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Dinosaur Decline in the Late Cretaceous
May 2, 2012 | USAToday.com

Researchers have determined that some dinosaur sub-groups were in decline long before the Late Cretaceous impact event.

Oldest Worm Burrows
April 23, 2012 | ScienceNews.org

The oldest worm burrow trace fossils have been found in shallow marine rocks that are 550 million years old in central Siberia.

Teeth As a Competitive Edge
April 4, 2012 | University of Washington

“Conventional wisdom holds that during the Mesozoic Era, mammals were small creatures that held on at life’s edges. But at least one mammal group, rodent-like creatures called multituberculates, actually flourished during the last 20 million years of the dinosaurs’ reign and survived their extinction 66 million years ago.” Quoted from the University of Washington press release.

Titanoboa: Largest Snake in Earth History
April 2, 2012 | Smithsonian Museum of Natural History

The Smithsonian Museum of Natural History has a new documentary and traveling exhibition titled “Titanoboa: Monster Snake”. The largest known snake lived about 60 million years ago in what is now Colombia, weighed over one ton and grew to a length of up to 48 feet.

Image by Charles Lyell
Fossils on the Lake Erie Shoreline
March 28, 2012 | Magma Cum Laude

Jessica Ball has some photos of a recent fossil collecting trip along the shoreline of Lake Erie. They found some nice corals, trilobites and brachiopods.

The Color of Dinosaur Feathers
March 14, 2012 | American Museum of Natural History

“A pigeon-sized, four-winged dinosaur known as Microraptor had black iridescent feathers when it roamed the Earth 130 million years ago, according to new research led by a team of American and Chinese scientists that includes Museum researchers. The dinosaur’s fossilized plumage is the earliest record of iridescent feather color.” Quoted from the National Science Foundation research announcement.

Horse Evolution and Climate Change
March 13, 2012 | National Science Foundation

“When Sifrhippus sandae, the earliest known horse, first appeared in the forests of North America more than 50 million years ago, it would not have been mistaken for a Clydesdale. It weighed in at around 12 pounds–and it was destined to get much smaller over the ensuing millennia.” Quoted from the NSF press release.

Animal Evolution During the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum
February 27, 2012 | National Science Foundation

Fifty-five million years ago, Earth underwent a very rapid global warming event. About a third of mammal species responded with a significant reduction in size during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum , some by as much as one-half.

300MYA Coal Swamp Buried in Ash
February 22, 2012 | Nature.com

In northern China, researchers have found a fossil coal swamp that was quickly buried and preserved by a fall of volcanic ash approximately 300 million years ago.

Related: How does coal form? | Coal through a microscope.

Mass Extinction Can Be a Slow Event
February 7, 2012 | National Science Foundation

The deadliest mass extinction of all took a long time to kill 90 percent of Earth’s marine life–and it killed in stages–according to a newly published report.

Image by Charles Lyell
Forgotten Darwin Fossils Rediscovered
January 17, 2012 | USA Today

A collection of over 300 specimens collected by Charles Darwin and his associates – then forgotten for generations has be rediscovered at the British Geological Survey.

Dinosaur Discoveries for 2011
January 9, 2012 | Smithsonian Blog

The Smithsonian Blog has an article that reviews some of the important dinosaur discoveries of 2011. Check it out for new information on dinosaur growth, dinosaur senses, new species and more.

Evolution of Dinosaur Art
January 8, 2012 | Smithsonian Blog

An post on the Smithsonian blog titled “Creating the Age of Reptiles” explores Rudolph Zallingers “Age of Reptiles” painting and its influence on dinosaur paleontology.

Even Four-Year-Olds Know the Difference Between Styracosaurus and Triceratops
January 8, 2012 | Montreal Gazette

Four-year-old paleontoligist, Stella Hatton was not impressed with the accuracy of dinosaur toys at her local toy store. The Canadian Museum of Nature liked her critique of the toy so much that they sent her a correct triceratops model.

Ichthyosaur Survival across the Jurassic–Cretaceous Boundary
January 6, 2012 | PLoSone

The PLoSone online journal has an article about Acamptonectes densus, an ichthyosaur that survived the Jurasic-Cretaceous extinction event and suggests that the event had little impact on ichthyosaurs.

Earth Science Books for Kids
December 13, 2011 |

This is a great time to introduce kids to earth science with age-appropriate books. The geology.com store has children’s books on topics that include: dinosaurs, rocks, minerals, fossils, gemstones, volcanoes and more.

North America’s Largest Dinosaur
December 8, 2011 | MSNBC

Based upon the proportions of two vertebrae and a femur of Alamosaurus sanjuanensis found in New Mexico, researchers believe that the bones are from the largest dinosaur ever found in North America.

National Park Service Image
Florida Mastodon
December 1, 2011 | CNN Video

Workers at a construction site in Florida discovered a mastodon skeleton that is now being excavated for the Datona Beach Museum of Arts and Sciences.

