Articles tagged with Caves
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An international team reconstructed groundwater evolution in the Great Basin, USA, combining calcite deposits and numerical models. The results show the elevation of the water table was three to four times more sensitive to recharge during dry climates.
A new study by an international team has documented 35,000 years of recurrent visits to the Nerja Cave in Spain, dating back over 8,000 years. The research uses fossilized soot and charcoal from torches to reconstruct the history of human presence at the site.
Researchers have made an important human discovery by analyzing the genome of a 3,000-year-old individual found in a cave in Southeast Alaska. The study confirms that some modern Alaska Natives still live almost exactly where their ancestors did over 3,000 years ago.
University of Arizona engineers create a communication network allowing robots to explore subsurface environments independently, deploying miniaturized sensors as they traverse caves. The 'breadcrumb-style' system enables swarms of individual robots to navigate convoluted environments without losing contact.
A new review reveals that environments beyond greenspaces and bluespaces, such as caves, deserts, and glaciers, have potential health benefits. Short-term exposure to solid-state water landscapes showed little evidence of benefits, while longer-term exposure led to improved emotional states, medical treatments for allergies, and physic...
A newly published study of a stalagmite in Cave of the Mounds, Wisconsin, provides evidence for massive warming events during the last ice age, with temperature swings up to 10C over a decade. The research suggests a possible link between these events and Dansgaard-Oeschger events in Greenland ice cores.
University of Arizona engineers create autonomous vehicle system that allows robots to scout out underground habitats on other planets. The 'Breadcrumb-Style Dynamically Deployed Communication Network' paradigm enables robots to work together without human input, addressing NASA's space technology grand challenges.
A 550-million-year-old fossil of Dickinsonia was discovered in India, but it turned out to be a beehive. The correction puts the geologic and life history of India back into contention, with the rocks potentially being one billion years old.
Researchers used isotopes to fingerprint the sources of sulfuric acid in unique cave systems, revealing a combination of bacterial and thermochemical processes. The study estimated carbon dioxide emissions from cave formation and identified hydrothermal springs as key contributors.
A new species of bent-toed gecko from the genus Cyrtodactylus has been identified in Timor-Leste, a remote region in Southeast Asia. The newly discovered species, named Cyrtodactylus santana, is the first of its kind to be formally described as a species in Timor-Leste.
A study published in the Journal of Archaeological Science reveals that a domestic dog lived in the Palaeolithic period 17,000 years ago in the Erralla cave in the Basque Country. The bone remains identified as Canis lupus familiaris, making it one of Europe's most ancient domestic dogs.
Wynne's work identifies key questions and answers needed to study Martian caves, which could hold secrets of life and provide insights into Earth's formation. Caves may also serve as radiation shielding for astronaut habitats on the Moon and Mars.
A new study has created a comprehensive database of 265 show caves worldwide to monitor the effects of tourism on fragile cave ecosystems. The research found that tourists can disturb life in caves through increased temperatures, pollutants, and noise, posing a threat to subterranean species.
Researchers uncover previously unknown lineage of wild goats over 10,000 years old in the Taurus Mountains of southern Turkey. The discovery sheds light on the region's faunal history and highlights the impact of climate change and human activity on ancient populations.
Researchers analyzed eight ice caves in Tyrol, Styria, Upper Austria, and Carinthia, finding a decline in ice mass over the past 2000 years due to human-induced climate change. The study mirrors the evolution of glaciers during the Late Holocene period, with significant consequences for these underground ice formations.
New study reveals that subarctic cave bacterial communities are more diverse and complex than surface soil ones, but climate change poses a significant threat to these unique ecosystems. The scarcity of nutrients in caves drives bacteria to cooperate with each other, which may be affected by global warming.
Researchers studied 28 clades with 1,437 species in subtropical East Asian caves to understand biotic colonization. They found that climate changes and forest evolution drove colonization over time.
Researchers found shadowed areas within lunar pits that maintain a comfortable temperature of around 63 degrees Fahrenheit, making them suitable for human habitation. The discovery could provide safer base camps for lunar exploration and long-term stays.
Researchers have discovered rare colonies of Rock Doves, the wild ancestors of common domestic and feral pigeons, on secluded Scottish and Irish islands. The findings provide valuable insights into how the domestic pigeon came to be, with varying degrees of interbreeding between the two forms of the species.
A study led by the University of South Florida reveals a previously unknown 20 centimeter sea-level rise that occurred nearly 3,200 years ago when ice caps melted naturally. The team found exceptionally stable preindustrial sea levels until 1900, implying that global temperatures continuing to rise could lead to higher sea levels.
