Discovering the Origins of Spider Fangs: Tracing Ancient Marine Life Back to 518 Million Years Ago

Posted on July 1, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Urocodia equalis

is an early Cambrian marine predator from China’s Chengjiang biota, notable for preserving the earliest evidence of chelicerae. This unique structure is a precursor to the fangs of spiders and pincers of scorpions.

Artist’s impression of Urocodia equalis, a marine predator that roamed Cambrian seas around 518 million years ago. Image credit: Xiaodong Wang.

Spiders, scorpions, and ticks belong to a significant group of invertebrates known as chelicerates, which includes over 100,000 described species.

Characterized by articulated limbs and an external skeleton, these creatures are particularly known for their specialized limbs, called chelicerae, used for capturing prey.

The earliest fossil records of chelicerae emerged not from terrestrial habitats but from marine organisms inhabiting Cambrian seas over 500 million years ago.

In a groundbreaking study, paleontologists examined Urocodia equalis from the renowned Chengjiang Fossil Site in Yunnan Province, China.

This diminutive creature measures just 2 to 3 centimeters and features large, stalked eyes, a segmented skeleton, and articulated limbs extending from its elongated body.

“The Urocodia equalis was part of an ancient ecosystem with over 200 species thriving in the ocean more than 500 million years ago,” stated Professor Mark Williams from the University of Leicester.

“These excellently preserved fossils offer invaluable insights into the early evolution of life on Earth.”

Utilizing X-ray tomography, Professor Williams and his team conducted an in-depth analysis of Urocodia equalis, uncovering much of its soft tissue still intact.

The scans revealed small, scissor-like limbs located behind the eyes, representing an early evolutionary version of the chelicerae that later developed into the fangs of spiders and pincers of scorpions.

“During our X-ray tomography analysis, we discovered soft anatomy that had remained buried for millions of years, including these fascinating scissor-like limbs,” remarked Professor Yu Liu, a paleontologist at Yunnan University and the University of Leicester.

“This fossil is particularly intriguing as it is a distant ancestor of chelicerates like scorpions and spiders.”

Urocodia equalis‘s legs also exhibit features similar to gills, a respiratory adaptation still observed in modern horseshoe crabs.

This discovery extends the fossil record of this unique trait, providing a rare glimpse into the origins of one of evolution’s most successful hunting adaptations that emerged in ancient oceans.

“Urocodia equalis has a seven-segmented head with a sclerotized lower mouth, pincer-like appendages, and bilobed body appendages equipped with overlapping exit valves,” noted the paleontologists.

“These scissor-like appendages illustrate a transitional structure between a multi-segmented appendage and a true chelicera; mega keiran represents the origin of book gills.”

Further details of these findings are published in the latest issue of Nature.

_____

Y. Liu et al., Urokodia: Shedding light on the origin of chelicerae and their book gills. Nature, published online July 1, 2026. doi: 10.1038/s41586-026-10713-2

Source: www.sci.news

Nasa Invests $600 Million in New Contracts to Advance Lunar Base Development

Posted on July 1, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

If NASA successfully executes its bold vision, the entire fleet of lunar landers and rovers will soon be on the moon’s surface within just a few years.

Limited Time Offer: Enjoy 25% Off Your NBC News Subscription!

Gain access to exclusive reporting, live Q&A sessions, and ad-free reading.

NASA announced on Tuesday that it has entered yet another contract with a private space company for upcoming moon missions. This time, the lunar lander will transport scientific equipment to the moon’s surface by late 2028.

This announcement marks another step in NASA’s aggressive lunar flight program as it prepares to establish a permanent base on the moon. The various missions set to launch over the next two years aim to test technologies and explore key locations that will shape NASA’s moon construction initiative. Recently, NASA announced nearly $1 billion in funding for its initial unmanned missions aimed at building a moon base.

Recent updates indicate a clear commitment from NASA to establish a sustained presence on the moon, adhering to a tight timeline and heavily leveraging commercial partnerships.

Artist’s rendering of proposed lunar base development near the moon’s south pole.
NASA

“Our recent grants to commercial partners total nearly $600 million for additional lunar missions carrying scientific payloads, accelerating our efforts to build a sustainable presence on the moon, and enhancing our capabilities for future missions,” stated Rory Glaze, Associate Administrator for NASA’s Human Spaceflight Mission Directorate in a statement.

Isaacman mentioned on Tuesday that a test version of NASA’s Mars rover could potentially be repurposed for the moon’s surface.

“If you’re familiar with our Mars rovers Curiosity and Perseverance, there is another model,” he said, noting that the test unit is named Promise. “We are seriously considering sending Promise to the moon.”

The three companies newly contracted for lunar modules include Pennsylvania-based Astrobotic, already collaborating with NASA to develop a lander capable of transporting over 1,000 pounds of cargo and a lunar rover to the moon’s surface later this year, along with Texas-based Firefly Aerospace and Intuitive Machines.

NASA reported that the winning bids were $144.2 million for Firefly and $148.3 million for Intuitive Machines.

Astrobotic has received a fresh contract valued at $297.9 million to construct two additional landers for the 2028 mission, meaning NASA has invested over $600 million in lunar hardware research over the last six years.

Firefly has also been awarded $75 million from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory to create four drones to scout locations of interest at the moon’s south pole.

No company is creating a lander from scratch. Instead, NASA indicates that modifications are being made to a spacecraft already flown into space.

Conceptual illustration of astronauts, habitats, rovers, and power systems supporting sustained operations at a lunar base.
NASA

Regarding the Promise rover at California’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Isaacman indicated that discussions are underway to dispatch a probe aimed at exploring the resources available at the moon’s south pole.

“We’ve made several modifications and equipped it with different instruments, making it a very capable vehicle for the lunar south pole,” Isaacman explained. “This will enable us to rapidly develop new projects.”

Isaacman also updated reports on Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin’s expected involvement. NASA had selected Blue Origin and Astrobotic for an unmanned mission to the moon this year; however, an explosion occurred during a recent engine test, damaging the launch pad and raising concerns about meeting NASA’s schedule.

As a result of Blue Origin’s setback, the Moon mission may be postponed until next year.

Astrobotic’s lander is expected to launch as early as this year, according to Carlos García-Galan, NASA’s lunar base program manager.

Isaacman noted that NASA plans to provide monthly updates on lunar missions and will soon solicit proposals for scientific and technological payloads for upcoming lunar expeditions. Potential experiments might focus on the Moon’s energy infrastructure and improve communication systems between the Earth and the Moon.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Webb and Messier: Mapping 82 Million Stars in the Universe

Posted on June 29, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

The NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope has unveiled approximately 16.5 million stars within the edge-on spiral galaxy Messier 82 (M82, NGC 3034, or Cigar Galaxy), offering astronomers an extraordinary opportunity to examine the galaxy’s intense star formation activities.

An image of the edge-on spiral galaxy Messier 82. Image credits: NASA / ESA / CSA / Adam Smercina, STScI, Tufts / Thomas Williams, University of Manchester / Alyssa Pagan, STScI.

Located about 12 million light-years away in the northern constellation of Ursa Major, Messier 82 is a fascinating astronomical object.

First identified by German astronomer Johann Elert Bode in 1774, this galaxy spans approximately 40,000 light-years in diameter.

Messier 82, colloquially known as the Cigar Galaxy due to its elongated elliptical shape, presents a unique profile caused by the tilt of its star-rich disk from our perspective.

Celebrated for its accelerated star formation rate, Messier 82 creates stars at a pace 10 times greater than that of the Milky Way.

“Messier 82 is chaotic, yet it embodies a stunning disorder,” commented Dr. Adam Smersina, an astronomer at the Space Telescope Science Institute and Tufts University.

“Our understanding of its evolutionary history remains incomplete.”

“What fuels this heightened star formation? How long has this galaxy been expelling material from its core?”

“Messier 82 serves as an unparalleled laboratory for galaxy evolution, enabling us to explore core astrophysical processes, including star formation in extreme conditions and the resulting outflows.”

“No other galaxy in the local universe can simultaneously address many astrophysical inquiries like Messier 82 does.”

Astronomers harnessed Webb’s NIRCam (near-infrared camera) to reveal unprecedented details of Messier 82, showcasing its expansive structure and millions of individual stars.

The observed Webb image features around 16.5 million distinct stars scattered throughout the galaxy.

Light from these stellar sources appears as luminous blue grains.

This represents only a fraction of the estimated total stars thought to exist in galaxies like Messier 82, as many remain too faint for detection.

“The sheer number of stars revealed by Webb is astonishing,” stated Dr. Benjamin Williams, an astronomer at the University of Washington.

“We’ve entered a realm previously hidden from our sights with other telescopes.”

“Each star collectively unveils a detailed fossil record of Messier 82’s formation and evolution.”

“While Webb can penetrate through dust, the galaxy’s disk might not appear strikingly eye-catching at first,” explained Dr. Eric Bell, an astronomer at the University of Michigan.

“Yet Messier 82 constitutes a highly intricate system, and Webb’s insights will help elucidate ongoing mysteries, such as the dynamics of star formation across the past several billion years.”

A side-by-side comparison of Messier 82 as viewed by the Hubble Space Telescope (left) and the Webb Space Telescope (right). Image credits: NASA / ESA / CSA / Adam Smercina, STScI, Tufts / Thomas Williams, University of Manchester / Alyssa Pagan, STScI.

The extreme star formation in Messier 82 occurs at a rate 10 times faster than in our Milky Way, leading to eventual limitations in star birth.

The galaxy’s vibrant stellar activity is ejecting bipolar plumes of material both above and below its disk.

Although it seems chaotic, this hourglass-shaped outflow displays a structured layering.

Yellow tendrils of material nearest the galaxy’s disk signify ionized gas, while the orange-hued material further out represents tiny dust particles.

These particles, known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, assist astronomers in tracing material within the interstellar medium of galaxies.

“Galaxies function as complex ecosystems, so a comprehensive understanding requires integrating data from various missions,” remarked Dr. Kristen McQuinn, an astronomer at the Space Telescope Science Institute.

“No single mission can fully resolve all the mysteries surrounding Messier 82.”

“Merging data from different telescopes, like Webb and Hubble, is incredibly potent.”

“This synthesis broadens the scope of our investigation, allowing for more intricate questions and answers.”

Source: www.sci.news

Exploring Brazil’s Ancient History: 240 Million Years Ago, a Crocodile Ancestor Invaded

Posted on June 26, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Paleontologists in Brazil have discovered a previously unknown archosauroid species that thrived approximately 240 million years ago. This intriguing species may belong to a little-understood group of ancient reptiles reminiscent of the ancestors of crocodiles and dinosaurs.

Reconstruction of Silescerida acristatata. Image credit: Mateus Fernández Gadelha.

Silescerida acristatata resided in what is now Brazil during the Middle Triassic Period, a crucial time when life on Earth was diversifying following the mass extinction at the end of the Permian Period.

During this era, archosaurs—a diverse group of reptiles that eventually evolved into dinosaurs, pterosaurs, and crocodiles—began to dominate terrestrial ecosystems.

The newly discovered species is likely linked to a rare and poorly understood group known as Euparkeriidae.

Among the most recognized species of Euparkeriidae is Eupacheria capensis, first described in South Africa in 1913 and remains the sole definitive member of this intriguing group.

“The Euparkeriidae are primarily noted for their distinctive stalked archosaurs. Eupacheria capensis existed during the Early to Middle Triassic in South Africa and is the only established member of this clade,” stated lead author Mauricio García from the Federal University of Santa Maria and his colleagues.

“Other presumed euparckerids have been found in regions across China and Europe.”

“Eupacheria capensis and Euparkeriidae rank just outside of archosaurs in all major phylogenetic analyses, highlighting their significance in understanding archosaur origins.”

“This species, along with other potential euparkerids, holds substantial implications for understanding the evolutionary trajectory of archosaurs, as it closely resembles the body plan of archosaur ancestors.”

The skeletal remains of Silescerida acristatata, including its left shoulder blade, right hip bone, and a left femur measuring around 17.3 cm in length, were discovered at a site in Doña Francisca, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

Based on examinations with related species, the new find likely resembled a long-limbed, agile lizard-like predator.

The discovery of Silescerida acristatata broadens the known geographical range of the Euparkeriidae lineage, and reaffirms South America’s vital role in the early evolution of archosaurs.

“This discovery not only provides insight into the temporal and paleogeographical distribution of Euparkeriidae but also illuminates the origin and early evolution of this family. Eucrocopodan represents the first record of this archosaur in the Brazilian Triassic,” concluded the paleontologists.

“More broadly, this new species underscores the significance of South American Triassic deposits in the evolutionary history of archosaurs.”

The team’s research paper was published in the journal Scientific Reports on June 10th.

_____

García, M. S., et al. 2026. A new euparkeriid form from the mid-Triassic period of southern Brazil, a member of the family Euparkeriidae. Scientific Reports 16, 16585; doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-53740-9

Source: www.sci.news

Earth’s Complex Life Could Endure 500 Million Years Longer Than Anticipated

Posted on June 18, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

What Will Earth Look Like in the Distant Future?

Bimal S/Unsplash

Future Earth — What Will Earth Look Like in the Distant Future?

Bimal S/Unsplash

The sun is gradually getting brighter and expanding as it ages, eventually cooking the Earth before consuming it entirely. However, new research indicates that complex life may endure in this extreme Earth scenario far longer than previously estimated.

Observations of other stars suggest that our Sun will transition into a red giant in about 5 billion years, raising questions about how long our planet will remain habitable. In ecological terms, the final survivors of complex life will be the trophic biosphere, including plants both aquatic and terrestrial. Their survival heavily relies on Earth’s temperature and the crucial carbon dioxide levels essential for photosynthesis.

“The greenhouse effect acts as Earth’s thermostat, balancing CO2 levels to maintain a habitable temperature,” explains Jacob Haq Misra from Blue Marble Space in Washington. As temperatures rise, CO2 is absorbed into rocks, diminishing atmospheric levels and allowing some heat to escape.

This shift implies that as the Sun expands, CO2 will become the critical limiting factor for plant life. Previous estimates indicated that a threshold of about 10 ppm of CO2 in the atmosphere is necessary for plant survival; below this level, plants perish, leaving only microorganisms. This phenomenon is expected to occur roughly 1.35 billion years from now. While the exact longevity of these microbes post-plant extinction is uncertain, it is likely they will survive much longer.

Innovative simulations by Haq Misra and his colleague Eric Wolf suggest potential plant lifespans may be extended by an additional 500 million years. Their more sophisticated simulations account for specific plants, such as cacti and pineapples, that utilize a unique type of photosynthesis known as Crassulacean acid metabolism, which allows more efficient CO2 absorption. This could lower the CO2 starvation threshold to just 1 ppm, enabling the trophic biosphere to thrive for more than 1.8 billion years.

“Life on Earth is capable of much more than we might expect,” states Haq Misra. Over such extensive timescales, evolutionary adaptation could allow life to persist even longer, adjusting to the gradual warming triggered by the Sun’s expansion.

“These models suggest that we may be on the brink of understanding Earth’s complex biosphere, rather than approaching its end, as previously pessimistic scenarios suggested,” shares Edward Schwieterman from the University of California, Riverside. This insight is promising, as it implies that if we treat Earth as a representative example of a habitable world, our chances of discovering biospheres on other planets may be higher than previously anticipated. “This isn’t merely a philosophical query; it has practical implications: they are modeling a future Earth that we may be able to observe within the next 20 years.”

Topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Discoveries Suggest Early Humans Used Fire as Early as 1.8 Million Years Ago

Posted on June 16, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Researchers suggest that early human ancestors, specifically Homo erectus, date back approximately 1.79 million years, coinciding with the intentional use of fire in South Africa’s Wonderwerk Cave.

Wonderwerk Cave, South Africa. Image credit: Michael Chazan.

