During the last decade, researchers began drilling into Antarctica’s ice-covered lakes in search of life. Now we have what may be the clearest evidence yet of biologically complex life in one of these lakes – although it’s not yet clear whether any of the animals are currently alive. Image: Tak from HK
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A robotic version of a creature that lived about 290 million years ago suggests animals with four legs could have gained advanced walking skills before they had fully turned their backs on life in water. Image: Jonas Lauströer (HAW Hamburg), Amir Andikfar (HAW Hamburg), John Nyakatura (HU Berlin), Kamilo Melo (EPFL Lausanne)
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Some hermit crabs have unusually large penises, and now we might know why. A long penis allows a male crab to have sex without leaving the shell he calls home, reducing the risk it will be stolen while he is busy. Image: Vanessa Pike-Russell
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Antibiotic resistance is a growing problem on Earth – and it could occur in space too. Bacteria exposed to trace quantities of an antibiotic while growing in simulated microgravity developed resistance to the drug. What’s more, they retained that resistance for more than 100 generations after the antibiotic was removed. Image: Kevin M. Gill
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Hydrogen sulfide has a bad reputation: not only does the gas smell of rotten eggs, but it is also so toxic that in large quantities it can cause respiratory failure and even death. But over the last 20 years, biologists have learned that the gas also helps keep the circulatory system functioning properly. Image: Lhopfan
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