Category Archives: Science and Health

‘Well-preserved’ baby mammoth dating back to Ice Age dissected by scientists: photos

Warning: This article contains graphic pictures. Reader discretion is advised.Stunning pictures show a female baby mammoth, dating back over 130,000 years, recently being dissected by Russian scientists.The mammoth, which has been nicknamed “Yana,” was dissected at the North-Eastern Federal University in Yakutsk, Russia, on March 27. The baby mammoth had been preserved in permafrost until she was dug up in the cold Russian province of Yakutia last year.Pictures of the necropsy show a team of scientists huddled around the 397-pound animal, which closely resembles a modern baby elephant. The creature’s mouth was open and her trunk was curled as scientists opened up her skin.Scientists initially believed that Yana lived 50,000 years ago, but that estimate was updated to over 130,000 years after scientists analyzed the permafrost layer where she was found.ANCIENT SETTLEMENT REVEALS REMAINS OF 1,800-YEAR-OLD DOG, BAFFLING EXPERTS: ‘PRESERVED QUITE WELL’ A live broadcast of scientists performing a necropsy on the 50,000-year-old baby mammoth nicknamed “Yana” is seen on a screen at the North-Eastern Federal University in Yakutsk on March 27, 2025. (STRINGER/AFP via Getty Images)Maxim Cherpasov, head of the Lazarev Mammoth Museum Laboratory, told Reuters last year that the mammoth was just over a year old when she died. The corpse was already partially eaten by predators when she was discovered.”As a rule, the part that thaws out first, especially the trunk, is often eaten by modern predators or birds,” Cherpasov told Reuters.ARCHAEOLOGISTS DISCOVER LONG-LOST TOMB OF UNKNOWN PHARAOH IN EGYPT Scientists perform a necropsy on the 50,000-year-old baby mammoth nicknamed “Yana” at the North-Eastern Federal University in Yakutsk on March 27, 2025. (STRINGER/AFP via Getty Images)”Here, for example, even though the forelimbs have already been eaten, the head is remarkably well-preserved.”Though the discovery of a well-preserved mammoth is exceedingly rare, it is not unheard of for other mammoth remains to be discovered. In June 2024, a fisherman found a mammoth bone on the banks of the Raba River in Książnice, near Gdów, Poland.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Scientists perform a necropsy on the 50,000-year-old baby mammoth nicknamed “Yana” at the North-Eastern Federal University in Yakutsk on March 27, 2025. (STRINGER/AFP via Getty Images)In August of the same year, a fossil collector discovered a portion of a Columbian mammoth tusk in an embankment in Madison County, Mississippi.Reuters contributed to this report.

‘Well-preserved’ baby mammoth dating back to Ice Age dissected by scientists: photos

Warning: This article contains graphic pictures. Reader discretion is advised.Stunning pictures show a female baby mammoth, dating back over 130,000 years, recently being dissected by Russian scientists.The mammoth, which has been nicknamed “Yana,” was dissected at the North-Eastern Federal University in Yakutsk, Russia, on March 27. The baby mammoth had been preserved in permafrost until she was dug up in the cold Russian province of Yakutia last year.Pictures of the necropsy show a team of scientists huddled around the 397-pound animal, which closely resembles a modern baby elephant. The creature’s mouth was open and her trunk was curled as scientists opened up her skin.Scientists initially believed that Yana lived 50,000 years ago, but that estimate was updated to over 130,000 years after scientists analyzed the permafrost layer where she was found.ANCIENT SETTLEMENT REVEALS REMAINS OF 1,800-YEAR-OLD DOG, BAFFLING EXPERTS: ‘PRESERVED QUITE WELL’ A live broadcast of scientists performing a necropsy on the 50,000-year-old baby mammoth nicknamed “Yana” is seen on a screen at the North-Eastern Federal University in Yakutsk on March 27, 2025. (STRINGER/AFP via Getty Images)Maxim Cherpasov, head of the Lazarev Mammoth Museum Laboratory, told Reuters last year that the mammoth was just over a year old when she died. The corpse was already partially eaten by predators when she was discovered.”As a rule, the part that thaws out first, especially the trunk, is often eaten by modern predators or birds,” Cherpasov told Reuters.ARCHAEOLOGISTS DISCOVER LONG-LOST TOMB OF UNKNOWN PHARAOH IN EGYPT Scientists perform a necropsy on the 50,000-year-old baby mammoth nicknamed “Yana” at the North-Eastern Federal University in Yakutsk on March 27, 2025. (STRINGER/AFP via Getty Images)”Here, for example, even though the forelimbs have already been eaten, the head is remarkably well-preserved.”Though the discovery of a well-preserved mammoth is exceedingly rare, it is not unheard of for other mammoth remains to be discovered. In June 2024, a fisherman found a mammoth bone on the banks of the Raba River in Książnice, near Gdów, Poland.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Scientists perform a necropsy on the 50,000-year-old baby mammoth nicknamed “Yana” at the North-Eastern Federal University in Yakutsk on March 27, 2025. (STRINGER/AFP via Getty Images)In August of the same year, a fossil collector discovered a portion of a Columbian mammoth tusk in an embankment in Madison County, Mississippi.Reuters contributed to this report.

