Tag Archives: period

New Armored Reptile Species Discovered from the Triassic Period in Brazil

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A newly discovered genus and species of pseudoarchosaur has been revealed from fossils found in southern Brazil.

Taingraqaskus Bellator. Image credit: Caio Fantini.

Taingraqaskus Bellator inhabited the area now known as Brazil during the Triassic period around 240 million years ago.

This ancient predator measured about 2.4 m (8 ft) in length and weighed approximately 60 kg.

The back of this species featured bony plates called osteoderms, a characteristic also seen in modern crocodilians.

Utilizing their long necks and agile movements, these predators quickly captured prey with swift, precise actions, employing their slender jaws filled with sharply curved teeth to secure their catch and prevent escape.

Dr. Rodrigo Temp Muller, a paleontologist at the Federal University of Santa Maria, stated, “This creature was an active predator, but despite its considerable size, it was not the largest hunter within its ecosystem, which included giants reaching up to 7 meters (23 feet) long.”

Taingraqaskus Bellator was part of the pseudostia — ancestors of modern crocodiles and alligators.

According to Dr. Temp-Müller, “Pseudostia were a diverse group capable of tackling tough prey, along with smaller hunters adept at catching swift animals.”

“It may resemble a dinosaur, yet Taingraqaskus Bellator does not belong to that classification.”

“One of the most evident distinctions from dinosaurs lies in its pelvic structure, where the hip and femoral joints exhibit significantly different characteristics.”

“The discovery of Taingraqaskus Bellator highlights the intricate ecosystem of the time, showcasing various pseudospecies with distinct sizes and hunting methods filling specific ecological roles.”

“This find uncovers crucial phases in life’s history that predate the arrival of dinosaurs.”

A partial skeleton of Taingraqaskus Bellator was located in Dona Francisca, southern Brazil, in May 2025, with its lower jaw, spinal column, and pelvic girdle preserved.

Although the limbs were not found, experts speculate that, like its relatives, it moved on all fours.

“The discovery of Taingraqaskus Bellator provides further evidence of an ancient link between Brazil and Africa during the Triassic period, a time when the continents were fused into the supercontinent Pangea,” said Dr. Temp Muller.

“Despite the variety of pseudonesters, some lineages are extremely rare in the fossil record, leading to a limited understanding of them.”

“The fossils underwent meticulous preparation in the lab, carefully removing surrounding rock.”

“Upon revealing the anatomical details, it became apparent that the specimen represented a previously unknown species, which was incredibly exciting for us.”

“We found a species closely related to a predator, Mandasucus Tanyauchen, discovered in Tanzania.”

“This link between South American and African fauna can be contextualized within Triassic paleogeography.”

“During this period, continents were still connected, allowing life to disperse freely across regions that are now separated by oceans.”

“Consequently, the Brazilian and African faunas share numerous commonalities, reflecting intertwined evolutionary and ecological narratives.”

Taingraqaskus Bellator would have thrived in the same environment where the first dinosaurs arose, in areas adjacent to vast arid deserts.

“Our findings indicate that southern Brazil’s reptiles had already developed diverse communities adapted to various survival strategies.”

“Moreover, this discovery unveils that such diversity is not an isolated phenomenon.”

This research is detailed in the following article: paper published in Journal of Systematic Paleontology.

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Rodrigo Temp Muller and others. Osteology, taxonomy, and phylogenetic relationships of a new pseudoarchosaur from the Middle Triassic of southern Brazil. Journal of Systematic Paleontology, published online on November 12, 2025. doi: 10.1080/14772019.2025.2573750

Source: www.sci.news

Mysterious Brazilian Fossil Reveals Widespread Presence of Lichens in the Early Devonian Period

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Paleontologists have discovered a specimen dating back 410 million years: cavernous cavernosa nanum. This lichen is one of the oldest and most extensively distributed in the fossil record and was found in Brazil’s Paraná Basin, specifically within the Ponta Grossa Formation.

Artistically reconstructed cavernous cavernosa nanum from the Early Devonian, depicting high-latitude sedimentary systems of the Paraná Basin. Image credit: J. Lacerda.

The colonization of land and the evolution of complex terrestrial ecosystems rank among the most significant evolutionary milestones in the history of life.

This phenomenon greatly affected terrestrial and marine ecosystems, leading to the sequestration of atmospheric carbon dioxide, enhanced weathering, nutrient absorption in oceans, soil formation, and the emergence of major groups of terrestrial animals.

It is well-established that early plants played a crucial role in land colonization, particularly in establishing the first plant communities.

The earliest records of ancient land plants appear in the form of cryptospores from the Middle Ordovician, around 460 million years ago. The first macrofossils of vascular plants are found in Silurian deposits dating from approximately 443 to 420 million years ago.

Despite this, the specific role and presence of lichens during various stages of terrestrialization remain uncertain.

“cavernous cavernosa nanum displays a partnership of fungi and algae akin to modern lichens,” noted Dr. Bruno Becker Kerber from Harvard University.

“Our research illustrates that lichens are not merely peripheral organisms; they were vital pioneers in reshaping Earth’s terrain.”

“They contributed to the soil formation that enabled the colonization and diversification of plants and animals on land.”

Morphology and internal structure of cavernous cavernosa nanum. Image credit: Becker-Kerber et al., doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adw7879.

