Until recently, thousands of tiny, potential protein-coding regions in the genome called "small open reading frames" or "smORFs" have been difficult to identify. They are now getting well-deserved attention for the important biochemical functions they play in the cell—like making your heart beat.¹

European scientists have now discovered flowering plant fossils in rock layers supposedly 100,000,000 years older than expected.¹ This new finding challenges conventional evolutionary assumptions as scientists struggle to account for what they interpret as an enormous time gap.

A completely new category of circular RNAs has been discovered, adding another layer of amazing complexity to human genetics. These circular RNAs are formed from the intron regions inside a gene that were once thought to be nothing but junk DNA.¹

A recently discovered Microraptor fossil reveals an odd-looking bird with two front wings and feathers on its back legs, giving it the appearance of having "four wings." The startling fossil reflects some of evolution's unsolved mysteries, like the origins of flight, wings, and feathers. Could Microraptor help answer these questions?