Scientists genetically engineer wolves that may resemble extinct dire wolf

Then the scientists took blood cells from a living gray wolf and used CRISPR to genetically modify them in 20 different sites, said Colossal’s chief scientist Beth Shapiro. They transferred that genetic material to an egg cell from a domestic dog. When ready, embryos were transferred to surrogates, also domestic dogs, and 62 days later the genetically engineered pups were born.

Scientists genetically engineer wolves that may resemble extinct dire wolf

Then the scientists took blood cells from a living gray wolf and used CRISPR to genetically modify them in 20 different sites, said Colossal’s chief scientist Beth Shapiro. They transferred that genetic material to an egg cell from a domestic dog. When ready, embryos were transferred to surrogates, also domestic dogs, and 62 days later the genetically engineered pups were born.

Coronation Street star has ‘no funeral’ as his body is donated to medical science

Coronation Street actor John Saint Ryan, who played Charlie Whelan in the ITV soap between 1993 and 1994, sadly died of a heart attack at the age of 72, but he will not have a funeral as he has donated his body to science, his family has confirmed. In a Facebook post, John’s wife Joyce…

Coronation Street star has ‘no funeral’ as he donates his body to science after death

The family of Coronation Street actor John Saint Ryan, who played Charlie Whelan between 1993 and 1994, and sadly passed away at the age of 72 earlier this week, confirmed that he would not have a funeral as his body will be donated to science. John’s wife, Joyce, shared the heart-breaking news of his passing…

Coronation Street star has ‘no funeral’ as he donates his body to science after death

The family of Coronation Street actor John Saint Ryan, who played Charlie Whelan between 1993 and 1994, and sadly passed away at the age of 72 earlier this week, confirmed that he would not have a funeral as his body will be donated to science. John’s wife, Joyce, shared the heart-breaking news of his passing…

