Megalodon may have been much bigger than we thought

Everyone's favorite prehistoric shark may have been much sleeker and much larger than previously thought. A new study suggests that the megalodon wasn't as stocky as the great white shark, and that it could have reached over 24 m (80 ft) in length.

Source of Article

Continue ReadingMegalodon may have been much bigger than we thought

Plesiosaurs may have combined skin and scales for better swimming and feeding

You might think that by now, we would have learned all we're ever going to know about plesiosaurs. Such is not the case, however, as a recent study indicates that the creatures had smooth skin on some parts of their body, and hard scales on others.

Source of Article

Continue ReadingPlesiosaurs may have combined skin and scales for better swimming and feeding

Penguins mate for life? Sorry, science is here to destroy this fairytale

A 13-year study of tiny penguins in Australia has dispelled the long-held myth that these seabirds mate for life, with the 'divorce rate' nearly 10 times that of the current statistics for US adults. And, not surprisingly, it all comes down to kids.

Source of Article

Continue ReadingPenguins mate for life? Sorry, science is here to destroy this fairytale

New “giant marine pillbug” looks like Darth Vader and tastes like lobster

What has 14 legs, lives at the bottom of the sea, and looks like Darth Vader? It's a newly discovered species of supergiant isopod, and should you happen to be in Vietnam sometime soon, you can buy one and eat it.

Source of Article

Continue ReadingNew “giant marine pillbug” looks like Darth Vader and tastes like lobster

Genetic tweak weaponizes mosquito semen for population control

Mosquitoes looking to mate in Australia are about to have the worst sex of their lives – thanks to genetic modifications turning their semen toxic. That could kill females swiftly, and greatly reduce their ability to spread deadly diseases.

Source of Article

Continue ReadingGenetic tweak weaponizes mosquito semen for population control

Evolution witnessed in real-time as lizard species collide

We often see the results of evolution, but not the process directly. Now, scientists have witnessed evolution unfolding in real time, as two similar lizard species encounter each other for the first time and quickly adapt to fill different roles.

Source of Article

Continue ReadingEvolution witnessed in real-time as lizard species collide

Evolution witnessed in real-time as lizard species collide

We often see the results of evolution, but not the process directly. Now, scientists have witnessed evolution unfolding in real time, as two similar lizard species encounter each other for the first time and quickly adapt to fill different roles.

Source of Article

Continue ReadingEvolution witnessed in real-time as lizard species collide

MouseGoggles bring the immersive world of virtual reality to rodents

While it might sound like a cute gift to buy for your pet mouse, a new set of virtual reality goggles have a much more serious purpose. The inventors say they should help advance research into Alzheimer's disease and other brain conditions.

Source of Article

Continue ReadingMouseGoggles bring the immersive world of virtual reality to rodents

Squirrels seen hunting and killing small animals for first time

Unless you're a nut, cute little squirrels pose little threat – but they could have a surprising murderous streak. After watching squirrels in California for 12 years, scientists have seen them actively hunt and kill small rodents this past summer.

Source of Article

Continue ReadingSquirrels seen hunting and killing small animals for first time