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Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
How scientists confirmed the existence of 200-million-year-old species thought to be extinct
Biologists have confirmed the existence of a 200-million-year-old species of egg-laying mammal that has been assumed to be extinct. Suspected footage of Zaglossus attenboroughi -- the long-beaked echidna named after famed English broadcaster and naturalist David Attenborough -- was initially captured in 2023 by Oxford University during an expedition to the Cyclops Mountains, a rugged rainforest in Indonesia. MORE: Elusive predator hunted to local extinction returns to its historical range By combining modern technology with indigenous knowledge, researchers recently confirmed that the long-beaked echidna had been found, according to a paper published in the journal NPJ Biodiversity last month. The species hadn't been recorded for more than 60 years, when a dead specimen was found in the region, the researchers said. However, evidence of the echidna's existence was found throughout the region in recent decades. In 2007, a team of researchers found "nose pokes" -- trace signs the echidnas make when they forage underground for invertebrates -- in the Cyclops, according to the paper. MORE: Fish species thought to be extinct for 85 years rediscovered Indigenous groups have also reported sightings of the species in the past two decades. In 2017 and 2018, researchers combined participatory mapping with indigenous and other knowledge to assess the probability that echidnas still existed. Camera trapping also played a key role in confirming their existence. Camera traps deployed in the Cyclops in 2022 and 2023 garnered the photographic evidence -- 110 photos total from 26 individual events -- needed for researchers to continue pursuing the lost species. The long-beaked echidna is one of just five egg-laying mammals in existence today, including the platypus and two other species of modern echidna, the researchers said. MORE: Key Largo tree cactus becomes 1st-ever US species to become extinct due to rising sea levels These mammals are the "sole living representatives" of monotreme -- or egg-laying -- lineage that diverged from therians, or marsupials and placental mammals, more than 200 million years ago, according to the paper. The long-beaked echidna once also lived in the Oenaka Range of Papua New Guinea. But the Cyclops Mountains are the only location where the long-beaked echidna has been recorded in modern times. MORE: Reconstructed DNA of ancient bird could change how scientists study extinct species: Report There are currently more than 2,000 "so-called lost species" -- species that have gone undocumented for sustained periods of time, according to the paper. "Rediscoveries offer hope that others survive, especially in places where biological research has been limited," the researchers said. How scientists confirmed the existence of 200-million-year-old species thought to be extinct originally appeared on
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
How scientists confirmed the existence of 200-million-year-old species thought to be extinct
Biologists have confirmed the existence of a 200-million-year-old species of egg-laying mammal that has been assumed to be extinct. Suspected footage of Zaglossus attenboroughi -- the long-beaked echidna named after famed English broadcaster and naturalist David Attenborough -- was initially captured in 2023 by Oxford University during an expedition to the Cyclops Mountains, a rugged rainforest in Indonesia. MORE: Elusive predator hunted to local extinction returns to its historical range By combining modern technology with indigenous knowledge, researchers recently confirmed that the long-beaked echidna had been found, according to a paper published in the journal NPJ Biodiversity last month. The species hadn't been recorded for more than 60 years, when a dead specimen was found in the region, the researchers said. However, evidence of the echidna's existence was found throughout the region in recent decades. In 2007, a team of researchers found "nose pokes" -- trace signs the echidnas make when they forage underground for invertebrates -- in the Cyclops, according to the paper. MORE: Fish species thought to be extinct for 85 years rediscovered Indigenous groups have also reported sightings of the species in the past two decades. In 2017 and 2018, researchers combined participatory mapping with indigenous and other knowledge to assess the probability that echidnas still existed. Camera trapping also played a key role in confirming their existence. Camera traps deployed in the Cyclops in 2022 and 2023 garnered the photographic evidence -- 110 photos total from 26 individual events -- needed for researchers to continue pursuing the lost species. The long-beaked echidna is one of just five egg-laying mammals in existence today, including the platypus and two other species of modern echidna, the researchers said. MORE: Key Largo tree cactus becomes 1st-ever US species to become extinct due to rising sea levels These mammals are the "sole living representatives" of monotreme -- or egg-laying -- lineage that diverged from therians, or marsupials and placental mammals, more than 200 million years ago, according to the paper. The long-beaked echidna once also lived in the Oenaka Range of Papua New Guinea. But the Cyclops Mountains are the only location where the long-beaked echidna has been recorded in modern times. MORE: Reconstructed DNA of ancient bird could change how scientists study extinct species: Report There are currently more than 2,000 "so-called lost species" -- species that have gone undocumented for sustained periods of time, according to the paper. "Rediscoveries offer hope that others survive, especially in places where biological research has been limited," the researchers said. How scientists confirmed the existence of 200-million-year-old species thought to be extinct originally appeared on
