Animals are changing their habits in the face of warming. New research suggests that many of them are still hanging on and even flourishing. That’s the main takeaway of a new analysis of data on 73 species ranging from songbirds to water snakes published in Nature Communications, looking at what makes animals worldwide better equipped to survive the climate crisis.

In 1982, cartoonist Gary Larson published a now-iconic Far Side comic entitled Cow Tools. In it, a cow stands proudly beside a jumble of bizarre, useless objects that are “tools” in name only. The joke hinged on a simple assumption: cows are not intelligent enough to make or use tools. Now, this assumption is being challenged by a real cow named Veronika, according to a new study published in the Cell Press journal Current Biology on January 19. This study is the first to describe tool use in a pet cow, suggesting that the cognitive abilities of cattle have been underestimated.  

During brain development, neurons extend long processes called axons. Axons link different areas of the brain and carry signals within it and to the rest of the body. Growing axons “wire up” the brain by following precise paths through the tissue. Their navigation depends on chemical signals and the physical properties of their surroundings. How these signals work together has remained largely unknown. An international team of scientists has now shown that tissue stiffness controls the production of key signalling molecules in the brain. This discovery, recently published in Nature Materials, reveals a fundamental link between mechanical forces and chemical signalling. It could help scientists understand how other organs and body systems develop and may inform new medical approaches. 

A new review reveals that Polygonum multiflorum (a traditional Chinese herbal medicine) can effectively combat androgenetic alopecia through multiple mechanisms: inhibiting the production of dihydrotestosterone, activating hair follicle regeneration pathways (Wnt/β-catenin, Shh), and improving scalp blood flow. Unlike existing drugs such as finasteride or minoxidil, it adopts a comprehensive multi-target approach, with fewer side effects and higher patient acceptance, supporting its development as a natural alternative for hair loss treatment.

New research reveals why understanding these social networks is critical for predicting and managing disease outbreaks in oceans already under siege with pressures from climate change, pollution and human activities. 

In a new global study, marine mammal experts from Flinders University and the US warn of the potential of pandemics in marine environments, with some species more vulnerable than others.

A research team presents an overview of how luminescence-based tracing technologies are reshaping the way scientists visualize biological processes in real time.

A research team reports that advances in protein design—especially when combined with artificial intelligence—are rapidly transforming the synthetic biology of plant natural products, enabling enzymes to be discovered, understood, and optimized with unprecedented precision.