Paleontology: Early Mammals and Birds
Published

Oldest known mammal cavities discovered in 55-million-year-old fossils suggests a sweet tooth for fruit      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A new study has discovered the oldest known cavities found in a mammal, the likely result of a diet that included eating fruit.

Paleontology: Early Mammals and Birds
Published

Environmental conditions of early humans in Europe      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The conditions under which early members of the genus Homo dispersed outside Africa were analysed on a broader scale, across Europe during the Early and Middle Pleistocene. The model is based on the comparison of functional trait distribution of large herbivorous mammals in sites with archaeological or fossil evidence of human presence and in sites, which lack evidence of human presence.

Paleontology: Early Mammals and Birds
Published

Wing shape determines how far birds disperse      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Bird dispersal movements are thought to depend on complex demographic and genetic factors. Researchers show that there may be a simpler explanation: bird dispersal distances depend on the morphology and flight efficiency of the wings. Bird populations and the capacity of species to move across the landscape can determine which species will thrive and which may become endangered.

Paleontology: Early Mammals and Birds
Published

Going up: Birds and mammals evolve faster if their home is rising      (via sciencedaily.com) 

The rise and fall of Earth's land surface over the last three million years shaped the evolution of birds and mammals, a new study has found, with new species evolving at higher rates where the land has risen most.

Paleontology: Early Mammals and Birds
Published

Discovery of prehistoric mammals suggests rapid evolution of mammals after dinosaur extinction      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists have discovered three new species of ancient creatures from the dawn of modern mammals that hint at rapid evolution immediately after the mass extinction of the dinosaurs.

Paleontology: Early Mammals and Birds
Published

Where have all the birds gone?      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A new study has revealed that over the last 20,000 to 50,000 years, birds have undergone a major extinction event, inflicted chiefly by humans, which caused the disappearance of about 10 to 20 percent of all avian species. According to the researchers, the vast majority of the extinct species shared several features: they were large, they lived on islands, and many of them were flightless.

Mathematics: Puzzles
Published

Mathematician reveals world’s oldest example of applied geometry      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A scientist has revealed that an ancient clay tablet could be the oldest and most complete example of applied geometry. The surveyor's field plan from the Old Babylon period shows that ancient mathematics was more advanced than previously thought.

Paleontology: Early Mammals and Birds
Published

Bird brains left other dinosaurs behind      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Research on a newly discovered bird fossil found that a unique brain shape may be why the ancestors of living birds survived the mass extinction that claimed all other known dinosaurs.

Paleontology: Early Mammals and Birds
Published

Newly-hatched pterosaurs may have been able to fly      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Newly-hatched pterosaurs may have been able to fly but their flying abilities may have been different from adult pterosaurs, according to a new study. Researchers found that hatchling humerus bones were stronger than those of many adult pterosaurs, indicating that they would have been strong enough for flight.

Paleontology: Early Mammals and Birds
Published

Rapidly diversifying birds in Southeast Asia offer new insights into evolution      (via sciencedaily.com) 

New findings from zoologists working with birds in Southeast Asia are shining fresh light on the connections between animal behaviour, geology, and evolution - underlining that species can diversify surprisingly quickly under certain conditions. Sulawesi Babblers (Pellorneum celebense), shy birds that live in the undergrowth on Indonesian islands, have begun to diverge quite significantly despite being separated geographically for mere tens of thousands of years.

Mathematics: Puzzles
Published

Training helps teachers anticipate how students with learning disabilities might solve problems      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers found that a four-week training course made a substantial difference in helping special education teachers anticipate different ways students with learning disabilities might solve math problems.

Mathematics: Puzzles
Published

Thinking in 3D improves mathematical skills      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Spatial reasoning ability in small children reflects how well they will perform in mathematics later. Researchers recently came to this conclusion, making the case for better cultivation of spatial reasoning.

Paleontology: Early Mammals and Birds
Published

Ancient chickens lived significantly longer than modern fowl because they were seen as sacred, not food      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Ancient chickens lived significantly longer than their modern equivalents because they were seen as sacred -- not food -- archaeologists have found.

Mathematics: Puzzles
Published

These cognitive exercises help young children boost their math skills, study shows      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Young children who practice visual working memory and reasoning tasks improve their math skills more than children who focus on spatial rotation exercises, according to a large study. The findings support the notion that training spatial cognition can enhance academic performance and that when it comes to math, the type of training matters.

Paleontology: Early Mammals and Birds
Published

Species losses on isolated Panamanian island show importance of habitat connectivity      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Free from human disturbance for a century, an inland island in Central America has nevertheless lost more than 25% of its native bird species since its creation as part of the Panama Canal's construction, and scientists say the losses continue.

Paleontology: Early Mammals and Birds
Published

What can a dinosaur's inner ear tell us? Just listen      (via sciencedaily.com) 

If paleontologists had a wish list, it would almost certainly include insights into two particular phenomena: how dinosaurs interacted with each other and how they began to fly.

Computer Science: Encryption Mathematics: Puzzles
Published

Algorithms improve how we protect our data      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Scientists have developed algorithms that more efficiently measure how difficult it would be for an attacker to guess secret keys for cryptographic systems. The approach could reduce the computational complexity needed to validate encryption security.

Mathematics: Puzzles
Published

Silicon could be a photonics game-changer      (via sciencedaily.com) 

New research has shown that silicon could be one of the most powerful materials for photonic informational manipulation - opening up new possibilities for the production of lasers and displays.

Mathematics: Puzzles
Published

Auxin makes the spirals in gerbera inflorescences follow the Fibonacci sequence      (via sciencedaily.com) 

The meristem of the gerbera is patterned on the molecular level already at a stage where no primordia or other changes are discernible by even an electron microscope.

Mathematics: Puzzles
Published

Basketball Mathematics scores big at inspiring kids to learn      (via sciencedaily.com) 

New study with 756 1st through 5th graders demonstrates that a six-week mashup of hoops and math has a positive effect on their desire to learn more, provides them with an experience of increased self-determination and grows math confidence among youth.