Findings indicate that ancient lichens originated in the cold polar regions of the Gondwana supercontinent, now known as parts of modern-day South America and Africa.

“cavernous cavernosa nanum is a remarkable fossil, preserved in an incredible state. Essentially, they are mummified with their organic matter intact,” remarked Professor Jochen Brocks from the Australian National University.

“In simple plants, the tough component is cellulose. In contrast, lichens are unique; they consist of chitin, the same material that gives insects like beetles their strength.”

“Chitin contains nitrogen. In our analyses, cavernous cavernosa nanum yielded an unprecedented nitrogen signal.”

“Such clear results are rare. It was a true Eureka moment.”

“Today, lichens continue to be vital in soil creation, nutrient recycling, and carbon capture in extreme environments spanning from deserts to the polar regions.”

“Yet, due to their delicate structure and infrequent fossil records, their origins remain elusive.”

“This research underscores the necessity of blending traditional techniques with innovative technology,” explained Dr. Nathalie L. Alchira, a researcher at the Synchrotron Light Institute in Brazil.

“Preliminary measurements enabled us to identify crucial areas of interest and collect 3D nanometer imaging for the first time, unveiling the intricate fungal and algal networks that define cavernous cavernosa nanum as a true lichen.”

The team’s study was published in this week’s edition of Scientific Advances.

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Bruno Becker-Kerber et al. 2025. The role of lichens in the colonization of terrestrial environments. Scientific Advances 11(44); doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adw7879

Source: www.sci.news

Newly Discovered Carnivorous Dinosaur Species from the Triassic Period Identified in Argentina

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New genus and species of theropod dinosaur named Antebi Sukuri Longs has been reported by a team of researchers from the National University of San Juan, the Bernardino Rivadavia Museum of Natural Sciences, the University of Birmingham, CONICET, and CIGEOBIO.

Reconstruction of Antebi Sukuri Longs. Image credit: Jorge Blanco.

Antebi Sukuri Longs inhabited the Earth during the Carnian period of the late Triassic, approximately 231 to 226 million years ago.

This dinosaur measured about 1.2 meters (4 feet) in length and weighed around 8 to 9 kilograms.

The species represents an early-diverging theropod outside the Neoheteropod group, with functional traits previously believed to be exclusive to that classification surprisingly derived.

“This is among the oldest and most primitive dinosaurs yet discovered,” stated Dr. Ricardo Martinez from San Juan National University and his team.

“The early diversification of dinosaurs triggered significant ecological transformations in terrestrial ecosystems, culminating in the dominance of dinosaurs in tetrapod populations by the Triassic-Jurassic boundary 201 million years ago.”

“Therefore, investigating the early diversification of dinosaurs is crucial for understanding the formation of Mesozoic populations.”

“Nonetheless, the absence of stratigraphically continuous fossil data in different geological formations, where the oldest known dinosaurs (dating from 233 to 227 million years ago) are found, has hindered our comprehension of this early diversification.”

Paleontologists uncovered fossilized remains of Antebi Sukuri Longs—including a partial skeleton and skull—discovered in 2014 within the Izquiguarasto formation in northwestern Argentina.

“Few locations in the world offer such ancient and well-preserved fossils,” Martinez remarked.

“One notable site is the Santa María Formation in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, and the other is the Izquiguarasto Formation.”

Antebi Sukuri Longs thrived around 2 million years after Earth’s formation in a warm, arid savannah, experiencing episodes from the Carnian rainy season.

“We demonstrate that dinosaur diversity and abundance in the Iskigualast Formation were greater than previously acknowledged, particularly among smaller herbivores (under 30 kg) and medium-sized predators (30 kg to 200 kg),” the researchers stated.

“This diversification took place in Iskigualast during a transition to semi-arid conditions, but a return to wetter conditions created a gap in the dinosaur record beginning around 229 million years ago.”

“Only 15 million years later, during the mid-Norian period, the abundance and diversity of dinosaurs in the basin rebounded, this time characterized by larger-bodied species.”

“Our findings suggest that early dinosaur diversification was interrupted by climate-induced faunal replacement, at least in southwestern Pangea.”

A paper detailing this discovery was published in this week’s edition of Nature Ecology and Evolution.

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RN Martinez et al. Carnian theropods with unexpectedly derived features during the initial radiation of dinosaurs. Nat Ecol Evol published online October 14, 2025. doi: 10.1038/s41559-025-02868-4

Source: www.sci.news

Fossils from the Early Cretaceous Period at the Swiss Museum

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Paleontologists have identified a new species within the extinct turtle genus Craspedochelys, based on some remarkable fossil shells and subsequent bones discovered in Colombia.

Artistic reconstruction of Craspedochelys Renzi and the shallow marine ecosystem it inhabited. The flip-like shape of the forelimbs is inspired by the most complete known specimen of Thalassemys bruntrutana. Image credit: Juan Guilard.

Craspedochelys Renzi thrived during the early Cretaceous Hauterivian period, approximately 132 to 125 million years ago.

This ancient species belonged to the Thalassocheridia, a group of marine-adapted turtles from the Jurassic and Cretaceous eras.

“Throughout their evolutionary journey, various unrelated turtle groups have developed adaptations for marine and coastal habitats,” says Dr. Edwin Alberto Cadena, a paleontologist at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute of Natural History.

