Paleontology ‘a hotbed of unethical practices rooted in colonialism’, say scientists
The study of fossils and prehistoric species is exploitative of local communities, says international teamThe public image of palaeontologists as dusty, but rather affable academics, could be due an update. The study of ancient life is a hotbed of unethical and inequitable scientific practices rooted in colonialism, which strip poorer countries of their fossil heritage, and devalue the contributions of local researchers, scientists say.Writing in the journalRoyal Society Open Science, an international team of palaeontologists argue that there has been a steady drain of plesiosaurs, pterosaurs, prehistoric spiders, and othe...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - March 2, 2022 Category: Science Authors: Linda Geddes Science correspondent Tags: UK news Dinosaurs Evolution Fossils Science Colonialism World news Zoology Source Type: news
Tyrannosaurus rex may have been three species, scientists say
Experts say there is enough variation in samples to argue there was also a Tyrannosaurus imperator and a reginaWith its immense size, dagger-like teeth and sharp claws, Tyrannosaurus rex was a fearsome predator that once terrorised North America. Now researchers studying its fossils have suggested the beast may not have been the only tyrannosaurus species.Experts studying remains thought to belong to T rex have suggested their variation shows evidence of not one species but three.Continue reading... (Source: Guardian Unlimited Science)
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - March 1, 2022 Category: Science Authors: Nicola Davis Science correspondent Tags: Dinosaurs Evolution Fossils Science Biology Zoology UK news US news World news Source Type: news
A Decade of Success - ‘Creative Mind’ Traveling Exhibit Spotlights Prominent Black Scientists and Researchers
“The Creative Mind” has spent the last decade bringing heightened visibility to the contributions and stories of trailblazing African Americans in science, engineering, and medicine — such as mathematical engineer Christine Darden, astronaut Mae Jemison, zoologist Shirley Malcom, and many others. (Source: News from the National Academies)
Source: News from the National Academies - February 23, 2022 Category: Science Source Type: news
The week in wildlife – in pictures
The best of this week ’s wildlife pictures, including a two-day-old baby elephant, an invasive toad species and a bamboo sharkContinue reading... (Source: Guardian Unlimited Science)
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - December 10, 2021 Category: Science Authors: Arnel Hecimovic Tags: Wildlife Environment Animals Zoology Photography Biology Science World news Source Type: news
Fossil remains of herd of 11 dinosaurs discovered in Italy
Exceptional find includes biggest and most complete dinosaur skeleton ever unearthed in the countryA treasure trove of fossils of a herd of 11 dinosaurs has been identified for the first time in Italy, including the biggest and most complete dinosaur skeleton ever found in the country.Although isolateddinosaur remains have been discovered in Italy since the 1990s, palaeontologists have now identified an entire group at Villaggio del Pescatore, a former limestone quarry close to the north-eastern port city of Trieste.Continue reading... (Source: Guardian Unlimited Science)
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - December 2, 2021 Category: Science Authors: Angela Giuffrida in Rome Tags: Dinosaurs Fossils Italy Palaeontology Zoology Evolution Biology Science Europe World news Source Type: news
Nobel-winning stock market theory used to help save coral reefs
Portfolio selection rules on evaluating risk used to pick 50 reefs as ‘arks’ best able to survive climate crisis and revive coral elsewhereA Nobel prize-winning economic theory used by investors is showing early signs of helping save threatened coral reefs, scientists say.Researchers at Australia ’s University of Queensland usedmodern portfolio theory (MPT), a mathematical framework developed by the economist Harry Markowitz in the 1950s to help risk-averse investors maximise returns, to identify the 50 reefs or coral sanctuaries around the world that are most likely to survive the climate crisis and be able to repop...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - November 28, 2021 Category: Science Authors: Karen McVeigh Tags: Coral Environment Conservation Oceans Science Zoology Biology Marine life Wildlife Source Type: news
How widespread is Covid in animals and what are the risks to humans?