Wonderwerk Cave is situated 60 km south of Kulman in South Africa’s Northern Cape Province.

This significant site has revealed a fossil and archaeological record that spans nearly two million years of human habitation.

“The mastery of fire significantly impacts the evolutionary dynamics of Homo species, altering their relationship with both natural and cultural environments,” stated Dr. Liora Korska-Horwitz from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and her colleagues.

“While the pace of innovation in hominin fire technology remains debated, evidence suggests that early humans could obtain fire from seasonal wildfires and transport it back to their habitats for survival,” they noted.

“The ability to generate and control fire only emerged much later in human development.”

Current research indicates that the most compelling evidence for early fire usage stems from the Acheulean artifacts found within Wonderwerk Cave.

Previous studies have suggested that fire was utilized in the cave around one million years ago.

However, Dr. Korska-Horwitz and her co-authors conducted a thorough examination of the cave’s stratigraphic layers, discovering charred animal bones that date between 1.07 and 1.79 million years old.

It appears that Homo erectus were not merely passive bystanders to natural wildfires nor advanced fire creators, but rather engaged in a more nuanced interaction with fire.

The findings suggest early humans captured fire from wilderness wildfires, brought it into their caves, and maintained it until it extinguished.

“Detecting evidence of fire from such ancient sites poses unique challenges,” explained Dr. Korska-Horwitz.

“Our research introduces innovative methodologies for uncovering ancient fire signatures, revealing consistent fire presence deep within Wonderwerk Cave.”

Central to the study is a novel analytical technique developed to identify combustion traces in fossilized bones.

“When subjected to specific light wavelengths, bones exposed to high temperatures emit a distinctive luminescence,” the researchers clarified.

“By merging this non-invasive luminescence technique with established chemical analyses, we successfully identified charred animal remains.”

The strong correlation between burnt bones and Acheulean stone tools, coupled with the absence of sediment transport that might explain their presence, underscores the likelihood of intentional human fire usage.

“Our findings reveal that early humans were not mere bystanders to natural fires,” emphasized Dr. Korska-Horwitz.

“They actively engaged with fire and integrated it into their daily lives.”

These findings were published in a 2026 study in the online journal PLoS ONE.

_____

MD Marine Monfort et al. 2026. New evidence of early Pleistocene fire use at Wonderwerk Cave (South Africa). PLoS One 21 (6): e0347480; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0347480

Source: www.sci.news

Discovering Europe’s Half-Ton Cow Ancestors: Four Million Years Ago

Posted on June 5, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

A nearly complete bovine skeleton discovered at the early Pliocene site of Camp dels Ninotz in northeastern Spain has unveiled that the ancestors of modern buffaloes and cows had reached impressive sizes long before humans inhabited the continent.

Paleo-artistic reconstruction of the early Pliocene environment around Lake Camp Dels Ninotz. Image credit: Mauricio Anton.

“Cows play a vital role in many contemporary ecosystems and human agriculture, particularly species within the Bovini tribe, such as bison, buffalo, and cattle,” stated Dr. Leonardo Solberg from the Leibniz Institute for Evolutionary and Biodiversity Sciences and his colleagues.

“However, due to the scarcity of well-preserved early fossils, their evolutionary origins and relationships with close relatives remain largely unknown.”

The study involved the examination of at least 14 human remains excavated from the Camp dels Ninotz site in Spain.

Researchers identified the specimen as Parabos tineresi, one of five buffalo-like species that thrived in Europe during the early Pliocene.

The largest of these animals is estimated to have weighed nearly 500 kg, making it smaller than most existing bovine species but larger than other similar bovid species of the period.

This indicates an early stage of body size increase in the bovine lineage, possibly as an adaptation to the changing climate and environment that characterized continental Europe during the Pliocene.

Their anatomy suggests a preference for moist, plant-rich environments, aligning with researchers’ understanding of the water-abundant ecosystem at the Camp dels Ninotz site.

Researchers argue that the early Pliocene marked the dawn of large cattle, but the exact evolutionary connection between cattle and cows remains unclear. The status of Parabos also remains ambiguous.

Comparative studies suggest that Parabos could either represent early members of the Bovini tribe or more modern relatives of the related Tragoportacini lineage, which was eventually supplanted by true water buffalo, cattle, and bison.

Future research focusing on the anatomy and ecology of Parabos will clarify their place in the bovine evolutionary narrative.

“The Camp dels Ninotz bovid is one of the most exquisite fossils from the European Pliocene,” remarked the researchers.

“The exceptional preservation of these specimens allows for a deeper understanding of their anatomy and, consequently, the ecology of the continent’s earliest large bovids.”

“Studying these fossils presented both challenges and rewards.”

“The extraordinary preservation and richness of the findings have provided us an unprecedented wealth of data for this ancient geological period, offering a new perspective on the world before humans.”

The study has been published in the journal PLoS ONE.

_____

L. Solberg et al. 2026. First or last dynasty? Parabos tineresi and the evolution of Eurasian bovidae during the early Pliocene. PLoS ONE 21 (6): e0340256; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0340256

Source: www.sci.news

Discovering Toothless Bipedal Crocodile Relatives from 212 Million Years Ago in New Mexico

Posted on May 28, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Paleontologists have unveiled a groundbreaking discovery: a new bipedal shubosaur archosaur, Rubble Jascus Expetatus, found in New Mexico. This finding enriches our understanding of the diverse prehistoric creatures that inhabited North America over 200 million years ago during the Triassic period.

Rubble Jascus Expetatus traversed its prehistoric environment on two legs, equipped with tiny arms and a beak-like structure devoid of teeth. Image credit: Jorge Gonzalez / NHMLAC Dinosaur Institute.

Rubble Jascus Expetatus belongs to the newly classified Shubosauridae family, which consists of ancient crocodilian relatives resembling bipedal theropod dinosaurs.

“Shubosauridae represents a unique group of Triassic poposauriforms found in western North America and Argentina,” explained Dr. Alan Turner of Stony Brook University and his team.

“These agile, bipedal, toothless creatures demonstrate a remarkable convergence with the ornithomimid theropod dinosaurs that thrived in the Cretaceous period.”

Currently, three recognized species of shubosaurs include Shubosaurus inexpectatus from the Cooper Canyon Formation in Texas, Ephigia ochiferae from the Coelophysis Quarry at the Chinle Formation in northern New Mexico, and Syrossuchus longiservicus found in the Lower Ischigualasto Formation of western Argentina.

Rubble Jascus Expetatus effectively bridges the fossil timeline between Shubosaurus inexpectatus and Ephigia ochiferae.

This fossil, estimated at around 212 million years old, was excavated from the Hayden Quarry in the Chinle Formation fossil forest of northern New Mexico, USA, yielding significant partial skeletons and other fossilized remains.

Paleontologists note that Rubble Jascus Expetatus exhibits minimal differences compared to its relatives, reinforcing a trend of remarkable skeletal conservatism within the Shubosauridae family.

“The anatomical similarities between the skeletal remains of these species suggest that this morphological consistency has persisted within the Shubosauridae of western North America for at least 10 million years,” the researchers stated.

“Rubble Jascus Expetatus aligns well with the hypothesis of morphological conservatism and fits within the known stratigraphic range of North American shubosaurs.”

This discovery further supports the hypothesis that shubosaurs were primarily endemic to western North America, suggesting a unique pattern distinguishing them from many other rare Triassic reptile groups.

“Our phylogenetic analysis positions this shubosaur within the same clade as two other North American shubosaurs, reinforcing the concept of an endemic group of small, bipedal, toothless forms in the southwestern United States,” the researchers concluded.

The findings are detailed in a paper published in the May 26th edition of the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.

_____

Alan H. Turner et al. New Shubosaurid (Archosaur, Poposauridae) unearthed from the Late Triassic (Norian) Hayden Quarry in New Mexico, USA Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, Published online on May 26, 2026. doi: 10.1080/02724634.2026.2618182

Source: www.sci.news

80 Million Years Ago: How T. rex and Mosasaurs Dominated the Oceans

Posted on May 21, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Paleontologists have unveiled a colossal new species of Mosasaurus, measuring an impressive 13.2 meters (43 feet) in length, and equipped with serrated teeth, leading to its intriguing name: Tylosaurus rex.

Reconstruction of Tylosaurus rex in the Cretaceous Western North American Interior Seaway. Image credit: Alderon Games / Path of Titans.

Mosasaurs, ancient giant marine reptiles, thrived during the Late Cretaceous Period, approximately 100 to 66 million years ago.

Often likened to dinosaurs, these creatures are actually more closely related to contemporary monitor lizards and snakes.

The family Mosasaurs is categorized into four main subfamilies: Mosasauridae, Plioplatecarpinidae, Tylosauridae, and Halisauridae, each showcasing unique adaptations like flippers, streamlined bodies, and significant size variations.

Among them, Tylosaurid mosasaurs are characterized by a toothless snout, elongated tail, and minimally ossified limbs, adaptations that facilitated their life in open waters.

These ancient reptiles were among the first to achieve true gigantic sizes, surpassing 8 meters (26 feet) in length.

Tylosaurid fossils have been discovered across Europe, Asia, New Zealand, Africa, and Antarctica, with a remarkable abundance along the Western Interior Seaway of North America.

“Everything seems to be bigger in Texas, including mosasaurs,” stated study lead author Dr. Amelia Zietlow, a paleontologist from the American Museum of Natural History.

Dr. Zietlow’s research journey began as a doctoral student, when she identified what seemed to be a misclassified mosasaur fossil from the museum’s collection, previously labeled as Tylosaurus proliger.

Upon comparing her specimen with the holotype Tylosaurus proliger, she and her team concluded that their find, along with over a dozen similar fossils from various institutions, belonged to an entirely different mosasaur family.

This distinction was significant; the fossils of Tylosaurus proliger displayed finely serrated teeth, a rarity among mosasaurs.

While the typical Tylosaurus proliger specimen was found in present-day Kansas and dated to around 84 million years ago, the newly discovered fossils, primarily from Texas, are roughly 4 million years younger.

“The holotype for the newly categorized Tylosaurus rex is an impressive specimen displayed at the Perot Museum, first located in 1979 near Dallas,” remarked paleontologists.

Beyond its massive size, the newly identified Tylosaurus rex showcased a range of adaptations that contributed to its formidable jaw and neck muscles, indicating it was a powerful predator.

“Being approximately twice the length of the largest great white shark, Tylosaurus rex appears to have been a much more aggressive creature compared to other mosasaurs,” explained co-author Dr. Ron Tycosky, curator of vertebrate paleontology at the Perot Museum.

“Studies of well-preserved fossils gathered from across North Texas revealed unprecedented levels of internal conflict within this species, unlike any other Tylosaurus fossils previously documented.”

“Evidence of this aggressive behavior includes the “Black Knight,” a specimen housed in the Perot Museum that is missing the tip of its nose and has a fractured jaw, injuries likely caused by its own kind.”

“Other notable mosasaurus specimens previously known as Tylosaurus proliger, now reclassified as Tylosaurus rex, include the remarkable specimen ‘Bunker’ discovered in 1911 and exhibited at the University of Kansas, as well as ‘Sophie’ at Yale University’s Peabody Museum.”

The research team’s published paper appears in today’s Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History.

_____

Amelia R. Zietlow et al.. 2026. A new giant species of Tylosaurus from Texas (Mosasauridae), and an updated character list for phylogenetic analysis of Mosasauridae. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 482; doi: 10.1206/0003-0090.482.1.1

Source: www.sci.news

Study Reveals Butterflies and Moths Have Used the Same Genetic Toolkit for 120 Million Years

Posted on May 4, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

A groundbreaking study examining various South American butterfly lineages and diurnal moths reveals that convergent evolution—where unrelated species develop similar traits—follows a consistent genetic pattern. This discovery has significant implications for understanding how species may adapt to climate change.

Ben Chehida and others. A flight study of Itomini, Isomini, and Heliconius butterflies, along with the Ketonga moth. Image credit: Ben Chehida et al., doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3003742.

“Convergent or parallel evolution serves as a natural experiment where unrelated species independently evolve similar traits in response to equivalent selective pressures,” states Kanchon Dasmahapatra, a professor at the University of York.

“This indicates how reproducible—and thus predictable—evolution can be.”

“Highly divergent lineages often display significant trait convergence, such as repeated colonization of habitats like land, water, and air, or the evolution of resistance against threats like pesticides, drought, and heat stress.”

According to the researchers, “Convergence in traits across different species can stem from genetic changes occurring in different genes or in the same gene (gene reuse).”

“Gene reuse is expected to be more prevalent among closely related lineages or when developmental pathways towards optimal fitness are limited.”

“Convergence may happen when the same allele is reused (allele sharing), either through independent mutations in one gene or through ancestral variation and introgression between species.”

In this study, the authors investigated various species of distantly related South American rainforest butterflies and moths that share similar wing color patterns for predator deterrence, a phenomenon known as mimicry.

The study aims to identify the genes responsible for these similar mimic color patterns among seven distantly related species.

Remarkably, researchers found that distinct butterfly and moth species reuse the same two genes—ivory and optics—which evolve into similar color patterns, despite being very distant relatives.

Genetic alterations in several butterfly species did not occur in the genes themselves but rather in similar “switches” that control gene expression.

Interestingly, one moth species utilizes an inversion mechanism where substantial DNA sequences flip directions, mirroring a genetic strategy used by a butterfly.

“Convergent evolution, where numerous unrelated species independently develop the same trait, is a widespread phenomenon across the tree of life,” says Professor Dasmahapatra.

“However, there is limited opportunity to explore the genetic foundation of this phenomenon.”

“By studying seven butterfly lineages along with diurnal moths, we demonstrate that evolution is surprisingly predictable and that both butterflies and moths have repeatedly employed the same genetic tricks to develop similar color patterns since the time of dinosaurs.”

The findings from this study reveal that evolution may not always be random and could be more predictable than previously believed.

Professor Joanna Meyer from the Wellcome Sanger Institute remarked: “All these distantly related butterflies and moths are toxic and unpalatable to birds that attempt to consume them.”

“Their similarities are advantageous; if birds recognize a specific color pattern as indicating ‘don’t eat us, we are poisonous’, it benefits other species to exhibit the same warning colors.”

“Our research illustrates that these warning colors are remarkably optimal. With a highly conserved genetic basis over 120 million years, evolving these similar color patterns could be quite straightforward.”

The results are published in the journal PLoS Biology.

_____

Y. Ben Chehida et al. 2026. Convergent mimic coloration in lepidopterans over 120 million years of evolution is underpinned by genetic parallelism. PLoS Biol 24 (4): e3003742; doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3003742

Source: www.sci.news

Record-Breaking Universe Map Reveals 47 Million Galaxies and Quasars

Posted on April 16, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

The DESI project has produced an unprecedented map of galaxies and quasars across the cosmos, with Earth positioned at the center.

Credit: Claire Laman/DESI collaboration

DESI Map of the Universe — The DESI project has produced an unprecedented map of galaxies and quasars across the cosmos, with Earth positioned at the center.

Credit: Claire Laman/DESI collaboration

The Dark Energy Spectrometer (DESI) has recently completed a monumental five-year survey, documenting over 47 million galaxies and quasars. This expansive dataset contributes to the most precise map of the universe ever constructed, potentially unraveling the perplexing enigma of weakening dark energy — a factor that could radically alter our understanding of the universe.

Since its launch in 2021 at Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona, DESI has outperformed expectations, initially set to gather data from 34 million celestial bodies. Due to its exceptional efficiency, many faint galaxies, located at considerable distances, have been observed with as few as 100 to 200 photons.

David Schlegel and his team at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory assert that this invaluable data boosts our comprehension of cosmic structures by nearly tenfold, surpassing previous maps that documented only 5 million galaxies.

“Throughout our careers, we’ve continuously expanded our mapping capabilities to include ten times more data every decade,” he states. “We anticipate completing a comprehensive mapping of all observable galaxies within 10 billion light-years by 2061 if we maintain this trajectory.”

