Fossils found in North America reveal new species of 'very odd' sea monster: Scientists
The first set of fossils, found in 1988 along the Puntledge River on Vancouver Island, were determined to belong to elasmosaurs, a genus of plesiosaur that lived in North America during the Late Cretaceous period, about 80.6 to 77 million years ago, according to the paper, published in the Journal of Systematic Palaeontology. Additional fossils found since include an isolated right humerus and a well-preserved juvenile skeleton comprising of a thorax, girdles and limbs, according to the study.
MORE: Evidence of 30-foot ancient sea monster found in Mississippi
But they have now been formally identified to belong to a "very odd" new genus of sea monster called Traskasaura sandrae, the researchers said.
The long-necked creature likely measured about 39 feet and had heavy, sharp teeth that were "ideal for crushing" ammonite shells, according to paleontologists. Dozens of well-preserved cervical vertebrae indicate at least 50 bones in the neck -- likely more, the researchers said.
T. sandrae also had a "strange mix" of primitive and derived traits, unlike any other elasmosaur. Its unique adaptations allowed it to hunt prey from above -- the first of the plesiosaur taxa to do so, the paper states.
Prey was likely abundant in the region at the time, the scientists said.
"It has a very odd mix of primitive and derived traits," O'Keefe said. "The shoulder, in particular, is unlike any other plesiosaur I have ever seen, and I have seen a few."
MORE: Underwater camera captures elusive tentacled creature 3 miles below ocean surface
When lead author F. Robin O'Keefe first saw the fossils and realized they belonged to an entirely new taxon, he hypothesized that they may be related to the plesiosaurs from Antarctica, he said in a statement. But it is "a strange, convergently evolved, fascinating beast," O'Keefe said.
"The fossil record is full of surprises," O'Keefe said. "It is always gratifying to discover something unexpected."
The fossils are among the most famous in the country. In 2002, they were adopted by the Province of British Columbia and declared the official fossil emblem of British Columbia.
"Plesiosaur fossils have been known for decades in British Columbia," O'Keefe said. "However, the identity of the animal that left the fossils has remained a mystery, even as it were declared BC's provincial fossil in 2023. Our new research, published today, finally solves this mystery."
MORE: What paleontologists learned from fossils of a 3-eyed predator that lived 500 million years ago
Paleontologists were reluctant at first to erect a new genus based solely on the adult skeleton of the elasmosaur. But a new 'excellently preserved' partial skeleton enabled this latest international team of scientists from Canada, Chile and the U.S. to eventually identify the new genus and species.
The genus name Traskasaura was given in honor of Courtenay, British Columbia, where the researchers who discovered the original specimen in 1988 were based. The species name sandrae honors Sandra Lee O'Keefe, a member of the team of researchers who identified the fossils in 2002.
They are currently on display at the Courtenay and District Museum and Palaeontology Centre in Courtenay, British Columbia.