Humans in Europe 45,000 Years Ago?
November 2, 2011 | CNN

Researchers in southern Italy have found teeth associated with shell beads and other ornaments that date to between 43,000 and 45,000 years ago. These are older than any other physical remains found anywhere in Europe.

Pachyrhinosaurus perotorum from the North Slope
November 2, 2011 | ArtDaily.org

Researchers from the Dallas Museum of Nature and Science have described a new species of horned dinosaur, Pachyrhinosaurus perotorum, recovered from the Prince Creek Formation of Alaska’s North Slope. This article at ArtDaily had a link to the formal paper at the bottom of the page.

Camarasaurus Migrated Great Distances?
November 1, 2011 | io9

Oxygen isotope levels in chronological layers of Camarasaurus teeth reveal that the dinosaur may have seasonally migrated great distances – at least 200 miles!

Smithsonian: “Spookiest Dinosaur Scenes”
November 1, 2011 | Smithsonian.com

Smithsonian.com celebrated Halloween with an article titled: “Cinema’s Spookiest Dinosaur Scenes” that lists and describes the top five dinosaur scenes from the movies. Can you guess which scene earned position #1?

World’s Largest Fossil Footprint Museum
October 18, 2011 | Examiner.com

The world’s largest collection of fossil footprints, containing over 2700 specimens, is moving to a new home at University of Colorado Boulder.

USGS Image
The Seven Meter Pterosaur
October 17, 2011 | MSNBC

Measurements from a small fossil fragment housed in the Natural History Museum of London for over 100 years were used to determine that some pterosaurs had a wingspan of up to seven meters!

Spectacular Fossils of the Green River Formation
October 17, 2011 | Geology.com

Some of the most spectacular Eocene fossils are found in the Green River Formation of Colorado, Utah and Wyoming where fish, insects, plants and animals were preserved in intermountain lakes while the Rocky Mountains were still growing.

Fossilized Dinosaur Tracks at Aniakchak Caldera, Alaska
October 12, 2011 | Earth Observatory

“Geographers first noticed the circular feature on the landscape, and a 1922 geologic expedition confirmed the origin of the depression. Several decades later, paleontologists made another find at Aniakchak: Dinosaurs once lived in the area, and they left behind some of their fossilized tracks.” Quoted from the Earth Observatory image release.

Arkansas Dinosaur Tracks
October 10, 2011 | University of Arkansas

“The track site, found in southwest Arkansas, covers an area of about two football fields and contains the fossilized tracks of several species.” Quoted from the University of Arkansas news release.

Student Learning: Feathers in Amber
October 3, 2011 | SciNEWS

The SciNEWS website has a new collection of resources that guide teachers in preparing learning activities for students that feature new research findings about some of the oldest-know feathers. These are based in part on an assemblage of Late Cretaceous dinosaur and bird feathers discovered in Canadian amber.

Spectacular Colors in Ancient Beetles?
September 30, 2011 | BBC

BBC has a report on a Yale University scientist and her discoveries on the original colors of fossilized beetles.

Armored Dinosaur Hatchling Discovered in Maryland
September 28, 2011 | Johns Hopkins

“Researchers at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine with help from an amateur fossil hunter in College Park, Maryland, have described the fossil of an armored dinosaur hatchling.” Quoted from John Hopkins news release.

Earth Science Week Newsletter for September
September 22, 2011 | Earth Science Week

The new Earth Science Week newsletter is ready. It can help you get ready for the celebration on October 9-15, 2011. It includes the topics below and more….

* Earth Science Week 2011 Coming Soon: Get Ready!
* Under a Month Left to Enter Earth Science Week Contests
* Change Education With an Earth Science Week Toolkit
* More Geoscience Resources in Spanish and English
* ‘No Child Left Inside’ Day Comes to Your Area
* Visit DC’s National Mall for National Fossil Day Event
* Women in the Geosciences Day Coming in October
* Shine a Media Spotlight on Your Great Activities
* NGWA Webinar Targets Women in Geoscience
* SMILE for Activities Online for Science Teachers
* London Event Marks Earth Science Week 2011
* How to Put Your Event on the Map – Online

Using DNA to Fill Gaps in the Fossil Record
September 21, 2011 | University of Pennsylvania

“University of Pennsylvania evolutionary biologists have resolved a long-standing paleontological problem by reconciling the fossil record of species diversity with modern DNA samples.” Quoted from the University of Pennsylvania press release.

Feather
Feathers in Amber
September 16, 2011 | University of Alberta

Secrets from the age of the dinosaurs are usually revealed by fossilized bones, but a University of Alberta research team has turned up a treasure trove of late Cretaceous feathers, which have been discovered trapped in tree resin.

Petrified Forest National Park adds 26,000 Acres
September 14, 2011 | MSNBC

After years of negotiations the National Park Service has secured 26,000 acres of largely untouched private land that scientist are excited to explore.