Although the primary study is concluded, accessible analysis from this new data will take an additional year to finalize. DESI will persist in its data collection efforts for at least another two-and-a-half years, with planned upgrades to extend its operational life into the 2030s. “This instrument remains the premier technology for such research,” he adds.

Currently, DESI’s cosmic mapping spans 14,000 square degrees, with aspirations to cover up to 17,000 square degrees. Given that the entire celestial sphere is over 41,000 square degrees, certain areas remain challenging to observe due to the brightness of nearby astronomical entities, including our home galaxy, the Milky Way.

This groundbreaking dataset will empower scientists to analyze and compare the distribution of galaxies from both the ancient past and the present, potentially yielding insights into the nature of dark energy — which constitutes roughly 70% of our universe. DESI’s initial findings for 2024 suggest an intriguing possibility that dark energy is not static but may be diminishing over time.

Should dark energy indeed prove to be weakening, it could significantly disrupt the established lambda-CDM model of cosmology. The culmination of DESI’s data will provide a robust framework for a deeper investigation into these phenomena.

Ofer Lahav, a professor at University College London, recalls a time when access to data like DESI’s was merely a dream. “Four decades ago, during my PhD at Cambridge, we sampled thousands of galaxies, and the thirst for data was immense. Now, with a plethora of data available, analyzing it presents a different set of challenges for my students,” he remarks.

As the deluge of data grows, breakthroughs regarding the fundamental nature of the universe are anticipated. This influx may also illuminate rare cosmological events, opening doors to fresh avenues of research.

Astronomy in Chile: A Must-Visit Destination

Discover Chile’s astronomical wonders. Explore the world’s most advanced observatory and enjoy stargazing beneath the clearest skies available on Earth.

Topics:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Meta and YouTube Hit with $3 Million Fine for Mental Health Violations

Posted on March 25, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg departs from Los Angeles court amid major social media addiction trial

Credit: John Putman/Anadolu via Getty Images

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg leaves Los Angeles courthouse — Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg departs from Los Angeles court amid major social media addiction trial

Credit: John Putman/Anadolu via Getty Images

A California jury has made a groundbreaking ruling, finding social media giants Meta and YouTube liable for negligence impacting a young woman’s mental health. This significant verdict marks a pivotal moment that could reshape the future of social media regulation.

The jury mandated that the companies pay $3 million in damages, compensating for economic losses and emotional distress suffered by the plaintiff. However, the jury has yet to determine punitive damages, which would impose additional penalties on the companies due to their actions.

The young woman at the heart of this trial, referred to as KGM in court documents, successfully argued that the addictive features of social media resulted in her severe anxiety and depression. Although TikTok (owned by ByteDance) and Snapchat (owned by Snap) were initially involved in the lawsuit, they reached a settlement prior to the trial’s commencement.

This case is not isolated; thousands of similar lawsuits are pending against social media firms across the United States. Many of these cases allege that social media products are addictive and harmful. Notably, a related case in New Mexico concluded on March 24, resulting in a verdict against Meta for failing to protect children from exploitation. That case resulted in the company being ordered to pay $375 million in damages.

The critical question that arises now is whether such legal actions will lead to meaningful changes in social media products deemed harmful. In the U.S., free speech laws pose challenges in advocating for reforms on social media platforms. A significant statute, Section 230, shields companies from liability for user-generated content. However, this landmark decision could signal a turning point, as the prevailing laws often hinder successful litigation against tech giants.

The New Mexico case has now advanced to a second phase, where a judge will adjudicate on the necessary changes Meta should implement to its social media platforms moving forward.

A spokesperson for Meta expressed disagreement with the ruling and announced plans to appeal both cases. Similarly, Jose Castañeda, a spokesperson for Google, which owns YouTube, indicated that the company intends to challenge California’s decision. With several more cases on the docket, if this trend continues, profound changes in the social media landscape may soon emerge.

Topics:

Source: www.newscientist.com

How Early Howler Monkeys Adapted to Leaf-Based Diets 13 Million Years Ago

Posted on March 12, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Discoveries of the Fossilized Jaw of an Ancient Monkey Species Stiltonia victoriae unveil insights from Colombia’s La Victoria Formation, indicating that early primates in South America adapted to leaf consumption, which enabled them to grow larger and explore new ecological niches. This remarkable find may also provide clues about the timeline of when this lineage developed the anatomical traits responsible for the powerful howls seen in today’s howler monkeys.

Howler monkey wearing a cloak (Alouatta palliata) in Panama. Image credit: Ariel Rodriguez-Vargas / CC BY 4.0.

The ancient primate Stiltonia victoriae thrived in what is now Colombia during the Miocene epoch, approximately 13 million years ago.

Dr. Siobhan Cook, a researcher from Johns Hopkins University, stated, “Prior to this discovery, there was no evidence indicating that South American primates consumed leaves.”

This research helps address crucial questions about ecological evolution in one of the Earth’s most biodiverse regions.

“What evolutionary changes occurred in the Amazon rainforest during the existence of these monkeys?”

In their recent study, Cook and colleagues investigated two fossilized mandibles of Stiltonia victoriae from Colombia’s La Victoria Formation in the Tatacoa Desert.

The findings indicate when this ancient monkey developed the ability to eat leaves, expanding its diet beyond fruit. This adaptation enabled it to grow larger and lessen food competition among howler monkeys and other primate species in ancient ecosystems.

“Millions of years ago, ancient monkeys traversed trees in what is now the Tatacoa Desert, once inhabited by wetland grasses, forests, and riverbanks,” said Dr. Cook.

These monkeys coexisted with long-extinct fauna in the Amazon basin, including giant sloths and armored armadillos.

“Before this, fossil findings were scarce. With Stiltonia victoriae, we could only glean knowledge from a few facial and cranial bone fragments,” Cook remarked.

“The latest discoveries not only shed light on their biodiversity and dietary habits but may also provide insight into when howler monkeys developed their distinctive ‘howl’, the loudest vocalization among land mammals.”

The structure of the jaws indicated a broad and deep mandibular body, which may have allowed the hyoid bone to protrude, similar to modern howler monkeys, potentially enabling their iconic calls.

“However, we are still uncertain about their exact behavior,” Dr. Cook added.

Paleontologists employed scans of the jaw fossils to create a 3D model for detailed analysis.

From the structure of the mandibular molars, researchers determined the dietary patterns, size, and distinguishing features of Stiltonia victoriae, comparing it against 3D models of other South American primate fossils, including Stiltonia tatakoensis, a known ancestor of howler monkeys.

They also closely examined the jaws of modern howler monkey ancestors and their relatives, such as spider monkeys and woolly gibbons residing in rainforests.

“Like modern howler monkeys, Stiltonia victoriae possessed relatively large molars with protrusions to act as ‘scissors’ for efficiently grinding carbohydrates, an adaptation common in leaf-eating primates,” said Dr. Cook.

Through their research, the body weight of Stiltonia victoriae was reconstructed, revealing these monkeys weighed between 17 and 22 pounds (8 to 10 kg).

Dr. Cook highlighted, “Previous South American monkeys in the fossil records were significantly smaller. This suggests that for the first time, these monkeys had access to abundant food sources, primarily leaves, enabling them to evolve into a heavier ecological niche.”

This discovery marks the emergence of a large and diverse group of primates in South America.

“We can now accurately trace the origins of various modern lineages.”

These findings will be published in the journal Paleoanthropology.

_____

Siobhan B. Cook et al. 2026. Mandibular specimen of Stiltonia victoriae from La Victoria Formation, La Venta, Colombia. Paleoanthropology 1: 148-170; doi: 10.48738/2026.iss1.3992

Source: www.sci.news

Facing Accusations: The Shocking Claim of Slaughtering 100 Million Rabbits in Australia

Posted on March 10, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

*New Scientist* Reporter James Woodford shares his encounter with a rabbit.

D. Cunningham/Shutterstock

Wild European Rabbit at Jerrabomberra Wetland Nature Reserve, Canberra — *New Scientist* Reporter James Woodford shares his encounter with a rabbit.

D. Cunningham/Shutterstock

On a fateful Sunday shift, I felt an unsettling dread arise when breaking news emerged about a biological control virus aimed at Australia’s massive rabbit population escaping quarantine. This incident occurred near Yunta, a tiny speck on the South Australian map, roughly 250 km off the coast. Surprisingly, authorities identified only two individuals who had traveled to both Point Pearce and the new quarantine zone—myself included.

This unsettling event took place in October 1995, while I was a junior environmental reporter for one of Australia’s major newspapers in Sydney. Amid a whirlwind of topics, one article caught my attention: the ambitious endeavor to eradicate Australia’s invasive feral rabbit population was faltering.

The project, spearheaded by CSIRO, Australia’s foremost federal science agency, involved testing the lethal rabbit calicivirus at a quarantine facility on Wardung Island, situated a few kilometers off South Australia’s coast. Significant work remained before the virus was deemed fit for release; scientists were determined to ensure it posed no risk to native wildlife or the ecosystem.

However, on October 10, CSIRO announced that the virus had spread beyond its quarantine confines, reaching two additional locations, while oddly asserting that it had not escaped the island. Just a week later, I arrived at my desk to learn that the virus had somehow crossed from Wardung Island to Point Pearce on the mainland. I promptly urged my editor to let me and the photographer fly to Adelaide and head straight to Point Pearce.

By early afternoon, photographer Peter Ray and I traversed the arid landscape of Point Pearce for a meeting with government scientists managing the quarantine response.

Upon our arrival, local Aboriginal community members escorted us the final few kilometers to meet the quarantine team. Despite being the sole reporters present, the evidence of the impending rabbit crisis was unmistakable—dead rabbits littered the paddock. We documented interviews with researchers and accompanied them to the cabin where autopsies were taking place.

As the gravity of what we witnessed became apparent to our editors back in Sydney, I was tasked with exploring the potential implications if the virus continued to breach quarantine controls. I reached out to a rabbit meat wholesaler who connected me to an archer supplying rabbit fur for Australia’s renowned Akubra hats.

The next morning, we traveled to Yunta, over 300 km north of Adelaide, to meet rabbit shooter Clinton Degenhardt, who sat in his car with a rifle beside him. He and others in the rabbit meat and fur industry were deeply concerned about their livelihoods.

The following day, our front-page story was published, and as the week progressed, nothing more transpired until that Sunday, when the devastating news broke that the virus had reached Yunta.

South Australia’s chief veterinarian suggested that Peter and I might have inadvertently spread the virus, prompting a press release to that effect. My tranquil Sunday was suddenly transformed into a chaotic meeting as our editor tried to ascertain how we were tied to this incident.

The next day, Tim Fisher, the then-leader of the Australian National Party, raised the issue in Parliament, proposing that if our involvement was confirmed, we should take up jobs on the Dog Control Fence—a lush 5,600 km long pest control barrier separating southeastern Australia from the rest of the country.

Fortunately, scientists soon suggested that blowflies might have transmitted the virus instead of us, allowing the story to evolve. Nonetheless, it perplexed me that the virus first surfaced in Yunta, the area where I’d interviewed the rabbit shooter. Was this mere coincidence, a conspiracy, or a hoax? I may never know.

Competing news outlets thrived on the irony of our major scoop morphing into a public relations nightmare, and my friends and colleagues found endless amusement in teasing me. During those initial tumultuous weeks, I received a copy of the book Watership Down, and many dubbed me the “Bunny Killer.”

Interestingly, while many harbored animosity towards rabbits, there was also excitement at the prospect of liberating the land from these invasive hares. Farmers, conservationists, and endangered species researchers rejoiced at the likelihood of eradicating one of Australia’s most notorious pests, albeit temporarily until resistance would develop. In those initial two months following October, at least 10 million rabbits perished, and ultimately, hundreds of millions more would follow.

Nearly four years later, I found myself at Herdanda Station, a sprawling 3,000 square kilometer ranch near Alice Springs. Before the calicivirus outbreak, the property was home to 20,000 rabbit warrens. When I visited, the rabbit population had dwindled to nearly zero. When the owner, Bernie Kilgariff, discovered my identity as the reporter accused of spreading the virus, he insisted I sign the visitor’s list as a guest of honor rather than as a governor-general.

Topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

How SpaceX’s 1 Million Satellites Could Bypass Environmental Inspections

Posted on February 25, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Sure! Here’s the SEO-optimized version of your content while maintaining the HTML structure:

SpaceX’s Ambitious Satellite Launch Plans

Charles Boyer/Alamy Stock Photo

As approval deadlines loom, astronomers are working diligently to assess the environmental implications of SpaceX’s request to launch up to 1 million satellites.

On January 30, SpaceX revealed its application to the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to deploy a vast constellation aimed at serving as an orbital data center for artificial intelligence, as stated by CEO Elon Musk.

This proposed number of satellites far exceeds the current total in orbit, which stands at only 14,500 active satellites. At present, the FCC is not mandated to evaluate the potential environmental consequences of launching such a significant number of satellites, especially regarding their impact on Earth’s atmosphere and nighttime visibility.

“We have serious concerns,” remarked Ruskin Hartley, CEO of DarkSky International. “We support satellite use, but it must be conducted responsibly.”

Following satellite applications, the FCC allows public comments. This process occurred shortly after SpaceX’s proposal, which is swift compared to typical timelines. The deadline for submissions is March 6, after which the FCC might take several months to decide on the application.

More than 350 comments have been submitted thus far, with many astronomers voicing their apprehensions about the implications for astronomy and Earth’s atmosphere. “The idea of a million satellites is incredibly alarming,” noted Samantha Lawler from the University of Regina, Canada.

SpaceX has not disclosed extensive details about the proposed satellites, specifically regarding their sizes and altitudes. This lack of information prevents astronomers from fully understanding the potential impacts of the constellations. “We are hurrying to gather crucial data to submit to the FCC,” Lawler added.

In a worst-case scenario, Lawler suggests that tens of thousands of satellites could be visible to the naked eye simultaneously, greatly obstructing observations from telescopes both on Earth and in space. Furthermore, it would necessitate continual satellite replenishment, likely every five years, similar to SpaceX’s Starlink system. Consequently, an average of one satellite would launch and another would re-enter Earth’s atmosphere every three minutes—significantly more than the current rate of a few re-entries daily.

This frequent re-entry poses serious risks to Earth’s atmosphere, as burning satellites produce aluminum oxide, a substance harmful to the ozone layer. “We’re discussing Teragrams [1 trillion grams]. This could lead to substantial ozone depletion and alter stratospheric temperatures,” Lawler warned.

The FCC currently lacks the obligation to evaluate the environmental impacts of satellite usage at such a comprehensive scale, due to exemptions under the U.S. National Environmental Policy Act. Should significant concerns arise during the public comment period, the application may face closer scrutiny; however, the likelihood of this remains uncertain, according to Kevin Bell from the Free Information Group in Washington, D.C.

“Ideally, the FCC would conduct assessments, but they often lack the scientific capacity to fully evaluate atmospheric impacts,” Bell explained.

Neither the FCC nor SpaceX has responded to requests for comment.

Topics:

This version includes relevant keywords and enhances readability while maintaining the HTML structure. It also adds alt text to the image for better SEO.

Source: www.newscientist.com

Early Homo Species First Appeared in the Jordan Valley Over 1.9 Million Years Ago

Posted on February 24, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

New Study Reassesses the Age of the Jordan Valley Ubaydiya Layer: Dating Back Approximately 2 Million Years, Comparable to Georgia’s Dmanisi Ruins. This Research May Mark a Critical Moment in Human Evolution, Indicating That Early Humans with Advanced Tool-Making Skills Expanded into New Environments Much Earlier Than Previously Believed.

Artist’s reconstruction of Homo erectus. Image credit: Yale University.

The Ubaydiya ruins are situated in Israel’s Jordan Valley, nestled between Menahemia village and Beit Zerah kibbutz.

