Tracks show flying giants walked with dinosaurs
Pterosaurs were a group of flying reptiles which existed at the same time as the dinosaurs, but were evolutionarily distinct from them.By using 3D modelling, detailed analysis and comparisons with pterosaur skeletons, the team said they have matched some tracks with Quetzalcoatlus and others with two separate groups of pterosaurs.Robert Smyth, a doctoral researcher in the Centre for Palaeobiology and Biosphere Evolution, said: "Footprints offer a unique opportunity to study pterosaurs in their natural environment. "They reveal not only where these creatures lived and how they moved, but also offer clues about their behaviour and daily activities in ecosystems that have long since vanished."
He said footprints of Quetzalcoatlus have been found in both coastal and inland areas around the world, supporting the idea these long-legged creatures not only dominated the skies but were also frequent ground dwellers.Another group of pterosaurs, ctenochasmatoids, which are known for their long jaws and needle-like teeth, mostly left tracks in coastal deposits, indicating they waded along muddy shores or in shallow lagoons, using their specialised feeding strategies to catch small fish or floating prey. Fossilised tracks were also matched to a third group, dsungaripterids, which had powerful limbs and jaws, with toothless, curved beak tips.These were designed for prising out prey, while large, rounded teeth at the back of their jaws were perfect for crushing shellfish and other tough food items.Mr Smyth added: "Tracks are often overlooked when studying pterosaurs, but they provide a wealth of information about how these creatures moved, behaved, and interacted with their environments. "By closely examining footprints, we can now discover things about their biology and ecology that we can't learn anywhere else."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
04-08-2025
- BBC News
Replica of Glenfield cauldron sheds light on Iron Age life
A replica of a 2,400-year-old cauldron has been forged to help archaeologists shed light on how people lived during the Iron said the vessel, made from copper alloy and iron, was a near-perfect copy of ancient cauldrons dug up in an excavation of a prehistoric site at Glenfield Park near remains of 11 fragile and corroded cauldrons were among a treasure trove of metalwork, including a sword, pins and a brooch, found by a team from the University of Leicester in who unveiled the replica cauldron on Thursday, said its creation had shed light on the feasting habits and metalworking skills of people who lived nearly two-and-a-half millennia ago. Delicate fragments of the cauldrons were examined in painstaking detail by a specialist from the Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA) to help with forging the senior conservator Liz Barham said: "The conservation of the Glenfield Park cauldrons through detailed recording, sampling and integration with scientific analysis has revealed many new insights into their manufacture, repair and use in their working life, building on work with earlier cauldron discoveries. "Despite their crushed and corroded condition, conservators have been able to identify many details to contribute to research, to inform the making of a replica, and perhaps provide a glimpse of the Iron Age communities that made, used, and finally discarded them."She said the conservation and scientific work uncovered revealed the use of sophisticated techniques to shape the original thin copper also said patches on the cauldrons showed mishaps occurred during their production, but also that once in use, they were carefully maintained and had long lives, indicating their importance to the community that used them. University of Leicester Archaeological Services deputy director John Thomas said: "Cauldrons are substantial vessels associated with large gatherings and feasts, and the Glenfield examples are no exception, with capacities ranging between 15 and 57 litres, they could have catered for several hundred people if all used at the same time. "They must have been an important part of the feasting activities associated with this settlement, but after a long period of use, they were eventually buried in areas across the site for unknown reasons. "This is the first time we have discovered such clear evidence for ancient feasting in Leicestershire, and the results of the project will be important for understanding the social aspects of Iron Age communities in the Midlands and beyond.'' Archaeological ironworker Hector Cole was commissioned to forge the replica cauldron."The forging of the cauldrons was a steep learning curve for me to put myself into the minds of the people who made the original cauldrons," he technical skills they used were of the highest order and, in my opinion, they were specialist cauldron makers of their time. "Today it is so easy to mechanically punch or drill holes to a particular diameter, and yet they were doing the same in bronze and iron with great precision. "They were also fully aware of the fact that 'creep' needs to be taken into consideration when putting the two main parts together with so many rivets."Do it in the wrong order and you end up with a distorted shape that cannot be corrected. I was fortunate enough to know the correct technique to enable me to put the cauldrons together with no mistakes. "I have great respect for the Iron Age metalworkers and would like to think that my efforts came up to their standards of workmanship.'' The replica cauldron has been put on display at the Jewry Wall, which opened in July.
