Paleontology: Early Mammals and Birds
Published

Nearly a hundred genes have been lost during the woolly mammoth's evolution      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A new study shows that 87 genes have been affected by deletions or short insertions during the course of the mammoth's evolution. The researchers note that their findings have implications for international efforts to resurrect extinct species, including the woolly mammoth.

Paleontology: Early Mammals and Birds
Published

CT scanner captures entire woolly mammoth tusk      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers successfully captured CT images of an entire woolly mammoth tusk. Researchers were able to do a full scan of the tusk in its entirety -- or in toto -- using a newer clinical CT scanner. The new technology allows for large-scale imaging without having to do multiple partial scans.

Engineering: Graphene
Published

A paper battery with water switch      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A team of researchers has developed a water-activated disposable paper battery. The researchers suggest that it could be used to power a wide range of low-power, single-use disposable electronics -- such as smart labels for tracking objects, environmental sensors and medical diagnostic devices -- and minimize their environmental impact.

Engineering: Graphene
Published

Magnetic quantum material broadens platform for probing next-gen information technologies      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Scientists have used neutron scattering to determine whether a specific material's atomic structure could host a novel state of matter called a spiral spin liquid. By tracking tiny magnetic moments known as 'spins' on the honeycomb lattice of a layered iron trichloride magnet, the team found the first 2D system to host a spiral spin liquid.

Engineering: Graphene
Published

Graphene scientists capture images of atoms 'swimming' in liquid      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Graphene scientists have created a novel 'nano-petri dish' using two-dimensional (2D) materials to create a new method of observing how atoms move in liquid.

Anthropology: Early Humans Paleontology: Early Mammals and Birds
Published

Early hunting, farming homogenized mammal communities of North America      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Whether by the spear or the plow, humans have been homogenizing the mammal communities of North America for 10,000-plus years, says a new analysis of 8,831 fossils representing 365 species.

Engineering: Graphene
Published

Bioinspired protein creates stretchable 2D layered materials      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Nature creates layered materials like bone and mother-of-pearl that become less sensitive to defects as they grow. Now researchers have created, using biomimetic proteins patterned on squid ring teeth, composite layered 2D materials that are resistant to breaking and extremely stretchable.

Paleontology: Early Mammals and Birds
Published

New study challenges old views on what's 'primitive' in mammalian reproduction      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Which group of mammals has the more 'primitive' reproductive strategy -- marsupials, with their short gestation periods, or humans and other placental mammals, which have long gestation periods? For decades, biologists viewed marsupial reproduction as 'more primitive.' But scientists have discovered that a third group of mammals, the long-extinct multituberculates, had a long gestation period like placental mammals. Since multituberculates split off from the rest of the mammalian lineage before placentals and marsupials had even evolved, these findings question the view that marsupials were 'less advanced' than their placental cousins.

Engineering: Graphene
Published

Buckyballs on gold are less exotic than graphene      (via sciencedaily.com) 

C60 molecules on a gold substrate appear more complex than their graphene counterparts, but have much more ordinary electronic properties. This is now shown by measurements with ARPES at BESSY II and detailed calculations.

Paleontology: Early Mammals and Birds
Published

The size of mammal ancestors' ear canals reveal when warm-bloodedness evolved      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Warm-bloodedness is a key mammal trait, but it's been a mystery when our ancestors evolved it. A new study points to an unlikely source for telling a fossil animal's body temperature: the size of tiny structures in their inner ears. The fluid in our ears becomes runnier at higher temperatures, so animals with warm bodies don't need as big of canals for it to flow through. Turns out, mammal ancestors became warm-blooded nearly 20 million years later than previously thought.

Engineering: Graphene
Published

New research furthers understanding of the electronic structure of graphite      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Graphite is an incredibly important, versatile mineral, with uses spanning industries. Graphite is an essential component of many batteries, including lithium-ion batteries, and demand is only increasing as new technology is developed. Surprisingly, no spectroscopic studies have so far accurately measured the electronic states of the surface and the edge of graphite from a microscopic point of view. Indeed, the improvement in battery performance depends largely on the control of the characteristics of the graphite at the tip.

Paleontology: Early Mammals and Birds
Published

Australian vulture emerges from fossil record      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Australia's first fossil vulture has been confirmed more than 100 years after it was first described as an eagle. The discovery highlights the diversity of Australian megafauna and other animals many thousands of years ago in the Pleistocene period.

Engineering: Graphene
Published

Researcher uses graphene for same-time, same-position biomolecule isolation and sensing      (via sciencedaily.com) 

New research has overcome a major challenge to isolating and detecting molecules at the same time and at the same location in a microdevice. The work demonstrates an important advance in using graphene for electrokinetic biosample processing and analysis and could allow lab-on-a-chip devices to become smaller and achieve results faster.

Engineering: Graphene
Published

Research team accelerates imaging techniques for capturing small molecules' structures      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A new research effort is accelerating imaging techniques to visualize structures of small molecules clearly -- a process once thought impossible. Their discovery unleashes endless potential in improving everyday life applications -- from plastics to pharmaceuticals.

Engineering: Graphene
Published

Flashing creates hard-to-get 2D boron nitride      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Chemists use their flash Joule heating process to synthesize 2D flakes of boron nitride and boron carbon nitride, highly valued for lending thermal and chemical stability to compounds.

Engineering: Graphene
Published

Thin mica shows semiconducting behavior, say scientists in new study      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Muscovite mica (MuM) is a highly stable mineral that is commonly used as an insulator. However, the electrical properties of single-layer and few-layered MuM are not well understood. Now, a group of researchers reports and explains unusually high conductivity in MuM flakes that are only a few molecule layers thick. Their findings could open doors to the development of two-dimensional electronic devices that are robust against harsh environments.

Paleontology: Early Mammals and Birds
Published

Coevolution of mammals and their lice      (via sciencedaily.com) 

According to a new study, the first louse to take up residence on a mammalian host likely started out as a parasite of birds. That host-jumping event tens of millions of years ago began the long association between mammals and lice, setting the stage for their coevolution and offering more opportunities for the lice to spread to other mammals.

Anthropology: Early Humans Paleontology: Early Mammals and Birds
Published

How placentas evolved in mammals      (via sciencedaily.com) 

The fossil record tells us about ancient life through the preserved remains of body parts like bones, teeth and turtle shells. But how to study the history of soft tissues and organs, which can decay quickly, leaving little evidence behind? In a new study, scientists use gene expression patterns, called transcriptomics, to investigate the ancient origins of one organ: the placenta, which is vital to pregnancy.

Paleontology: Early Mammals and Birds
Published

New kangaroo described -- from Papua New Guinea      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Australian palaeontologists have described a new genus of giant fossil kangaroo from the mountains of central Papua New Guinea. The new description of the fossil kangaroo has found that, rather than being closely related to Australian kangaroos, it most likely belongs to a unique genus of more primitive kangaroo found only in PNG.

Paleontology: Early Mammals and Birds
Published

The secret lives of Darwin's finches reveal daily commutes the equivalent of 30 soccer fields      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Using radio transmitters, scientists have gained new insights into the behavior of medium ground finches in the Galapagos Islands. A study reveals daily movement patterns covering an area equivalent to the size of 30 soccer fields.