Discovered in 1959, this site has yielded a distinctive Ature hatchet but only a few human remains.

“The Ubaydiya Formation has been a focus of research for years, offering early evidence of the Acheulean culture, recognized by its large, double-sided stone tools, often found alongside a diverse array of fauna, including species from Africa and Asia,” remarked Ali Matmon, a professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

“Yet, determining the precise age of this site has posed a considerable challenge over the decades.”

“Historically, researchers estimated Ubaydiya’s age to be between 1.2 and 1.6 million years, based on relative chronology.”

To ascertain the site’s true age, researchers employed three independent dating techniques: magnetic stratigraphy, uranium-lead (U-Pb) dating of mollusc shells, and cosmogenic isotope burial dating.

“Cosmogenic isotope burial dating measures rare isotopes generated when cosmic rays strike rocks on Earth’s surface,” explained the research team.

“Once buried, these isotopes decay at a known rate, effectively beginning a geological clock that indicates how long they have been underground.”

“We also analyzed remnants of Earth’s ancient magnetic field preserved in lake sediments at the site,” they added.

“As sediment settles, it locks in the orientation of the planet’s magnetic field at that time.”

“By correlating these magnetic signatures with known historical reversals in Earth’s magnetic field, we established that this formation emerged during the Matsuyama period, over 2 million years ago.”

“We also examined the fossils of melanopsis, utilizing U-Pb dating to determine the age of shells and freshwater snails within the sediment, which helped us establish the minimum age of the layer where the stone tools were discovered.”

“Overall, our findings indicate an age much earlier than previously anticipated.”

Double-sided stone tool excavated from the Ubaydiya site in Israel. Image credit: Omri Barzilai.

The team’s results indicate that the Ubaydiya site is at least 1.9 million years old, significantly older than prior estimates.

“This new chronology suggests that Ubaydiya is roughly contemporaneous with the renowned Dmanisi site in Georgia, implying that our ancestors migrated to different regions simultaneously,” the scientists noted.

“Additionally, this suggests that both simpler Oldowan and more advanced Acheulean stone tool-making techniques began their migration from Africa as various hominin groups explored new terrains.”

This groundbreaking study is published in the Quaternary Science Review.

_____

A. Matmon et al. 2026. The Complex History of Radiation Exposure Burials in the Dead Sea Rift Valley and the Recycling of Pleistocene Sediments Affecting the Age of the Acheulian Site Ubaydiya. Quaternary Science Review 378: 109871; doi: 10.1016/j.quascirev.2026.109871

Source: www.sci.news

Why SpaceX Seeks Approval to Launch 1 Million Satellites: Key Insights

Posted on February 3, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

SpaceX Satellite Launch at Kennedy Space Center, Florida

Geopics/Alamy

SpaceX satellite launch at Kennedy Space Center — SpaceX Satellite Launch at Kennedy Space Center, Florida

Geopics/Alamy

As 2026 approaches, one of the year’s most significant space stories is already emerging: the rise of mega-constellations and ambitious plans to launch thousands of satellites into Earth’s orbit.

Recently, SpaceX made headlines by requesting approval from the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to deploy 1 million orbital data center satellites. This unprecedented move follows SpaceX’s previous filing in 2019 for 42,000 Starlink satellites.

“This is an unprecedented scale for any satellite constellation,” says Victoria Samson, an expert at the Secure World Foundation in the United States.

Currently, SpaceX operates the largest satellite constellation, the Starlink Internet service, with approximately 9,500 satellites in orbit of the total 14,500 satellites. However, this current setup represents just 1% of SpaceX’s planned satellite network. Furthermore, these Starlink satellites are already navigating a risky orbit, as the company anticipates needing to prevent 300,000 collision scenarios by 2025.

The latest information released on January 30 reveals CEO Elon Musk’s vision for these data centers. Musk states that the launch of a million satellites is a fundamental step towards evolving into a Kardashev II civilization. The Kardashev Scale, developed by Soviet astronomer Nikolai Kardashev in 1964, quantifies the technological advancement of civilizations.

With AI’s energy requirements rising, the concept of space-based data centers has gained traction. In November 2025, the American company StarCloud successfully launched a demonstration data center powered by advanced Nvidia chips. The European Commission has also conducted studies indicating the feasibility of such orbital data centers.

Musk suggests that the reusability of SpaceX’s Starship rocket, the most powerful rocket ever built, enables this ambitious satellite deployment. He claims, “With hourly launches and 200 tons per flight, Starship will transport millions of tons yearly into orbit and beyond, ushering in a new era of human exploration.”

This filing coincides with SpaceX’s announcement on February 2 about acquiring xAI, a company that operates the social media platform X and the intriguing Grok chatbot. “If you want AI in an orbital data center, it’s a bundled package,” says Ruth Pritchard-Kelly, a US satellite regulation expert.

SpaceX is not the only entity aiming to launch more satellites. On December 29, China requested to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to deploy 200,000 satellites into space. While there are no explicit restrictions on the number of satellites that can be safely deployed, prior research has suggested that managing over 100,000 satellites could become exceedingly challenging.

The FCC will take several months to decide on SpaceX’s application, during which public comments are welcome, and a separate submission to the ITU is required. Once approval is granted, SpaceX typically has six years to deploy half of the constellations but is requesting a waiver, arguing that their satellites communicate via optical links and do not cause radio interference.

SpaceX has stated that it will place its satellites in slightly polar orbits, ranging from 500 kilometers to 2,000 kilometers in altitude, primarily above the current Starlink operational altitudes. While the dimensions of the proposed satellites remain unspecified, it’s estimated that if they are similar to existing Starlink satellites, approximately 10,000 Starship launches will be needed to complete the constellation.

If Musk’s plan for hourly launches is realized, it would take just over a year to deploy the entire million satellite network. SpaceX assures safe disposal of satellites at the end of their operational lifespan by relocating them to decommissioned orbits or placing them in solar orbit.

The extensive proposed constellation could significantly impact astronomical research. SpaceX highlighted its ongoing collaboration with the scientific community in its application. However, in December, researcher Alejandro Borlaf from NASA Ames Research Center warned that adding 500,000 satellites could render “nearly all telescope images from the ground and space contaminated by satellites,” hampering scientific discovery.

These orbital data centers might be brighter than many existing satellites due to their need for large solar panels and radiators similar to those found on the International Space Station, designed to expel heat into space.

Whether or not SpaceX is genuinely prepared to deploy 1 million satellites remains uncertain. Given the staggering nature of this number, Pritchard-Kelly suggested this could be an instance of Musk’s “shock and awe” tactics, implying that the actual satellite count may be significantly lower. SpaceX and the FCC have not responded to requests for comments.

History and Future of Space Exploration: United States

Embark on an extraordinary journey through America’s space and astronomy landmarks, designed for curious minds and lifelong learners.

Topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

How Plate Tectonics, Not Volcanoes, Shaped Earth’s Climate Over the Last 540 Million Years

Posted on January 21, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

A revealing new study challenges traditional beliefs by showing that mid-ocean ridges and continental rifts, rather than volcanic eruptions, significantly influence atmospheric carbon fluctuations and long-term climate change in Earth’s geological history.

Cryogenic Earth. Image credit: NASA.

Over the past 540 million years, Earth’s climate has gone through dramatic shifts, alternating between icy icehouse conditions and warm greenhouse phases.

Icehouse conditions prevailed during key geological periods, including the Late Ordovician, Late Paleozoic, and Cenozoic eras.

Notably, warmer periods were associated with increased atmospheric carbon dioxide, while declines in greenhouse gases led to global cooling and extensive glaciation.

Research conducted by Ben Mather and a team at the University of Melbourne reconstructed carbon movements between volcanoes, oceans, and the deep Earth over the past 540 million years.

“Our findings challenge the long-accepted view that volcanic chains formed by tectonic plate collisions are the primary natural source of Earth’s atmospheric carbon,” Dr. Mather stated.

“Instead, it appears that carbon emissions from deep-sea crevices and mid-ocean ridges, driven by tectonic movements, have been crucial in shaping the transitions between icehouse and greenhouse climates throughout most of Earth’s history.”

“For example, we discovered that carbon released from volcanoes in the Pacific Ring of Fire only emerged as a significant carbon source in the last 100 million years, prompting us to reevaluate current scientific understanding.”

This study presents the first robust long-term evidence indicating that Earth’s climate change is primarily driven by carbon released at divergent plate boundaries rather than convergent ones.

“This insight not only reshapes our understanding of past climates but will also enhance future climate models,” Dr. Mather noted.

By integrating global plate tectonics reconstructions with carbon cycle models, the research team traced the storage, release, and recycling of carbon as continents shift.

Professor Dietmar Müller from the University of Sydney remarked, “Our findings illustrate how variations in carbon release from plate spreading influenced long-term climate shifts, clarifying historical climate changes, such as the late Paleozoic ice ages, the warm Mesozoic greenhouse world, and the rise of present-day Cenozoic icehouses.”

This research holds vital implications for understanding the ongoing climate crisis.

“This study contributes to the growing body of evidence that atmospheric carbon levels are a significant factor driving major climate shifts,” Dr. Mather emphasized.

“Comprehending how Earth managed its climate historically underscores the extraordinary pace of current climate change.”

“Human activities are releasing carbon at a staggering rate, far surpassing any natural geological processes previously recorded.”

“The climate balance is tipping alarmingly fast.”

For more on this groundbreaking research, you can view the findings published in the journal Communication Earth and Environment.

_____

B.R. Mather et al. 2026. Carbon emissions along divergent plate boundaries influence climate shifts between icehouses and greenhouses. Communication Earth and Environment 7, 48; doi: 10.1038/s43247-025-03097-0

Source: www.sci.news

Evidence Suggests Early Humans Began Hunting Elephants 1.8 Million Years Ago

Posted on January 6, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Ancient Humans Hunting Elephants—Evidence of Slaughtering Animals 1.8 Million Years Ago

Natural History Museum/Scientific Photography Library

Homo heidelbergensis hunting elephant — Ancient Humans Hunting Elephants—Evidence of Slaughtering Animals 1.8 Million Years Ago

Natural History Museum/Scientific Photography Library

Hunting an elephant is a formidable challenge, necessitating advanced tools and teamwork, offering an abundant source of protein.

A research team led by Manuel Dominguez-Rodrigo from Rice University in Texas suggests that ancient humans may have accomplished this feat approximately 1.78 million years ago in Tanzania’s Olduvai Gorge.

“Around 2 million years ago, our ancestors consistently consumed smaller game like gazelles and waterbucks but did not target larger prey,” says Dominguez-Rodrigo.

Later findings from Olduvai Gorge indicate a significant shift. This valley, abundant with both animal and human fossils formed over the past 2 million to 17,000 years, shows a marked increase in elephant and hippopotamus remains around 1.8 million years ago. However, establishing conclusive evidence of human involvement in hunting remains elusive.

In June 2022, Dominguez-Rodrigo and his team discovered what may be an ancient elephant slaughterhouse at Olduvai.

The site, dubbed the EAK site, revealed partial remains of an extinct elephant species, Elephas reki, surrounded by an array of stone tools that were much larger and sturdier than those utilized by hominins 2 million years ago. Dominguez-Rodrigo posits these tools were likely crafted by the ancient hominin Homo erectus.

“These include Pleistocene knives, known for their sharpness even today,” he notes, emphasizing their potential for butchering tasks.

Dominguez-Rodrigo and his colleagues believe these stone tools facilitated elephant slaughter. Some limb bones appear to have fractured shortly after the elephant’s demise, indicating the bones were still fresh or “green.” Unlike scavengers like hyenas that can strip meat, they can’t shatter the dense bone shafts of mature elephants.

“We discovered numerous bones in the field with fresh fractures, pointing to human use of hammer stones for processing,” he states. “These ‘green’ fractured bones are widespread in the 1.7-million-year-old landscape and bear distinct impact marks.”

However, there is a scarcity of cut marks on bones, which typically indicate butchering practices to extract meat.

It remains uncertain whether humans actively hunted the elephants or merely scavenged existing carcasses.

“What we can confirm is that they disassembled the bones—or portions of them—leaving behind tools and bones as evidence,” affirms Dominguez-Rodrigo.

He adds that the transition to hunting elephants wasn’t merely due to advancements in stone tools, but also hinted at an increase in social structure and cultural development among hominin groups.

However, Michael Pante, a researcher at Colorado State University, remains skeptical of the findings.

Pante contends that the evidence for human exploitation of this individual elephant is weak. The interpretation relies heavily on the proximity of stone tools and elephant remains, as well as the inferred fractures created by human attempts to access bone marrow.

Pante asserts that the earliest definitive evidence of hippo, giraffe, and elephant hunting in Olduvai dates back to around 80,000 years ago, as shown in the research of the 1.7-million-year-old HWK EE site.

“In contrast to the EAK site, the bones at HWK EE exhibit cut marks and are associated with thousands of other bones and artifacts within an archaeological context,” he explains.

Explore the World of Archaeology and Paleontology

New Scientist consistently covers remarkable archaeological sites around the globe, redefining our understanding of species and early civilizations. Consider taking a trip to explore these fascinating locations!

Topics:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Sea Cow Populations Have Shaped the Arabian Gulf Seagrass Ecosystem for Over 20 Million Years

Posted on December 16, 2025 by

Paleontologists have discovered a significant concentration of dugong fossils at Al Masjabiya, an early Miocene dam site in Qatar. These fossils indicate that the Arabian Gulf has undergone various species of sea cows over the past 20 million years. One of these species is Salvacillen catalensis.

An artistic rendering of a group of Salvacillen catalensis foraging on the ocean floor. Image credit: Alex Boersma.

It has a robust body and a downturned snout adorned with sensitive bristles. Dugongs (dugong dugong) are closely related to manatees.

A key distinction between these aquatic herbivores, often referred to as sea cows, is their tails. Manatees possess a paddle-like tail, whereas dugongs feature a fluke-like tail that resembles that of a dolphin.

Dugongs inhabit coastal waters stretching from western Africa through the Indo-Pacific to northern Australia.

The Arabian Gulf hosts the world’s largest dugong population, making sea cows critical to the ecosystem.

As they graze on seagrass, dugongs alter the ocean floor, creating feeding channels that release buried nutrients into the surrounding waters for use by other marine life.

“We uncovered a distant ancestor of the dugong in a rock formation less than 16 kilometers (10 miles) from a bay with seagrass meadows, which is currently the primary habitat for dugongs,” stated Dr. Nicholas Pienson, curator of fossil marine mammals at the National Museum of Natural History.

“This region has served as the main habitat for sea cows for the past 21 million years, with different species occupying this role over time.”

Few locations preserve as many bones as Al Masjabiya, a fossil site in southwestern Qatar.

The bone beds were initially identified in the 1970s during mining and oil exploration, when geologists found a large number of “reptilian” bones scattered across the desert.

Paleontologists revisited the area in the early 2000s and soon realized that these fossils belonged to sea cows, not ancient reptiles.

Using the surrounding rock layers as a guide, Dr. Pienson and his team dated the bone bed to the early Miocene, approximately 21 million years ago.

They found fossils indicating that this area was once a shallow marine habitat teeming with sharks, barracuda-like fish, prehistoric dolphins, and sea turtles.

Researchers identified over 170 different sites containing sea cow fossils throughout the Al Masjabiya location.

This renders the bone bed the richest trove of fossilized sea cow remains globally.

The fossilized bones from Al Masjabiya bore a resemblance to modern dugongs, although ancient sea cows still had hind limb bones, which contemporary dugongs and manatees have lost through evolution.

The prehistoric sea cows found here exhibited straighter snouts and smaller tusks compared to their living counterparts.

Researchers classified Al Masjabiya’s fossil sea cow as a new species: Salvacillen catalensis.

“Using a national name for this species seemed fitting, as it clearly indicates the location where the fossil was discovered,” said Dr. Ferhan Sakal, a researcher at Qatar Museums.

