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Editors of EarthSky

Arctic sea-ice loss has widespread effects on wildlife

“By viewing sea ice as essential habitat ... rather than as a lifeless blank surface, its loss as a result of warming becomes a rather stunning prospect." - Eric Post

Flight-ready brain predates birds

New research provides evidence that dinosaurs evolved the brainpower necessary for flight well before they actually took to the air as birds.

Did life on Earth begin at hot-water vents on the sea floor?

Three new papers strengthen the case that Earth's first life began at alkaline hydrothermal vents at the bottoms of oceans. Scientists are interested in understanding early life on Earth to aid in the search for life elsewhere.

Robots strike fear in the hearts of fish

This research may pave the way for new methodologies for understanding anxiety and other emotions, as well as substances, like alcohol, that alter them.

Did monogamy evolve in primates due to threat of male infanticide?

Among competing hypotheses: a paired male protects his offspring from other males, who may kill an unrelated infant to improve chances of reproducing with the mother.

First X-ray detection of exoplanet passing in front of its star

The planet - HD 189733b - is a hot Jupiter, similar in size to Jupiter but more than 30 times closer to its star than Earth is to the sun. It orbits its star once every 2.2 days.

Station astronauts remotely control planetary rover from space

"Specifically, this project represents the first fully-interactive remote operation of a planetary rover by an astronaut in space." - Terry Fong

Monogamy evolved as a mating strategy

New research indicates that social monogamy evolved as a result of competition for females.

Hope for tigers lives in Sumatra

Preliminary density estimates for tigers in southern Sumatra are highest recorded for the island.

Mysterious centaurs are comets, say NASA scientists

"Our data point to a cometary origin for most of the objects, suggesting they are coming from deeper out in the solar system." - James Bauer