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To discover the truth about diet and exercise, we need to look at our evolutionary past, says anthropologist Herman Pontzer [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our modern conception of evolution started with Charles Darwin and his idea of natural selection – "survival of the fittest" – to explain why certain individuals thrive while others fail to leave a legacy. Then came genetics to explain the underlying mechanism: changes in organisms caused by random mutations of genes. Now this powerful picture is changing once more, as discoveries in genetics, epigenetics, developmental biology and other fields lend a new complexity and richness to our greatest theory of nature. Find out more in this 12-page feature special. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the history of paleontological research into the evolution of early dinosaurs including the history of natural scientist Harry Seeley's classification of saurischians and ornithischians as different clades and his denigration of dinosaurs as a taxonomic term as well as the subsequent discovery of a bipedal, omnivorous common ancestor species which ultimately developed into sauropodomorphs, theropods, and ornithischians.

The article offers information on the evolution of life on the Earth. Topics discussed here include the cells of every organism on the Earth, new approach to evolution with modern life and works, and branch sprouting from trees. Also being discussed is the recreation of the building blocks of genes.

The article focuses on the modern synthesis of evolution which merged the heredity theory of monk Gregor Mendel with the theory of evolution by natural selection of naturalist Charles Darwin. Topics covered include the discovery that Mendel's studies had any relevance to Darwin's theory which led to the science of genetics, how the concept of genetics has helped solved a problem in Darwin's theory, and the response of the scientific community to the gene-centred perspective of evolution.

The article discusses research by David Lambert in which he studied preserved DNA, bodies and semi-fossilized feces from a frozen mass grave of Adelie penguins in Antarctica to discover their evolution, clues about climate control, changes in ice shelves and sea ice, and the impact of historical human activities such as whaling.

Would it be possible for humans to evolve into two different species in the future? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the discussion on newly identified crocodile-like animal living in China 3000 years ago helping in making sense of the evolution of crocodiles and the relatives showing huge gap between the gharial and the rest of the crocodilian.

When does a theory become a fact and who decides? (cont'd) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When does a theory become a fact and who decides? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the evolutionary biology of fatherhood, focusing on examination of why the males of some animal species care for their young. Topics include examples of species in which the father takes on sole parenting responsibilities, factors behind parental care such as egg fertilisation, energy cost of care, and cannibalism of offspring.

The article provides an answer to a question on why evolution happens.

The article looks at research into the function of the large von Economo neurons (VENs) brain cells in human consciousness. VENs are found in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and the fronto-insular (FI) cortex regions of the brain, areas implicated in social, emotional, and physical sensation processing, as well as the location of the sense of self. Topics include the loss of VENs in fronto-temporal dementia, the role of VENs in the brain wiring and emotional responses of autism patients and schizophrenics, and the presence of VENs in other large mammals, particularly in animals such as elephants which are capable of empathy. It is suggested that consciousness could have evolved as a byproduct of an energy utilisation system in large-brained animals.

The article discusses the size of the human brain. The author notes research that concludes the human brain has evolved as would be expected for primates of our size and that there is nothing special about the human brain in comparison to other primates. An overview of research by Suzana Herculano-Houzel at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, investigating the validity of a long-held view among scientists of the correlation between brain size and intelligence is presented. INSET: Well connected.

The article focuses on the evolution theory by biologist Peter Mitchell, which he dubbed as chemiosmosis. According to Mitchell's theory, life was generated by a kind of energy that resulted from the accumulation of protons across a membrane. Contentions against Mitchell's evolution theory are highlighted. Also noted are several studies on the evolution of life.

The article focuses on the complexity of evolution in nature. Terry Deacon, a well regarded professor of biological anthropology and linguistics at the University of California in Berkeley, California, infers that complexity is not always a gift to the fit, but rather more often to the lazy or the lucky. It discusses the natural selection which was first identified by Charles Darwin in "On the Origin of Species." Information regarding Deacon's study about relaxed selection is also discussed.

We're not taking evolution into account properly in our pandemic strategy – here's why we must change tack, says Jonathan Goodman [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a reprint of the article "Evolution: survival of the selfless," by David Sloan and Edward O. Wilson, which appeared in the December issue of "The Quarterly Review of Biology." It discusses the insight of Charles Darwin that altruism plays an important role in solving problems of social life. According to Darwin, groups containing mostly altruist have a decisive advantage over groups containing mostly of selfish individuals.

The article discusses the laws of nature which are useful and reliable but that does not mean that they may be true. Some laws of nature change so slow that they are imagined to be eternal by humans. Theoretical and experimental physics force one to believe that laws evolve in time. The universe itself is evolving and so the laws of nature evolve. The geometry of space is another aspect which requires attention. The geometry of space evolves in the course of time according to some deeper law.