Estimated weight: 113 kg (250 lbs), Salvacillen catalensis would weigh as much as an adult panda or a heavyweight boxer.

Nonetheless, it was among the smaller sea cow species ever found, with some modern dugongs weighing nearly eight times as much as Salvacillen catalensis.

Based on the fossils, scientists theorize that the region was rich in seagrass beds more than 20 million years ago, during an era when the bay was a hotspot of biodiversity, supported by sea cows nurturing these aquatic meadows.

“The density of al-Mashabiya’s bone bed provides a significant clue. Salvacillen catalensis acted as seagrass ecosystem engineers in the early Miocene, much like dugongs do today,” Dr. Pienson added.

“Though the evolutionary agents have completely changed, the ecological roles have remained the same.”

The findings are documented in a published paper available at: Peer J.

_____

ND Pienson et al., 2025. The abundance of early Miocene sea cows from Qatar demonstrates the repeated evolution of eastern Tethyan seagrass ecosystem engineers. Peer J 13: e20030; doi: 10.7717/peerj.20030

Source: www.sci.news

EU Fines Elon Musk’s X €120 Million in First Enforcement of New Digital Law

Posted on December 5, 2025 by

Elon Musk’s social media platform X has received a €120m (£105m) fine from the European Commission after being found in violation of new EU digital laws. This high-profile ruling is expected to cause friction with US billionaire Donald Trump.

The violations include what the EU described as “misleading” blue checkmark verification badges given to users, as well as insufficient transparency in advertising practices, which have been under investigation for two years.

The EU’s regulations mandate that tech companies maintain public lists of advertisers to ensure their structures prevent illegal fraud, false advertising, and organized political campaign manipulations.

Additionally, the EU found that X had not granted sufficient access to public data typically available to researchers observing critical topics like political content.

This significant ruling marks the conclusion of an inquiry that started two years ago.

On Friday, the commission announced that X had failed to meet its transparency responsibilities under the Digital Services Act (DSA), marking the first judgment against the platform since the enforcement of regulations on social media and major tech platforms began in 2023.

In December 2023, the Commission began formal proceedings to determine if X violated the DSA regarding illegal content distribution and the effectiveness of measures to address information manipulation, with the investigation ongoing.

Under the DSA, X could face fines of up to 6% of its global revenue, which is projected to be between $2.5bn and $2.7bn (£1.9bn and £2bn) in 2024.

There are still three additional investigations underway, two of which examine alterations to content and algorithms implemented after Musk’s acquisition of Twitter in October 2022, when it was rebranded to “X.”

The commission is also exploring whether laws against inciting violence or terrorism have been violated.

Moreover, the company is evaluating a system that would permit users to report and flag content they suspect to be illegal.

The fine, divided into three components, includes a €45 million penalty for the introduction of a blue “authentication” checkmark that users could purchase, which obscured the reliability of account holders, according to senior officials.

Prior to Musk’s takeover, blue checkmarks were exclusively awarded to verified account holders, including politicians, celebrities, public bodies, and established journalists from mainstream and emerging media like bloggers and YouTubers. Following the acquisition, users subscribing to X Premium can now obtain blue check status.

“With the DSA’s first compliance decision, we aim to hold Company X accountable for infringing on users’ rights and evading responsibility,” stated Hena Virkunen, executive vice president of the European Commission overseeing technology regulation.

“Deceiving users with blue checkmarks, obscuring information in advertisements, or restricting access for researchers is unacceptable online within the EU.”

X was also fined €35 million for advertising violations and €40 million for failures related to data access for researchers.

Skip past newsletter promotions

This ruling could provoke backlash from the Trump administration. Recently, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick stated that the EU might have to explore technical regulations to cut steel tariffs by 50%.

His statement was labeled “blackmail” by Spanish commissioner Teresa Rivera.

EU officials asserted that the ruling stands independent of allegations brought forth by a US delegation meeting with trade ministers in Brussels last week. The EU emphasized its right to regulate US tech firms, noting that 25 companies, including non-US entities like TikTok, must adhere to the DSA.

Musk, who is on the path to becoming the first trillionaire, has 90 days to draft an “action plan” to address the fine, though he remains free to contest the EU’s decision, similar to appeals made by other corporations like Apple to the European Court of Justice.

In contrast, the EU announced it had secured a commitment from TikTok to establish an advertising repository, addressing transparency concerns raised with the European Commission earlier this year.

The DSA mandates that platforms maintain accessible and searchable ad repositories to enable researchers and civil society representatives to detect fraudulent, illegal, or age-inappropriate advertisements.

Government officials indicated that the emerging issue of fraudulent political ads and ads featuring impersonated celebrities cannot be adequately analyzed without compliance from social media companies.

Mr. X has been contacted for commentary. The EU confirmed that the company has been made aware of the decision.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Porn Company Fined £1 Million by Ofcom for Inadequate Age Verification

Posted on December 4, 2025 by

A pornography company managing 18 adult websites has incurred a £1 million fine from the regulatory body Ofcom for inadequate age verification measures, marking the largest penalty issued thus far under the UK’s Online Safety Act.

The Belize-based AVS Group has also faced an additional fine of £50,000 for not adhering to information request protocols.

This incident represents the third time the communications regulator has enforced fines on a company regarding the UK’s Online Safety Act, which implemented stringent age verification rules in July.

AVS has implemented what it describes as an age verification system; however, regulatory assessments have deemed it to be ineffective.

The company finds itself facing a £1,000 penalty for each day Ofcom considers the circumstance valid within a 72-hour window of the age check being introduced. This leads to a cumulative fine of £300 daily until they comply with the information request or for as much as 60 days.

Since the implementation of the new regulations, Ofcom has initiated investigations into 92 online services, giving priority to sites attracting millions of monthly visitors, considering the potential harm these sites pose.

Oliver Griffiths, Ofcom’s group director for online safety, shared with BBC Radio 4’s Today program that the fines are part of a “broader shift” focused on platform accountability, which includes the “large scale” rollout of age verification on adult sites to combat child sexual abuse material.

Mr. Griffiths noted that more than 90 websites, inclusive of 83 adult sites, are still under scrutiny for possible infringements of the law, and further penalties are expected.

Ofcom also indicated that a significant social media platform, unnamed, could face formal repercussions should it fail to enhance its compliance measures. This platform has reportedly provided insufficient risk assessments needed to evaluate the potential appearance of illegal content, such as scams and unlawful pornography, to its users.

“We reached back out to inform them a re-evaluation was necessary,” Griffiths stated. “Should they fail to treat this matter with due seriousness again, we will promptly escalate to enforcement.”

Furthermore, Ofcom disclosed its review of major anonymous platforms’ capabilities to eliminate illegal terrorist and hate-driven content, including anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim material, with possible enforcement actions on the horizon.

The Online Safety Act brings forth several new regulations designed to shield children and adults from harmful content, with violations potentially costing up to £18 million or 10% of annual UK revenue, or even business closures.

More than half of the UK’s 100 most frequented adult services have instituted age verification since the rule changes in July, alongside social media sites like X, TikTok, and Reddit, according to the regulator. Mr. Griffiths acknowledged a rapid increase in the usage of virtual private networks (VPNs), which enable users to bypass regional restrictions on certain sites, noting that this number had peaked at between 600,000 to over 1 million users when the age verification was assessed but has since declined “significantly” below 1 million.

“There has been a slight uptick in VPN usage; however, several elements were not sold wholesale. Interesting research …indicates that children do not seem to constitute a large proportion,” he noted.

Technology Secretary Liz Kendall stated: “Since the Online Safety Act was enacted, platforms are indeed beginning to accept responsibility for safeguarding children and eradicating illegal and hateful content.”

“Ofcom has the full backing of the Government and is leveraging every authority at its disposal to ensure a service prioritizing user safety. Ensuring the online safety of children remains a top priority for this Government and for me personally.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

The Ancient Giant Mackerel Shark: 115 Million Years Ago in Australian Waters

Posted on December 2, 2025 by

The western order encompasses sharks commonly referred to as mackerel sharks. This group includes some of the most recognized shark species, such as great whites and shortfin mako sharks, along with lesser-known varieties like goblin sharks and megamouth sharks. The recent discovery of a 115-million-year-old giant shark in northern Australia indicates that oligarchs experimented with massive sizes around 15 million years earlier than previously believed, reigning at the top of the marine food chain alongside giant marine reptiles during the era of the dinosaurs.

In the ocean off the coast of Australia 115 million years ago, a gigantic 8m long predatory shark chases an unwary long-necked plesiosaur. Image credit: Polyanna von Knorring, Swedish Museum of Natural History.

Sharks are iconic predators in contemporary oceans, and their lineage dates back over 400 million years.

Nonetheless, the evolutionary journey of modern sharks initiated during the age of the dinosaurs, with the oldest known fossils appearing around 135 million years ago.

These early modern sharks, referred to as olipids, were relatively small, measuring roughly 1 meter in length, but evolved over time into colossal species like the renowned megalodon, which may have exceeded 17 meters, and the great white, known as the modern apex predator of the seas, measuring up to 6 meters.

Sharks possess cartilaginous skeletons, and their fossil record primarily consists of teeth, which are continuously shed as they eat.

This results in shark teeth being commonly found in sedimentary rocks on the ocean floor, alongside the remains of other species, such as fish and large marine reptiles, which dominated marine ecosystems during the time of the dinosaurs.

The rugged coastline around Darwin in northern Australia was once the mudbed of the ancient Tethyan sea, which extended from the southern reaches of Gondwana (now Australia) to the northern island archipelago of Laurasia (now Europe).

Fossils of sea creatures like plesiosaurs, ichthyosaurs, and large bony fish have been uncovered.

Most notably, several giant vertebrae were found, indicating the presence of an unexpected predator: the giant sheep shark.

The five recovered vertebrae were partially calcified, allowing for their preservation, and they closely resemble those of modern great white sharks.

However, while the vertebrae of an adult great white shark measure about 8 cm in diameter, the fossilized sheep shark vertebrae from Darwin exceeded 12 cm in diameter.

These vertebrae also exhibited unique morphological traits, enabling their classification within the Cardabiodontidae family, giant predatory sharks that have existed in the oceans for approximately 100 million years.

Significantly, the rhamniforms in Darwin were around 15 million years old and had already achieved the substantial body size characteristic of cardabiodontids.

“Our findings demonstrate that large body size is an ancient trait, with Australian storkids measuring between 6 to 8 meters long and weighing over 3 tonnes,” stated lead author Dr. Mohammad Bazzi from Stanford University and colleagues.

“This is comparable to some of the largest marine reptiles of their time and indicates that oligarchs entered the apex predator niche early in their adaptive evolution.”

“These sharks were substantial in size and inhabited shallow coastal waters,” added co-author Dr. Michael Syverson, a researcher at the Western Australian Museum.

“This provides significant insights into the workings of ancient food webs and underscores the value of Australia’s fossil remains in comprehending prehistoric life.”

“This discovery not only reshapes the evolutionary narrative of sharks but also enhances Australia’s global significance in paleontological studies.”

“With each fossil discovery, we refine our understanding of ancient oceans and the remarkable creatures that once ruled them.”

For more details on this discovery, refer to the new paper published in Communication Biology.

_____

M.Bazzi et al. 2025. Early giant amnioids mark the beginning of giant body sizes in the evolution of modern sharks. Commun. Biol. August 1499. doi: 10.1038/s42003-025-08930-y

Source: www.sci.news

Two Australopithecus Species Coexisted in Ethiopia 3.4 Million Years Ago

Posted on November 29, 2025 by

In 2009, paleoanthropologists uncovered eight foot bones from ancient human ancestors in 3.4 million-year-old deposits at the Wolanso Mir site in Ethiopia’s Afar Rift Valley. A new study reveals that this fossil, known as Brutele’s foot, belongs to Australopithecus deiremeda. This finding adds to the evidence that two hominin species, Australopithecus deiremeda and Australopithecus afarensis, coexisted in the same region at the same time.

Australopithecus deiremeda and Australopithecus afarensis. Image credit: Gemini AI.

“When we found this foot in 2009 and announced it in 2012, we recognized it was distinct from Lucy’s species, although Australopithecus afarensis has received significant attention since then,” stated Professor Johannes Haile Selassie from Arizona State University.

“Typically, naming a species based on postcranial elements is uncommon in our field, so we anticipated finding something distinctly linked to the feet from the neck up.

“Traditionally, the skull, jaw, and teeth are the primary markers for species identification.”

“When Bartele’s foot was first reported, some teeth had already been found in the same area, but we weren’t certain they were from the same deposit level.”

“Then in 2015, scientists classified a new species, Australopithecus deiremeda, from the same region, but the foot was not included, despite other specimens being unearthed nearby.”

“Over the last decade, our repeated fieldwork has yielded more fossils, allowing us to confidently link Brutele’s foot to the species Australopithecus deiremeda.”

Australopithecus deiremeda exhibits more primitive foot structures compared to Lucy’s species, Australopithecus afarensis.

While retaining an opposable thumb useful for climbing, it is believed that Australopithecus deiremeda likely walked on two legs, with an emphasis on their second toes rather than their big toes, as is the case with modern humans.

“The presence of an opposable big toe in Ardipithecus ramidus was a surprising and unexpected finding, highlighting that 4.4 million years ago, early human ancestors still possessed opposable big toes,” remarked Professor Haile Selassie.

“Then, a million years later, the discovery of Brutele’s foot further amazed us.”

“Currently, we’re in an era where we can observe subsequent species. Members of Australopithecus afarensis had an adducted big toe and displayed complete bipedalism.”

“This indicates that bipedalism, or walking on two legs, manifested in diverse forms among these early human ancestors.”

“The discovery of specimens like Bartele’s foot conveys that there were multiple ways to walk bipedally. It wasn’t until later that a single method emerged.”

To gain insights into their dietary practices, researchers sampled eight of the 25 teeth found in the area related to Australopithecus deiremeda for isotope analysis.

This process involved cleaning the tooth to ensure only the enamel was analyzed.

“I extracted the tooth using a dental drill with a very small bit, similar to what dentists use,” explained Naomi Levin, a professor at the University of Michigan.

“Using this drill, we meticulously remove a small amount of powder, which we store in a vial and return to the lab for isotope analysis.”

“The results were intriguing: Lucy’s species displayed a mixed diet, consuming both C3 (from trees and shrubs) and C4 (tropical grasses and sedges) plants; while Australopithecus deiremeda primarily utilized resources from the C3 category.”

“We were taken aback by how distinctly clear the carbon isotope signal was, mirroring ancient hominin data from Australopithecus ramidus and Australopithecus anamensis.

“I considered the dietary differences between Australopithecus deiremeda and Australopithecus afarensis. Although identifying them was challenging, the isotopic data distinctly indicated that Australopithecus deiremeda was not exploiting the same range of resources as Australopithecus afarensis, known as the earliest hominin to consume C4 grass-based resources.”

Another significant analysis involved accurately dating the fossils and understanding the ancient environments inhabited by these early humans.

“We conducted extensive field research at Wolanso Mir to analyze how different fossil layers interrelate, which is essential for grasping when and in what environments different species thrived,” noted Professor Beverly Thaler from Case Western Reserve University.

In addition to the 25 teeth found at Bartele, researchers also recovered the jaw of a four-and-a-half-year-old child, displaying dental anatomy similar to that of a juvenile Australopithecus deiremeda.

Professor Gary Schwartz from Arizona State University commented: “In juvenile hominins of this age, we observed evident growth discontinuity between front teeth (incisors) and back chewing teeth (molars), akin to patterns in modern apes and early australopiths like Lucy.”

“The most surprising aspect was that, despite gaining a better understanding of the diversity within early australopith (and thus early hominid) species regarding size, diet, locomotion, and anatomy, these early forms appeared surprisingly uniform in growth patterns.”

