How human behavior impacts these sex-changing fish

When a male pearly razorfish is snatched from the sea, a female is forced to transition their sex too early. Scientists say this may have a wide-ranging impact on the fish’s DNA.

nationalgeographic.com

Plants and their ants: When flora and fauna team up

Mutualistic partnerships between species abound across nature — but it’s a tricky dance to make sure both parties keep pulling their weight

knowablemagazine.org

How will AI make moral decisions for you and me?

There’s an urgent need to study how artificial intelligence makes ethical choices because it soon will make many such decisions in our stead, says computer scientist Iyad Rahwan

knowablemagazine.org

Ancient graves reveal unexpected link to modern Andean people

The findings also reveal that while people in other regions resorted to violence, inhabitants of the Uspallata Valley lived peacefully with migrants during a time of crisis.

nationalgeographic.com

Brain, think on thyself

What the science of self-awareness can tell us about confident decision-making

knowablemagazine.org

How elephants pass on crucial survival skills to next generations

Scientists are finding elephant youths respond differently to danger if they grew up without elders.

nationalgeographic.com

The curious life of a clever slime mold

In its quest to feed, avoid nasty substances and just generally live its life, the brainless, one-celled Physarum polycephalum performs some impressive tricks of learning and memory

knowablemagazine.org

The surprising origins of Britain's Bronze Age immigrants revealed

About 4600 years ago, the population of Britain was replaced by a people who brought Bell Beaker pottery with them. Now, ancient DNA has uncovered the murky story of where these people came from

newscientist.com

Warm, humid ‘atmospheric rivers’ threaten Antarctica

Growing more common as climate warms, these once-rare events could ultimately accelerate ice loss

science.org

Can tinkering with plant pores protect crops against drought?

It’s not an open-and-shut case. But researchers are finding out plenty by genetically altering the numbers of these openings, as well as simulating future atmospheres, and more.

knowablemagazine.org

What destroyed Napoleon’s army? Scientists uncover new clues.

A new genetic analysis of teeth from a mass grave in Lithuania reveals hidden illnesses that plagued the French emperor's soldiers during their disastrous 1812 retreat.

nationalgeographic.com

Discovery of fossilized hand may unlock a 1.5-million-year-old mystery

Some sixty years after her grandmother discovered “Nutcracker Man,” Louise Leakey unearths his long-lost hand—reviving a family debate about ancient toolmaking.

nationalgeographic.com

Chimpanzees consume the equivalent of more than two alcoholic drinks per day

Scientists estimate chimps’ alcohol consumption for the first time, and find they seem to prefer boozier fruit.

nationalgeographic.com

Shucking the past: Can oysters thrive again?

Dredging and pollution devastated the once-bountiful reefs. Careful science may help bring them back.

knowablemagazine.org

Queen ant makes males of another species for daughters to mate with

Bizarrely, Iberian harvester ant queens lay eggs that turn into male builder harvester ants, and some of her offspring are hybrids of the two species

newscientist.com

How the cavefish lost its eyes — again and again

Mexican tetras that got swept into pitch-black caverns had no use for the energetically costly organs. They lost their eyes in multiple ways — and gained some nifty traits too.

knowablemagazine.org

Did ancient ‘hobbit humans’ create these million-year-old tools?

Seven newly discovered stone tools, dating to between 1.04 and 1.48 million years ago, were found on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi.

nationalgeographic.com

This is the first ever confirmed skull of a Denisovan

Finally, we can put a face on a Denisovan.

nationalgeographic.com

The history of the ocean, as told by tiny beautiful fossils

Bountiful remains of foraminifera reveal how organisms responded to climate disturbances of the past. They can help predict the future, too.

knowablemagazine.org

These capuchins are abducting babies from howler monkeys—for fun?

A young male nicknamed Joker was probably the first to start carrying a howler monkey baby on his back for days on end. Then a group of other young males started to copy him.

nationalgeographic.com

How do seals know how long to hold their breath?

The sea mammals may actually be able to sense the amount of oxygen in their blood—something we humans can't do.

nationalgeographic.com

Born in thin air: Overcoming the challenges of pregnancy at high elevation

In people not adapted to life at altitude, the sparse oxygen can impair fetal growth, causing problems that can last a lifetime. Researchers are searching for remedies.

knowablemagazine.org

It began with a rabbit: Unraveling the mystery of memory

Half a century after the discovery of long-term potentiation, we’re still learning how the brain remembers

knowablemagazine.org

Meet the capuchin monkey: Curious, creative and vengeful

UCLA’s Susan Perry has devoted decades to studying the fast-motion life of these New World primates and learning how the young acquire the skills they need to thrive

knowablemagazine.org

What the science of baby-speak can tell us about whale songs

A new study reveals that whale song and human languages share features that make them easier to learn.

nationalgeographic.com

She ain’t scary, she’s my mother

Elaborate courtship, devoted parenthood, gregarious nature (and occasional cannibalism) — earwigs have a lot going for them

knowablemagazine.org

In defense of wild meat’s place at the table

Sustainable and safe consumption of wildlife is possible, and important for those who depend on it, says a conservation researcher

knowablemagazine.org