Fossils from Sterkfontein Caves in South Africa reveal nearly four million years of hominin evolution. The new ages of Australopithecus-bearing deposits place the South African hominins as contemporaries of other early species, like Australopithecus afarensis, in east Africa.
Fossils found in the 'Cradle of Humankind' in South Africa are estimated to be between 3.4 and 3.7 million years old, making them older than previously thought. This new age range places these fossils at the beginning of the Australopithecus era, challenging previous theories that they were near the end.
Archaeologists discovered a critical storage site for food and items in the Mugharat al-Kahf cave, revealing how inhabitants adapted to a mobile lifestyle after a significant aridification event. The findings provide new insights into non-funerary characteristics of communities during this period.
A team of scientists led by Dr. Matthew L. Niemiller has rediscovered the Shelta Cave Crayfish, a rare and ancient species thought to be extinct for 30 years. The discovery was made in a cave system in northern Alabama and highlights the importance of conservation efforts to protect threatened species.
A study published in PLOS ONE reveals Cueva de Ardales was a canvas for artwork and burial place for Neanderthals and modern humans from 65,000 to 35,000 years ago. The site provides a unique history of human activity in Spain and sheds light on the development of European culture.
A new study describes a troglobitic clam species from northern Brazil, characterized by lack of pigmentation and reduced size. The discovery highlights the importance of conserving fragile subterranean habitats threatened by recently amended laws in Brazil.
Paleontologists have found the jaws of an Etruscan bear in a Crimean cave, dating back to 2-1.5 million years ago. The discovery suggests that early humans may have lived on the Crimean Peninsula around the same time.
The discovery of a 164,000- to 131,000-year-old Denisovan tooth in Laos provides significant insights into the species' geographic range. The ancient tooth's shape and similarity to teeth found on the Tibetan Plateau suggest that Denisovans inhabited Southeast Asia, particularly northern Laos.
Developed by Prof. Qing Shi's team, SQuRo can mimic the motion of actual rats and perform various motions like crouching-to-standing, walking, crawling, and turning. It successfully passed through an irregular narrow passage and demonstrated its potential application to inspection tasks inside narrow spaces.
Researchers used X-ray computed microtomography to produce stunning 3D reconstructions of the proteus' head, revealing extensive changes in sensory organs and physical appearance. The study provides detailed information about evolutionary-designed adaptations for surviving in lightless caves.
Cavefish have evolved remarkable physiology to cope with a low-oxygen environment, including producing more hemoglobin through larger red blood cells. This adaptation allows them to forage longer in the caves, where food is limited, and may provide insights into how animals evolve elevated hemoglobin capacity.
Researchers developed a software-based smoke dispersal simulation model to study prehistoric archaeology. They found that early humans placed their hearth at the optimal location in the cave, enabling maximum utilization of fire while minimizing smoke exposure. The study identified a 25sqm area as ideal for locating the hearth.
A 10,000-year-old female infant was buried with beads and pendants, indicating recognition of her as a full person in her society. The discovery provides insight into the early Mesolithic period and challenges previous assumptions about funerary practices during this time.
A new study reveals that mother bats teach their pups to navigate by carrying and dropping them off at specific trees, allowing the pup to learn through repetition. The study found that pups gradually expand their navigation circles, learning to fly independently and finding food sources on their own.
Researchers are using X-ray CT to analyze magnetic minerals in speleothems, which can reveal past climate conditions. The team hopes to uncover evidence of extreme weather events and improve understanding of New Zealand's climate history.
Scientists have identified a previously unknown species of ground sloth, Parocnus dominicanus, from fossils found in the Dominican Republic. The species was smaller than its tree-dwelling cousins and had anatomical differences that may have allowed it to occupy lowland areas.
Researchers found shell beads in Morocco dating back 142,000-150,000 years, shedding light on early human communication and cognitive evolution. The discovery suggests that humans have been using nonverbal cues to express identity and affiliation for hundreds of thousands of years.
Researchers found 62 bone tools at Contrebandiers Cave, Morocco, with shaping and use marks indicating they were used for scraping hides to make leather and furs. The discovery highlights the pan-African emergence of complex culture and provides evidence for the earliest clothing in the archaeological record.
The discovery of bone tools in Contrebandiers Cave, Morocco, dating back to 120,000-90,000 years ago, provides strong evidence for the manufacture of clothing during this period. The tools, which showed signs of skinning for furs and pelts, are similar to leather working tools found in other archaeological records.
Researchers used a 'role-play' approach to study how Neanderthals caught choughs in caves. They found that the birds were vulnerable to artificial light and could be caught using nets or by hand. The findings suggest that catching birds was another skill of Neanderthals, which is surprising given their intelligence and adaptability.
