Rare juvenile dinosaur 'Ceratosaurus' fossil sells for $30.5 million at Sotheby's auction
A rare juvenile Ceratosaurus fossil believed to be the only one of its kind sold for a jaw-dropping $30.5 million at Sotheby's on Wednesday(July 16).The fossil, uncovered in 1996 at Bone Cabin Quarry in Wyoming, is one of only four known Ceratosaurus skeletons ever discovered and the only juvenile among them. Measuring over six feet tall and nearly 11 feet long, the 150-million-year-old relic includes 139 fossilized bone elements, 57 of which form what Sotheby's calls a 'superb, virtually complete skull.'Described by the auction house as 'one of the finest and most complete examples of its kind ever found,' the dinosaur far surpassed its $4 million to $6 million pre-sale estimate during a dramatic six-minute bidding war between six participants. It previously spent over two decades on display at the Museum of Ancient Life in Utah but has never been formally studied in scientific literature.Ceratosaurus nasicornis was a carnivorous dinosaur known for its distinctive nasal horn, long teeth, and bony armor along its spine and tail. The species roamed North America during the late Jurassic period.While Sotheby's says the unnamed buyer intends to loan the fossil to an institution, paleontologists remain cautious.
'Who has that kind of money to spend on a dinosaur? Certainly not any museums or educational institutions,' said Steve Brusatte, a paleontology professor at the University of Edinburgh. 'My fear is that this skeleton will disappear into the ether into a mansion or a bank vault.'Still, auction officials argue the private market can play a vital role in preserving and promoting scientific specimens.'These stellar results underscore a deep and enduring fascination with the natural world,' said Cassandra Hatton, Sotheby's global head of science and natural history. 'What draws collectors is more than a passion for science; it's curiosity about the forces that shaped our planet.'
The sale follows a trend of surging fossil prices, including last year's record-breaking $44.6 million sale of 'Apex,' a Stegosaurus skeleton that now resides at the American Museum of Natural History.
'Bottom line,' said Brusatte, 'a world where dinosaur skeletons can fetch tens of millions of dollars is not a world where dinosaurs will long be accessible to educate and inspire everyone.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Print
6 hours ago
- The Print
Iran conducted suborbital test with Qased satellite launch vehicle, report says
DUBAI (Reuters) -Iran conducted a suborbital test with the Qased satellite launch vehicle to evaluate new technologies developed by the country's space industry, semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on Monday. 'The results of this test will be used to improve the performance of the country's satellites and space systems,' the Tasnim report said.
Time of India
14 hours ago
- Time of India
Superbugs could kill millions and trigger $2 trillion economic meltdown by 2050
A recent study highlights an impending global catastrophe: antimicrobial resistance threatens to claim millions of lives. By 2050, the global economy could suffer losses amounting to trillions of dollars. Major economies, including the US, UK, and China, are at risk of severe financial repercussions. Experts emphasize the urgent need for investments in innovative antibiotics and enhanced infection control measures. MRSA bacteria in a petri dish. The US, UK and EU economies are on course to be among those hardest hit by antimicrobial resistance. Photograph: Fabrizio Bensch/Reuters Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads By 2050, if the increase in antimicrobial resistance AMR ) is not stopped, superbugs could kill millions more people and cost the world economy around $2 trillion annually, according to new Centre for Global Development, a report supported by the UK government, cautions that rising AMR rates might deplete global GDP by $1.7 trillion a year over the next 25 read: Untreatable fungal infections are now killing nearly 3.8 mn each year, WHO experts sound alarm Economies such as the US, UK, and EU are projected to suffer some of the heaviest financial blows, leading critics to slam recent cuts to foreign aid budgets as short-sighted and harmful. Fleming Fund , aimed at AMR combatThese concerns follow the UK's recent decision to scrap funding for the Fleming Fund, a programme dedicated to combating AMR in lower-income nations. Similar aid reductions have been made by the US, which slashed its overseas aid by 80%, and various European to the study's worst-case scenarios, Anthony McDonnell, the principal author, cautioned that these aid cuts could hasten resistance rates worldwide. Even nations that are now efficiently handling the threat run the danger of seeing rising infection rates and death tolls in the absence of specialised AMR modelling, which examined the economic and health burden of AMR across 122 nations, forecasts stark worst-case scenario is that by 2050, China's yearly GDP losses might amount to $722 billion, the US $295.7 billion, the EU $187 billion, Japan $65.7 billion, and the UK $58.6 read: AI stuns scientists : Superbug mystery solved in 48 hours after decade long research According to data from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), the number of deaths from AMR is expected to increase by 60% by 2050, reaching 1.34 million deaths in the US and 184,000 in the UK a sharp increase in drug-resistant bacterial infections is anticipated, which will result in more hospital stays, longer treatment durations, and higher medical cost of treating these infections is already around double that of treating non-resistant the health costs of AMR could rise to $176 billion a year. The UK's annual