It probably appeared at the very dawn of animal evolution, around 150 million years earlier than previously thought. Long-distance gene control, called distal regulation, relies on physically folding ...

This sophisticated genomic mechanism is estimated to have developed from 650 to 700 million years ago, 150 million years earlier than previously thought, close to the very dawn of animal life.

it is believed that dolphins and whales evolved from land animals and share lineage with hippos. But there are few examples that show evolution from water to land. The transition requires ...

The story of two of the strangest animals on the planet just got a little stranger, thanks to clues revealed by a lone fossil specimen that scientists now say represents a long-extinct ancestor. The ...

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or ...