Maryland Dinosaur Hatchling Identified
September 14, 2011 | MSNBC

MSNBC reports that researchers from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine have identified an armored dinosaur hatchling that was discovered in College Park, Maryland 14 years ago.

Woolly Rhinoceros Fossil Found in Tibet
September 3, 2011 | Los Angeles Times

Paleontologists have discovered a 3.7-million-year-old woolly rhinoceros fossil in Tibet that has been named Coelodonta thibetana.

National Fossil Day Art and Photography Contests
August 31, 2011 | National Park Service

As part of Earth Science Week, the National Park Service is running art and photography contests on National Fossil Day, October 12, 2011. The contests are open to any U.S. resident. This contest emphasizes the scientific and educational values of fossils to the public.

Rapid Evolution Often Doesn’t Last Within a Species
August 29, 2011 | Oregon State University

“In research that will help address a long-running debate and apparent contradiction between short- and long-term evolutionary change, scientists have discovered that although evolution is a constant and sometimes rapid process, the changes that hit and stick tend to take a long time.” Quoted from the Oregon State University news release.

Fossil Discovery Provides New Information about Early Mammal Evolution
August 28, 2011 | National Science Foundation

“A well-preserved fossil discovered in northeast China provides new information about the earliest ancestors of most of today’s mammal species–the placental mammals.” Quoted form the National Science Foundation press release.

Ancient Daddy Long Leg Fossils in 3-D
August 25, 2011 | Imperial College London

“Two ancient types of harvestmen, or ‘daddy long legs,’ which skittered around forests more than 300 million years ago, are revealed in new three-dimensional virtual fossil models published today in the journal Nature Communications.” Quoted from the Imperial College London news release.

Related: Fossil “Spiders” Clearly Revealed by 3D Imaging

Mammoth
Russia: Well-Preserved Baby Mammoth Discovered
August 22, 2011 | MSNBC

A reindeer herder discovered a well-preserved baby mammoth in the Russian Arctic. This find is similar to the baby mammoth named “Lyuba” which was found in the permafrost of the same region in 2007.

Oldest Microfossils Found in Australia?
August 21, 2011 | Washington Post

Researchers in Australia have found microscopic fossils of what are thought to be 3.4 billion-year-old anaerobic bacteria. Analysis of nearby pyrite grains show evidence of metabolism that implies that the microbes were processing sulfur.

Texas Mountains Hold Clues to Ancient Sea Levels
August 18, 2011 | MSNBC

The Guadalupe Mountains of West Texas hold clues about sea level changes that occurred over 265 million years ago.

Pregnant Plesiosaur
August 17, 2011 | Los Angeles Times

A Plesiosaur fossil discovered in Kansas indicates the animal did not lay eggs on land. Instead it grew a fetus and gave live birth in the water.

Huge Cretaceous Bird Discovered in Kazakhstan
August 11, 2011 | University of Portsmouth

“We can now be really confident that Mesozoic terrestrial birds weren’t all thrush-sized or crow-sized animals – giant size definitely evolved in these animals and giant forms were living in at least two distinct regions. This fits into a larger, emerging picture that Mesozoic birds were ecologically diverse, with lots of overlap between them and modern groups.” Quoted from the University of Portsmouth press release.

Polar Dinosaur Tracks Discovered in Australia
August 11, 2011 | Emory University

“Paleontologists have discovered a group of more than 20 polar dinosaur tracks on the coast of Victoria, Australia, offering a rare glimpse into animal behavior during the last period of pronounced global warming, about 105 million years ago.” Quoted from the Emory University news release.

Fossil Thalattosaur Found in Alaska
July 31, 2011 | FoxNews.com

Quick excavations were done to recover a fossil thalattosaur that was only exposed during low tide at certain times of the year. The University of Alaska Museum of the North is now preparing the marine reptile for study.

Northern Antarctica Climate History in Fossilized Pollen
July 29, 2011 | Rice University

“A painstaking examination of the first direct and detailed climate record from the continental shelves surrounding Antarctica reveals that the last remnant of Antarctic vegetation existed in a tundra landscape on the continent’s northern peninsula about 12 million years ago.” Quoted from the Rice University news release.

The Oldest Bird?
July 28, 2011 | MSNBC

Is Archaeopteryx the oldest bird? Analysis of the 155 million-year-old, chicken-sized Xiaotingia zhengi, found in China’s Liaoning Province seems to place Archaeopteryx in a different evolutionary line. Archaeopteryx, a 150 million-year-old fossil found in Germany in 1861, is considered by many paleontologists to be the most primitive bird known.

A Dinosaur-Eating Croc?
July 27, 2011 | McGill Reporter

“Given the number and size of their teeth, the researchers believe these carnivorous crocs fed on animals of the same 15- to 20-foot size range – that is dinosaurs and fellow crocs from the region.” Quoted from the McGill University press release.

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