Science & Environment

Lizard tail preserved in amber sheds light on a 100-million-year-old defense mechanism

Source: Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories · Published

Lizard tail preserved in amber sheds light on a 100-million-year-old defense mechanism
Source: Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories

A lizard making a dramatic escape, leaving its tail wriggling behind as it darts to safety, is an image familiar to many. Tail-shedding is one of the most widespread defenses against predators among living lizards, yet tracing the origins of this extraordinary ability has proved

A lizard making a dramatic escape, leaving its tail wriggling behind as it darts to safety, is an image familiar to many. Tail-shedding is one of the most widespread defenses against predators among living lizards, yet tracing the origins of this extraordinary ability has proved to be surprisingly difficult—how can we tell when this escape tactic first arose in lizards?

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Climate change exposes gaps in Europe's protected-area network
Science & Environment

Climate change exposes gaps in Europe's protected-area network

As the climate changes, protecting wildlife increasingly depends on both the conditions within protected areas and the connections between them. A new study published in Conservation Letters identifies where climatic stability and opportunities for movement coincide in Europe, an

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Interfacial intelligence: A new way to design polymer brushes
Science & Environment

Interfacial intelligence: A new way to design polymer brushes

Polymer brushes are dense layers of polymer chains that can be engineered to change how a surface interacts with its surroundings. By controlling interactions with water, ions, proteins and other materials, they can reduce friction, prevent unwanted materials from sticking, impro

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