Snakes shaped the primate brain

Primate vision is the result of an evolutionary battle with snakes, a study of monkeys suggests.  The study provides key experimental evidence in support of the hypothesis that the threat of snakes strongly influenced the evolution of the primate brain.

Genes extinguish Aboriginal fire theory

For thousands of years, Australia's Aboriginal people have used fire to hunt and to manage the landscape. Some scientists have argued that when people first arrived in Australia they set a large number of these fires, which reshaped the country's ecosystems.  A new study examines this hypothesis by analysing the genetic fingerprints of more than 1400 trees from the Callitris genus, fire-sensitive conifers found across the continent.

Interbreeding With Denisovans

Ancient humans known as Denisovans only interbred with modern humans after they both crossed the Wallace Line. This may explain why DNA from these ancient humans is only found in people from some parts of Southeast Asia, Papua New Guinea and in Australian Aborigines. Evidence of the now-extinct human relative was first found in a Siberian cave three years ago. Since then, genetic studies have revealed they interbred with modern humans. But while traces of Denisovan DNA have been found in Southeast Asia, they have not been found in mainland Asian populations, which is closer to where the original fossils were found.

Traces of blood survive 46 million years

Organic molecules from blood can survive in fossils for nearly 50 million years. The molecules have been found in the last meal of a mosquito that died 46 million years ago.

First “cloud map” of planet beyond our so­lar system

Astronomers using data from NASA’s Kepler and Spitzer space telescopes have created what they call the first cloud map of a planet beyond our solar system. It’s a sizzling, Jupiter-like world known as Kepler-7b.

Could bouncing droplets help us sort out the nature of reality?

The strange, beautiful behaviour of tiny liquid droplets may be related to the seemingly nonsensical laws describing nature at the smallest scales.

“Pristine” gas from birth of universe detected

Astronomers have detected streams of “pristine” hydrogen gas left over directly from the birth of the universe.

Transition between the two stages of neutron star observed

Astronomers have found a neutron star that can switch from being a rotating radio wave beacon to a weight-gaining x-ray emitter, in a relatively short space of time. The finding may explain an intermediate phase in the life of these powerful objects.

“Maternal instincts” seen in group of colourful beetles

Eight species within a subfamily of leaf beetles known as broad-shouldered leaf beetles, or Chrysomelinae shows signs of maternal instincts and active care. Mothers “actively defend offspring” as well as the eggs.

Carbon-nanotube computer could revolutionise electronics

Engineers have made a basic computer using carbon nanotubes, a material they say could launch a new generation of faster, more energy-efficient electronic devices. Carbon nanotubes are semiconductors, materials that conduct electricity in a limited way. Semiconductors are essential to electronic devices because they allow electrical signals to be controlled. Silicon is the semiconductor material used in most electronics now.  Carbon nanotubes are a tough, flexible material composed of carbon atoms arranged geometrically into thin tubes, each thousands of times thinner than a hair.