Researchers successfully recovered a human environmental genome from the BIII layer of the cave of Satsurblia, dated 25,000 years ago, without skeletal remains. The analysis revealed genetic similarities with nearby cave of Dzudzuana and confirmed extinct lineage contributions to present-day West-Eurasian populations.
Researchers found a 51,000-year-old engraved bone in the Unicorn Cave, showing evidence of Neanderthal creative talent. The carved notches suggest that Neanderthals independently developed artistic skills before modern humans arrived in Europe.
The study found that Denisovans produced the oldest stone tools at the site between 250,000 and 170,000 years ago, while Neandertals arrived later. The researchers also detected modern human mitochondrial DNA for the first time, suggesting they brought new technology to the region.
Researchers analyzed oxygen isotopes from Texas caves to understand trends in past thunderstorms and their durations. They found that shifts in storm regimes coincide with global abrupt climate shifts during the last glacial period. This study helps predict future mid-latitude thunderstorm patterns.
A study replicated Paleolithic lighting systems using archaeological evidence, revealing diverse features among the different systems. The researchers found that wooden torches worked best for exploring caves, while grease lamps were suitable for lighting small spaces over a long period.
Russian paleontologists have discovered the skull of a 9-10 year old Pleistocene small cave bear with artificial damage, which could be evidence of ancient ritual practices. The finding is significant as it may be the world's first direct evidence of Paleolithic hunters targeting small cave bears.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University found that sick bats isolate themselves to prevent the spread of contagious diseases. By staying away from their colonies, bats conserve energy and reduce the likelihood of pathogens being transmitted to humans, suggesting a potential natural defense mechanism.
Researchers from Iowa State University discovered radiocarbon dates on rabbit and deer bones that suggest human occupation of the Coxcatlan Cave in Mexico may be up to 20,000 years older than previously thought. The findings could challenge the long-standing theory of human arrival in the Americas via the Bering Land Bridge.
Researchers have identified climate-change refugia in a dry-forest region of Brazil's Peruaçu Caves National Park. The study used tree ring analysis and satellite images to confirm the existence of these areas, which are relatively buffered from climate change, offering high probability of conservation success.
A study has found that climate change may be causing the degradation of ancient rock paintings in Indonesia, dating back up to 45,000 years. The researchers analyzed flakes of rock and found high levels of salts, which can cause rocks to break apart, suggesting a widespread process in Maros-Pangkep.
Researchers found that Arctic permafrost thawing events occurred more frequently in the past than predicted, with minimal impact on atmospheric CO2 levels. The study suggests that gradual thawing events may have been absorbed by oceans or plants, contradicting typical global warming predictions.
A study reconstructs permafrost's history over the last 1.5 million years, revealing that it shifted to a more stable state around 400,000 years ago. This stability suggests that more carbon is locked in the ground, potentially leading to greater climate change releases when thawing occurs.
A team of geologists and archaeologists from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem confirms that ancient humans were making simple Oldowan stone tools inside the Wonderwerk Cave 1.8 million years ago. The discovery also dates the deliberate use of fire by prehistoric ancestors to 1 million years ago.
Scientists studied the landform and dated sand to confirm that the Pont d'Arc was formed 124,000 years ago. The discovery reveals that past communities were familiar with the same landmarks as today.
Scientists have discovered fossils of three new species of giant cloud rats in Philippine caves, dating back tens of thousands of years. The rodents filled an ecological role similar to that of squirrels in the US and were resilient for at least 60,000 years, but two of the species disappeared around 2,000 years ago.
Scientists discovered stalagmite growth is consistently linear over hundreds and thousands of years, providing an unparalleled capacity for precise chronology building. The analysis revealed that warmer climates tend towards more growth, while colder climates see slowed growth, but the majority of samples follow a linear growth pattern.
As fish shift to deeper waters, they may face challenges distinguishing colors, affecting mating, prey location and predator avoidance. Climate change is likely to exacerbate this issue, particularly for species unable to relocate to cooler areas.
Researchers from the Lundbeck Foundation GeoGenetics Centre have sequenced ancient DNA from soil for the first time, transforming the field of population genetics. The advance allows scientists to study the evolution of animals, plants, and microorganisms, with potential applications in climate change research.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology developed new methods to enrich and analyze human nuclear DNA from sediments. This breakthrough allows for the study of population relationships and the deep human past, providing new opportunities for investigation and expanding the range of options to tease out evo...
A new species of aquatic snail, Travunijana djokovici, was discovered in Montenegro's karstic springs. The snail is adapted to live in the underground habitats of the Dinaric karst and has a milky-white shell.