Our new research shows that “forever chemicals” (PFAS) have reached every corner of the ocean, contaminating a far wider range of whales and dolphins than expected, even deep-diving species far from human activity. Surprisingly, habitat had little influence on exposure while age and sex mattered more. These findings reveal PFAS are deeply embedded in marine food webs, raising urgent concerns for ocean health and the species that depend on it, including us.

In our new global study, we combine archaeological, genetic, and climate data to reveal how early humans migrated out of Africa over 70,000 years ago. Using advanced modelling, we mapped likely migration routes across Eurasia and the Americas, showing our ancestors followed warm, humid areas near rivers and forests. The findings highlight how climate and environment shaped human expansion, an insight that resonates today as biodiversity loss threatens our ability to adapt and

Rextinct is a new R package that estimates extinction dates using radiocarbon-dated fossils. It implements CRIWM, a method that accounts for gaps in the fossil record and dating uncertainty. Unlike older tools, it doesn’t assume fossil ages are evenly spread or errors are normally distributed, making it more accurate and flexible. Rextinct helps scientists track when species disappeared—and understand why.

As the world’s oceans absorb over 90% of excess heat from greenhouse gas emissions, rising sea temperatures are driving major changes in marine ecosystems. We predict that both sperm and blue whales will shift their range southward around New Zealand by 2100, especially under more severe climate scenarios. This mouvement threatens key foraging grounds like Kaikōura and South Taranaki Bight. Protecting emerging southern habitats could offer future sanctuaries for these vital o

Over the last 60,000 years, Sahul witnessed the first wave of global megafauna extinctions. The causes have long been debated: climate change, human impact, or a combination of both.We have mapped extinction and human arrival patterns across south-eastern Australia, revealing that in about 80% of the region, humans and megafauna coexisted for millennia. Extinction patterns were best explained by human presence and water access, with arid regions driving additional losses.

Australia’s modern wildlife is extraordinary, but the continent’s ancient megafauna was even more remarkable, featuring rhino-sized wombat relatives and giant birds. Understanding how and why these animals vanished has long challenged scientists. We launched FosSahul 2.0, an improved, quality-rated fossil database that includes nearly 12,000 dated records. This transparent, open-access resource helps standardise fossil data, offering new insight into Australia’s ecological pa