A literal sea change disrupted the balance of aquatic predators during the middle Cretaceous. Before that period, during the Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous, fierce aquatic reptilian predators prowled the oceans, including pliosaurids with jaws over six feet long, toothy thalattosuchia crocodyliforms, and fast, fish-like ichthyosaurians.Then, during the middle Cretaceous, something happened. Ichthyosaurs, thalattosuchians, and pliosaurids disappeared rather abruptly. But the change wasn’t a ...read more
Psychopathology and personality are separate areas of psychology, but they aren’t as separate as previously thought. In fact, a new study suggests that the two spheres are closely tied, with around a fourth of people’s risk of mental health conditions, including their risk of depression, anxiety, and phobias, being attributable to their personality traits. Published in the Journal of Psychopathology and Clinical Science, the study suggests that personality traits can serve as predictors of c ...read more
Thanks to hundreds of self-inflicted snake bites, a Wisconsin man has been able to donate his antibodies to science, leading to the “most broadly effective antivenom to date,” according to a press release. New research published in Cell discusses the first use of human antibodies to help create an antivenom that can be effective against multiple species of venomous snakes, including black mamba, king cobra, and tiger snakes. Combined with a small molecule inhibitor, this could help create a ...read more
People have been searching for the key to happiness at least as long as recorded history. Now, researchers have found that their is no single, uniform solution. A study in the journal Nature Human Behavior shows that happiness can come from either external or internal sources and that its roots vary from person to person and society to society.Happiness From External or Internal SourcesExternal influences include things like careers, health, relationships, and wealth. Inner ones can come from pr ...read more
We typically associate mummies with ancient Egypt — or sometimes cheesy old horror movies. Now a newly described mummy from an unexpected place — Austria — details in the journal Frontiers in Medicine a previously unknown embalming technique.Although mummification is firmly linked to the Age of the Pharaohs, other cultures have employed various embalming techniques resembling that process. It is often used for religious reasons and the methods vary by time and place.Unusual Embalming Techn ...read more
Author Vishay SinghPosted on Categories Discover Magazine