Sunday, December 9, 2007

Chief of Dinosaurs Fossil Found in Argentina

A new giant, plant-eating dinosaur has been found in Argentina by paleontologists. Called Futalognkosaurus dukei, it is believed to be one of the largest dinosaurs that ever existed. It also has one of the most difficult-to-remember names. Alive, it would have measured at least 32 meters in length, or 105 feet. The bones found showed evidence of being chewed upon by carnivores. The name is inspired by the native Mapuche people's words for "giant chief of the lizards." Director Jorge Calvo of the paleontology center at the National University of Comahue in Argentina says the find is one of the most complete of the dinosaur giants that exist. The image on top is an artist's rendition of how Argentina may have looked like 80 million years ago with F. dukei on the left.

The pictures are from the British Broadcasting Corporation site.

For a video of the fossils, jump here to i-Mash.

"How to Enhance Children's Imagination of the Past When Teaching History"

Saturday, December 8, 2007

Spare Body Parts from Skin Cells Breakthrough

Scientists in the United States and Japan have made simultaneous breakthroughs which may finally ease the ethical problem of using stem cells from human embryos for medical treatment.

Stem cells are the precursor cells of specialized cells in the body that differentiate during embryonic growth to become bones, internal organs, the brain, etcetera. Stem cells are said to be the solution to many medical problems that lead to loss of organs and other essential internal body parts like the liver and the heart. By harvesting and growing stem cells into different body parts, humans can have replacements at hand without the need for donors.

Stem cells were originally harvested from human embryos, and religious and political groups and certain parties have criticized this as immoral even if the process can save and improve lives. Fortunately, the process of getting stem cells from skin cells has been given support by the Catholic church.

To view a video of the news on how scientists are now using skin cells to make stem cells, jump to i-Mash here.

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

First Photo of Lunar Surface by Chang'e 1 Unveiled

This is the first photograph made by the Chinese Chang'e 1 lunar satellite of the Moons surface. The unveiling was controversial as the photograph was claimed by some to be the same one taken by a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) spacecraft in 2005. This was denied by Chinese officials, who said that the same site would naturally produce a similar image. They did, however, note a difference in the number of craters in one part, although the details are sketchy. Jump here to i-Mash for the details.

Saturday, December 1, 2007

Yeti Footprint Found Near Everest

A supposed footprint of the mythical Yeti creature of the Himalayas has been cast by a Destination Truth television crew and shown to the public. The foot clearly shows what appear to be five toes. Strangely, they are splayed out and appear to be in the wrong angles. Logically, this flat, triangular arrangement would suit well for walking on snow, but biologists should really take a look at it to see if it is anatomically sound. Theorists have claimed that most Yeti footprints are the result of animal tracks which have merged together to form a single, large impression which appears humanoid in nature. Television host Josh Gates (face not shown) displays the cast of the footprint.

Jump here to i-Mash for related news on the whopping auction sale of a Yeti footprint depiction.