In a newly published paper scientists from Oxford University have described the oldest and best preserved fossil from date. The fossil is roughly 120 million years old from the early Cretaceous period. During this period old species of birds were the first to have an avian beak. These are some of the oldest birds ever to be discovered and studied. Future research of the fossils can lead to a boatload of new discoveries about the evolution of our winged companions. This is important because birds are some of the most prevalent species on Earth today. With their delicate ecosystems and migration needs, they are also some of the most endangered types of animals. Knowing more about the evolution of these creatures can possibly help us understand where some of our modern day species came from and how certain aspects and attributes came to fruition.
Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/03/170324192645.htm
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Astronomers at the Space Telescope Science Insitute have discovered a distant galaxy that appears to be losing it's supermassive black hole from the galactic core. An image from NASA's Hubble Telescope show's heat signals from a black hole fleeing away from the adjoining galaxy. There are multiple theories as to what may have caused this dramatic movement, as it's not too easy to move a black hole. Some researchers believe that a galactic wave collided with the black hole as it was orbiting the center of the galaxy. This awesome power could have caused the shifting from the black hole, but in reality we know very little about what truly goes on out there in space.
Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/03/170323132627.htm One of the biggest medical challenges facing us today is how to treat damaged nerves on a human. There are many theories and ideas as to what we could do to regulate damaged nerves, but nothing substantial has yet to be found for human use. In a new study at Tufts University, researches took blind tadpoles and gave them a small molecule nerotransmitter drug. This drug caused the tadpoles to be able to process visual information, which otherwise would not have been possible. This is exciting because it can possibly be a first step towards similar types of treatment for humans. If we could fix broken nerves we could annihilate many of our modern medical dilemmas.
Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/03/170330092841.htm It's no question that climate change and it's many side affects have affected life here on Earth. Most of the time these things affect life badly, but new research may show otherwise in one scenario. Researchers from University of Southern Denmark have published a new study that suggests that the melting sea ice in the Arctic circle may be part of a chain reaction that leads to increased algae production. This increased algae production can then branch off and lead to many other things such as decreased Carbon in the atmosphere, shelter for certain fish and sea life, and food for other sea life. Humans should be aware of this because while climate change is our fault and irreversibly damaging the Earth, we must also study any positives that may come of it and try and find ways to potentially manage the harm we do to the Earth.
Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/03/170330115249.htm Desert songbirds, such as the goldfinch face increased danger of dehydration, which is expected to increase dramatically in the future. Due to climate change, higher temperatures, and increased heat waves, these birds require more water to avoid heat stroke than previously. These birds have long adapted to live in the dry climate of the Southwestern United States but due to the sudden change in climate due to human caused climate change, they now face an uphill battle for survival. If humans do not act now to reverse the effects of climate change, these "hot zones" will only spread and more and more species will be affected and eventually die out.
Source: https://www.sciencenews.org/blog/science-ticker/desert-songbirds-increasingly-risk-dehydration?mode=topic&context=60&tgt=more |
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