Articles tagged with Museums
A University of Houston researcher is using brain activity tracking to study the connections between art and science, with a goal of improving creativity and understanding human emotion. The project involves artist Jo Ann Fleischhauer and uses advanced headset technology to track brain activity as she creates art.
New calculations indicate that polar bears can survive on land-based food sources, such as caribou and snow goose eggs, to avoid starvation due to ice melt. The research found that these alternative food sources provide enough calories for bears to sustain themselves during extended stays on land.
Researchers analyze 260-million-year-old skull of Eunotosaurus africanus to understand turtle origins. They find evidence of diapsid condition, a characteristic shared with modern reptiles and birds.
The first new species of millipede is described using high-detail 3D images, providing unprecedented access to anatomical information. The cybertype-enhanced description allows for widespread sharing and study of the digital specimen, enabling researchers to analyze its unique traits without dissecting the original holotype.
Researchers from the Canadian Museum of Nature and Fisheries and Oceans Canada describe a new species of giant file clam, Acesta cryptadelphe, found in deep waters off Newfoundland. The clam is genetically distinct from other known species, with characteristics similar to scallops.
A computer game was used to investigate how people respond to audiovisual distractions, finding that age didn't affect susceptibility. The game helped researchers collect data on attention and learning from irrelevant sounds, with potential applications as a training tool.
Scientists have identified a new species of pre-mammal, Ichibengops, which lived around 255 million years ago. The species features a unique groove above its teeth, potentially for transmitting venom.
Researchers observed beak-to-beak mating, den co-occupancy, and extended spawning in captive adult Larger Pacific Striped Octopuses, supporting previously recorded anecdotes. These findings provide insight into the behavior of this species, which remains undescribed.
A new snail species, P. cecepeus, was found in a Madrid museum's collection of over 150 years, highlighting the need for revising historical collections.
The Royal Tyrrell Museum's 30-year anniversary is celebrated with a special edition of Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, featuring research papers on Alberta's geology and palaeontology. The journal recognizes the museum's contributions to understanding life on Earth.
A study found that medical students who visited an art museum with people with dementia showed improved attitudes towards the disease. The experience helped students understand how patients and caregivers maintain relationships despite diagnosis.
A new study reveals that the distinctive, saw-like tooth structure of theropod dinosaurs enabled them to effectively process food, contributing to their success as predators. The discovery sheds light on the evolution of dinosaur dentition and has implications for our understanding of these ancient creatures.
Scientists discover new bat species from Lonchophylla genus in Brazil, with distinct characteristics including paler fur and skull differences. The unexpected finding sheds light on previously misidentified specimens, preserved in renowned collections.
Researchers have reclassified the wasp genera Microplitis and Snellenius as separate genera, shedding light on their unique characteristics. The study identifies 28 new moth predator species within the two groups, highlighting their specialized host relationships and habitat specificity.
Northwestern University's Michael S. Horn has received a $400,000 Faculty Early Career Development Award to design interactive computer experiences for young people in museums, homes, and out-of-school programs. His goal is to increase diversity in postsecondary computer science programs.
A comprehensive analysis found that climate change is compressing the ranges of bumblebees in North America and Europe, leading to significant population reductions. The study highlights the alarming rate at which bumblebee species are disappearing, with some populations declining by over 90%.
A new species of horned dinosaur, Wendiceratops pinhornensis, has been discovered with a unique nose horn and striking frill ornamentation. The find sheds light on the evolution of these distinctive features in the Triceratops family, providing insights into the group's early skull development.
A previously unknown leafhopper species has been found in the New Jersey Pine Barrens, threatening a listed threatened pinebarren smokegrass species. This discovery highlights the impact of climate change and human activities on ecosystems.
Saber-toothed cat canines took years to grow and fully emerged later in life compared to living relatives. Researchers used a novel technique to calculate the eruption rates of their teeth.
New research on Smilodon fatalis reveals that the saber-toothed cat's permanent upper canines didn't fully develop until about three years of age. The growth rate was double that of an African lion's teeth, at 6 millimeters per month.
A North Carolina State University study found that domestic cats avoid places where coyotes are common, instead focusing on residential areas. The research, which analyzed over 2,100 sites across six Eastern states, suggests that the presence of coyotes is a key factor in determining cat behavior.
The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists has received a two-year grant to support a museum display about nuclear energy and workshops to improve public science communication. The grant will also help establish emerging experts in communicating complex scientific concepts to policy leaders and the general public.