Zoologists fear wildlife may become reservoir of infection that could be transmitted to people (Source: FT.com - Drugs and Healthcare)
Source: FT.com - Drugs and Healthcare - November 18, 2021 Category: Pharmaceuticals Source Type: news
Sharks spotted in famous river that runs through London
“Flowing through one of the world’s greatest cities, the Tidal Thames is home to myriad wildlife as diverse as London itself,” the Zoological Society of London’s director of conservation and... (Source: Reuters: Health)
Source: Reuters: Health - November 11, 2021 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
Blue Whales and Broken Hearts: A Zoologist's Take on the Heart Blue Whales and Broken Hearts: A Zoologist's Take on the Heart
This Q&A with American Museum of Natural History zoologist Bill Schutt about his latest book,"Pump: A Natural History of the Heart," begins with the largest heart in the animal kingdom.Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Transplantation Headlines)
Source: Medscape Transplantation Headlines - November 8, 2021 Category: Transplant Surgery Tags: Cardiology News Source Type: news
Largest triceratops ever unearthed sold for €6.6m at Paris auction
US collector ‘falls in love’ with 8-metre-long dinosaur found in South Dakota and reassembled in ItalyAn 8-metre-long dinosaur skeleton has sold at auction for €6.6m (about £5.5m), more than four times its expected value, to a private collector in the US said to have fallen in love with the largest triceratops ever unearthed.The 66m-year-old skeleton,affectionately known as Big John, is 60% complete, and was unearthed in South Dakota, in the US, in 2014 and put together by specialists in Italy.Continue reading... (Source: Guardian Unlimited Science)
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - October 21, 2021 Category: Science Authors: Agence France-Presse in Paris Tags: Dinosaurs Fossils Zoology Science Paris World news US news Source Type: news
Scientists discover Welsh ‘dragon’ dinosaur – the size of a chicken
Pendraig milnerae was related to T rex and likely to have been apex predator despite its size, say expertsA dinosaur distantly related to Tyrannosaurus rex – but with a body the size of a chicken – that would probably have ruled the roost about 200m years ago has been discovered.The diminutive but fearsome creature, whose fossilised remains were found in a quarry in south Wales, is the oldest theropod – a group that includes T rex and modern birds – found in the UK.Continue reading... (Source: Guardian Unlimited Science)
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - October 6, 2021 Category: Science Authors: Steven Morris Tags: Dinosaurs Evolution Biology Fossils Science Zoology Palaeontology Natural History Museum Wales Culture UK news Museums Source Type: news
Fossilised ‘hell heron’ dinosaur unearthed on Isle of Wight
Discovery along with another species enhances island ’s reputation as Europe’s best place to find dinosaursThe fossilised remains of a dinosaur, nicknamed “the horned crocodile-faced hell heron”, have been unearthed on the Isle of Wight.The 125m-year-old predator had a 9 metre-long body, powerful claws, a gigantic skull covered in horns and bumps, and long crocodile-like teeth. The fearsome creature lived on the fringes of ancient floodplains where it would have lain in wait for aquatic prey, research suggests.Continue reading... (Source: Guardian Unlimited Science)
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - September 29, 2021 Category: Science Authors: Hannah Devlin Tags: Dinosaurs Evolution Fossils Science UK news Zoology Animals Archaeology World news Biology Source Type: news
Quentin Bone obituary
My friend Quentin Bone, who has died aged 89, was an outstanding marine zoologist whose publications on how fish swim made him a leader in this field while still in his 30s.His 1966 paper comparing and contrasting details of fine structure, innervation and performance of the two very different sorts of muscle that drive a fish through water, became a citation classic. His jointly authored Biology of Fishes (1982) is now in its third edition.Born in Hampstead, north London, Quentin was the eldest child of the muralistMary Adshead and painterStephen Bone, art critic for the Manchester Guardian in the 1950s, and grandson of t...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - September 27, 2021 Category: Science Authors: Andrew Packard Tags: Zoology Marine life Biology University of Oxford Higher education Plymouth Source Type: news
Two-legged dinosaurs may have swung tails to run faster, say scientists
A computer simulation could help us better understand the evolution of movement in animalsTwo-legged dinosaurs may have swung their tails as they crashed through the undergrowth – just like humans swing their arms – according to scientists who have modelled their movements in 3D at Harvard University.Until now, it was widely believed that bipedal (two-legged) dinosaurs grew long tails to counterbalance the weight of their heads, and the tail was merely a rigid extension of the pelvis. But it is now thought that swinging their tails reduced the muscular effort required to propel themselves forwards, meaning they could r...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - September 22, 2021 Category: Science Authors: Linda Geddes Tags: Dinosaurs Evolution Zoology Fossils Biology Science Harvard University Source Type: news
River of life: zoo ’s yearly count finds seals thriving on Thames
Hundreds of dozing seals show how much cleaner the river is since it was declared dead in the 1950s“This is a sushi conveyor belt,” says the boat’s skipper, Stuart Barnes, as we watch the customers, dozens of harbour seals slumbering on sandbanks at the mouth of the Thames estuary, a 15-minute ride from Ramsgate marina.August is moulting season, when seals shed their coats and grow new ones, spending much of their day on the sandbanks as a result. This makes it a good time for scientists to count them, with the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) running its three-day annual seal survey, using boats and a specially ch...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - September 5, 2021 Category: Science Authors: Phoebe Weston Tags: Marine life Wildlife Rivers Environment London UK news Pollution Fish Zoology Biology Biodiversity Conservation Science The Thames Source Type: news
