Articles tagged with Museums
A new study using cutting-edge technology finds that Tyrannosaurus rex grew more quickly and reached significantly greater masses than previously estimated. The team calculated the body mass of five specimens, including the iconic SUE skeleton, which weighed over nine tons.
Scientists have developed a fast and reliable scientific test to authenticate the age and authenticity of priceless silk tapestries and treasures. The new method tracks time-related deterioration in silk protein, providing accurate measures of age within 50-100 years.
A living species of aquatic beetle, Helophorus sibiricus, was discovered in 20-million-year-old sediments in southern Siberia. The fossil provides new data on the average duration of an insect species and suggests that some species may survive for millions of years.
Scientists have found two ancient specimens of caddisfly in 100-million-year-old Burmese amber, providing the first record of the Psychomyiidae family in the fossil record. The discovery sheds light on the diversity of caddisflies during the Cretaceous Period.
Researchers explore how 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' has been referenced and reinterpreted in over 100 films, plays, and musicals, revealing shifts in attitudes towards African Americans. Sharon Dean's research highlights the evolution of representations, from demeaning stereotypes to more sympathetic portrayals of diverse groups.
A new species of raptor dinosaur, Talos sampsoni, has been discovered in southern Utah, providing insights into the function of its enlarged talon and revealing a previously unknown level of feathered, bird-like characteristics. The study also sheds light on the behavior of theropod dinosaurs during the Late Cretaceous period.
A new study provides clear evidence that many primitive bird species survived right up until the time of the Chicxulub meteorite impact. The team identified and dated a large collection of bird fossils representing various species, showing diversity in size, beak structure, and other features.
The Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute has developed a fast and reliable method to date silk using capillary electrophoresis mass spectrometry. This technique measures the natural deterioration of silk's amino acids to determine its age, providing a scientific clock for estimating silk's age.
A team of paleontologists has unearthed a 3.6 million-year-old woolly rhino fossil in the Himalayas, revealing key adaptations for surviving in cold environments. The discovery provides crucial insights into the evolution of Ice Age giants and challenges existing theories about their origins.
The discovery of Juramaia sinensis, a 160-million-year-old fossil, fills an important gap in the fossil record and helps to calibrate modern DNA-based methods of dating. The fossil provides evidence of the date when eutherian mammals diverged from other mammals.
The project, called VertNet, aims to make online storage of vertebrate collections from around the world more accessible. This will enable academic researchers and citizen scientists to search and explore the vast collections more easily.
A team of scientists has re-dated a lunar rock sample from Apollo 16, concluding it is almost 100 million years younger than expected. The new age of 4.36 billion years suggests the Moon solidified later than previously thought, potentially making it much younger.
A new study has found that soft corals, once believed to be minor contributors to coral reef structure, are actually a crucial component of the ecosystem. Soft coral skeletal elements called sclerites were discovered to make up massive parts of reefs in the South China Sea.
The museum's new dinosaur hall features a unique 78-million-year-old fossil that shows evidence of live birth in an adult plesiosaur and its developing embryo, resolving a long-standing mystery in the field. The research establishes that plesiosaurs gave birth to live young, rather than laying eggs on land.
Researchers are studying early reptiles' movement using a fast X-ray video system and comparing it with modern animals. The goal is to create animated studies of the early saurians and gain insights into their movements.
The discovery of Acristavus gagslarsoni, a non-crested hadrosaur, reveals that two distinct styles of headgear evolved independently. The fossils found in different locations suggest earlier species roamed over a larger region of North America.
Scientists uncover ancient fossils of Coxoplectoptera, an insect order that defies classification, offering clues to the evolution of wings and lifestyle. The discovery presents a new hypothesis on the development of insect wings, suggesting they originated from thoracic backplates.
Fossils discovered on Kangaroo Island, Australia, reveal that early animals had excellent vision, with compound eyes containing over 3000 lenses. This suggests a rapid evolution of visual organs due to the adaptive advantage of sharp vision for hunting and finding food.
A Harvard expert investigates brown spots on King Tut's tomb walls, discovering they are not living organisms but rather dead microbes. The analysis of the spots reveals that the tomb was buried in an unusual hurry, with moisture and food providing a bountiful environment for microbial growth.
Regular cultural activities like visiting museums and theatres improve mental health in adults, with receptive cultural activities showing greatest benefits for men. Engaging in creative or active cultural activities also has positive effects on perceived health and well-being.
