Washington: Researchers have located chemical remains of the oldest known bird, Archaeopteryx, in a landmark development for paleontology while studying fossils recovered 150 years ago, a new study has found.
The discovery about the half-bird, half-dinosaur detailed in the May 10-15 journal Proceedings of National Academy of Science, shows “portions of the feathers are not merely impressions of long-decomposed organic material as was previously believed.” “Instead, they include fossilized fragments of actual feathers containing phosphorous and sulphur, elements that compose modern bird feathers,” wrote researchers including lead author geochemist Roy Wogelius from the University of Manchester. —AFP
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Web unites father, son after 37 yrs
London: A man in Britain was united with his long-lost father after 37 years with the help of the social networking site Facebook. Andy Spiers-Corbett, 39, who had lost contact with his father Graham Corbett when his parents separated, typed his father’s name into Facebook and instantly picked out his photo from a long list of Graham Corbetts, the Daily Mail reported on its site on Tuesday.
“There were about 15 Graham Corbett that came up but I saw this picture and my heart just started pounding. I knew it was him. It was like looking at a picture of me when I’m older,” the report said quoting Andy.
“I just sent a message and a day or two later got one back saying, ‘Hello son’. I couldn’t believe it,” he added. —IANS
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Jab to halt diabetes in six days
London: In what could be called a major breakthrough, scientists have developed a new drug which they claim could halt diabetes in its tracks in just six days.
The drug, called otelixizumab, which appears to halt the rapid decline in the body’s production of insulin, works by switching off the immune system’s self-destruct mechanism that causes type 1 diabetes, say the scientists.
This halts damage to the pancreas, allowing it to carry on producing its own insulin, the ‘Daily Mail’ reported.
Currently undergoing clinical trials, the drug seems to work best when given as soon as possible after someone has been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. —PTI