https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/plants_animals/marine_biology/ Marine Biology News. Read scientific research on marine animals and their aquatic habitats. From plankton to whales, you will find it all here. en-us Wed, 16 Sep 2026 11:07:56 EDT Wed, 16 Sep 2026 11:07:56 EDT 60 https://www.sciencedaily.com/images/scidaily-logo-rss.png https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/plants_animals/marine_biology/ For more science news, visit ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260914102436.htm A 125-million-year-old crocodile fossil has revealed preserved skin, possible sensory organs, sophisticated respiratory structures, and an unexpected pattern on its tail. Ultraviolet light exposed alternating bands that may represent ancient camouflage, potentially preserving the oldest known coloration in a crocodylomorph. Tue, 15 Sep 2026 10:07:13 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260914102436.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260913081927.htm More than 60 years after surveys suggested a deep coral reef off Benin was probably dead, scientists have found it alive. Cameras revealed healthy-looking coral patches supporting multiple fish species more than 50 meters beneath the surface. The discovery suggests West Africa’s coastal waters may contain other overlooked reefs that have yet to be documented. Mon, 14 Sep 2026 22:18:06 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260913081927.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260909005145.htm Insects quietly hold much of the natural world together, yet conservation efforts are overlooking the tropical regions where more than 80 percent of insect species live. Monash University researchers have developed a global framework to close this gap by combining scientific studies with museum collections, local expertise, citizen science, social media records, and new technologies. Wed, 09 Sep 2026 02:30:55 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260909005145.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260831015200.htm A meter-long scorpion with massive pincers stalked ancient Britain 415 million years ago, long before forests and the better-known age of giant insects. Its surprising size and possible semi-aquatic lifestyle could reshape ideas about how early arthropods became giants. Wed, 02 Sep 2026 09:23:16 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260831015200.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260829035221.htm Ancient footprints in Kenya reveal that eight Paranthropus boisei may have traveled together 1.4 million years ago, with some individuals reaching surprisingly large, human-like body sizes. The tracks offer a rare glimpse of their social behavior and suggest these extinct human relatives may have lived in more complex groups than previously thought. Sun, 30 Aug 2026 11:17:06 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260829035221.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260827010455.htm Ancient fossils suggest insects conquered land through a long amphibious phase rather than making an abrupt jump from water to dry ground. A newly identified 324-million-year-old species still carried paddle-like abdominal limbs, revealing an evolutionary bridge between aquatic ancestors and modern six-legged insects. Thu, 27 Aug 2026 03:22:34 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260827010455.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260824065519.htm Backyard bird feeders could become unexpected hotspots for H5N1 as Australia’s bird flu outbreak spreads, bringing species together in ways that rarely occur naturally. Experts say stopping feeding is safest, while smaller amounts of food, no hand-feeding, and careful cleaning can reduce the danger. Mon, 24 Aug 2026 08:49:08 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260824065519.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260824065514.htm A sweeping analysis of thousands of animal genomes suggests that chromosomes do not evolve randomly but instead follow a limited number of irreversible “evolutionary highways.” These one-way genetic changes preserve clues to more than 600 million years of animal history and could even help researchers explore where evolution may head next. Tue, 25 Aug 2026 04:48:49 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260824065514.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260822015208.htm An abandoned farm field became a flourishing wildflower meadow within little more than a decade, with plant diversity doubling and thousands of orchids appearing naturally. The discovery suggests that simply giving nature time to recover could be a powerful and inexpensive tool for restoring biodiversity. Sun, 23 Aug 2026 11:01:34 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260822015208.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260820002450.htm Scientists have identified exceptionally rare soft tissue preserved in a 450-million-year-old crinoid fossil, more than 200 million years older than the first dinosaurs. Its delicate tube feet offer a remarkable new window into how some of Earth’s earliest reef animals lived, fed, and evolved. Thu, 20 Aug 2026 21:12:03 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260820002450.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260819041226.htm Miocene South America was packed with giant prey—and the predators hunting them were just as spectacular. Fossil bite marks suggest crocodylians, especially the enormous Purussaurus neivensis, were more important predators than mammals in this ancient tropical ecosystem. At around seven meters long, Purussaurus may even have helped control populations of giant herbivores. Wed, 19 Aug 2026 05:55:34 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260819041226.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260815064811.htm Scientists are searching some of Earth’s oldest rocks for tiny fossils that could reveal how simple microbial life made the extraordinary leap toward plants, animals, and other complex organisms. Solving that ancient mystery may also help determine whether complex life could emerge on worlds beyond Earth. Mon, 17 Aug 2026 08:40:17 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260815064811.