For the first time, scientists have analyzed metabolism-related molecules from the fossilized bones of animals that lived 1.3 to 3 million years ago, revealing insights about both the animals and their environments.

When studying how fossil hominids moved, researchers usually analyse the morphology of bones — which is crucial for understanding the evolution of bipedalism — focusing mainly on muscle insertion sites. However, the potential information of studying other types of soft tissue, such as joint ligaments, is often overlooked. Now, an article published in the journal Scientific Reports emphasizes the importance of studying the anatomy of the insertion points of the wrist ligaments to reconstruct the locomotor behaviour and manipulative dexterity of fossil hominids throughout human evolution.

Paleontologists working in a cave on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola have discovered the first-known instance of ancient bees nesting inside pre-existing fossil cavities.