A recent discovery sheds light on the eating habits of ancient sea monsters. Analysis of fossilized vomit from a plesiosaur, a massive marine creature, found in North Sea sediments, provides insights into their behavior and diet. Researchers, led by geologist Dirk Knaust from Equinor, uncovered new information about these Jurassic predators. The study, published in Geological Magazine, reveals how these sea monsters ingested shellfish, causing them to regurgitate on shore.
Jonathan, a 194-year-old Aldabra giant tortoise, holds the Guinness World Record as the oldest land animal. A study delved into Jonathan’s genome to understand his longevity secrets. Dr. Stephen Clark, a neuro-oncologist from the longevity nonprofit Kallel, led the research. They discovered that Jonathan’s gene regulation resembles that of much younger tortoises, indicating potential keys to his remarkable lifespan. The findings were published in Science Advances.
In a groundbreaking development, nuclear clocks have been created, offering unparalleled timekeeping precision. Unlike atomic clocks, these nuclear clocks excite neutrons in an atom’s nucleus for time measurement. This innovation, reported by two scientific teams, opens doors for applications in various fields, from GPS satellites to dark matter research. Thorsten Schumm from the Vienna University of Technology published the research in Nature.
With wildfires becoming more severe, the costs are escalating. A study from Simon Fraser University warns that climate change-driven wildfires in Canada could cost over $2 trillion by the century’s end. Pyrogeographer Crystal Kolden, now at the University of British Columbia-Okanagan, suggests nature-based solutions to mitigate the growing threat of wildfires encroaching on communities. Kolden’s expertise in wildfire resilience aims to address this urgent challenge.