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260815064759.htm Nature invented biodegradable plastic long before humans did—and animals may have been feeding on it for hundreds of millions of years. Researchers discovered that dozens of animal species possess enzymes capable of breaking down microbial bioplastics called PHAs, a talent once thought to belong only to microorganisms. Mon, 17 Aug 2026 01:34:10 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260815064759.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260807035137.htm Dinosaurs conquered the land at enormous sizes, but strangely, they almost never evolved into truly tiny animals. New research suggests that physiology alone can’t explain this missing miniature end of the dinosaur spectrum—and that early mammals may have been partly responsible. While dinosaurs kept mammals from becoming large, small mammals may have returned the favor by occupying ecological niches that could otherwise have supported mouse-sized dinosaurs. Sun, 09 Aug 2026 06:15:11 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260807035137.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260804034644.htm A spectacular fossil site in Canada contains 567-million-year-old creatures that may represent some of the earliest animals to move, reproduce sexually, and develop recognizable body plans. The discovery pushes key evolutionary milestones back by up to 10 million years and suggests complex animal life may have first flourished in the deep ocean. Wed, 05 Aug 2026 20:33:35 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260804034644.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260802223431.htm Taiwan’s steep, remote mountains have sheltered extraordinary forests containing hundreds of giant Taiwania firs. After years of difficult expeditions, LiDAR mapping, and citizen-science detective work, researchers discovered an 84.1-meter (276-foot) tree, the tallest known in East Asia. They also found dense “temples of giants” where dozens of enormous trees grow together. These ancient forests rank among the world’s most carbon-rich ecosystems. Mon, 03 Aug 2026 21:18:59 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260802223431.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260802223424.htm Thawing Arctic permafrost is releasing ancient carbon into the ocean, raising fears that microbes could turn it into greenhouse gases and accelerate climate change. But sediment cores collected near Canada’s Herschel Island reveal a more reassuring twist: most of this land-based carbon becomes buried in the seafloor, while only about 10 percent is converted into gases. Mon, 03 Aug 2026 09:23:30 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260802223424.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260801042834.htm An AI analysis of 1.2 million satellite images shows that floating algae blooms are spreading across the global ocean. The rapid growth of massive seaweed mats could reshape marine habitats while bringing foul-smelling decay, ecological damage, and economic losses to coastlines. Sun, 02 Aug 2026 22:54:22 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260801042834.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260729051519.htm Ant parenting may have evolved from the same brain systems that once controlled hunger. Researchers found that two chemical signals push clonal raider ants toward either caring for larvae or leaving to forage, with the balance changing as the ants grow older. Similar signals are involved in mammalian caregiving, suggesting that evolution may have followed the same basic blueprint across very different animals. Sat, 01 Aug 2026 09:01:54 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260729051519.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260729010732.htm A fossil overlooked for nearly 80 years has revealed a previously unknown crocodile relative that lived 210 million years ago in what is now New Mexico. Named Eosphorosuchus lacrimosa, the jackal-sized predator had a reinforced skull, powerful jaw muscles, and a short snout built for tackling larger prey. Thu, 30 Jul 2026 02:34:21 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260729010732.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260727012134.htm Bumblebees naturally have short lives, but extreme heat and human activity are making survival harder. Pesticides can poison bees or destroy the flowers they depend on, while habitat loss leaves them with fewer safe places to live and feed. Protecting native plants and using fewer chemicals could help these vital pollinators recover. Wed, 29 Jul 2026 08:05:56 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260727012134.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260726015241.htm Lake fly larvae plunge more than 200 meters into Lake Malawi each day to hide from predators, using tiny air sacs to control their depth. A rubber-like material called resilin lets them expand or shrink the sacs by changing their pH. Their toughness challenges a popular explanation for why insects are absent from the open ocean. Mon, 27 Jul 2026 09:37:06 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260726015241.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260725105554.htm Researchers say a tiny one-eyed ancestor that lived nearly 600 million years ago may have shaped the evolution of every vertebrate eye, including our own. They also found that its ancient median eye lives on today as the pineal gland, which helps synchronize our sleep with daylight. Sun, 26 Jul 2026 01:10:29 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260725105554.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260723084040.htm Researchers in the Gulf of California have documented a dramatic orca behavior never described before. In two separate encounters, one orca gripped a dead sunfish by the fin while another charged into it at high speed, blasting the carcass into thousands of pieces. Thu, 23 Jul 2026 09:55:59 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260723084040.