Daily Mail
01-08-2025
- Daily Mail
You're washing your socks WRONG: Microbiologist reveals how to clean yours properly – and why you should always IRON them
With so many different chores to keep up with, it can be easy to forget about washing all your odd socks. But scientists say that falling behind on the laundry could lead to more than just smelly feet. Dr Primrose Freestone, a microbiologist from the University of Leicester, warns that your feet are a 'miniature rainforest of bacteria and fungi'. Thankfully, Dr Freestone has revealed the proper method for keeping your socks clean and fresh for as long as possible. Dr Freestone told the Daily Mail that you should use water which is 'at least 60°C (140°F) with an enzyme-based detergent'. Dr Freestone says: 'The enzymes detach the bacteria from the weave of the sock fibres, and the high temperature kills the bacteria and fungi which are adapted to living at human foot temperature. 'If your washing machine cannot manage a 60°C sock-microbe-killing temperature wash, then a hot iron will do the job – especially if the steam function is used. 'This helps the iron heat to penetrate deep into the sock, which will kill any bacteria, verruca virus or athlete's foot fungus.' Even though they stay safely inside our shoes for most of the day, our feet are among the dirtiest places on our bodies. Studies have shown that feet can have anywhere from 10 to 100 million microbial cells living on every square centimetre of skin. This is because our feet are warm, dark, and humid, a combination which helps bacteria thrive. Your feet, especially between the toes, are packed with sweat glands, which keep conditions ideal for microbial growth. To make matters worse, our socks pick up dirt and bacteria from everywhere we go. Socks act as 'microbial sponges' for bacteria, fungi, and fungal spores from soil, water, pet hair, and general dust. In one study, socks had the highest bacterial and fungal counts of any piece of clothing after being worn for just 12 hours. Those microbes collected by your socks then make their homes in the comfortable environment of your feet, where they rapidly multiply. How to wash your socks according to a microbiologist Turn your socks inside out before washing. Use an enzyme-based detergent to break down sweat and skin residue. Wash at least 60°C (140°F). Iron or steam after washing to kill any remaining microbes. 'Feet can be a host for up to 1,000 different bacterial and fungal species, some of which can eat the sweat your feet produce, and their malodorous waste metabolites are what cause smelly feet, socks and shoes,' says Dr Freestone. Those bacteria range from relatively harmless residents to potentially dangerous pathogens such as Aspergillus, Staphylococcus, Candida, Histoplasma and Cryptococcus. Staphylococcus bacteria are the cause of staph skin infections, which cause blisters and painful abscesses. In serious cases, staph infections can even lead to infections such as blood poisoning and toxic shock syndrome. Aspergillus, meanwhile, is a fungus which causes the respiratory condition Aspergillosis, leading to a wheezing cough that may bring up lumps of blood. Once bacteria are growing your socks, they are unlikely to stay put. Studies in hospitals have found that slipper socks worn by patients carried microbes from the floor into beds, including antibiotic-resistant pathogens. However, the biggest infection risk from your socks is from more common skin infections. Dr Freestone says: 'You can pass on infections from dirty socks, such as verrucas, which are caused by the human papillomavirus and are highly contagious, so not washing socks and then walking on floors could infect others with your virus. 'Athlete's foot fungus also lives in socks and can spread via unwashed socks.' In addition to changing your socks every day, Dr Freestone stresses that it is very important to wash socks properly to avoid being exposed to infections. The problem is that regular laundry temperatures between 30-40°C (86-104°F) are well within the limits that microbes on your feet have evolved to survive. 'Washing socks in detergent does help clean them, but I have done lab research which shows that some residual bacteria remain in socks if the wash is not a very hot one,' says Dr Freestone. Washing at higher temperatures or going over your socks with the iron will ensure that no unwanted pathogens survive the wash. Dr Freestone adds: 'My own socks got a hot wash with an antibacterial detergent and follow-on hot ironing, and so are sparkly clean- as are my feet!' Why do towels get so smelly so quickly? Towels are the perfect home for a swarming community of bacteria and fungi. They hold many of the key ingredients for hosting microbial life - water, warm temperatures, oxygen, a neutral pH, and even food in the dead skin people leave behind after a thorough dry. The human body also boasts these ideal living conditions, which is why our bodies are host to trillions of bacteria throughout our lives. As a towel is used to dry the body, microbes sitting on the surface of the skin are deposited onto its damp, warm surface. When we smell towels, we often perceive a musty or sour odour, which is from the waste products deposited by growing communities of mould and bacteria. Don't throw a wet towel into the laundry basket, as the damp and dirt will still be an ideal place for microbes to breed. By the time you get to doing your washing, the towel and the other laundry around it may have acquired a bad smell. And it can be difficult to get your towels smelling fresh again. Instead, put the damp towel straight into the washing machine, or, if it's a while before it's getting laundered, hang it to dry first.
