
Nobel Prize in medicine goes to Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman for work on mRNA Covid-19 vaccines
This year's Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine has been awarded to Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman for their work on mRNA vaccines, which were crucial in curtailing the spread of Covid-19.
1970-01-01 08:00

Divers discover Megalodon teeth in flooded cave in Mexico
Divers in Mexico have discovered Megalodon teeth in a flooded inland cave and the findings have confirmed scientific beliefs. Megalodons were absolutely gigantic prehistoric sharks that reached sizes of up to 50 feet long. They dominated the oceans before going extinct around 3.6 million years ago. Scientists are interested in studying fossils of the huge sea creature, with the animal's teeth proving the most abundant type of fossil to be found today. Teeth fossils were found in Mexico by speleologist (cave specialist) and photographer Kay Nicte Vilchis Zapata and fellow speleologist Erick Sosa Rodriguez while diving in a newly discovered sinkhole in Cholul in 2019. The cenote is 400 meters long and 28 meters deep and located inside were fifteen teeth fossils from various shark species. They also discovered human remains and a vertebrae fossil that potentially belongs to an ancient species. A total of 13 of the 15 teeth fossils belonged to three different species of shark – one being the megalodon (Carcharocles megalodon), while the other two species were the mackerel shark (Isurus oxyrinchus) and the sawshark (Pristiophoridae). Zapata told local media at the time: “We were looking at the wall and suddenly I saw a little something, I went closer and I saw that it was a tooth, that was the first and apparently it belonged to a sawshark.” Experts believe the geological timescale of the megalodon teeth lies anywhere between 2.5 million to 5 million years old. Speleologist Sosa Rodriguez said: “It is just proof of what scientists have already studied and written about; what kind of wildlife lived here millions of years ago when this was part of the sea.” Scientists have suggested that the megalodon’s warm body temperature may have been the reason for its extinction. There is some thought that the megalodon was able to maintain a body temperature around 7 degrees centigrade warmer than the water around it, but ultimately this may have been its downfall. Randy Flores, a UCLA doctoral student and fellow of the Centre for Diverse Leadership in Science, explained: “Maintaining an energy level that would allow for megalodon’s elevated body temperature would require a voracious appetite that may not have been sustainable in a time of changing marine ecosystem balances when it may have even had to compete against newcomers such as the great white shark.” Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
1970-01-01 08:00

What's the Appalachian Trail? The iconic footpath featured in today's Google Doodle
As many of us face the drudgery of a Monday morning commute and a day holed up at work, it’s almost painful to think of beautiful, far-off lands and breathtaking views. And yet, this is what Google is inviting us to do with today’s interactive Doodle. Head to the search engine’s homepage and you’ll find a slideshow in the style of an illustrated scrapbook, teaching readers all about the Appalachian Trail. The iconic trail is the longest hiking-only footpath in the world, spanning more than 14 US states and 2,190 miles, as it meanders across dense forests, rushing rivers, and soaring mountains. And if you're wondering why the tech company has decided to pay tribute to the famous landmark today, it's because on 2 October 1968, America’s National Trails System Act established the Appalachian Trail as one of the country’s first National Scenic Trails. Hiking the full length of the path can take between five and seven months to complete and requires careful planning. And yet, as Google’s slideshow points out, around 3,000 people attempt this staggering feat each year, with a total of three million people visiting the trail annually. The route has served walking enthusiasts for nearly 100 years, having been completed in 1937. It was first proposed by conservationist Benton MacKaye in 1921, with his original plan calling for a stretch of several self-sustaining agricultural camps along the way, Google notes in its blurb for the Doodle. Then 10 years later, a hiker named Earl Shaffer became the first person to make it from one end to the other. Since then, more than 14,000 people have joined him in completing the trek. Perhaps inevitably for such a legendary trail, it has engendered a number of unique traditions. These include being given a “trail name” by fellow hikers and eating two litres of ice cream at the route’s mid-point. However, the trail’s oldest and most important tradition is to leave it just as you found it so that everyone can enjoy the same natural beauty. Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
1970-01-01 08:00

Dutch regulator rejects Apple’s objections against fines
AMSTERDAM Dutch competition watchdog ACM on Monday said it had rejected objections by Apple against fines of 50
1970-01-01 08:00

3 painfully obvious calls refs got horribly wrong to screw Jets vs. Chiefs
Jets head coach Robert Saleh was losing his mind on the sidelines for good reason. The refs helped take the Chiefs game out of New York's hands.
1970-01-01 08:00

China Belt and Road: Indonesia opens Whoosh high-speed railway
The project under Belt and Road links the capital Jakarta with the economic hub of Bandung.
1970-01-01 08:00

NFL fans upset with Patrick Mahomes after unselfish play leads to bad beat
Find out how Patrick Mahomes' game-winning play in Week 4 resulted in a bad beat for NFL bettors.
1970-01-01 08:00

Refs Missed an Obvious Hold on the Chiefs During Patrick Mahomes Big Run on Final Drive Against Jets
VIDEO: The Chiefs got away with a hold on the final drive against the Jets.
1970-01-01 08:00

Robert Saleh Flipped Out on Officials After Controversial Defensive Holding Call
Robert Saleh was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct for arguing with officials.
1970-01-01 08:00

Japan startup develops 'Gundam'-like robot with $3 million price tag
By Satoshi Sugiyama and Chris Gallagher YOKOHAMA, Japan Tokyo-based start-up Tsubame Industries has developed a 4.5-metre-tall (14.8-feet), four-wheeled
1970-01-01 08:00

Robert Saleh's Jets Escort Shoved Metlife Stadium Security on the Way to the Locker Room
The New York Jets were able to keep it close in the first half against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday Night Football in front of Taylor Swift at the Meadowlan
1970-01-01 08:00

Extremely Loud, Satisfying Doink During Chiefs-Jets Delights Nation
It's been a weird night in New Jersey as all the A-list celebrities of the world watched Zach Wilson hang with Patrick Mahomes. After falling behind 17-0, the N
1970-01-01 08:00