Latest news with #NaturalHistoryMuseum
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Bone-Eating Worms Have Lurked in The Ocean For 100 Million Years
Not content with a diet of old leaves, some worm species actually eat bones. A new study has now traced the ancient ancestors of these bone-burrowers back through 100 million years of evolution. Deep in the ocean, bone-eating worms from the genus Osedax feast on the carcasses of whales, sucking up fats and proteins from the skeletons. And it looks like they've been doing so for a while now. By scanning fossils to look for traces of bone-eating behavior, researchers from University College London (UCL) and the Natural History Museum in the UK have been able to identify seven new types of worm from the Cretaceous period. There would've been no whale on the menu at that time, but traces left behind by these worms were found in fossils of mosasaurs, ichthyosaurs, and plesiosaurs: the dominant marine reptiles of the time, now on show in museum exhibits. Related: "We haven't found anything else that makes a similar burrow to these animals," says paleontologist Sarah Jamison-Todd, from UCL. "As the ancient bores are so similar to modern Osedax species, and we don't have body fossils to contradict us, we assume that they were made by the same or a similar organism." "It shows that the bone-eating worms are part of a lineage that stretches back at least to the Cretaceous, and perhaps further. We can see how the diversity of bone-eating worms changes across millions of years." The team was able to build 3D models of 130 fossils without damaging them, through the use of computed tomography (CT) scans. Six fossils showed signs of burrows. That then led to the identification of seven new ichnospecies – species categorized based on traces in fossils, rather than direct remains of the creatures. Some of the boring patterns matched modern-day species, suggesting a surprising level of evolutionary stability across many millions of years. The researchers also used microscopic fragments around the fossils to date the bones and the worms that chewed through them. That placed them at at least 100 million years ago, meaning these creatures evolved much earlier than previously thought. "By using the remains of small organisms that make up the chalk itself, we were able to date the fossils to more precise time slices of the Cretaceous period," says Marc Jones, paleontologist at the Natural History Museum. There are plenty of other discoveries like this still waiting to be made, the researchers suggest – which could happen through further scans of ancient fossils as well as studies of the modern species living in the oceans today. Additional work looking at the genetics of the organisms living today could tell us more about the evolutionary history of these tiny creatures, though researchers will have to collect more samples and more data first. "There are many more examples of boring that haven't yet been named from both ancient and modern bone-eating worms," says Jamison-Todd. "In fact, some bores from the Cretaceous appear to be similar to ones that are still made today." "Finding out whether these burrows are made by the same species, or are an example of convergent evolution, will give us a much better idea of how these animals have evolved, and how they have shaped marine ecosystems over millions of years." The research has been published in PLOS ONE. Related News Ancient Voice Box Finally Reveals How Dinosaurs May Have Sounded Stunning Grand Canyon Fossils Reveal Evolution's Weird Experiments Neither Scales Nor Feathers: Bizarre Appendage Discovered on Reptile Fossil Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Stunning Dinosaur Tracks Appear to Show Something Never Seen Before
Roughly 76 million years ago, a herd of herbivorous dinosaurs left a trail of footprints that reveals different species may have walked together – and been stalked together, too. An international team of paleontologists discovered the trackways preserved in ironstone at Canada's Dinosaur Provincial Park. This area is known for its remarkable fossil specimens, but these are the first good set of tracks found in the area. They reveal something fascinating: tracks from at least five ceratopsian dinosaurs appear alongside those of an ankylosaurid, meaning this could be the first evidence of multi-species herding among dinosaurs. Related: However, while the researchers can confirm these footprints were formed at around the same time, there could be hours or days separating them. "Ceratopsians have long been suspected to have lived in herds due to the existence of bone beds which preserve multiple individuals of the same species together," says paleontologist Jack Lovegrove from the Natural History Museum in London. "However, these bone beds only tell us for certain that these animals died together or the bodies accumulated after