Though paleontologists have been discussing the origin and spread of dinosaurs for decades, the widely accepted theory was that they emerged in the southern part of the ancient continent of Pangea over 200 million years ago, and only spread northward millions of years later. A new study dramatically changes the conversation. University of WisconsinMadison (UWMadison) paleontologists announced the discovery of a new dinosaur that challenges the conventional theory about the dinosaurs origin and spread. The location and age of the newly-described fossils suggest that dinosaurs prowled the northern regions of Pangea millions of years earlier than previously hypothesized. The findings were detailed in a January 8 study published in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. Were kind of filling in some of this story, and were showing that the ideas that weve held for so long ideas that were supported by the fragmented evidence that we had werent quite right, Dave Lovelace of the University of Wisconsin Geology Museum, who co-led the study, said in a UWMadison statement. We now have this piece of evidence that shows dinosaurs were here in the northern hemisphere much earlier than we thought.The paleontologists uncovered the theory-defying fossils in present-day Wyoming in 2013. Due to Earths shifting tectonic plates, this region was located near the equator over 200 million years ago on Laurasia, the northern half of Pangea (the southern half was called Gondwana). While the remains were fragmented, the paleontologists were able to attribute the fossils to a new dinosaur species they named Ahvaytum bahndooiveche, which was likely an early sauropod relative. Ahvaytum, however, looked very different from the iconic long-necked herbivores. It was basically the size of a chicken but with a really long tail, said Lovelace. We think of dinosaurs as these giant behemoths, but they didnt start out that way. The adult specimen was just over a foot tall (30.5 centimeters) and about three feet long (91.4 cm). Perhaps most shockingly, however, is the age of the fossil. Lovelace and his colleagues used radioisotopic dating (a method for determining the age of materials by measuring radioactive decay) to determine that the rock layers where theyd found the Ahvaytum fossilsand thus roughly the remains themselveswere about 230 million years old. This makes Ahvaytum the oldest known Laurasian dinosaur, and about equivalent in age to the earliest known Gondwanan dinosaurs, according to the study. Dinosaurs first emerged during the Triassic period, around 230 million years ago. This era, which lasted from about 252 to 201 million years ago, saw the rise of the earliest dinos, before they became dominant in the Jurassic period.We have, with these fossils, the oldest equatorial dinosaur in the world its also North Americas oldest dinosaur, Lovelace added. The fact that the oldest known Laurasian dinosaur is about as old as the earliest known Gondwanan dinosaurs consequently challenges the theory that dinosaurs originated in the south of the ancient continent and only spread north millions of years later.The site of the discovery is within the ancestral lands of the Eastern Shoshone Tribe. As a result, the researchers partnered with tribal members throughout their work, and included Eastern Shoshone elders and middle school students in choosing the new dinosaurs name. Ahvaytum bahndooiveche roughly translates to long ago dinosaur in the Eastern Shoshone language. The region also yielded additional finds. The team identified an early dinosaur-like footprint in older rock layers, meaning that dinosaurs or dinosaur-related creatures were calling Laurasia home even before Ahvaytum. The paleontologists also uncovered the fossil of a newly described amphibian, which was also named in the Eastern Shoshone language.In challenging long-standing theories about how dinosaurs spread across Pangea, the discovery of the chicken-sized Ahvaytum ultimately paints a clearer picture of the creatures that walked the Earthand wheremillions of years before us.

After Dune: Part Two hit theaters, director Denis Villeneuvewho found great success with the first Dune, and enjoyed a similar blockbuster response to its sequelunderstandably said hed be taking a break from Frank Herberts world before wrapping up the epic trilogy with Dune Messiah. But last fall, he said he realized his desire to get back to Arrakis was greater than his desire for some downtimeand a new interview suggests that might happen very soon indeed. Talking to the Wrap, Villeneuve was asked what the standout element of his Dune experience has been so far. After explaining that he had a pinch-me moment after Dune: Part Two was completedjust absorbing that hed actually completed a Dune adaptation, something he called an incredible privilegehe confessed that even after all that work, he hungered for more.I think my biggest surprise about this is that I dont want to run away from Arrakis. Im still inspired to go back, he told the trade. Thats the thing that I was the most surprised by. I felt that after Part Two, I would need a break. I thought that I would want to go write a few films or do a couple of things before going back to Dune Messiah. But the images that kept coming back to my mind, the appetite is absolutely intact. Thats the biggest surprise. I still want to go back to Arrakis.He clarified that his return trip to Arrakis will be in service of Dune Messiahand then hell be ready to move on. After that, it would become unhealthy, he joked. Theres no timeline yet on when Dune Messiah might appear, but we do know that in June 2024, Warner Bros. planted a flag on December 18, 2026 for a Villeneuve project described only as an event film. (Worth noting: as of November 2024, theres no longer an untitled Star Wars movie also slated for that date.) Release dates are always subject to change, of course, but for now thats the best intel we have on when those sandworms might rise again. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, whats next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

