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University of Alberta Researchers Discover Evidence of Raptor Scavenging on Albertosaurus

University of Alberta Researchers Discover Evidence of Raptor Scavenging on Albertosaurus

Researchers at the University of Alberta have uncovered what may be the first evidence of a smaller raptor feeding on a much larger tyrannosaur. The discovery centers on unusual bite marks found on the jawbone of an Albertosaurus, an apex predator related to Tyrannosaurus rex, which lived approximately 70 million years ago in what is now Alberta. The Albertosaurus specimen, consisting of scattered skull fragments, was found north of Drumheller in Alberta's badlands in 2022. Technicians at the Royal Tyrrell Museum initially discovered suspected tooth marks, leading to further analysis at the University of Alberta. A study by U of A paleontology master's student Joshua Doyon suggests the most likely explanation is that an eight-year-old Albertosaurus died of unknown causes and was scavenged shortly afterward by a dromaeosaurid, or raptor. The bite marks showed no signs of healing, indicating they were made around the time of death or shortly thereafter, consistent with feeding or scavenging. While cannibalis...

Tyrannosaurus Rex Named by American Museum of Natural History President in 1905

Tyrannosaurus Rex Named by American Museum of Natural History President in 1905

In 1905, Henry Fairfield Osborn, who was then the president of the American Museum of Natural History, officially named the Tyrannosaurus rex. This significant event marked the formal recognition and naming of one of the largest carnivorous dinosaurs known to science. The Tyrannosaurus rex is widely recognized for its immense size and predatory nature, capable of posing threats to both people and livestock, as highlighted by its classification as a large carnivorous dinosaur. Its naming by a prominent figure from a leading American institution underscores the scientific importance and public fascination with this prehistoric creature.

T. rex Maintained Human-Like Body Temperature, New Research Reveals

T. rex Maintained Human-Like Body Temperature, New Research Reveals

New research, based on the analysis of fossil tooth enamel, indicates that the Tyrannosaurus rex maintained a body temperature of approximately 97 degrees Fahrenheit (36 degrees Celsius), similar to that of humans. This finding challenges previous assumptions about the metabolic rates of large carnivorous dinosaurs. Scientists used a technique called clumped isotope thermometry, which measures rare forms of carbon and oxygen in enamel, to determine the temperature at which the mineral formed, reflecting the animal's body temperature. The study, published in the journal Science Advances, analyzed three T. rex teeth from the Hell Creek Formation in Montana, two from an individual named Thomas and one from another animal. The average temperature across these samples was 97.3 degrees Fahrenheit (36.3 degrees Celsius). For comparison, five crocodilian teeth from the same region showed an average temperature of 87.6 degrees Fahrenheit (30.9 degrees Celsius), confirming that the T. rex maintained a significantly ...

Tuzoia Arthropod's Soft Tissues Revealed in New Cambrian Fossil Discoveries

Tuzoia Arthropod's Soft Tissues Revealed in New Cambrian Fossil Discoveries

New discoveries of Cambrian fossils, particularly from the Burgess Shale, have provided unprecedented insights into the soft anatomy of the ancient arthropod Tuzoia. Previously, only its distinctive two-valved carapace with a net-like pattern, raised lateral ridge, and prominent marginal spines were well-known. Charles Doolittle Walcott established the genus Tuzoia in 1912 based on these carapaces, which are abundant in Cambrian rocks. However, the soft tissues beneath the shell were rarely preserved, leaving much unknown about its head, limbs, and evolutionary placement. Recent studies, including 2022 phylogenetic analyses, have examined a small number of specimens with preserved soft tissues, revealing details such as eyes on short supports and an elongated, fine structure interpreted as a possible antenna. These findings are beginning to clarify its body plan and suggest a tentative placement near the base of the mandibulate group, though some mouthpart identities remain unresolved.

Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

Students uncover more mastodon bones in NY backyard. See what they found

Students uncover more mastodon bones in NY backyard. See what they found

SUNY Orange students uncovered about 11 ribs, at least three vertebrae and foot bones during a summer excavation at an Orange County site where mastodon remains were first discovered in 2024.

‘Dancing’ grizzly bears break out the moves, but cub is clear winner

‘Dancing’ grizzly bears break out the moves, but cub is clear winner

New footage from Yukon reminiscent of classic dancing bear footage from Alberta in 2022.

Scientists Discover Smallest Archaeal Genome, Naming it Candidatus Sukunaarchaeum mirabile

Scientists Discover Smallest Archaeal Genome, Naming it Candidatus Sukunaarchaeum mirabile

An international team of researchers, including scientists from the University of Nottingham and the University of Tsukuba in Japan, has identified a new microorganism, Candidatus Sukunaarchaeum mirabile (Sukunaarchaeum), which possesses the smallest genome among all known archaea. Published in the journal Current Biology, the study reveals that Sukunaarchaeum's genome contains only 189 protein-coding genes, less than half the size of the previously smallest known archaeal genome. Despite this minimal genetic makeup, it retains essential genes for DNA replication and protein synthesis. The microorganism was discovered through the analysis of genetic material from individual marine plankton. Approximately a quarter of its genome is dedicated to unusually large membrane proteins whose functions are yet to be determined. Researchers hypothesize that Sukunaarchaeum may exist as a parasite, either within or alongside another organism, given that similar proteins have been observed in other parasitic archaea. Ho...

