Tag Archives: Partial

New Study Validates the Presence of Partial Hemoglobin in Dinosaur Artifacts

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By utilizing a technique known as Resonance Raman Spectroscopy, paleontologists have discovered hemoglobin remnants in bone extracts of two dinosaur species, Brachylophosaurus canadensis and Tyrannosaurus Rex, confirming that these molecules are original components from these dinosaurs.

Bright field images depict ostrich containers soaked in hemoglobin under oxygenation conditions, as compared to those under deoxygenation conditions. Brachylophosaurus canadensis (a) and Tyrannosaurus Rex (d) bone. Scale bar – 0.5 mm in (AC) and 0.2 mm in (D). Image credit: Long et al., doi: 10.1098/rspa.2025.0175.

Soft tissue, which maintains some of its original properties, has been recovered from numerous Mesozoic vertebrate sites.

Specifically, the chemical composition of soft tissues from the two non-bird dinosaur species, Brachylophosaurus canadensis and Tyrannosaurus Rex, has been studied extensively over the last 20 years.

All evidence supports the hypothesis that these tissues are endogenous to once-living dinosaurs.

In a recent study, Professor Hans Harren and his team from North Carolina State University employed tissue resonance Raman (RR) imaging to verify the presence of hemes, globin proteins, and minerals linked to iron oxidation.

“Raman spectroscopy essentially utilizes light waves to identify the energetic ‘fingerprint’ of a molecule,” stated Professor Harren.

“The resonant Raman method employed here enhances that process through light that has been pre-conditioned to resonate with the molecule of interest, ensuring that only that specific type of molecule resonates.”

“Moreover, this molecular resonance produces a stronger signal, enabling that signal to effectively ‘overwhelm’ those from other types of molecules.”

“This powerful signal allows us to discover needles (hemoglobin remnants) in haystacks (complex fossils), revealing how this molecule has transformed from its living conditions and indicating that chemically altered molecules have endured over deep time.”

The researchers utilized RR imaging to focus on molecules bound to hemoglobin.

They analyzed samples from Brachylophosaurus canadensis, Tyrannosaurus Rex, ostrich bones (Struthio camelus), and human blood.

“The elevated signal indicates hemoglobin presence, while fluctuations in signal may lead to goethite formation from iron within hemoglobin as it deteriorates,” Professor Harren noted.

“We can also pinpoint damage to structures such as the hem ring.”

“This phenomenon was observed in both contemporary and ancient samples.”

The findings also eliminate the possibility of sample contamination.

“Raman spectroscopy reveals existing molecular bonds, but because molecular bonds are non-exclusive, they can derive from various sources.”

“RR imaging identifies both binding and structure. We can confirm that the heme is intact and still affiliated with the hemoglobin protein, distinguishing it as originating from an animal, or in this situation, a dinosaur, since contaminants like bacteria lack specific binding.”

Furthermore, scientists emphasize that comprehending the deterioration and alterations of heme over time can shed light on fossilization processes and explain the longevity of molecules over millions of years.

“The most significant discovery is our ability to demonstrate that hemoglobin fragments can endure for thousands of years, while also gaining valuable insights into the evolution of these molecules,” Professor Harren remarked.

“Goethite is a bio-related mineral crystal, meaning it forms from biological influences.”

“However, I was unaware that it could bind and stabilize protein fragments.”

“Hemes are found in deposits much older than dinosaurs, reinforcing our understanding of their durability,” Professor Schweitzer stated.

“Understanding the preservation of hemoglobin and the role of heme in this process is crucial for deciphering how such ancient molecules persist over time.”

The study will be published in Proceedings of the Royal Society A.

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BJN Long et al. 2025. Resonant Raman confirms the preservation of partial hemoglobin in dinosaur fossils. Proc. R. Soc. A 481 (2321): 20250175; doi: 10.1098/rspa.2025.0175

Source: www.sci.news

Where and How to View the Partial Solar Eclipse in March 2025

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There is currently another solar eclipse happening.

On Saturday, the moon will cast a shadow on the earth’s surface, creating a partial solar eclipse visible to some in the US, Canada, the Caribbean, Europe, Russia, and Africa. While not as spectacular as last year’s total solar eclipse in the US, it still offers a chance to pause from daily concerns and observe our position in the solar system.

During a solar eclipse, the moon appears to take a bite out of the sun, but the amount of coverage varies depending on the location. It’s important to note that cloud cover can obstruct visibility.

It’s never safe to view a partial solar eclipse without proper eye protection, as the sun’s surface will still be visible during the event.

The experience of a partial solar eclipse can differ based on location, with the extent of sun coverage and overall visibility varying. It’s also advisable to check local weather conditions for clear viewing.

NASA has released a schedule of solar eclipse times in various major cities here.

In North America, the eclipse begins early in the morning, with the sun mostly partially covered when it rises.

The upcoming solar eclipse will be visible in the northern hemisphere, spanning both sides of the Atlantic. Unlike a total solar eclipse, it covers a larger area of the sun with fewer defined paths.

Viewers along the northeast coast of the US will witness the most significant coverage of the sun during the eclipse. For instance, individuals in Boston may see 43% of the sun covered at 6:38am, while New York City will experience a 22% coverage. Further south, in Washington, D.C., there will be a minimal 1% coverage at 6:59am.

The most substantial sun coverage will occur further north, with areas like northern Quebec, Nunavut, and parts of Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada seeing over 90% of the sun covered by the moon.

Across the Atlantic, residents of Northern and Western Europe, as well as the northwest coast of Africa, will experience the solar eclipse in the late night or early afternoon. In northern Russia, the eclipse will occur in the late afternoon and in some locations close to sunset.