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Israel considering military action against Iran in coming days: Sources
Israel is considering taking military action against Iran in the coming days, according to three sources familiar with the situation. The sources were not aware of a specific U.S. role in an Israeli strike on Iran, though it is possible the U.S. could play a logistical role and share intelligence with Israel that could be used for such a strike. The U.S. currently has planned nuclear talks with Iranian officials this weekend. "Senior Advisor and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff plans to travel to Muscat on Sunday for a sixth round of talks with Iran," according to a source familiar with his plans. "Discussions are expected to be both direct and indirect, as in previous rounds." Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Thursday his country will continue to enrich uranium and vowed to rebuild facilities should they be destroyed, as tensions in the Middle East around a potential U.S.-Iran nuclear deal and a possible Israeli strike if there is no deal both hang in the balance. "We will go our own way, and we will have the enrichment," Pezeshkian said during remarks in Ilam, a western province of Iran. "We will build this country with these very young people. It's not like if, for example, someone bombs our place, that's the end of it. All this is in mind. Whatever they do, we will rebuild," Pezeshkian added. ABC News' Shannon K. Kingston and Othon Leyva contributed to this report. This is a developing story. Please check back for updates. Israel considering military action against Iran in coming days: Sources originally appeared on
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
State Department orders departure of nonessential staff from Baghdad embassy
The State Department is ordering the departure of all nonessential staff from its embassy in Baghdad due to concern over increased security risks in the region, according to two State Department officials familiar with the matter. "President Trump is committed to keeping Americans safe, both at home and abroad. In keeping with that commitment, we are constantly assessing the appropriate personnel posture at all our embassies," one of the officials said. "Based on our latest analysis, we decided to reduce our Mission in Iraq." The embassy already has a very limited number of nonessential employees, so the order is not expected to impact many individuals. Under the current plan, one official said the U.S. military would not be involved in transporting the nonessential personnel out of the country, but that those plans could change if the situation on the ground calls for it. Another U.S. official said that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has authorized the voluntary departure of military dependents from locations across the Middle East as tensions ratchet up between Israel and Iran. -ABC News' Luis Martinez and Anne Flaherty contributed to this report. State Department orders departure of nonessential staff from Baghdad embassy originally appeared on
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Elon Musk called Trump before conveying his 'regret' for some of his posts about him, sources say
Elon Musk called President Donald Trump on Monday night, two sources familiar with the conversation told ABC News, after their bitter public feud last week. Musk posted on X early Wednesday morning, "I regret some of my posts about President @realDonaldTrump last week. They went too far." Musk, however, did not not clarify which posts he was referring to in his statement. The posts included slamming Trump for "ingratitude" over the 2024 election, agreeing with a call for Trump's impeachment, knocking the president's "big, beautiful bill" signature legislation, and even claiming Trump was in the Jeffrey Epstein files. MORE: Trump Musk feud explodes with claim president is in Epstein files Musk's call with Trump came after Vice President JD Vance and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles spoke with the billionaire late last week and urged him to end the feud, sources familiar with the call told ABC News. The president had previously told Vance to speak diplomatically when asked about Musk publicly, according to a White House official. The White House declined to comment. MORE: Trump tells ABC Musk 'lost his mind,' as CEO's dad says 'make sure this fizzles out' In her press briefing on Wednesday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt would not comment on whether the relationship would be reconciled. 'The president acknowledged the statement that Elon put out this morning and he is appreciative of it. And we are continuing to focus on the business of the American people,' Leavitt said. Last Friday, Trump told ABC News Chief Washington Correspondent Jonathan Karl that Musk was a "man who has lost his mind." Elon Musk called Trump before conveying his 'regret' for some of his posts about him, sources say originally appeared on
