A detailed analysis of 17 fossil specimens of tyrannosaurus rex indicates that this iconic dinosaur grew much more slowly than previously believed, reaching an adult weight of approximately 8 tons by around age 40. This challenges earlier assumptions about its life history.
tyrannosaurus rex holotype specimen at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh, USA. Image credit: Scott Robert Anselmo / CC BY-SA 3.0.
tyrannosaurus rex is renowned as one of the most iconic non-avian dinosaurs, continually captivating paleontologists and the public alike.
Previous growth studies proposed that this ancient predator could exceed 8 tons within just 20 years and live for nearly 30 years.
Utilizing advanced statistical algorithms, the new research examined bone slices under specialized lighting, uncovering hidden growth rings that previous studies had overlooked.
This analysis not only extended the growing season for tyrannosaurus rex but also suggested that by age 15, some specimens might not be complete individuals of tyrannosaurus rex, but instead could belong to other species or unique variants.
“This is the largest dataset ever collected regarding tyrannosaurus rex,” stated Holly Woodward, a professor at Oklahoma State University.
“Through studying the tree rings preserved in fossilized bones, we reconstructed the growth history of these magnificent creatures year by year.”
Unlike the annual rings found in tree stumps, the cross-sections of tyrannosaurus rex bones only record the final 10 to 20 years of an individual’s life.
“Our innovative statistical approach allowed us to estimate growth trajectories by synthesizing growth records from various samples. We examined every growth stage in greater detail than any prior studies,” explained Dr. Nathan Myhrvold, a mathematician and paleontologist at Intellectual Ventures.
“The resulting compound growth curves provide a more accurate representation of how tyrannosaurus rex matured and evolved in size.”
Rather than competing for dominance into adulthood, tyrannosaurus rex demonstrated a gradual and steadier growth pattern than previously assumed.
“The prolonged growth phase over 40 years likely enabled young tyrannosaurs to occupy various ecological roles within their environment,” said Dr. Jack Horner of Chapman University.
“This may explain how they maintained their status as apex carnivores at the end of the Cretaceous period.”
The team’s findings were published in the online journal Peer J.
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HN Woodward et al. 2026. Long-term growth and the extension of subadult development of the tyrannosaurus rex species complex revealed through expanded histological sampling and statistical modeling. Peer J 14: e20469; doi: 10.7717/peerj.20469
In early 2025, excitement surged within the research community with the release of a groundbreaking preprint paper detailing the world’s first fully 3D printed microscope. This innovative device was constructed in just hours and costs a fraction of traditional models.
Dr. Liam Rooney, a professor at the University of Glasgow, explained to New Scientist that the response to their revolutionary microscope has been overwhelming, attracting interest from biomedical researchers, community organizations, and even filmmakers. He stated, “The community response has been remarkable.” This significant research has been published in the Microscope Journal.
For the microscope’s body, the team employed designs from the Open Flexure project, a public resource for 3D printing scientific instruments. Utilizing a commercial camera and light source, they controlled the entire system using a Raspberry Pi computer.
The true innovation lies in the 3D-printed microscope lenses made from clear plastic, drastically reducing costs and enhancing accessibility. Traditional microscopes can cost thousands; in contrast, this new model can be assembled for less than £50.
“Since January, we have printed approximately 1,000 lenses in various shapes,” remarked team member Gail McConnell, from the University of Strathclyde.
Several companies producing commercial products that require optics have reached out to discuss potential collaborations, as affordable, lightweight 3D-printed lenses are still uncommon in large-scale production. The team has successfully used the microscope to analyze blood samples and tissue sections from mouse kidneys, validating its utility for medical and biological research.
The researchers aim to democratize access to microscopy, and they are making strides toward that goal. Collaboration with a lab at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana is underway to enhance microscope accessibility for researchers and students across West Africa. Additionally, they’ve secured funding from the UK Institute for Technology Strategy, and are involved in programs designed to upskill and empower students facing educational barriers.
Furthermore, the team has developed a new microscope course through the Strathclyde Light Microscopy Course, aimed at researchers of all experience levels and providing a unique educational opportunity in the UK. Rooney noted, “This is revolutionizing our teaching methods.”
Looking towards the future, there is substantial potential for further enhancements in 3D printed microscopes. The research team is working to improve resolution without raising costs and have found methods to enhance image contrast by 67%.
McConnell emphasized that the microscope’s design leverages consumer electronics and accessible 3D printing technologies, stating that the future advancements and capabilities are limited only by current 3D printing technology. “As these printers advance, so will our capabilities. The only bottleneck is technology, not creativity,” she explained. “We’re frequently contacted by individuals eager to see new designs.”
In early 2025, a groundbreaking paper revealed the world’s first fully 3D printed microscope, sparking significant enthusiasm among researchers. This innovative microscope can be constructed in just a few hours and costs significantly less than traditional models.
Dr. Liam Rooney, a professor at the University of Glasgow involved in this project, stated to New Scientist that coverage of the microscope has prompted outreach from biomedical researchers, community organizations, and filmmakers worldwide. “The community response has been amazing,” he noted. The research has been subsequently published in Microscope Journal.