“One such group is the Thalassocheridia, traditionally classified into three Jurassic families: Eurysternidae, Plesiochelyidae, and Thalassemydidae, which have complex and often debated phylogenetic relationships.”

“Among these families, the ‘Plesiochelyidae’ is particularly diverse, encompassing at least ten species across four different genera: Craspedochelys, Plesiochelys, Portlandomys, and Tropidemys.”

“The shells of ‘Plesiochelyids’ can be distinguished from other thalassocheridians by their large size (40-55 cm in shell length), with adults lacking the thyroid cortex of the hanging skin, typically displaying only a thick layer of fontanel in the center.”

Craspedochelys Renzi is characterized by a distinct shell featuring several occipital bones. Image credits: Cadena et al. , doi: 10.1186/s13358-025-00394-1.

The fossil specimen of Craspedochelys Renzi was first discovered by Swiss geologist Otto Lenz during a field expedition in the Cunja de Cuisa region of Guazila Province, Colombia, in the 1950s.

This specimen included partial shells measuring 25.5 cm long and 23.1 cm wide, along with hind limb bones and caudal vertebrae.

It was later stored in the paleontological collection of the Naturhistorisches Museum Basel in Switzerland, where it remained unnoticed for over 60 years among the fossil invertebrate collection.

“Geological evidence connects these specimens to shallow marine sediments from the Moina Formation, dating to the Hauterivian,” the paleontologist explained.

This fossil represents the youngest known occurrence of Thalassocheridians globally during the Hauterivian, and it is the second record from a non-European group.

“The discovery of Craspedochelys Renzi will greatly enhance our understanding of Thalassocheridians, particularly the ‘Plesiochelyidae’, expanding their geographical range to North Gondwana and temporal range to the Hauterivian,” the researchers stated.

“This find underlines the significance of reevaluating historical collections and the potential for future discoveries in less explored areas such as northern South America.”

“The existence of Craspedochelys Renzi in the Moina Formation further underscores the intricate paleobiogeographic history of early Cretaceous coastal habitats and marine turtles.”

“It also offers new perspectives on the evolutionary dynamics of Thalassocheridia and the still unresolved, unstable phylogenetic relationships within the group, which necessitates further detailed investigation in future research.”

The discovery of Craspedochelys Renzi is discussed in a paper published in the Swiss Journal of Palaeontology.

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ea. Cadena et al. 2025. The first occurrence of the “Plesiochelyidae” turtle in the early Cretaceous period of South America. Swiss J Palaeontol 144, 52; doi:10.1186/s13358-025-00394-1

Source: www.sci.news

Public Health Agencies Urged to Develop Period Tracking Apps for Data Protection

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As public health organizations indicate that women’s personal information is vulnerable to exploitation by private entities, experts advocate for public health groups to create alternatives to for-profit period tracker applications.

A study from the University of Cambridge reveals that smartphone apps used for menstrual cycle tracking serve as a “Goldmine” for consumer profiling, collecting data on exercise, diet, medication, hormone levels, and birth control methods.

The economic worth of this information is often “greatly underestimated” by users who share intimate details in unregulated markets with profit-driven businesses, according to the report.

If mishandled, data from cycle tracking apps (CTAs) could lead to issues like employment bias, workplace monitoring, discrimination in health insurance, risks of cyberstalking, and restricted access to abortion services, research indicates.

The authors urge for improved regulation in the expanding Femtech sector to safeguard users as data is sold in large quantities, suggesting that apps should offer clear consent options regarding data collection and promote the establishment of public health agency alternatives to commercial CTAs.

“The menstrual cycle tracking app is marketed as empowering women and bridging gender health disparities,” stated Dr. Stephanie Felberger, PhD, of the Center for Technology and Democracy at Cambridge, the lead author of the report. “Nevertheless, its underlying business model relies on commercial usage, wherein user data and insights are sold to third parties for profit.

“As a consequence of the monetization of data collected by cycle tracking app companies, women face significant and alarming privacy and safety threats.”

The report indicates that most cycle tracking apps cater to women attempting to conceive, making the stored data highly commercially valuable. Other life events, aside from home purchasing, do not trigger such notable shifts in consumer behavior.

Data pertaining to pregnancy is valued at over 200 times more than information about age, gender, or location for targeted advertisements. Furthermore, tracking cycle duration can allow for targeting women at various phases of their cycles.

The three most popular apps project a quarterly download figure of 500 million yen for 2024. The digital health sector focused on women’s wellness is anticipated to surpass $60 billion (£44 billion) by 2027, as noted in the report.

In light of the considerable demand for period tracking, the authors are calling on public health entities, including the UK’s NHS, to create transparent and reliable apps as alternatives to commercial offerings.

“The UK is ideally positioned to address researchers’ challenges related to menstrual data access, as well as privacy and data concerns, by developing an NHS app dedicated to tracking menstrual cycles,” added that the parent-child relationship in the US Reproductive Medicine Plan currently utilizes its own app.

“Apps situated within public health frameworks, which are not primarily profit-driven, can significantly reduce privacy violations, gather essential data on reproductive health, and empower users regarding the utilization of their menstrual information.”

“Utilizing cycle tracking apps is beneficial. Women deserve better than having their menstrual tracking data treated merely as consumer data,” remarked Professor Gina Neff, executive director of the Mindeoo Center.