death. The preserved trackways of several ceratopsians walking together in a group is rare evidence for these animals living together." The positioning of these footprints suggest the animals were visiting a water source, perhaps following an ancient river. Eerily, other sets of tracks running parallel to the waterline betray predators in the midst: two tyrannosaurs and another small, meat-eating dinosaur, possibly a therapod. "The tyrannosaur tracks give the sense that they were really eyeing up the herd, which is a pretty chilling thought, but we don't know for certain whether they actually crossed paths," says paleontologist Phil Bell from the University of New England in Australia. Even if this is more of a montage of cretaceous life, as Lovegrove puts it, it has enabled the researchers to identify many more trackways within the park, which promises much more detail on how these creatures lived alongside each other. The research was published in PLOS One. Related News Octopuses Fall For The Classic Fake Arm Trick – Just Like We Do Bone-Eating Worms Have Lurked in The Ocean For 100 Million Years Ancient Voice Box Finally Reveals How Dinosaurs May Have Sounded Solve the daily Crossword
Daily Mail
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Jenna Ortega smoulders in leather bralette while Catherine Zeta-Jones dazzles in a chic white suit as Wednesday cast unite for vampy portraits to promote hit Netflix series
Jenna Ortega looked incredible as she posed up a storm in a leather bralette while Catherine Zeta-Jones dazzled in a chic white suit to promote the upcoming series of Netflix hit Wednesday. The second series of the supernatural mystery comedy, which premiered on the streaming service in 2022, is set to return very soon. Season two of Wednesday will hit Netflix on 6 August 2025. And the cast united ahead of the arrival for a collection of stunning portraits to promote the series, posing at London 's Natural History Museum. Jenna, who plays protagonist Wednesday Addams, flashed her toned abs as she wowed in a black plunging bralette. She rocked some matching puffy gloves and trousers. She completed the look with a purple smokey eye look, a nude lip and her hair styled into a middle parting. Meanwhile Jenna's on-screen mum Morticia Addams star Catherine Zeta-Jones, 55, looked sophisticated in a plunging white blazer, matching trousers and open-toe high heels. The actress accessorised with black leather gloves, a crochet beret and cross earrings. Catherine showed off her stunning face with a smokey eye, pink glossy lips and chiseling contour. Actress Emma Myers, 23, who has taken on the role Wednesday's roommate Enid Sinclair dressed up to the nines in a sparkling bralette and matching midi skirt co-ord. She opted for open-toe high heels and some oval sunglasses. Wednesday's on-screen dad Luis Guzman, 68, who has played Gomez Addams since 2022, looked dapper in a brown leather blazer and black trousers. And Isaac Ordonez, 16, looked pretty stylish in a white shirt buttoned up to the top, and oversized blazer and a matching leather jacket. He completed his look with a range of colourful rings. Newcomer Joanna Lumley is set to star in the show as Grandmama Hester Frump. The star looked stunning in a floral fitted long coat and an all black outfit underneath. Bianca Barclay star Joy Sunday, 28, showed off her long legs in a red and white gingham mini skirt. She opted for the matching fitted blazer and stockings. Meanwhile Uncle Fester star Fred Armisen, 58, rocked a black, red and white dog tooth suit. Steve Buscemi, who plays Barry Dot, kept it simple in an all black suit. It comes after The One Show fans were left seriously distracted by Catherine Zeta-Jones 'unreal' appearance as she shared her fear about working with Joanna Lumley in the Netflix hit Wednesday. Catherine, 55, who plays Morticia Addams in the supernatural mystery comedy, appeared on Tuesday's instalment of the BBC show to talk about the highly anticipated second series. Alex Jones, 51, and JB Gill, 38, returned to our screens to interview the actress alongside her co-star Luis Guzman, who plays her husband Gomez Addams in the show. Catherine looked glamorous in a blue low cut blouse, sparkly green skirt and accessorised with some jewellery. She styled her dark locks from out of her face and rocked a smokey eye look. Meanwhile Luis opted for a smart casual black shirt and matching trousers. Catherine, 55, who plays Morticia Addams in the supernatural mystery comedy, appeared on Tuesday's instalment of the BBC show to talk about the highly anticipated second series Those watching at home were in awe of Catherine's appearance. One said on X, formerly known as Twitter: 'Catherine Zeta Jones looks unreal.' 'Catherine Zeta Jones is morphing into Morticia Addams.' 'I read people talking about CZJ, but didn't realise she was on the screen until she spoke. #TheOneShow.'
