Marine biologists believe they have discovered several new species of underwater creatures, including sponges, corals and sea stars

A little green frog is causing big problems across Hawaii, where the coqui has become the latest invasive species to get a strong foothold.

But Hawaii may be the only place experiencing a surging frog population. Around the world, frogs are dying in droves from a fungus called a chytrid.

What can we learn from the little coqui?

Last week, after 17 years of secrecy, scientists announced they had found the oldest example of the human lineage. Her name is Ardi, short for Ardipithecus ramidus, and she is a 4.4 million year old fossil.

Ardi was found in the famous Rift Valley of Ethiopia, where other fossils, like Lucy were discovered. Its unique geology pushes fossils to the surface where torrential flash floods both preserve specimens and uncover them.

Now scientists are trying to find the common ancestor that both humans and chimpanzees shared. They believe the two lines diverged sometime between 7 and 8 million years ago.

A Yeast Cell with Synthetic Genes, courtesy of Dr. Pamela Silver, Harvard Medical School

Life is often stranger than fiction. But the direction that biology is heading, synthetic life could be stranger than science fiction.

The emerging field of synthetic biology is moving closer and closer to creating new forms of life in the lab.

Amy Wright Collects Samples While Diving, courtesy of Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute at Florida Atlantic University

Cures to the most mundane and deadly illnesses have been found deep in the jungles, high in the mountains and hidden in the rainforests. But until recently not many scientists were looking to the ocean as another source of medicine.

But sponges, coral, snails and other marine creatures have a lot to offer the medical community. The small molecules that make them so adaptive to their harsh environments could give medical science an edge in fighting cancer, chronic pain and auto-immune diseases.

Story written and produced by Michelle Ma

Deep sea coral reefs found just several decades ago off the United States’ southeastern coast hold promise for the discoveries of new species and cures for cancer and other diseases. But the reefs may face danger from energy exploration–whether it’s wind, wave or oil.

A new fossil in the ever-growing list of incremental species that outline the history of human evolution may not be the missing link after all. A week after Ida’s debut on the paleontological scene, scientists are taking a closer look at her place in our phylogenetic map.

A new documentary on the History Channel called The Link reveals the 47-million-year-old fossil for the first time, following its blockbuster announcement on May 19 in New York City.

The exclusive agreement with the independent production company required two years of secrecy, which bucks scientific convention when it comes to big discoveries.

Not everyone is pleased with how Ida is being elevated to rock star status, among other fossil ancestors, like Lucy. P.Z. Myers over at Pharyngula is especially incensed.

History Channel’s IDA THE LINK EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW

They look like the animated robots, called Furbys, from the 1990s. And, they could be mistaken for the fictional gremlins.

But pygmy tarsiers are real. And, much to the surprise of many scientists, they are not extinct.

They are alive and well in the mountainous region of one island in Indonesia.

The deep sea is about as understood and explored as outer space. And, it is home to alien lifeforms that look otherworldly.

An international research team is sailing back from an expedition to the bottom of the North Atlantic where they discovered new sea creatures and realized a long-term dream.

How would you like to see a sea creature with your name? The Scripps Oceanographic Institute is allowing donors to name some newly discovered ocean animals and fish.

If the price is right, a sea slug could get your name. The naming program is a new twist on an old fundraising idea. Contact the Scripps Development Office for more information.

A new family of anglerfish might be added to the history books. The new species of frog fish, as they are commonly known, is found around Indonesian coral reefs. It looks like something you’d see in the mind of glass artist Dale Chihuly. With its flat face and wrinkled skin its an unusual sea creature in a bizarre ocean world.

To see more frog fish pics go to www.divingmaluku.com.

A super synthesizing microbe is turning trash into gold. Or at least sugar which can be refined into biofuel. That’s almost as good as gold these days.

A census of life at the bottom of Southern Ocean near Antarctica is revealing odd creatures — ranging from new fish, glass-like sea creatures called tunicates and giant sea spiders. After a recent 20-day collection trip, scientists announced that 25% of the animals they found were new to science.