mammal Evolution and Survival

How does elevation impact evolution? That's exactly what scientists have asked themselves as they've examined the mammals of the ancient past.

Jun 02, 2015 11:43 AM EDT

'Tweeting' Seals Help Scientists Probe Remote Seas with Their New Sensors

Seals are helping scientists plumb the depths of the world's remotest oceans. After hooking up seals with sensors, researchers have collected data that builds a detailed picture of areas that are currently difficult for humans to visit.

Dec 30, 2014 06:03 AM EST

What Extinct Animals Ate: New Technique Reconstructs Ancient Diet

What did extinct animals eat? That's a question that scientists are now studying, thanks to tooth enamel.

Dec 18, 2014 10:00 AM EST

Asteroid that Destroyed the Dinosaurs Nearly Caused Mammals to Become Extinct

The asteroid that caused the dinosaurs to become extinct may have also almost wiped out mammals. Scientists have found that 66 million years ago, many mammals died alongside the dinosaurs.

Dec 10, 2014 11:35 AM EST

Ancient Mammal Fossil from Madagascar Sheds Light on Diversity of Mesozoic Animals

Scientists have discovered a new fossil from Madagascar that reveals fascinating perspectives on the growing diversity of Mesozoic mammals.

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.

Sep 11, 2014 08:07 AM EDT

New Late Triassic Squirrels Discovered in China: Mammals Evolved Earlier Than Expected

Mammals may have appeared on our planet far earlier than thought. Paleontologists have uncovered three new small squirrel-like species that lived about 208 million years ago during the late Triassic.

Sep 04, 2014 10:21 AM EDT

Ancient Mammal Relatives Thrived at Night: Nocturnal Eyes Evolved Earlier Than Expected

It turns out that the ancestors of ancient mammals may have been nocturnal. The new research reveals that the transition to nocturnality occurred far earlier than previously expected.

Aug 21, 2014 07:55 AM EDT

Jurassic Mammals Were Picky Eaters: Shrew-Sized Animals Munched Insects

Scientists have taken a look at tiny fossil mammals and have found that during the Jurassic, the animals developed new characteristics, such as teeth capable of precise chewing.

Jul 15, 2014 08:04 AM EDT

Speed and Agility in Mammals Restricts Evolution of the Vertebral Column

Scientists have unraveled one of the riddles of mammal evolution. They've discovered why mammals have a strong conservation in the number of their trunk vertebrae; it all has to do with the essential role of speed and agility.