Life sciences
27 Jan 2026
96% accurate footprint tracker for tiny mammals could help reveal ecosystem health
New footprint identification technology can identify ecosystem-critical species which were once only distinguishable by DNA.
455 news posts in Life sciences
Life sciences
26 Jan 2026
To reach net-zero, reverse current policy and protect largest trees in Amazon, urge scientists
Current regulations in the Peruvian Amazon prioritize large trees for timber harvesting. But a new study has now shown that most carbon is stored in trees with a diameter at breast height of at least 41cm, depending on species. The authors concluded that a review of forest policy is essential to protect these trees if progress towards net-zero emissions is to be made.
Life sciences
23 Jan 2026
Whales may divide resources to co-exist under pressures from climate change
28 years of data show that three whale species in the Gulf of St Lawrence may be dividing resources to survive in an ecosystem that’s changing under a warming climate and increased human encroachment
Life sciences
21 Jan 2026
DNA tests reveal mysterious beluga family trees
Groundbreaking DNA analysis of Alaskan beluga whales shows both males and females have many different mates.
Life sciences
15 Jan 2026
Mosquitoes’ thirst for human blood has increased as biodiversity loss worsens
Scientists found that some mosquitoes really are targeting humans more than other food sources, but it could be a matter of convenience as biodiversity dwindles and other food sources are displaced
Life sciences
11 Dec 2025
Pandemic ‘beneath the surface’ has been quietly wiping out sea urchins around the world
Canary Islands as the ‘missing link’ in a global sea urchin killer pandemic
Life sciences
04 Dec 2025
New camera traps snap nearly three times more images of endangered Sumatran tigers than before
In Sumatra, researchers captured almost three times as many images of critically endangered tigers as during previous surveys, which shows the positive impact of conservation efforts even outside of national parks
Life sciences
02 Dec 2025
Dynamic duo of bacteria could change Mars dust into versatile building material for first human colonists
In this guest editorial, Dr Shiva Khoshtinat and co-authors present a bold approach for construction on Mars, harnessing microbial partnerships to transform Martian regolith into structural materials
Life sciences
28 Nov 2025
What is that dog taking? CBD supplements could make dogs less aggressive over time, study finds
Data from almost 50,000 dog owners shows that those dogs that receive CBD supplements are typically older or have health issues. With continued use, they also showed below-average levels of aggression.
Life sciences
03 Nov 2025
Orcas seen killing young great white sharks by flipping them upside-down
Specialist shark-hunting pod paralyzes young white sharks to eat their energy-rich livers, taking advantage of local shark nursery
Life sciences
29 Oct 2025
Underwater robot ‘Lassie’ discovers remarkable icefish nests during search for Shackleton’s lost ship off Antarctica
In a remote part of Antarctica's Western Weddell Sea, an area once hidden beneath a 200-metre-thick ice shelf, scientists have uncovered a new and unusual phenomena: extensive maintained fish nesting grounds arranged in patterns.
Life sciences
16 Oct 2025
Sniffer dogs tested in real-world scenarios reveal need for wider access to explosives, study finds
Access to range of explosives to train with would boost performance of detection dogs, suggests first validating study
Life sciences
15 Oct 2025
World’s largest rays may be diving to extreme depths to build mental maps of vast oceans
Oceanic manta rays may dive many hundreds of meters deep – far deeper than once thought – for navigation and orientation after leaving coastal waters, find researchers who tracked mantas across the globe
Life sciences
07 Oct 2025
Instructions help you remember something better than emotions or a good night’s sleep
Scientists find that words you’ve been told to recall are better remembered than words with negative emotional connotations — but surprisingly, sleeping doesn’t help.
Life sciences
10 Sep 2025
Meat from critically endangered sharks is commonly sold under false labels in the US
31% of products sold as ‘shark’ in the US are from species at risk of extinction