World’s largest marine reptile gives blue whale a run for its money

An artist's impression of Ichthyotitan severnensis washed up on a beach, while some curious dinosaurs investigate

A newly described species of marine reptile could be the largest to ever swim the world’s oceans. The “giant fish lizard” lived more than 200 million years ago, and may give the blue whale a run for its money, size-wise.

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Strange trees in world’s oldest forest ripped themselves apart to grow

An artist's impression of a forest full of Calamophyton trees

Scientists have uncovered the oldest fossilized forest, dating back 390 million years to a time when life was just getting a foothold on land. The ancient forest was made up of the first trees to ever grow on Earth – bizarre “prototype” trees that had to rip their skeletons apart in order to grow.

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Hunter-gatherers were violently wiped off the map by farmers, DNA reveals

Contrary to what has long been believed, there was no peaceful transition of power from hunter-gather societies to farming communities in Europe, with new advanced DNA analysis revealing that the newcomers slaughtered the existing population, completel… Continue reading Hunter-gatherers were violently wiped off the map by farmers, DNA reveals

Megalodon may have been longer than we thought, claims new study

Most of us picture the megalodon as a Jason-Statham-hunting monster that looked like a giant great white shark, but that probably wasn’t the case. A new study re-examines fossil evidence and suggests the creature was longer and more slender than we tho… Continue reading Megalodon may have been longer than we thought, claims new study

Scientists chronicle the life journey of one remarkable woolly mammoth

Genetic and isotopic analyses have pieced together a remarkable narrative of a 20-year-old female woolly mammoth, detailing her health, social status and travels – even though her story is more than 14,000 years old. It offers new insight into mammoth … Continue reading Scientists chronicle the life journey of one remarkable woolly mammoth

New species of giant Tyrannosaurus predates T. rex by 6 million years

If Tyrannosaurus rex is too mainstream, discerning 10-year-olds may now have a new name to spout when asked their favorite dinosaur – Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis. The newly identified species appears to be more primitive than its famous cousin, but just a… Continue reading New species of giant Tyrannosaurus predates T. rex by 6 million years

Tiny tyrannosaurs are separate species, not baby T. rexes, says study

The debate rages on about whether fossils of small tyrannosaurs were a distinct species or just juvenile T. rexes. A new study claims to have found evidence that a mini tyrannosaur species stomped around alongside its famous, giant cousin – but other s… Continue reading Tiny tyrannosaurs are separate species, not baby T. rexes, says study

Amazing fossil find reveals young dinosaurs only wanted the drumsticks

Scientists have, for the first time, unearthed incredibly well-preserved stomach contents from within a fossilized skeleton of a young tyrannosaur, which has led to a curious discovery about the growing beast’s paleo palate.Continue ReadingCategory: Bi… Continue reading Amazing fossil find reveals young dinosaurs only wanted the drumsticks

World’s oldest disease-causing fungus found, named after Beatrix Potter

A fungus that attacked other organisms 407 million years ago has been unearthed among a collection of fossils, making it the oldest of its kind to have ever been found. The new plant pathogen has also been named Potteromyces asteroxylicola, in honor of… Continue reading World’s oldest disease-causing fungus found, named after Beatrix Potter