Evolution
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Diet of Homotherium sabertooth cat included baby mammoths, according to new research
Chemical signatures and microscopic wear patterns in dental fossils show that the diet of sabertooth cats included mammoths. Read MoreApr 15, 2021
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Renowned climate scientist Carlos A. Nobre to deliver Earth Day lecture April 21
Climate scientist Carlos A. Nobre, who is renowned for his work on the impact of Amazon deforestation, will deliver the 2021 Earth Day Lecture on Wednesday, April 21, at 1 p.m. CT. Nobre’s talk is part of a joint venture by the Vanderbilt Evolutionary Studies Initiative and the Center for Latin American Studies to highlight science in Latin America. Read MoreApr 12, 2021
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Vanderbilt research shows how polar bears maintained highly specialized diets during periods of Arctic warming—until now
Dental analysis from Larisa DeSantis shows that polar bears may not be able to compete for food sources as their environment melts away. Read MoreApr 1, 2021
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Award-winning paleontologist to discuss how the past can help us conserve our future in virtual event March 24
The Vanderbilt Evolutionary Studies Initiative is hosting a free presentation by prominent paleoconservationist Michael Archer, who will discuss how understanding ancient life can help conservationists save endangered species today. The virtual event will be Wednesday, March 24, at 3:10 p.m. CT. Read MoreMar 22, 2021
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Vanderbilt Data Science Institute hosts AI for conservation expert Tanya Berger-Wolf in virtual event on March 19
A virtual discussion, “Trustworthy AI for Wildlife Conservation: AI and Humans Combating Extinction Together,” will take place on March 19 at 2 p.m. CT. The discussion is hosted by the Vanderbilt Data Science Institute. Read MoreMar 12, 2021
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Award-winning paleontologist and National Academy of Sciences member Kay Behrensmeyer to discuss our understanding of ancient life on Feb. 24
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History senior scientist Kay Behrensmeyer will discuss fossilization and its relevance to our understanding of ancient life on Wednesday, Feb. 24, at 3:10 p.m. CT. Read MoreFeb 19, 2021
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Sean B. Carroll, award-winning scientist, author, educator and film producer, to deliver 2021 Darwin Day Lecture on Feb. 10
Sean B. Carroll, a world-renowned evolutionary biologist whose discoveries have shed light on the evolution of animal diversity, will deliver the 2021 Darwin Day Lecture on Wednesday, Feb. 10, at 3:10 p.m. CT. Read MoreFeb 3, 2021
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Noted science journalist Angela Saini to discuss her book ‘Superior: The Return of Race Science’ on Jan. 13
The Vanderbilt Evolutionary Studies Initiative will host award-winning British science journalist and author Angela Saini for a virtual discussion of her best-selling book, "Superior: The Return of Race Science," on Wednesday, Jan. 13, at 3:10 p.m. CT. Read MoreJan 7, 2021
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Analysis of ancient teeth reveal clues about how sociopolitical systems grow
Isotope analysis of ancient Peruvian teeth gives anthropologists a clearer image of how cooperating societies function. Read MoreDec 15, 2020
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Six Vanderbilt faculty elected as AAAS fellows in 2020
Six Vanderbilt University faculty members have been elected 2020 fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, an honor bestowed upon AAAS members by their peers. Read MoreNov 24, 2020
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Vanderbilt paleontologists host National Fossil Day event for kids Oct. 10
Kids and lifelong learners can hear directly from paleontologists about bizarre creatures of the past during a free virtual National Fossil Day event on Saturday, Oct. 10, at 10 a.m. CT. Registration is required. Read MoreOct 2, 2020
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Vanderbilt biologists test evolutionary theories with novel empirical study of ‘cheater’ mitochondria
Studying “cheater” and “cooperative” mitochondria under environmental pressure delivers solid evolutionary conclusions in a longstanding theoretical field. Read MoreSep 25, 2020
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Neanderthal DNA contributes to genetic diversity, bringing more understanding to human evolution
New research shows surprising effects of interbreeding between Neanderthals and ancestors of some modern humans. Read MoreJul 31, 2020
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Vanderbilt develops computational method to explore evolution’s influence on preterm birth
The first comprehensive study of how diverse evolutionary forces influence the leading cause of infant mortality is led by Vanderbilt researchers. Read MoreJul 24, 2020
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International collaboration draws new conclusions about ‘convergent evolution’ of saber-tooth cats
International collaboration shows that marsupial saber-tooth cats were more closely related to possums than fearsome predators. Read MoreJun 26, 2020
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Unexpected mammal provides insight into the lives of ancient hominins
Paleontologist and associate professor of biological sciences Larisa DeSantis finds answers about early hominin diets are with an unrelated group of mammals—tapirs. Read MoreJun 11, 2020
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New discovery shows infection of the lungs can be caused by hybrid fungi
A team of scientists at Vanderbilt has discovered the first known instance of a hybrid fungal species causing aspergillosis, an ensemble of different types of lung infections that often impacts immune-compromised people. Read MoreJun 4, 2020
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New research on ‘endowment effect’ points to evolutionary roots of cognitive biases
Evolution may explain why we overvalue some things—but not others—to an irrational degree. Read MoreMay 27, 2020
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Vanderbilt lab develops app for analyzing crowd-sourced songbird recordings
With a new app from a team at Vanderbilt, birdsong researchers can better leverage crowdsourced fieldwork and audio recordings from amateur birders and citizen songbird scientists. Read MoreApr 20, 2020
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Where are the quokkas? New study explains what happened to the “happiest animal in the world”
The quokka, a small marsupial native to Australia, is an example of a species vulnerable to extinction in the country’s harsh surroundings. In a new study, researchers at Vanderbilt University demonstrate evidence for the dramatic decline of quokkas over the past century. Read MoreFeb 21, 2020