Bioterrorism Preparedness Faces New Challenges Amidst Biotechnology Advancements

Bioterrorism Preparedness Faces New Challenges Amidst Biotechnology Advancements

Bioterrorism preparedness is a growing concern due to rapid advancements in biotechnology, including synthetic biology, genetic engineering, AI, and laboratory automation. These technologies offer significant benefits for medicine and agriculture but also expand the potential for misuse. Unlike conventional terrorism, a biological attack might initially appear as a natural disease outbreak, delaying recognition and response. Historical incidents, such as the 2001 U.S. anthrax letter attacks, demonstrated that even limited biological incidents can trigger substantial public health, political, and psychological responses. The 1972 Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) serves as the core international prohibition against biological weapons, but it was designed for a slower research environment. The distributed nature of modern biotechnology and uneven reporting of Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs) highlight the need for stronger transparency, national contact points, scientific input, and capacity-building in...

University of Alberta Research Reveals Raptor Fed on Larger Albertosaurus

University of Alberta Research Reveals Raptor Fed on Larger Albertosaurus

Researchers at the University of Alberta have uncovered evidence suggesting that a raptor, a smaller carnivorous dinosaur, fed on a larger Albertosaurus. This discovery stems from bite marks found on the jawbone of an eight-year-old sub-adult Albertosaurus, a relative of Tyrannosaurus rex, which roamed Alberta approximately 70 million years ago. Joshua Doyon, a master's student in paleontology at the University of Alberta, led the research into these bite marks. By analyzing the spacing of the marks and comparing them to the teeth of other carnivorous dinosaurs from the same period, researchers concluded that a raptor was the most probable culprit. An alternative, though less likely, hypothesis considered was that a much younger member of the Albertosaurus species, less than two years old and about two meters long, cannibalized the larger dinosaur. This finding offers rare insight into the feeding interactions between carnivorous dinosaurs, particularly the instance of one carnivore consuming another, rath...

University of Alberta Researchers Discover Raptors Preying on Tyrannosaurs, Revealing New Dinosaur Dietary Behaviors

University of Alberta Researchers Discover Raptors Preying on Tyrannosaurs, Revealing New Dinosaur Dietary Behaviors

Researchers at the University of Alberta have made a significant discovery regarding dinosaur dietary habits, identifying the first evidence of raptors preying on tyrannosaurs. This finding stems from the analysis of a fossilized lower jaw of an Albertosaurus, a type of tyrannosaur, which exhibited three distinct tooth marks. The fossil was initially found by a member of the public in 2022 and subsequently examined by technicians at the Royal Tyrrell Museum before being sent to the University of Alberta. Joshua Doyon, the lead researcher and a master’s student, along with his supervisors, spent four years studying the specimen. They concluded that the bite marks were inflicted by another carnivore, most likely a raptor. This discovery is considered rare, as finding evidence of meat-eating dinosaur teeth on other meat-eating dinosaurs is uncommon. The Albertosaurus lived in the late Cretaceous period, approximately 67 to 73 million years ago, in the region that is now Alberta.

Fossilized Skin Fragments from China Reveal Early Ecdysozoan Diversity

Fossilized Skin Fragments from China Reveal Early Ecdysozoan Diversity

A new study published in the Journal of Micropalaeontology details the discovery of tiny fossilized skin and cuticle fragments from the lower Cambrian Yanjiahe Formation in southern China. These microfossils, dating back approximately 535 million years, provide an intimate glimpse into the early evolution of ecdysozoans, a group that includes insects, crabs, and roundworms. Researchers, led by Lei Zhang of Chengdu University of Technology, extracted these fragments from phosphatic dolostone, revealing six distinct forms representing at least four ecdysozoan taxa. The preservation style, known as Orsten-type, allowed for three-dimensional replication of delicate cuticular surfaces down to subcellular scales. The findings indicate that these early ecdysozoans were already experimenting with diverse body plans, including sac-like forms, vermiform worms, and appendage-bearing panarthropods, during the initial phase of the Cambrian explosion. The presence of spines and sclerites suggests their adaptive importan...

Singularity Expert Robert Suarez Highlights Biology as the Largest Dataset for Innovation

Singularity Expert Robert Suarez Highlights Biology as the Largest Dataset for Innovation

Robert Suarez, a Singularity expert, emphasizes that biology represents the largest dataset ever, containing four billion years of evolutionary experimentation. This perspective is detailed in the report 'Living Tech: The Convergence of Biology and Innovation.' Advances in biotechnology, including genome sequencing, gene expression monitoring, neural mapping, and cellular tracking, are transforming the living world into analyzable information for computers. This shift allows for a deeper understanding of biological systems that were previously inaccessible through direct observation. The ability to computationally analyze biological processes, exemplified by tools like Google DeepMind's AlphaFold, which predicts protein structures with extraordinary speed, is revolutionizing how researchers approach innovation. Instead of merely observing nature, scientists can now use computational tools to narrow down research fields, identify patterns, and guide investigations, effectively searching nature's vast knowle...