Ecology: Extinction Paleontology: Dinosaurs Paleontology: Early Mammals and Birds Paleontology: Fossils Paleontology: General
Published

Early dinosaurs grew up fast, but they weren't the only ones      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The earliest dinosaurs had rapid growth rates, but so did many of the other animals living alongside them, according to a new study.

Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Geochemistry Geoscience: Geography Geoscience: Geology Paleontology: General
Published

New step in tectonic squeeze that turns seafloor into mountains      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers describe zircons from the Andes mountains of Patagonia. Although the zircons formed when tectonic plates were colliding, they have a chemical signature associated with when the plates were moving apart. The researchers think that the unexpected signature could be explained by the mechanics of underlying tectonic plates that hasn't yet been described in other models.

Biology: General Biology: Zoology Ecology: Animals Paleontology: General
Published

In paleontology, correct names are keys to accurate study      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

When the skeletal remains of a giant ground sloth were first unearthed in 1796, the discovery marked one of the earliest paleontological finds in American history.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: General Biology: Marine Biology: Zoology Chemistry: Biochemistry Ecology: Sea Life Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

Caller ID of the sea: Tagging whale communication and behavior      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Biologists use a novel method of simultaneous acoustic tagging to gain insights into the link between whale communication and behavior

Biology: Evolutionary Biology: General Biology: Marine Ecology: Endangered Species Ecology: Extinction Ecology: Nature Ecology: Sea Life Paleontology: Fossils Paleontology: General
Published

Rays were more diverse 150 million years ago than previously thought      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists have explored the puzzling world of rays that lived 150 million years ago and discovered a previously hidden diversity -- including a new ray species. This study significantly expands the understanding of these ancient cartilaginous fish and provides further insights into a past marine ecosystem.

Anthropology: General Archaeology: General Biology: Zoology Offbeat: Earth and Climate Offbeat: General Offbeat: Paleontology and Archeology Offbeat: Plants and Animals Paleontology: Early Mammals and Birds Paleontology: Fossils Paleontology: General
Published

Researchers name prehistoric amphibian ancestor discovered in Smithsonian collection after Kermit the Frog      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists have uncovered the fossilized skull of a 270-million-year-old ancient amphibian ancestor in the collection of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History. The team of researchers described the fossil as a new species of proto-amphibian, which they named Kermitops gratus in honor of the iconic Muppet, Kermit the Frog.

Biology: Marine Ecology: Endangered Species Ecology: Extinction Ecology: Nature Ecology: Sea Life Paleontology: Fossils Paleontology: General
Published

Ancient giant dolphin discovered in the Amazon      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Measuring between 3 to 3.5 meters, 16 million years old: Paleontologists have announced the discovery of a new species of freshwater dolphin in the Peruvian Amazon region. Surprisingly, its closest living relatives can be found in the river dolphins of South Asia.

Anthropology: Cultures Anthropology: General Archaeology: General Offbeat: General Offbeat: Paleontology and Archeology Paleontology: Climate Paleontology: Fossils Paleontology: General
Published

New archive of ancient human brains challenges misconceptions of soft tissue preservation      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A new study has challenged previously held views that brain preservation in the archaeological record is extremely rare. The team compiled a new archive of preserved human brains, which highlighted that nervous tissues actually persist in much greater abundances than traditionally thought, assisted by conditions that prevent decay.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

New ultrasound technology may revolutionize respiratory disease diagnoses      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

By evaluating sound vibrations produced by the airflow induced within the lungs and bronchial tree during normal breathing as well as those produced by the larynx during vocalizations, doctors can identify potential disease-related abnormalities within the respiratory system. Researchers demonstrate the efficacy of ultrasound technology to detect low-amplitude movements produced by vocalizations at the surface of the chest. They also demonstrated the possibility of using the airborne ultrasound surface motion camera to map these vibrations during short durations so as to illustrate their evolution.

Biology: Evolutionary Biology: General Biology: Zoology Ecology: Extinction Offbeat: General Offbeat: Paleontology and Archeology Offbeat: Plants and Animals Paleontology: Fossils Paleontology: General
Published

Tanks of the Triassic: New crocodile ancestor identified      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Dinosaurs get all the glory. But aetosaurs, a heavily armored cousin of modern crocodiles, ruled the world before dinosaurs did. These tanks of the Triassic came in a variety of shapes and sizes before going extinct around 200 million years ago. Today, their fossils are found on every continent except Antarctica and Australia.

Geoscience: Earthquakes Offbeat: Earth and Climate Offbeat: General Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

What kinds of seismic signals did Swifties send at LA concert?      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Seattle may have experienced its own Swift Quake last July, but at an August 2023 concert Taylor Swift's fans in Los Angeles gave scientists a lot of shaking to ponder. After some debate, a research team concluded that it was likely the dancing and jumping motions of the audience at SoFi Stadium -- not the musical beats or reverberations of the sound system -- that generated the concert's distinct harmonic tremors.

Biology: Botany Biology: Marine Biology: Zoology Paleontology: Dinosaurs Paleontology: Early Mammals and Birds Paleontology: Fossils Paleontology: General
Published

Alaska dinosaur tracks reveal a lush, wet environment      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A large find of dinosaur tracks and fossilized plants and tree stumps in far northwestern Alaska provides new information about the climate and movement of animals near the time when they began traveling between the Asian and North American continents roughly 100 million years ago.

Biology: Biochemistry Ecology: Research Paleontology: Dinosaurs Paleontology: General
Published

Higher carnivorous dinosaur biodiversity of famous Kem Kem beds, Morocco      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

An international team of palaeontologists applied recently developed methods to measure theropod (carnivorous) dinosaur species diversity. The newly applied method uses both traditional phylogenetic analysis, discriminant analysis as well as machine learning.

Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

Shape-shifting ultrasound stickers detect post-surgical complications      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Gastrointestinal surgeries carry risk of fluid leaks, a potentially life-threatening complication. But no existing methods can reliably and non-invasively detect these leaks. To address this unmet need, researchers developed a tiny, soft, flexible sticker that changes in shape inside the body, enabling standard ultrasound tech to detect leaks for earlier detection and intervention. After the patient has recovered, the soft, tiny sticker simply dissolves away.

Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

Doctors can now watch spinal cord activity during surgery      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists can make high resolution images of the human spinal cord during surgery. The advancement could help bring real relief to millions suffering chronic back pain.