Articles tagged with Museums
A team of archaeologists has discovered evidence of frankincense being used in Roman burial rites in Britain, shedding new light on the country's funerary practices. The analysis of debris and skeletal remains from across Britain revealed that these precious substances were transported to the empire's northern outpost despite its decline.
New radiocarbon dates reveal American mastodons only lived in the Arctic and Subarctic for a limited time around 125,000 years ago. The results indicate that mastodons suffered local extinction several tens of millennia before human colonization or climate changes at the end of the ice age.
Italian natural history museums are facing a critical situation due to progressive loss of scientific relevance and decreasing economic investments. The proposed solution is for institutions to join forces and form a 'meta-museum', sharing resources and personnel.
The Snowmastodon Project Science Volume provides a new benchmark for understanding climate change in the American West, revealing dramatic ecosystems changes in response to climate shifts. The nearly continuous 85,000-year time span of the site offers the best-known record of life and climate at high elevation anywhere in North America.
A recent study published in Nature sheds new light on how species diverge, finding that prolonged periods of landscape stability are more important than dramatic geographical changes. The research shows that longer the length of time a species can inhabit an area, the more likely it will disperse and diverge.
A new virus, Sea Star Associated Densovirus (SSaDV), has been identified as the cause of a widespread disease affecting sea stars along the Pacific Coast. The study found that the virus was present in museum specimens dating back to 1942 and had likely existed at low levels for over 72 years.
Scientists from the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles describe a new distinctive fly species of the highly diverse genus Megaselia. The study proposes an innovative method for streamlining Megaselia species descriptions to save time on literature reviews and comparisons.
Scientists have found that turtles breathe with the aid of a muscle sling attached to their shell, which contracts and relaxes to aerate the lungs. The origin of this unique ventilatory apparatus was discovered in the ancient fossil reptile Eunotosaurus africanus.
Researchers employed high-resolution X-ray CT scanning and digital visualization techniques to restore a complete skull of the 3-4m herbivorous dinosaur Erlikosaurus andrewsi. The team digitally dissected the skull, filling in breaks and cracks, duplicating missing elements, and reversing deformation, resulting in a life-like restoration.
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania have discovered that the brain uses geometric relationships to create a mental compass, enabling people to navigate and orient themselves in their environment. The study, led by Russell Epstein and Steven Marchette, used fMRI scans to analyze the retrosplenial complex region of the brain.
Vetulicolians are a group of 500-million-year-old blind water creatures that have been confirmed as distant relatives of humans. The discovery reveals the high diversity of life during the Cambrian period.
Research by Professor Wendy Webster uncovers the mixed reactions to foreigners in Britain during WWII, from welcome for Black GIs to hostility towards civilian refugees. The Mixing It project results in a book and Imperial War Museum exhibition examining diverse experiences of war workers, soldiers, and refugees.
Three new species of leafhoppers from China's Futasujinus genus were identified and described, one named after Dr. Chris Dietrich, a renowned University of Illinois entomologist. The newly discovered species exhibit unique characteristics, including processes on their aedeagal shafts.
Researchers at the University of Bristol have developed a system that combines semi-transparent mirrors with display technologies, enabling unique interactive experiences. By using reflections and projections, visitors can engage with exhibits in new ways, such as trying on clothes or exploring dark objects, in museums and shop windows.
A new study has identified the most common non-mygalomorph spiders found in international cargo, highlighting that many are harmless species. The study provides a simple key for proper identification of cargo-borne spiders to prevent costly and unwarranted measures.
A study in Diversity and Distributions documents the discovery of 27 new vertebrate species in Tanzania's Eastern Arc Mountains, including 23 amphibians and reptiles. The region's exceptional biodiversity is attributed to factors such as forest extent, elevational range, and rainfall.
Fossils of a shark egg case, horseshoe crabs and seed pods have been discovered in Doncaster, providing a window into a tropical water-logged forest teeming with life. The finds are believed to be rare and significant, offering insights into the geological history of Yorkshire.
The project aims to digitize images and data on aquatic and wetland plants, mollusks, and fish from the Great Lakes basin, targeting 2,550 species. The goal is to document species invasions and eventually prevent them.
The Spinosaurus, a massive Cretaceous-era predator, was found to have developed various aquatic adaptations, including small nostrils and giant teeth suited for catching fish. These findings indicate that Spinosaurus was the largest known predatory dinosaur, measuring over 9 feet longer than Tyrannosaurus rex.
Researchers find that geographic isolation is more often due to bird movements across physical barriers, suggesting a generalizable explanation for speciation initiation. The study also highlights the importance of prolonged landscape stability and human alterations in killing the speciation process.
