Articles tagged with South America
A study of mitochondrial DNA reveals that piranhas' modern species originated from a recent diversification event triggered by marine incursions into the Amazon Basin. The researchers propose that factors like water quality and geographical history played a crucial role in shaping the diversity of these fish species.
Researchers have discovered fossilized cashew nuts in Germany, dating back 47 million years, which suggest that the genus Anacardium was once distributed in Europe. This finding indicates that Europe may be an important biogeographic link between Africa and South America, challenging previous theories.
A study published in The Lancet found that daytime and nighttime blood pressure are both predictive of cardiovascular events, with nighttime blood pressure predicting mortality. The study suggests recording ambulatory blood pressure during the whole day for accurate prognosis.
A study by Penn State researchers found that nearly all Caribbean land-breeding frog species, including coqui frogs, originated from a single ancient species that rafted on a sea voyage from South America. The discovery challenges previous theories of their arrival and reveals the surprising common ancestry of these species.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have found that Phytophthora infestans, the fungus-like pathogen responsible for the 1840s Irish potato famine, originated in the Andes region of South America. The study used gene genealogies to track the migration patterns of different strains of the pathogen, pointing to an Andean origin.
Researchers studying ancient zircon crystals and river sediments discovered the Amazon River once flowed east-to-west, reversing its current direction. The finding dates back to around 1.3-2.1 billion years ago, during the Cretaceous Period.
New research led by University of Oregon's Douglas Kennett sheds light on Rapa, a French Polynesian Island, revealing a late pulse of colonization around A.D. 1200. The settlement date matches Easter Island's and provides insights into population dispersal mechanisms, highlighting the challenges of environmental degradation.
A new species of hoofed mammal, Hemihegetotherium trilobus, has been discovered in Bolivia with distinctive three-lobed lower molar teeth. The animal is believed to have lived around 13 million years ago and was part of the notoungulate group, which dominated South America before its extinction.
Researchers at Arizona State University and Vanderbilt University found that Peruvian trophy heads came from a greater variety of geologic zones than those buried in ancient tombs, suggesting they were victims of warfare or raiding. Meanwhile, stable isotope analysis revealed corn was cultivated in South America earlier than previously...
A massive earthquake off the coast of Sumatra challenged long-held assumptions about quakes and subduction zones. The Great Sumatra-Andaman earthquake surpassed a magnitude 9 threshold, which contradicts theory that such large quakes occur at subduction zones with young, fast-moving crust.
The discovery of Revueltosaurus, a crocodile ancestor, upends the traditional understanding of dinosaur evolution. The fossil finds suggest that herbivorous ornithischians and meat-eating theropods did not co-evolve in the Late Triassic as previously thought.
Excavations at Los Ajos, a 4,800-4,200 year old mound complex in Uruguay, revealed sophisticated levels of planning and cooperation. The site's farmers adopted early cultivars, including maize and squash, and exhibited an independent architectural tradition.
The discovery of modern hummingbirds in Europe pushes the fossil record back approximately 29 million years and zips halfway around the world. The tiny skeletons found in southern Germany exhibit characteristics such as tiny size, long beaks, and wing design similar to today's hummingbirds.
The Wildlife Conservation Society will use the grant to establish a conservation network throughout the region, providing support for various activities and funding a student grants program. WCS plans to expand its programs in these regions over the next 15 years, covering approximately five percent of the Amazon Basin.
A study by Cornell University found that farm-raised salmon in Europe contained higher levels of organic contaminants than those from North America and South America. The analysis revealed 13 out of 14 organochlorine contaminants were present in farmed salmon, highlighting the need for safer farming practices.
Archaeologists have found a 4,000-year-old gourd fragment bearing an archaic image of the Staff God, the principal deity in South America. The discovery pushes back the origin of organized religion in the Americas by over 1,000 years, indicating that the Andean civilization began practicing religion more than previously thought.
Researchers found over 100 distinct fossil leaf species, including dicots, monocots, and conifers, at the Laguna del Hunco site. The discovery reveals that high neotropical diversity existed as far back as 52-53 million years ago.
New research reveals that health problems among American Indians began thousands of years ago, with agriculture and urbanization contributing to a decline in overall health. Indigenous groups living along coastal areas had the healthiest skeletons, while nomads and rural settlers were also among the healthiest groups.
A University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill geologist proposes the existence of a new supercontinent, Columbia, which existed over 1.5 billion years ago. The supercontinent is thought to have formed when most of the world's continents collided into a single land area.
A Princeton University study reveals that South American forests offer a glimpse into pre-industrial US ecosystems, showing complex organic compounds as the main form of nitrogen in unpolluted ecosystems. The findings suggest that high levels of inorganic nitrogen in the US are mainly due to acid rain and agricultural fertilizers.
The study resolves placental mammals into four major groups, revealing a common ancestor in Gondwana. Afrotheria is the oldest group, with some orders never leaving Africa, and Xenartha populations South America.
Researchers suggest that South American caviomorph rodents colonized by African ancestors via oceanic currents, challenging paleontological ideas. Genetic analysis reveals a shared ancestry between African and South American rodent groups, diverging around 45 million years ago.
A team of geologists proposes a new model for the collision and rifting of ancient continents, contradicting a previous theory. The revised model suggests that land masses were broken apart into smaller terrains that attached over time, rather than undergoing a massive collision.
The University of Toronto has discovered a new species of giant ground sloth, challenging the long-held assumption that mammals from South America were inferior to those in North America. The study suggests that these groups thrived for nearly two million years after migration across the Panamanian land bridge.
Augusto Sola, a renowned pediatrician, will be honored with the E.H. Christopherson Award for his pioneering efforts in improving neonatal and perinatal care in Central and South America. He has developed training programs for healthcare providers and trained over 100 nurses and 200 physicians.
Researchers use GPS satellites to monitor the movement of an entire continent and record the yearly growth of the Andes Mountains. The study shows that satellite data can help geologists calculate accumulating stresses along fault lines, promising improved earthquake hazard estimation.
A team of researchers, funded by the US National Science Foundation, discovered a group of fossil mammals, gondwanatheres, in Madagascar and India. These ancient creatures provide evidence for the movement of landmasses during the Late Cretaceous period.
A University of Cincinnati geologist presents evidence from ancient volcanic ash beds indicating a narrow Iapetus Ocean existed during the Ordovician period. The discovery contradicts previous theories that the ocean disappeared due to landmasses being locked together.