Researchers reconstructed dinosaur tracks at a 154-million-year-old quarry site, suggesting carnivorous dinosaurs hunted herbivorous island-dwelling dinosaurs. The digital model reveals that the predators could have immigrated via a land bridge as sea levels dropped.
Researchers found that scarlet macaws were persistently traded hundreds of miles north from Mesoamerica starting in the early 10th century, suggesting that social and political hierarchies may have emerged earlier than thought. The discovery changes our understanding of the development of hierarchy in Pueblo society.
Researchers created a visual atlas and dictionary of terms for camel spider jaws, revealing a single evolutionary origin of the flagellum. The flagellum plays a crucial role in reproduction and is found on the jaws of adult males in most species.
Researchers have found that scarlet macaw remains in Chaco Canyon date back to between 775 and 875 years, suggesting social complexity began earlier than previously thought. This discovery challenges current understanding of Pueblo Bonito's development and raises questions about the origins and trade routes of these birds.
Researchers have pushed back the time period of sophisticated Pueblo culture by at least 150 years, suggesting a more complex society with relationships to Mesoamerican cultures. The discovery of scarlet macaw remains in ancient settlements has provided early evidence of social hierarchy and trade networks.
Researchers have demonstrated a new technique to non-invasively survey tigers using their scent sprays, which can be detected more frequently than traditional scat. This method shows promise for genetic monitoring of tiger populations and could increase the power of conservation surveys.
A new study found that wild swings in climate and lack of consistently abundant vegetation prevented large plant-eating dinosaurs from dominating tropical regions. Fluctuating environments and extreme seasonal shifts made it unreliable for dinosaur herbivores to establish themselves.
A nearly intact skull of a new horned dinosaur species, Regaliceratops peterhewsi, has been discovered in Alberta, Canada. The specimen features a crown-like frill with large pentagonal plates and a central spike, challenging current classification of horned dinosaurs.
A team of scientists has developed a method using commercial-grade laser equipment to find and analyze fossils of dinosaurs, revealing complex details unseen with traditional visual enhancers. The technique causes fossil samples to fluoresce, allowing for the detection of fakes and the identification of new species.
A new human ancestor species, Australopithecus deyiremeda, has been discovered in Ethiopia that lived alongside Lucy's species. The species differs from Lucy's in terms of its thick-enamelled teeth and lower jaw architecture.
The discovery of a partial left femur from a theropod dinosaur in Washington state provides valuable insights into the region's Late Cretaceous period. The fossil is approximately 80 million years old and is believed to have belonged to a smaller than T. rex species, with characteristics unique to theropods during that time.
Researchers from Loyola Marymount University and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County discovered two new species of pillbugs, including a previously unknown species found on a dirty beach near the Port of Los Angeles. The discoveries highlight the importance of citizen science and scientific research in urban areas.
A new species of dinosaur, Saurornitholestes sullivani, discovered by University of Pennsylvania researcher Steven Jasinski had an unusually large olfactory bulb, implying a powerful sense of smell. This keen sense may have made the species an intimidating predator.
A study by the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County found two previously unknown species of vinegar flies (Drosophila gentica and Drosophila flavohirta) breeding on flowers rather than fruit in urban areas. The discovery sheds light on the city's biodiversity and highlights the importance of citizen scientists in this research.
A new species of extinct pigmy sperm whale has been discovered in Panama, providing fresh evidence on the evolution of these whales and their distinctive spermaceti organ. The finding fills a key geographic gap in the group's ancient distribution and offers insights into the complex history of sound emission and echolocation.
New biomechanical modeling reveals complex relationships between animal diets and skull shapes, with ancestry playing a stronger role than previously thought. The study distinguishes between hypercarnivores and generalists based on specific biomechanical attributes.
Scientists have identified two new species of creeping water bugs, Ambrysus cayo and Procryphocricos pilcopata, found in streams in western Belize and southeastern Peru. The discovery highlights the vast unexplored world of aquatic insects, with many still to be discovered before it's too late due to habitat destruction.
Researchers at Stanford have created a new field of interactive biotechnology that allows users to interact with living cells using games and remote-controlled labs. The team developed three projects: arcade-style kiosks, biotic games for teaching bioengineering devices, and robotic biology cloud labs.
