Did life evolve more than once? Researchers are closing in on an answer
Has all of life on Earth evolved only once, or are different living beings cut from different cloths?
Rare microbial predators with voracious appetite form a new branch in ‘tree of life’: Study
Learning more about these undiscovered branches of life can help shed more light on the foundations of the living world and how evolution works
Life: modern physics can’t explain it – but our new theory, which says time is fundamental, might
This is perhaps the most radical departure for physics of life from standard physics, but it may be the critical insight needed to explain what …
New AI tool may help discover extraterrestrial life, solve long-standing debates on Earth
It can tell difference between molecules that originate from life and those that come from non-living sources with 90% accuracy
Global life expectancy rebounds after COVID-19 dip, could go up by 5 years by 2050
Life expectancy projected to rise by 0.16 years per year 2022-2050 — notably lower than 0.27-year increase seen 1990-2019
Carl Sagan detected life on Earth 30 years ago — here’s how his experiment is helping us search for alien species today
A strong case for life elsewhere will likely require a combination of mutually supporting evidence
WHO, ILO lay down guidelines to tackle stress in workplaces
Depression and anxiety are thought to account for 12 billion lost workdays annually, costing the world economy close to $1 trillion
The real Johannesburg: 6 powerful photos from a gritty new book on the city
The book is an ethnographic portrait of one of Africa’s most vibrant and intriguing cities
Good while it lasted: The DTE cover story on 6th mass extinction
Why focusing on COVID-19 deaths undercounts health harms of pandemic: Study on India & other countries
Broader effects like mental health deterioration due to the anxiety of getting infected or the isolation of lockdowns have received less research …
Life expectancy reduced in 2020 after steady increase for 15 years: Study
Russia recorded the largest drop in life expectancy
20°C seems the optimal temperature for life on Earth to thrive — what does this mean in a warming world?
Exactly why 20°C is pivotal & energy-efficient for cellular processes may be due to the molecular properties of water associated with cells
Oceans Great Dying 2.0: Earth’s waters in a state of flux
In the past three decades, the top 2,000 metres of the oceans have warmed up due to global warming
Adivasis, Dalits, Muslims have lower life expectancy than higher-caste Hindus, study reveals
Difference among Dalits, Adivasis and higher-caste Hindus is comparable to the Black-White gap in the US
Good while it lasted - I: 6th mass extinction underway, courtesy humans
Earth is losing species at an unprecedented rate; This marks the beginning of the Anthropocene Epoch, a self-aggrandising nomenclature that …
‘More women reach extreme ages than men’
Down To Earth speaks to Michael Pearce from the University of Washington in the United States about the possibility that the world record for …
We sequenced the oldest ever DNA, from million-year-old mammoths
About a million years ago, there was a known species of mammoth inhabiting Siberia. This was thought to be the ancestor of later species, but was it?
Can high temperatures impact people’s ratings of their lives?
Middle and low-income countries recorded a significant decline in evaluations
Four African countries back agreement against illegal, unregulated fishing
100 countries have signed the Agreement on Port State Measures — the first internationally binding agreement in the fight against illegal, …
Climate change is already disrupting US forests and coasts. Here’s what we’re seeing at 5 long-term research sites
A series of five papers presents more than 25 case studies, providing a unique perspective on what’s likely ahead as the planet continues …
Jupiter’s moon Europa produces less oxygen than we thought — it may affect our chances of finding life there
Although Europa boasts three basic ingredients for life –we don’t yet know if there has been enough time for life to develop
Exams key anxiety source for Indian students: NCERT survey
Nearly half the students surveyed suffer from body image issues
Plastic’s toxic trail: ‘Indispensable’ polymer’s health impacts all-pervasive; petrochemical workers are especially vulnerable
Down To Earth visited Panipat’s petrochemical cluster to find how the area is in throes of a health crisis
Martian surprise: NASA’s Perseverance finds igneous rocks altered by water
Study adds to the evidence that Mars transformed from wet to a dry planet
Burden to bear: In shadow of old state policies, vulnerable tribal groups demand tright to opt for family planning
Population indicators cannot dictate access to family planning facilities, say experts
