Articles tagged with Museums
Two groups of blind cave fishes from Australia and Madagascar are each other's closest relatives, descending from a common ancestor separated by continental drift nearly 100 million years ago. The study identifies new species that add to existing biological evidence for the existence of Gondwana.
Scientists warn that the famous Swedish warship Vasa is deteriorating due to significant loss of strength in its wooden hull. The study found that the ship's wooden structure weakened by up to 80 percent, potentially threatening its preservation for future generations.
The American Chemical Society is honoring the 25th anniversary of National Chemistry Week with a symposium. The event aims to promote awareness of chemistry's value in everyday life through hands-on science events and demonstrations. The week-long celebration will feature presentations by prominent chemists, including ACS President Bas...
The invasive Ophiothela mirabilis has established populations in the Atlantic, threatening coral reefs near Brazilian and Caribbean ports. Its ability to clone itself increases its proliferating capacity and dispersal, altering the ecology of Atlantic coral reef habitats.
A team of archaeologists and geologists have discovered a large quantity of skeletal remains at the Alken Enge site, including a fractured skull and thigh bone hacked in half, suggesting violent conflict. The remains are believed to be from hundreds of warriors who were sacrificed around the time of the birth of Christ.
Researchers found evidence of domestication at an ancient Mayan site in Guatemala, suggesting the Mexican turkey was introduced to the region around 300 B.C. The discovery has significant consequences for understanding Maya subsistence and animal exchange with other cultures.
The University of Houston has been awarded the largest grant in Texas this funding cycle, totaling $426,115, to study and publish a 10th-century manuscript of Homer's Iliad. The grant was announced by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), supporting research in classical studies.
A recent study by the Institute for Ocean Conservation Science found that international protection of sturgeon species has reduced fraudulent labeling of black caviar. The research revealed a nearly 50% decrease in mislabeled products, indicating the effectiveness of trade regulation.
A series of 18 articles in ZooKeys examines recent advances in imaging systems, data gathering techniques, and collaborative approaches to digitization. These efforts aim to create a global virtual natural history museum, providing unprecedented access to biodiversity records and research opportunities.
A recent survey conducted at the University of California, Berkeley, found 48 distinct bird species within a 84-acre area, surpassing previous records from 1913 and 1938. The study suggests that urban green spaces can serve as islands of diversity, supporting a wide range of bird species.
Two new species of ancient South American rodents have been discovered in the Chilean Andes, providing evidence for the earliest known grasslands. The fossils, dated to around 32.5 million years ago, show high-crowned teeth that indicate an open and dry environment.
Intermediate-mass black holes can grow in galaxy gas disks through a mechanism similar to giant planet formation. The 'runaway growth' phenomenon allows stellar black holes to swallow stars and increase their mass, potentially creating an intermediate-mass black hole.
Researchers at the University of Oregon have discovered 13,000-year-old Western Stemmed projectile points and human DNA in the Paisley Caves. The findings provide new information on the overlap between Clovis and Western Stemmed point-production technologies.
South African scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery of a large rock containing significant parts of a skeleton of an early human ancestor, believed to be the remains of 'Karabo', the type skeleton of Australopithecus sediba. The fossil will be unveiled live online and in a laboratory studio for the first time in history, allo...
Researchers have discovered ancient domesticated caprines at Leopard Cave in Namibia, dated to the end of the first millennium BC. The findings provide new insights into the origins of domestication and herding practices in southern Africa.
Scientists discovered a 5-foot-long fossil turtle with an extremely circular shell in Colombia. The shell may have discouraged predators and helped the cold-blooded turtle regulate its body temperature. This new species adds to evidence that tropical reptiles were larger than they are now after the dinosaurs' extinction.
Archaeologists and engineers at the University of Southampton are using advanced X-ray imaging technology to study Roman coins. The technique allows for non-invasive examination and identification of coins, which can also be used to read inscriptions and depict emperors' faces.
Archaeologists are uncovering the secrets of a mass sacrifice of over 200 warriors in a bog near Alken, Denmark. The dig aims to clarify the circumstances behind the ritual sacrifice and analyze the remains to shed light on the Iron Age culture.
A new species of phorid fly has been discovered, belonging to a family known for 'decapitating' ants. The tiny fly, Euryplatea nanaknihali, is 15 times smaller than a house fly and feeds on the heads of small ant species.
A three-year $900,000 grant was awarded to Drs. Brian Brown and Art Borkent to inventory all species of flies living in a 100x200 meter area in Costa Rica, estimated to discover at least 3,000 new species. This project aims to better understand the importance of insects in ecosystems and gauge the impact of habitat change.
