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For good or ill Ireland gains another mammal species

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.

SourceWiley·JournalMammal Review·DateApr 28, 2008

New 3-D ultrasound could improve stroke diagnosis, care

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.

SourceDuke University·JournalUltrasound in Medicine & Biology·DateApr 24, 2008

Student identifies enormous new dinosaur

A new species of massive carnivorous dinosaur, Carcharodontosaurus iguidensis, has been discovered in Niger, measuring up to 13-14 meters long and 1.75 meters skull length. The fossils provide insights into the ecosystems of Africa 95 million years ago and shed light on the evolution of these ancient creatures.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalJournal of Vertebrate Paleontology·DateDec 11, 2007

Dinosaur from Sahara ate like a 'mesozoic cow'

Nigersaurus taqueti is a 110-million-year-old plant-eating dinosaur with a unique skull structure, featuring hundreds of needle-shaped teeth and a broad, straight-edged muzzle. Its distinctive anatomy allowed it to efficiently crop plants near the ground, making it an unusual example among sauropods.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateNov 15, 2007

Toothy dinosaur newest to come out of southern Utah

Researchers from the University of Utah and California's Raymond M. Alf Museum have unearthed a new duck-billed dinosaur species, Gryposaurus monumentensis, in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. The creature is estimated to have grown up to 30 feet long as an adult and had over 300 teeth embedded in its thick skull.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalZoological Journal of the Linnean Society·DateOct 3, 2007

Ancient whale fall from California's Año Nuevo Island one of youngest, most complete known

A fossilized whale skeleton found on California's Año Nuevo Island is the youngest and most complete known example of a whale fall in North America. The 11- to 15-million-year-old skeleton was home to multiple mollusks, challenging previous theories that large whales were necessary for these deep-sea communities to thrive.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalBiology Letters·DateSep 13, 2007

Reconstructing the biology of extinct species: A new approach

A research team has discovered a fundamental adaptive mechanism linking an animal's locomotion to its sensory systems. The study found that the dimensions of the three semicircular canals in the inner ear are linked to the type of movement produced by an animal's limbs.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 18, 2007

Scientists describe new African monkey genus – first in 83 years

A team of international scientists has discovered a new African monkey genus, Rungwecebus kipunji, through collaborative research. The species, found in Tanzania's high-altitude forests, exhibits distinct physical characteristics and is closely related to baboons, highlighting the need for conservation efforts to protect its vulnerable...

SourceField Museum·JournalScience·DateMay 11, 2006

Royal Society study on adaptability of fish to warming oceans

A Royal Society study found that Antarctic fish can compensate for the initial negative impact of elevated temperatures and regain their original performance levels despite being several degrees warmer. The study suggests that rising temperatures do not necessarily have a long-term negative impact on biodiversity.

SourceRoyal Society·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society of London·DateApr 26, 2005

Two dinosaurs from Africa give clues to continents' split

Fossils of Rugops primus and Spinostropheus gautieri reveal that Africa separated from southern continents around 100 million years ago. The discoveries provide fresh evidence on the timing of continental drift, shedding light on how dinosaurs like Rugops and other animals used narrow land bridges to colonize adjacent continents.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society of London·DateJun 1, 2004

New study shows Neanderthals were not our ancestors

A recent study using computer imaging techniques reveals that Neanderthals exhibit distinct differences in skeletal morphology compared to modern humans. The research, led by NYU paleoanthropologist Katerina Harvati, suggests that Neanderthals are a separate species within the genus Homo.

SourceNew York University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 26, 2004

New long-necked dinosaur in Madagascar

A nearly complete long-necked sauropod dinosaur was recently unearthed in Madagascar, providing the first comprehensive view of a titanosaur skull. The discovery, announced by NSF-funded scientists, confirms a close relationship between titanosaurs and brachiosaurs, revolutionizing our understanding of Mesozoic reptiles.

Web key helps researchers identify mammals

A new web-based taxonomic key enables researchers to identify mammals by answering a series of questions with accompanying images. The key, developed in collaboration with the University of Dar es Salaam, uses over 170 identified species as a starting point.

Origins of first Americans

The study confirms the complex origins of Native Americans by analyzing craniofacial measurements of old and new skulls from around the world. The results separate the native inhabitants of the Western Hemisphere into several different groups, including those descended from Asian groups such as the Jomon people of Japan.

Lasers clean fossils in no time

Physicists at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory are developing a control system that switches off a cutting laser when it detects phosphorus, allowing for quick and efficient fossil cleaning. This technique could significantly reduce the time-consuming process of preparing fossils by hand, especially for delicate or soft bones.

SourceNew Scientist·JournalThe New Scientist·DateNov 2, 1999

'Glitches' discovered and fixed in animal study make surgery for human pituitary tumors quicker, safer and less painful

Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center have developed a new endoscopic procedure to remove pituitary gland tumors, reducing trauma and complications. The technique has been refined after an initial animal study identified potential 'glitches' that were later addressed, resulting in improved outcomes for patients.

SourceCedars-Sinai Medical Center·JournalJournal of Laparoendoscopic & Advanced Surgical Techniques·DateJun 2, 1999

Earlier Human Speech?

A team of researchers from Duke University found that the hypoglossal canal, which controls tongue movement, is larger in humans and Neanderthals than in apes and proto-humans. This discovery challenges the theory that human speech may not have arisen until around 40,000 years ago.

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 27, 1998