His team utilized the OpenFlexure design, a publicly available resource for creating scientific instruments via 3D printing. Additionally, they incorporated a commercially available camera and light source, all controlled by a Raspberry Pi computer.
A major breakthrough was the 3D printing of microscope lenses using clear plastic, significantly reducing costs and making microscopy more accessible. While traditional microscopes can cost thousands, this new version is available for under £50.
Since January, the team has produced approximately 1,000 lenses in various shapes, according to Gail McConnell from the University of Strathclyde, UK.
Several companies manufacturing products requiring lenses have shown interest in the team’s research, as inexpensive, lightweight 3D-printed lenses are rare in large-scale production. They tested the microscope on blood samples and thin sections of mouse kidneys, confirming its potential utility in medical and biological research.
The team’s mission is to democratize access to microscopy. They are collaborating with the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana, aiming to enhance microscope accessibility for researchers and students in West Africa. They have also secured funding from the UK Institute for Technology Strategy and participate in initiatives that empower students facing educational barriers.
In addition, they have developed a new microscope course at the Strathclyde Light Microscopy Course, tailored for researchers of all experience levels. Mr. Rooney emphasized, “This is truly changing how we educate.”
Furthermore, researchers believe there’s ample opportunity for improvement. They are focused on enhancing resolution without adding costs, having already improved contrast by up to 67%.
McConnell remarked that because the microscope is designed for low-cost consumer electronics and accessible 3D printers, its future scalability is tied to advancements in 3D printing technology. “As these printers improve, so will we. The bottleneck isn’t imagination,” she explained. “We are continually receiving inquiries to develop new innovations.”
for tourists exploring Korea, a nation renowned for its technological advancements, navigating through the heart of its cities can be unexpectedly frustrating due to the ineffectiveness of Google Maps.
This may change soon, as South Korean authorities will deliberate on whether to permit the export of Google’s intricate mapping data to foreign servers. However, the decision has already been postponed for the second time this year on Friday to allow more time for security concerns to be addressed.
Such a decision would unlock features that enable the app to offer detailed guidance and show users optimal routes for their journeys.
This ongoing discussion has spanned nearly two decades, evolving into a broader examination of how democracy can strike a balance between digital sovereignty and economic openness. Local industry advocates have raised alarms about market control by foreign firms, while supporters of Google’s request argue that restrictions may hinder tourism and innovation.
South Korea is among a select few countries, including China and North Korea, where Google Maps is not functioning optimally.
While Google dominates online services globally, the digital landscape in Korea is primarily managed by local “portal” firms, Naver and Kakao.
These platforms offer wide-ranging services such as search engines, email, news, messaging, music, and maps, creating a robust ecosystem that has effectively resisted foreign technological dominance. Local companies supply accurate public mapping information but are obligated by law to store it on domestic servers.
Google does license similar data from local providers, but it is limited to displaying information like landmarks and local businesses, without the capability to give navigational instructions.
Security concerns and local opposition
Google asserts that it needs to distribute and process data through its global server network to provide real-time navigation services to billions of users worldwide, including those exploring Korean destinations from abroad.
Nonetheless, Google counters that the mapping data it seeks has already undergone security evaluations and that sensitive location details have been omitted. Furthermore, the same data is utilized by domestic competitors. Google has stated it would obscure satellite imagery of any sensitive sites should authorities require it.
Critics assert that granting Google’s request could create precedents for other foreign companies. Photo: Andrew Merry/Getty Images
There is significant resistance to Google’s requests. The Korean Association of Spatial Information, Research and Mapping (KASM), representing 2,600 local businesses, reported that 90% of the 239 member companies surveyed opposed it, fearing market domination by U.S. tech giants.
“The government must heed industry concerns,” cautions KASM Chairman Kim Seok-Jong, warning of potential “industrial decimation.”
Critics also caution that acquiescing to the request could set dangerous precedents for other foreign firms, especially those from China. Local reports indicate that Apple has similarly sought authorization.
The government argues that if Google establishes a local data center, like its domestic rivals, it can access detailed mapping data, which does not resolve the issue of processing this data on Google’s global servers.
In 2022, vulnerabilities related to such approaches were highlighted when one of Kakao’s data centers was set on fire, leaving messaging, mapping, and ride services inaccessible to millions.
The impact of tourism
Data from the Korean Tourism Organization reveals that complaints surged by 71% last year, with Google Maps accounting for 30% of all app-related grievances.
Francesco, an Italian tourist, remarked that he was “shocked” to discover that Google Maps was ineffective upon his arrival in Seoul for a week-long visit.
“It’s quite frustrating. I’ll look for restaurants reviewed on Google, only to have to switch to Naver Maps for walking directions,” he shared.
“I heard it’s a security issue,” said Reus, a French traveler. “But I sense it’s more about protecting local businesses.”
The restrictions have drawn criticism from tourism startups and tech advocates who assert that they will struggle to develop competitive services globally and hinder growth without access to standardized international mapping tools.