Findings have been detailed in a paper published in this week’s edition of Nature.

_____

Y. Haile Selassie et al. New discovery illuminates the diet and lifestyle of Australopithecus deiremeda. Nature published online November 26, 2025. doi: 10.1038/s41586-025-09714-4

Source: www.sci.news

Ancient Sauropod Dinosaur Footprint, Dating Back 150 Million Years, Found in Colorado

Posted on November 26, 2025 by

Paleontologists conducted an analysis of the path taken by an exceptionally long sauropod at the West Gold Hill Dinosaur Tracking Station in Colorado, USA. Their findings suggest that the massive dinosaurs responsible for it might have exhibited a limp.

Aerial view of the West Gold Hill dinosaur track site in Colorado, USA. Image credit: USDA Forest Service.

Paleontologist Anthony Romilio from the University of Queensland and his team examined over 130 footprints along a 95.5-meter trail that dates back 150 million years.

“This is a remnant from the late Jurassic period, a time when long-necked dinosaurs like diplodocus and camarasaurus thrived across North America,” stated Dr. Romilio.

“This track is particularly special because it forms a complete loop.”

“Although the reason for the dinosaur’s turnaround remains unclear, this trajectory provides a rare chance to analyze how the substantial sauropod executed a sharp turn before returning to its original direction.”

“The scale of the West Gold Hill Dinosaur Track necessitated a novel approach,” remarked Paul Murphy, a paleontologist from the San Diego Museum of Natural History.

“Given the size of the tracks, capturing these footprints from the ground proved to be quite challenging.”

“We utilized a drone to photograph the entire track in high resolution.”

“These images can now be leveraged to create detailed 3D models that can be digitally examined in the lab with millimeter-level accuracy.”

The virtual model reconstructed the sauropod’s movement throughout the entire path.

“It became evident right away that this animal started moving northeast, looped around, and ultimately ended up facing the same direction,” Dr. Romilio explained.

“Within that circular path, we discovered subtle yet consistent indications of its behavior.”

“A notable observation was the variance in width between the left and right footprints, which changed from very narrow to distinctly wide.”

“This transition from narrow to wide footprints suggests that the width may naturally fluctuate as dinosaurs walked. This implies that short segments of seemingly uniform width could misrepresent their typical walking style.”

“We also noted a small but ongoing difference in stride length of roughly 10 cm (4 inches) between the left and right sides.”

“It’s challenging to determine if this signifies a limp or merely a preference for one side.”

“Many extensive dinosaur trails worldwide could benefit from this method to uncover previously hidden behavioral insights.”

The team’s study was published in the journal Geography.

_____

Anthony Romilio et al. 2025. Track by track: West Gold Hill Dinosaur Tracking Site (Upper Jurassic, Bluff Sandstone, Colorado) reveals sauropod rotation and lateralized gait. Geography 5(4):67;doi: 10.3390/geomatics5040067

Source: www.sci.news

Study Reveals AI Could Replace 3 Million Low-Skilled Jobs in the UK by 2035

Posted on November 25, 2025 by

As per a report from a prominent education and research charity, the UK could see up to three million low-skilled positions vanish by 2035 due to advances in automation and AI.

The National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) identifies the most vulnerable occupations as trades, machine operations, and management roles.

Conversely, a growing demand for highly skilled workers is anticipated as improvements in AI and technology increase workloads “at least in the short to medium term”. Overall, the report forecasts that the UK economy will generate 2.3 million new jobs by 2035, though the distribution of these jobs will be uneven.

This finding contrasts with recent studies suggesting that AI’s impact will be more significant on high-skilled technical jobs like software engineering and management consulting, rather than on trades or manual labor.

Research from King’s College, published in October, indicated that “high-wage companies” experienced job losses of approximately 9.4% between 2021 and 2025, primarily following the launch of ChatGPT in late 2022.

The British government identified management consultants, psychologists, and legal professionals as the professions “most vulnerable to AI”, while athletes, roofers, and bricklayers are least likely to be displaced.

Recently, law firm Clifford Chance announced it would be reducing its London-based business services workforce by 10% (around 50 positions), attributing the change to AI. Additionally, PwC’s leadership has publicly stepped back from plans to recruit 100,000 individuals between 2021 and 2026, stating that “the world has changed” due to advancements in artificial intelligence.

Jude Hilary, one of the authors of the report, stated that NFER’s research, grounded in long-term economic models of the UK labor market, suggests that the forecasts for job losses due to AI may be premature.

He indicated that the reduction of jobs linked to AI may be influenced by factors like a weakened UK economy, rising National Insurance contributions, and employer risk aversion.

“There’s a general sense of uncertainty regarding future developments and the timeline for recovery. Much discussion revolves around AI and automation, but lacks substance, which is a concern for many employers,” Hilary remarked.

Skip past newsletter promotions

“Currently, I think many employers are simply hesitant to act.”

Mr. Hilary predicted that the overall influence of AI on the UK workforce would be multifaceted. There will likely be a decline in demand for numerous entry-level roles, and many low-skill jobs may become obsolete. This raises significant concerns, as individuals losing low-skill positions in an evolving economy will struggle to reskill.

“New job opportunities in the labor market often lean towards professional or semi-professional roles. … The one to three million workers displaced highlighted in the report will encounter substantial hurdles when attempting to re-enter the workforce,” he added.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Kissing Likely Evolved in Our Common Ancestor with Great Apes 21 Million Years Ago

Posted on November 20, 2025 by

Kissing is common among most living great apes and likely was practiced by Neanderthals, having evolved in the ancestors of these groups between 21.5 million and 16.9 million years ago, according to a study led by researchers from Oxford University.

Neanderthal. Image credit: Gemini AI.

Kissing can be observed in various animal species, yet it poses an evolutionary enigma. While it carries significant risks, such as disease transmission, it lacks clear reproductive or survival advantages.

Until now, the evolutionary background of kissing has received limited attention, despite its cultural and emotional importance across numerous human societies.

In this recent study, Dr. Matilda Brindle and her team from the University of Oxford undertook the first investigation into the evolutionary history of kissing, utilizing a cross-species perspective based on primate family trees.

The findings indicated that kissing is an ancient characteristic of great apes, having developed in their ancestors between 21.5 and 16.9 million years ago.

This behavior has persisted through evolution and is still evident in most great apes.

The researchers also concluded that Neanderthals, distant relatives of modern humans, likely engaged in kissing as well.

This evidence, alongside earlier studies showing that humans and Neanderthals exchanged oral microbes (through saliva) and genetic material (via interbreeding), strongly implies that kissing occurred between the two species.

Dr. Brindle stated: “This marks the first exploration of kissing from an evolutionary standpoint.”

“Our results contribute to an expanding body of research that illuminates the incredible variety of sexual behaviors found among our primate relatives.”

To carry out the analysis, scientists needed to define what constitutes a kiss.

This task was challenging due to the numerous mouth-to-mouth interactions resembling kisses.

Given their investigation spanned a diversity of species, the definition had to be suitable for a wide range of animals.

Consequently, they defined kissing as non-aggressive mouth-to-mouth contact that does not involve food transfer.

After establishing this definition, the researchers concentrated on groups of monkeys and apes that evolved in Africa, Europe, and Asia, gathering data from the literature where kissing has been documented in modern primates.

Among these are chimpanzees, bonobos, and orangutans, all of which have displayed kissing behavior.

Following that, they conducted a phylogenetic analysis, treating kissing as a “trait” to map onto the primate family tree.

Using a statistical method known as Bayesian modeling, they simulated various evolutionary scenarios along the tree’s branches and calculated the chances that different ancestors also kissed.

The model ran 10 million simulations, producing robust statistical estimates.

Professor Stuart West from the University of Oxford noted: “Integrating evolutionary biology with behavioral data enables us to draw informed conclusions about non-fossilized traits like kissing.”

“This paves the way for studying the social behaviors of both extant and extinct species.”

While the researchers caution that current data is limited, particularly beyond great apes, this study sets a framework for future inquiries and offers primatologists a consistent method for documenting kissing behaviors in non-human animals.

“Though kissing may seem like a universal act, it’s only documented in 46% of human cultures,” remarked Dr. Katherine Talbot from the Florida Institute of Technology.

“Social customs and situations differ vastly among societies, prompting the question of whether kissing is an evolved behavior or a cultural construct.”

“This research represents a first step in addressing that question.”

This is part of a study published this week in the journal Evolution and Human Behavior.

_____

Matilda Brindle et al. 2025. A comparative approach to the evolution of kissing. Evolution and Human Behavior in press. doi: 10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2025.106788

Source: www.sci.news

Kissing Likely Evolved from Our Ape Ancestors 21 Million Years Ago

Posted on November 19, 2025 by

Romantic kisses may trace back to our evolutionary history

ATHVisions/Getty Images

Ancient beings like Neanderthals likely engaged in kissing, and our primate ancestors might have practiced it as far back as 21 million years ago.

There is considerable discussion regarding the origins of romantic kissing among humans. While ancient texts suggest sexual kissing existed in Mesopotamia and Egypt around 4,500 years ago, such evidence has only surfaced within the past 4,000 years. Some suggest that 46 percent of human cultures argue that kissing is a relatively recent cultural phenomenon.

However, it’s noted that Neanderthals shared oral bacteria, and kissing has also been documented in chimpanzees, bonobos, and orangutans, suggesting the practice may precede existing historical records.

To explore this further, Matilda Brindle and colleagues from the University of Oxford investigated the evolutionary background of kissing. “Kissing appears to be an evolutionary paradox; it likely doesn’t contribute directly to survival and can even pose risks in terms of pathogen transmission,” she states.

The researchers defined kissing in a manner applicable across various species, describing it as non-hostile, mouth-to-mouth contact that involves lip movements but excludes the exchange of food.

This definition eliminates many forms of affection, such as kisses on the cheek. “If you kiss someone on the cheek, it feels like a kiss, but according to our definition, it’s not,” Brindle explains. “Humans have elevated kissing to a new level.”

They then examined scientific literature and consulted primate researchers for instances of kissing among modern monkeys and apes from Africa, Europe, and Asia.

To gauge the probability that various ancestral species also engaged in kissing, Brindle and her team mapped this data onto the primate family tree, employing a statistical method called Bayesian modeling to simulate diverse evolutionary scenarios.

The findings indicate that kissing likely originated in the ancestors of great apes approximately 21.5 to 16.9 million years ago, with an 84 percent probability that Neanderthals also practiced it.

“Clearly, it involves Neanderthals kissing, though we can’t ascertain whom they were kissing,” Brindle notes. “Nevertheless, the similarity in oral microbiomes between humans and Neanderthals, coupled with the fact that many non-African humans carry Neanderthal DNA, supports the idea that they probably shared kisses. This certainly adds a romantic dimension to human-Neanderthal relationships.”

Brindle acknowledges a lack of sufficient data to explain why kissing developed but proposes two hypotheses.

“In the context of sexual kissing, assessing mate quality could enhance reproductive success,” she suggests. “If a partner has poor oral hygiene, they might decide against mating with them.”

Moreover, sexual kissing could facilitate post-coital success by heightening arousal and fostering conditions that allow for faster ejaculation and a vaginal pH more accommodating to sperm.

Another prevailing theory is that non-sexual kissing evolved from grooming, which serves to strengthen social bonds and alleviate tension. “Chimpanzees literally kiss and reconcile after conflicts,” Brindle points out.

“Based on current evidence, I believe kissing undoubtedly serves an affiliative purpose,” says Zanna Clay from Durham University, UK. “We know, for instance, that in chimpanzees, it plays a vital role in mending social ties. However, I find the sexual aspect somewhat uncertain.”

Regarding whether kissing is an evolved behavior or a cultural construct, Brindle asserts, “Our findings strongly indicate that kissing has evolved.”

Trolls Punk Arbor, a professor at the University of Copenhagen, who traced the initial references to kissing in ancient Mesopotamian texts, concurs. “This provides a well-rounded foundation for asserting that kissing has been a part of human behavior for an extended period,” he states.

Nonetheless, this does not encompass the entire narrative, considering many individuals do not engage in kissing. “I believe there is a significant cultural element involved, which likely varies across different cultural contexts,” Clay observes.

Ancient caves, the origins of humanity: Northern Spain

Explore some of the planet’s oldest cave paintings in the picturesque region of northern Spain. Travel back 40,000 years to uncover how our ancestors lived, played, and worked. From ancient Paleolithic art to stunning geological formations, each cave conveys a singular and timeless narrative.

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Rhinos Roamed the High Arctic 23 Million Years Ago

Posted on November 4, 2025 by

Paleontologists have identified a new early Miocene species of rhinoceros from the genus Epiaceratherium, based on fossilized remains uncovered in the Canadian Highlands Arctic.

Epiaceratherium ijirik in a riparian habitat on Devon Island. The depicted flora and fauna are based on local fossils, including the transitional seal species Puigila dalwini. Image credit: Julius Csotony.” width=”580″ height=”290″ srcset=”https://cdn.sci.news/images/2025/11/image_14328-Epiaceratherium-itjilik.jpg 580w, https://cdn.sci.news/images/2025/11/image_14328-Epiaceratherium-itjilik-300×150.jpg 300w” sizes=”(max-width: 580px) 100vw, 580px”/>

Reconstruction of Epiaceratherium ijirik in a forested lake habitat on Devon Island. The flora and fauna depicted are based on fossils found locally, including the transitional seal species Puigila dalwini. Image credit: Julius Csotony.

This new rhinoceros existed in present-day Canada around 23 million years ago during the early Miocene epoch.

Named Epiaceratherium ijirik, it is most closely related to other rhinoceros species that thrived in Europe millions of years ago.

“Currently, there are only five species of rhinos found in Africa and Asia, but they were once widespread in Europe and North America, with over 50 species documented in the fossil record,” stated Dr. Daniel Fraser, a researcher from the Canadian Museum of Nature, Carleton University, and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History.

“The inclusion of this Arctic species enriches our understanding of the evolutionary history of rhinoceroses.”

Epiaceratherium ijirik was relatively small and slender, comparable in size to a modern Indian rhinoceros, but notably lacked a horn.

The fossilized remains were excavated from the sediments of a fossil-abundant lake in Horton Crater on Devon Island, Nunavut.

“What’s impressive about this Arctic rhinoceros is the excellent condition of the fossilized bones,” remarked Dr. Marisa Gilbert, also from the Canadian Museum of Nature.

“They are three-dimensionally preserved and only partially mineralized.”

“Approximately 75 percent of the skeleton has been recovered, which is remarkably complete for a fossil.”

By analyzing the occurrences of 57 other now-extinct rhino species, researchers traced the family tree of Epiaceratherium ijirik.

The findings were derived from visits to museum collections, reviews of scientific literature, and database analyses.

The researchers were also able to geographically categorize each rhino species across five continental regions.

This exhaustive process employed mathematical modeling techniques to gauge dispersal rates among different continents within the Rhinocerotidae family, with scoring based on their locations.

The analysis sheds light on how rhinoceroses utilized the North Atlantic land bridge for migration between North America and Europe (via Greenland) over millions of years.

Previous studies indicated that the land bridge may have served solely as a migration route until about 56 million years ago.

However, the new analysis implies that Epiaceratherium ijirik and its relatives suggest that these migrations from Europe to North America could have occurred much more recently, potentially as late as the Miocene.

“Discovering and describing new species is always thrilling and enlightening,” noted Dr. Fraser.

“But there is more to be gleaned from this identification: Epiaceratherium ijirik reveals that the North Atlantic played a more significant role in rhinoceros evolution than previously acknowledged.”

“Overall, this study reaffirms that the Arctic continues to unveil new insights and discoveries, enhancing our understanding of mammalian diversification across epochs.”

Results of this research are published in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution.