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260721000847.htm Scientists studying decades of pygmy sperm whale strandings have uncovered three previously unknown types of Helicobacter bacteria hiding in the animals’ stomachs. All four infected whales showed serious digestive damage, including inflammation, ulcers, scarring, and parasite infestations, although the bacteria were not confirmed as the cause of death. Tue, 21 Jul 2026 01:10:08 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260721000847.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260714225540.htm Humans are often described as the planet's ultimate "super-predator," but wild animals do not fear every human the same way. After analyzing three decades of research, scientists found that animals become much more alert and spend less time feeding when people pose a real threat, such as hunters or fishers. In contrast, tourists, researchers, and other non-lethal humans trigger far weaker and less predictable reactions. Wed, 15 Jul 2026 07:04:02 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260714225540.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260714225525.htm An unusual leopard gecko that naturally develops aggressive tumors may become an important new model for cancer research. Scientists found its tumors share key genetic changes with human cancers, offering a rare opportunity to study the disease as it develops naturally. Tue, 14 Jul 2026 22:55:25 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260714225525.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260711010127.htm Scientists discovered that extreme deep-sea pressure squeezes valuable nutrients out of sinking organic particles, providing an unexpected food source for ocean microbes. The finding could rewrite our understanding of both deep-ocean ecosystems and how carbon is stored on Earth. Sun, 12 Jul 2026 08:14:55 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260711010127.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260711010122.htm Why do beaches today have seashells from clams and snails instead of brachiopods? A new study suggests the answer lies in Earth's greatest mass extinction, when warming oceans and falling oxygen levels wiped out animals that couldn't adapt. Species with body plans and metabolisms better suited to the changing conditions survived and went on to dominate the seas, offering a glimpse of how modern marine life could respond to climate change. Sun, 12 Jul 2026 00:02:00 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260711010122.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260708022208.htm For the first time, researchers have filmed the elusive goblin shark alive in the deep ocean where it naturally lives. The remarkable sightings greatly expand the shark's known range and depth, showing that this 125-million-year-old "living fossil" still has plenty of secrets left to reveal. Wed, 08 Jul 2026 19:00:05 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260708022208.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260630020534.htm Researchers have uncovered an unexpected antiviral defense system in sea anemones that works very differently from the one humans use. The discovery suggests evolution developed multiple ways to combat viruses, challenging long-held ideas about how animal immune systems evolved. Tue, 30 Jun 2026 16:18:00 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260630020534.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260625060216.htm A stunning fossil discovery shows that ancient bees used the empty tooth sockets of mammal bones as tiny nests after owls scattered the bones across a cave floor 20,000 years ago. It's the first known evidence of bees nesting inside animal bones, revealing an astonishingly creative survival strategy. Sun, 05 Jul 2026 15:23:32 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260625060216.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260623014018.htm A giant black coral estimated to be 300–400 years old has been discovered deep in Fiordland, New Zealand, astonishing researchers with its enormous size—about 4 meters tall and 4.5 meters wide. Scientists say it may be one of the largest black corals ever recorded in New Zealand waters and an important stronghold for the slow-growing species. Thu, 25 Jun 2026 06:14:56 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260623014018.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260622091524.htm A new study reveals that goldfish can do far more than survive in the wild—they can fundamentally reshape freshwater ecosystems. Researchers found they cloud water, damage food webs, and hurt native fish populations, sometimes triggering major ecological shifts. Fri, 26 Jun 2026 13:45:17 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260622091524.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260621111234.htm Scientists exploring ancient seafloor rocks in Morocco discovered mysterious wrinkle patterns where they were never expected to occur. These structures are normally linked to microbial mats in shallow, sunlit waters, yet the rocks formed hundreds of feet below the surface in darkness. Evidence indicates that chemosynthetic microbes created the wrinkles, revealing that deep-ocean microbial ecosystems may have been more widespread than previously thought. Fri, 26 Jun 2026 16:45:50 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260621111234.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260621060322.htm Freshwater lakes across North America and Europe are becoming noticeably browner, reducing underwater visibility and reshaping fish populations. Research found that several popular sport fish, including trout, bass, perch, and whitefish, tend to decline in darker waters. Meanwhile, walleye and northern pike often become more abundant because they are better adapted to low-visibility conditions. The shift could change both lake ecosystems and the fishing experience for millions of anglers. Sun, 21 Jun 2026 09:40:21 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260621060322.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260621031409.htm A team of researchers recreated a life-size oviraptor nest to investigate how these bird-like dinosaurs incubated their eggs millions of years ago. By combining physical experiments with heat transfer simulations, they discovered that oviraptors likely relied on both their own body heat and warmth from the sun. Wed, 01 Jul 2026 16:13:44 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260621031409.