A question flamingo researchers get asked all the time — why the birds stand on one leg — may need…
Life & Evolution
Hawk moths convert nectar into antioxidants
Hawk moths have a sweet solution to muscle damage. Manduca sexta moths dine solely on nectar, but the sugary liquid…
Ladybugs fold their wings like origami masters
View the video Those who struggle to fit a vacation wardrobe into a carry-on might learn from ladybugs. The flying…
Ancient attack marks show ocean predators got scarier
In pumped-up sequels for scary beach movies, each predator is bigger than the last. Turns out that predators in real-world…
New fossils shake up history of amphibians with no legs
Newly named fossils suggest that a weird and varied chapter in amphibian deep history isn’t totally over. Small fossils about…
Earth’s dry zones support a surprising number of trees
Earth’s dry regions have more trees than once thought — a hopeful note in the fight against climate change. An…
Flight demands may have steered the evolution of bird egg shape
The mystery of why birds’ eggs come in so many shapes has long been up in the air. Now new…
Floral curve test shows what’s great for a moth is not so good for a flower
PORTLAND, ORE. — A great flower shape for a moth trying to get a drink in the dark turns out…
Male cockatoos have the beat
View the video Like 1980s hair bands, male cockatoos woo females with flamboyant tresses and killer drum solos. Male palm…
The blue wings of this dragonfly may be surprisingly alive
An adult insect wing is basically dead. So what in the world were tiny respiratory channels doing in a wing…