Articles tagged with Skull
Researchers have discovered an ancient dog skull in Siberia dating back 33,000 years, indicating multiple lines of dog domestication and suggesting modern dogs may have descended from multiple ancestors. The discovery uses radiocarbon dating to determine the age of the skull, which predates a period known as the Last Glacial Maximum.
A new technique developed by Johns Hopkins surgeons allows for the removal of skull base tumors without traditional incisions, resulting in faster recovery times and reduced complications. The procedure uses a natural opening above the jawbone and beneath the cheekbone to access the tumor site.
Researchers have uncovered details on the brain and nasal passages of a 72 million-year-old armoured dinosaur Euoplocephalus. The team found that it had good senses of smell and hearing, and may have generated sound through its looping nasal passages to communicate.
Researchers analyzed CT scans of fossil skull fragments from five Australopithecus species and found distinct internal structures in the anterior pillars. This suggests different evolutionary pathways for different species, contradicting previous theories on shared ancestry.
Researchers uncover the complete skull and lower jaw of a previously unknown woolly rhino species, dating back to the Pliocene epoch. The discovery sheds light on the creature's diet and adaptation to its environment, revealing it ate high-altitude grasses before adapting to lower elevations during the Ice Age.
Researchers have discovered the fossil of a newborn nodosaur, the youngest known species, in Maryland. The discovery sheds light on the development of limbs and skulls early in a dinosaur's life, as well as dinosaur parenting and reproductive biology.
Researchers found a 2.5 times higher prevalence of HFI in modern female participants compared to historic skulls, with average age of onset dropping drastically. Hormonal imbalance, lifestyle factors, and fertility habits may contribute to the condition.
A new study found that ancient whale skulls were asymmetric, suggesting they may have used directional hearing to navigate in water before the development of echolocation. This finding contradicts previous theories and sheds light on the evolution of whales.
Researchers found that ancient whale skulls were asymmetrical, suggesting a link to directional hearing in water. This discovery contradicts the idea that asymmetry evolved later as an adaptation for echolocation.
A new human syndrome has been identified with craniosynostosis, maxillary hyperplasia, delayed tooth eruption, and supernumerary teeth due to a recessively inherited IL11RA gene mutation. The disorder affects the normal development of craniofacial bones and teeth.
Researchers have developed a minimally invasive brain implant that wirelessly transmits brain signals to control computers and reactivate paralyzed limbs. The BioBolt implant uses the skin as a conductor to reduce power consumption and enable potential applications in controlling epilepsy and diagnosing diseases like Parkinson's.
A 247 million-year-old fossil from China has been reclassified as an archosaur, revealing that the bird and crocodile family trees split earlier than previously thought. The discovery provides new evidence for the evolution of archosaurs and sheds light on the origins of these dominant land vertebrates.
A new study reveals that young tyrannosaurs, like the 70-million-year-old Tarbosaurus bataar skull, used quickness and agility to catch prey. The juvenile's different lifestyle than adults suggests a change in dietary niches as animals grew older.
A new device measures brain temperature non-invasively, allowing for more precise cooling therapies in infants and adults, with potential to reduce brain damage and death.
Researchers from North Carolina State University discovered that craniofacial features of men and women have become less pronounced in Spanish skulls spanning four centuries. The study highlights the changes in facial structure among females, which may be attributed to improved nutrition or environmental factors.
Anthropologists at University of Toronto discover earliest cemetery in the Middle East, with graves containing human remains and those of a red fox. The discovery suggests that humans may have kept foxes as pets or had early attempts to tame them, but no successful domestication.
Medical College of Georgia researchers explore the role of aquaporin-4 in traumatic brain injuries, discovering that curcumin and brilliant blue G can block inflammation and swelling. The findings hold promise for improved treatment options for patients with TBI.
Biologists report that polar bears are unsuited for alternative diets in a warmer world, where they will come into competition with grizzly bears. The study suggests that polar bears' weaker skulls make them less competitive for resources.
A new species of dinosaur, Sarahsaurus, discovered in Arizona challenges conventional wisdom about dinosaurs' spread across the world. The fossil suggests that dinosaurs took advantage of a natural catastrophe to move into North America, rather than overpowering other species.
Two new species of horned dinosaurs, Utahceratops and Kosmoceratops, have been discovered in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in southern Utah. The dinosaurs possess unique horn structures, with short eye horns projecting strongly to the side, and one horn over the nose, making them the most ornate-headed dinosaurs known.
Researchers studied the predatory style of Andalgalornis, a mid-sized terror bird that used its uniquely rigid skull and hooked beak to jab like a boxer. The team's simulations showed that the bird's attack-and-retreat strategy was effective in taking down prey, with well-targeted jabs delivering high stress levels.
