Anthropology: Early Humans Offbeat: Earth and Climate Offbeat: Paleontology and Archeology
Published

DNA sequence enhances understanding origins of jaws      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers have discovered and characterized a DNA sequence found in jawed vertebrates, such as sharks and humans, but absent in jawless vertebrates, such as lampreys. This DNA is important for the shaping of the joint surfaces during embryo development.

Offbeat: Earth and Climate Offbeat: Paleontology and Archeology
Published

Ancient superpredator got big by front-loading its growth in its youth      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Whatcheeria, a six-foot-long salamander-like creature that lived 340 million years ago, was the T. rex of its time: the biggest, baddest predator in its habitat. A new study reveals how they grew to their 'giant' size: instead of growing slow and steady throughout their lives like many modern reptiles and amphibians, they did most of their growing when they were young.

Environmental: Ecosystems Offbeat: Earth and Climate Space: Exploration Space: The Solar System
Published

Exploring the possibility of extraterrestrial life living in caves      (via sciencedaily.com) 

For millennia, caves have served as shelters for prehistoric humans. Caves have also intrigued scholars from early Chinese naturalists to Charles Darwin. A cave ecologist has been in and out of these subterranean ecosystems, examining the unique life forms -- and unique living conditions -- that exist in Earth's many caves. But what does that suggest about caves on other planetary bodies? In two connected studies, engineers, astrophysicists, astrobiologists and astronauts lay out the research that needs to be done to get us closer to answering the old-age question about life beyond Earth.