Scientists Discover Two Bizarre New Species of Trapdoor Spiders in Australia

About the size of a 20 cent piece… the Kwonkan nemoralis. Credit: Dr Jeremy Wilson
Researchers discovered two new species of trapdoor spiders in northern Australia with uniquely engineered burrows, enhancing understanding of biodiversity in the region.
A team of scientists, led by The University of Western Australia, has identified two new species of trapdoor spiders in the Kimberley region, marking the first recorded discovery of this spider group in northern Australia.
The newly described species, Kwonkan fluctellus and Kwonkan nemoralis, were detailed in a recent publication in the Australian Journal of Taxonomy. Their discovery contributes significantly to the scientific understanding of Australia’s diverse and often unique spider fauna.
The research was led by Dr. Jeremy Wilson, a postdoctoral fellow in UWA’s School of Biological Sciences and a research associate at the Western Australian Museum. The spiders were discovered during a 2022 Bush Blitz expedition to the remote northern Kimberley, supported by the Australian Government.
Master architect… the silken collar around the spider’s burrow. Credit: Dr Jeremy Wilson
“We didn’t discover these spiders in the typical dry savannah landscapes the Kimberley is known for, but instead the specimens we found of Kwonkan nemoralis, which grows to around the size of a 20-cent coin, were located deep within a gorge that shelters patches of richer forest,” Dr Wilson said.
“These wetter forest patches are quite small and usually sheltered by the gorge so when you enter them, it’s a completely different environment – much more humid, with a different collection of plant species.”
Unique Microhabitats
According to Dr Wilson, what makes the spiders fascinating is their highly specialized burrow construction.
“Unlike most related species that build simple open entrances to their burrows, spiders of the Kwonkan genus create elaborate burrow entrances with unique features,” Dr Wilson said.
“We were exploring along a small creek when we noticed distinctive circular burrows in the sandy banks.
“The burrows constructed by the Kwonkan nemoralis had a little collapsible silken collar around the entrance, which had grains of sand embedded in it and were unlike anything we’d seen before – clever engineering that serves multiple functions.”
Rainforest found in sheltered regions of the gorge. Credit: Dr Jeremy Wilson
He continues, “When disturbed, the collar around the burrow’s entrance collapses and seals the entrance, while the sand blends perfectly with the surrounding landscape, making it virtually invisible to predators.
“One question we’re particularly interested in is why they build these unusual, modified entrances and whether they may be adaptions to specific hunting strategies, or for defending against predators such as scorpions, centipedes, and wasps, which we know hunt these spiders.”
Dr Wilson said the design may also protect the spiders during unexpected flooding events in arid areas.
The discovery of the two new species contributes to Taxonomy Australia, a national initiative under the Australian Academy of Science that aims to document Australia’s biodiversity within a generation.
Reference: “Two new species of the mygalomorph spider genus Kwonkan (Mygalomorphae: Anamidae) from the Kimberley region of Western Australia” by Jeremy D. Wilson, Michael G. Rix and Mark S. Harvey, 2025, Australian Journal of Taxonomy.DOI: 10.54102/ajt

Scientists Discover Two Bizarre New Species of Trapdoor Spiders in Australia

About the size of a 20 cent piece… the Kwonkan nemoralis. Credit: Dr Jeremy Wilson
Researchers discovered two new species of trapdoor spiders in northern Australia with uniquely engineered burrows, enhancing understanding of biodiversity in the region.
A team of scientists, led by The University of Western Australia, has identified two new species of trapdoor spiders in the Kimberley region, marking the first recorded discovery of this spider group in northern Australia.
The newly described species, Kwonkan fluctellus and Kwonkan nemoralis, were detailed in a recent publication in the Australian Journal of Taxonomy. Their discovery contributes significantly to the scientific understanding of Australia’s diverse and often unique spider fauna.
The research was led by Dr. Jeremy Wilson, a postdoctoral fellow in UWA’s School of Biological Sciences and a research associate at the Western Australian Museum. The spiders were discovered during a 2022 Bush Blitz expedition to the remote northern Kimberley, supported by the Australian Government.
Master architect… the silken collar around the spider’s burrow. Credit: Dr Jeremy Wilson
“We didn’t discover these spiders in the typical dry savannah landscapes the Kimberley is known for, but instead the specimens we found of Kwonkan nemoralis, which grows to around the size of a 20-cent coin, were located deep within a gorge that shelters patches of richer forest,” Dr Wilson said.
“These wetter forest patches are quite small and usually sheltered by the gorge so when you enter them, it’s a completely different environment – much more humid, with a different collection of plant species.”
Unique Microhabitats
According to Dr Wilson, what makes the spiders fascinating is their highly specialized burrow construction.
“Unlike most related species that build simple open entrances to their burrows, spiders of the Kwonkan genus create elaborate burrow entrances with unique features,” Dr Wilson said.
“We were exploring along a small creek when we noticed distinctive circular burrows in the sandy banks.
“The burrows constructed by the Kwonkan nemoralis had a little collapsible silken collar around the entrance, which had grains of sand embedded in it and were unlike anything we’d seen before – clever engineering that serves multiple functions.”
Rainforest found in sheltered regions of the gorge. Credit: Dr Jeremy Wilson
He continues, “When disturbed, the collar around the burrow’s entrance collapses and seals the entrance, while the sand blends perfectly with the surrounding landscape, making it virtually invisible to predators.
“One question we’re particularly interested in is why they build these unusual, modified entrances and whether they may be adaptions to specific hunting strategies, or for defending against predators such as scorpions, centipedes, and wasps, which we know hunt these spiders.”
Dr Wilson said the design may also protect the spiders during unexpected flooding events in arid areas.
The discovery of the two new species contributes to Taxonomy Australia, a national initiative under the Australian Academy of Science that aims to document Australia’s biodiversity within a generation.
Reference: “Two new species of the mygalomorph spider genus Kwonkan (Mygalomorphae: Anamidae) from the Kimberley region of Western Australia” by Jeremy D. Wilson, Michael G. Rix and Mark S. Harvey, 2025, Australian Journal of Taxonomy.DOI: 10.54102/ajt

