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New Jurassic Lizard Species Exhibits Features of Both Snakes and Geckos

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Breugnathair elgolensis – This species, part of the Hook-tooth group, thrived in the central Jurassic period around 167 million years ago, displaying a unique blend of anatomical features not usually observed in its raw group. Its head-to-body proportions, along with dental and jaw characteristics, reveal serpent-like traits, with the original extermination group linked to Jeccos.

Reconstruction of the life of Breugnathair elgolensis. Image credit: Brennan Stokkermans/National Museums Scotland.

Breugnathair elgolensis is recognized as one of the earliest relatively complete fossil lizards yet discovered.

These ancient reptiles possessed serpent-like jaws and curved teeth reminiscent of modern pythons, all while exhibiting short bodies akin to well-formed lizards.

With a length of approximately 41 cm (16 inches) from head to tail, it ranks among the largest lizards in its ecosystem and may have preyed on smaller lizards, juvenile dinosaurs, early mammals, and various vertebrates.

Dr. Roger Benson, a curator in the Department of Paleontology at the American Museum of Natural History, remarked:

“Breugnathair elgolensis features snake-like traits in its teeth and jaw, yet in many aspects, it appears surprisingly primitive.”

“This suggests that the evolutionary predecessors of snakes might have been vastly different than we anticipated. Alternatively, it may indicate that predatory behaviors similar to those of snakes developed independently in archaic, extinct groups.”

Paleontologists place Breugnathair elgolensis within a new family of reptiles (encompassing lizards and snakes) named Parviraptoridae, a group that may hold significant implications for snake origins.

“Previous studies had identified bones with snake-like teeth found alongside those exhibiting gecko-like traits,” they noted.

“However, their striking differences led some researchers to believe they belonged to two distinct species.”

“Our research on Breugnathair elgolensis challenges these earlier conclusions, demonstrating that both snake-like and gecko-like characteristics can coexist within a single species.”

The fossil remains of Breugnathair elgolensis were unearthed in 2016 by Stig Walsh of Scotland’s National Museum on the Isle of Skye.

“The Jurassic fossil sediments on the Isle of Skye are vital for understanding the early evolution of numerous living groups, including lizards, which started to diversify during this period.”

“I initially described Parviraptorids around three decades ago based on much more fragmented specimens, making this feel like discovering the top of a jigsaw puzzle years after being stumped by the original picture with a handful of pieces.”

“The array of primitive and advanced features indicated in this new specimen reinforces the notion that evolutionary pathways can be unpredictable.”

A paper discussing the discoveries related to Breugnathair elgolensis was published today in the journal Nature.

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RBJ Benson et al. Mosaic anatomy in early fossil reptiles. Nature Published online on October 1, 2025. doi:10.1038/s41586-025-09566-y

Source: www.sci.news

Interstellar Comet 3i/Atlas Exhibits Expanding Tail and Broad Coma

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Astronomers utilized a Gemini Multi-Object Spectrometer (GMO) at the Gemini South Telescope, part of the NSF’s International Gemini Observatory in the Chilean Andes, to capture new multi-color images of the interstellar comet 3i/Atlas.

This image of 3i/Atlas was captured by the Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph (GMO) on August 27, 2025 at the Gemini South Telescope. Image credit: International Gemini Observatory / NSF / AURA / Shadow The Scientist / J. Miller Array / M. M. Rodriguez, nsf/crask of rects Anchorage & Noirlab/M. Zamani, NSF’s Noirlab.

3i/Atlas was identified on July 1, 2025, by a NASA-supported Atlas (Asteroid Ground Shock Last Alert System) Survey Telescope in Riojartad, Chile.

The comet is anticipated to approach the Sun at a distance of 1.4 AU (210 million km, or 130 million miles) around October 30, 2025.

The latest images from Gemini/GMOS reveal a broad coma and tail extending roughly 1/120th of a degree across the sky, away from the Sun.

These features appear significantly more pronounced compared to earlier images of the comet, indicating that 3i/Atlas is becoming increasingly active as it traverses the inner solar system.

Recent observations also imply that the dust and ice from the comet closely resemble those of solar comets, suggesting a commonality in the processes that govern the formation of planetary systems around other stars.

“As 3i/Atlas journeys back into the depths of interstellar space, these images serve as both scientific milestones and enigmatic clues,” states Dr. Karen Meech, an astronomer from the Institute of Astronomy at the University of Hawaii.

“They remind us that our solar system is merely a fragment of a vast, dynamic galaxy, where even transient visitors can leave a lasting impact.”

Alongside capturing a stunning image, the primary scientific aim of the observation session was to obtain the comet’s spectrum, which corresponds to the wavelengths of the emitted light.

The resulting spectra provide critical insights into the composition and chemistry of the comet, enabling scientists to understand its changes as it navigates through the solar system.