Fossils found in North America reveal new species of 'very odd' sea monster: Scientists originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
All the benefits of having a G&T over a glass of wine
If you're going to indulge in a drink or two, whether on holiday or in a pub garden, a gin and tonic could be the best option for your health. As a registered nutritionist, Sophie Trotman is bound to repeat the words that we are all so used to hearing: 'I would always recommend that you don't drink at all, or at least lower the amount that you drink,' she says. 'Wines can be quite sugary and contain a lot of sulphates,' Trotman says, which can wreak havoc on your digestive system, while beers 'are high in carbohydrates' and can cause your blood sugar to spike. The heroic G&T, meanwhile, is a drink that 'I often recommend to my clients if they don't want to cut out alcohol entirely,' says Trotman. 'The calories and sugar in a single gin with a light tonic are as low as you're going to get.' This will be welcome news to many. The majority of people in Britain now prefer to drink gin and tonic with friends rather than cups of builders' tea, according to spirit brand Bacardi's cocktail trend report, and the UK constitutes the world's biggest market for gin. So what are the benefits of swapping your regular pint or glass of wine for a G&T? The health benefits of a G&T 1. Fewer calories than beer and wine One shot of gin will provide you with around 50 calories, compared with about 130 calories in a medium glass of red or white wine or the 200-300 calories in a pint of beer. A 200ml serving of light tonic to mix your drink will come in at around 30 calories, keeping a health-conscious G&T under 100 calories to a glass. The average British man drinks 17.6 units of alcohol every week, according to NHS data, the equivalent of eight to nine pints of lager (with beer still being the drink consumed most frequently by men in the UK). Drinking the same number of single-measure G&Ts each week – though it is not recommended that any adult consumes more than 14 units of alcohol in this timeframe – would mean cutting around 900 'empty' calories from your diet and losing a stone within a year. Meanwhile, women who switch from the average nine units or four medium glasses of wine per week to single G&Ts would drink 120 fewer calories. This might not sound like much, but tweaks like this can make all the difference in limiting your party-season weight gain. At this time of year when the units we consume will likely outpace our average for the year, 'a gin and tonic is definitely a better option to manage your weight,' Trotman says. 2. Less sugar and carbs than other contenders A single shot of gin contains zero grams of sugar, as well as no carbohydrates. This is one of the reasons that gin is often the drink of those on a ketogenic diet, as it is less likely to knock your body out of its fat-burning state (though all alcohol will make it harder for your liver to process food). Aside from leading to weight gain, drinking any beverage that has a high carbohydrate content – like lager, with 10-15 grams of carbs to a pint, or cider which has as much as 40 grams a glass – can cause uncomfortable bloating and an upset stomach. A no-carb drink such as gin 'will have less of an impact on your blood sugar levels too,' Trotman says, another factor that makes it a better option for keeping your waistline static (and making sure that you've still got some energy the morning after). And while vodkas and rums typically come mixed in fizzy, sugary drinks, the sugar in a slimline tonic typically comes in at around 7.6 grams per 200ml glass, compared with the 21.2g in 200ml of full-fat Coca Cola. Light rather than diet tonic is ideal with your gin as 'diet tonic will be full of artificial sweeteners that can worsen your health in the long term,' Trotman says. 'So if you're having a few, always opt for a light version and a single shot.' 3. A boost from juniper berries and garnishes Gin is made by brewing a neutral-tasting grain with juniper berries and other botanicals such as lemon peel, coriander seeds, cardamom or thyme. Juniper berries contain flavonoids as well as large amounts of vitamin C, which can improve circulation and help ward off colds, and antioxidants which promote skin regeneration. These berries can also speed up your digestive system and soothe inflammation. While the amount of these goodies left over in a single serving of gin is likely 'negligible', Trotman says, gin can also be infused with ingredients that up its health benefits: some kinds on the market have been paired with large volumes of fruit juice for added vitamin C, while some have been specifically blended to provide micronutrients as well as collagen. Others are brewed with extra juniper berries. G&Ts are also easy to make and serve creatively. A quick health tip is just to 'eat the slice of orange that comes with your drink, because every little does help,' Trotman says, or at home 'you could mix in some cranberry juice for antioxidants or add some blueberries for helpful polyphenols'. 