Articles tagged with Caves
An international team of scientists has found that the decline of the cave bear started 50,000 years ago due to human expansion and competition for land. The study analyzed mitochondrial DNA sequences from 17 new fossil samples and compared them with modern brown bears.
The CSIRO Australia team has found the remains of a massive 6 kg rat, which survived until around 1000-2000 years ago. The discovery highlights the importance of conserving biodiversity among rodents, such as rats, which play key roles in ecosystems.
A team of divers has been mapping freshwater pools in Cara Blanca, Belize, which were important to the ancient Maya. The divers found fossilized animal remains, bits of pottery, and an enormous underwater cave in the largest pool explored.
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.
A perfectly preserved shoe, 1,000 years older than the Great Pyramid of Giza and 400 years older than Stonehenge, has been found in a cave in Armenia. The 5,500-year-old cow-hide shoe dates back to ~3,500 BC and was made from a single piece of leather.
Researchers found that global warming led to a 30% decline in biodiversity among small mammals, with populations experiencing significant losses while the deer mouse thrived due to its adaptability. This change had ripple effects on ecosystems, affecting soil aeration, seed dispersal, and predator-prey relationships.
The discovery of Australopithecus sediba, a 1.9 million-year-old human ancestor, has shed new light on human evolution. The fossilized remains, found in South Africa, exhibit features of both earlier bipedal apes and more recent Homo species.
A newly discovered hominid species, Australopithecus sediba, has revealed a bone structure similar to the earliest Homo species but employed it more like Australopithecus. The fossils, dated between 1.95 and 1.78 million years old, provide a wealth of information about human origins.
Researchers have uncovered two partial skeletons of a new Homo species, Australopithecus sediba, dating back to around 2 million years ago. The fossils are exceptionally well-preserved and provide significant insights into the evolutionary history of our genus.
The newly described Australopithecus sediba hominid species has a long arms like an ape, a very advanced pelvis and short powerful hands. The fossils are estimated to be around 2 million years old, with the adult female weighing about 33 kilograms.
Researchers found that bats orient themselves using the Earth's magnetic field at night and calibrate it to the sun's position at sunset. This ability helps them navigate long distances up to 1000 km across Europe, with some species migrating seasonally.
Researchers like Eduardo Palacio-Pérez reinterpreted Palaeolithic art as having symbolic-religious significance, shifting away from purely decorative motives. This new perspective emerged in response to discoveries of paintings and engravings in caves, which were initially dismissed due to their naturalistic quality.
A phylogenetic analysis of Mexican cave scorpions reveals that specialized adaptations can be reversed through independent evolution. Three surface-living species evolved from cave-dwelling ancestors, highlighting the flexibility of scorpion biology.
Researchers linked Southwest winter precipitation to North Atlantic temperatures, finding abrupt climate changes occurred during the last Ice Age. The study used a stalagmite from an Arizona cave to reconstruct century-by-century climate records.
Researchers have discovered that early Homo sapiens consumed wild sorghum and other pre-domesticated cereals around 100,000 years ago. This finding broadens our understanding of human evolution by showcasing the importance of dietary transformation through cereal consumption.
Researchers analyzed stalagmites from a cave in the Sierra Nevada and found that past global warming coincided with centuries-long droughts in California. The study suggests that Arctic sea ice disappearance may lead to changes in precipitation patterns over California.
A new analysis of historical documents and geological maps reveals Jerusalem's karst geology played a pivotal role in the city's selection as David's capital, allowing it to successfully fend off Assyrian sieges. The discovery highlights the significance of water security in the region, with implications for modern-day life and politics.
Archaeologists at Tel Aviv University have uncovered clues about the development of communal meat-cutting habits in early humans. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, reveals that our ancestors shared meat differently than later periods.
Australian researchers have discovered a vast number of new species of invertebrates living in underground water, caves and micro-caverns across arid and semi-arid Australia. The team found whole communities of previously unknown invertebrate animals, revealing a completely new component to the country's biodiversity.
Researchers observed Great Tits eating hibernating Common Pipistrelle bats in a Hungarian cave during harsh winters. The birds used the sounds made by the bats to locate them, and could capture and eat them in as little as 15 minutes.
Researchers found ancient flax fibers in a Georgia cave dated to around 34,000 years ago, providing evidence of an early human invention. The discovery suggests that early humans used these fibers for clothing, ropes, and baskets to aid survival and mobility in harsh conditions.