Eclipse duration can vary, with places like Halifax, Nova Scotia experiencing an eclipse lasting over an hour while Buffalo, with just a 2% coverage, will have a shorter duration of seven minutes.

A partial solar eclipse occurs when the moon moves between the Earth and the Sun, partially obscuring the sun from view.

Unlike a total solar eclipse where the sun is entirely covered, during a partial eclipse, only a portion of the sun is obscured. This occurs when the Earth, Moon, and Sun are not perfectly aligned. As a result, the sky does not darken enough during a partial eclipse to reveal stars and planets, and animals are unlikely to exhibit strong reactions.

A solar eclipse typically happens in pairs, two weeks apart, representing the time it takes for the moon to travel to the other side of the globe. Recently, stargazers witnessed a red moon during a full lunar eclipse earlier this month.

Staring at the sun, even for a few seconds, can lead to permanent eye damage as the retina lacks pain receptors. The same risk applies during partial solar eclipses. However, there are ways to protect your eyes while observing the event, such as using proper eye protection like eclipse glasses.

Be cautious of counterfeit solar eclipse glasses and viewers. To ensure safety, refer to a list of trusted suppliers compiled by the American Astronomical Association here.

If you’re unable to find eclipse glasses in time, there are alternative safe viewing methods, such as projecting the eclipse onto the ground using household items like cardboard or a kitchen strainer. The next partial solar eclipse is set to occur on September 21st, primarily visible in Australia, while a total solar eclipse is expected in the summer of 2026.

In addition to future solar eclipses, there are upcoming total lunar eclipses scheduled for September and March of next year, offering different celestial viewing experiences.

Source: www.nytimes.com

Next Solar Eclipse: How to Watch the 2025 Partial Eclipse

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Another solar eclipse is above us.

On Saturday, the moon casts a shadow on the surface of the earth. This is a phenomenon in which some people in the US, Canada, the Caribbean, Europe, Russia and Africa can experience it as a partial solar eclipse. As impressive as the total solar eclipse that crossed the US last year, but it’s an opportunity to take a break from secular issues and witness our place in the solar system.

During a solar eclipse, the moon appears to bite from the sun, but how much does it change depending on the location? And clouds can ruin your vision.

It is never safe to see a partial solar eclipse without protective eye gear, as the surface of the sun will not be completely obscured during this event.

People in areas where partial solar eclipses can experience it differently. How much sun is covered and what happens depends on where. You should also check your local weather report for clear or cloudy conditions.

NASA has published a list of solar eclipse times in several major cities here.

In North America, events begin early in the morning of sunrise, and are mostly already partially covered when the sun appears.

Saturday’s solar eclipse will be seen in the northern hemisphere, including both sides of the Atlantic. Unlike a total solar eclipse, it affects the wide area of the sun and has few clear paths.

In the US, viewers along the northeast coast will see the biggest solar eclipse. For example, people in Boston can see 43% of the surface of the sun covered at 6:38am in the eastern part. In New York City, the sun is eclipsed at just 22%, and those who are on the same south as Washington, D.C. at 6:46am experience a 1% solar eclipse at 6:59am.

The most blocked sun occurs much north. People in northern Quebec, Nunavut, and many of Newfoundland and Labradors in Canada witness more than 90% of the moon-covered sun.

On the other side of the Atlantic, people in Northern and Western Europe, and on the northwest coast of Africa, solar eclipses reach maximums in the late night or early afternoon. In northern Russia, solar eclipses occur late in the afternoon and in several places near sunset.

Eclipses can last for more than an hour in places like Halifax, Nova Scotia. The moon slowly glides over 83% of the sun, reaching its maximum point and retreat. However, in Buffalo, where the solar eclipse reaches up to 2%, it lasts just seven minutes.

The solar eclipse occurs when the moon glides between the Earth and the Sun, protecting all or part of the surface of the Sun from our field of vision.

The most dramatic version of this is the solar eclipse of the total sun when the entire sun is covered and its outer atmosphere, or when the corona is visible for a few minutes at the height of the event. This is known as the whole.

In contrast, on Saturday, only the mass of the sun is obscured, known as the partial solar eclipse. This happens when the Earth, Moon and Sun are incompletely aligned. Unlike the whole, the sky does not get dark enough during the partial solar eclipse to see stars and planets during the day. Animals are not likely to respond strongly.

The solar eclipse comes in pairs two weeks apart. It is the amount of time it takes for the moon to sway on the other side of the globe. The Stargazers recently saw the moon turn red and red during a full lunar eclipse earlier this month.

Even in seconds, staring at the sun can permanently damage your eyes. The retina has no pain receptors so you don’t feel it while it’s happening.

The same applies during partial solar eclipses. However, there are several ways to protect your eyes and still watch the event. If you save your paper glasses from gross solar power last year, they can be used again, provided they are not torn, scratched or damaged.

Beware of counterfeit solar eclipse glasses and solar viewers. You can find a list of trusted suppliers compiled by the American Astronomical Association here.

If it’s too late to find Eclipse Glasses, you can safely view the projection onto the ground using items around the house. Options include fashioning Eclipse Viewer from CardStock or cardboard boxes. You can also use a kitchen strainer, straw hat, or even your own fingers.

Another partial solar eclipse occurs on September 21st, the most common in Australia, according to NASA. A total solar eclipse occurs in the summer of 2026, which is visible on the top of the Northern Hemisphere.

If it’s too long and the wait is too long, then the two total lunar eclipses are also coming. One will be in September and the other will be in March next year. Unlike the total solar eclipse of the total sun only visible along the narrow path of the Earth’s surface, total erythema can be seen by most people on the night of the planet.

Source: www.nytimes.com