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zoology

Mammals cannot be cloned infinitely, mice study discovers

Mammals cannot be cloned infinitely, mice study discovers

There is a limit on how many times a mammal can be cloned before suffering "mutational meltdown", Japanese scientists have discovered, after making 1,200 clones over two decades that started off with a single mouse. The 58th generation of mice did not survive, establishing for the first

Bug’s ‘mind-boggling’ ability to create heat to avoid freezing to death

Bug’s ‘mind-boggling’ ability to create heat to avoid freezing to death

By Stephen Beech An insect has the "mind-boggling" ability to generate its own heat to avoid freezing to death, reveals new research. Snow flies can produce bursts of heat as well as antifreeze proteins, say scientists. They investigated how the tiny, wingless insects - that crawl across snow

Rescued circus bear’s story of recovery in honor of World Bear Day

Rescued circus bear’s story of recovery in honor of World Bear Day

By Dean Murray A UK-based animal charity has shown off the remarkable recovery of a rescued bear to mark World Bear Day on Monday, March 23. Before-and-after pictures highlight the healthy transformation of ex-circus bear Margaretta (Retta). International Animal Rescue (IAR), based in Sussex, says she

The pinnacle of Freezout Lake migration occurring now

The pinnacle of Freezout Lake migration occurring now

CHOTEAU — As dawn breaks over Freezout Lake, the flapping of thousands of wings creates a low hum across the vast valley of Montana’s eastern Rocky Mountain Front. Visitors flock from all over the country for the renowned spectacle where light geese, swans, and other waterfowl birds descend in the

Brain of flying reptile’s ancestor rebuilt to find out how they took flight

Brain of flying reptile’s ancestor rebuilt to find out how they took flight

By Stephen Beech The brain of a 233-million-year-old ancestor of the first flying reptiles has been reconstructed in a bid to work out how they took flight. Scientists say Venetoraptor was around 13 inches (33 centimeters) tall and had a beak and scythe-like claws on long

Scientists find shark teeth in ancient whale skulls

Scientists find shark teeth in ancient whale skulls

By Stephen Beech Great white sharks' ancestors were attacking and eating whales in the North Sea five million years ago, reveals new research. Detailed analysis of two fossilized whale skulls dating back around five million years found fragments of sharks’ teeth lodged inside them. The discovery provides rare evidence

How much sleep do you really need?

How much sleep do you really need?

Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, send it to curiouskidsus@theconversation.com. Why do I need to sleep for a long time at night? – Sly M., 6, Cambridge, Massachusetts Just like eating, drinking or