Imagine if the genetic deck had been shuffled slightly differently as some of the earliest life forms began their evolutionary paths. Might a creature just as smart as us -- or even smarter ...

Researchers are discovering life forms that defy traditional biological ... that redefine the boundaries of survival and evolution. Around hydrothermal vents, where scalding water rich in sulfur ...

How do scientists study and classify life-forms? How can we understand the complex evolutionary connections between living organisms? Woese's breakthrough was momentous for at least three reasons.