A 38-foot Tyrannosaurus rex fossil, nicknamed "Gus," sold for a record $50.1 million at auction, drawing sharp criticism from paleontologists. Scientists are concerned that private ownership removes scientifically significant specimens from public research and display, highlighting a debate between commercial interests and academic access.
New Frontier, the parent group of a Hong Kong fertility clinic, has apologized for an embryo biopsy specimen mix-up involving two patients. The clinic failed to report the incident promptly and has been ordered to submit a report on the causes and improvements. Investigations are underway by multiple authorities.
Heal Fertility, a Hong Kong clinic linked to Antony Leung Kam-chung, is under investigation by health authorities and police due to a rare mix-up involving embryo biopsy specimens. The incident occurred during pre-implantation genetic testing for two couples.
Hong Kong lawmakers are urging the government to mandate a 24-hour reporting period for serious incidents at fertility clinics, following an undisclosed embryo mix-up at HEAL Fertility. The Council on Human Reproductive Technology has ordered the clinic to suspend services.
Hong Kong's fertility regulator has ordered HEAL Fertility to partially halt operations after it mishandled embryo biopsy specimens from two patients, sending the wrong samples for genetic testing. The clinic failed to report the incident, leading to a police report and an internal review.
A new study in PLoS One suggests superworm larvae (Zophobas morio) can efficiently clean skeletal specimens for museums and research, offering a safer alternative to dermestid beetles. Researchers found an optimal ratio of larvae to specimen and a manageable process, reducing risks of infestation and bone damage.
A report from Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew highlights how AI and digitisation are accelerating the identification and conservation of plant and fungi species, offering a crucial tool in the fight against extinction. Despite significant progress, vast numbers of species remain unanalysed, with climate change impacting flowering times and disrupting ecosystems.
George Forster, a naturalist who traveled with Captain James Cook, championed human rights and critiqued racism and philosophers like Kant. His life, marked by exploration and intellectual defiance, also brought personal hardship.
Construction workers in Thornton, Colorado, discovered a fossil initially believed to be a Triceratops. Further analysis revealed it to be a much rarer Torosaurus, with paleontologists recovering 80% of the skull and 15% of the body.
The Tasmanian government has apologized for a scandal where body parts from autopsies were kept and displayed without family consent between 1966 and 1991. An investigation found 177 specimens were given to a university museum without approval, causing distress to families.
This feature explores how the panda evolved from an overlooked creature in ancient Chinese folklore—known as 'white bears' in the Three Kingdoms era and believed to eat iron—into a national treasure and defining symbol of modern China. Palaeontological evidence shows panda fossils with butchery marks dating back 8-9 million years, while the earliest written records appear in the Book of Documents from the pre-Qin period.
