Articles for category: New Discoveries, News, Paleontology

Extinct fungus-growing ant, related to modern leafcutting ants, fossilized in Dominican Amber.

Jurassic Parasites: Amber Fossils Reveal the Dinosaur-Era Origins of Zombie-Ant Fungi

April Joy Jovita

A remarkable discovery from mid-Cretaceous amber has pushed back the evolutionary timeline of one of nature’s most bizarre parasitic relationships: the infamous “zombie-ant” fungi. Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences have identified fossilized fungi infecting insects in 99-million-year-old amber, offering the oldest direct evidence of entomopathogenic fungi manipulating their hosts. Fossilized Mind Control The ...

A salmon quite heavily peppered.

Lab-Grown Salmon Hits U.S. Menus Amid Political Pushback

April Joy Jovita

In a landmark moment for food innovation, Wildtype’s cultivated salmon has become the first lab-grown seafood approved for sale in the United States. Now available at a Portland, Oregon restaurant, this sushi-grade salmon is grown from fish cells in bioreactors—offering a sustainable alternative to traditional aquaculture. But while the product has cleared scientific and regulatory ...

Environmental Reconstruction of the East Kirkton Area Some 346-Million-Years-Ago

Scientists Just Unearthed 346-Million-Year-Old Fossils That Are Changing Everything We Thought About Evolution

Suhail Ahmed

A fossil hunter’s accidental discovery in a quiet Scottish quarry in 1984 has challenged our knowledge of one of evolution’s biggest leaps the moment life crawled from water onto land. Dubbed “Lizzie,” the small, lizard-like creature proved to be Westlothiana lizziae, a key species bridging the divide between fish and land animals. Now, ground-breaking studies ...

Molecular beam epitaxy system Veeco Gen II designed for the growth of monocrystalline semiconductors, semiconducting heterostructures, materials for spintronics

A New Form of Magnetism Could Revolutionize Spintronics  

April Joy Jovita

Physicists at MIT have observed a new form of magnesium that could pave the way for faster, more efficient spintronic memory devices. This breakthrough, termed p-wave magnetism, combines properties of both ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism, offering a novel approach to data storage and electronic applications. Understanding P-Wave Magnetism Traditional ferromagnets, like fridge magnets, exhibit uniform spin ...

An open pink rose

The Secret Geometry Behind Rose Petals

April Joy Jovita

Physicists have uncovered the mechanical forces that shape the iconic structure of rose petals, revealing how geometric frustration influences their curling patterns. This discovery provides insights into the physics of natural growth and could inspire new developments in shape-morphing materials. Understanding Geometric Frustration Unlike most flowers, which exhibit wavy or smooth petal edges, roses develop ...

Alicella gigantea (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Alicellidae)

Rare Giant Shrimp Found to Be More Widespread Than Previously Thought

April Joy Jovita

A recent study has revealed that Alicella gigantea, a rarely sighted giant amphipod, is far more widespread than previously believed. Researchers from the University of Western Australia compiled data from multiple expeditions and genetic analyses, demonstrating that this deep-sea crustacean inhabits more than half of the world’s oceans. These findings challenge prior assumptions about the ...

Recent Study Reveals Chimpanzees Communicate Just Like Humans

Recent Study Reveals Chimpanzees Communicate Just Like Humans

Linnea H, BSc Sociology

Chimpanzees’ communication methods have captivated researchers for years. A recent study analyzing thousands of gestures made by wild chimps in East Africa has revealed striking similarities to human conversational patterns. The findings suggest that these similarities may be rooted in our shared evolutionary past or developed independently due to the advantages they provide. Rapid Turn-Taking ...

Gnatalie 's long neck

World’s First Green Boned Dinosaur Unveiled at The Natural History Museum in Los Angeles

Alana Theron, BSc in Biodiversity and Ecology

Whether a dinosaur enthusiast or a curious mind, the Natural History Museum in Los Angeles is about to showcase an extraordinary exhibit that will captivate both. “Gnatalie,” a giant dinosaur skeleton characterized by her size and unusually green bones, was found in Bluff, Utah in 2007. This 150-million-year-old specimen may even be a whole new ...

Goffin's cockatoo

Genius Parrots: How Tool-Savvy Cockatoos Are Redefining Bird Intelligence

April Joy Jovita

Goffin’s cockatoos, small parrots from Indonesia, are small but incredibly intelligent parrots. Known for problem-solving abilities, these birds have captivated researchers with their ingenuity. A recent study uncovered their ability to creatively use tools—showcasing their advanced understanding of how objects can be manipulated to achieve a goal. Smart Birds with a Plan Goffin’s cockatoos continue ...