A bio-inspired robotic bird capable of mimicking the key movements of kestrels is helping researchers unravel the mysteries behind the species’ exceptional hovering capabilities.

A new study led by the University of Plymouth has used more than six decades of data to show that plankton abundance is declining across vast swathes of the North East Atlantic – a region covering the Atlantic Ocean from Portugal to Norway, and the entirety of the North Sea.

CT scans of ancient crocodile brains reveal clues to 100 million years of evolution. New study uses digital reconstructions of living and extinct crocodylians to untangle the evolutionary history of long-snouted crocodiles. By digitally reconstructing the internal anatomy of fossil skulls, the researchers identified a series of morphological differences in the braincase and associated sensory structures among long-snouted crocodiles from different geological periods. The findings demonstrate the growing importance of implementing non-destructive imaging techniques in palaeontology.

A new study has uncovered a previously unknown antiviral defense mechanism in sea anemones, revealing that animals may have evolved more than one way to fight viral infections. Researchers discovered that a protein resembling a key component of the human immune system actually plays the opposite role, yet remains essential for effective antiviral protection. The findings challenge assumptions about the evolution of immunity and suggest that fundamentally different antiviral strategies have emerged across the animal kingdom.