metabolism

Scientists finally solved the mystery of Earth's greatest mass extinction

metabolism extinction study

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.

12/07/2026 sciencedaily

Scientists resurrect 3.2-billion-year-old enzyme to reveal how life began on Earth

metabolism evolution genetics

Researchers rebuilt long-extinct versions of a crucial enzyme that helps make nitrogen available to life, offering an unprecedented glimpse into Earth’s distant past. The breakthrough could aid the search for extraterrestrial life while helping scientists tackle future food-production challenges on Earth and beyond.

08/07/2026 sciencedaily-paleo

The first primates may have evolved in the cold, not the tropics

metabolism discovery evolution human origin study

A surprising new study suggests the earliest primates didn't originate in tropical forests but in cold, dry parts of North America. Some may have even survived seasonal Arctic conditions by slowing their metabolism or hibernating. Researchers found that dramatic climate shifts, rather than warmth, played a major role in driving primate evolution and expansion. The discovery reshapes our understanding of how our own lineage began.

20/06/2026 sciencedaily-paleo

This strange little dinosaur is forcing a rethink of evolution

bone tooth metabolism Dinosauria Foskeia anatomy bird evolution mammals study skull

A newly identified tiny dinosaur, Foskeia pelendonum, is shaking up long-held ideas about how plant-eating dinosaurs evolved. Though fully grown adults were remarkably small and lightweight, their anatomy was anything but simple—featuring a bizarre, highly specialized skull and unexpected evolutionary traits. Detailed bone studies show these dinosaurs matured quickly with bird- or mammal-like metabolism, while their teeth and posture hint at fast, agile lives in dense forests.

03/02/2026 sciencedaily