Paleo in the News

For the first time, video footage has captured orcas in the Gulf of California hunting young great white sharks, using a trick to flip them over, paralise them and get at their energy-rich livers

The debate over Nanotyrannus’ identity is finally over. A remarkably preserved fossil proves it was a mature species, not a teenage T. rex. This discovery rewrites how scientists understand tyrannosaur evolution and Cretaceous predator diversity. For the first time, T. rex must share its throne with a smaller, faster rival.

The debate over Nanotyrannus’ identity is finally over. A remarkably preserved fossil proves it was a mature species, not a teenage T. rex. This discovery rewrites how scientists understand tyrannosaur evolution and Cretaceous predator diversity. For the first time, T. rex must share its throne with a smaller, faster rival.

The debate over Nanotyrannus’ identity is finally over. A remarkably preserved fossil proves it was a mature species, not a teenage T. rex. This discovery rewrites how scientists understand tyrannosaur evolution and Cretaceous predator diversity. For the first time, T. rex must share its throne with a smaller, faster rival.

For decades, Paranthropus robustus has intrigued scientists as a powerful, big-jawed cousin of early humans. Now, thanks to ancient protein analysis, researchers have cracked open new secrets hidden in 2-million-year-old tooth enamel. These proteins revealed both sex and subtle genetic differences among fossils, suggesting Paranthropus might not have been one species but a more complex evolutionary mix.

For decades, Paranthropus robustus has intrigued scientists as a powerful, big-jawed cousin of early humans. Now, thanks to ancient protein analysis, researchers have cracked open new secrets hidden in 2-million-year-old tooth enamel. These proteins revealed both sex and subtle genetic differences among fossils, suggesting Paranthropus might not have been one species but a more complex evolutionary mix.

An AI tool trained on chemical signatures from corpse-eating insects may help determine time and place of death for victims of violent crimes.

Researchers have uncovered dozens of long-misidentified coelacanth fossils in British museums, some overlooked for more than a century. The study reveals that these ancient “living fossils” thrived in tropical seas during the Triassic Period, around 200 million years ago. By re-examining mislabeled bones and using X-ray scans, scientists discovered a once-flourishing community of coelacanths that hunted smaller marine reptiles.

Researchers have uncovered dozens of long-misidentified coelacanth fossils in British museums, some overlooked for more than a century. The study reveals that these ancient “living fossils” thrived in tropical seas during the Triassic Period, around 200 million years ago. By re-examining mislabeled bones and using X-ray scans, scientists discovered a once-flourishing community of coelacanths that hunted smaller marine reptiles.

Cancer patients who got an mRNA COVID vaccine within a few months of their immunotherapy lived longer than those who did not, health records show.

A new Nanotyrannus fossil suggests the diminutive dino lived alongside T. rex in the late Cretaceous Period

Palaeontologists have argued for decades over whether certain fossils are young Tyrannosaurus rex or another species entirely – now they have strong evidence that the diminutive Nanotyrannus really existed

A type of Japanese dogsbane releases a scent identical to wounded ants’ distress signal, drawing in scavenging flies that unwittingly pollinate it.

Photographer Tim Flach's new book Feline explores the mysterious and irresistible world of cats, from the domesticated to the wild, and why we love them

In Ed Sayers's breathtaking documentary, a global community of film-makers capture the wildlife in their local areas. It's a bold departure from the glossy perspective of traditional nature documentaries, says Simon Ings

Tests on olivine hint that water-rich exoplanets could generate H2O internally, possibly explaining ocean worlds and even some of Earth’s early water.

UCL scientists found that human skulls evolved much faster than those of other apes, reflecting the powerful forces driving our brain growth and facial flattening. By comparing 3D models of ape skulls, they showed that humans changed about twice as much as expected. The findings suggest that both cognitive and social factors, not just intelligence, influenced our evolutionary path.

Theoretical physicist Alex Lupsasca is pushing for a space telescope to glimpse the thin ring of light that is thought to surround every black hole.

Scientists found thousands of patterned fish nests in Antarctica’s Weddell Sea, boosting calls for marine protected areas.

The Alf Museum is proud to announce this year’s recipient of the Raymond M. Alf Award for Excellence in Paleontological Research and Education, Dr. Bruce MacFadden. The award, given annually, 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.

Dr. MacFadden is a Distinguished Professor Emeritus from the University of Florida. He is renowned for his research studying fossil mammals, particularly the evolution of horses, and has researched a range of topics from studying ancient climates to using machine learning to identify shark teeth. His work has taken him across the Americas from Barstow, a field site in the Mojave Desert also long studied by the Alf Museum, to sites in Bolivia and Panama. Dr. MacFadden has more than 200 scientific publications and is the author of two books: Fossil Horses and Broader Impacts of Science on Society.

In addition to his paleontological research, Dr. MacFadden also has a respected career as an educator and education researcher. He has over 15 years of experience working to understand how people learn in museums and how scientists and teachers can better collaborate to teach K-12 students. Involving educators with actual scientific research and field work has been a passion of Dr. MacFadden’s. In 2015, he was visiting scientist in Santa Cruz County schools, where he collaborated with science educators to develop lesson plans for elementary schools that focused on local fossils. He has also developed many opportunities for K-12 educators to participate in paleontological field work and research in places like Florida and Panama. Leading a team of teachers, students, and avocational paleontologists, Dr. MacFadden established The FOSSIL Project, an online community for fossil enthusiasts and professionals to connect about fossils and education.

Through his long career, Dr. Bruce MacFadden has established himself as a leader in the paleontological community and continues to push innovation in both research and education to better connect the two. He has served as president for both the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology and the Paleontological Society and has been recognized with multiple awards and fellowships. The Raymond M. Alf Museum of Paleontology is proud to celebrate Dr. MacFadden’s many achievements with this year’s Alf Award.