Research from USC and NHM found that whale pelvic bones serve a purpose and are influenced by sexual selection. The study compared the size of pelvic bones to testis size, revealing a correlation between more competitive mating environments and larger pelvic bones.
The largest land animal for which mass can be accurately calculated, Dreadnoughtus measures 85 feet in length and is estimated to weigh around 65 tons. Its nearly complete skeleton provides unprecedented insights into the anatomy and biomechanics of massive animals that once roamed Earth.
NASA's Asteroid Initiative aims to protect Earth from potentially hazardous impacts. Citizens participate in forums to discuss detection strategies, planetary defense, and asteroid exploration. The initiative seeks to balance costs, risks, and benefits of human exploration in space.
A new study reveals seven tiny pieces of interstellar dust found in samples collected by the Stardust Interstellar Dust Collector, which traveled through space and returned to Earth in 2006. The discovery allows researchers to study contemporary stardust for the first time on Earth.
A new study published in PNAS suggests that migratory birds evolved from species that lived year-round in North America. Researchers created a model to analyze the evolutionary changes of migratory bird species and found that most species originated from temperate regions before migrating to tropical areas.
Recent findings at the Alken Enge site reveal a violent sequel to a major battle fought around Christ's birth, with four pelvic bones found tied together and bundles of desecrated bones uncovered. The remains were gathered, cleaned, and then brutally treated before being cast into a lake.
A new study suggests that dinosaurs' demise was partly due to the perfect storm of environmental upheaval, including volcanic activity, changing sea levels, and varying temperatures. This weakened their food chain, making them vulnerable to extinction.
A novel First Nations-led study uncovers a previously undocumented grizzly bear 'highway' in coastal British Columbia, revealing nearly 60 individual bears aggregated in the Koeye River. The research also provides early evidence of declining bear populations linked to salmon scarcity.
Scientists have found that the spotted green pigeon and dodo are descended from 'island hopping' ancestors, according to a new study. The birds show signs of semi-terrestrial lifestyle and ability to fly, with genetic links to other island-dwelling species.
The fossilized remains of Pelagornis sandersi, an extinct giant bird, have been identified as having the largest wingspan of any bird to have lived. The species is estimated to have traveled long distances across ocean waters in search of prey.
A new classification system can predict hunting behaviors of mammals from forelimb bone measurements. The system distinguishes between ambush predators, pursuit predators, and pouncing predators with high accuracy. It was developed based on analysis of 62 specimens of 37 species, including the Thylacine.
Scientists from the California Academy of Sciences have discovered a new species of round-eared sengi in southwestern Africa, showcasing the critical role of scientific collections in biodiversity studies. The Etendeka round-eared sengi is the smallest known member of the order Macroscelidea.
Male dwarf spiders use mating plugs made of a liquid material that hardens over time to block access to the female's sperm storage organ. Small plugs are less effective than large ones, but both size and age play important roles in their efficacy.
Researchers found that despite similarities in body forms, look-alike snakes from the two continents differ dramatically in diet. Australian elapid snakes specialize in lizards and other snakes as prey, while their North American counterparts focus on invertebrates such as insects and spiders.
A new study identifies a 3- to 5-million-year-old Tibetan fox as the likely ancestor of the living Arctic fox, supporting the 'out of Tibet' hypothesis. The discovery boosts an alternative scenario for the origin of cold-adapted Pleistocene megafauna.
International team discovers seven new species of giant pill-millipedes with largest chirping organs, found in rainforests and isolated forest fragments. Conservation efforts needed to protect these microendemic species due to impending mining projects.
Fossil analysis confirms that historic Ohio millstones originated from France, contrary to local assumptions. The study identified distinctive fossils, such as charophytes and snails, unique to the Paris Basin region in France.
The journal, one of the world's oldest entomology journals, adopts a new open access format to increase visibility and dissemination of research papers. This innovation allows authors to freely share their work, promoting increased citation rates and collaboration opportunities.
A massive tooth fossil of the prehistoric marine predator Dakosaurus maximus has been discovered in Dorset, UK. The tooth, measuring approximately 5.5 cm long, is believed to have belonged to a creature that swam alongside killer whales and ate large fish whole.
Researchers found a striking lack of diversity in the earliest known fossil bird fauna, with larger birds and water birds missing from the sample. The scientists applied a statistical technique to modern-day birds to relate physical characteristics to behavior, diet, and habitat.
