A groundbreaking study by paleontologists at the Field Museum of Natural History reveals that Archeopteryx, the oldest known bird, has a feeding mechanism intricately shaped by the demands of early flight. This discovery implies a simultaneous evolution of diet and aerodynamics during the early history of birds. For detailed insights, check the full report, coming this week in Innovation.
Reconstruction of Archeopteryx, highlighting features such as an oral papilla, a beak tip organ, and a flexible tongue supported by an extra lingual bone. Image credit: Vir Shinkonen.
Flying demands a significant amount of energy compared to walking, swimming, or running, making it one of the most physically taxing forms of exercise. Birds have therefore evolved specialized strategies for efficient food intake and digestion.
Archeopteryx, the oldest known bird-like dinosaur, inhabited regions of present-day Germany around 150 million years ago during the Jurassic period.
Dr. Jingmai O’Connor, associate curator of fossil reptiles at the Field Museum, states, “For a long time, the characteristics defining the transition from land-based dinosaurs to avian dinosaurs were poorly understood.”
Dr. O’Connor notes, “The unique features found in Archeopteryx that are also present in modern birds provide new criteria for determining avian characteristics in dinosaur fossils.”
This research focused on the latest Archeopteryx specimen from Chicago, enhancing our scientific understanding of this ancient bird.
The team compared the preserved tissues of Archeopteryx to the oral papillae of contemporary birds, leading to the significant finding that they identified the first example of an oral papilla in Archeopteryx, as well as the first in the fossil record.
Additionally, the study uncovered several previously unseen features within the skull of Archeopteryx.
A small bone fragment, identified as a tongue bone, was discovered. While human tongues lack bones, many birds possess a series of bones that structure their tongues, allowing for greater flexibility and food manipulation.
“This tiny bone is one of the smallest in the body, yet it indicates that Archeopteryx had a highly mobile tongue, similar to many modern birds,” said Dr. O’Connor.
CT scans also revealed small tunnels at the tip of Archeopteryx’s beak, indicating the presence of nerve traces. Many birds possess a beak tip organ, a sensitive feature at the end of the beak that aids in food foraging.
These findings collectively suggest that Archeopteryx utilized oral papillae, lingual bones, and beak tip organs to develop advanced feeding mechanisms, reflecting their adaptive strategies for survival in flight.
“Our results indicate a significant transformation in feeding strategies as dinosaurs took to the air to meet the high-energy demands of flight,” Dr. O’Connor added.
“Birds possess incredibly efficient digestive systems, designed to maximize the energy extracted from food—a process that begins right in the mouth.”
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Jimmai K. O’Connor et al. 2026. Characteristics of Archeopteryx‘s feeding apparatus reveal the growing demands of flight. Innovation 7(2):101086; doi: 10.1016/j.xinn.2025.101086
The demand for electricity by data centers in Australia could triple over the next five years, with projections indicating it may surpass the energy consumed by electric vehicles by 2030.
Currently, data centers obtain approximately 2% of their electricity from the National Grid, equating to around 4 terawatt-hours (TWh). The Australian Energy Market Operator (Aemo) is optimistic about this share significantly increasing, projecting a growth of 25% annually to reach 12TWh, or 6% of grid demand by 2030, and 12% by 2050.
Aemo anticipates that the rapid expansion of this industry will drive “substantial increases in electricity usage, especially in Sydney and Melbourne.”
In New South Wales and Victoria, where the majority of data centers are situated, they contribute to 11% and 8% of electricity demand, respectively, by 2030. Electricity demand in each state is projected to grow accordingly.
Tech companies like OpenAI and SunCable are pushing Australia towards becoming a central hub for data processing and storage. Recently, the Victorian Government announced a $5.5 million investment aimed at establishing the region as Australia’s data center capital.
However, with 260 data centers currently operating across the nation and numerous others in the pipeline, experts express concerns about the implications of unchecked industry growth on energy transition and climate objectives.
Energy Usage Equivalent to 100,000 Households
The continual operation of numerous servers generates substantial heat and requires extensive electricity for both operation and cooling.