Johns Hopkins doctor warns NIH grant funding cuts putting essential science years behind

BALTIMORE — Johns Hopkins Medical is the largest recipient of NIH funds in the country. But with those funds indefinitely held by the Trump Administration one local doctor is speaking up about how this is putting important medical research years behind.”I love science. I love studying the brain,” said Dr. Bigos. Dr. Kristin Bigos has spent her entire career studying what makes the brain tick. “I think it’s the final frontier.” VIDEO: Johns Hopkins doctor warns NIH grant funding cuts putting essential science years behind

Doctor warns NIH grant funding cuts putting essential science years behind

As an assistant professor at Johns Hopkins medicine, her focus is learning chemical reasons why some people have difficulties with cognitive function. If you’ve ever had to tell a relative, they can’t drive any more, this is why. “Cognitive and behavioral disorders are very widespread. They’re one of the most common disorders in in the world,” she said. The amount of research to understand and find a treatment for such a complex issue takes more time and money than a drug company is willing to spend. That’s where academic institutions like Johns Hopkins step in with the help of funding grants from NIH. Dr. Bigos feels passionately about her work in foundation research, “we’re really doing this for the benefit of society. And to develop drugs for patient populations that we care a lot about.” She says over 95% of drugs start in an academic lab.Dr. Bigos focuses on the chemical reasons a person’s brain might be in decline.”For example, what are the steps taken to leave your house in the morning and remember to do all the things like lock your door and turn off certain lights,” she said.Last year, she applied for an NIH grant to look at two chemicals, NAAG and glutamate and their essential role in firing signals in the brain. “The part of the brain that really drives human and primate behavior and cognition.” It takes months to receive grant approval from NIH, then the new administration suddenly cut off all funding.”We were meant to go in February to a council meeting and that got postponed indefinitely,” Dr. Bigos said. NIH officials have gone radio silent on nearly all grants. Unfortunately, Dr. Bigos’ study was supposed to start April first. She says this has happened with thousands of studies across the country. Sending a lot of scientific advancement into the dark. She says graduate and post doctorate students starting out in research are in a particular bind because this is a critical time for them to compete for funding and start their work in the kind of biological science that will lead to the drugs of tomorrow.And in her case, she sees no reason why it should be held up. Dr. Bigos referenced a recent study which she says showed for every dollar invested in academic scientific research, two and a half dollars of economic activity was generated.Her research truly is one that would benefit society at large. “My work has not been flagged as controversial, or against any of the executive orders and so I would hope that there’s bi-partisan support in cognitive disorders especially of aging since this is something that effects many, many families including mine.”Dr. Bigos is hopeful all medical research funding is restored before progress on treatments face a long-term disruption. “If there is not a pipeline of people to come after me, and to fund the research, then this is going to take generations to fix.”It takes a complicated pipeline to fix a complicated problem. One that, until now, began with NIH funding.Johns Hopkins released a letter to the community detailing the impacts of the cuts. It can be read here. Recently, top researchers from across the country wrote an Open Letter to the American People laying out how and why the United States’ investment in scientific research is so important. You can read that letter here.