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Live Science's top 5 Incredible Science Discoveries of 2008

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  • 07-01-2009 8:12pm
    #1
    Galvasean
    Registered Users Posts: 30,746 ✭✭✭✭


    Yes, one of them is about Palaeontology.
    Live Science wrote:
    5. Stronger link between birds and dinosaurs

    Paleontologists have long known that modern birds are the closest living relatives of the long-gone dinosaurs. But just how the transition between dino and Big Bird happened has not been fully understood.

    This year, scientists uncovered more fascinating new links between ancient dinosaurs and their living feathered friends, which emerged some 150 million years ago during the Jurassic Period.

    In November, scientists announced the discovery of a fossilized dinosaur nest that proves dinosaurs were forming bird-like nests and laying eggs long before birds evolved.

    Another link was established in October, when paleontologists announced the discovery of a fossilized dinosaur that apparently sported tail feathers thought to have helped the creature balance on tree branches.Though the creature couldn't fly, it may represent a step in the direction of feathers for flight.

    And a third analysis of fossils revealed that a huge carnivorous dinosaur called Aerosteon had a breathing system much like that of today's birds, with hollow bones that filled with air and possible air sacs that would have pumped air through its lungs.

    Full list here:
    http://www.livescience.com/history/081229-top5-science.html


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