health bill could surge from $900 million to $3.7 billion, and the US from $15.5 billion to nearly $57 knock-on effect would shrink workforces too: 0.8% in the UK, 0.6% in the EU, and 0.4% in the US. However, the study suggests that investing in solutions, such as developing new antibiotics and improving infection treatment, could deliver substantial economic 2050, the US economy could grow by $156.2 billion annually and the UK by $12 billion if action is Dr. Mohsen Naghavi emphasised that AMR is becoming a bigger threat. Once-treatable illnesses could turn deadly in the absence of immediate, concerted read: Fighting superbugs: New paper-based platform enables rapid antibiotic-resistance screening Policy reforms, the creation of novel medications, and increased public knowledge of the limitations of antibiotics in treating viral infections are all necessary for solutions.A representative representing the UK government reiterated their dedication to combating AMR by developing vaccines, reducing the use of antibiotics in agriculture, and supporting novel treatments. According to the administration, it is still working with other countries to stop the development of antibiotic resistance.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Ozempic and Wegovy may cut dementia risk by 45% and manage diabetes, study finds
Source: Reuters A groundbreaking study has revealed that GLP-1 receptor agonists—including popular weight-loss and diabetes drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro- may significantly reduce the risk of developing dementia. The analysis, conducted by Irish researchers and published in JAMA Neurology , involved data from over 164,000 participants and found that these medications reduced the risk of memory-robbing disorders by up to 45 per cent. These findings not only open new avenues for neurological protection but also position GLP-1 drugs as powerful tools in both metabolic and cognitive health management. Study links GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro to lower dementia risk Researchers from the University of Galway reviewed 26 clinical trials involving 164,531 individuals—65% of whom were men, with an average age of 64. The participants were followed for an average of 31 months. The key discovery: patients taking GLP-1 agonists such as semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) were 45% less likely to develop dementia compared to those on other glucose-lowering medications. Dr. Catriona Reddin, senior study author, said, 'Our findings suggest that GLP-1 receptor agonists, in particular, may have a protective effect on brain health.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo How GLP-1 agonists may protect against dementia Although the exact mechanism remains under investigation, researchers propose several pathways through which GLP-1 medications could shield the brain: Reduced neuroinflammation: These drugs may lower inflammation in the brain, which is known to damage neurons and trigger dementia symptoms. Decrease in amyloid and tau proteins: GLP-1 agonists could suppress the accumulation of toxic proteins linked to Alzheimer's disease. Improved blood vessel health: They may reduce blood pressure and enhance blood flow, preventing vascular dementia. Neurogenesis stimulation: Early research suggests these drugs may promote neural growth in the hippocampus, the brain region essential for memory. GLP-1 drugs may help prevent both diabetes and dementia The new study aligns with earlier research from the University of Florida, which followed 400,000 Americans and reported a 33% lower risk of dementia among GLP-1 users compared to other treatments. This growing body of evidence supports the role of semaglutide and tirzepatide not only in treating type 2 diabetes and obesity but potentially in preventing cognitive decline. Professor Martin O'Donnell, Dean at the University of Galway, emphasised, 'With both diabetes and dementia rising, these findings have major public health implications.' Dementia and diabetes: Twin epidemics in the US The study arrives amid alarming trends: Over 8 million Americans currently live with dementia, with 500,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Diabetes now affects 38 million people in the US; around 12% of the population. According to the Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer's rates have climbed 25 consecutive years. The intersection of these two epidemics highlights the urgency of therapies that can address both conditions simultaneously. Study highlights need for more GLP-1 brain health data While the findings are promising, researchers caution that more work is needed to confirm the results. Notable limitations include: Lack of data on dementia subtypes like Lewy body and vascular dementia Differences in study design and follow-up durations Unclear long-term cognitive outcomes for different age groups and genders Still, this analysis lays essential groundwork for future research into neurometabolic protection via GLP-1 therapies. Originally celebrated as breakthrough treatments for obesity and diabetes, these medications may now be poised to take on an even broader role in preventing neurodegenerative diseases. As Dr. Reddin concluded, 'This research marks a significant advancement in how we understand the brain benefits of diabetes medications.' This article is based on findings from a study published in JAMA Neurology (July 2024). While the research links GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro to reduce dementia risk, it is observational and does not prove direct causation. Further studies are needed. Always consult a healthcare provider before making medication decisions. Also Read | 5 coffee routine habits that could be doing more harm than good, say experts