“The main goal was to observe the color of the comet to glean information about the composition and size of the coma dust particles, as well as to obtain the spectrum for direct chemical analysis,” noted Dr. Mace.

“We were thrilled to witness the growth of the comet’s tail and to see our first hints of chemistry from the spectrum, indicating particle changes since earlier Gemini observations.”

“These observations yield both awe-inspiring visuals and invaluable scientific data,” asserts Dr. Bryce Bolin, a researcher at Eureka Scientific.

“Each interstellar comet acts as a messenger from another stellar system, and by examining its light and color, we can begin to appreciate the diversity of worlds beyond our own.”

Source: www.sci.news

Australian Stingless Bee Honey Exhibits Unique Antibacterial Properties, Research Reveals

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Honey sourced from Australian stingless bees, often referred to as sugar bag honeybees, has long been a vital food source and a traditional remedy for ailments such as itching and pain among Indigenous Australian communities. A recent study has examined the antibacterial properties and chemical composition of honey from three species of Australian stingless bees: Tetragonula carbonaria, Tetragonula hockingsii, and Austroplebeia australis. The results revealed these honeys possess strong antibacterial capabilities against various human pathogens, exhibiting efficacy on par with or superior to that of most European honeys derived from Apis mellifera.

Tetragonula carbonaria comb. Image credit: Tobias Smith.

Antibiotic resistance poses a significant global health issue.

Numerous natural substances have developed complex defenses against microbial threats and may serve as potential therapeutic agents.

While the medicinal qualities of European honey have been extensively researched, the therapeutic potential of Australian stingless bee honey is still in its early stages.

Kenya Fernandez, a researcher from the University of Sydney, noted:

“Unlike honey from European honeybees, which predominantly depends on hydrogen peroxide for its antibacterial effects, the honey from Australian stingless bees demonstrates high levels of hydrogen peroxide along with non-peroxide activity, making it a robust and versatile candidate for therapy.”

The study found that the honey retained antibacterial properties even without hydrogen peroxide, indicating that these traits are inherent to the honey.

“Bee Manuka honey’s notable non-oxide antibacterial activity is a key factor behind its commercial success,” Dr. Fernandez added.

“However, it heavily relies on a specific nectar source from the Myrtle plant (Leptospermum).”

“In contrast, the consistent antibacterial effectiveness of heat-treated non-toxic honey from Australian bees—regardless of various locations and nectar sources—highlights the unique qualities of these bees.”

Professor Dee Carter at the University of Sydney remarked:

Researchers are hopeful that this reliability will enhance the potential for commercial health applications.

Nonetheless, challenges concerning scalability persist. Each stingless bee hive produces roughly 0.5 liters of honey annually, complicating large-scale production.

“Although the yields are modest, these hives require less upkeep than traditional bee hives, enabling beekeepers to manage a greater number of hives,” stated Dr. Ross Groag from the University of Sydney.

“Encouragingly, the commercial value of honey may foster the growth of more hives and pave the way for scalability in commerce.”

“In the past year, native stingless bee honey has made strides toward local and global commercialization, having received endorsements from Australian and New Zealand food safety authorities.”

“This regulatory backing is crucial in establishing a niche market for high-value, low-volume products.”

The survey results were published on May 21st in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology.

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Kenya E. Fernandez et al. 2025. Potent antibacterial activity and unique physicochemical properties of honey from Australian stingless bees Tetragonula carbonaria, Tetragonula hockingsii, and Austroplebeia australis. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 91 (6); doi:10.1128/aem.02523-24

Source: www.sci.news

Bright Seifert Galaxy’s Ultra-Massive Black Hole Exhibits Signs of “Overeating”

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In a new research paper published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, astronomers from the University of Leicester explain for the first time how the “excessive diet” of fresh material in black holes has led to emissions reaching nearly a third of the speed of light.

This image illustrates Seyfert Galaxy PG1211+143. Image credits: Centre Donna Astromyk destrasbourg/Sinbad/SDSS.

The intense outflow of ionized gases has raised significant concerns at the ESA’s XMM-Newton X-ray observatory since its initial detection by University of Leicester astronomers in 2001, now recognized as a distinctive trait of the luminous active galactic nuclei (AGNs).

Professor Ken Pound and Dr. Kim Page from Leicester remarked:

“The black hole’s size increases with its mass, with a solar mass black hole having a radius of about 3 km.”

“Stellar mass black holes are prevalent across galaxies, often forming from the dramatic collapse of massive stars; however, ultra-massive black holes can be found in the nuclei of almost all galaxies except the smallest external ones.”

In 2014, astronomers undertook a five-week investigation of an ultra-massive black hole in the distant Seyfert Galaxy PG1211+143, located approximately 1.2 billion light-years from the constellation Coma Berenices.

Utilizing ESA’s XMM-Newton Observatory, they observed counter-inflows, accumulating at least 10 Earth masses near the black hole.

