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Researchers Find Strongest Evidence of Red Blood Cells in 115 Million-Year-Old Dinosaur Bone
· Confirmed
In Short: Researchers studying a 115 million-year-old dinosaur bone say they've found the strongest evidence yet of red blood cells in a fossil, according to a study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Researchers studying a 115 million-year-old dinosaur bone say they've found the strongest evidence yet of red blood cells in a fossil, according to a study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
A team led by scientists at Curtin University in Australia identified what appear to be fossilized red blood cells, along with blood-derived molecules, preserved inside an unassuming dinosaur leg bone.
The dinosaur, estimated to measure 3 meters long and weigh about 34 kilograms, is believed to be an Aratasaurus museunacionali.
In one of the almost 30 tests they performed, the team ground up bone samples and shot them with a laser, revealing the presence of heme, a compound that contains iron and helps red blood cells transport oxygen.
The scientists' suspicions that they were looking at red blood cells were bolstered when chemical tests came back positive for heme and its breakdown products.
If confirmed, this discovery would open up entirely new avenues for scientists, allowing them to investigate dinosaur blood, metabolism, and even their activity levels.
The discovery of red blood cells in a dinosaur fossil raises questions about how biological traces survive fossilization.
Scientists previously reported preserved blood vessel structures in a T. Rex fossil, but this is the first time red blood cells have been identified.
The team's findings could change our understanding of dinosaur biology and evolution.
The dinosaur bone was unearthed in Brazil, and researchers detected chemical traces linked to hemoglobin.
This discovery is significant as it provides a glimpse into the ancient past, offering insights into the physiology of dinosaurs.
The discovery of red blood cells in a dinosaur fossil is a breakthrough that could revolutionize our understanding of dinosaur biology.
Background
The team, led by scientists at Curtin University in Australia, identified what appear to be fossilized red blood cells, along with blood-derived molecules, preserved for over 100 million years inside an unassuming dinosaur leg bone.
Researchers studying a 115 million-year-old dinosaur bone say they've found the strongest evidence yet of red blood cells in a fossil, according to a study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
What's confirmed
- Researchers studying a 115 million-year-old dinosaur bone say they've found the strongest evidence yet of red blood cells in a fossil, according to a study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
- A team led by scientists at Curtin University in Australia identified what appear to be fossilized red blood cells, along with blood-derived molecules, preserved inside an unassuming dinosaur leg bone.
- The dinosaur, estimated to measure 3 meters long and weigh about 34 kilograms, is believed to be an Aratasaurus museunacionali.
- In one of the almost 30 tests they performed, the team ground up bone samples and shot them with a laser, revealing the presence of heme, a compound that contains iron and helps red blood cells transport oxygen.
- The scientists' suspicions that they were looking at red blood cells were bolstered when chemical tests came back positive for heme and its breakdown products.
- If confirmed, this discovery would open up entirely new avenues for scientists, allowing them to investigate dinosaur blood, metabolism, and even their activity levels.
- The discovery of red blood cells in a dinosaur fossil raises questions about how biological traces survive fossilization.
- Scientists previously reported preserved blood vessel structures in a T. Rex fossil, but this is the first time red blood cells have been identified.
- The team's findings could change our understanding of dinosaur biology and evolution.
- The dinosaur bone was unearthed in Brazil, and researchers detected chemical traces linked to hemoglobin.
- This discovery is significant as it provides a glimpse into the ancient past, offering insights into the physiology of dinosaurs.
- The discovery of red blood cells in a dinosaur fossil is a breakthrough that could revolutionize our understanding of dinosaur biology.
What's still developing
- A newly discovered giant fungus belongs to a previously unknown family that may have emerged around 65 million years ago, shortly after the mass extinction that killed the non-avian dinosaurs.
- Nicknamed "Jodi," the fossil is one of only three known skeletons of Nanotyrannus, a smaller predatory dinosaur whose identity has been debated by scientists for decades.
- For years, scientists disagreed over whether Nanotyrannus was a separate dinosaur species or simply a juvenile T.
- A bird that was eaten and partially excreted by a dinosaur 66 million years ago has left behind the best-preserved feathers ever recovered by scientists from dinosaur-age rock.
- If we come across organic matter, such as blood or tissue, that can change our understanding completely—which is what makes the latest discovery by Sergio Bertazzo and his colleagues at Imperial College London so thrilling.
- Scientists believe its ancient ancestors may have emerged shortly after the dinosaurs disappeared — and have nicknamed the fungus “D-rex” Kunming Institute of Botany / Chinese Academy of Sciences Scientists exploring forests in China have discovered a giant new fungus that can weigh nearly five pounds, and its unusual size has earned it a dinosaur-inspired nickname.
- Scientists aren’t yet sure why dinosaurs found in these regions differ so much from one another.
- This signature, which may have a biological origin but requires further study, represents the most compelling evidence to date for ancient microbial life on Mars, scientists and agency officials said in a press conference.
- These findings allowed scientists to piece together a hypothesis.
- Now space experts say they have found more possible evidence that a faraway planet orbiting another star may be home to life.
- This is a question scientists, astrologers and astronauts have tried to find the answer to for many years.
- "Decades from now, we may look back at this point in time and recognize it was when the living universe came within reach," Prof. Nikku Madhusudhan said about the discovery Scientists believe they might have discovered evidence of life on a planet 700 trillion miles away from Earth.