Paleo in the News

How mammals got their stride

Science Daily - Fossils - Fri, 10/25/2024 - 13:16
Researchers reveal new insights into the complex evolutionary history behind the distinctive upright posture of modern placental and marsupial mammals, showing the transition was surprisingly complex and nonlinear, and occurred much later than previously believed.
Categories: Fossils

'Well-man' thrown from castle identified from 800-year-old Norse saga

Science Daily - Fossils - Fri, 10/25/2024 - 11:23
A passage in the Norse Sverris Saga, the 800-year-old story of King Sverre Sigurdsson, describes a military raid that occurred in AD 1197, during which a body was thrown into a well at Sverresborg Castle, outside Trondheim in central Norway, likely as an attempt to poison the main water source for the local inhabitants. A new study describes how researchers used ancient DNA to corroborate the events of the saga and discover details about the 'Well-man,' blending history and archaeology with science and setting a precedent for future research on historical figures.
Categories: Fossils

Your gut bacteria are at war - and force their enemies to switch sides

New Scientist - Thu, 10/24/2024 - 14:00
Rival tribes of bacteria armed with poison darts are fighting it out in your gut, with armies of traitors often winning the day
Categories: Fossils

TRILOBITE EXPERT AND RETIRED HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER SELECTED AS 2024 ALF AWARD RECIPIENT

R. M. Alf Museum of Paleontology - Thu, 10/24/2024 - 11:36

Dr. Frederick A. Sundberg, a paleontologist and retired high school science teacher from Arizona, was selected as the 2024 Raymond M. Alf Award for Excellence in Paleontological Research and Education. The award honors a paleontologist who demonstrates exceptional achievement both in original scientific research, as well as in education and outreach at the primary and secondary school (K-12) levels.

A lifelong fossil lover, Dr. Sundberg began collecting fossils in the 4th grade, which ignited a passion for studying trilobites. This passion eventually led to him studying geology at California State University, Fullerton. A class trip to the Alf Museum, which happened to be his first visit to the museum a little over 50 years ago, had a “significant impression” on him.

Dr. Sundberg continued his studies of trilobites through his Masters and PhD working at fossil sites in California, Utah, and Nevada. After receiving his PhD, he eventually found a position teaching high school science in Arizona, which began his long, celebrated career providing students with first-hand research experience.

“I could not find a job that allowed me to focus on paleontology like I hoped,” Dr. Sundberg recounted in his acceptance speech. “I had to refocus my hopes and dreams, so I started teaching!” Not only did he involve his high school students in a variety of research projects and scientific opportunities outside the classroom, but he also published more than 28 peer reviewed scientific papers during this stretch (with a career total of more than 75).

Throughout his tenure, he also established international collaborations with students in China and Mexico, leading to multiple international collaborative studies. Dr. Sundberg’s expertise and contributions to our understanding of trilobites are well-renowned in the field of invertebrate paleontology and are only exceeded by his passion and dedication to training future generations of paleontologists.

Dr. Frederick Sunberg with students and colleagues in Sonora, Mexico. Photo courtesy of Dr. Sundberg.

“Dr. Sundberg shows the creativity and expertise represented by the Alf Award. It is inspirational to learn how he has made such an impact on the study of trilobites, in addition to his impact on students in his local community and around the world,” said Alf Museum director Dr. Andy Farke.

Dr. Sundberg was recognized at this year’s Annual Peccary Society Dinner on October 18. Click here to watch his acceptance speech online.

Categories: Fossils

Fossils unveil how southern Europe's ecosystem changed through Glacial-Interglacial Stages

Science Daily - Paleontology - Wed, 10/23/2024 - 13:18
Fossils from more than 600,000 years ago reveal how Southern Europe's animal community shifted between warm and cold climate fluctuations, according to a new study.
Categories: Fossils

Fossils unveil how southern Europe's ecosystem changed through Glacial-Interglacial Stages

Science Daily - Fossils - Wed, 10/23/2024 - 13:18
Fossils from more than 600,000 years ago reveal how Southern Europe's animal community shifted between warm and cold climate fluctuations, according to a new study.
Categories: Fossils

'Paleo-robots' to help scientists understand how fish started to walk on land

Science Daily - Paleontology - Wed, 10/23/2024 - 13:18
The transition from water to land is one of the most significant events in the history of life on Earth. Now, a team of roboticists, palaeontologists and biologists is using robots to study how the ancestors of modern land animals transitioned from swimming to walking, about 390 million years ago.
Categories: Fossils