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Globally, the demand for data centers is growing at a rate four times faster than other sectors, according to the International Energy Agency. The number and size of centers are escalating, with large facilities becoming increasingly common.
As highlighted by the IEA, “AI-centric hyperscale data centers possess a capacity exceeding 100MW and consume energy equivalent to what 100,000 homes use annually.”
Professor Michael Blair, a mechanical engineering professor at the University of Melbourne and director of the Net Zero Australia project, stated that there is a significant connection between electricity and water usage due to cooling requirements, as servers convert electrical energy into heat.
“In confined spaces with many computers, air conditioning is required to maintain an optimal operating temperature,” he explains.
Typically, digital infrastructure is cooled through air conditioning or water systems.
Ketan Joshi, a climate analyst at the Oslo-based Australia Institute, shares that many tech companies are reporting a surge in electricity consumption compared to last year. The intensity of energy usage has also been increasing across several metrics: energy per active user and energy per unit of revenue, when compared to five years ago.
“They aren’t consuming more energy to serve additional users or increase revenue,” he asserts. “The pertinent question is: why is our energy consumption escalating?”
In the absence of concrete data, Joshi suggests that the undeniable growth in demand is likely attributed to the rise of energy-intensive generative AI systems.
“Running Harder to Stay in the Same Place”
Joshi is monitoring this issue, as data centers globally are evidenced to place substantial and inflexible demands on power grids, resulting in two significant repercussions: increased dependence on coal and gas generation, and diverting resources away from the energy transition.
While data center companies often assert they operate using clean energy through investments in solar and wind, Joshi remarks that there can often be a mismatch between their companies’ persistent reliance on the grid and their renewable energy production profiles.
“What’s the ultimate impact on the power grid?” he questions. “Sometimes, we have surplus energy, and other times, there isn’t enough.”
“So, even if everything appears favorable on paper, your data center might be inadvertently supporting fossil fuel transportation.”
Moreover, instead of renewable energy sources displacing coal and gas, these sources are accommodating the growing demands of data centers, Joshi notes. “It’s like sprinting on a treadmill—no matter how hard you run, it feels like the speed is continually increasing.”
The demand for electricity has surged to the extent that some companies have resorted to restarting their operations. Nuclear power plants in the U.S. that were once mothballed are being revived as demand for gas turbines increases. Some Australian developers are even proposing the installation of new gas generators to fulfill their energy needs.
Aemo predicts that by 2035, data centers could consume 21.4TWh, nearing the country’s annual energy consumption, comparable to that of four aluminum smelters.
Blair pointed out that AI adoption is in its infancy, and the outlook remains uncertain, as Aemo’s 2035 energy consumption scenarios range between 12TWh and 24TWh, indicating that the future might not be as expansive as anticipated.
In the National AI Plan released Tuesday, the federal government recognized the necessity for advancements in new energy and cooling technologies for AI systems. Industry Minister Tim Ayers stated that principles for data center investments will be established in early 2026, emphasizing requirements for supplementary investments in renewable energy generation and water sustainability.
“Undeniable Impact” on Electricity Prices
Dr. Dylan McConnell, an energy systems researcher at the University of New South Wales, noted that while renewable energy is on the rise in Australia, it is not yet progressing rapidly enough to meet required renewable energy and emissions targets. The expansion of data centers will complicate these challenges.
“If demand escalates beyond projections and renewables can’t keep pace, we’ll end up meeting that new demand instead of displacing coal,” he explains.
Unlike electric vehicles, which enhance demand on the grid while lowering gasoline and diesel usage, data centers do not reduce fossil fuel consumption elsewhere in the economy, according to McConnell.
“If this demand materializes, it will severely hamper our emissions targets and complicate our ability to phase out coal in alignment with those targets,” he advises.
In its climate targets recommendations, the Climate Change Agency stated: “Data centers will continue to scale up, exerting deeper pressure on local power sources and further hampering renewable energy expansions.”
McConnell asserted there will be a significant effect on overall energy costs, influencing electricity prices.
“To support this load, we will need a larger system that utilizes more costly resources.”