Scientists are using hindcasting to develop more accurate models of ecosystem changes, leveraging UC Berkeley's vast museum collections to study past episodes of global change. This will inform policy-making and forecasting tools for the future.
Researchers developed two collaborative games to teach phylogeny, a tree diagram representing evolutionary history. Phylo-Genie improved student scores on post-tests compared to pen-and-paper exercises, while Build-a-Tree demonstrated active prolonged engagement in informal museum settings.
The 37-million-year-old Afrasia fossil closely resembles Afrotarsius libycus, indicating that early anthropoids colonized Africa shortly before these animals lived. This discovery supports the idea that Asian anthropoids are the source of earliest human ancestors.
A new doctoral dissertation published in Nature sheds light on the dynamics of the earth and crust formation before 3 billion years ago, revealing a significant shift in the Earth's dynamics. This new understanding has significant implications for future climate change.
A new study suggests that shifting exchange networks were instrumental in prompting the 'Maya collapse', with evidence pointing to a decline in inland centers and rise of coastal trade networks. Researchers used social network analysis to map obsidian transportation routes, revealing changes in trade patterns over time.
Scientists have found a 60-million-year-old giant turtle with a shell measuring 172 centimeters long, making it one of the largest turtles ever discovered. The turtle's massive size allowed it to thrive in its ecosystem, where other giant reptiles like snakes also existed.
A $373,256 grant will be used to re-curate and modernize the West Virginia Biological Survey Museum, which houses over 21,000 specimens. The project aims to preserve the nation's largest museum collection of mammals, amphibians, and reptiles from West Virginia.
UC Riverside scholars use cutting-edge technology to solve art historical problems, exploring the use of facial recognition in identifying centuries-old portraits. They aim to restore identities of subjects with sold portraits, shedding light on European political and religious history.
Scientists have identified sections in the DNA of living beings as 'DNA barcodes' that differ among species, allowing for fast and accurate identification. The project aims to collect over 5,000 plant samples using these markers to monitor environmental effects and track species.
Research found that ammonites made homes in unique environments surrounding methane seeps, forming integral part of interwoven communities. Isotope analysis revealed that these ancient mollusks spent their whole lives in these ecosystems.
A 2,000-year-old study reveals that indigenous people in the Amazon savannas farmed sustainably without using fire, conserving soil nutrients and organic matter. This labor-intensive approach to farming could be a model for modern raised-field agriculture, reducing carbon emissions and providing food security.
An international group of scientists proposes a plan to describe 10 million species in less than 50 years, leveraging worldwide collections and technological advances. This mission aims to chart the biosphere and understand the origin, organization, and sustainability of biodiversity.
Scientists have discovered the first evidence of Pre-Columbian sources of palygorskite for Maya Blue. Researchers established a link between contemporary indigenous knowledge and ancient mines in Mexico's northern Yucatan Peninsula.
A new, pitch-black wasp species has been discovered in Sulawesi, Indonesia, belonging to the digger wasp family. The species differs from all known related digger wasps due to its unusual body size and long, sickle-shaped jaws.
Scientists discovered a 3-4 million-year-old toothed whale species, Bohaskaia monodontoides, that lived in warm water regions and shared features with belugas and narwhals. The fossil skull found in Virginia suggests its modern relatives' Arctic adaptations evolved recently.
Gene Kritsky will give the Entomology Founders' Memorial Award lecture at Entomology 2012, honoring Charles Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection. Dr. Kritsky's research has significantly contributed to understanding periodical cicadas and apiculture.
The Planet under Pressure conference brings together 2,500 specialists to present scientific knowledge on the planet's state and potential solutions. Public events at science centers and museums worldwide will take place concurrently, giving the public a snapshot of the planet's state and scientific concern.
Two new horned dinosaurs, Unescoceratops koppelhusae and Gryphoceratops morrisoni, have been named based on fossils found in Alberta, Canada. The discoveries fill gaps in the evolutionary history of small-bodied horned dinosaurs.
Scientists discovered 13,435- to 13,738-year-old marks on a Jefferson's Ground Sloth femur, indicating prehistoric humans hunted or scavenged the animal. The findings are the oldest evidence of human activity in Ohio and provide new insights into the lives of prehistoric Ohioans.
Researchers from Binghamton University and Cardiff University have discovered the floor of the world's oldest forest in a cover article in Nature. The ancient site, dating back 385 million years, provides new insights into modern-day forests and their impact on climate change.
