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popsci.com > environment > mass-death-fish-evolution

Mass death paved the way for the Age of Fishes

Mass death paved the way for the Age of Fishes22+ hour, 25+ min ago   (648+ words) Published Jan 9, 2026 2:00 PM EST About 445 million years ago, our planet completely changed. Massive glaciers formed over the supercontinent Gondwana, sucking up sea water like an icy sponge. Now called the Late Ordovician mass extinction (LOME), Earth's first major mass extinction…...

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popsci.com > science > ancient-bee-eggs-bones

Ancient bees laid eggs inside bones

Ancient bees laid eggs inside bones3+ week, 3+ day ago   (424+ words) Published Dec 16, 2025 7:05 PM EST Researchers located the unique find while exploring the many limestone caves that dot the southern Dominican Republic. Sinkholes are common across the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, and are often so well sheltered from the elements that…...

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popsci.com > environment > carbon-sucking-living-rocks

‘Living rocks’ suck up a lot of carbon

‘Living rocks’ suck up a lot of carbon3+ week, 4+ day ago   (255+ words) Published Dec 16, 2025 11:07 AM EST According to the study's authors, the rate at which they use carbon shows the impressive efficiency of" these microbial mats, taking the dissolved carbon out of their environment and moving it off into a stable mineral…...

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popsci.com > science > dinosaur-skull-smithsonian

A 'spectacular' dinosaur dome heads for the Smithsonian

A 'spectacular' dinosaur dome heads for the Smithsonian4+ week, 1+ day ago   (240+ words) Published Dec 12, 2025 1:35 PM EST A remarkably well-preserved dinosaur fossil has arrived at the Smithsonian's National Museum of National History. According to the institution's announcement, the nearly complete skull of a Pachycephalosaurus is set to make its public debut on December…...

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popsci.com > science > mosasaur-freshwater-fossil

Mosasaurs may have terrorized rivers as well as oceans

Mosasaurs may have terrorized rivers as well as oceans4+ week, 1+ day ago   (184+ words) Published Dec 11, 2025 8:00 PM EST Nearly 70 million years ago, mosasaurs were the stuff of nightmares. Multiple species of the apex marine reptiles lived during the Late Cretaceous, often growing anywhere from 30 to 40 feet-long. But as dangerous as the ancient, great white…...

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popsci.com > science > first-fire-use-neanderthals

Neanderthals harnessed fire 350,000 years earlier than previously thought

Neanderthals harnessed fire 350,000 years earlier than previously thought1+ mon, 14+ hour ago   (380+ words) Published Dec 10, 2025 11:00 AM EST Credit: Craig Williams, The Trustees of the British Museum Evidence uncovered in a field in Suffolk, England indicates that ancient humans intentionally harnessed fire more than 350,000 years earlier than previously believed. According to a British Museum-led…...

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popsci.com > science > ancient-bird-choke-rocks

Why did this ancient bird die with tiny rocks in its throat?

Why did this ancient bird die with tiny rocks in its throat?1+ mon, 5+ day ago   (606+ words) Published Dec 5, 2025 9:00 AM EST Fossils may reveal what type of animal died millions of years ago, but they rarely depict exactly how they perished. Even rarer are the examples that clearly showcase an animal's exact cause of death. In fact,…...

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popsci.com > environment > anaconda-size-fossils

Anacondas have been huge for over 12 million years

Anacondas have been huge for over 12 million years1+ mon, 1+ week ago   (359+ words) " The best Cyber Monday deals you can shop right now (updating) " Published Dec 1, 2025 7:01 PM EST At roughly the length of a small school bus, anacondas are famously some of the world's largest snakes. Now fossil evidence proves that these enormous…...

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popsci.com > science > venomous-dinosaurs

Were there any venomous dinosaurs?

Were there any venomous dinosaurs?1+ mon, 1+ week ago   (471+ words) " The best Cyber Monday deals you can shop right now (updating) " Published Dec 1, 2025 9:00 AM EST Today, more complete fossil evidence has rewritten these early assumptions. Scientists now believe that Dilophosaurus's jaws were much stronger than previously thought, and what was…...

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popsci.com > science > cleveland-sea-monster

Cleveland's beloved ancient sea monster was more turtle than shark

Cleveland's beloved ancient sea monster was more turtle than shark1+ mon, 1+ week ago   (371+ words) " The best Black Friday deals you can shop right now (updating) " Published Nov 29, 2025 9:00 AM EST About 360 million years ago, present-day Cleveland was home to a fearsome predator. But this giant did not stalk prey on land. Instead, the 14-foot-long Dunkleosteus…...