In the UK and the EU, period tracking data falls under “special categories” and enjoys greater legal protection, similar to genetics and ethnicity. In the United States, authorities collect menstrual cycle data which may hinder access to abortion services, according to the report.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Newly Discovered Herbivorous Dinosaur Species from the Jurassic Period Unearthed in China

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A newly identified genus and species of the Eusauropod dinosaur has been discovered from a fossilized partial skeleton, which includes almost complete skulls, located in Ganshu province, China.

Skull of niedu in side view. Image credits: Li et al., doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-03210-5.

The newly recognized dinosaur species existed during the mid-Jurassic period, roughly 165 million years ago.

Named niedu, it is an early representative of the long-necked, exclusively herbivorous dinosaurs known as Eusauropoda.

“Sauropod dinosaurs, which are massive herbivores from the early Jurassic to the late Cretaceous period, have been found across all continents,” stated Dr. Ning Li, a researcher at a Chinese university of Earth Sciences.

“Due to global warming events occurring during the Late Jurassic, Eusauropod has become the sole surviving sauropod lineage.”

“In the middle and late Jurassic, non-neosauropods thrived, including taxa like Schnosaurus, Omeisaurus, and core forms of Mamenchisaurus.

Fossils of niedu were gathered from the base of the Xinhe Formation near Jinchan city in Gansu province, northwestern China.

The specimen comprises five cervical vertebrae and nearly complete mandibles, alongside 29 distinct caudal vertebrae.

The skull of niedu measures approximately 31 cm in length and 12.5 cm in height.

A sauropod dinosaur being chased by two carnivorous dinosaurs. Image credit: Lida Xing.

“Finding a well-preserved skull is uncommon in non-neosauropod eusauropods due to their fragility,” the paleontologist noted.

“The skull of niedu is exceptionally well maintained and nearly complete.”

“However, the left side of the skull shows deformation due to internal compression.”

“Most cranial sutures are clearly visible on niedu,” they added.

According to the researchers, niedu marks the earliest sauropod discovered in Gansu province.

“niedu is significant,” they concluded.

“We also present more information that enhances our understanding of sauropod evolutionary history in northwestern China.”

The paper was published in the journal Scientific Reports on May 23rd.

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N. Li et al. 2025. A new Eusauropod (dinosaurs, sauropods) from the central Jurassic in China. Sci Rep 15, 17936; doi:10.1038/s41598-025-03210-5

Source: www.sci.news

Mammals evolved to thrive on land in the late Cretaceous period.

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A recent study conducted by the University of Bristol presents evidence that many mammals had already transitioned towards a more ground-based lifestyle prior to the final Cretaceous mass extinction that eradicated the non-avian dinosaurs 66 million years ago.

Dryolestes late Jurassic relatives of Cretaceous treatment mammals. Image credits: James Brown/Pamelagill/University of Bristol.

Present-day mammals thrive in a varied environment mainly dominated by angiosperms (flowering plants).

In contrast to the habitats provided by coniferous vegetation, forests and woodland environments possess intricate lower levels and towering trees, offering rich biodiversity and resources for terrestrial mammals of all sizes.

Yet, the angiosperm-dominated habitat is relatively recent in Earth’s history, primarily characteristic of the Cenozoic era (66 million years ago to the present), with initial developments towards the end of the Cretaceous period.

“Mesozoic mammals were typically small, mostly weighing under 5 kg, with few surpassing 10 kg,” noted Professor Christine Janice from the University of Bristol and a colleague.

“While it holds true that the majority of present-day mammals are small, averaging around 0.5 kg, the Cenozoic era saw the evolution of greater mammal diversity.”

“The small size of Mesozoic mammals has commonly been attributed to dinosaur predation, but recent recognition of the late Cretaceous proliferation of angiosperms and the habitats they offered may be more crucial than dinosaurs in elucidating the patterns of Mesozoic mammal evolution and diversification.”

“Did these mammals prefer trees or terrestrial substrates? And did this preference alter towards the close of the Cretaceous period with the changes in angiosperm habitats?”

In their research, the authors scrutinized tiny bone fragments of ancient mammalian taxa (marsupials and placentals) unearthed in western North America, specifically the extremity bone edges.

They identified indications that these mammals were adapting to a terrestrial lifestyle.

The analysis of extremity bone edges entailed signatures of locomotive patterns that could be statistically compared to modern mammals.

“There was a known shift in plant life towards the Cretaceous boundary, characterized by angiosperms,” stated the researchers.

“It was also acknowledged that arboreal-dwelling mammals faced challenges post-asteroid impact.”

“However, what remained undocumented was whether mammals were inclining towards a more ground-dwelling lifestyle alongside habitat transformations.”

Former studies utilized complete skeletons to study the movement patterns of ancient mammals, but this study was among the first to employ small bone elements to track alterations across the community.

“The plant habitat appears to have played a pivotal role in the trajectory of Cretaceous mammal evolution beyond dinosaur influences,” remarked Professor Janice.

Published in the March/April 2025 issue of the journal Paleontology, the study unveils intriguing insights into ancient mammal adaptations.

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Christine M. Janice et al. 2025. Paleontology 68(2): E70004; doi: 10.1111/pala.70004

Source: www.sci.news

As a new ban period looms, TikTok’s impact on society becomes clear

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On January 18th, I was one of millions of Americans, scrolling through Tiktok when the all-you-can-eat video buffet service suddenly stopped just before the federal ban came into effect.