'Paleo-robots' to help scientists understand how fish started to walk on land

Science Daily - Fossils - Wed, 10/23/2024 - 13:18
The transition from water to land is one of the most significant events in the history of life on Earth. Now, a team of roboticists, palaeontologists and biologists is using robots to study how the ancestors of modern land animals transitioned from swimming to walking, about 390 million years ago.
Categories: Fossils

Paleontologists discover Colorado 'swamp dweller' that lived alongside dinosaurs

Science Daily - Paleontology - Wed, 10/23/2024 - 13:17
The new mammal lived in Colorado 70 to 75 million years ago -- a time when a vast inland sea covered large portions of the state, and animals like sharks, turtles and giant crocodiles abounded.
Categories: Fossils

Paleontologists discover Colorado 'swamp dweller' that lived alongside dinosaurs

Science Daily - Dinosaurs - Wed, 10/23/2024 - 13:17
The new mammal lived in Colorado 70 to 75 million years ago -- a time when a vast inland sea covered large portions of the state, and animals like sharks, turtles and giant crocodiles abounded.
Categories: Fossils

Paleontologists discover Colorado 'swamp dweller' that lived alongside dinosaurs

Science Daily - Fossils - Wed, 10/23/2024 - 13:17
The new mammal lived in Colorado 70 to 75 million years ago -- a time when a vast inland sea covered large portions of the state, and animals like sharks, turtles and giant crocodiles abounded.
Categories: Fossils

Why a potted plant isn't the easiest option for would-be gardeners

New Scientist - Wed, 10/23/2024 - 13:00
For nervous newbie gardeners, starting out with a single plant in a small pot is pitched as an easy win by the horticultural industry. James Wong explains why it isn't
Categories: Fossils

New Scientist recommends documentary Hunt for the Oldest DNA

New Scientist - Wed, 10/23/2024 - 13:00
The books, TV, games and more that New Scientist staff have enjoyed this week
Categories: Fossils

Symbiosis in ancient Corals

Science Daily - Paleontology - Wed, 10/23/2024 - 12:07
A research team has used nitrogen isotope analysis to demonstrate that 385 million years old corals from the Eifel and Sauerland regions had symbionts. This finding represents the earliest evidence of photosymbiosis in corals. Photosymbiosis might explain why ancient coral reefs grew to massive sizes despite being in nutrient-poor environments.
Categories: Fossils

Symbiosis in ancient Corals

Science Daily - Fossils - Wed, 10/23/2024 - 12:07
A research team has used nitrogen isotope analysis to demonstrate that 385 million years old corals from the Eifel and Sauerland regions had symbionts. This finding represents the earliest evidence of photosymbiosis in corals. Photosymbiosis might explain why ancient coral reefs grew to massive sizes despite being in nutrient-poor environments.
Categories: Fossils

'Drowning continent': Western Australian coastline's complex history

Science Daily - Paleontology - Tue, 10/22/2024 - 12:30
A study investigating the complex evolution of two iconic Western Australian landmarks, has traced their transformation over thousands of years and offers a glimpse into their future. Researchers collected sedimentary samples from multiple locations along Perth's coastline, waterways and even the sea floor to track changes which occurred as the ocean levels rose dozens of meters over thousands of years.
Categories: Fossils

Morphing red blood cells help bats hibernate - and we could do it too

New Scientist - Tue, 10/22/2024 - 09:00
Animals that hibernate need a way to keep their blood flowing as their body temperature drops, and it seems that the mechanical properties of red blood cells may be key
Categories: Fossils

What happened when a meteorite the size of four Mount Everests hit Earth?

Science Daily - Paleontology - Mon, 10/21/2024 - 16:04
Scientists paint a compelling picture of what happened the day the S2 meteorite crashed into Earth 3.26 billion years ago.
Categories: Fossils

Hornets can hold their alcohol like no other animal on Earth

New Scientist - Mon, 10/21/2024 - 15:00
The oriental hornet shows no ill effects – or behavioural changes – when it spends a week drinking an 80 per cent alcohol solution
Categories: Fossils

Preserved tracks suggest non-avian dinosaurs used their wings to run

New Scientist - Mon, 10/21/2024 - 14:00
Not all winged dinosaurs were necessarily capable of full flight, but this anatomical feature may have enabled them to travel further by flapping or gliding
Categories: Fossils

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