A UCR graduate student's research has rewritten the history books on Maya women, showing they played a central role in society before colonialization. Patel discovered artifacts and relics that reveal priestess oracles, female deities, and religious rituals, highlighting women's lost status under Spanish rule.
Researchers have reconstructed the giant prehistoric New Zealand penguin, Kairuku, from two separate fossils, providing new insights into its body shape and uniqueness. The reconstruction reveals a slender body, long flippers, and short legs, standing around 4-feet-2 inches tall.
The earliest known horse, Sifrhippus sandae, evolved to become smaller over time as the planet warmed. Scientists have now found that rising temperatures directly drove this 'dwarfing' phenomenon, with a one-to-one shift in body size. This study has implications for how animals may respond to future climate change.
Scientists have discovered that early horses, such as Sifrhippus, shrunk in size during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum due to rising temperatures. This study provides evidence of a one-to-one relationship between temperature change and body size evolution.
A new study reveals a significant decline in the genetic diversity of alpine chipmunks in Yosemite National Park due to climate change. The species' geographic range has shifted to higher elevations over the past 90 years, resulting in fragmented and genetically impoverished populations.
Researchers use DNA barcoding to identify parasitic worms in canned food, ruling out contamination and ensuring kosher certification. The study's findings confirm that the food remains kosher despite the presence of roundworms.
A bizarre 'tulip-shaped' creature, Siphusauctum gregarium, has been discovered in the Canadian Rockies from Middle Cambrian Burgess Shale fossils. The unique filter feeding system challenges current knowledge of animal evolution.
Chris Austin discovered two new species of frogs in New Guinea, one of which is the smallest known vertebrate, challenging previous thought that extreme body size is associated with aquatic species. The tiny frog Paedophryne amauensis occupies a unique habitat niche in tropical rainforests.
A new species of liverwort, Frullania knightbridgei, is discovered in New Zealand and described using revolutionary electronic publishing rules. The publication accelerates scientific discovery and description of new plant species, crucial for understanding early land plant evolution and conserving biodiversity.
A new study by NHM entomologist Dr. Brian Brown and others reveals the tiny but deadly phorid fly poses a significant threat to North American beekeeping. The research sheds light on hive abandonment behaviors seen in Colony Collapse Disorder, potentially providing a partial explanation for these catastrophic losses.
Researchers at TUM develop process to build high-quality polymer networks with strong covalent bonds, resulting in stable and durable molecule carpets. The method eliminates weaving mistakes by correcting bad bonds during self-organization.
A mysterious line dividing two millipede species in northwest Tasmania reveals a 'border control' mechanism that surpasses human capabilities. The boundary is approximately 230 km long and meets at only one point, with the millipedes rarely entering each other's territory.
Researchers have found two new species of the miniaturized frog genus Paedophryne in southeastern New Guinea. The tiny frogs have reduced digit sizes and inhabit leaf litter, reflecting their adaptation to a unique food source.
Researchers found highly acute vision in Anomalocaris, rivalling that of modern insects and crustaceans. The giant marine predator's compound eyes were exceptionally preserved, with each eye containing over 16,000 lenses.
A new study from Montana State University has uncovered enormous bones of the sauropod dinosaur Alamosaurus sanjuanensis, which is now recognized as North America's biggest dinosaur. The giant vertebrae and femur measured up to 100ft long and weighed over 70 tons.
A new species of horned dinosaur named Spinops sternbergorum was discovered nearly 100 years after its initial discovery in southern Alberta, Canada. The animal lived approximately 76 million years ago and weighed around two tons, featuring a unique bony neck frill with long spikes.
Researchers from Indiana University School of Medicine have made a breakthrough using century-old brain samples to detect mental illness. The goal is to create a simple blood test for conditions like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and PTSD, which could lead to faster diagnoses and improved patient care.
The EUROTAST project brings together young researchers to study the transatlantic slave trade's history and impact. The four-year project will explore captives' origins in Africa and physical quality of life, with a focus on interdisciplinary research and public dissemination.
Researchers use ancient species distribution to identify areas where vegetation resisted glaciations, providing insights into plant conservation and evolution. The study highlights the importance of mountain ranges like the Hengduan in preserving relic flora.
The EU-funded project ViBRANT has leveraged electronic infrastructures to accelerate biodiversity discoveries. Researchers from 17 European institutions have shared historical and newly collected data, enabling new insights into biodiversity.