It was a breathtaking moment when I was mourning me. For daily doses of Hollywood gossip, video game news, anime updates, where did I wonder where I was going now?

Tiktok, owned by a Chinese company, was bytedance, and rose to life the next day, facing legal deadlines to find or face a ban on US owners. President Trump then quickly signed an executive order extending the window for Tiktok’s sale to April 5th.

With that new deadline approaching, Tiktok’s fate, claiming more than 170 million American users, remains uncertain. However, for now, at least, it seems unlikely that there will be a repeated blackout in January.

Last month, Trump He told reporters That he can extend the deadline again. And while bytedance has not confirmed sales plans, Oracle, Data Center Company and others have emerged as potential suitors.

The latest deadlines provide convenient members to reflect on the role of apps in society. This is what I found.

Tiktok started as Musical.ly 11 years ago. It’s an app for users to post lip sync videos, but over time it has evolved into a generic video app that lets people scroll through short clips of news and entertainment. Currently, there are over 1 billion users worldwide.

With Tiktok’s popularity surged worldwide over the past five years, Meta, Google and others have created clones that allow users to scroll through video clips endlessly. but Young users still prefer Tiktok To watch a short video, according to a survey by research firm Emarketer.

Tiktok’s preferences may be linked in part to product quality. Videos made on Tiktok generally look clearer, more rigorously edited and catchy than videos made with similar apps like Instagram reels. (Why drink lukewarm cola when you can get a classic cola?) Tiktok’s tools, including the editing app Capcut, streamline the production of video for your app.

For me, switching to the reel felt crazy when Tiktok was temporarily down. Many users have posted videos they found to be incomplete, including a video of sourdough bread that I was asked to read the caption to learn how to bake the perfect bread. Why don’t you explain it in a video instead of a small text caption?

Meta, who owns Instagram, catches up to Tiktok’s editing tools. An Instagram spokesperson mentioned a company spokesperson announcement The editor is CapCut’s competitor for editing reel videos and is expected to debut in the coming weeks. This tool allows Instagram users to upload videos to a higher resolution, improving image quality, among other perks.

Tiktok’s secret source, which others have not replicated either, is an algorithm for people to decide which video they want to watch next. Many people in their research say that Tiktok surfaces the type of video they want to watch for everything from diet ideas to video games, and glues them to the screen for hours a day.

The effectiveness of Tiktok in keeping people scrolling has been a topic of widespread concern among parents and academic researchers wondering whether people could be thought of as obsessed with apps, just like video game addiction.

Research on this topic continues and remains conclusive. One, It was released last year He also looked into the overuse of Tiktok, led by Christian Montag, a professor of cognitive and brain science at the University of Macau in China. The study reported that although few people involved 378 participants of various ages, they were obsessed with Tiktok.

But broadly speaking, the consensus from multiple studies on Tiktok and other social media apps is that young people are more likely to report being addicted, Dr. Montag said in an interview.

“I don’t think kids should appear on these platforms at all,” he said of an app similar to Tiktok. People’s brains can take at least 20 years, mature and self-regulate, he added.

A Tiktok spokesperson said the app includes tools to manage screen time, including new settings for Tiktok to block children’s phone work during certain times.

Tiktok has become the main hub for companies to promote their products through posted videos and products sold at the in-app store, Tiktok Shop.

The company is working hard to make Americans realize the impact on the economy, running flashy advertising campaigns in newspapers and billboards, portraying them as a small business champion.

A Tiktok spokesperson cited a study claiming that Tiktok increased revenues for small businesses to $15 billion in 2023. This is the number that should be collected with salt grains because Tiktok asked for research. However, from scrolling through Tiktok, it is clear that many brands enjoy using it to spread videos showing quirky products.

Tiktok’s video confesses that he was inspired to buy expensive tools to remove dog fur from car seats and an automatic scrubber to clean the kitchen sink.

As for the so-called creators, the platform usually helps self-promotion rather than making money, as influencers post videos of Tiktok that often get viral, said actress Alyssa McKay, who has a follower of Tiktok in New Jersey.

The video, which earns 2 million views, can earn her a few dollars, she said. She added that it is because Tiktok only pays for the scenery that comes from people who have not yet followed you.

Tiktok was banned in the first place because he feared that US government officials could share data collected by American users with the Chinese government for espionage purposes.

These concerns peaked at the Supreme Court hearing in January. There, the Biden administration argued to ban the app. This cites concerns that Tiktok could create new pathways for China’s intelligence reporting agency that permeates American infrastructure. However, authorities did not provide evidence that Tiktok was associated with such a threat.

But Tiktok is linked to a small US data scandal. Tiktok confirmed in 2022 that four employees were fired for using the app to silly several journalists to track information sources.

Tiktok spokesperson pointed to a video This app protects the data of American users on server systems protected by Oracle, a collaborative US database giant, and prevents unauthorized foreign access.

Matthew Green, a security researcher at Johns Hopkins University and an associate professor of computer science, said that the US government’s security concerns about Tiktoc have been exaggerated as there has yet to be a major scandal, but it is effective because of the potential for hypothetical harm.

Many apps created by American companies are companies that collect information about us and sell insights to data brokers, marketers, including parts of China. But Tiktok in particular can gather sensitive data on Americans that are useful for hostile governments, such as address books, Dr. Green added.