Previous governmental reviews in 2007 and 2016 both declined Google’s requests.
Currently, the interagency committee, which includes representatives from the Defense and Intelligence Reports, has extended the deadline twice, from May to August and once more to October, emphasizing the need for in-depth discussions with security agencies and industry stakeholders.
This matter has surfaced amid broader U.S.-Korea trade tensions, with the U.S. Trade Bureau identifying South Korea’s mapping constraints as a “non-tariff trade barrier.”
South Korea recently wrapped up trade negotiations to secure a 15% tariff, avoiding the original 25% threat. President Lee Jae Myung is set to meet with President Donald Trump at the White House in the upcoming days or weeks.
South Korea’s Ministry of Transport could not be reached for comment prior to the decision.
Google claims its map software assists individuals to “navigate and explore with confidence using fresh information about locations, roads, and traffic,” and that it “works closely with local governments to aid residents and visitors.”
A parliamentary committee investigating the impact of social media on Australian society has recommended empowering users to change, reset, and disable algorithms, as well as enhancing privacy protections. However, the committee also proposed a ban on social media use by individuals under 16 years old. No final recommendations have been made yet regarding access to social media.
The inquiry primarily focused on the influence of social media on young people. Both the opposition coalition and the federal government have announced plans to regulate social media for individuals under 16, pending legislation to be introduced in parliament by the year’s end in response to the current usage policy.
One of the 12 recommendations in the final report suggests enabling governments to enforce laws on digital platforms more effectively, creating a duty of care for platforms, and requiring platforms to provide data access to researchers and public interest groups. The report also suggests that users should have more control over their online experiences, understand algorithms, enhance digital literacy education, and submit age-guaranteed technology testing results to Congress.
Although there’s bipartisan support for banning social media access for those under 16, the study suggests that ensuring children’s safety may not necessarily involve outright bans until they reach an appropriate age. It emphasizes the need for collaborative efforts with young people in designing regulatory frameworks impacting them.
The Commission highlights the importance of evidence-based decisions regarding age restrictions and the necessity of involving young people in the policymaking process.
The committee suggests that a blanket ban on social media for certain age groups may not be the optimal solution and underscores the need for comprehensive digital reforms to tackle harmful online practices.
Chairperson Labor MP Sharon Claydon emphasizes the complexity of the issue and the necessity for immediate action to safeguard Australian users.
The Greens propose lifting the review of online safety laws, banning data mining of young people’s information, providing more education, and considering a digital services tax on platforms.
Detailed explanations are provided by paleontologists from Germany, China, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Dinocephalosaurus orientalis a remarkable marine reptile from the Middle Triassic of China, based on seven beautifully preserved specimens.
repair of Dinocephalosaurus orientalis It is depicted in a school of large predatory actinopterygian fishes. Saurictis. Image credit: Marlene Donnelly.
Dinocephalosaurus orientalis They lived in what is now China during the Triassic period about 240 million years ago.
This aquatic reptile could reach up to 6 m (20 ft) in length and had an extremely long neck with 32 separate vertebrae.
the animal looked very similar Tanystropheus hydrides another strange marine reptile that lived during the Middle Triassic period of both Europe and China.
“Both reptiles were similar in size and had some common skull features, including a fish-catching type of dentition,” said Dr Nick Fraser, head of natural sciences at the National Museum of Scotland, and colleagues. Stated.
“but, Dinocephalosaurus orientalis It is unique in having more vertebrae in both its neck and torso, giving it a more snake-like appearance. ”
Dinocephalosaurus orientalis. Image credit: National Museums of Scotland.
Dinocephalosaurus orientalis They are strictly marine reptiles and almost certainly gave birth at sea.
The exact function of its extraordinarily long neck is unknown, but it almost certainly helped catch fish, and in one specimen it is preserved in the stomach contents.
Despite superficial similarities, this reptile was not closely related to the famous long-necked plesiosaur, which evolved only about 40 million years later and inspired the Loch Ness Monster myth.
“This discovery allows us, for the first time, to see the entire body of this amazing long-necked animal,” Dr Fraser said.
“This is another example of the weird and wonderful world of the Triassic that continues to baffle paleontologists.”
“With its striking appearance reminiscent of the long, serpentine dragon of Chinese mythology, we are confident it will capture imaginations around the world.”
Dinocephalosaurus orientalis First described in 2003, the discovery of additional, more complete specimens has allowed the authors to fully describe this strange long-necked creature for the first time.
“Among the amazing discoveries we made in the Triassic of Guizhou, Dinocephalosaurus orientalis It probably stands out as the most remarkable,” said Professor Li Chun, a paleontologist at the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology.
of findings Published in today's magazine Earth and Environmental Sciences: Papers of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.
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Stephen NF Speakman other. Dinocephalosaurus orientalis Li, 2003: A remarkable marine archosaur from the Middle Triassic of southwestern China. Earth and Environmental Sciences: Papers of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, published online on February 23, 2024. doi: 10.1017/S175569102400001X
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