Daily Mail
20-07-2025
- Daily Mail
You're washing your towels wrong! Microbiologist reveals how often you should really clean your bath towels - so, are you doing it enough?
With so many distractions around the home, forgetting to clean your towels is an easy thing to do. So it's little surprise that some Brits go a whole year before finally bunging them in the washing machine. But according to a scientist, you may want to start doing it every day if you don't want to jeopardize your personal hygiene. Dr Primrose Freestone, professor of clinical microbiology at the University of Leicester, says you should be laundering towels after two uses at the very most. That's once every two days for people who shower or bathe once a day. However, for those with infections or a weakened immune system, towels should be washed after every single use, the expert claims. 'Clean towels are no longer clean after drying skin,' Professor Freestone told MailOnline. 'Dirty towels will make freshly washed skin dirty again, negating the point of washing.' When we dry ourselves with a towel, we deposit thousands of skin cells and millions of microbes like bacteria and fungi onto it. And then when we reuse the towel, we shed yet another layer of these invisible cells and organisms, eventually creating a thriving community. One study analysing repeated use of bath towels by a single user in a hostel revealed high levels of several bacteria species that can cause dangerous infections in humans, including E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella. Exposure to these microbes in your towels can cause fever, asthma, allergic skin irritations, other skin infections and many more symptoms. A towel is also regularly damp, not only because we use them every day after we bathe and shower, but because towel fabric is much thicker than something like bed linen. Unfortunately, bacteria and fungi thrive in damp environments, which in turn make it harder for towels to dry – further encouraging their growth. 'Bath towels are particularly good at accumulating microorganisms as they contact all areas of a body,' said Professor Freestone. 'If the towels are repeatedly used without laundering, sweat, skin cells and bodily fluids will build up and provide a nutritious, moist and warm environment for bacteria and fungi to grow.' Towels quickly pick up an unpleasant musty or sour smell, similar to wet dog fur, and the reason for this is rather hard to stomach. 'The musty smell from overused under-washed towels is thought to be due to residual detergent or clothes conditioner which trap body sweat or fluids which is then fed upon by bacteria and fungi which are making volatile organic compounds,' Professor Freestone said. 'In other words it is bacteria and fungal waste products making the smell.' According to Professor Freestone, we should 'never ever' share a bath towel to minimize the risk of spreading infections. Viral infections such as monkey pox – which causes fever, headache and blisters – can be spread by doing so. And not just bath towels we should be laundering regularly; hand towels may not be used all over the body like bath towels, but the contact with the skin still transfers microbes and skin cells from the hands. 'Bath towels need more frequent laundering than hand towels due them having a higher microbial content,' said the expert. 'But hand towels will still from repeat use accumulate bacteria and fungi – so do a hot detergent wash every three to five days.' Hand and bath towels should be washed with laundry detergent at 140°F (60°C) and be left to dry completely before they are used. 'This hot wash kills most bacteria and fungi, inactivates viruses and stops towels smelling unpleasant; it also ensures towels do not pose an infections risk,' she said. 'For storing the towels make sure they are thoroughly dried before stacking in a cool, dry environment.' According to Rietie Venter, associate professor of clinical health at the University of South Australia, towels need to be washed even more often than bed linen. Towels are best washed every few days, she said in a piece for The Conversation last year, while facecloths should be cleaned after every use. If towels still smell after being laundered, they may have been left in the washing machine for too long once the cycle had finished. 'If possible, hang your towels and bedding out in the sun,' Professor Venter said. 'That will dry them quickly and thoroughly and will foster that lovely fresh, clean cotton smell. 'Using a dryer is a good alternative if the weather is bad, but outdoors in the sun is always better if possible.' Why do towels get so smelly so quickly? Towels are the perfect home for a swarming community of bacteria and fungi. They hold many of the key ingredients for hosting microbial life - water, warm temperatures, oxygen, a neutral pH, and even food in the dead skin people leave behind after a thorough dry. The human body also boasts these ideal living conditions, which is why our bodies are host to trillions of bacteria throughout our lives. As a towel is used to dry the body, microbes sitting on the surface of the skin are deposited onto its damp, warm surface. When we smell towels, we often perceive a musty or sour odour, which is from the waste products deposited by growing communities of mould and bacteria. Don't throw a wet towel into the laundry basket, as the damp and dirt will still be an ideal place for microbes to breed. By the time you get to doing your washing, the towel and the other laundry around it may have acquired a bad smell. And it can be difficult to get your towels smelling fresh again. Instead, put the damp towel straight into the washing machine, or, if it's a while before it's getting laundered, hang it to dry first.