_____

D. Fraser et al. Dispersal of rhinos through the North Atlantic during the mid-Cenozoic Era. Nat Ecol Evol published online October 28, 2025. doi: 10.1038/s41559-025-02872-8

Source: www.sci.news

How One Man Has Made Over 6 Million Edits to Wikipedia and Counting

Posted on November 1, 2025 by

Have you ever turned to Wikipedia for information? If so, there’s a high likelihood that you’ve come across contributions from Stephen Pruitt. Under his elaborate pen name “Ser Amantio di Nicolao,” Pruitt has amassed over 6 million edits and authored more than 33,000 articles – the highest number for any individual in the almost 25-year lifespan of the site.

Since initiating his editing journey in 2004, Pruitt has subtly emerged as one of the most significant figures on the internet. He is responsible for at least one edit on a third of all English entries, tackling a wide range of topics from historical figures to refining grammar, citations, and formatting.

In 2017, Time magazine recognized him as one of the 25 most impactful people online, sharing the honor with figures like Donald Trump and Kim Kardashian.

Mr. Pruitt holds such a pivotal role in Wikipedia that the platform’s founder, Jimmy Wales, has personally met him and referred to him as “a very prolific editor.”

Wales emphasized that Wikipedia’s strength relies not only on its most active contributors but also on the variety of editorial styles that keep the site thriving.

“We aim to move away from the notion of ‘edit count’ as a measure of activity,” Wales commented to BBC Science Focus.

“Clearly, if someone has six million edits, they are an extremely active Wikipedian. However, there are others who edit less frequently, taking time to do research before returning to contribute thoughtfully, which is equally crucial, unlike merely performing maintenance with scripts and tools.”

“We require all types of contributors to compile this body of knowledge.”

Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales hailed Stephen Pruitt’s contributions as “absolutely incredible.” – Credit: Getty

Pruitt was born in San Antonio, Texas, in 1984, raised in Virginia, and earned a degree in art history from the College of William & Mary. His inaugural Wikipedia entry focused on his distant relative, Peter Francisco, a Revolutionary War hero known as “Virginia Hercules.”

Now, Pruitt dedicates several hours each day to editing, often utilizing software tools to automate repetitive tasks. He is also an active participant in the Women in Red project, which strives to bridge the gender gap on Wikipedia by creating entries for notable women who lack representation.

“Sometimes it’s odd to think that a third of Wikipedia was contributed by one individual,” says Wales. “Well, in reality, one person has contributed to a third of it, which is astounding. But his contributions largely consist of refining grammar, ensuring accurate spelling, and fixing references – the technical aspects that enhance its quality, which is crucial.”

When questioned by CBS Morning in 2019 about his dedication to Wikipedia, Pruitt simply stated, “I’m captivated by the idea of providing free access to all information. My mother grew up in the Soviet Union, making me acutely aware of what it means to make knowledge and information freely available.”

Read more:

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Ancient Ice from 6 Million Years Ago Found in Antarctica

Posted on October 29, 2025 by

Scientists have uncovered ice and air that is 6 million years old from a shallow ice core in the Arran Hills of East Antarctica. They believe this ancient ice showcases a preserved surface snowpack or permafrost due to the development of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet during the mid-Miocene to late Miocene epochs.

Ancient ice extracted from the ALHIC1902 ice core. Image credit: Shackleton et al., doi: 10.1073/pnas.2502681122.

“Ice cores function as time machines, allowing researchers to glimpse Earth’s past,” stated Dr. Sarah Shackleton, a scientist at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

“With the Allan Hills Core, our timeline extends much further than we previously thought was possible.”

“This is a groundbreaking discovery for the NSF-funded Center for Oldest Ice Exploration (COLDEX),” remarked Dr. Ed Brook, COLDEX director and paleoclimatologist at Oregon State University.

“We were aware that the ice in this area was ancient. Our initial estimates placed its age at around 3 million years, or perhaps slightly older, but this discovery has far surpassed our expectations.”

COLDEX is engaged in a friendly race with various international teams to push the ice core record beyond its historical 800,000-year threshold.

A European research team recently reported finding a continuous ice core dating back 1.2 million years deep within East Antarctica.

For months, the team operated in a remote field camp within East Antarctica’s Arran Hills, drilling 100 to 200 meters into the outskirts of several ice sheets, where ice movement and rugged mountain landscapes work together to safeguard ancient ice and bring it closer to the surface for easier retrieval.

In contrast, obtaining the oldest continuous ice cores from archaeological sites in East Antarctica necessitates drilling deeper than 2,000 meters.

“We are still exploring the specific conditions that enable such ancient ice to remain near the surface,” Dr. Shackleton explained.

“Besides the terrain, factors like intense winds and extreme cold may play a role.”

“The winds can disperse newly fallen snow, while the cold can slow down accumulation until the ice is nearly stationary.”

This makes the Arran Hills one of the premier locations globally for discovering shallow, ancient ice, while also being one of the most challenging environments for fieldwork.

The air trapped within these new ice cores enables scientists to directly ascertain the age of the ice by precisely measuring isotopes of the rare gas argon.

This direct dating method means that scientists can derive age indicators directly from the ice, instead of making assumptions based on accompanying features or deposits.

While this ancient ice record doesn’t form a continuous stretch, its age is unparalleled, the researchers noted.

“By dating multiple samples, our team has compiled a library of ‘climate snapshots’ approximately six times older than previously recorded ice core data, supplemented by more detailed younger data from other Antarctic ice cores,” Dr. Higgins stated.

Temperature records derived from oxygen isotope measurements in the ice indicate that the region underwent a gradual cooling of about 12 degrees Celsius (22 degrees Fahrenheit) over an extended timespan.

This marks the first direct assessment of the cooling extent in Antarctica over the past six million years.

Ongoing analyses of these ice cores aim to reconstruct atmospheric greenhouse gas levels and ocean heat content, which hold significant implications for understanding the drivers of natural climate change.

“The COLDEX team plans to return to the Arran Hills for additional drilling in the coming months, potentially yielding more detailed snapshots and even older ice,” Dr. Brook shared.

“In light of the unexpectedly ancient ice recovered in the Arran Hills, we are preparing a comprehensive, long-term study of the region with the goal of extending the record even further, which we hope to commence between 2026 and 2031.”

The team’s paper has been published today in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

_____

S. Shackleton et al. 2025. Miocene and Pliocene ice and air from the Allan Hills blue ice belt in East Antarctica. PNAS 122 (44): e2502681122; doi: 10.1073/pnas.2502681122

Source: www.sci.news

Treasure Hunter Claims Recovery of $1 Million in Coins from Spanish Shipwreck off Florida Coast

Posted on October 2, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Over 1,000 gold and silver coins, valued at roughly $1 million, have been retrieved from an 18th-century shipwreck located off the coast of Florida, as reported by the Shipwreck Salvage Company.

The company, 1715 Fleet Queens Jewels, LLC, stated in a news release that it recovered the coins in July from the renowned Treasure Coast region in southeastern Florida.

This discovery is part of an estimated $400 million worth of gold, silver, and gems that were lost by the Spanish fleet during the hurricane of 1715.

“The find represents more than just treasure; it tells a story,” said Sal Guttuso, the company’s operations director, in a statement. “Every coin connects us to the lives and work of those who navigated the seas during the Spanish Empire’s Golden Age.”

Over 1,000 silver coins have been discovered from a shipwreck site in Vero Beach, Florida.
1715 Fleet – Queen’s Jewels, LLC

“Finding over 1,000 coins in one excavation is indeed rare and remarkable,” he noted.

The prized assets of the 1715 fleet included coins from Spanish colonies in Mexico, Peru, and Bolivia. Many of these coins still exhibit clear dates and mint marks, making them significant to historians and collectors alike.

“The condition of these coins indicates they likely originated from a single chest or a portion of the ship that dispersed when the hurricane struck,” the news release clarified.

During a call on Thursday, Guttuso mentioned that he discovered coins concentrated in various areas beneath the sand, indicating they were likely housed in some kind of container.

“I believe they were probably stored in wooden boxes,” he theorized.

He also revealed that he found a Royal Lead Seal inscribed with the impression of King Philip II of Spain, who reigned during the mid- to late-1500s.

“We can reasonably speculate that this lead seal may have belonged to a prominent family,” he noted. “It likely associated with important documents that may have granted ownership of land or rights.”

Fragments and gems from a golden chain were also retrieved.
1715 Fleet – Queen Jewels, LLC

Gold artifacts were also found in Vero Beach, Florida.
1715 Fleet – Queen Jewels, LLC

The Queen’s Jewels of the 1715 Fleet claims exclusive salvage rights to the wreck of the Treasure Fleet but stated that the recovered coins will undergo meticulous conservation before being publicly displayed, with plans for exhibition at a local museum.

“Each discovery contributes to piecing together the narratives of those connected to the 1715 fleet,” Guttuso remarked. “We are dedicated to preserving and researching these artifacts, enabling future generations to recognize their historical importance.”

Requests for comments on the findings were not immediately returned by the US District Court of Florida or by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s office.

Matt Raviet

Matt Lavietes is a reporter for NBC News.

Christian Santana I contributed.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

YouTube Settles Lawsuits with Trump, Paying $24.5 Million Over Account Suspension

Posted on September 30, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

YouTube has agreed to pay $24.5 million to settle a lawsuit brought by Donald Trump in 2021, which alleged that the platform mistakenly suspended his channel following the attack on the US Capitol on January 6th. This Google subsidiary joins a growing list of tech companies that have paid the former president millions for previous actions regarding his account.

Trump’s legal action targets YouTube and Alphabet’s CEO Sundar Pichai, claiming that the platform has amassed an “unprecedented concentration of power, market share, and influence over public discourse in our country.” YouTube stated that Trump’s channels were suspended for violating its policy against inciting violence. As part of the settlement, the case is being dismissed. Google has not responded to requests for comment.

This development follows YouTube’s recent announcement that it would permit creators previously banned for spreading misinformation about Covid-19 and the 2020 US presidential election to return. The platform highlighted its commitment to celebrating conservative voices and condemned account suspensions influenced by pressure from Joe Biden.

Meanwhile, Facebook’s parent company Meta settled a similar lawsuit with Trump for $25 million in January, along with a $10 million settlement for the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) in February. Most of the funds from the Meta agreement are directed to Trump’s Presidential Library Fund. In the case of the YouTube settlement, Trump has allocated $22 million to restore and save the White House ballroom, which has a projected construction cost of around $200 million, as per documents filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

These lawsuits were initially filed by Trump’s attorney and ally, John Cole. The Wall Street Journal was the first to report on this matter. Cole mentioned to the Journal that Trump’s potential return to the White House could facilitate further settlements with tech companies. Cole is currently serving as Trump’s deputy envoy to Ukraine and Belarus.

In correspondence with the Guardian, Cole described Trump as the “ideal client.”

“I am thrilled with the outcomes we’ve managed since July 2021, especially bringing in $60 million in settlements,” Cole stated. “We’ve secured funds and initiated changes in corporate behavior that I believe in.”

Although the lawsuit against YouTube was closed in 2023, Trump’s legal team sought to revive it following a presidential victory. Previously, all three cases faced significant legal challenges. In 2022, a federal judge dismissed the lawsuit against Twitter, while the cases against Meta and YouTube lingered, with the latter temporarily closed. Nevertheless, Trump’s attorneys have revived the case with a complaint challenging each prior ruling.

YouTube first suspended Trump’s channel for seven days on January 12, 2021, after he posted a video addressing supporters prior to the Capitol riots, which was labeled “fully inappropriate.” YouTube cited concerns about potential continued violence as the reason for the suspension. The ban was subsequently extended indefinitely.

Skip past newsletter promotions

In March 2023, shortly after Trump announced his candidacy for the presidency once again, YouTube reinstated Trump’s channel, expressing that it had carefully weighed the ongoing risks of real-world violence against the necessity of providing voters the opportunity to hear from key candidates leading up to the election.

Within hours of reclaiming his channel, Trump announced, “I’m back!” accompanying it with an 11-second video from a rally where he remarked, “I’m sorry for the wait. It’s a complicated process.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Did a Star Explode and Strike Earth 10 Million Years Ago?

Posted on September 26, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

A supernova may have directed cosmic rays towards Earth

Muratart/Shutterstock

Approximately 10 million years ago, a volatile star might have unleashed cosmic rays toward Earth, and astronomers are currently narrowing down the potential culprits behind this cosmic event.

Earlier this year, Dominique Koll of Helmholtz Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf and his colleagues in Germany discovered a spike in radioactive beryllium trapped in five kilometers of sediment in the Pacific Ocean, dating back over 10 million years. This form of beryllium is generated exclusively when cosmic rays collide with the Earth’s atmosphere, leading Koll and his team to hypothesize that a supernova explosion might be the origin of this event.

Nonetheless, alternative explanations cannot be dismissed. These include the Sun’s magnetic influence on Earth at that time and the possibility of ocean currents from Earth’s poles contributing to beryllium deposition, areas where cosmic rays and beryllium production are typically more intense.

Now, Efrem Maconi from the University of Vienna and his team have pinpointed two likely supernova candidates using data obtained from the Gaia space telescope.

By examining the trajectories of roughly 2,700 stars near our Sun over the past 20 million years and assessing their potential to produce supernovae, Macconi and his colleagues determined that there is a 70% probability of such events occurring among these star clusters.

Researchers have identified two possible progenitors for the explosion. The most probable one, located about 200 light years away, is a relatively young cluster named ASCC 20, while the cluster OCSN 61, situated further away, is also a potential source.

Additional support for the supernova theory is that 10 million years ago, our solar system was engulfed in a bustling region of the galaxy, surrounded by extensive clouds of gas, dust, and stars known as the Radcliffe waves.

“This is a promising indication that warrants further investigation,” says Koll. “If [Maconi] were to claim we could fully eliminate this possibility, I would happily accept that as a solid conclusion. However, in this instance, it certainly remains intriguing.”

Further modeling of stellar movements will be necessary to ascertain whether these stars indeed played a role, yet this hypothesis aligns well with other findings in Earth’s geological history. Unlike cosmic rays that travel close to the speed of light, dust moves much slower, making it plausible that beryllium spikes resulted from cosmic rays from a supernova initially impacting Earth.

World Capital of Astronomy: Chile

Explore the astronomical wonders of Chile. Visit some of the most cutting-edge observatories and gaze at the stunning starry skies beneath some of the clearest atmospheres on Earth.

Topics:

Source: www.newscientist.com

A Mysterious Whale Species Roamed Australia’s Waters 25 Million Years Ago

Posted on August 15, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Small, toothed mammals represent the most unusual of all whales. If they were still around today, they would be as symbolically Australian as kangaroos. A new paper published this week in The Linnaean Society’s Journal of Zoology details a recently identified species named Janjucetus lullardi, derived from a 25 million-year-old specimen unearthed in Victoria, Australia.

Janjucetus lullardi — 25 million years ago, a calf and its mother swam in the shallow waters off the coast of Victoria. Image credit: Ruairidh Duncan.

“Currently, some of the most iconic species of whales, including blue and humpback whales, are whale veil.” I noted, said LeAilid Duncan, a paleontologist from Monash University.

“These marine giants utilize a hairy filter in their mouths called Baleen to sift through plankton.

“In contrast, these mammals had bodies measuring less than 3 meters, with large eyes and short jaws filled with teeth.”

“Despite this description, we know that mammalian whales lacked Baleen.”

“They appeared to be derived from the major evolutionary lines leading to today’s toothless giants.”

All known mammalian species thrived during the late Oligocene epoch, approximately 27 to 23 million years ago.

Interestingly, three of the four identified species were found along the Victoria Surf Coast, southeast of Melbourne.

“The first mammal was uncovered in 1932 and was named in 1939 Mammalian Coraliber,” the paleontologist remarked.

“It featured a blunt jaw bone with a rich supply of blood and nerves for its facial and lip muscles.”

“Notably, the teeth show signs of wear on the gums, indicating they foraged for abrasive prey (along with gritty substances) from the seafloor.”

