A massive new dinosaur discovered in Thailand is rewriting Southeast Asia’s prehistoric history. The newly named Nagatitan chaiyaphumensis was a colossal long-necked sauropod that weighed around 27 tonnes and lived more than 100 million years ago. Scientists believe it may be the last giant sauropod ever to roam the region...
A grad student’s wild idea sparks a major aging breakthrough
A casual conversation between graduate students helped spark a breakthrough in aging research at Mayo Clinic. Researchers discovered that tiny synthetic DNA molecules called aptamers can selectively attach to senescent “zombie cells,” which are linked to aging, cancer, and neurodegenerative disease. The method could eventually help scientists identify and target...
Paleontology rocked by discovery of organic molecules in 66-million-year-old dinosaur bones
Scientists have uncovered compelling evidence that dinosaur fossils may still contain traces of their original proteins, overturning a long-standing belief that fossilization destroys all organic material. In a remarkably well-preserved Edmontosaurus fossil from South Dakota, researchers detected remnants of collagen — the main protein found in bone — using advanced...
Who are the Japanese? Huge DNA discovery rewrites history
Scientists analyzing the genomes of thousands of people across Japan discovered evidence for a previously overlooked third ancestral group, challenging the long-accepted “dual origins” theory. The newly identified ancestry appears linked to the ancient Emishi people of northeastern Japan. Researchers also uncovered inherited Neanderthal and Denisovan DNA connected to conditions...
Study Finds Wetter Storms Mean Drier Conditions Over Time
A Dartmouth study shows that annual rainfall in much of the world has consolidated over the past four decades into heavier storms with longer dry periods in between.
Protected Area Managers Across Europe are Adapting to Climate Change
New research shows how climate change is reshaping protected area management, though more funding and scientific knowledge are needed to facilitate the process.
Combined Short-Term Effects of Air Pollutants Linked to 146,500 Premature Deaths per Year in Europe
Fine particles (PM₂.₅) were associated with around 79,000 preventable deaths, followed by nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), ozone (O₃) and coarser particles (PM₂.₅-₁₀, particles with a diameter between 2.5 and 10 micrometres).
A rare cancer-fighting plant compound has been decoded
Scientists at UBC Okanagan have uncovered how plants produce mitraphylline, a rare natural compound with promising anti cancer potential. The team identified two enzymes that work together to build the molecule’s unusual twisted structure, solving a mystery that had puzzled researchers for years. Because mitraphylline appears only in tiny amounts...
UC Irvine Team Identifies Where Renewable Hydrogen Delivers the Greatest Social Benefit
Renewable electrolytic hydrogen produced by using electricity drawn from wind and solar sources delivers its greatest societal value when applied to steelmaking, transoceanic shipping and long-haul heavy-duty trucking, according to University of California, Irvine researchers.
For Most US Drivers, EVs Offer Emissions Benefits and Cost Savings
Despite regional variability in climate, electricity sources, congestion, and the wide variation in individual driving patterns, electric vehicles generate less greenhouse gas emissions and do not cost more than comparable gas-powered vehicles for drivers and vehicle fleet owners in most parts of the United States, according to a new study...