Numerous civil liberties advocates and legal professionals are demanding an inquiry into the UK’s data protection regulator. The regulator has referred to the situation as a “collapse in enforcement activity” following a significant scandal, specifically the Afghanistan data breach.
A group of 73 individuals—including academics, leading lawyers, data protection specialists, and organizations like Statewatch and the Good Law Project—have sent a letter to Chi Onwurah, the chair of the bipartisan Commons Science, Innovation and Technology Committee. This effort was coordinated by the Open Rights Group and calls for an investigation into the actions of Information Commissioner John Edwards’ office.
“We are alarmed by the failure in enforcement actions by the Directorate of Intelligence, which has resulted in not formally investigating the Ministry of Defense (MoD) after the Afghanistan data breach,” stated the signatories. They caution that there are “more serious structural flaws” beyond just data breaches.
The Afghanistan data breach represented a grave leak involving information about Afghan individuals who collaborated with British forces prior to the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021. Those whose names were disclosed indicated that this exposure endangered their lives.
“Data breaches can pose serious risks to individuals and disrupt the continuity of government and business,” the letter emphasized. “However, during a recent hearing conducted by your committee, Commissioner John Edwards suggested he has no intention of reassessing his approach to data protection enforcement, even in light of the most significant data breach ever in the UK.”
The signatories also referenced other notable data breaches, including those affecting the victims of the Windrush scandal.
They argue that the ICO has adopted a “public sector approach” to such incidents, issuing disciplinary actions characterized by unenforceable written warnings and substantially lowering fines.
“The ICO’s choice not to initiate any formal action against the MoD, despite ongoing failures, is as remarkable as its lack of documentation regarding its decisions. This paints a picture in which the ICO’s public sector approach provides minimal deterrence and fails to encourage effective data management across government and public entities.”
“The response to the Afghanistan data breach signifies a broader issue. Many have been left disillusioned by the ICO’s lack of use of its remedial powers and its continual shortcomings.”
The letter warns that the trend of declining enforcement in the public sector will inevitably reflect in the accompanying statistics. Latest ICO report Enforcement actions by the private sector are also becoming increasingly rare, as the ICO fails to pursue matters and organizations redirect resources away from compliance and responsible data practices.
“Instead of simply hoping for a positive outcome, Congress has endowed the ICO with ample authority to ensure compliance with legally binding orders. During the hearing you conducted, it was clear that the ICO opted not to exercise these powers regarding the Afghan data breach.”
“Regrettably, the Afghanistan data breach is not an isolated case but rather an indication of deeper structural issues in the operations of ICOs.”
The letter concludes with the assertion that “change seems improbable unless the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee steps in with its oversight capabilities.”
An ICO spokesperson commented: “We possess a comprehensive array of regulatory powers and tools to tackle systemic concerns within specific sectors or industries.”
“We appreciate the essential role civil society plays in scrutinizing our decisions and look forward to discussing our strategies in our upcoming regular meeting. We also welcome the opportunity to clarify our work when engaging with or presenting before the DSIT Selection Committee.”
LTonight’s Dispatch was called “Will AI take my job?” The presence of a question mark usually suggests a negative answer, but this time it feels different. The lurking threat of AI taking over our roles is sobering to ponder.
The film claims that 8 million jobs in the UK are potentially at risk due to AI outsourcing. Occupations including call center agents, translators, and graphic designers—essentially everyone except for masseuses and scaffolders—may soon face redundancy from rapidly advancing technology, despite its dire environmental consequences. My lifespan may be limited, and it’s clear I’ll likely be replaced by a prompt from ChatGPT instructing, “Be histrionic and outraged about what’s on TV.” Grok can even generate a signature image of a comically smug egg to accompany it. Nobody surpasses this level of intelligence.
But why would anyone tune in to Dispatches knowing that AI could render us all obsolete? There wasn’t much to be enthusiastic about unless they were disturbingly motivated to bolster their darkest fears about humanity’s future. However, the film anticipated this sentiment and provided its own clever twist. The segment was introduced by a journalist named Aisha Gavan, who, shockingly, was AI-generated from the start.
