‘Rapid evolution’ of tuskless elephants caused by ivory trade, scientists say

Ivory poaching has led to a “rapid evolution” of tuskless African elephants, as elephants without tusks were far more likely to survive during the height of the ivory trade, according to new research. During the conflict, armed forces on both sides relied heavily on the ivory trade to finance the war efforts, according to the researchers. The elephant population in the region declined more than 90% due to the war, and the mass hunting of the mammals for their tusks resulted in a phenotype of the species that had a better chance of survival — specifically, female elephants.

Source: ‘Rapid evolution’ of tuskless elephants caused by ivory trade, scientists say

How Humans Lost Their Tails

For half a billion years or so, our ancestors sprouted tails. As fish, they used their tails to swim through the Cambrian seas. Much later, when they evolved into primates, their tails helped them stay balanced as they raced from branch to branch through Eocene jungles. But then, roughly 25 million years ago, the tails disappeared. Charles Darwin first recognized this profound change in our ancient anatomy. But how and why it happened has remained a mystery.

Source: How Humans Lost Their Tails

Climate Change Is Causing Some Animals To Grow Larger Limbs And Beaks : NPR

Just like humans, researchers say animals also have to adapt to climate change. The shifts for some warm-blooded animals are occurring over a far shorter time period than would usually happen.

Source: Climate Change Is Causing Some Animals To Grow Larger Limbs And Beaks : NPR

Boredom’s link to mental illnesses, brain injuries and dysfunctional behaviors

In 2014, psychologists at the University of Virginia conducted a simple experiment to showcase the power of the human mind. They placed subjects in a room by themselves with no distractions for roughly 10 minutes, letting them be alone with their thoughts. Given the infinite possibilities that our imaginations hold, it aimed to promote the sheer pleasures we can derive from just thinking. “We thought this would be great. People are so busy that it would give them a chance to slow down, sit quiet

Source: Boredom’s link to mental illnesses, brain injuries and dysfunctional behaviors

Mammals Can Breathe Through Their Intestines, Unsettling Experiment Finds

The experiment, while disturbing, was designed to find new ways to save the lives of people whose lungs are failing.

Source: Mammals Can Breathe Through Their Intestines, Unsettling Experiment Finds

A Single Altered Gene Can Make Fish Fins More Like Limbs | Science | Smithsonian Magazine

Researchers find a mutation that offers clues to the ancient sea-to-land transition of vertebrates

Source: A Single Altered Gene Can Make Fish Fins More Like Limbs | Science | Smithsonian Magazine

Doctors May Have Found Secretive New Organs in the Center of Your Head – The New York Times

 

Eat Rat, Make New Body: Easy Stuff for Pythons – The New York Times

 

The Gene Drive Dilemma: We Can Alter Entire Species, but Should We? – The New York Times

Gene drives in DNA force target traits onto offspring and descendants, whether modified, natural, or recessive.

The Case of a Man With Two Sets of DNA Raises More Questions – The New York Times