A new study reveals that young tyrannosaurs, like the 70-million-year-old Tarbosaurus bataar skull, used quickness and agility to catch prey. The juvenile's different lifestyle than adults suggests a change in dietary niches as animals grew older.
A team of scientists has discovered a new mineral, krotite, which is believed to be one of the earliest minerals formed in our solar system. The mineral was found in an unusual inclusion embedded in a meteorite and is composed of calcium-aluminum-rich refractory material.
A study using DNA from museum specimens reveals a clear pattern of amphibian decline linked to the deadly fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. The researchers found that the fungus first appeared in southern Mexico in the early 1970s, spreading southward to Central America and causing mass extirpation of neotropical amphibians.
A University of Utah study reveals that Paranthropus boisei, a 2.3 million-year-old human relative, had a diet of mainly tropical grasses or sedges, not nuts. The discovery upsets conventional wisdom and has implications for understanding the diets of other early humans and human relatives.
Researchers tracked increases in methylmercury levels in black-footed albatross feathers over 120 years, attributing them to human-generated emissions. The study highlights the importance of conservation efforts in the Pacific Ocean, where mercury pollution poses a significant threat to endangered seabird species and human health.
Sophie Warny, LSU assistant professor of palynology, receives $582,000 NSF CAREER Award to study Antarctic warm periods. The grant will support high-resolution paleo-environmental studies and educational outreach.
A comprehensive survey study confirms the enormous value of science museums in shaping public knowledge and attitudes. The California Science Center was found to be a highly effective institution in inspiring visitors, particularly from diverse backgrounds.
A three-year project led by the University of Strathclyde aims to create portable devices that can analyze air samples from valuable items without touching them. The technology uses 'sniffing' artefacts to understand the composition and condition of objects, with potential applications for museums and collectors.
A recent census led by Robert Lücking documented 432 different lichens within one square kilometer of Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park, including 18 never before identified and nearly 100 previously not known from North America. The discovery highlights the remarkable biodiversity of lichens in this tropical environment.
A recent study of 45-million-year-old pollen from Pine Island has led to a revised understanding of Florida's geologic history. The discovery of land-based pollen indicates that Florida may have been inhabited by land animals around 10-15 million years ago, contradicting previous theories.
A new census of dinosaur skeletons reveals that Tyrannosaurus rex subsisted on both carrion and fresh-killed prey, exploiting a variety of animals. The discovery challenges the long-held notion of T. rex as an apex predator.
A collaborative effort by 102 lichenologists from 37 countries reveals 100 new species of lichens, including those found in arctic tundra and tropical rain forests. The study highlights the vast unexplored diversity of fungal life on Earth.
Scientists have identified a complex chemical reaction responsible for the degradation of Van Gogh's paintings, which involves the reduction of chromium in chrome yellow pigment. The study suggests that shielding affected paintings from UV and sunlight can help slow down the fading process.
Anthropologist Jane Desmond explores how Body Worlds exhibits tolerate the public display of human corpses, idealizing them as objects of scientific curiosity. The exhibitors promote the display as an advancement in anatomy studies, using de-emotional screens and depersonalization to create a universal experience.
Scientists have used rare Martian meteorite samples to reveal that a collision on Mars caused water to flow near the planet's surface. The research found veins created during an impact, which suggests that buried ice melted and deposited minerals such as clay and serpentine.
A research team used 100-year-old specimens from California Academy of Sciences to estimate when avian pox hit Galapagos. The study found that humans likely played a role in spreading the disease, highlighting the need for policies to prevent further spread.
Researchers discovered that extinct ammonites had jaws and teeth adapted for eating small plankton using synchrotron scans. The study provides new insights into why ammonites went extinct 65.5 million years ago due to an asteroid impact.
The Morrison Natural History Museum has discovered infant dinosaur footprints, representing baby sauropods, in the Late Jurassic period. The tracks suggest that Morrison was an apatosaur nursery, with evidence of a running trackway demonstrating only hindpaw tracks.
The study reveals how Dracula orchids masquerade as mushrooms to lure flies, while goblin spiders, small and secretive, are redefined in their taxonomy. New species discoveries provide insights into pollination and conservation efforts.
A new discovery in Libya's Dur At-Talah escarpment suggests that anthropoids colonized Africa from Asia, rather than evolving there. The site yields three distinct families of anthropoid primates that lived in North Africa around 39 million years ago.
The discovery of well-preserved ammonites at cold methane seeps in the ancient seaway that covered North America during the Cretaceous Period has provided new insights into their paleobiology. These organisms thrived in these environments, consumed small prey, and often survived predation attempts.