“We’re leaking so much information, we don’t need Tiktok to make things worse, but with millions of different phones running this app, things get worse,” Dr. Green said.


Source: www.nytimes.com

The Cretaceous period larvae possessed advanced eyes

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Paleontologists have discovered three racewing larvae in Myanmar's 100 million Kachin amber with large forward trunks (the eyes of Holometabolan). These specimens show highly developed, simple eye convergent evolution of at least two additional lines, indicating the enormous diversity of Cretaceous larvae.

A larva from Kachin Amber, 100 million years ago. Image credit: Haug et al. , doi: 10.1111/1744-7917.13509.

Adult insects are known for their fascinating and complicated eyes. This allows you to achieve amazing sensory feats when performing functions such as food and peers search.

However, in many insect larvae, these eyes are not yet developed. The simple eyes known as the stem are usually sufficient for these larvae. Often, it is a machine that is mostly eating at this stage.

However, some insect larvae are predators, and a few of these have developed highly efficient imaging systems from simple stems.

“The adults and pups of beetles, bees, flies, butterflies and close relative insects also have complex eyes that are present in some larvae,” says Dr. Carolin Haug, researcher at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München.

“In contrast, most holometaboran larvae have a small group of up to seven simple eyes, known as stems, on either side of the head.”

“The trunk is inherent to holometaborane, usually a simple structure, often slightly radial oriented, creating a wide field of view.”

“However, the fields of the right and left trunks rarely overlap, but denies binocular vision in the larvae.”

“And more, most stems lack the complex internal structures needed to create images.”

“In contrast, several predatory holometaboran larvae evolved anteriorly directed stems, which were expanded with overlapping fields of vision that promote binocular vision.”

“Examples include the larvae of diving beetles known as water tigers, tiger beetles, anthraion and the Whirlgihi beetle.”

“The trunk has been reported in over 120 fossil larvae, but no imaging eyes have been identified that allow binocular vision.”

In a new study, the authors discovered three predatory larvae with unusually large and positive trunks in the Cretaceous Cachin Amber.

They found that the size and orientation of the larvae eyes are comparable to the size and orientation of modern anthraions, allowing for similar optical resolution.

“This is evidence of the first fossils of such an eye and therefore the oldest,” Dr. Haug said.

“The highly refined, simple eyes of predatory larvae evolved with a further double convergence, not just anti-, water tigers and tiger beetles, but also at least among extinct larvae.”

“Our results reveal greater diversity in morphology, ecology, and feeding strategies among Cretaceous larvae than today.”

Survey results Published in the journal Insect Science.

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Karolyn Haug et al. Cretaceous horny larvae with binocular vision show convergent evolution of refined, simple eyes. Insect SciencePublished online on February 18th, 2025. doi:10.1111/1744-7917.13509

Source: www.sci.news

The impact of artificially stopping your period on your body

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People with a uterus experience menstruation about once every 28 days for approximately 40 years of their lives.

Menstruation goes beyond just blood. It’s common for 84% of women to experience menstrual pain regularly. Severe menstrual pain can lead women to miss numerous days of education or work each month. Additionally, periods are costly, with an estimated lifetime cost of around 4,800 pounds (approximately $6,100).

Given these challenges, it’s only natural to want to stop menstruation. While periods may naturally cease during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or menopause, many women in the UK opt to stop their menstrual cycles using hormonal contraception.

Contraceptive pills, implants, and hormonal coils work by releasing hormones that prevent ovulation. Without an egg being released or the lining of the uterus thickening for pregnancy, menstruation, which occurs due to shedding of this lining, typically stops when it ceases to grow.

“There’s nothing harmful about not having a menstrual cycle,” affirms Dr. Nicola Tempest, a researcher and gynecologist at Liverpool Women’s Hospital. “Taking hormones doesn’t detract from your body’s wellbeing.”

But are there any drawbacks to not having periods?

For individuals with regular menstrual cycles (not taking hormonal contraceptives), the sudden absence of periods may signify underlying health issues.

While the occasional missed period isn’t typically worrisome, a prolonged absence of periods after having regular cycles could indicate potential problems such as early menopause or polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Tempest notes that individuals with such conditions may require hormone medication as part of their treatment, which could help in diagnosing these conditions along with other associated symptoms, even if periods have ceased due to birth control pills.

There may be certain side effects associated with hormonal contraceptives, such as a slight increase in the risk of breast, liver, and cervical cancer with long-term use. However, Tempest emphasizes that prolonged use of birth control also reduces the risk of endometrial and ovarian cancer.

In her view, menstruation is not an indispensable aspect of a person’s health. “If you wish to forego menstruation, you have that choice,” she states.

This article addresses the question “Can I stop my period?” posed by Veronica Nielson via email.

If you have any queries, please reach out to us via email: questions@sciencefocus.comor connect with us on Facebook, ×or Instagram (please include your name and location).

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Dr. Nicola Tempest I am a clinical researcher and gynecologist at Liverpool Women’s Hospital. Her research includes chronic pelvic pain, exercise and reproduction, and endometriosis.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Newly discovered marine reptile species from the Triassic period.

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Paleontologists have described a new species of pachypleurosaur that lived during the mid-Triassic period in southwestern China.

holotype of Dianmeisaurus mutaensis From the Guanling Formation, China: (A) Skeleton seen from the back. (B) Equivalent to (A). Scale bar – 1 cm. Image credit: Hu others., doi: 10.1186/s13358-023-00292-4.

