A quick look at the fossil record shows that no species lasts forever. On average, most species exist for around a million years, although some species persist for much longer. A new study published in Scientific Reports from paleontologists at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama shows that young species can take advantage of new opportunities more easily than older species: a hint that perhaps older species are bound to an established way of life.

Used motor lubricating oils are currently considered one of the most important pollutant liquids in the European Union. Little more than 60% can be recycled, the rest is incinerated with the objective of taking advantage of its energetic power, which entails high environmental contamination risks. Researchers from the University of Salamanca are working to innovate in this field. In particular, they intend to use a very advanced technology, oil gasification with supercritical water, to transform them into other valuable compounds.

Deforestation remains the biggest threat to animals that call the rain forest "home." However, even measured, sensible development projects can have unforeseen effects because there's no model to follow.

White-faced capuchin monkeys in Panama’s Coiba National Park habitually use hammer and anvil stones to break hermit crab shells, snail shells, coconuts and other food items, according to visiting scientists at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI). This is the first report of habitual stone-tool use by Cebus monkeys.