New research from North Carolina State University suggests that it is not yet possible to tell if microscopic structures in fossilized feathers are melanosomes, which contain pigment, or ancient bacteria. Researchers used various microscopy techniques to examine the structures and compared them to melanosomes found in living birds.
Fossils from the Middle-Upper Jurassic Period in northeastern China have revealed an exceptional window into life approximately 160 million years ago. The Daohugou Biota contains superbly preserved specimens of a diverse group of amphibian, mammal and reptile species.
This article covers various geology topics including Mars exploration, environmental lead poisoning, earthquake hazards, the Indus Civilization collapse due to aridification event, end-Cretaceous mass extinction analysis using clumped isotope paleothermometry, and geological events such as the Tibetan Plateau's reorganization.
Researchers at MIT determine the end-Permian extinction occurred over 60,000 years, killing 96% of marine species and 70% of life on land. The new timescale suggests massive volcanic eruptions from the Siberian Traps triggered a rapid collapse of global ecosystems.
A new sauropod species, Yongjinglong datangi, has been discovered in northwestern China, providing insights into the diversity of Titanosaurs. The fossil remains suggest that the animal was a juvenile or subadult, with features indicating potential for growth and increased size in adults.
Researchers propose that fins and limbs develop from the area surrounding the belly due to the interaction of ectodermal tissues with mesoderm layers. This model, published in Evolution & Development, suggests that epigenetic factors play a crucial role in shaping embryonic development and ultimately giving rise to paired appendages.
Researchers developed a method to harden bones by growing aragonite on their surfaces, making them 50-70% sturdier. This technique has wide implications for preserving valuable remains and restoring cultural clues.
Increased tourism has led to a 70% decrease in mollusk shells during the tourist season and a 60% decrease in other months. Shell removal can cause significant damage to natural ecosystems and organisms that rely on shells.
Fossil evidence reveals that ancient sharks, such as Bandringa, bred in the open ocean and spent their lives in freshwater swamps and rivers. The discovery of juvenile shark fossils alongside egg cases provides the first fossil evidence for a shark nursery that combines both juvenile and adult remains.
New fossils from Belgium have revealed the earliest known ancestor of modern carnivores, with species such as lions, tigers and bears tracing their ancestry to primitive carnivorous mammals. The new specimens, including over 250 teeth and ankle bones, provide valuable insights into the evolutionary history of these iconic animals.
A team of researchers, including a scientist from Case Western Reserve University, have announced the discovery of a new species of fossil horse from 4.4 million-year-old deposits in Ethiopia. The newly named Eurygnathohippus woldegabrieli had three-toed hooves and grazed grasslands and shrubby woods.
The new journal will cover a range of topics in ecology and evolution, including agroecology, behavioral and evolutionary ecology, and phylogenetics. It will be an interdisciplinary platform for researchers to share their findings, with open access publishing and fast publication.
A new, 30-foot-long dinosaur has been discovered in Utah, revealing a key gap in the fossil record of large predatory dinosaurs in North America. The discovery indicates that carcharodontosaurs dominated the ecosystem for longer than previously thought, before tyrannosaurs took over.
A new, giant species of extinct platypus, Obdurodon tharalkooschild, has been discovered in Australia. The estimated length of the species is nearly a meter, twice that of the modern platypus. The fossil record suggests that platypuses became smaller and reduced their teeth through time.
Researchers found that mammalian body size decreased during two ancient global warming events, the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) and Eocene Thermal Maximum 2 (ETM2). The study suggests that mammals may adapt to extreme warming by becoming smaller.
A high school student's discovery of a baby Parasaurolophus skeleton has revealed new insights into the growth and development of this unique herbivorous dinosaur. The nearly complete fossil measures six feet long and is estimated to be only a year old when it died, growing to an adult measuring nearly 25 feet in length.
Four new species of 'legless lizards' have been discovered in California, including the silver-bellied A. alexanderae and purple-bellied A. grinnelli, with the first species added to the state's list from one to five. The discoveries highlight the importance of preserving biodiversity and the need for further surveys.
The NC State program aims to develop teaching tools for global use, recruiting 10,000 teachers from around the world to participate. Initial projects include urban wildlife, soil microbial life, and paleontology, with modules incorporated into middle school science classes in North Carolina schools.
The Entomological Foundation awards Dr. John Acorn the Entomological Foundation Medal of Honor for his preeminence in the field through outstanding contributions. The foundation also recognizes Dr. Douglas B. Walsh's efforts in integrated pest management, resulting in a reduction of over 100,000 pounds of insecticide use annually.
