Paleo in the News

Denisovans, a mysterious human relative, left behind far more than a handful of fossils—they left genetic fingerprints in modern humans across the globe. Multiple interbreeding events with distinct Denisovan populations helped shape traits like high-altitude survival in Tibetans, cold-weather adaptation in Inuits, and enhanced immunity. Their influence spanned from Siberia to South America, and scientists are now uncovering how these genetic gifts transformed human evolution, even with such limited physical remains.

The hypothesis could extend the search for extraterrestrial life to include frigid planets with thin atmospheres and underground water.

A groundbreaking fossil discovery in the Grand Canyon has unveiled exquisitely preserved soft-bodied animals from the Cambrian period, offering an unprecedented glimpse into early life more than 500 million years ago. Researchers uncovered molluscs, crustaceans, and exotic worms with remarkable feeding adaptations, preserved in a nutrient-rich “Goldilocks zone” that fueled evolutionary experimentation. The find not only reveals the complexity of Cambrian ecosystems but also draws intriguing parallels between ancient biological innovation and modern economic risk-taking.

A groundbreaking fossil discovery in the Grand Canyon has unveiled exquisitely preserved soft-bodied animals from the Cambrian period, offering an unprecedented glimpse into early life more than 500 million years ago. Researchers uncovered molluscs, crustaceans, and exotic worms with remarkable feeding adaptations, preserved in a nutrient-rich “Goldilocks zone” that fueled evolutionary experimentation. The find not only reveals the complexity of Cambrian ecosystems but also draws intriguing parallels between ancient biological innovation and modern economic risk-taking.

A groundbreaking fossil discovery in the Grand Canyon has unveiled exquisitely preserved soft-bodied animals from the Cambrian period, offering an unprecedented glimpse into early life more than 500 million years ago. Researchers uncovered molluscs, crustaceans, and exotic worms with remarkable feeding adaptations, preserved in a nutrient-rich “Goldilocks zone” that fueled evolutionary experimentation. The find not only reveals the complexity of Cambrian ecosystems but also draws intriguing parallels between ancient biological innovation and modern economic risk-taking.

A warming climate is behind growing floods of glacier meltwater in Alaska’s capital. Scientists say it’s the new normal.

As part of the exhibition Thirst: In Search of Freshwater, photographer M'hammed Kilito's images showcase the importance and fragility of humanity's relationship with fresh water

Analysis of the hair used in a knotted device reveals the owner’s simple diet. That suggests commoners, not just the elite, kept records in Inca society.

Sun-powered fliers could use photophoretic forces to hover in the mesosphere, gathering data from a region off limits to planes and balloons.

An extraordinary fossil find along Victoria’s Surf Coast has revealed Janjucetus dullardi, a sharp-toothed, dolphin-sized predator that lived 26 million years ago. With large eyes, slicing teeth, and exceptional ear bone preservation, this early cousin of modern baleen whales offers unprecedented insight into their evolution.

An extraordinary fossil find along Victoria’s Surf Coast has revealed Janjucetus dullardi, a sharp-toothed, dolphin-sized predator that lived 26 million years ago. With large eyes, slicing teeth, and exceptional ear bone preservation, this early cousin of modern baleen whales offers unprecedented insight into their evolution.

An extraordinary fossil find along Victoria’s Surf Coast has revealed Janjucetus dullardi, a sharp-toothed, dolphin-sized predator that lived 26 million years ago. With large eyes, slicing teeth, and exceptional ear bone preservation, this early cousin of modern baleen whales offers unprecedented insight into their evolution.

In the lab, higher temperatures during fall migration led monarchs to break their reproductive pause, increasing their risk of death.

Typically, individuals work less effectively in bigger teams, but weaver ants buck this trend by increasing their power output when they pull together

Women face a small rise in fracture risk within 10 years of stopping therapy, suggesting the need for additional monitoring.

Found in Splenda, sucralose reduces immunotherapy efficacy via its effects on the gut microbiome, but arginine supplements might counter the outcome.

Sea silk, once spun from endangered clams, may make a comeback — thanks to discarded fibers from a farmed species. The find could sustainably revive a fading art.

The enamel in fossilized teeth reveals some dinosaurs preferred to eat particular parts of plants.

Over 300 million years ago, Illinois teemed with life in tropical swamps and seas, now preserved at the famous Mazon Creek fossil site. Researchers from the University of Missouri and geologist Gordon Baird have reexamined a vast fossil collection, uncovering three distinct ancient environments—freshwater, transitional marine, and offshore—each with unique animal life. Their findings, enhanced by advanced imaging and data analysis, reveal how sea-level changes, sediment conditions, and microbial activity shaped fossil formation.

Over 300 million years ago, Illinois teemed with life in tropical swamps and seas, now preserved at the famous Mazon Creek fossil site. Researchers from the University of Missouri and geologist Gordon Baird have reexamined a vast fossil collection, uncovering three distinct ancient environments—freshwater, transitional marine, and offshore—each with unique animal life. Their findings, enhanced by advanced imaging and data analysis, reveal how sea-level changes, sediment conditions, and microbial activity shaped fossil formation.