China finds fossils of small feathered dinosaur

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Archaeologists in China have discovered fossils of a pigeon-sized feathered dinosaur which they believe to be an ancestor of birds.

Ancient Bone Tool Sheds Light On Prehistoric Midwest

A prehistoric bone tool just discovered by archeologists is the oldest such artifact ever documented in Indiana, researchers say.

Archaeologists Find Unique, Early US Relic Of African Worship

Archaeologists have dug up what they believe to be one of the earliest US examples of African spirit practices. The researchers say it's the only object of its kind ever...

Current mass extinction spurs major study of which plants to save

The Earth is in the midst of the sixth mass extinction of both plants and animals, with nearly 50 percent of all species disappearing, scientists say.

Study of polar dinosaur migration questions whether dinosaurs were truly the first great migrators

Contrary to popular belief, polar dinosaurs may not have traveled nearly as far as originally thought when making their bi-annual migration.

Dr Paul Drayson, the new minister for science and innovation, speaks to Ian Sample

Ian Sample speaks to the new science minister Dr Paul Drayson

Geobiologists discover unique 'magnetic death star' fossil

An international team of scientists has discovered microscopic, magnetic fossils resembling spears and spindles, unlike anything previously seen, among sediment layers deposited during an ancient global-warming event along the Atlantic...

Rock Art "Library" Shows Aborigines Were Not Isolated

Scenes of everyday life discovered in the country's remote Northern Territory suggest that Aborigines interacted with neighboring cultures centuries before the British arrived, archaeologists say.

Archaeologists Uncover Ancient Governor's Palace In Turkey

Archaeologists have unearthed parts of a Neo-Assyrian governor's palace dating back to the 9th to 7th century BCE in an excavation program amongst the ruins on Ziyaret Tepe. The discoveries...

Out Of Mesopotamia: Evolutionary History Of Tuberculosis

The evolutionary timing and spread of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC), one of the most successful groups of bacterial pathogens, remains largely unknown. Using mycobacterial tandem repeat sequences as genetic...

Bird sets record with 7,257-mile non-stop flight

Foregoing layovers and snack stops, a bird known as the bar-tailed godwit has broken the record established for the world's longest known non-stop bird flight, according to a new study.

Biosafety lab passes disaster test

Texas facility cleared to analyse lethal pathogens.

Soda Can DNA Helps Cops Solve Break-Ins

DNA evidence is increasingly being used to solve everyday property crimes across the nation. Once reserved mostly for violent cases such as rape and murder, genetic testing is now much...

Ancient jewels found in uni desk

Tiny gold studs unearthed near Stonehenge are found in a desk at a university after 30 years.

Ancient columns found in Italy

TRIESTE, Italy, Oct. 22 (UPI) -- Italian archaeologists say they have discovered nine large columns believed to have once lined a key Roman road into the Balkans.

Dino graveyard yields fossil bounty

A "dinosaur graveyard" full of fossils has been discovered in a former river bed in Utah, presenting an opportunity for a decade's worth of Jurassic research by paleontologists.

Britain's Oldest Toy Found Buried with Stonehenge Baby?

The carved figurine--most likely of a hedgehog or a pig--was discovered during an excavation of a wooden fence near the prehistoric stone monument.

MoD scientists 'deployed in UK'

Scientists from Porton Down have been deployed in the UK a "number of times this year", a counter-terrorism chief tells MPs.

Throwing light on the dark side of the Universe

Although we may believe humans know a lot about the Universe, there are still a lot of phenomena to be explained. A team of cosmologists from the University of the...

At Two Feet Long, A Record-Breaking Bug

If earwigs, centipedes or spiders give you the creepy crawlies, quit while you're ahead. Otherwise, meet "Chan's megastick" (Phobaeticus chain). Recently named the world's longest living insect, the thin, bamboo-looking...

Hikers find 'abominable snowman' footprints

VIDEO: Ancient Temples Found in Peru

Archaeologists in Peru have discovered two religious temples more than 3,000 years old, the remains of which are still in excellent condition.

TRAVEL/CULTURE PHOTOS WEEKLY: Culinary Olympics, More

Brazilian Christians pray before a mass baptism, a lizard sculpture eyes chefs at the Culinary Olympics, and more in our weekly update of culture photos.

Egyptologists use high-tech software to analyze construction of Great Pyramid

Using cutting edge technology, Egyptologist Bob Brier of the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University delved into the only standing wonder of the ancient world, the Great Pyramid, and...

South Africa in grip of strangulation spate

Murder of women by strangulation is a serious problem in South Africa. Researchers writing in the open access journal BMC Public Health compared four South African cities for the period...

Elephants' struggle with poaching lingers on

New study documents long-lasting effects, pinpoints where poaching has restarted

Chloride In Big Darby Creek Has Increased Three-Fold In Past 40 Years

(PhysOrg.com) -- Chloride levels in central Ohio`s Big Darby Creek were three times higher in 2007 than the levels recorded in the late 1960s, and have more than doubled since...

Scientist Uses Tracer to Predict Ancient Ocean Circulation

(PhysOrg.com) -- Even though the Cretaceous Period ended more than 65 million years ago, clues remain about how the ocean water circulated at that time. Measuring a chemical tracer in...