4. Easier to drink in moderation The versatility of a gin and tonic is a major reason why Sophie Trotman recommends it to her clients. Along with a light tonic, 'you can add a lot of ice to make it a long drink that you're able to keep sipping over a longer period,' reducing the total amount of alcohol you drink in the course of an evening. The reduced sugar and artificial sweeteners involved meanwhile will make it easier to stop at just a few, turning down the dial on your cravings and helping you to call it a night earlier. Unlike wine, the leftover bottle of which can call from the fridge on a Monday evening, a G&T takes more effort to make and so it becomes 'easier to have days off,' Trotman says. 'It's also very easy to alternate your G&Ts with glasses of water, which you'll thank yourself for the next day,' Trotman says. For those looking to cut down there are other benefits too. 'It shouldn't be a concern, but if you start on G&Ts and switch to a non-alcoholic version later in the night, there will be no label on your glass and so no peer pressure from anyone else to keep going.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
J&J tests direct CAR-T marketing with first Carvykti ad
This story was originally published on BioPharma Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily BioPharma Dive newsletter. Available cell therapies for cancer aren't easy treatments to receive. Personalized to each patient, the drugs are complicated and time-consuming to manufacture, and must be delivered and administered on an exacting schedule. And because they come with serious risks, patients need to remain close to the hospital where they were treated for weeks of monitoring. All of these characteristics make Johnson & Johnson's choice to roll out direct-to-consumer advertising for Carvykti, a cell therapy it sells for the blood cancer multiple myeloma, somewhat unexpected. The ad, which will air on streaming services like YouTube, Paramount and Roku, is J&J's first for the drug and a rare instance of DTC marketing for this kind of cell therapy, known as CAR-T. According to June Lanoue, J&J's head of U.S. hematology, the company aims to raise awareness about cell therapy, particularly among patients who may not be receiving care from the kind of specialized academic centers where CAR-T is often given. Carvykti is currently approved in the U.S. to treat multiple myeloma in patients whose disease either relapsed or becomes resistant to treatment after an initial round of therapy. Another CAR-T therapy, called Abecma and sold by Bristol Myers Squibb, is also cleared for this use, but only after two or more prior lines of treatment. Among these 'relapsed, refractory' patients, about half are treated at community oncology centers, Lanoue said. 'The actual awareness level of these options is very low,' she added. 'In the community, if they're not able to get it, doctors are not talking about and therefore they don't have visibility to having a new option.' J&J's choice to advertise is a signal of confidence in its ability to manufacture enough Carvykti to meet any rise in demand. Early on in the drug's launch, production challenges forced the company to limit orders from treating centers. (Bristol Myers ran into similar issues.) 'We feel very confident around production,' said Lanoue. Treatment sites can 'order Carvykti without any constraint.' The launch of the ad is also well-timed, as it comes several weeks after the Food and Drug Administration took steps to improve access to CAR-T treatment broadly. The agency eased some side effect reporting requirements and lessened the time it mandates patients stay near their treating facility for monitoring. It also said patients could resume driving or operating machinery sooner after treatment than previously prescribed. 'We think it will give more opportunity to more patients who [live at] a little bit further distance to be able to receive Carvykti,' Lanoue said. J&J's 120-second ad introduces a composite patient, 'Marvin,' and describes the heavy burden of injections and pills typically used to control multiple myeloma. Carvykti, by contrast, is a one-time infusion that can deliver lasting benefits in some. Recent follow-up data from an early study of around 100 patients treated with Carvykti showed that, at five years, one-third had not yet experienced disease progression. A story published in June by The New York Times that highlighted these findings led to more patients requesting information about Carvykti, according to Lanoue. J&J did not share how much it's spending on this marketing campaign, but Lanoue said it is 'significantly less' than what a pharmaceutical company would typically spend on a regular TV advertisement. 'This is not a share of voice play; this is ultra targeted,' she added. Sales of Carvykti reached $439 million in the three months between April and June. The company expects peak annual sales to eventually eclipse $5 billion. Editor's note: After this story was published, J&J updated the list of streaming services where its ad will appear and removed Hulu for the time being. Recommended Reading FDA takes major step to ease access to CAR-T therapy Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
ViroCell Biologics and AvenCell Therapeutics Announce Retroviral Vector Manufacturing Collaboration to Accelerate Development of Novel Allogeneic CAR-T Therapies for Blood Cancers
