Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, send it to CuriousKidsUS@theconversation.com. What was the very first plant in the world? – ...

Some of the key samples in the study came from the La Brea Tar Pits in Southern California, where researchers analyzed ancient juniper wood preserved in tar. The team found clear signs of elevated ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. I write about biodiversity and the hidden quirks of the natural world. Not many living organisms have been around long enough to ...

(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.) Erin Potter, Binghamton University, State University of New York (THE CONVERSATION) ...