The study reveals that fish and some amphibians use a unique sensory system to detect vibrations in water, allowing them to navigate and locate prey. Mathematical models developed by researchers demonstrate surprising accuracy in predicting nerve signals, enabling potential applications in robotics.
A Texas A&M-Galveston professor has discovered two new species of marine life, a tiny worm and a poisonous crustacean, in an underwater cave off the coast of North Africa. The team found the creatures deep inside the dark cave, which is believed to have been formed by a volcanic eruption 20,000 years ago.
A team of scientists has discovered a previously unknown species of crustacean, Speleonectes atlantida, in the Tunnel de la Atlantida lava tube on Lanzarote. The new species is morphologically similar to another remipede found in the same cave system and is believed to be an ancient relic isolated from the main Caribbean group.
Researchers found that early human hunters in central Israel between 400,000 and 250,000 years ago were skilled at big-game hunting like later stone-age hunters, but shared meat differently. The earlier humans were less efficient and specialized when it comes to carving flesh from their prey.
A new study found no daily or weekly pattern to earthquakes in Western U.S. due to human activity. Seismic stations struggle to detect M>1 earthquakes, making it appear like more occur on Sundays and late at night. Researchers explored speleothem records in caves for accurate quake documentation.
The study analyzed fossil remains of small vertebrates in the El Mirón cave, revealing seven periods of cooling and warming in the region's climate. The findings suggest that forest-dwelling rodents flourished during warmer periods, while cold-adapted species survived and migrated to northern Europe.
A study presented at DDW 2009 found that over one-third of US adults have liver disease, with some cases potentially attributed to environmental pollution. Researchers used the NHANES dataset to examine the association between low-level exposure to 111 common pollutants and unexplained liver disease in adults.
Researchers have found that sponge cells in coral caves rapidly recycle dissolved organic material, providing essential nutrients for the reef's inhabitants. This process allows the reef to maintain itself despite limited space and nutrient availability.
Researchers found a previously unknown form of biofilm in an oxygen-deficient lake within the Frasassi cave system in Italy. The unique microbial ropes grow slowly due to limited energy availability, and are composed of bacteria and archaea species.
A team of geologists analyzed a cave stalagmite and found that the Eastern Mediterranean became drier between 100 A.D. and 700 A.D., coinciding with the fall of Roman and Byzantine rule in the region. The high-resolution climate record shows sharp drops in precipitation around 100 A.D. and 400 A.D., which may have weakened these empires.
Scientists have revised the timeline of cave bear extinction, dating it back 27,800 years. The new findings suggest a link between climate change and food supply loss, leading to the demise of these massive mammals. Researchers found no evidence of human involvement in their disappearance.
A previously undescribed fungus has been linked to the deaths of over 100,000 hibernating bats in the northeastern United States. The fungus, commonly found on bat skin and wings, is believed to be a major contributor to the decline of North American bat populations.
A team of researchers from the University of Oregon refutes claims of Hobbit-like little people living in Palau, citing evidence of normal-sized hunters and gatherers. The study analyzed skeletal remains and cultural data dating back to around 3,500 years ago, finding no evidence of insular dwarfism or reduced stature population.
Researchers at Tufts University are developing chemical robots called chembots that can enter confined spaces and perform tasks such as landmine detection and biomedical diagnosis. The robots will be soft, squishy, and biodegradable, allowing them to access areas with openings of arbitrary size and shape.
The U.S. Geological Survey is investigating the cause of thousands of bat deaths in the northeastern US, with most affected species showing signs of emaciation and poor body condition. Environmental samples have been collected to determine if toxicants or secondary microbial pathogens are contributing to the illness.
Researchers confirm that farmers domesticated sunflowers in Mexico by 2600 B.C., contradicting the theory that they were introduced from eastern North America. The study's findings are based on physical evidence of early domesticated remains and linguistic traditions.
Scientists have identified oil-based paint layers in ancient Buddhist murals from the Bamiyan caves, dating back to the mid-7th century A.D. The findings contradict traditional views of oil painting's origins in Europe, suggesting a longer history of use in Asia.
A team of scientists led by Dennis Jenkins found ancient human DNA in coprolites from the Paisley Caves in Oregon, dating back 14,300 years. The DNA belongs to Native Americans in haplogroups A2 and B2, common in Siberia and east Asia.
