Latest news with #feather
Irish Times
23-07-2025
- Science
- Irish Times
Irish university central to discovery of ancient reptile that forces evolution rethink
A newly discovered reptile has led scientists 'back to the drawing board' on feather evolution. Although existing 70 million years before the oldest fossil feathers, the Mirasaura grauvogeli has long outer layer structures which share similarities with feathers. Originating from Grès à Voltzia in northeastern France, these reptiles had a large crest of plume-like structures, similar to how modern-day feathers look. Palaeontologists at University College Cork (UCC), along with an international team of researchers from Germany , Italy , France and the USA , discovered the new species of fossil reptile from the Triassic period, which ended around 201 million years ago. Professor Maria McNamara, leader of the UCC team and co-author of the study, told The Irish Times that the fossils were 'originally discovered in the 1930s by an amateur, Louis Grauvogel', who retained and protected them during the second World War. READ MORE Prof Maria McNamara and Dr Valentina Rossi with a fossil specimen showing the Mirasaura crest. Photograph: UCC 'They were kind of rediscovered by the family in an old drawer' and 'donated to the Stuttgart museum of national history', she said. The team at UCC, made up of Prof McNamara, Dr Valentina Rossi and Dr Tiffany Slater, were asked to analyse the soft tissues of the specimen. They examined the fossil's outer layer using scanning electron microscopy and synchrotron X-ray analyses. The microscope used by the UCC team allowed them to examine the sample without applying any conductive coating (such as metal or gold), which usually improves the imaging of samples. 'Our electron microscope allows us to put in whole big fossils without coating them', so 'it doesn't damage the specimens in any way', said Prof McNamara. The synchrotron X-ray analysis told the researchers of the chemical composition of the fossil. They found the fossil's soft tissues were rich in copper, which is a common element associated with feathers. The holotype of Mirasaura showing the bird-like skull and the crest along the back. Credit: Stephan Spiekman The team also found the fossil tissue was rich in preserved melanosomes (cell organelles that contain melanin pigments), which are common in the feathers, skin, hair and internal organs of fossil and modern vertebrate animals. They discovered that the melanosomes in Mirasaura are similar in shape to those in feathers, but not mammal hair or reptilian skin. 'We know that in modern animals, melanosome shape is closely linked to tissue type,' said Dr Rossi. 'We can therefore be confident that the Mirasaura structures share some common developmental features with feathers.' Dr Slater said the discovery 'forces us back to the drawing board for when feather-like structures first evolved'. She added: 'Mirasaura reveals a deeper, more complex evolutionary story than we ever expected.' Prof McNamara said this discovery 'suggests there is the very real possibility other ancient reptiles were evolving very showy plumes', which is 'really exciting'. She added that such discoveries would not be possible 'if those specimens remained in private hands'. 'Because these specimens were donated to a public institution, it's only then that they became accessible to scientists, and only because of that goodwill that we are able to make these really ground-breaking discoveries,' she said.
The Sun
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Everyone can see the letter B but only those with a high IQ can spot the number 8 in a few seconds
TIME to put your brain to the test with this tricky brainteaser. If you are able to spot the number 8 quickly in the image below, you might have a high IQ - or you could be well on your way to boosting it. 6 This brainteaser, featured by The Times of India, presents a grid of blue diamonds, each containing a white capital letter 'B'. But hidden among them is a sneaky number 8, cleverly camouflaged within the pattern. This puzzle's repetitive design can trick your brain into scanning less carefully, causing the number 8 to blend in - a phenomenon known as pattern fatigue. It doesn't help that the letter 'B' and the number 8 already look strikingly similar. To improve your chances, try not stare at the whole grid hoping the number will pop out. Instead, scan the image row by row, moving slowly across each line. You can also try zooming out, squinting or even flipping the image = all ways to help your brain see the grid from a new perspective. If you're struggling to spot it, here's a hint: it's hidden in the last row. You have eyes of a hawk if you can find the hidden beach ball on this busy summer scene in less than three seconds_1 The answer 6 Another brainteaser features a twisted tree - and somewhere in its branches, a a sleepy cat is cleverly hidden, waiting to be spotted. Another challenge has left puzzle enthusiasts stumped: can you find the lost feather in just 12 seconds? Or try deciphering the hidden message in this band's cover art - a detail that's puzzled fans for years. You may also want to have a go at spotting the hidden broom amongst the clothes. Numerous studies show that training your brain with brainteasers improves short-term memory, visual and spatial reasoning and sharpens your logic and reasoning. How can optical illusions and brainteasers help me? Engaging in activities like solving optical illusions and brainteasers can have many cognitive benefits as it can stimulate various brain regions. Some benefits include: Cognitive stimulation: Engaging in these activities challenges the brain, promoting mental agility and flexibility. Problem-solving skills: Regular practice enhances analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Memory improvement: These challenges often require memory recall and can contribute to better memory function. Creativity: They encourage thinking outside the box, fostering creativity and innovative thought processes. Focus and attention: Working on optical illusions and brainteasers requires concentration, contributing to improved focus. Stress relief: The enjoyable nature of these puzzles can act as a form of relaxation and stress relief. Here are some other optical illusions and brainteasers to try out: 6 6 The answers 6
