Articles tagged with Museums
Biological anthropologists from the University of Texas at Austin have discovered three previously unknown ancient primates in San Diego County. The fossils date back 42 million to 46 million years, with estimated weights ranging from 113 to 796 grams.
Researchers sequenced eggplant and wild relative plastomes, finding a single event led to two lineages: one in Africa and the other in Asia. This dispersal resulted in the current wide distribution of eggplant relatives across Africa, linked to African elephant and impala seed dispersal.
A newly-discovered fossil turtle, Eorhynchochelys sinensis, lived 228 million years ago with a beak but no shell. This find sheds light on the evolution of turtles and challenges traditional theories, supporting mosaic evolution and shedding new light on turtle ancestry.
Researchers from Kyoto University and ATR upgraded the interaction system for conversational android ERICA, giving her more dynamic speaking skills. The team focused on developing a system for 'attentive listening', allowing ERICA to engage in fluid dialogue with human subjects.
A Rutgers University-led study demonstrates that ordinary WiFi can be used to detect weapons, bombs, and explosive chemicals in bags at museums, stadiums, theme parks, schools, and other public venues. The system uses wireless signals to identify objects and materials, reducing security screening costs and manpower needed.
Researchers uncover evidence of prehistoric embalming process in ancient Egyptian mummy dating back to 3700-3500 BC. The 'recipe' contained antibacterial agents used in similar proportions as later Egyptian embalmers, revealing a wider geographical use of these balms.
A study using online citizen scientist observations and museum specimens predicts updated distribution ranges for the Northern black widow and Black purse-web spider. The models suggest that the purse-web spider's range may have shifted, while the black widow's range may have increased over time.
Researchers at the American Museum of Natural History have identified a unique enzyme responsible for the bioluminescence in Bermuda fireworms, which powers their dramatic mating display. The study also examines genes related to reproductive timing and changes in the animals' bodies before swarming events.
A team of paleontologists discovered dozens of hadrosaur and therizinosaur tracks in Denali National Park's lower Cantwell Formation, providing evidence that Alaska served as a gateway for dinosaur migration between Asia and North America during the Late Cretaceous period. The co-occurrence of these dinosaurs in Alaska challenges previ...
Researchers discovered a large bone belonging to the extinct marine mammal Paleoparadoxia, which lived in Japan and the western coast of North America 23-10 million years ago. The well-preserved fossil provides valuable insights into the locomotion of hind limbs.
Scientists are testing a NASA-coated material to reduce mercury vapor and other contaminants in the Smithsonian Institution's cultural artifacts and natural-science specimens. The Molecular Adsorber Coating (MAC) is being evaluated for its effectiveness in protecting the over 54-million collection items.
A new study reveals the largest dinosaur foot ever found, measuring nearly 1 meter wide, and confirms that brachiosaurs inhabited a huge area in North America. The discovery also sheds light on the range of sauropod dinosaurs during that time.
The newly discovered Akainacephalus species from Utah is found to be closely related to Asian ankylosaurids, contradicting the prevailing view of its North American origins. Its unique armor arrangement suggests a distinct provincialism in Laramidia during the Late Campanian stage.
A new study found that moths with larger hindwings and longer tails have a higher chance of escaping bats due to their ability to deflect sonar. Researchers tested four different hindwing shapes in real-time dogfights between bats and moths, revealing that the larger the hindwings and longer the tails, the better the moths' chances.
A recent study has traced the origins of deadly chytrid fungus to East Asia, highlighting the need for increased biosafety guidelines and trade regulations to prevent its spread. The researchers sequenced pathogen samples from around the world and identified four main genetic lineages of the fungus, including one found only in Korea.
A study suggests that nature-based citizen science can reverse the 'extinction of experience' by fostering cognitive and emotional connections to nature. Citizen science programs increase participants' knowledge, skills, interest in and curiosity about nature, leading to positive behavioral changes.
The Black Beauty meteorite contains rare zircon with high hafnium levels, providing a temporal framework for Martian crust formation. This study suggests that Mars had a solid crust within 20 million years of solar system formation, potentially hosting oceans and life.
A new study challenges the long-held assumption that plant-eating mammals' diets can be determined by analyzing carbon isotopes in fossil teeth. The researchers found that the value of these isotope analyses changes with body size, leading to a more accurate understanding of extinct species and ecosystems.
A study identified 17 new genera and 29 new species of microgastrine wasps, including those named after Crocodile Dundee and Toblerone, published in the Journal of Hymenoptera Research. The discovery highlights the megadiverse fauna of these parasitoid wasps, with many more awaiting discovery.