Fossilized remains of small-bodied humans found in Palau, Micronesia, share characteristics with Homo sapiens and H. floresiensis, but not all features match. The discovery provides insight into the process of island dwarfism in human populations.
New research reveals that Pleistocene cave bears were as omnivorous as modern bears, eating both plants and animals. This challenges previous studies that suggested they were largely vegetarian.
Research shows that blind cavefish populations can regain vision in their offspring through hybridization, highlighting genetic differences behind eye loss. The study found that mutations in distinct genes are responsible for eye loss in separate lineages, which can be compensated by good gene copies in hybrids.
Researchers at NYU have found that hybridizing blind cave fish from different populations can partially restore their vision. The study suggests that genetic engineering can override centuries of evolutionary change in one generation.
A BMC Medical Education study reveals that newly qualified doctors in the UK feel better prepared for their first clinical posts since 2000. The research suggests that updated medical school curricula and teaching methods are having a positive impact on doctors' perceptions of their readiness.
Researchers analyzed stalagmites from Borneo caves to reconstruct the tropical Pacific's climate history. Their findings suggest a more active role for the tropical Pacific in abrupt climate changes than previously thought, providing new insights into past climate trends.
A heat-sensitive camera has discovered seven small, deep holes on the flanks of Arsia Mons, a giant volcano on Mars. The team suggests that these holes may be openings to underground caves, formed as faults created stresses that opened spaces underground.
A recent study by the Smithsonian found that ancient Mexicans used seven different cultivars of chili peppers, similar to modern varieties, dating back to A.D. 500-1500.
The discovery of small perforated sea shells in Morocco has pushed back the known origin of bead adornments to 82,000 years ago. The findings suggest that modern humans possessed symbolic thought and cognitive abilities earlier than previously thought.
A fossil trove discovered in a Kendall County cave may rewrite the region's geological history. The site preserves nearly-pristine plant spores, leaves, and scorpion parts, including needles from conifers dated to be the oldest ever found in North America.
Researchers at Northern Arizona University have identified possible caverns on Mars that could provide a habitat for future explorers and potentially preserve evidence of past or present microbial life. The team used techniques developed for cave detection on Earth to analyze images from the Mars Odyssey mission.
Scientists return to Cenote Zacatón to resume tests of the NASA-funded robot DEPTHX, designed to survey and explore for life in one of Earth's most extreme regions. The probe may hold clues to life in outer space and on Earth's ice-bound polar lakes.
A DNA study on ancient cave bear teeth found a sudden replacement of the mitochondrial DNA sequence around 28,000 years ago in the Ach Valley. The new genetic group is believed to have originated from neighboring bears who infiltrated the area after human migration and eventually became extinct.
Studies on Mexican cavefish reveal distinct evolutionary pathways for eyes and pigmentation. Evolution by natural selection drives eye regression due to metabolic costs, while genetic drift influences pigment cell density variations.
Researchers discovered that biofilms in caves increase the rate of cave formation by using sulfur for energy, producing strong acid. Cave biofilms also provide food for various cave creatures and have similarities to dental biofilms and steel ship hull corrosion.
Researchers uncover evidence of advanced rituals performed by modern humans in Africa for 70,000 years, featuring a python rock with man-made indentations and no signs of normal habitation. The discovery suggests that humans had the capacity for abstract thinking at an earlier point in history than previously assumed.
Researchers will catalog microbial inhabitants, study tourism impact and investigate microorganisms' role in cave formation. The team hopes to find microbes for medical, industrial and biotechnology applications.
A new academic discipline, neuroarthistory, uses scanning techniques to answer questions about artistic phenomena and the origin of art. The research explains why certain styles emerged in different regions and periods, shedding light on the creative processes of artists such as Leonardo.
Recent excavations at Suba Cave have uncovered a second, unexcavated cave, suggesting a major complex of uncertain function during the Iron Age. The team found evidence of heavy use during the early Roman period and discovered seven rough stone pillars in a corridor leading to what appears to be another chamber.
Researchers discovered ancient ship timbers at Wadi Gawasis site, dating back approximately 4,000 years, indicating a 2,000-mile round-trip voyage to Punt, a southern Red Sea trading center. The findings confirm the Egyptians had the naval technology to travel long distances by sea.
Researchers have discovered new biodiversity hotspots in underground environments, home to unique and diverse species of terrestrial cave fauna. These discoveries shed light on the vast and largely unexplored world of subterranean ecosystems.