Dianmeisaurus mutaensis They lived in what is now China during the Anisian period of the mid-Triassic period, about 245 million years ago.

What is an ancient species? Pachyprourosaurus a group of primitive sauropterygian reptiles of the Triassic period.

These animals resembled aquatic lizards and had small heads, long necks, paddle-like limbs, and long, deep tails.

“Sauropterygia was the most flourishing clade of Mesozoic marine reptiles in terms of species diversity, with the iconic plesiosaurs of the Jurassic and Cretaceous, and the stem-group placodonts and eophytes of the Triassic. sauropterygia,” said Dr. Jun Liu and colleagues at the institute. Hefei University of Technology.

“Eosauropteri were traditionally divided into three groups: pachyprourosaurids, nososaurids, and pistosaurids.”

“In this traditional view, the monophyletic Pachypleurosauria is thought to constitute a sister group to the clade Eusauropterygia, which consists of Nososaurinae and Pistosaurinae.”

complete and articulated skeleton of an immature animal Dianmeisaurus mutaensis It was discovered in an abandoned quarry about 1 km northwest of Muta Village, Luxi County, Yunnan Province, China.

The skeleton was divided into two parts during collection and prepared using pneumatic tools and needles in the paleontology laboratory.

“The skeleton is embedded in dark gray micritic limestone and consists of one segment and its counterpart,” the paleontologists said.

“The specimen is well preserved and has a total length of 99.2 mm (4 inches).”

“Adjacent to the specimen are scattered limb and rib bones from other individuals, but the limited information available makes further identification difficult.”

Artist's impression of Pachypleurosaurus Umengosaurus. Image credit: Nobu Tamura / CC BY-SA 4.0.

The research team's analysis identified this new species as a sister group. Dianmeisaurus gracilis a small pachypleurosaur from the Luoping biota of the Middle Triassic.

“Dianmeisaurus mutaensis Displays several eutoroid features, including a postfrontal region that extends posteriorly to the middle of the parietal table and is excluded from the upper temporal fenestra, a stout last dorsal rib that is shorter than the first sacral rib, and two sacral vertebrae. “There is,” the researchers said.

“Additionally, a new data matrix has been compiled to reassess the interrelationships of neosauropterygians.”

“Phylogenetic analysis indicates monophyletic collapse of Eusauropterygia,” they added.

“Pistosaurinae, Magiasinosaurus and Hanosaurus These constitute a continuous sister group to the monophyletic clade that includes Pachyprosaurinae and Nososaurinae.”

“Furthermore, the monophyly of Pachyprourosauria is supported by six synapomorphies.”

“Our phylogenetic results provide further evidence for the East Tethys origin of pachypleurosaurs,” the researchers said.

“However, to test the biogeographical hypothesis, we need early Anisian pachypleurosaurs from the eastern region of Tethys.”

of findings Published in Swiss Journal of Paleontology.

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YW Hu others. 2024. A new species of Pachypleurosaurid (Reptilia: Sauropterygia) that lived in the Middle Triassic of southwestern China and its phylogenetic and biogeographical significance. Switzerland J Palaeontre 143, 1; doi: 10.1186/s13358-023-00292-4

Source: www.sci.news

Ancient fossils reveal slower growth rates in mammals compared to modern species from Jurassic period

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Cruxatodon kiltlingtonensisA small mammal from the Jurassic period

Maiya Carrara

During the Middle Jurassic, small mammals lived much longer than modern ones and received parental care for years rather than weeks, suggesting that at some point there was a major change in the growth rates of small mammals, although the exact cause is unknown.

The discovery is based on two fossil skeletons of extinct mouse-sized creatures. Cruxatodon kiltlingtonensis, It lived on the Isle of Skye in Scotland about 166 million years ago, and its fossils were unearthed decades apart, the first in the 1970s and the second in 2016.

The unusual discovery of two fossils of the same species, one adult and one juvenile, allowed the team to compare the specimens to study how the animals grew and developed. “That meant we could ask questions we never dreamed of with just one specimen,” he says. Elsa Panciroli At the National Museum of Scotland.

First, the scientists used X-ray images to count the growth rings on the specimens' teeth, which are similar to growth rings on tree trunks and can be used to estimate age. They found that the adult specimens were about 7 years old, and the juvenile specimens were between 7 months and 2 years old.

Panciroli said he expected the fossil to be much younger, since the pup still had its baby teeth. “This was quite surprising, as this animal is about the size of a squirrel or a shrew,” Panciroli said. “We would have expected its teeth to grow back within a few weeks or months, so we could see straight away that it must have been developing quite differently. [than modern species].”

This discovery K. Quiltrington Mice took up to two years to wean from their mothers, a big jump from the few weeks most small mammals require today. Analysis of the length and size of the fossil bones reveals that the animals “grew throughout their lives,” Panchiroli says. Today, small mammals like mice grow rapidly when they're young but then stop growing as adults.

It's unclear exactly when and why small mammals evolved this way, but Panchiroli said it could be linked to environmental changes or it could be the result of mammals having warmer blood and a faster metabolism.

Panciroli and her team return to Skye every year, and are optimistic that they will be able to better understand these changes: “Hopefully in the coming years we'll find more fossils and new ways to ask these questions,” she says.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Regular walking may extend your period of time pain-free in your back

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Back pain is a common discomfort that can be difficult to shake once it sets in. Researchers suggest a simple way to make back pain more manageable and potentially extend the time between episodes.

