Archaeologists solve the enigma of Ice Age mammoth bone circles

Strange bone circles made from mammoths revealed clues about how ancient communities survived Europe's last ice age.

Credit: Alex Pryor
  • Archaeologists found new clues to the purpose of the bone circles in Russia and Ukraine from the last Ice Age.
  • The previous theories assumed they were used for dwellings.
  • The new finds indicate they were used partially for fuel and had remains of different plants.
Keep reading Show less
archaeology biology culture history animals russia europe

Can your pets catch coronavirus? Medical experts say no

Coronavirus infecting your pup is extremely unlikely, but there are some precautions you can take for your pets during the pandemic.

Photo by Krista Mangulsone on Unsplash
  • Last month, a dog was quarantined in Hong Kong after having tested a "weak positive" for the novel coronavirus igniting public worry about the possibility of pets becoming infected.
  • Medical experts are saying that there is no evidence that the virus that causes COVID-19 can infect pets, which have different cell receptors.
  • One precaution you can take to protect your pets from the pandemic is to pack an emergency "go bag" with supplies your pet may need in the case of a quarantine.
Keep reading Show less
virus disease global issues health animals

Smallest known dinosaur found in 99-million-year-old amber

With lizard-like eyes and sharp teeth, this strange creature was likely smaller than your thumb.

Xing Lida / CC BY-ND
  • The amber-trapped specimen was found in Myanmar in 2016.
  • The specimen was a bird-like dinosaur that likely preyed on insects and small invertebrates.
  • The researchers said their findings, if correct, show that miniaturization of dinosaurs occurred much earlier than paleontologists previously thought.
Keep reading Show less
animals evolution ancient world dinosaurs

New dinosaur-age cockroaches discovered

The oldest known cave-dwelling arthropods have been discovered preserved in amber.

Photo by Jesper Aggergaard on Unsplash
  • Researchers discovered two new species of prehistoric cockroaches dating back to when dinosaurs roamed the earth.
  • These are the oldest human-known examples of "troglomorphic" organisms — critters that adapted to dwelling in caves.
  • More work will be required to determine if the new roach species somehow survived the mass extinction that killed off the dinosaurs.
Keep reading Show less
animals biology evolution dinosaurs

3 ethical catastrophes you can help stop, right now

Deciding how we ought to live is one of the greatest challenges of being alive. Ask yourself these important questions to gain clarity, with philosopher Peter Singer.

  • Philosopher Peter Singer cites his top three ethical issues in the world today as: extreme poverty; climate change, which is related to poverty; and the way humans treat animals.
  • Any rational being should be interested in trying to understand how they ought to live, and whether they are doing things that are right or wrong. Singer suggests asking yourself important questions. When it comes to extreme poverty, ask: "Is it okay for me just to be living my life in my society and not doing anything for people who, through no fault of their own, are living in extreme poverty?"
  • For climate change, ask how you can put pressure on political leaders to take serious steps to prevent a climate change catastrophe that will disproportionately affect the poor. When it comes to animal cruelty, ask: "Am I complicit in the suffering that's being inflicted on animals, especially in factory farms but in other forms of farming as well? Am I complicit in that when I buy those products? And, if so, does that mean that I need to stop buying them?"
Keep reading Show less
activism animals climate change compassion environment food global issues morality philosophy poverty social change