News: Biological Science
Researchers link penguin evolution to island formation
![News - Penguin Evolution](/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/media/images/2019-02/news-penguin-evolution-sm.jpg?h=bf9a07c9&itok=TRKar6dX)
DNA from prehistoric penguin bones analysed by University of Adelaide scientists, have contributed to new findings about the evolution of these aquatic flightless birds.
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World's first global vegetation database
![Woodland vegatation image, Greg Guerin](/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/2018-11/news-woodland-vegetation.jpg?h=1a8422da&itok=8JE-xjlc)
The world's first global vegetation database contains more than 1.1 million complete lists of plant species for all terrestrial ecosystems.
New technique a breakthrough in human genome reconstruction
![New technique a breakthrough in human genome reconstruction](/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/2018-11/news-genome.jpg?h=8bf67276&itok=1niiSGSw)
Scientists have developed a new technique that will aid in a more accurate reconstruction of human genomes.
[Read more about New technique a breakthrough in human genome reconstruction]
Why we're watching the giant Australian cuttlefish
![Juvenile giant Australian cuttlefish developing under rocks in the waters of South Australia. Fred Bavendam, Author provided](/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/2018-11/news-cuttlefish.jpg?h=8869a3dd&itok=rmrP6lLq)
We're spying on hundreds, even thousands of tentacled organisms with their unusual distinctive W-shaped eye pupils, and pulsating colours.
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Plant fossils show the Snowy Mountains were once a lush rainforest
![Lilly Pilly or Syzygium smithii growing in forest at Nymboida National Park](/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/2018-11/news-lilly-pilly-fruit.jpg?h=fc5862a8&itok=mLrnpH2N)
Lilly Pilly fossils found in old gold mines of the Snowy Mountains, prove the region was once a lush rainforest without snow.
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Designer molecule targets cancer growth protein
![A graphical representation of the new molecule (yellow sticks) interacting with ‘the sliding clamp’ (green surface).](/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/2018-11/news-cancer-treatment-new-molecule.jpg?h=5dabf909&itok=aQ2JW3ky)
Check out the new molecule designed by University of Adelaide researchers. It shows huge potential for future cancer treatment.
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Researchers discover some fish species might actually benefit from climate change
![A damselfish at the volcanic seep in New Zealand.](/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/2018-11/news-damselfish.jpg?h=d4dcf2e0&itok=xD2CUkuk)
Research on damselfish living in high CO2 conditions shows that some populations of fish species might actually benefit from climate change.
[Read more about Researchers discover some fish species might actually benefit from climate change]
Cross species transfer of genes has driven evolution
![DNA image](/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/2018-11/news-dna-genome.jpg?h=036f3151&itok=4mIXEU8H)
Scientists have shown that widespread transfer of genes between species has radically changed the genomes of today’s mammals, and been an important driver of evolution.
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Scientists find new alien-like wasp that eats victims from the inside out
![Dolichogenidea xenomorph wasp](/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/2018-11/news-wasp-dolichogenidea-xenomorph2.jpg?h=a4faaffc&itok=YGVye6dp)
Just like the terrifying creatures from the Alien movies, scientists have discovered a new species of parasitic wasp that eats victims from the inside out.
[Read more about Scientists find new alien-like wasp that eats victims from the inside out]
Platypus venom inspires potential new diabetes treatments
![Platypus image - Image courtesy of Matt Chan](/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/2018-11/news-platypus.jpg?h=d4dcf2e0&itok=CK-lcN9J)
The discovery of a key metabolic hormone found in platypus venom will now be investigated for its potential to treat type 2 diabetes.
[Read more about Platypus venom inspires potential new diabetes treatments]