In their latest study, they detected a powerful new outflow traveling at 0.27 times the speed of light, initiated shortly thereafter. The gravitational energy released as material is drawn into the black hole is heated to millions of degrees, producing an overwhelming radiant pressure.

“Establishing a direct causal relationship between significant, temporary inflows and the resulting outflows offers an exciting perspective for observing the growth of supermassive black holes through continuous monitoring of the hot relativistic winds linked with new material accretion,” stated Professor Pound.

“PG1211+143 has been the focus of University of Leicester X-ray astronomers using ESA’s XMM-Newton Observatory since its launch in December 1999.”

“Initial findings surprisingly revealed a counterflow of rapid movements, reaching 15% of the speed of light (0.15c), affecting stellar formation (and consequently the growth) of the host galaxy.”

“Subsequent observations have shown that such winds are a common characteristic of bright AGNs.”

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Ken Pounds & Kim Page. 2025. Observations of the Eddington-style outflow from the bright Seyfert Galaxy PG1211+143. mnras 540(3): 2530-2534; doi: 10.1093/mnras/staf637

Source: www.sci.news

Proxima Centauri exhibits intense flare activity and recent Alma observations reveal new insights

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While Proxima Centauri’s flaring activity is well known to astronomers using visible wavelengths, new observations on Atacama’s massive millimeter/sub-millimeter arrays (ALMAs) highlight the extreme activity of stars at radio and millimeter wavelengths.

The concept of violent star flare artists from Proxima Centauri. Image credit: S. Dagnello, nrao/aui/nsf.

Proxima Centauri is a red star, about 4.24 light years away from the constellation of Centaurus.

Discovered in 1915 by Scottish astronomer Robert Innes, the star is invisible to the naked eye.

Its average luminosity is very low, very small compared to other stars, only about one eighth of the mass of the sun.

Proxima Centauri is also known as the Alpha Centauri C, as it is actually part of the Triple Star system.

The separation of the stars from their larger companions, Alpha Centauri A and B, is about 0.2 light-years, equivalent to 400 times the orbit of Neptune.

Proxima Centauri hosts the terrestrial exoplanet Proxima B in a habitable zone of 0.0485 Au.

The stars are well-established as highly active stars and are the primary targets for investigating the effects of star activity on the habitability of planets orbiting Red War.

In the new study, astronomer Kiana Burton at the University of Colorado and astronomer Meredith McGregor at Johns Hopkins University, and colleagues used archival data and new Alma observations to study millimeter-wavelength flare activity.

The small size and strong magnetic field of the Proxima Centauri show that its entire internal structure is convection (unlike the sun, which has both convective and non-reliable layers).

The magnetic field will twist and develop tension, and eventually snap, sending energy and particle flow outwards to what is observed as flares.

“Our solar activity does not remove the Earth’s atmosphere and instead creates beautiful auroras because it has a thick atmosphere and a strong magnetic field to protect the planets,” Dr. McGregor said.

“But we know that Proxima Centauri’s flares are much stronger and there are rocky planets in their habitable zones.”

“What are these flares doing to their atmosphere? Are there any large fluxes of radiation and particles that are chemically altered or perhaps completely eroding at the atmosphere?”

This study represents the first multi-wavelength study using millimeter observations to reveal a new appearance in flare physics.

A total of 463 flare events were reported with 50 hours of ALMA observations using both the full 12-meter array and the 7-M Atacama Compact Array (ACA).twenty four On 1027 ERG, and a short period of 3-16 seconds.

“When you see the flare with Alma, you see electromagnetic radiation, that is, light of various wavelengths,” Dr. McGregor said.

“But this radio-wavelength flaring also gives us a way to track the properties of those particles and understand what is free from the stars.”

To this end, astronomers characterized the stars (so-called flare frequency distribution) and mapped the number of flares as a function of energy.

Typically, the gradient of this distribution tends to follow the power law function. More frequent (lower energy) flares occur more frequently, but larger, more energy flares do not occur regularly.

Proxima Centauri experiences so many flares, researchers have detected many flares within each energy range.

Furthermore, they were able to quantify the asymmetry of the highest energy flares of stars, explaining how the attenuation phase of the flare is much longer than the initial burst phase.

Radio and millimeter wavelength observations help to constrain the energy associated with these flares and their associated particles.

“Millimeter flares look much more frequent,” Dr. McGregor said.

“It’s a different power law than what you see at optical wavelengths.”

“Looking only at the optical wavelengths is missing important information.”

“The Alma is the only millimeter interferometer that is sensitive enough to these measurements.”

Team’s Survey results It was published in Astrophysical Journal.

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Kiana Burton et al. 2025. Proxima Centauri Campaign – First constraint on millimeter flare rate from Alma. APJ 982, 43; doi:10.3847/1538-4357/ada5f2

Source: www.sci.news