Indeed, Channel 4 has fully embraced Tilly Norwood. Gavan was devoid of humanity; she was entirely a computer-generated entity. Yet, despite being mere pixels and code, her hosting was surprisingly convincing. Sure, she had an unfeeling gaze and struggled to articulate sibilant sounds correctly, but she appeared largely human and maintained the stilted pacing typical of TV documentaries. Quite the amusing situation! Who did you consider an authority? Not even a real person! Just kidding, flesh vessel.
The episode itself was fairly well-crafted, featuring four experts—a doctor, a lawyer, a musician, and a photographer—pitted against the capabilities of AI. The overall conclusion seemed to imply that while humans might be superior, AI excels in speed and cost-efficiency. Since greed drives every industry, we’re all in deep trouble.
Some of the technology discussed made sense, like a diagnostic tool capable of assessing a patient in half the time of a typical GP. This could potentially aid healthcare professionals already overloaded by systemic failures. But who really needs an AI photographer? The mission of AI is not to automate creativity but rather to alleviate mundane tasks in our lives. The emergence of AI photographers hints at a daunting future where we could be consigned to producing low-quality art endlessly spewed out by machines.
Ultimately, the spotlight was on Aisha Gavan, touted as Britain’s first AI TV presenter. Honestly, it felt like Channel 4 was trying to have both benefits and fun at once. Not only did they showcase their shiny new toy, but they also managed to lampoon the very technology that generated her. What a clever stunt!
It’s tough to view the film as anything but a stern warning for Channel 4’s other presenters. Hey Krishnan Guru Murthy, you’d better stop grumbling about office snacks or face replacement by an animated mannequin programmed to deliver scripts! Kevin MacLeod, no contract disputes, as a virtual avatar can perform your role without ever needing a break.
And let’s not forget the environmental implications involved. It would have been refreshing if Dispatch wrapped up with Gavan detailing the water consumption required to operate the data center that produced her, especially given Channel 4’s long-standing pledge to reach net zero.
In summary, it was a profoundly challenging watch on various levels. The situation will likely worsen as AI technology continues to advance at a staggering pace. Three years from now, while you’re foraging for bugs to nourish your family, you could have a ChatGPT providing you precise, bullet-point critiques of shows presented by AI-generated hosts. Yet, it was enjoyable while it lasted, wasn’t it?
Since 2019, Google’s carbon emissions have surged by 51%, with artificial intelligence proving to be a hindrance to tech firms’ sustainability initiatives.
While companies are pouring resources into renewable energy and carbon capture technologies, they struggle to manage emissions in Range 3, which originates further down the supply chain and is significantly influenced by the expanding data center capabilities required for artificial intelligence.
The company noted a 27% year-on-year increase as it grapples with decarbonization amidst rising energy demands.
Data centers are crucial for training and operating AI models like Google’s Gemini and OpenAI’s GPT-4. The International Energy Agency projects that the total electricity consumption of data centers could reach double the level from 2022, with Japan’s electricity demand expected to hit 1,000 TWh (terawatt hours) by 2026. AI accounts for 4.5% of global energy production, according to estimates from Semianalysis for the year 2030.
The report expresses concerns that the rapid advancement of AI may trigger “nonlinear growth in energy demand,” complicating predictions for future energy requirements and emissions trajectories.
Additionally, Google pointed out the slow progress in new low-carbon power generation technologies. Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), which are compact nuclear power plants designed for quick deployment to support the grid, are seen as a promising solution to lower the carbon footprint of data centers. Areas hosting numerous data centers could benefit from one or more SMRs to significantly cut down their electricity-related carbon emissions.
Google’s data center is situated in Grange Castle near Dublin. In 2022, Ireland’s energy grid operators halted the expansion of new data centers in Dublin until 2028. Photo: Patrick Bolger/Guardian
According to the report, the development of these technologies is lagging behind schedule. “The main obstacle is the slow rollout of large-scale carbon-free energy technologies, making it highly challenging to reach goals by 2030.
