Latest Articles
Viruses Finally Reveal Their Complex Social Life
New research has uncovered a social world of viruses full of cheating, cooperation and other intrigues, suggesting that viruses make sense only as members of a community.
What Is Life? Its Vast Diversity Defies Easy Definition.
Scientists have struggled to formulate a universal definition of life. Is it possible they don’t need one?
Scientists Seek to Update Evolution
Recent discoveries have led some researchers to argue that the modern evolutionary synthesis needs to be amended.
Scientists Map 5,000 New Ocean Viruses
In the few decades since viruses were first found in the oceans, scientists have only been able to identify a handful of species. A new survey has uncovered nearly all the rest.
Breakthrough DNA Editor Born of Bacteria
Interest in a powerful DNA editing tool called CRISPR has revealed that bacteria are far more sophisticated than anyone imagined.
The New Science of Evolutionary Forecasting
Newly discovered patterns in evolution may help scientists make accurate short-term predictions.
The Surprising Origins of Life’s Complexity
Scientists are exploring how organisms can evolve elaborate structures without Darwinian selection.