A new study has revealed that ancient 'terror birds' like Andalgalornis used their powerful beaks and rigid skulls to attack prey with well-targeted jabs. Despite its strong vertical skull, the bird's skull was too weak from side to side, making it vulnerable to catastrophic fracture.
The newly discovered Pakasuchus kapilimai boasts mammal-like teeth and a land-based lifestyle, blurring the lines between crocodiles and mammals. This ancient find supports the idea that crocodiles were more diverse in the past, dominating ecological niches in the Southern Hemisphere.
Researchers found that short-snouted dog breeds have rotating brains up to 15 degrees, while the olfactory lobe has relocated, affecting smell perception. The study highlights unique plasticity in the canine genome due to human intervention through breeding.
Researchers have unearthed hundreds of fossils of the extinct Nimbadon lavarackorum at a 15-million-year-old cave site in Queensland. The discovery provides a rare glimpse into the life cycle of this ancient marsupial, from baby to elderly adult, and sheds light on the evolution of Australia's unique flora and fauna.
Researchers have found that Triceratops and Torosaurus are the same dinosaur, but at different stages of growth. The discovery contributes to a theory that dinosaur diversity was highly depleted at the end of the Cretaceous Period.
A new dinosaur species with a heart-shaped frill has been discovered in Canada's Alberta and Saskatchewan provinces, named Mojoceratops perifania. The species is related to Triceratops but appeared 10 million years earlier, survived for only one million years.
A new study found that early modern humans didn't need tools or cooking to process hard foods; instead, they may have lost ability to eat tough items like tubers or leaves. Modern humans have efficient bites using less-powerful jaw muscles, contrary to previous suggestions about a weaker bite in favor of a larger brain.
Researchers have developed a new tool to identify the remains of children using craniofacial shape analysis. This breakthrough can help resolve missing-persons cases and advance our understanding of past civilizations' population dynamics. The study found that children's facial shapes attain adult-like characteristics as early as age 14.
Paleontologists have discovered a new bony-skulled dinosaur species, Texacephale langstoni, in Big Bend National Park, Texas. The plant-eating dinosaur lived 70-80 million years ago and had a distinctive solid bone lump on its skull.
A team led by Dr. Lee Berger and Darryl de Ruiter of Texas A&M University discovered two well-preserved skeletons in South Africa, believed to be between 1.78 and 1.95 million years old. The fossils are thought to be a direct ancestor of Homo, with human-like skulls but smaller bodies.
Researchers discovered a nearly complete juvenile Diplodocus skull that reveals drastic changes in skull shape during normal growth. The discovery provides new insights into the feeding behavior of young Diplodocus, which may have been choosier browsers selecting high-quality plant parts.
A team of researchers, including University of Michigan paleontologists, has discovered a new species of herbivorous sauropod dinosaur, Abydosaurus mcintoshi. The fossilized remains, found near the Carnegie Quarry in Dinosaur National Monument, provide valuable insights into the evolution of these massive creatures and their diets.
A team of paleontologists has discovered a new dinosaur species, Abydosaurus, with four intact skulls found in eastern Utah. The discovery provides clues about how the largest land animals ate their food and offers insights into the evolution of sauropod teeth.
A new study conducted at Uppsala University reveals that the two skulls believed to be from Saint Bridget and her daughter Catherine are not from maternally related individuals. The findings suggest that the skulls may not be authentic, contradicting centuries-old historical records.
Researchers at Queen Mary University of London have discovered fundamental differences between skull and limb bones that could lead to new osteoporosis treatments. The study found significant variations in gene activity and behavior between the two types of bone cells.
A University of Florida researcher has co-authored a study tracing the evolution of modern opossums back to the extinction of dinosaurs, with evidence supporting North America as their center of origin. The findings are based on high-resolution CT scans of a 55-million-year-old skull found in Wyoming.
A new species of ankylosaur, Tatankacephalus cooneyorum, has been discovered in central Montana, providing insights into the evolution of armored dinosaurs. The fossil features a protective armor and horn-like plates, showcasing the complexity of these prehistoric creatures.
A new species of horned tyrannosaur, Alioramus altai, has been discovered in Asia, exhibiting a unique set of adaptations for meat-eating. The fossil, found in the Gobi Desert, shows a gracile cousin of Tyrannosaurus rex with slender teeth and small muscle attachments.
The 4.4 million-year-old skeleton of Ardipithecus ramidus challenges previous understanding of early human evolution, showing the earliest hominids were bipedal but not as agile in trees as chimpanzees. The discovery also suggests a more amicable relationship among males, with potential for pair-bonded couples and shared food gathering.