It further indicated that Scope 3 emissions pose a “challenge,” with Google’s total ambitions representing 11.5 million tons of CO2 equivalent, marking an 11% year-on-year rise since 2019, equating to a 51% increase. This is primarily driven by heightened emissions from the supply chain, with Scope 3 emissions surging by 22% in 2024.
Google has made significant strides in acquiring clean energy, signing over 170 contracts for more than 22 gigawatts since 2010. In 2024, 25 of these contracts added 2.5GW of fresh clean energy to its operations, marking a record year in clean energy transactions with an agreement totaling 8GW.
The company has also achieved one of its environmental goals ahead of schedule by eliminating plastic packaging. Google announced that all new products launched and produced in 2024 will be entirely plastic-free. This goal was initially set for the end of 2025.
The report adds that AI may offer a “net positive potential” for the climate, with aspirations that emissions reductions facilitated by AI applications will outweigh the emissions generated by AI itself, including the energy used by data centers.
Google envisions aiding individuals, cities, and other partners in collectively lowering carbon equivalent emissions by 2030 through AI-powered products. These innovations can enhance energy usage predictions, reduce waste, and optimize solar panel placement to maximize energy generation.
Social media platforms are required to take action to comply with UK online safety laws, but they have not yet implemented all the necessary measures to protect children and adults from harmful content, according to the regulator.
Ofcom has issued a code of conduct and guidance for tech companies to adhere to in order to comply with the law, which includes the possibility of hefty fines and site closures for non-compliance.
Regulators have pointed out that many of the recommended actions have not been taken by the largest and most high-risk platforms.
John Higham, Director of Online Safety Policy at Ofcom, stated, “We believe that no company has fully implemented all necessary measures. There is still a lot of work to be done.”
All websites and apps covered by the law, including Facebook, Google, Reddit, and OnlyFans, have three months to assess the risk of illegal content appearing on their platforms. Safety measures must then be implemented to address these risks starting on March 17, with Ofcom monitoring progress.
The law applies to sites and apps that allow user-generated content, as well as large search engines covering over 100,000 online services. It lists 130 “priority crimes,” including child sexual abuse, terrorism, and fraud, which tech companies need to address by implementing moderation systems.
The new regulations and guidelines are considered the most significant changes to online safety policy in history according to Technology Secretary Peter Kyle. Tech companies will now be required to proactively remove illegal content, with the risk of heavy fines and potential site blocking in the UK for non-compliance.
Ofcom’s code and guidance include designating a senior executive responsible for compliance, maintaining a well-staffed moderation team to swiftly remove illegal content, and improving algorithms to prevent the spread of harmful material.
Platforms are also expected to provide easy-to-find tools for reporting content, with a confirmation of receipt and timeline for addressing complaints. They should offer users the ability to block accounts, disable comments, and implement automated systems to detect child sexual abuse material.
Child safety campaigners have expressed concerns that the measures outlined by Ofcom do not go far enough, particularly in addressing suicide-related content and making it technically impossible to remove illegal content on platforms like WhatsApp.
In addition to addressing fraud on social media, platforms will need to establish reporting channels for instances of fraud with law enforcement agencies. They will also work on developing crisis response procedures for events like the summer riots following the Southport murders.
This year, from the first civilian moon landing (see “Elon Musk-led private missions boom, space is on sale in 2024”) to the first pig kidney transplant into a living human. It will be remembered for many pioneering events. Unfortunately, another dark first looms in 2024. Although the numbers will not be officially confirmed until next month, it is very likely that this will be the first year in which the totemic climate goal of 1.5 degrees Celsius of global warming is exceeded. (see “For the first time in 2024 reached 1.5°C, accelerating climate disruption.”)
Let’s clarify what this means. This number is generally considered to refer to a 20-year average, so it does not violate the 2015 Paris Agreement, the world’s most important climate change treaty. Under the agreement, each country commits to limiting long-term temperature rise to below 1.5°C. Nor is this a sign that the world is doomed and that we should give up all hope of combating climate change. Because if we lower temperatures even a little bit, billions of people will be better off than they would be if we didn’t do so. But reaching this level of warming, even in just one year (so far), is undoubtedly a global failure.
