How much do the world’s earthworms contribute to agricultural yields? The results of a quantitative study on this question are impressive… more
Looking into the brains of sleeping pigeons: study results suggest that the birds dream of flying scenes during the REM sleep phase… more
A research team has compiled field data from all over the world and, based on this, has re-estimated the total number of ants on our planet… more
A study refutes the assumption that the woodpecker’s head is shock-absorbing: the birds actually bang hard. However, your relatively small brain is not shaken in a critical way… more
The photographer George Steinmetz set out to find the origins of his food. We show selected motifs from the trip… more
Researchers looked at the snouts of hunting elephant seals and thereby illustrated the central role of the whiskers in tracking down prey in the dark waters… more
Does an infant notice if the mother has eaten curry before breastfeeding? German researchers have clarified the extent to which pungent substances from food end up in breast milk… more
Spontaneous or polite – people laugh all over the world. Researchers have now investigated the extent to which people can recognize cultural affiliation through laughter… more
Researchers have used ancient DNA to gain insights into parental relatedness levels in prehistoric humans. Apparently cousin-cousin connections were surprisingly rare… more
Even small children acquire the basic ability to empathize with others. Now a study shows how understanding of other people’s thoughts develops in primary school age… more
In their youth they follow the position of the sun – but when fully bloomed, sunflowers eventually look east. Researchers have now shown what advantages this orientation of the plant offers… more