A group of over 100 biologists argue that collecting plant and animal specimens is essential for scientific research and conservation. They claim that alternative methods such as photography and DNA analysis cannot reliably identify or describe species. The authors emphasize the importance of preserved specimens in understanding evolut...
A new species of praying mantis, the bush tiger mantis, has been discovered in Rwanda's Nyungwe Forest National Park by a Case Western Reserve University student. The female mantis hunts prey on the ground and underbrush, while the male flies.
Researchers have published a study providing complete open access to detailed 3-D images of earthworms, enabling the analysis of rare museum specimens. The study uses micro-computed tomography (microCT) to digitize worm structures, opening possibilities for scanning millions of specimens from museum collections.
Researchers have identified a new order of marine creatures among sea anemones, revealing a giant species that is actually an imposter. The study, published in PLOS ONE, presents the first tree of life for sea anemones and reshapes scientists' understanding of these poorly understood animals.
The University of Michigan has launched a new online repository of fossils, featuring high-definition 3-D models of prehistoric creatures. The digital showcase allows users to manipulate and examine the fossils in detail, providing a valuable resource for researchers and sparking interest in young scientists.
A 325-million-year-old shark fossil has provided new insights into the evolution of jaws in vertebrates, including humans. The study suggests that living sharks are more advanced than previously thought, with internal structures similar to those found in ancient bony fishes.
Two new species of yellow-shouldered bats, Sturnira bakeri and Sturnira burtonlimi, have been identified in western Ecuador and Costa Rica. The discovery expands the genus Sturnira to 22 described species, highlighting the high species richness in the Neotropical bat family Phyllostomidae.
Scientists reconstructed the phylogeny and biological history of Yellow-shouldered bats in the New World tropics, revealing three new species. The study highlights the importance of museum collections in uncovering new knowledge and demonstrates the need for ongoing revision of the Earth's biological history.
A new study confirms three species of alligator snapping turtles, including two recently discovered, are threatened by conservation efforts. The turtles' restricted range and habitats make them vulnerable to catastrophic events such as chemical spills or river pollution.
A newly discovered 305-million-year-old fossil fills in the evolutionary tree for primitive harvestmen, providing evidence that they once had two pairs of eyes. This rare find allows scientists to study the anatomy of ancient arachnids in unprecedented detail.
New studies at La Brea Tar Pits reveal significant changes in dire wolf and saber-toothed cat skulls over time, driven by climate change. These adaptations allowed the animals to survive as glaciers receded and climate warmed, providing insights into how species respond to climate change.
The oldest European zoological journal, Zoosystematics and Evolution, has combined tradition with innovation by joining Pensoft Publishers. The new platform offers a novel, semantically enriched format while maintaining traditional PDF and print versions.
A recent study by Manja Voss challenged the validity of the extinct sea cow species Halitherium schinzii, citing a single tooth as insufficient evidence. The proposed rejection of this specific terminus aims to better handle the known diversity of the sirenian order.
Scientists successfully reassemble two halves of a giant sea turtle bone, one dating back to the Cretaceous Period and the other from the 19th century. The discovery reveals that some exposed fossils can survive longer than previously thought, with calculated estimates suggesting the turtle's size was around 10 feet long.
Researchers at Lund University have discovered undestroyed cell nuclei and individual chromosomes in a well-preserved fern fossil from the Jurassic period. The unique preservation is attributed to the sudden burial of the plant in a volcanic eruption, providing valuable insights into ancient evolutionary stability.
A new species of large-bodied, feathered oviraptorosaurian theropod dinosaur has been discovered in western North America. The dinosaur, Anzu wyliei, had a crested skull, long neck, and large claws, with an approximate body length of 3.5 m and a body mass of about 200-300 kg.
Scientists discover unusual bird-like dinosaur with feathers on arms and tail, and a toothless beak. The new species, Anzu wyliei, lived 68-66 million years ago and provides the first detailed picture of North American oviraptorosaurs.
The discovery of Anzu wyliei provides the first comprehensive look at the Caenagnathidae group, a mysterious theropod dinosaur family. The nearly complete skeleton reveals a bird-like creature with characteristics such as a toothless beak and feathered forelimbs.
The newly discovered Anzu wyliei was an omnivore that roamed the Dakotas with T. rex 66 million years ago and stood over 10 feet tall. The dinosaur's fossil discovery sheds light on a previously limited category of oviraptorosaur theropod dinosaurs.
The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft is supporting 12 projects to digitize research-relevant objects in various fields, including natural history, music, and art. The goal is to develop scientifically adequate standards for indexing and online presentation, making these collections accessible worldwide.