The world’s marsupials – including Australia’s iconic kangaroos, wallabies, Tasmanian devils – all originated in what was once South America.
So says Maria Nilsson at the University of Munster in Germany in a paper published this week in PLoS Biology.
Archive for July, 2010
Jul
31
Skippy’s ancestors enjoyed burritos
Jul
21
If mum is stressed, male fetuses ignore them
New Scientist reports: Male fetuses ignore their mothers’ response to stress – unlike females, which are very sensitive to it. The finding could lead to better treatments for male fetuses at risk of premature birth. It is known that when a pregnant woman produces the stress hormone cortisol, it can cross the placenta. But it [...]
Jul
1
Do “black” people absorb more heat than “white” people?
It was a beautiful day – blue sky, sun shining – but I wasn’t fooled. It was Melbourne in the Spring, and I knew there would be an icy breeze. I put on a jumper, coat and scarf, and headed out to meet a friend. When I reached the cafe, I saw her basking in [...]