A 1,200-year-old parchment fragment from the 'Admonter Abrogans' is being presented in a special exhibition at Admont Abbey, featuring high-resolution images and translations. The MEETeUX project aims to develop digital forms of exhibition design for accessible user experience, utilizing smartphones, touch screens, and virtual reality.
The National Science Foundation has awarded a grant to the Natural History Museum of Utah and the College of Education at the University of Utah to develop an online learning environment for student learning in the biosciences. The project, EPIC Bioscience, will use digitized museum collections to provide middle school students with en...
New fossil evidence suggests that ancient primates, including Teilhardina brandti, had specialized grooming claws as well as nails. This finding overturns the prevailing assumption that the earliest primates had nails on all their digits and provides crucial insights into their daily behavior and evolutionary story.
Researchers have shed new light on the previously known geographical range of the extinct Carolina parakeet, a species officially declared extinct in 1920. The study provides unprecedented information on the bird's range and offers a window into its past ecology.
A new study explores the mouth of ancient crocodilians, shedding light on their evolution and behavior. The discovery of a closed secondary palate in early shartegosuchids, a group thought to be extinct, has significant implications for understanding the purpose of this feature in modern crocodiles.
Researchers have uncovered five new species of snail-eating snakes with peculiar dining habits, which are considered endangered or vulnerable due to habitat destruction. The study presents a new evolutionary tree for the diverse group of snail eaters in Central and South America.
Five new species of snakes, including four at risk of extinction, were found in Ecuador. The international research team auctioned their naming rights to save a 72 ha plot of land and expand the protected Buenaventura reserve.
Researchers at the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium and the University of Liège used high-resolution photography, X-ray radiography imaging, and X-Ray Fluorescence spectroscopy to analyze a recovered quarter of the painting and propose a virtual colorization. The study found that the deepest blue layer in the painting is presumed ...
A special issue of Angewandte Chemie explores the intersection of chemistry, conservation, and archaeology in preserving cultural heritage. Research articles examine methods for analyzing antiques, classifying plastic artifact degradation, and conserving cannonballs from shipwrecks.
The discovery of two new species of saber-toothed predators in Russia sheds light on the early evolution of mammals and a significant shift in predator roles after the mid-Permian extinction. The findings, published in PeerJ, reveal that a global turnover in predators occurred after this mass extinction event.
Detailed micro-CT scans reveal a 2,100-year-old Egyptian mummy was actually a near-to-term, severely malformed fetus with anencephaly. The finding provides clues to maternal diet and raises questions about mummification practices.
The Specify team has adopted a biological museum-membership organization to migrate from grant-supported to community-supported funding. The new model allows institutions of all sizes to contribute to the operating budget, while maintaining open-source software licensing and free access for users.
Researchers have created the most comprehensive tree of life for malaria parasites, revealing diverse evolutionary lineages and proposing that some species should be renamed. The study included DNA sequence data from over 20 genes and sampled 58 malaria species across eight genera, correcting for biased DNA ratios.
Researchers mapped coyote range expansion from ancient fossils to modern museum specimens, correcting misconceptions of their original range. Their findings indicate coyotes had a broader geographic distribution than previously thought, with significant expansions into taiga forests, deciduous forests, and tropical rainforests.
A comprehensive analysis of fossil euarthropods suggests the 'Cambrian Explosion' was a gradual process, with the origin of animals dating back to around 550 million years ago. The study challenges two competing hypotheses on early animal evolution, presenting a middle-ground between slow and rapid evolution.
Researchers compared bird and turtle genomes to determine dinosaur chromosome structure, revealing similarities with modern birds. The study's findings suggest that dinosaurs had a similar karyotype pattern as modern birds, contributing to their diversity.
A team of scientists found four separate species of mice evolved from one common ancestor on Mindoro Island, which is the smallest known island to support this type of evolution. The discovery provides valuable insights into how mammals can diversify in small areas and has implications for conservation planning.
The peace movement's focus on visual symbols like the dove of peace and destruction imagery highlights its complexity and diversity. Historian Hans-Ulrich Thamer discusses how this language contributed to the movement's unity despite differing actors, and notes that only in retrospect was the dove assigned central importance.
Researchers analyzed museum specimens to determine the origin and spread of a small crustacean, revealing it had colonized European coastlines 24 years prior to recorded sightings. The discovery highlights the importance of taxonomy and monitoring biodiversity in coastal ecosystems, where invasive species threaten ecosystem health.
The discovery of Palawanosorex muscorum, a unique mammal species found in the Philippines' Mt. Mantalingahan, sheds light on the country's rich biodiversity and the importance of protecting its 'sky islands'. The species' habitat is crucial for regulating water flow, which has significant implications for the local economy and population.