Researchers at LLNL used hydrodynamic simulations to show that nonlethal blasts can induce skull flexure and generate damaging loads in the brain. The study suggests that armor systems designed for impacts may not be optimal for blast wave protection, highlighting the need for improved helmet design.
A well-preserved 54-million-year-old skull from the Plesiadapiform group revealed that primitive primates relied more on smell than sight. The study's findings narrow the possibilities for what caused primates to evolve larger brain sizes, contradicting common assumptions about brain structure and evolution.
A new species of parrot-beaked dinosaur, Psittacosaurus gobiensis, has been discovered in the Gobi Desert with characteristic skull traits and associated gizzard stones suggesting a diet rich in nuts and seeds. The unique chewing style of the dinosaur provides insight into its feeding habits.
The study found a decrease in facial fracture incidence over the years, likely due to advancements in vehicle safety features. Individuals restrained with seat belts alone or with airbags were less likely to sustain facial fractures, highlighting the importance of restraint use in injury prevention.
A UC Davis bioengineer is working on a new treatment for infant skull fusion disorders, aiming to reduce the need for secondary surgeries. He aims to create a biodegradable synthetic bone matrix that promotes healthy tissue growth, addressing this condition's complex cause.
A new species of early T.rex relative, Xiongguanlong, and a giant ornithomimosaur, Beishanlong grandis, are described as part of a study on theropod dinosaurs from China. These discoveries provide insight into the evolution of tyrannosaurs, revealing that massive skulls evolved from animals with long, slender snouts.
Patients who undergo aggressive brain surgery after a severe stroke generally improve their lives and live longer, according to research by neurologists at the University of Rochester Medical Center. The study found that patients who didn't have the surgery were about three times more likely to die within a year than those who did.
A new study published in PLOS ONE reveals that Triceratops used their three horns for battle scars, contradicting the notion that they only displayed them. The researchers found that the squamosal bone was injured 10 times more frequently in Triceratops than its closely-related dinosaur Centrosaurus.
Researchers at Uppsala University shed new light on the origin of jawed vertebrates by studying the fossilized skull and jaws of Ptomacanthus anglicus, a 410-million-year-old fish. The study reveals a complex relationship between this ancient species and modern jawed vertebrates, including humans.
Researchers establish that trophy heads came from people living in the same place and culture as those who collected them. The study suggests that fertility rites, warfare, or ancestor veneration may be linked to the collection of human heads.
A 12,000-year-old Natufian shaman's skeleton has been discovered in northern Israel with a unique burial ritual. The grave contained 50 complete tortoise shells, the pelvis of a leopard, and a human foot, indicating a high social status and close relationship with animal spirits.
A team of scientists has discovered a tiny juvenile Heterodontosaurus fossil, shedding new light on the evolution of plant-eating dinosaurs. The fossil's unusual teeth suggest that these early herbivores may have engaged in occasional omnivory, using their canines as defensive weapons or to supplement their diet with small animals.
Plastic surgeons are making significant advances in facial reconstruction using innovative technologies such as 3D modeling and prefabricated implants. These advancements benefit both wounded warriors and civilians hurt in inner-city violence or trauma.
Paleontologists have found a previously unknown amphibious predator species named Kryostega collinsoni, which had large teeth on the roof of its mouth, similar to those at the edge. The discovery sheds new light on Antarctica's climate during the Triassic period and suggests that it was warmer than today.
Researchers calculated the great white's bite force to be up to 1.8 tonnes, making it more than 20 times harder than a human. The team also estimated the bite force of the extinct giant shark Carcharodon megalodon at 10.8-18.2 tonnes.
Sabertoothed and modern cats evolved distinct adaptations to killing, with the former having radically different skulls due to selective pressures for a precise shearing action. Modern cats' skull shape varies depending on size, but their anatomy shows a gradual transition from smallest to largest species.
The study found that early fossil members of both the New World and Old World anthropoid lineages had small brain sizes, leading to independent brain size increase in isolated groups. The research provides new insights into the genetic controls on encephalization and its effects on skull growth and shape.
New research suggests two well-known crystal skulls, one in the British Museum and the Smithsonian Institution, did not come from ancient Mexico. The British skull was made in 19th century Europe, while the American one was created shortly before it was bought in Mexico City in 1960.
A recent discovery of the greater white-toothed shrew in Ireland raises concerns about ecological impact and control. The introduction is believed to have occurred recently, with seven individuals trapped in four locations in Tipperary, marking a rare event for the country.
Researchers at Duke University have developed a new 3-D ultrasound technology that can see in real-time the arteries within the brain, improving stroke diagnosis and care. The technology uses advanced imaging techniques to compensate for the thickness and unevenness of the skull, allowing for faster and more accurate diagnoses.