A new study has discovered that mighty mosasaurs, which could grow up to 50 feet long, likely gave birth to their young in the open ocean, not on or near shore. This groundbreaking finding answers a long-held question about the initial environment of this iconic predator.
A study by Northwestern University found that children who received analogical comparison training grasped the Brace principle, a key elementary engineering concept. Children showed significant improvement in building tasks after receiving comparison training, with those receiving high-similarity pairs performing over 80% correctly.
Two new species of Saurichthys, a predatory ray-finned fish, have been discovered in Monte San Giorgio, Switzerland. These ancient fishes exhibit distinct skull and body shapes, suggesting different hunting styles and habitats, contributing to their evolutionary success.
Researchers at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County have made a groundbreaking discovery of 30 new insect species in a single genus, all from urban Los Angeles. The BioSCAN project, which enlisted local residents as 'site hosts,' yielded an unprecedented biodiversity collection.
A new study reveals that extinct South American ungulates are closely related to groups that also gave rise to horses and rhinos. The research uses fossil protein sequences to show that these animals are part of the Laurasiatheria group, which includes perissodactyls.
Historians investigate China's reunifications, arguing that social constructions and institutional structures drove the process. The study analyzes data from the Shang, Zhou, Qin, and Han eras, highlighting the role of urbanization, writing systems, and communication technologies.
Researchers reconstructed fetal ear bone development in whales using non-invasive imaging techniques, providing insight into how whales transitioned from land to sea and adapted to underwater hearing. The study's findings confirm changes in ear bone development parallelled changes throughout whale evolution.
A 150-million-year-old fossilized crab larva from southern Germany provides critical evidence for understanding the early rise of crabs. The discovery reveals a modern morphology, indicating that ancient and modern crabs share similar life habits.
A new open-source resource, Fossil Calibration Database, provides carefully vetted fossil data to calibrate molecular clocks and reveal the ages of plant and animal groups. The database addresses the issue of improper use of fossil record data in 'divergence dating,' a field crucial for understanding biodiversity origins.
A new study has uncovered seven different species of crocodiles co-existing in the same place and time, filling gaps in understanding the Amazon's rich biodiversity. The research suggests that a peak in mollusk diversity was correlated with the rise of 'durophagous' crocodiles, which went extinct when the mega-wetlands transformed.
Scientists studied lake cores in Greenland to understand the ice sheet's response to a warm period 8,000-5,000 years ago. They found that during this time, the ice sheet was losing mass at a rate of 100 Gigaton per year, delivering an equivalent 16 cm of global sea-level rise.
A new species of Ichthyosaurus has been identified in a British marine reptile fossil, shedding light on the diversity of ichthyosaurs during the early Jurassic period. The discovery was made possible by advances in analysis and comparison with other groups of reptiles.
Researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography have discovered a new species of seadragon, the 'Ruby Seadragon,' through DNA and anatomical research. The species, Phyllopteryx dewysea, has bright red coloration and is believed to inhabit deeper waters.
Scientists at Natural History Museum London have invented a creative, functional, and affordable pinned insect manipulator using LEGO bricks.
A team of researchers has discovered three new extinct monkey fossils in the Peruvian Amazon, pushing back the colonization of South America by monkeys to at least 36 million years ago. The findings provide the first evidence that monkeys crossed the Atlantic Ocean from Africa.
The International Code of Botanical Nomenclature was updated after the five-day Vienna meeting, with relatively few changes accepted and several clarifications adopted. The new code includes a Glossary for the first time, linking nomenclatural terms to their definitions.
A new study reveals four new genera and four new species of bush crickets from sub-Saharan Africa, shedding light on the diversity of Orthoptera. The discovery includes one species that has been waiting for over 100 years to be discovered and described, with the name 'oblitum' meaning 'forgotten' in Latin.
Scientists propose the Anthropocene began with the nuclear age on July 16, 1945. Human-made changes, such as artificial radionuclides and increased carbon emissions, altered the Earth system, leading to a 'Great Acceleration'. The start date marks the historic turning point when humans accessed an enormous new energy source.
Researchers found that modern human skeletons have significantly lower bone density than other animals and even ancient ancestors. The decrease is especially pronounced in lower limbs, suggesting a link to humans' shift from foraging to agricultural lifestyles.
A total of 98 new species of the Trigonopterus genus were discovered in Indonesian islands, shedding light on the region's vast insect fauna. The discovery highlights the importance of conservation efforts to protect these vulnerable species from habitat changes.