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260620100426.htm Trees planted to protect farmland from wind may not be the biodiversity boost many assume. In Japan’s wetland farming landscapes, shelterbelts benefited some birds but sharply reduced grassland and wetland species that need open space. Researchers found grassland bird abundance dropped by more than 70% near shelterbelts. Mon, 22 Jun 2026 09:14:03 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260620100426.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260619101328.htm Animals from different species often rely on surprisingly sophisticated communication to work together, whether finding food, cleaning parasites, or gaining protection. New research suggests these interspecies “conversations” are flexible, evolved, and far more important to life in nature than scientists once realized. Sat, 20 Jun 2026 01:23:46 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260619101328.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260616102223.htm Scientists have digitally preserved the world’s most endangered marine mammal by creating highly detailed 3D models of a vaquita skeleton using advanced imaging technology. The virtual archive provides an unprecedented look at the species and could help inspire conservation efforts before the tiny porpoise disappears forever. Wed, 17 Jun 2026 08:01:37 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260616102223.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260613034213.htm Millipedes may have been crawling across Earth's landscapes nearly 460 million years ago, long before vertebrates ventured onto land. A new study finally completes their evolutionary family tree, revealing surprising clues about these ancient ecosystem engineers and their early chemical defenses. Sun, 14 Jun 2026 03:33:34 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260613034213.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260612021000.htm Researchers in South Korea have recreated the legendary “sea silk” once prized by emperors, using fibers from a clam cultivated in Korean coastal waters. They discovered that its famous golden shine comes from tiny protein structures that reflect light rather than from pigments or dyes. Because the color is built into the fiber’s structure, it can remain vibrant for centuries. Fri, 12 Jun 2026 03:02:55 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260612021000.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260604044258.htm New studies suggest consciousness can't be judged solely by behavior, whether it's a chatbot discussing philosophy or a bee searching for nectar. Researchers are increasingly focusing on the internal mechanisms of brains and computers, concluding that today's AI is likely not conscious while leaving open the possibility for both conscious insects and future machines. Fri, 05 Jun 2026 01:27:32 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260604044258.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260603023921.htm Hidden beneath Arctic waters, beluga whales have long kept their family lives a mystery. By analyzing DNA from more than 600 belugas in Alaska’s Bristol Bay over 13 years, researchers uncovered a surprisingly flexible mating system: both males and females regularly have offspring with different partners over their lifetimes. Thu, 04 Jun 2026 03:51:13 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260603023921.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260530053414.htm A surprising new discovery suggests that tiny microbes living inside fish may be helping shape the chemistry of the world’s oceans. Scientists found evidence that bacteria in the guts of marine fish work alongside their hosts to produce calcium carbonate, a mineral that plays an important role in ocean health and carbon storage. For years, researchers believed fish handled this process on their own, but the new findings point to a hidden partnership between fish and microbes. Sun, 31 May 2026 07:52:17 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260530053414.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260529043636.htm A newly discovered raptor-like dinosaur from Patagonia is changing how scientists think about ancient predators. Named Kank australis, the 70-million-year-old dinosaur appears to have hunted fish much like modern herons, using a long, flexible neck and specialized vertebrae adapted for swift, precise movements. Fri, 29 May 2026 08:26:51 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260529043636.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260528082509.htm Scientists say moons around rogue planets wandering through the galaxy could remain warm enough for life thanks to tidal heating and hydrogen-rich atmospheres. These dark, starless worlds may have had stable oceans for billions of years — long enough for complex life to potentially emerge. Fri, 29 May 2026 02:05:08 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260528082509.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260526022002.htm A sea slug smaller than a sesame seed has turned up in Taiwan’s coastal waters — and it’s so tiny and unusual that scientists realized they had discovered a completely new species. Named Thecacera sesama after its black-and-yellow “sesame-like” appearance, the translucent nudibranch was first spotted during a casual dive and later identified with help from a sea slug expert on Facebook. Wed, 27 May 2026 09:00:06 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260526022002.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260525000459.htm Scientists have peered inside the skull of a 380-million-year-old Antarctic fish that was closely related to the first animals to walk on land, revealing surprising clues about how life began its move out of the water. Using advanced neutron imaging, researchers discovered that Koharalepis jarviki had features suited for living near the water’s surface, including openings in its skull that may have helped it gulp air and a light-sensitive organ linked to day-night rhythms. Mon, 25 May 2026 09:30:01 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260525000459.