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Daily Mail
Moment 'speeding' e-bike rider gets instant karma after almost hitting pedestrian as he flees police
This is the moment a 'speeding' e-bike rider was arrested just moments after almost hitting a pedestrian while fleeing police. Police spotted the man reaching speeds believed to be over 40mph on an e-bike in Croxteth, Merseyside, on Wednesday, July 23. When he was questioned by officers at around 5pm, he rode away. The suspect then narrowly avoided a pedestrian while he was being pursued around a housing estate, police said. A police spokesperson said: 'He rode on pavements and pulled into the path of a car that had to brake suddenly before losing control of the bike and falling off. 'As the suspect tried to get back on the bike, the officers carefully drove their vehicle onto the bike's back wheel and detained the rider.' Dashcam footage shows an e-bike rider accelerating onto a main road, narrowly missing oncoming traffic. It then shows the moment police caught up with a suspect, before driving their car onto the back wheel of the bike. A 19-year-old man from Old Swan was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, drug driving, failing to stop, driving a motor vehicle otherwise than in accordance with a licence and using a motor vehicle without third party insurance. Police said he has been released under investigation. The bike was found to be capable of top speeds of more than 50mph as well as having worn tyres, no brakes on the rear wheel and pedals that did not function Roads Policing Inspector Ian Cowell said: 'We simply will not tolerate people risking the safety of others and themselves by riding electric bikes at speed on our roads and pavements. 'The speed limit for electrically-assisted bikes is set at a maximum of 15.5mph for very good reason. When they are ridden at speed they can pose a very real danger to the rider and others. This risk only increases when the bike has faulty brakes, pedals that don't work and tyres that are worn. 'Through Operation Gears, we are taking proactive action by seizing illegal bikes, arresting offenders, and increasing high-visibility patrols where the public and our own patrols identify issues. 'Our activity is aimed at disrupting criminality and ultimately protecting our communities.' It comes after another e-bike rider also got a dose of instant karma after a dramatic police chase led to his arrest. Self-confessed 'stupid' phone snatcher Bradley McMillan, was one of two spotted by officers travelling at around 60mph on high-speed e-bikes on a busy road in central London. Armed response cops were called out after receiving reports of phones being snatched - with suggestions the thieves may have been carrying a knife. Taking off after McMillan, officers equipped with Tasers followed him up Exhibition Road in Kensington - a thoroughfare often packed with tourists visiting the Science Museum and the Natural History Museum. 'We have two Sur-Rons failing to stop as part of a declared firearms incident,' the officer radios in, seen in dramatic body-worn footage issued by the Met Police. Sur-Ron is a Chinese firm that produces electric dirt bikes that are hugely popular with bike thieves despite most of its models being illegal to use on UK roads unless properly registered. McMillan leads police on a chase through west London - but a few minutes later, he crashes into the side of a car at a junction after riding through a red light on the wrong side of the road. The bike falls away from him as he tumbles to the ground, and he tries to run off as the armed cops warn him they're about to discharge a stun gun. He doesn't get far - toppling over as he's hit with 1,200 volts of electricity. The armed officers then move in to cuff him on suspicion of robbery and possession of an offensive weapon. Opening his bag, the cops find rolls of tin foil, which thieves will use to wrap up stolen phones in order to block their signals and prevent them from being traced. The dramatic arrest was one of two phone snatcher busts the police made in the space of an hour on March 16. A second thief, Ellis Parkinson, was caught after crashing into a postbox on Brook Street in the heart of London's posh Mayfair district. Aerial footage captured by a police helicopter shows him stumbling to his feet after the crash, before surrendering as an officer runs into view and tackles him, while two other cops leap out of a response vehicle. 'He's just being searched,' radios in an officer on the ground. 'We've recovered multiple phones on him.' The Met says it was able to return the stolen phones to their owners. The thieves, Ellis Parkinson, 31, and Bradley McMillan, 30, were jailed for 33 and 30 months respectively.
Straits Times
18-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
China's spy agency attacks foreign efforts to ‘steal' rare earths
Find out what's new on ST website and app. A sample of antimony is displayed at the Natural History Museum in London, Britain. BEIJING - China's Ministry of State Security on July 18 said foreign spy agencies had tried to 'steal' rare earths and pledged to crack down on infiltration and espionage targeted at its critical mineral sector. Foreign intelligence agencies and their agents had colluded with 'domestic lawbreakers' to steal rare earth-related items from China, posing a serious threat to China's national security, the spy agency said in a statement on its WeChat account without naming any specific country. The ministry said it had detected attempts by an unnamed country to bypass export restrictions by forging labels, falsifying cargo manifests and transshipping cargoes, where products are routed through third countries before going to their final destination. In July, Reuters reported exclusively that unusually large quantities of antimony – a chemical metal used in batteries, chips and flame retardants – appeared to have been transshipped into the United States via Thailand and Mexico after China banned US exports. China added several rare earths and related magnets to its export restriction list in early April 2025 , in retaliation for US tariffs. The decision rattled global supply chains key to electric vehicles, robots and defence, forcing some automakers outside China to partially suspend production due to shortages. However, China's rare earths exports rose 32 per cent in June from May in a potential sign that agreements reached in June between Washington and Beijing to free up the flow of the metals are bearing fruit. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Up to 30% of aviation jobs would have to be redesigned because of AI, automation: CAAS Singapore Alleged Kpod peddler filmed trying to flee raid in Bishan charged with 6 offences Business Global fintech firms expanding in Singapore with larger offices, APAC hubs Singapore UOB awarded $17.7 million in civil suit against Lippo Marina Collection over inflated housing loans Life Kinokuniya opens third bookstore in Raffles City, weeks ahead of schedule Singapore 5 foreigners charged over scheme to deliberately get arrested in S'pore to sell sex drugs Life F1 Singapore Grand Prix: Music acts Lewis Capaldi, Clean Bandit, Spice Girls' Melanie C added World Trump threatens to sue WSJ over story on alleged 2003 letter to Epstein Nvidia's planned resumption of sales of its H20 artificial intelligence (AI) chips to China was part of the rare earth negotiations. REUTERS