The article discusses the role of biology in future. The 20th century was the century of physics and the 21st century will be the century of biology. Biology is now bigger than physics, as measured by the size of budgets, by the size of the workforce or by the output of major discoveries, and biology is likely to remain the biggest part of science through the 21st century. The big problems, like the evolution of the universe as a whole, the origin of life, the nature of human consciousness and the evolution of Earth's climate, cannot be understood by reducing them to elementary particles and molecules.

At first glance, Homo sapiens seems an unlikely candidate for world domination. The bodies are puny and defenceless, with none of the obvious trappings of a top predator. But no matter, the secret of the success is measured not in brawn but in brains. That makes it tempting to rate the creativity and complex learning abilities that characterise human intelligence as the pinnacle of evolution. Tempting, but wrong. Most animals get by perfectly well with tiny brains and apparently limited learning abilities. Perhaps the combination of a large brain and advanced intelligence isn't a universal winning ticket in the evolution lottery, but is instead just another evolutionary adaptation.

Hot climates select animals with heat-dispersing adaptations, such as large ears or the ability to pant. But no matter how much an animal flaps its ears or pants, it is not going to affect the local temperature to any significant extent. Environments shape living things: it rarely works the other way around. At least, that is the conventional view of evolution. There is much more to this process of "niche construction" than the creations of charismatic animals. Plants change levels of atmospheric gases, modify nutrient cycles, engage in chemical warfare, promote forest fires, create shade and alter wind speeds.

This article presents an interview with biologist John Maynard Smith who has brought a uniquely mathematical, information-based approach to evolutionary theory. He is acknowledged to be one of the 20th century's great thinkers and continues to do cutting-edge research. According to him, really exciting issues in evolutionary biology are concerned with trying to integrate what human beings know about developmental genetics with evolutionary theory. INSET: NO COMPROMISE.

In the 144 years since 'On the Origin of Species,' evolutionary theory has come a long way. Modern biology consistently confirms biologist, Charles Darwin's amazing ideas, even though he knew nothing of genetics or molecular biology. This article examines five of the biggest questions related to evolution. They are about origin of life, role of mutations in evolution, ways how new species are formed, whether evolution is predictable and the role of God in evolution.

The way evolution works makes it impossible for us to have genes that control how long we live. A single gene was responsible for making nematode worms live up to 65 per cent longer than normal.Scientists have come to accept that simple organisms such as flies and worms possess a simple switch that dictates lifespan.The long-lived IGF-1 mice seemed normal in almost every way, normal body temperature, normal circadian rhythms, normal metabolism, normal litter sizes, normal number of pregnancies, normal onset of infertility.

This article focuses on the evolution of life on Earth. Geologists Paul Hoffman and Dan Schrag from Harvard University suggested in 1998 that a momentous ice age had occurred just before the dawn of the Ediacarans. In their "Snowball Earth" scenario our planet was encased in ice up to a kilometer thick. This carapace stretched from the poles all the way to the equator and lasted for up to 10 million years before it finally melted in a climatic backlash of intense heat. Not a single alternative theory exists to explain one of the most dramatic evolutionary innovations, the leap from single to multicellular organisms. A palaeontologist at the South Australian Museum in Adelaide, South Australia, Gehling is trying to reconstruct the shape and behavior of a bizarre, jelly-like creatures called Ediacarans from the smudgy fossils from snowball earth. One popular alternative to Hoffman's Snowball theory is the Slushball Earth, in which most of the oceans are frozen, but an open band of water persists around the equator. INSET: LIVING WITH THE ICE.

Focuses on the hominid ancestors from prehistoric time. Characteristics of humans; Ability to intuit each others thoughts, social values of loyalty and friendship; Impact of predation through hunting in the forest.

Discusses the evolution of mankind. How technology and culture could be accelerating evolution at a fast pace; History of human evolution; Thought that human evolution has come to a stand still; Thought that culture itself shapes genes; Thought that humans will be able to consciously control their own evolution; Discussion of reproduction techniques.

Investigates the theory that homo-sapiens evolved from semi-aquatic beings. Research of Philip Tobias, Alister Hardy, Elaine Morgan and others; Human reliance on water; Findings which indicate that the African savannah was where human-type fossils have been found were once forest lands; Other evidence concerning ancient man's relationship with water.

Profiles scientist James Lovelock. Birth of the Gaia theory by Lovelock, which holds that life on Earth regulates its environment to keep itself healthy; Reaction of the scientific community to Lovelock and his theory; Inventions of Lovelock; Solitary life of Lovelock; Biographical information.

Discusses the evolution of fish into land animals. Theories for the evolution of fish; Evolution during the Devonian period; Idea that lungs developed before animals moved to land; Similarity of the evolving animals to modern amphibians; Switch of power from front limbs to rear limbs; Development of tetrapods, which pulled themselves on land with front limbs.