Researchers have found a complete skull of the iconic toothed bird Ichthyornis dispar, providing new insights into its transitional features. The fossil reveals a modern-looking brain and a remarkably dinosaurian jaw muscle configuration.
Researchers used laser ablation and plasma mass spectrometry to analyze ancient gold items from the Carambolo treasure, discovering a local gold deposit within 2 km of the site. This breakthrough provides new insights into the origin of the metal and its possible connections to ancient trade routes.
A well-preserved horse burial at Tombos has provided new insights into the social significance of equids in the Nile Valley during the Third Intermediate Period. The discovery suggests that horses represented symbols of a larger social, political and economic movement in ancient Nubian culture.
The fifth Act 54 five-year report assesses the impact of long-wall, room-and-pillar, and retreat mining methods on surface structures and water resources. The study provides vital information for environmental remediation and restoration efforts in Pennsylvania.
The oldest peace treaty, dating back over 3,200 years, shows that peaceful agreements were made through extensive negotiations between Egyptians and Hittites. The exhibition 'Peace. From Antiquity to the Present Day' challenges common clichés about ancient peace symbols, revealing a complex history of war and negotiation.
An independent analysis of aggregated occurrence records found that ALA and GBIF data processing leads to significant data loss and unjustified changes in scientific names. The audit revealed up to 1 in 5 records were altered due to aggregator errors, with major disagreements on names between aggregators also reported.
Researchers from the San Diego Natural History Museum have rediscovered the San Quintin kangaroo rat in Baja California, partnering with a conservation plan to protect the endangered species. The discovery was made using traditional field techniques and live traps, and the rat has been found to persist in the Valle Tranquilo Nature Res...
A team of researchers is developing tools to help museums measure visitor engagement and modify exhibits to enhance engagement. The project will use multiple technologies, including motion-tracking and facial-monitoring, to collect data on visitors' interactions with educational exhibits.
A new study reveals that the origins of dinosaurs were triggered by a crisis mass extinction event 232 million years ago. The Carnian Pluvial Episode led to repeated extinctions and a surge in global warming, acid rain, and climate perturbations.
A 1.5-foot-long fossil slab, misidentified twice, has been reinterpreted as a large cartilaginous fish with characteristics similar to sharks and rays. The study suggests the fish lived between 70-85 million years ago and expands the diversity of the Niobrara fauna.
Scientists are creating a comprehensive evolutionary tree of over 10,000 bird species using cutting-edge technologies and public data release. The OpenWings project will provide unparalleled insights into avian diversity and evolution.
Scientists have identified the most primitive kangaroo ancestor, Palaeopotorous priscus, which lived around 24 million years ago and was similar to living rat-kangaroos. The discovery sheds light on the evolution of modern kangaroos and their adaptations for hopping gaits.
A team of scientists found that species with strong male sexual dimorphism are more vulnerable to extinction due to increased energy investment in reproduction. They analyzed thousands of ancient crustacean fossils, including ostracods with distinct sex-specific shapes preserved in the fossil record.
A new species of butterfly, Cyllopsis tomemmeli, has been recognized as a distinct species nearly 60 years after it was first collected by Thomas Emmel in 1959. The discovery highlights the value of museum collections and the importance of preserving specimens for future study.
A new butterfly species, Cyllopsis tomemmeli, has been recognized nearly 60 years after it was first collected by Thomas Emmel in Mexico. The species was named to honor Emmel's dedication to lepidoptera research.
A decade of fossil collecting in Tanzania and Zambia has provided new perspectives on the Triassic period, revealing regional patterns and similarities across different geographic areas. The findings highlight the presence of early dinosaurs, such as Teleocrater, and other animals that co-existed with them.
Researchers have discovered five new species of frogs in Southeast Asia, previously misclassified due to subtle differences. Advanced DNA sequencing techniques revealed the existence of these five species, highlighting the importance of accurate species identification for conservation efforts.
Researchers have found evidence of early human trading, color pigments, and sophisticated tools in eastern Africa, approximately 320,000 years ago. These discoveries suggest that humans adapted to an unpredictable environment through innovation and social exchange networks.
A team of researchers found evidence of early humans using coloring materials and obtaining raw materials from distant sources around 320,000 years ago. This discovery pushes back the evolutionary timeline and suggests that early humans developed social networks and complex behaviors earlier than previously thought.
Early humans in East Africa began trading with distant groups using color pigments and manufacturing more sophisticated tools around 320,000 years ago. This period of high environmental variability may have driven the emergence of complex behaviors that distinguished human lineage from other early humans.
Researchers discovered a hidden caricature of Michelangelo in a sketch of Vittoria Colonna, which may help analyze the artist's physical appearance at the time. The self-portrait, leaning forward at an acute angle, is believed to have served as a signature by Michelangelo.