Researchers discovered that the giant Triassic amphibian Metoposaurus had a two-seasonal climate and needed water for its lifestyle. The species used broad, flat head and forearms to burrow under the ground during dry season, while its growth pattern revealed unique adaptations.
Researchers analyze dinosaur skulls using 3D geometric morphometrics and conclude that three previously identified species are actually one. The study reveals that differences among specimens arose from the burial and compression process, highlighting the importance of considering these factors in taxonomic classifications.
Dr. Steven M. Stanley receives the GSA Penrose Medal for his work on the punctuational model of evolution and its application to fossil data. His contributions focus on major climate change, seawater chemistry changes, and patterns of large-scale evolution and extinction.
Scientists discovered a new, extinct family of insects in British Columbia and Washington state that helps understand how animals responded to global climate change. The Eorpidae family's extinction raises questions about the impact of evolutionary diversification and climate change on communities.
A team of scientists studied Psittacosaurus dinosaurs to understand their growth patterns. They found that arm bones grew fastest during the first few years of life, while leg bones experienced a massive growth spurt, eventually becoming twice as long as the arms.
A new study reveals that a Pangean desert supported a unique fauna, including the giant pareiasaur Bunostegos, which sported large, bulbous skulls resembling modern giraffe horns. The discovery supports the theory of central Pangea being climatically isolated, allowing this relict fauna to evolve distinct anatomical features.
Scientists discover fossilized skull of Sinotherium lagrelii, a transitional taxon between Elasmotherium and other elasmotheres. The discovery provides new insights into the origin of the unicorn-like horn and sheds light on the evolution of giant elasmotheres.
UC Berkeley researchers found that a decrease in new species origins is crucial to extinction, alongside increased extinction rates. This study applies to slow changes over millions of years and provides insights into the pressures on modern flora and fauna.
GeoResJ aims to publish top research in the entire earth science field with rapid publication and open access. Elsevier's new journal joins its existing earth and planetary science journals offering authors more choice for scope and access.
The discovery of Archicebus achilles represents a significant milestone in the field of paleoanthropology. Found to be approximately 7 million years old, this ancient primate fossil sheds light on the evolutionary divergence between the lineage leading to modern monkeys, apes and humans, and that leading to living tarsiers.
The oldest known fossil primate skeleton, Archicebus achilles, was discovered in central China's Hubei Province. The 7-million-year-old skeleton is crucial in understanding the evolutionary divergence that led to modern monkeys, apes, and humans.
The discovery of Archicebus achilles, a 55-million-year-old primate fossil, provides insights into the early evolution of humans and apes. The tiny skeleton, weighing around 20-30 grams as an adult, suggests that the earliest primates were small, day-dwelling tree-climbers.
A nearly complete, articulated skeleton of a new tiny, tree-dwelling primate has been discovered in China, dating back 55 million years. The fossil, named Archicebus achilles, is one of the most primitive primate fossils ever documented and provides valuable insights into the evolution of primates.
A new study reveals a previously overlooked diversity of small dinosaurs, including the smallest known plant-eating dinosaur species from Canada. The research team identified Albertadromeus syntarsus as a speedy runner that lived in what is now southern Alberta during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 77 million years ago.
Researchers from LMU Munich uncovered well-preserved fish fossils, shedding light on the gobioid order's evolution and classification. The discovery of perfectly preserved otoliths allowed for a genetic code-like analysis, placing a new species in the Butidae family.
Fossil discoveries in Tanzania reveal the oldest evidence of the split between Old World monkeys and apes, dating back to 25 million years ago. The findings document two new primate species: Rukwapithecus fleaglei and Nsungwepithecus gunnelli.
Researchers found fossilized remains of Microraptor with stomach content of fish, revealing its varied diet. The dinosaur's unique teeth were adapted for catching slippery prey like fish.
Researchers found that a small meat-eating dinosaur called Troodon likely hatched its young in a way similar to brooding birds. The study provides insights into how dinosaurs incubated their eggs and supports the close evolutionary relationship between birds and dinosaurs.
The newly discovered Dahalokely tokana is an abelisauroid dinosaur that lived around 90 million years ago. Its fossils found in Madagascar preserve a mix of features from dinosaurs on both the island and the Indian subcontinent, sparking questions about its relationships to these ancient animals.
Researchers from the University of Bonn have found the oldest known dinosaur embryos in China, shedding light on the rapid growth and high reproductive rate of these ancient animals. The discoveries provide valuable insights into the biology of dinosaurs, including their development and behavior.
A new species of saber-toothed cat, Rhizosmilodon fiteae, has been discovered in Florida, with fossils dating back 5 million years. The discovery provides significant insight into the evolution and taxonomy of these iconic predators.