Breaking through 1.5°C also comes as the world enters a new and uncertain phase of climate change. As we have reported throughout the year, extreme warming in 2024 (which will only be matched by 2023) has scientists increasingly concerned about changes in major ocean currents, leading to unexplained levels of warming. They are desperately trying to understand what’s going on with the decline of Antarctic sea ice.
If you start the new year with a feeling of anxiety, you will inevitably feel pessimistic, but that may not be a bad thing. Next year will mark 10 years since the Paris Agreement came into force, and even then it was clear that the 1.5°C target had reached its achievable limits. As we wrote in our year-end leader at the time: “An odd call to action. The goal of capping global warming at 1.5°C looks almost completely unattainable.” In fact, greenhouse gas emissions Reshaping the modern world to stop and achieve net-zero emissions is the most ambitious goal ever set by humanity.
You can’t take good photos if you’re pessimistic. Ask, “What happens if I fail?” “What if we’re wrong?”
Given the scale of the challenges we face, such ambition is essential, but it is not sufficient. It’s easy to set ambitious and optimistic goals like the Paris Agreement, and politicians can line up to take pictures, smile and shake hands. It feels warm and fluffy.
However, to achieve such a goal, pessimism must prevail. You can’t take good photos if you’re pessimistic. The question is, “What happens if we fail?” and “What if we are wrong?” – Issues to be addressed include grappling with deep uncertainties in the green transition, whether technological, social or economic. Failure to do so will lead to failure.
There are lessons to be learned from success in 2024. Space engineers and surgeons alike tend to assume mistakes when considering the complexity of moon landings and complex surgeries. To alleviate this, they use a simple tool: the Humble Checklist. By identifying points of failure and taking steps to avoid them, you greatly increase your chances of success.
Although it makes less sense to have a “climate checklist” given that we are talking about ongoing global processes rather than a single operation or space mission, the underlying spirit still applies. Masu. One of the major failings is the annual United Nations climate change talks. At the 29th COP Summit held in Azerbaijan this year, organizers hailed fossil fuels as “God’s gift.”
COP30, scheduled to be held in Belem, Brazil next November, will be an opportunity to reset attitudes. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is already making noise in this direction, promising a “COP to change direction,” but will he be able to make it happen? Perhaps the most powerful message he can send is to take to the stage, stand aside unsmiling world leaders with clear plans to do better, and publicly acknowledge the failures of the COP process so far. That’s probably true. However, Santa doesn’t necessarily grant your wishes.
A degree of repentance and pessimism could also help with another problem that is quietly brewing in 2024: the imminent threat of an avian influenza pandemic. ). The H5N1 virus has spread to U.S. dairy herds despite minimal surveillance and mitigation efforts by U.S. health officials. As a result, the number of people infected there has also increased, reaching more than 50 people at the time of our reporting.
The virus has not yet adapted well to humans and is not known to be transmitted from person to person so far, but random mutations may change the situation with each new infection. increases. Optimistically rolling the dice and hoping for a double six is not good health policy. In an ideal world, the United States would already be planning for the possibility of a pandemic and sit back and watch it never materialize. We do not live in an ideal world as President-elect Donald Trump endorses vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Secretary of Health and Human Services. That means other countries will need to come up with their own plans. This is the only rational response to uncertainty.
Obviously, this pessimism doesn’t stem from any particular holiday spirit. However, through these two issues, new scientist From the science of believing in Santa (see ‘Believing in Santa Claus doesn’t guarantee children will behave well at Christmas’) to the quest for the world’s largest snowflake (see ‘The plan to create the world’s snowflake’), there lies a world of festive feasts. The biggest snowflake was humbled by nature”).
Looking ahead to next year, I’d like to thank researchers and companies who are developing new ways to tackle climate change, from sucking carbon dioxide out of the air to genetically modifying food to make it more environmentally friendly. Raise a glass of water too. For more information, see the next issue’s 2025 preview). And we hope that the uncertainty caused by this year’s climate news will be a catalyst for change.
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