A new study by researchers in Japan offers new insights into how protocells may have inherited and enriched genetic material before modern biology emerged. By exposing mixed phospholipid vesicles to repeated freezing and thawing, the team found that vesicles with more unsaturated lipids grew more efficiently and became selectively enriched. This membrane-level selection also increased the fraction of selectively neutral genetic material trapped inside.

In the icy waters of Alaska’s Bristol Bay, beluga whales rely on an unexpected survival strategy: sharing mates over many years. Long-term genetic and behavioral research reveals a polygynandrous system where both males and females spread reproductive opportunities, creating networks of half-siblings. This approach boosts genetic diversity, reduces inbreeding, and protects the population from genetic drift – showcasing how cooperation, choice, and time help sustain resilience in a small, isolated whale community.

How do feral horses maintain inter-group boundaries in an open field without territories?