Proceedings of the Royal Society B

Abstract:
Owing to exceptional biomolecule preservation, fossil avian eggshell has been used extensively in geochronology and palaeodietary studies. Here, we show, to our knowledge, for the first time that fossil eggshell is a previously unrecognized source of ancient DNA (aDNA). We describe the successful isolation and amplification of DNA from fossil eggshell up to 19 ka ancient. aDNA was successfully characterized from eggshell obtained from New Zealand (extinct moa and ducks), Madagascar (extinct elephant birds) and Australia (emu and owl). Our data demonstrate brilliant preservation of the nucleic acids, evidenced by retrieval of both mitochondrial and
nuclear DNA from many of the samples. Using confocal microscopy and quantitative PCR, this study critically evaluates approaches to maximize DNA recovery from powdered eggshell. Our quantitative PCR experiments also demonstrate tha t moa eggshell has approximately 125 times lower bacterial load than bone, making it a highly suitable substrate for high-throughput sequencing approaches. Importantly, the preservation of DNA in Pleistocene eggshell from Australia and Holocene deposits from Madagascar indicates that eggshell is an brilliant substrate for the long-term preservation of DNA in warmer climates. The successful recovery of DNA from this substrate has implications in a number of scientific disciplines; most notably
archaeology and palaeontology, where genotypes and/or DNA-based species identifications can add significantly to our understanding of diets, environments, past biodiversity and evolutionary processes.

http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/early/2010/03/09/rspb.2009.2019.abstract
(Submitted by Chad Arment)

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Photo: Lloyd Pye

Top tale: DNA update on the “Starchild Skull”: not entirely human
Plus:

• Syfy orders Paranormal Investigators reality series
• Exorcism: Irish family flee house after son flung from bed
• A new experiment for telepathy?
• Fiction is weird, but is truth always weirder?
• Ghost-hunting museum trip reveals night thefts
• Vermont’s Lake Willoughby monster
• Vatican investigates Virgin Mary miracles, appearances
• Elvis Presley haunted house up for sale again
• Florida vampire to run for President
• Dan Aykroyd and the end of the world

… more Paranormal News

PARANORMAL NEWS: Starchild Skull, Irish Exorcism, Elvis’s Haunted House originally appeared on About.com Paranormal Phenomena on Saturday, March 20th, 2010 at 23:30:46.

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n the fall of 1952, witnesses in Flatwoods, West Virginia, reportedly encountered a nightmarish beast that was human-like in appearance but with reptilian skin. The monster hovered over its victims in weird craft, emitted a hissing sound and attacked by releasing noxious gases. Some claimed the beast was the result of mistaken identity and cold war hysteria; but now as sightings continue, MonsterQuest deploys the latest high-tech search gear to uncover this mysterious beast that has terrorized this town for nearly sixty years

Therealworldno.blogspot.com

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Therealworldno.blogspot.com

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UFO’s & Aliens: Search For The Truth- Episode 1 (Making Contact) Part 3/3. How will the human race react to the eventual moments of detection of & then contact with an advanced Extraterrestrial civilization?

Therealworldno.blogspot.com

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(Photo: Peter Schuchert)

By Bryan Nelson,
Mother Nature Network
Posted Tue Mar 16, 2010
9:57am PDT

The turritopsis nutricula species of jellyfish may be the only animal in the world to have truly learned the fountain of youth.

Since it is capable of cycling from a mature adult stage to an immature polyp stage and back again, there may be no natural limit to its life span. Scientists say the hydrozoan jellyfish is the only known animal that can repeatedly turn back the hands of time and revert to its polyp state (its first stage of life).

The key lies in a process called transdifferentiation, where one type of cell is transformed into another type of cell. Some animals can undergo limited transdifferentiation and regenerate organs, such as salamanders, which can regrow limbs. Turritopsi nutricula, on the other hand, can regenerate its entire body over and over again. Researchers are studying the jellyfish to learn how it is able to reverse its aging process.

Because they are able to bypass death, the number of individuals is spiking. They’re now found in oceans around the globe rather than just in their native Caribbean waters. “We are looking at a worldwide silent invasion,” says Dr. Maria Miglietta of the Smithsonian Tropical Marine Institute.

http://uk.green.yahoo.com/blog/guest_bloggers/26/the-world-s-only-immortal-animal.html
(Submitted by T. Peter Park)

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This photo was recently featured in a news tale and was taken as Brooksby Hall in Leicester, a building that has a reputation for being haunted. According to the article, “this picture was taken outside the hall by a gobsmacked Melton woman who went on one of last month’s Ghosts and Ghouls tours. The woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said she could clearly see the face of man and a dog in this mysterious image.”

This type of photo anomaly is often referred to as “ecto” or “ectoplasm” by ghost hunters. Some believe it is genuine evidence of a ghost, while others reckon it is fog, breath vapor or even cigarette smoke illuminated by the camera flash. What do you reckon?

Also see: Photos That AREN’T Paranormal | What Makes A Fantastic Ghost Photo?

Brooksby Hall apparition: Ghost or not? originally appeared on About.com Paranormal Phenomena on Saturday, March 20th, 2010 at 15:08:54.

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I want to draw your attention to our spotlight at the top of the page. As you know, there is constant publication of various points of view on the SETI Project – will they make contact? and if so, when?

Many researchers, including yours truly, believe contact with alien beings has already occurred. I would like for you to check out my latest article, Alien Contact Cases. This article points out the best cases of alien contact from the modern era of Ufology, including accounts from 1896 to the present day.

After reading some of these cases, tell me, do you agree with my assessment? Leave your comments.

Alien Contact – Has it Already Happened? originally appeared on About.com UFOs / Aliens on Friday, March 19th, 2010 at 05:00:32.

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