Chicken Genetics: Why Inbreeding Doesn’t Always Mean Disease

A close-up

Did you know that some animals can inbreed without showing the same genetic diseases we often see in humans? It’s a fascinating question, especially when we look at chickens. As someone with a background in biology and a passion for understanding the natural world, I find this difference incredibly intriguing. When closely related individuals reproduce, … Read more

Ancient Shark Surfaces at Mammoth Cave: A Glimpse into Earth’s Deep Past

Ancient Shark Surfaces at Mammoth Cave: A Glimpse into Earth's Deep Past

It’s not every day that a new species of ancient shark is discovered, especially not in a place like Mammoth Cave National Park. But that’s exactly what happened recently, connecting a familiar natural wonder with the incredible story of prehistoric life. Mammoth Cave, known for its vast underground systems, has unveiled a fascinating secret from … Read more

Evolution’s Built-in Security: Nature’s Two-Factor Authentication

Evolution's Built-in Security: Nature's Two-Factor Authentication

As a climate scientist, I spend a lot of time thinking about how systems change and adapt. It’s often in response to pressures, like shifts in climate or the arrival of new challenges. Recently, I’ve been struck by a fascinating parallel between biological evolution and a concept we’re all very familiar with: two-factor authentication, or … Read more