Researchers have found that Labidolemur kayi shares similarities in bone features with other mammals, indicating its living relatives are rodents, rabbits, flying lemurs, tree shrews and primates. The study provides valuable information for understanding the origin of primates.
Researchers used DNA analysis to identify the Passenger Pigeon's closest living relatives, revealing that it was most closely related to other North and South American pigeons, not the Mourning Dove. The study also sheds light on the bird's extinction, which was caused by human hunting and habitat destruction.
Two new species of horned dinosaurs, Utahceratops and Kosmoceratops, have been discovered in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in southern Utah. The dinosaurs possess unique horn structures, with short eye horns projecting strongly to the side, and one horn over the nose, making them the most ornate-headed dinosaurs known.
New research reveals tyrannosaur diversity, including smaller species and earlier ancestors, has significantly expanded our understanding. A comprehensive evolutionary tree shows the group's complexity, challenging popular perceptions of T. rex as a singular apex predator.
A new species of predatory dinosaur, Balaur bondoc, has been discovered in Romania with unusual features such as a re-evolved functional big toe with a large claw. Its unique anatomy suggests it was adapted for strength over speed and likely hunted in a different way than its relatives.
A new study in Journal of Consumer Research found that people are more satisfied with their experiences when they make personal choices, especially when the goal is pleasure. In contrast, when the goal is to achieve a higher-end consequence, there is no difference in satisfaction between those who choose and those who do not.
The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera has detected 14 previously unknown lobate scarps on the moon, indicating recent contraction of the lunar interior. The newly discovered scarps show a globally distributed distribution and are estimated to have formed about 100 meters in the recent past.
A new study re-examines the mosasaur fossil, considered the world's finest, revealing that these marine reptiles were better swimmers than previously thought. The team demonstrates that advanced shark-like swimming began in mosasaurs millions of years earlier than previously believed.
Scientists from The Field Museum and Royal Holloway University of London have discovered that high atmospheric oxygen concentrations in the past led to the evolution of new plant groups, such as conifers and flowering plants. This, in turn, may have promoted large and frequent wildfires, with implications for Earth's climate history.
The School of Science at IUPUI is launching a program to encourage science majors to become teachers, addressing the shortage in science educators. Through the Noyce Summer Internship program, freshmen and sophomores share their enthusiasm for science with middle school and high school students.
A new study reveals that consistent year-round temperatures in the tropics, rather than higher temperatures or more sunlight, are key to its stunning biodiversity. The research suggests that the world is likely less diverse today than it was tens of millions of years ago, when the entire Earth had consistent year-round temperatures.
Researchers from Natural History Museum of Bern reveal courtship behaviors of male parasitoid wasps through antennal structures and coiling behavior. The study, published in BMC Evolutionary Biology, emphasizes the importance of natural history museum collections.
Researchers have analyzed seven paintings by Leonardo Da Vinci without extracting samples, revealing the composition and thickness of each layer. The study confirms the use of thin glaze layers to achieve soft transitions and blend shadows like smoke.
Researchers have found that Triceratops and Torosaurus are the same dinosaur, but at different stages of growth. The discovery contributes to a theory that dinosaur diversity was highly depleted at the end of the Cretaceous Period.
Researchers discover two new species of pancake batfishes, Halieutichthys intermedius and H. bispinosus, and re-describe another, H. aculeatus, in waters affected by the recent oil spill. The discovery highlights the potential loss of undocumented biodiversity.
A collaborative project is digitizing and consolidating nearly one million specimen records from ten bee collections across the US to create a centralized database. The project aims to understand native bees' roles in agricultural and natural systems and predict risks to bees due to climate change and habitat loss.
A study analyzing ancient teeth found that it's possible to correctly identify species with a success rate ranging from 60% to 80%. Computer simulation was used to observe the effects of environmental changes on morphology of the teeth. The research suggests that the common ancestor of Neanderthals and Homo sapiens may still be unknown.
The world's oldest known fig wasp fossil has been discovered on the Isle of Wight, revealing that this tiny insect has remained virtually unchanged for over 34 million years. The fossil is almost identical to modern species, indicating a complex relationship between figs and their pollinators developed millions of years ago.
A new study published in PLoS Biology calls for the public's help in collecting bird sighting data, which is crucial for monitoring biodiversity. The researchers highlight that current data on common species is scarce, making it difficult to establish a 'biodiversity baseline', and urge citizens to record their sightings online.