Newswise Feature Channel: Paleontology

Brazilian Fossils Reveal Jaw-Dropping Discovery in Mammal Evolution

University of Bristol — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 11:00:00 EST

The discovery of new cynodont fossils from southern Brazil by a team of palaeontologists from the University of Bristol, alongside colleagues from Argentina and Brazil, has led to a significant breakthrough in understanding the evolution of mammals.

What microscopic fossilized shells tell us about ancient climate change

University of Utah — Mon, 26 Aug 2024 16:05:52 EST

By analyzing foram shells recovered in drill cores, a study led by University of Utah geologists links rapid climate change that led to thermal maxima 50 million years ago to rising CO2 levels.

Research reveals the most complete dinosaur discovered in the UK in a Century

University of Portsmouth — Wed, 10 Jul 2024 11:05:06 EST

The most complete dinosaur discovered in this country in the last 100 years, with a pubic hip bone the size of a 'dinner plate', has been described in a new paper published today.

Life Underground Suited New Dinosaur Fine

North Carolina State University — Tue, 09 Jul 2024 09:05:17 EST

The age of dinosaurs wasn't conducted solely above ground. A newly discovered ancestor of Thescelosaurus shows evidence that these animals spent at least part of their time in underground burrows. The new species contributes to a fuller understanding of life during the mid-Cretaceous - both above and below ground.

Paul Sereno's Fossil Lab moves to Washington Park

University of Chicago Medical Center — Thu, 02 May 2024 11:05:54 EST

The 6,000 square foot facility will feature fossil preparation space, multipurpose areas for community programs, and tons of specimens collected from Sereno's worldwide expeditions.

Scientists CT scanned thousands of natural history specimens, which you can access for free

University of Florida — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 08:00:00 EST

3D reconstructions of thousands specimens are now available online.

Why two prehistoric sharks found in Ohio got new names

Ohio State University — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 09:30:03 EST

Until recently, Orthacanthus gracilis could have been considered the "John Smith" of prehistoric shark names, given how common it was. Three different species of sharks from the late Paleozoic Era - about 310 million years ago - were mistakenly given that same name, causing lots of grief to paleontologists who studied and wrote about the sharks through the years and had trouble keeping them apart.

Mystery solved: the oldest fossil reptile from the alps is an historical forgery

University College Cork — Fri, 16 Feb 2024 22:05:41 EST

A 280-million-year-old fossil that has baffled researchers for decades has been shown to be, in part, a forgery following new examination of the remnants.

New species of Jurassic pterosaur discovered on the Isle of Skye

University of Bristol — Mon, 05 Feb 2024 19:05:00 EST

A new species of pterosaur from specimens found on the Isle of Skye, Scotland, has been announced by scientists from the Natural History Museum, University of Bristol, University of Leicester, and University of Liverpool.

The Grave's Embrace: New research sheds light on Bronze Age family relationships

Johannes Gutenberg-Universitat Mainz — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 15:05:25 EST

Poignant prehistoric burials containing the remains of an adult and child laid in the grave as though embracing in death have long fascinated archaeologists.

Palaeontology: Small dinosaurs flapped their feathers to scare prey

Scientific Reports — Thu, 25 Jan 2024 15:05:04 EST

Small omnivorous and insectivorous dinosaurs may have flapped small, feathered primitive wings to scare prey out of hiding places, according to a study published in Scientific Reports.

Ecosystem from 3.4 billion years ago - New pieces discovered in the cradle of life puzzle

Linnaeus University — Tue, 23 Jan 2024 17:05:40 EST

A new research study unravels key findings about the earliest life forms on Earth. In rock samples from Barberton, Republic of South Africa, the researchers were able to find evidence of an unprecedented diverse biological carbon cycle, established at 3.42 billion years ago.

The megalodon was less mega than previously believed

University of California, Riverside — Mon, 22 Jan 2024 11:05:36 EST

A new study shows the Megalodon, a gigantic shark that went extinct 3.6 million years ago, was more slender than earlier studies suggested.

Bristol student discovers 200-million-year-old flying reptile in Somerset

University of Bristol — Mon, 22 Jan 2024 04:05:19 EST

Gliding winged-reptiles were amongst the ancient crocodile residents of the Mendip Hills in Somerset, researchers at the University of Bristol have revealed.

Better microelectronics from coal

University Of Illinois Grainger College Of Engineering — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 12:05:05 EST

Coal is an abundant resource in the United States that has, unfortunately, contributed to climate change through its use as a fossil fuel.

Researchers chronicle lifetime travels of a single woolly mammoth which wandered the north more than 14,000 years ago

McMaster University — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 14:00:00 EST

An international team of researchers from McMaster University, University of Alaska Fairbanks and the University of Ottawa has tracked and documented the movements and genetic connections of a female woolly mammoth that roamed the earth more than 14,000 years ago.

Africans discovered fossils first

University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg — Fri, 12 Jan 2024 22:05:24 EST

Credit for discovering the first dinosaur bones usually goes to British gentlemen for their finds between the 17th and 19th centuries in England.

Working with Big Data requires a lot of power! The latest research and features on Supercomputing

Newswise — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 15:05:27 EST

With the rise in machine learning applications and artificial intelligence, it's no wonder that more and more scientists and researchers are turning to supercomputers. Supercomputers are commonly used for making predictions with advanced modeling and simulations. This can be applied to climate research, weather forecasting, genomic sequencing, space exploration, aviation engineering and more.

It turns out, this fossil plant is really a fossil baby turtle

Field Museum — Thu, 07 Dec 2023 18:05:53 EST

From the 1950s to the 1970s, a Colombian priest named Padre Gustavo Huertas collected rocks and fossils near a town called Villa de Levya.

Molecular fossils shed light on ancient life

University of California, Davis — Thu, 07 Dec 2023 17:05:40 EST

Paleontologists are getting a glimpse at life over a billion years in the past based on chemical traces in ancient rocks and the genetics of living animals.