A study appearing Monday, March 31 in Nature Physics presents a striking example of cooperative organization among cells as a potential force in the evolution of multicellular life. Based on the fluid dynamics of cooperative feeding by Stentor, a relatively giant unicellular organism, the study originated from the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL), Woods Hole, Mass.

Why do some plants thrive in specific regions but not in others? A study led by researchers at the University of Göttingen explores the factors shaping plant distributions and how these patterns have changed over millions of years. Analyzing nearly 270,000 seed plant species worldwide, the research highlights the roles of environmental conditions and dispersal barriers in influencing global plant diversity. The results were published in Nature Ecology & Evolution.

Scientists have revealed for the first time that some fish sneak up on their prey by hiding behind sharks. The previously unknown behaviour was discovered by a team of researchers, including scientists from the University of Edinburgh, studying sandbar sharks in the Mediterranean Sea.

Underwater video footage captured by divers and remotely operated vehicles shows a type of small predatory fish – called blue runners – using the sharks for cover while they hunt.

In a recent study published in Engineering, researchers have developed a hybrid keratin and liquid metal hydrogel. This innovative material shows promise in creating wearable electronics for monitoring the health of marine inhabitants, addressing limitations of traditional hydrogels in mechanical and conductive properties.

- Study from University of Leicester describes a new species of fossil that is 444 million years-old with soft insides perfectly preserved

- Research ‘ultramarathon’ saw palaeontologist puzzled by bizarre fossil for 25 years

- Revealed to be an entirely new kind of arthropod and named after lead researcher’s mum

Proof-of-concept work uses unique, safe particles to remove microplastics in a single cycle.

Marine life in the deep ocean can take decades to recover from the impact of deep-sea mining for rare metals, new research shows.

Evolving roughly 27 different times in the long history of fish, bioluminescence—the biological production of light—is one of the flashier survival tools used for luring prey, communication, and recognizing potential mates among various species. In a new study published in Ichthyological Research, an international team of researchers studied the organs that produce light in Vinciguerria mabahiss, a rare species of fish from the Red Sea. This paper marks the first-ever close examination of these organs, providing key information on their structure and how V. mabahiss uses bioluminescence to make its way through the water—and laying the foundational groundwork for future scientists studying fish bioluminescence.