Over 600 million people worldwide suffer from back pain, with studies showing that 7 out of 10 individuals experience a relapse within a year after recovery. This makes back pain a major cause of disability globally (source).

The Spine Pain Research Group at Macquarie University in Australia conducted a study indicating that regular walking can help treat back pain. They suggest that some current exercise recommendations may not be suitable or practical due to cost or supervision requirements (source).

A recent study published in the journal Lancet focused on 701 adults who had recovered from low back pain lasting at least 24 hours. Participants were assigned to a personalized walking program, physical therapy sessions, or a control group with no treatment (Dr. Mark Hancock).

The researchers observed that the walkers experienced less back pain, reduced the need for medical assistance, and halved their sick leave. The time between episodes nearly doubled from 112 days to 208 days.

Dr. Hancock believes walking’s benefits come from gentle motion and muscle strengthening, as well as stress-relieving effects. While some experts agree that low-intensity exercise like walking can help with back pain, others suggest the study’s findings may not be groundbreaking.

In conclusion, while walking may not be a quick fix for back pain, it is a recommended low-intensity exercise that can provide relief over time. It’s important to keep moving and gradually improve rather than sitting still and doing nothing.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Pterosaurs from the Jurassic period had wingspans of at least 10 feet

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A team of paleontologists Ctenochasmatoid pterosaur Discovered in the Kimmeridg Clay of Oxfordshire in central England, this specimen is one of the largest Jurassic pterosaur fossils, with an estimated wingspan of at least 3 metres (10 ft), and is the first pterodactyl pterosaur described from the Jurassic of Britain.

Partial wingspan profiles of large Jurassic pterosaurs: pterodactyloides (left), including the new fossil (EC K2576), and rhamphorhynchids (right). Image courtesy of Etienne others., doi: 10.1016/j.pgeola.2024.05.002.

Pterosaurs were flying reptiles of the Mesozoic era characterized by a flight membrane stretched between their forelimbs and hindlimbs and an extremely elongated fourth digit consisting of four elongated phalanges.

The largest Cretaceous form was Aramburgiana, Hatzegopteryx and QuetzalcoatlusThe combined wingspan reached a length of over 10 metres (33 ft).

However, Triassic and Jurassic forms were considerably smaller, with a typical wingspan of 0.5 to 2 metres (1.6 to 6.5 ft).

There is evidence that some Jurassic species also achieved large wingspans, but these rarely exceeded 3 metres (10 ft).

The new pterosaur fossil was discovered in the Kimmeridge Clay near Abingdon-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, England.

This specimen is a wing bone, broken into three pieces but still well preserved.

The team said the dinosaur belonged to adult Ctenophora, a group of pterosaurs known for their elongated wings, long jaws and thin, bristle-like teeth.

“When the bones were discovered their size was certainly remarkable,” said Professor David Martill, from the University of Portsmouth.

“We performed numerical analysis and came up with a maximum wingspan of 3.75 meters (12.3 feet).”

“This is small for a Cretaceous pterosaur, but absolutely gigantic for a Jurassic one.”

“This fossil is particularly special as it is also one of the first records of this type of Jurassic pterosaur in the UK.”

“This specimen is currently the largest known Jurassic pterosaur in the world, surpassed only by a Swiss specimen, with an estimated wingspan of 5 metres (16.4 feet).”

“AbFab, as the Abingdon pterosaur is nicknamed, shows that pterodactyloides, the advanced pterosaurs that completely dominated the Cretaceous period, achieved astonishingly large sizes shortly after they first appeared in the Middle Jurassic, just as the ancestors of bird-like dinosaurs were beginning to take to the air,” said Dr Dave Unwin from the University of Leicester.

a paper The paper on the survey results is Proceedings of the Association of Geologists.

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James L. Etienne others“Giant” pterodactyloid pterosaur that lived in the Jurassic of Britain. Proceedings of the Association of GeologistsPublished online May 24, 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.pgeola.2024.05.002

Source: www.sci.news

The unexpected explanation for why humans experience an unusually extended period of childhood

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I was going to start this article differently. But that was before my 10-year-old daughter intervened. In fact, I had already started writing when she got up and tried to trick me. She offered to bet me her ten pounds that I could write red with a regular pencil. Unfortunately for this budding entrepreneur, I turned down the bet. She was so confident that she suspected he was up to something. But I let her reveal the trick. She took her lead pencil in her hand and she wrote, “In red color.” Then she laughed like a hyena and went out to fool her mother.

Our bright little sparks have opinions on everything from video games to sports to books. She’s learning basic algebra and coding, but her Taylor Swift expertise far exceeds mine. But even with all this knowledge, she still has many years to go before she reaches adulthood. If she lives out her average lifespan, she will spend a quarter of her year as a minor.

It is truly strange that humans have long childhoods. No other primate takes this long to reach adulthood. During the evolution of our species, childhood has become significantly longer, along with more obvious physical changes. Traditionally, paleoanthropologists have paid little attention to children, but that is now changing. A series of interesting discoveries over the past few years are building a complete picture of human childhood. When did this seemingly unproductive life stage expand, why was it so long, and what did prehistoric children do? This discovery does more than just shed light on a dark corner…

Source: www.newscientist.com