First Gradually, Then Suddenly
Around 50 million years ago, whales had four legs, lived on land and were closely related to the ancestors of hippos and deer. Just when and how they lost their hind legs and moved into the water has been a biological mystery. But by analyzing modern dolphin genes against the fossil record, an international group of scientists believes they have charted the story of how whales slimmed down from shaggy dog-like animals to sleek swimmers. Soon after they first entered the water, about 50 million years ago, whales began growing smaller and smaller hind limbs, without losing them entirely. About 15 million years ago, the gene that activates limb development abruptly shut off, causing the dragging impediments to disappear entirely. Unfortunately, this finding does nothing to explain why whales never evolved goggles or water wings.
(source: University of Florida)
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Forget Flowers, Give her Broccoli
This year's Chelsea Flower Show in London will bring together the world's top gardeners to show off their most colorful flowers, exotic ferns and fecund fruit trees. Oh, and did we mention there's also going to be a booth devoted to broccoli? Despite the plant's lack of sex appeal, horticulturists at the University of Warwick will promote the little green vegetable by trumpeting a breed of "21st century super-broccoli." The scientists created their improved strain by cross-breeding the plants with other species from the same family, creating a broccoli that's more resistant to pests, lasts longer on the shelf and contains more antioxidants. No word yet on whether these advances will do anything to improve your next Chinese take-out meal.
(source: Research-TV)