Sometimes its good not to wash the dishes. Food preparation tools recovered from an Israel archeological excavation that started in 1989 have pushed back evidence of ancient hominid plant processing by about 400,000 years all because they werent cleaned. Starch residue on flat basalt anvils and small, round pounding rocks also add grist to the argument that the Paleo Diet included heavy portions of plants, rather than the meat-dominant version many people have now adopted as a weight-loss strategy. The paper detailing these findings was recently published in PNAS.Rethinking Ancient DietsThe findings were possible because Naama Goren-Inbar, a professor at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, had preserved some items found in the decade-long dig near now-drained northern Hula Lake south of the Jordan River, without cleaning them. Archeologists often wash such objects to photograph and preserve them.But in this case, the dirty dishes were a gift to Hadar Ahituv for which he is grateful; the unwashed stone tools provided the backbone of his dissertation as well as this potentially paradigm-shifting paper in PNAS. It was so amazing for me to get from her the materials, says Ahituv, now an archeology professor at Haifa University.The tools differed from those collected from other hominids in several ways. First, they were made of basalt, rather than flint a standard material for chopping tools such as axe heads from that same era. Then there was the shape which seemed best suiting to grinding and pulverizing plants, rather than cutting meat. These tool types are not common in other sites, says Ahituv.This Significance of StarchAnd, finally, they contained starch residue. Its presence is significant, because, unlike pollen, starch is generally not found in the soil in which the items were buried.Starch remnants on the tools indicates crushing or grinding providing evidence that the early hominids used the tools akin to a Stone-Age Cuisinart. Archeologists had previously found what they call microbotanicals on the Israel site tiny evidence of acorns, seeds, and fruits from hundreds of thousands of years ago. But no one could point out direct evidence of how these plants could have been processed, says Ahituv.Culinary SophisticationThere were other clues that indicated the sites inhabitants culinary expertise or, at least, the ability to adapt. Analysis showed that the processed plants came from a variety of environments, and likely from several seasons. They found evidence of wheat and barley seeds, likely from spring and summer. But they also detected traces of acorns, likely from fall and winter. Remnants of water chestnuts and the ground roots of water lilies also indicate that the hominids didnt limit their gleaning to land.Finally, they found evidence that some starches were damaged by heat. That, of course, indicates cooking.This work further complicates our understanding of what the Paleo Diet was historically. And, perhaps it might persuade contemporary people who follow it to either consider renaming it, or adding fruit, vegetables, and carbs to the mix.Article SourcesOur writers at Discovermagazine.com use peer-reviewed studies and high-quality sources for our articles, and our editors review for scientific accuracy and editorial standards. Review the sources used below for this article:Before joining Discover Magazine, Paul Smaglik spent over 20 years as a science journalist, specializing in U.S. life science policy and global scientific career issues. He began his career in newspapers, but switched to scientific magazines. His work has appeared in publications including Science News, Science, Nature, and Scientific American.

Nature, Published online: 08 January 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-00006-5Dust cloud is thought to be the first debris disk to be seen around a planetary nebula.

Nature, Published online: 08 January 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-024-08571-xAuthor Correction: A deep catalogue of protein-coding variation in 983,578 individuals

Nature, Published online: 08 January 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-024-07975-zReply to: Amino acids and KLHL22 do not activate mTORC1 via DEPDC5 degradation

Star Trek: Lower Decks - The Complete Series (Blu-ray Steelbook) $53 ($59) | Releases March 25 Preorder at Amazon Star Trek: Lower Decks - The Final Season (Blu-ray) $26.49 | Releases March 25 Preorder at Amazon Star Trek: Lower Decks is getting a collectible box set featuring all five seasons of the superb animated show on Blu-ray. Slated to release March 25, Star Trek: Lower Decks - The Complete Series comes with two steelbook cases and a collectible art card. The box set retails for $59, but Amazon is offering a preorder discount that drops the price to $53.Considering individual seasons of Lower Decks typically sell for around $25, The Complete Series Steelbook is surprisingly cheap. With Amazon's preorder price guarantee, you'll pay the lowest price offered between the time you order and release.Continue Reading at GameSpot

Tommy Boy (4K steelbook) $30 See at Amazon The classic comedy film Tommy Boy is coming to 4K Blu-ray with a Limited Steelbook Edition, giving fans a new way to experience one of the late Chris Farley's best movies. The Tommy Boy 4K Steelbook Limited Edition launches March 25 for $30, and preorders are available now through Amazon.Tommy Boy 4K Steelbook Edition$30Tommy Boy Limited Edition Steelbook Continue Reading at GameSpot

Mel Medarda, one of the main characters from the League of Legends show Arcane, is officially joining the game's roster with the start of the game's 2025 Season 1, Welcome to Noxus.Developer Riot announced the news in its latest Dev Update video. After the events of Arcane Season 2, Mel returns to Noxus, and her new in-game appearance shows her embracing her Noxian heritage. Riot says the development team and those working on Arcane came together to define Mel's new look and how it should be portrayed both in-game and in the show, with "game inspiring show and vice versa." But Mel's big entrance is more than just looks. While Riot has not yet revealed her full ability kit, she will have a unique type of ability never before seen in the MOBA--projectile reflection. She'll be able to bounce back projectiles at enemies with a well-timed button press.Continue Reading at GameSpot

The Afternoon-Tea Set is a Food category item you can craft in Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Complete. However, you may notice it isn't in your craft catalog. This is because the Afternoon-Tea Set is a special request item. Special requests in Pocket Camp Complete are unlocked when you reach level 10/15 with an animal. Here's how you can unlock the special request to get the Afternoon-Tea Set.