AvenCell selected ViroCell for retroviral vector CDMO services to drive its pipeline of innovative allogeneic CAR T-cell therapies, based on ViroCell's deep expertise and track record. LONDON & NEW YORK, July 29, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ViroCell Biologics ("ViroCell"), a specialist viral vector Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisation ("CDMO") for cell and gene therapy (CGT) clinical trials, announces a manufacturing collaboration with and the successful delivery of a novel retroviral vector to AvenCell Therapeutics, Inc. ("AvenCell"), a leading clinical-stage cell therapy company focused on advancing allogeneic switchable CAR-T cell therapies. This first retroviral vector will be used to manufacture AVC-203, an investigational CD19/CD20 dual-targeted cell therapy for the treatment of B cell malignancies and autoimmune diseases. AvenCell's AV203 is its second investigational cell therapy using its differentiated allogeneic engineering to provide an "off-the-shelf" product engineered to overcome graft-versus-host disease as well as graft rejection by host T and Natural Killer ("NK") cells. AVC-203 is designed to achieve superior efficacy compared to currently-approved CAR-Ts while enabling immediate treatment and greater patient access at much lower cost and complexity. The further inclusion of AvenCell's RevCAR™ receptor in AVC203 allows for additional antigen targeting (with "off/on" capability in vivo) beyond CD19 and CD20. AvenCell selected ViroCell as its partner to manufacture the retroviral vector for this program based on the CDMO's expertise and track record in delivering high yield vectors at speed. Incorporating a cell line acquired by AvenCell into the GMP manufacturing process, ViroCell successfully delivered a high yield vector while meeting AvenCell's accelerated timeline. This program evidences ViroCell's ability to deliver a bespoke, complex manufacturing process in the allogeneic CAR-T cell therapy space, ultimately, enabling AvenCell's timelines for clinical entry. AvenCell's AVC-203 is expected to enter a first-in-human phase I study in patients with relapsed/refractory B cell lymphoma in H2/2025. John W. Hadden II, CEO of ViroCell, commented: "We are thrilled to partner with AvenCell and support their innovative allogeneic CAR-T therapy platform. I am proud of Team ViroCell's accomplishments on the successful end-to-end delivery of this retroviral vector and accelerating a novel therapy into clinical development in an area of high unmet need. We look forward to continuing our work with AvenCell on their exciting platform." Andrew Schiermeier, Ph.D., CEO, AvenCell, added: "We are delighted with ViroCell's performance in process development and GMP manufacture of this complex retroviral vector. We selected ViroCell to support our platform because we knew that they could execute reliably in areas where other CDMOs can't. The delivery of this retroviral vector for AVC-203 is proof that our trust in ViroCell was well placed." Notes to editor: ViroCell ViroCell Biologics is an innovation-driven Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization ("CDMO") focused exclusively on the design, de-risking, and GMP manufacture of viral vectors for clinical trials. Built around one of the most prolific academic viral vector manufacturing teams, ViroCell was created to address the global demand for precisely engineered viral vectors. The team leverages its deep track record to help clients to de-risk and accelerate novel cell and gene therapies into and through clinical development, with a mission of being the partner of choice for corporate and academic innovators. Focused initially on manufacturing lentiviral and retroviral vectors, ViroCell enables clients to start clinical trials on a scalable platform, delivering value by reducing costs, time and regulatory risk. AvenCell Therapeutics AvenCell derives its name from the French word "avenir" to reflect the aim to be the FUTURE of cell therapy. AvenCell is building a truly transformative cell therapy company that targets difficult-to-treat cancers, with its lead programs focusing on acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and additional programs targeting other hematological malignancies. AvenCell was formed with the goal to create truly allogeneic cells that persist as long or longer than autologous therapies and develop a universal and switchable construct that allows complete control and target redirection of T cells after they are infused into a patient. Integration of these two platforms allows for complete separation of the manufacturing of cells from ultimate patient and cancer target, thus providing significant scalability potential at orders of magnitude more efficient than current approaches. AvenCell Therapeutics, Inc. was launched in 2021 by Blackstone Life Sciences, Cellex Cell Professionals, and Intellia Therapeutics. AvenCell is headquartered in Watertown, Massachusetts with additional R&D and manufacturing operations in Dresden, Germany. View source version on Contacts For more information, please contact: ViroCell John W. Hadden II, CEOinfo@ For media enquiries, please contact: ViroCell – FTI Consulting Simon Conway / Tim StamperViroCell@ +44 (0)20 3727 1000 AvenCell – H Advisors Emma +1 (917) 763-6685 擷取數據時發生錯誤 登入存取你的投資組合 擷取數據時發生錯誤 擷取數據時發生錯誤 擷取數據時發生錯誤 擷取數據時發生錯誤