Focuses on the efforts to prove that evolution has endowed humans with a set of mental short-cuts which are used for making quick decisions. Work done by Herbert Simon at Carnegie Mellon University in the 1950s; The common structure to heuristics; Way in which humans search the environment for something familiar; Experiments done into decision making. INSET: Better the devil you know.

Focuses on the fossil findings by the author and colleagues suggesting that the development of wings on birds was for aerodynamic control in a leaping attack, which contradicts palaeo-ornithological theories of the flight of birds. History of the debate of the evolution of birds; Example of the Archaeopteryx and others.

Presents an article on bioluminescence in deep-sea fish in the ocean. Research conducted by Julian Partridge et al; Evolution of blue-green bioluminescence in fish; Eye development and structure of the fish, including pupil size and the retina; The purposes of bioluminescence, including attracting a mate; The use of yellow lenses at the front of the eye to help detect prey; The dragonfish, the only fish to use red bioluminescence; Details of the fish; Malacosteus, the most evolved of the dragonfish.

Considers the theory that the earliest life on earth was more like complex eukaryotic cells than simple bacteria. Implications for the evolutionary pattern of bacteria; RNA as the former basis of life function; Why the RNA world switched to DNA; The theoretical RNA-based Riborgis eigensis; How an RNA-based cell would have functioned; Function of ribosomes and proteins; Intron/exon arrangement; The adaptive devolution of bacteria from eukaryotic to prokaryotic form. INSET: Look, no genome, by Rachel Nowak.

Reports on the research into finding the most recent common male ancestor of humans. Study of the Y chromosome; How researchers estimate the age of particular polymorphisms; How the Y chromosome differs from other chromosomes; Claim that modern humans are descended from archaic homo sapiens out of Africa; How scientists identified the ancestral haplotype; Corresponding genetic sequences in chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans, and human populations in Northern and Southern Africa. INSET: Recipe for success.

Studies the significance of the Cambrian age in evolution. Comparison of the genes of living animals; Deduction of the presence of genes during the Cambrian age; Importance of the hox cluster genes in studying the cells of a developing embryo. INSET: The garden of Ediacara..

Discusses the role of fossils in discovering the way life evolved. List of fossil beds that deserve the accolade of extraordinary; Field of palaeontology; Little Chance of survival of animals as fossils because of lack of skeletal parts robust to resist bacterial and fungal attack.

Looks at the influence to evolution of the changes in the world's climate. Turnover pulse hypothesis; Migrations, extinctions and creation of new species as triggered by climate changes; Study of sediment cores from the Pacific by Nick Shackleton of the University of Cambridge; Evidences for the global climate shift between 2.7 and 2.4 million years ago; Elisabeth Verba of Yale University as the strongest proponent of the theory.

Reports on evidence from fossils on the way our faces evolved which gives new clues to the ancestry of modern humans and apes. How bones of the face grow and change shape; The nondestructive technique developed by the author for examining bone surfaces of fossil faces; What is revealed by the anatomical relationship between the brain case and the face in early hominids. INSET: 1: The changing face of bone.;2: A tale of two faces..

Asserts that fossils contradict the theory that all modern humans evolved from a single African woman. Debate over the origin of homo sapiens; Involvement of molecular biologists; Theory of biochemist Allan Wilson; DNA as a guide to human evolution; Two schools of thought before the `Eve' hypothesis; Mitochondrial DNA. INSET: 1: Putting a date on the great migration from Africa, by R....

The glorious theory of evolution by natural selection has seen off all comers [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article the author discusses the concept of progress and its purgation from evolutionary theory. He cites palaeontologist Stephen Jay Gould argument that the increase in the size, complexity and diversity of life has little to do with evolution, and presents four arguments that reconcile evolution with development, including the way theorists think about progress, the laws of thermodynamics, and convergent evolution.

The article discusses research that offers alternatives to traditional notions of morality, such as those rooted in religion, by attempting to explain moral attitudes in the context of evolution, culture, and the neural circuitry of the human brain. Also discussed is why individuals should not feel threatened by the notion of morality shaped by evolution.

The article explains that due to the actions of seafaring individuals around the Galapagos Islands, entire species of tortoises have been wiped out or relocated to geographic locations to which they do not belong. Technology that can test genetic characteristics can now identify which turtles belong where so that scientists can sort out species and put them back on their correct evolutionary tracks. INSET: Reconstructing George.

The article presents questions and answers related to human beings and animals, namely, the evolutionary advantages of right- or left-handedness, whether handedness is present in animals, and whether ear size affects the hearing of people.

The article focuses on the theory of cosmic evolution. It discusses interconnectedness of phenomena in the universe. This not only include physical phenomena but also throws light on the cultural evolution of human beings. It views that energy flows caused largely by the expanding cosmos seem to be as common in the origin of structured systems as anything found in nature. The optimization of such energy flows might even act as the motor of evolution--in its broadest sense. Energy flow is an useful way to quantify the complexities found in the universe.