Researchers at Simon Fraser University have unearthed a diverse group of fossilized green lacewing insects, revealing at least 10 new species. The findings provide valuable insights into ancient life and the formation of modern natural communities.
Researchers have discovered two new ancient extinct alligator-like animals and an extinct hippo-like species in Central America during the Miocene period. The fossils shed light on species distribution before the formation of the Isthmus of Panama.
New fossil discoveries shed light on the history of animal distributions between the Americas, revealing that caimans dispersed north from South America by the early Miocene. The presence of fossils in Panama supports a recent hypothesis that Central and South America were closer together than previously thought.
Påebo is being honored with the prestigious award for his groundbreaking work on extracting DNA from ancient human remains and sequencing Neandertal's nuclear DNA. The prize recognizes his discovery that Neandertals contributed up to 4% of modern humans' genetic material.
A team of scientists, led by University of Florida researchers, has generated the most comprehensive tree of life on placental mammals, which includes humans. The study reveals that these mammals diversified after the extinction of dinosaurs 65 million years ago.
A new fossil discovery reveals a bird with specialized teeth for eating hard prey, greatly expanding the known diversity of tooth shape in early birds. The find suggests that dietary differences may have contributed to the decline of enantiornithine birds during the Cretaceous period.
The 244-million-year-old Thalattoarchon saurophagis, a giant ichthyosaur, provided significant findings on the recovery of modern marine ecosystems following a severe Permian extinction. The discovery sheds light on the dynamics of evolving planet and its impact on today's environment.
Researchers found evidence that some feathered dinosaurs, such as oviraptors, used their tail feathers to attract mates and engage in visual exhibitions. The discovery provides insight into the evolution of feathers in dinosaurs and their similarity to modern birds.
A study published in Ecology reveals that elk bones can provide baseline ecological data on animal populations, complementing aerial counts and adding a historical component to live observation. The research found moderate shifts in elk habitat use despite recent changes at Yellowstone, including wildfires and wildlife reintroduction.
Researchers used numerical dating to test the sequence stratigraphy model, validating its predictions and improving understanding of long-term climate changes and extinction events. The findings also provide insights into human-induced changes in ecosystems that predate the Anthropocene Epoch.
Researchers discover engraved stone artifact in northwest China, providing evidence of human symbolic and cognitive capabilities during the Late Paleolithic era. The find, dated to approximately 30 ka BP, suggests that humans in East Asia may have possessed complex communicative systems, including language.
A rare rhino fossil, 9.2 million years old, has been discovered in Turkey, providing insight into the prehistoric Eastern Mediterranean region. The fossil, a skull with unusual features, is believed to have been 'cooked to death' in temperatures approaching 500°C.
Two fossils discovered in southwest Europe represent a new genus likely to be the oldest known members of the giant panda family. The fossils, dated to 11.6 million years ago, share characteristics with bears adapted to eating tough plant material like bamboo.
The Geological Society of America's GEOLOGY journal has posted 35 new studies online, covering various disciplines such as volcanology and paleoclimatology. These studies explore topics like super-eruptions, vegetation change, and geochemical asymmetry in hotspot volcanoes.
A team of researchers confirms ancient protein preservation in dinosaur bone cells using antibodies that target specific proteins found in vertebrate bone cells. This finding further solidifies the case for preservation of cells and possibly DNA in ancient remains.
A new study reveals that duck-billed dinosaurs had six types of dental tissues, four more than reptiles, allowing for advanced grinding capacity. Their teeth functioned perfectly if put back into a living dinosaur, opening doors for studying fossilized teeth.
Scientists discovered Lepidopteris baodensis, a 251-million-year-old seed fern with subepidermal swellings that may have allowed it to survive in hot, arid environments. The finding expands knowledge of the genus' biology and taxonomy, as well as its relationship to other plant species.
Scientists predict that climate change will rehabilitate the ecosystem of around 2.5 million years ago on Bylot Island in Nunavut, Canada. The island's fossilized forest is between 2.6 and 3 million years old, with wood samples preserved in peat and permafrost.
Researchers have uncovered historic letters written by Edward Drinker Cope to geologist Robert T. Hill, shedding new light on the Texas connection to the Bone Wars. A newly translated German ode to a fossil also provides insight into the era's intense fossil collecting frenzy.
Researchers found evidence that a feathered, but flightless dinosaur, Sinocalliopteryx, was able to snag and consume small flying dinosaurs. The fossilized remains of three Confuciusornis were found in the belly of Sinocalliopteryx, revealing its voracious eating habits.