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260522023136.htm Scientists found that storing mangoes at 54°F dramatically slows ripening and keeps the fruit fresh far longer than typical tropical temperatures. The cooler conditions helped mangoes stay firm, retain moisture, and preserve important antioxidants while reducing cellular damage. Researchers also uncovered the internal defense systems that switch on during cold storage, protecting the fruit from stress and decay. Sat, 23 May 2026 10:09:11 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260522023136.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260521072357.htm A hidden crater in South Korea may hold clues to one of the biggest turning points in Earth’s history: the rise of oxygen. Scientists discovered fossil-like stromatolites — layered structures built by ancient microbes — inside the Hapcheon impact crater, suggesting that asteroid strikes may have created warm, mineral-rich lakes where early oxygen-producing life could flourish. Fri, 22 May 2026 02:47:03 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260521072357.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260519224303.htm Scientists have uncovered an astonishing new chapter in humpback whale migration: two whales were found to have traveled between breeding grounds in Australia and Brazil, crossing more than 14,000 kilometers of open ocean. One whale shattered records by covering at least 15,100 kilometers between sightings, marking the longest confirmed journey ever documented for an individual humpback whale. Tue, 19 May 2026 23:15:18 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260519224303.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260513221807.htm Scientists exploring deep underwater canyons off the coast of Western Australia uncovered a hidden world packed with bizarre and elusive marine life — including signs of the legendary giant squid. By analyzing traces of DNA floating in seawater from depths exceeding 4 kilometers, researchers identified 226 species ranging from deep-diving whales to strange fish rarely or never seen in the region before. Some of the creatures may even be unknown to science. Thu, 14 May 2026 08:46:07 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260513221807.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260511213201.htm Researchers created a special kind of algae that can grab microscopic plastic pollution out of water almost like a magnet. The algae produce limonene, an orange-scented oil that helps them bind to water-repelling microplastics, forming easy-to-remove clumps. As a bonus, the algae also clean wastewater while growing. Tue, 12 May 2026 07:16:28 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260511213201.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260511213139.htm Scientists revisiting mysterious 540-million-year-old microfossils from Brazil have overturned a major idea about early animal life. What were once thought to be trails left behind by tiny worm-like creatures are now believed to be fossilized communities of bacteria and algae — some with remarkably preserved cells and organic material still intact. Tue, 12 May 2026 03:10:55 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260511213139.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260508211025.htm Scientists may have found a smarter, safer way to wipe out termites hiding inside homes. A chemical called bistrifluron prevents drywood termites from forming new exoskeletons during molting, killing entire colonies from within. In tests, it eliminated about 95% of termites while avoiding the toxic side effects of traditional fumigation. Researchers say the method could provide longer-lasting protection as termites spread into new areas. Sat, 09 May 2026 08:24:26 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260508211025.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260508003119.htm Fur seals may look like they’re simply resting after exhausting hunting trips at sea, but their bodies are secretly working overtime. Scientists discovered that hours after returning to land, the seals’ heart rates suddenly surge — sometimes doubling — as they recover from the intense physical stress of deep diving. The findings suggest that seals postpone much of their recovery until they’re safely ashore, likely flushing out lactic acid and rebuilding oxygen stores after days of nonstop diving and hunting. Sat, 09 May 2026 07:35:27 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260508003119.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260507024045.htm A routine experiment with a new single-cell DNA sequencing method turned into a surprising scientific twist when researchers stumbled upon a bizarre genetic code in a microscopic pond organism. Instead of following the near-universal “rules” of life, this newly identified protist rewrites how genes signal their end. This unexpected discovery challenges long-held assumptions about how genetic translation works and hints that nature may be far more flexible—and mysterious—than scientists realized. Thu, 07 May 2026 03:01:21 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260507024045.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260506225229.htm Beneath the beauty of coral reefs lies a hidden universe of microbes unlike anything scientists expected. Each coral species supports its own specialized microbial partners, many of which have never been studied before. These microbes produce a stunning variety of chemical compounds with potential uses in medicine and biotech. The discovery highlights just how much is at stake as coral reefs face growing threats. Fri, 08 May 2026 00:10:10 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260506225229.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260501052858.htm Deep in a dried-up riverbed in Brazil, scientists uncovered a bizarre prehistoric mystery—twisted jawbones from a strange, long-lost animal unlike anything seen before. Dating back 275 million years, this creature, named Tanyka amnicola, belonged to an ancient lineage that should have already faded away, making it a kind of “living fossil” of its time. Fri, 01 May 2026 09:07:15 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260501052858.htm