This research investigates mating behavior in Siamese fighting fish and reveals that visual interaction dramatically increases reproductive success. By studying 203 breeding pairs, the project demonstrates the importance of sight in social and mating behavior, suggesting that betta fish possess more sophisticated visual and individual recognition abilities than previously understood.

This research investigates how differences in butterfly behavior relate to brain evolution and memory. Heliconius butterflies showed superior long-term memory and enlarged mushroom body brain regions compared with related species. The work explores how neurogenesis shapes cognition and may ultimately contribute to understanding memory, brain development, and neurological disorders.

This research investigates whether regeneration can be induced in animals that normally lack regenerative abilities. Using nutrient factors such as amino acids and insulin, regeneration was stimulated in mice, jellyfish, and fruit flies. The findings reveal that regeneration is a coordinated whole-body process involving energy allocation, organ remodeling, and conserved nutrient signaling pathways.

This research uses natural language processing techniques to uncover evolutionary relationships between ancient proteins. By analyzing contextual patterns among amino acids, the new computational tool can identify connections between proteins that diverged billions of years ago, helping scientists reconstruct the history of early microbial life and Earth’s biological evolution.

This research uses cavefish to reveal how evolution reshapes the brain. By comparing surface and cave-adapted forms, it shows that neural circuits lost to vision are repurposed for touch and smell. These findings demonstrate how evolution refines existing brain structures to meet environmental demands.

About 8% of the human genome originates from ancient viruses. This research uses bioinformatics and evolutionary comparisons to understand why viral DNA persists and how cells silence it through DNA methylation. Identifying how genomes separate useful from non-functional DNA helps clarify which genetic elements matter for human health and disease.

Fungal infections are becoming harder to treat as fungi rapidly evolve resistance to limited antifungal drugs. This research reveals that large, multi-gene mutations—once overlooked—are common in resistant fungi. Understanding these dramatic genetic changes is critical for developing more effective antifungal therapies.

Adele Pentland, a pterosaur palaeontologist, has named Australia’s two most complete pterosaur species and described the country’s oldest specimens. Her work supports regional palaeotourism and has reached hundreds of thousands through museums, media, and outreach. She aims to inspire future scientists, especially young girls from diverse backgrounds.