Research reveals that the ecological adaptability of humans, honed within diverse African habitats, was pivotal for their successful migration out of Africa around 50,000 years ago. Early human history remains unclear to this day. How, when, and why humans expanded from Central Africa is a difficult puzzle to solve as intact archaeological records can beContinueContinue reading “Ecological Flexibility may have Fueled Human Migration out of Africa.”
Tag Archives: marine-biology
Street Smart Raptors: Hawk Uses Traffic to Hunt in the City
A new study unveils another example of how animals alter their behaviour in response to human activity, this time, in the urban environment. The evolving relationship between humans and nature is endlessly intriguing. A young Cooper’s hawk in New Jersey has been observed using an extraordinary hunting tactic: it uses car queues at a busy intersection as cover to stealthily approachContinueContinue reading “Street Smart Raptors: Hawk Uses Traffic to Hunt in the City”
Sedentary Behavior Linked to Brain Shrinkage and Cognitive Decline in Older Adults
Sedentary behavior negatively impacts brain health by accelerating neurodegeneration and cognitive decline. Limiting inactivity may therefore be beneficial to older individuals, limiting the negative effects of sedentary activity. Spending more time sitting is associated with accelerated brain shrinkage and worsening cognitive abilities in older adults, even among those who maintain high levels of physical activity.ContinueContinue reading “Sedentary Behavior Linked to Brain Shrinkage and Cognitive Decline in Older Adults”
Company Benefits from Happy Employees: UK Firms with Satisfied Workforces Outperform Market by Nearly 4% Annually
As organizations worldwide compete for talent and innovation, this study highlights that investing in employee happiness is not only a moral imperative but a strategic advantage with significant economic impact. A study from the UK showed that companies recognized for employee happiness generate an annualized stock return premium of approximately 3.9%, with even higher gainsContinueContinue reading “Company Benefits from Happy Employees: UK Firms with Satisfied Workforces Outperform Market by Nearly 4% Annually”
Coral Range expansion may be outpaced by ocean warming.
Coral reefs are declining faster than they can naturally expand into cooler, higher-latitude refuges, signaling a dire future for these vital ecosystems. New research reveals a mismatch between the rapid decline of coral reefs due to climate change and their much slower ability to expand into cooler, high-latitude waters. While coral cover is predicted toContinueContinue reading “Coral Range expansion may be outpaced by ocean warming.”
Underwater Disturbance: The Rise of Ship Noise Affecting Marine Mammals.
As global marine traffic surges, underwater noise pollution is emerging as a significant threat to marine mammals. A 2019 review highlights the gaps in our understanding of how vessel noise impacts different species, underscoring the urgent need for standardized research and mitigation strategies. Marine mammals are increasingly exposed to rising levels of underwater noise fromContinueContinue reading “Underwater Disturbance: The Rise of Ship Noise Affecting Marine Mammals.”
Chemical weapons in a turf war – how turf algae prevent kelp recovery.
Turf algae are chemically transforming temperate reefs by releasing bioactive compounds that inhibit the recovery of kelp forests, a vital marine ecosystem, locking reefs into a turf-dominated state. Turf algae release a cocktail of bioactive chemicals that drastically reshape the chemical environment of temperate reefs, suppressing the recruitment and recovery of vital kelp forests. KelpContinueContinue reading “Chemical weapons in a turf war – how turf algae prevent kelp recovery.”
UK Waters Face a Future with Extreme Marine Heatwaves, Study Finds
The UK experienced a marine heatwave of unprecedented intensity in June 2023, signaling a rising threat to its marine ecosystems and highlighting the urgent need for improved monitoring and preparedness. Climate change is increasing global temperatures as well as the frequency, intensity, and duration of extreme temperature anomalies. A recent study reveals that while theContinueContinue reading “UK Waters Face a Future with Extreme Marine Heatwaves, Study Finds”
Reef Revival: How Healthy Microbes can Supercharge Coral Restoration.
Transplanting communities of invertebrates and microbes from a healthy coral reef to a degraded one dramatically boosts coral health, increasing their resilience and reducing stress. This innovative ecosystem transplant could become a powerful new tool to restore dying reefs and protect these vital underwater ecosystems from collapse. A groundbreaking study reveals that transferring organismal communitiesContinueContinue reading “Reef Revival: How Healthy Microbes can Supercharge Coral Restoration.”
Elasmobranch enigma – first evidence of sharks producing sound.
A study from March 2025 reveals that the rig shark can actively produce clicking sounds, challenging long-held beliefs about sharks being unable to produce sounds and opening new doors to understanding their complex behaviors in the ocean. Scientists reveal that the rig shark, Mustelus lenticulatus, actively produces clicking sounds underwater, marking the first documented case ofContinueContinue reading “Elasmobranch enigma – first evidence of sharks producing sound.”
The Science Spotlight 