“In 2006, a local naturalist discovered the first fossil of a species named after him, Janjucetus hunderi.

“This whale had a sturdy triangular snout with sharp teeth and strong muscles to close its powerful jaw.”

“However, the exact differences in the lifestyle of Mammalian Coraliber and Janjucetus hunderi compared to other whales remain largely unclear, hinting at a diverse range of behaviors.”

The fossilized remains of Janjucetus lullardi, dating back 25 million years, were found in 2019 by school principal Ross Dallard along the coast of Yang JUC in Victoria.

“Janjucetus lullardi measured about 2 meters in length. It’s compact enough to fit in a standard single bed,” the researcher noted.

“This may be the first fossilized whale discovered in Australia, and potentially the first fossils of a juvenile whale found in this region.”

____

Ruairidh J. Duncan et al. 2025. Insights into the mystiology of immature teeth from the Australian Oligocene and mammals (Cetacea: Mysticeti) morphology, phylogenetics, and ontogeny. The Linnaean Society’s Journal of Zoology 204 (4): ZLAF090; doi: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaf090

Source: www.sci.news

Early Homo and Australian Ropithecus Lived Together in Ethiopia 2.5 Million Years Ago

Posted on August 14, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Recently discovered human fossils from the Ledi-Geraru Research Project in a remote region of Ethiopia indicate an early presence of Homo around 2.78 million years ago and a previously unidentified species, Australian, dating back 2.63 million years.

Forensic facial reconstruction of Australopithecus afarensis. Image credit: Cicero Moraes/CC by-sa 3.0.

The timeline from approximately 3 to 2 million years ago represents crucial phases in human evolution.

This encompasses the genus Homo and Paran Solo Pass, which first appeared in fossil records alongside the ancestors of Australopithecus afarensis, a species that eventually vanished.

“We typically viewed human evolution as a linear trajectory from ape-like ancestors to modern humans. However, Homo sapiens researcher Brian Villmoare from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, states that our understanding must adapt.”

“Humans have diversified into various niches multiple times throughout our history.”

“Our evolutionary tree reflects patterns not unique to us. Similar events occurred across different life forms.”

“This is something we should observe more frequently in the record of human fossils.”

“Nature has explored numerous paths toward humanity, particularly as climates became drier in East Africa, leading to the extinction of more ape-like species.”

Dr. Villmoare and his co-authors uncovered 13 human teeth at the Ledi-Geraru site in Ethiopia.

They determined that while some fossils belong to the genus Homo, others include upper and lower teeth sets from an unnamed species, Australian.

This new species differs from Australopithecus afarensis, which was first identified nearby at Khadar around 2.95 million years ago.

“The coexistence of both species in the same area suggests that human evolution resembles a branching tree rather than a linear progression,” said Dr. Villmoare.

The Ledi-Geraru site is also where paleontologists discovered the earliest jaw of Homo in 2013, dating back 2.8 million years.

“Recent findings of Homo teeth from sediments aged between 2 and 2.8 million years confirm the timeline of our lineage,” stated Dr. Villmoare.

“We know what the earliest teeth and jaws of Homo look like, but our findings extend beyond that.”

“This underscores the critical need for additional fossil discoveries to differentiate between Australian and Homo, and to explore potential overlaps in their fossil records.”

“There has been considerable geological activity in this region,” noted Dr. Christopher Campizzano, a geologist at Arizona State University.

“Numerous volcanic eruptions released ashes containing feldspar crystals, allowing scientists to date them.”

“We can date the eruptions that occurred in the landscape where these fossils were found.”

“These fossils are situated between volcanic deposits, facilitating age determination.”

“We are dating the volcanic ash from eruptions that coincided with the deposition of these fossils.”

“As this new research highlights, this was a pivotal era for human evolution,” said Professor Ramon Arrowsmith from Arizona State University.

“Geology provides critical insights into the age and characteristics of sedimentary layers, including those containing fossils.”

“Whenever an exciting new discovery occurs, paleontologists recognize that further information is essential,” commented Dr. Kay Reid, a paleontologist at Arizona State University.

“We need more fossils, which emphasizes the importance of training individuals to explore and identify new fossil sites.”

“The more fossils we uncover, the better we can understand our distant ancestors and the unique journey of survival that led to our existence.”

The findings are documented in a publication released today in the journal Nature.

____

B. Billmoare et al. New discoveries of Australian and Homo from Ledi-Geraru, Ethiopia. Nature, published online August 13, 2025. doi:10.1038/s41586-025-09390-4

Source: www.sci.news

Niger Probes $5 Million Sale of Earth’s Largest Martian Rock

Posted on August 12, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Dakar, Senegal – the largest meteorite discovered on Earth – a 54-pound (25 kilograms) rock that fetched over $5 million at a New York auction last month, setting a world record.

However, in a West African nation where rusty red rocks have been excavated from the Sahara desert, authorities have initiated an investigation into what they describe as “illegal international trafficking,” suggesting it may have been smuggled from the country.

Here’s what you should know about meteorites and legal controversies:

How was it discovered

According to Sotheby’s, the rock, designated NWA 16788, was dislodged from the surface of Mars by a massive asteroid collision and journeyed 140 million miles (225 million kilometers) to Earth.

It was uncovered in the Sahara, northwest Niger by an unnamed meteorite hunter in November 2023, as per the auction house’s report. The identities of buyers remain undisclosed.

In the arid regions of the Sahara like Niger, meteorite hunting is on the rise. While meteorites can fall anywhere on Earth, the Sahara has emerged as a prime location for their discovery due to its climate, which is conducive to conservation.

Hunters often seek space rocks to sell to collectors and scientists. The most coveted and valuable meteorites are from Mars and the Moon.

As reported by the Heritage Academic Journal, the rock was sold to international dealers and eventually made it to a private gallery in Italy. Last year, a team of scientists from the University of Florence examined the rock to determine its structure and origins before it fell to Earth.

The meteorite was briefly showcased in Rome before appearing at the New York auction last month.

Why Niger is investigating

Following the sale, Niger raised concerns about how the meteorite was made available for auction.

Last month, the Niger government launched an inquiry into the discovery and sale of meteorites, stating that it resembles “illegal international trafficking.”

Last week, President Abdullah Hamanetiani halted the export of precious stones, semi-precious stones, and meteorites to ensure proper traceability.

In a statement to the Associated Press, Sotheby’s maintained that the meteorite was exported from Niger and transported in line with all applicable international regulations.

“In selling this item, all necessary documentation was obtained at each stage of the journey, consistent with best practices and the requirements of the involved countries,” the statement indicated.

Niger authorities did not respond to inquiries from the Associated Press.

What international law says

Patti Garstenblis, a cultural heritage attorney and expert on illegal trade, noted that rare minerals like meteorites are recognized as cultural property under the UNESCO Cultural Property Treaty, which both Niger and the United States have ratified.

However, Garstenbliss pointed out that Niger needs to establish ownership and that the meteorite was stolen.

“I doubt Niger could reclaim the meteorite if it wasn’t stolen and was properly declared upon entering the U.S.,” she stated to the Associated Press.

Paleontologist Paul Sereno, who has spent years uncovering dinosaur fossils in Niger’s Sahara, is advocating for the return of the nation’s cultural and natural heritage, including meteorites.

“When laws clearly state that rare minerals like meteorites are cultural artifacts, unique and valuable items cannot just be claimed without consideration for the country,” he told the AP.

“We are no longer in a colonial era,” he added.

In certain countries, including Morocco, a major source of meteoritic specimens for international markets, if an object is found on their territory, compensation is required. Nonetheless, due to the expansive desert regions and the informal trading networks, enforcement remains challenging.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Scientists Suggest a Black Hole 300 Million Times the Sun’s Size Could Be a Gateway to the Universe’s Dawn.

Posted on August 9, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Spectroscopy enables astronomers to detect traces of matter in stars, galaxies, and other cosmic entities. Black holes consume dust and encounter various phenomena around them; as material spirals into a black hole, it compresses and heats up. Stephen Finkelstein, a co-author and professor of astronomy at the University of Texas at Austin, noted that all of this can be observed through spectroscopy.

“We’re searching for these signatures of extremely fast gas,” Finkelstein explained. “We’re discussing speeds of 1,000, 2,000, and at times even 3,000 kilometers per second. There’s nothing else in the universe that moves this quickly, so we can confirm it must be the gas surrounding a black hole.”

Scientists have pinpointed a potential distant black hole candidate, which stands as the oldest candidate confirmed via spectroscopy, he added.

Researchers also find galaxies containing new black holes to be intriguing discoveries. According to Taylor, these galaxies belong to a class known as “Little Red Dots.”

While not much information is available about Little Red Dots, they were first detected by the James Webb Space Telescope. Some have been found relatively close by, but Finkelstein indicated that they are likely more prevalent in the early universe.

Investigating the Capers-Lrd-Z9 Galaxy may offer insights into the rarity of red dots and what defines their unique coloration, researchers noted. It could also shed light on the growth of these ancient black holes during the universe’s formative stages.

In subsequent studies, researchers aim to locate more black holes in the distant cosmos.

“We’re just going to examine a very limited section of the sky using the James Webb Space Telescope,” Finkelstein stated. “If we discover one thing, there ought to be more.”

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Uncovering the Mystery: Hitminin in Sulawesi 1.04 Million Years Ago

Posted on August 7, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The early human migration through mainland Southeast Asia (SUNDA) marks the oldest evidence of humans crossing marine barriers to access secluded land. Previously, the earliest indication of Wallacea, an area of oceanic islands east of Sunda, comprised flakestone tools found at Wallosea, Flores Island, dating back at least 152 million years. Excavations in Sulawesi, the largest island, have uncovered stone artifacts at Talep’s open site dating to at least 194,000 years ago. Presently, researchers from Griffith University have identified stone tools at locations close to the fossil-rich cario strata that date back at least 104 million years, possibly extending to 1.48 million years. This information hints that Sulawesi was occupied by humans around the same period as Flores.

Old-fashioned humanity. Image credit: Ninara / CC by 2.0.

Professor Adam Blum of Griffith University and his team discovered seven stone artifacts within the sedimentary layers at the Cariosite.

During the early Pleistocene, this area would have been near river channels, facilitating activities such as tool-making and hunting.

The artifacts from Cario are small sharp stones (flakes) created by larger pebbles, likely sourced from local riverbeds by early human inhabitants.

“This findings enhance our understanding of extinct human migrations across the Wallace Line, a transitional area where unique animal species have evolved independently,” said Professor Blum.

Reconstruction of Homo floresiensis. Image credit: Elizabeth Daines.

Utilizing paleomagnetic dating of the sandstone and direct dating of excavated pig fossils, researchers confirmed that the Cario artifacts are at least 1.04 million years old.

Previously, evidence of human habitation in Warasea had been found dating back at least 102 million years in Talep, Sulawesi, based on stone tools located in Warosea, Wolosage, Flores.

Luzon, located in the Philippines and north of Wallacea, has yielded human evidence dating back approximately 700,000 years.

“This is a critical piece of the puzzle, yet the Cario site has yet to reveal any human fossils,” commented Professor Blum.

“We now recognize that a toolmaker existed in Sulawesi a million years ago, but their identity remains unknown.”

Stone artifacts from the site of Cario in Sulawesi, Indonesia. Image credit: Hakim et al., doi: 10.1038/s41586-025-09348-6.

The initial discovery of Homo floresiensis and subsequent fossils from Flores, similar in size and dating back 700,000 years, implied that it may have been linked to Homo erectus, which managed to bypass substantial marine barriers between the mainland of Southeast Asia to inhabit this smaller island and underwent island dwarfism for eons.

“The revelation of Sulawesi prompts us to consider the fate of Homo erectus on an island more than 12 times larger than Flores,” Professor Blum noted.

“Sulawesi is an unpredictable variable. It’s almost like a mini continent.”

“If hominins were isolated on this expansive, ecologically diverse island for over a million years, would they have evolved in ways similar to the Hobbits of Flores?”

“Or could there have been an entirely different evolutionary path?”

The study was published yesterday in the journal Nature.

____

B. Hakim et al. Human presence in Sulawesi during the early Pleistocene. Nature Published online on August 7th, 2025. doi:10.1038/s41586-025-09348-6

Source: www.sci.news

New Research Suggests Potatoes Evolved from Tomato Plants 8-9 Million Years Ago

Posted on August 6, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The crossbreeding of South American tomato plants with potato-like species approximately 8 million years ago resulted in the development of modern potatoes (Sun Chronology). A collaborative team of biologists from China, Canada, Germany, the US, and the UK indicates that this ancient evolutionary milestone led to the emergence of tubers, an expanded underground structure used for storing nutrients in plants like potatoes, yams, and taros.

Interspecies hybridization can drive species radiation by generating various allelic combinations and traits. While all 107 wild relatives of cultivated potatoes and petota lineage share characteristics of subterranean tubers, the exact mechanisms of nodulation and extensive species diversification remain unclear. An analysis of 128 genomes, including 88 haplotype-degraded genomes, indicates that Zhang et al believe Petota is of ancient hybrid origin, revealing stable mixed genome ancestors derived from ethoberosam and tomato strains approximately 8 to 9 million years ago. Image credit: Zhang et al., doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2025.06.034.

Cultivated potatoes rank as the third most crucial staple crop globally, alongside wheat, rice, and corn, contributing to 80% of human calorie consumption.

In terms of appearance, modern potato plants are similar to three potato-like species found in Chile, known as Etuverosam. However, they do not produce tubers.

Phylogenetic analysis reveals that potato plants are more closely related to tomatoes.

To clarify this discrepancy, Dr. Sanwen Huang, PhD, from the Institute for Agricultural Genomics at Shenzhen, China, along with colleagues, analyzed 450 genomes of cultivated and 56 wild potatoes.

“Our research shows how interspecies hybridization can instigate the emergence of new traits and lead to the formation of more species,” explained Dr. Huang.

“We have finally unraveled the mystery of potato origins.”

“Collecting samples of wild potatoes has been extremely challenging, making this dataset the most comprehensive collection of wild potato genomic data analyzed to date,” noted Dr. Zhiyang Zhang, a researcher at the Institute of Agricultural Genomics at Shenzhen, China Academy of Agricultural Sciences.

The researchers discovered that all potato species contained a stable mix of genetic material from both exo root and tomato plants, indicating that potatoes originated from ancient hybridization between the two.

Although Etuberosam and tomatoes are distinct species, they share a common ancestor from around 14 million years ago.

Even after diverging for about 5 million years, they still managed to interbreed, resulting in the earliest potato plants exhibiting tubers approximately 8-9 million years ago.

The team also traced the origins of key tuber-forming genes in potatoes, which comprise genetic contributions from both parent species.

They identified the gene SP6A, functioning as a master switch indicating when plants should begin tuber formation, originating from the tomato lineage.

Another crucial gene, it1, derived from the Echuberosum lineage, assists in regulating the growth of underground stems that develop into tubers.

Hybrid offspring require both components to produce tubers.

This evolutionary advancement coincided with the rapid uplift of the Andes, a period when new ecological environments emerged.

The ability to store nutrients in tubers enabled early potatoes to adapt quickly to changing conditions and withstand the harsh mountain climate.

Moreover, tubers facilitate a mode of propagation without seeds or pollination, allowing new plants to grow from tuber buds.

This adaptability enabled them to expand swiftly from temperate grasslands to cold alpine pastures across Central and South America, filling various ecological niches.

“The evolution of tubers has provided potatoes with significant advantages in challenging environments, fostering the emergence of new species and contributing to the incredible diversity of potatoes we now depend on,” Dr. Huang concluded.

The study was published in the journal Cell on July 31, 2025.

____

Zhiyang Zhang et al. Ancient hybridization underpins the diversification and radiation of potato lines. Cell Published online on July 31, 2025. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2025.06.034

Source: www.sci.news