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pleco
SFN Addict
USA
2998 Posts |
 Posted - 02/17/2006 : 14:31:00
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quote:
ST. LOUIS - Someday, biochemists will be able to figure out what dinosaurs ate, what diseases afflicted them and how they were related to each other — all by analyzing a bit of organic goo.
At least those are the kinds of tests that could theoretically be carried out in a new field dubbed "paleoproteomics." Paleontologists are becoming increasingly intrigued by the possibilities in the wake of last year's discovery that some of a Tyrannosaurus rex's soft tissues — perhaps its blood cells, blood vessels or fibrous cells — could survive the process of fossilization intact.
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In any case, last year's findings have led paleontologists to rethink the fossilization process. It was once thought that fossil bones were completely mineralized, destroying all traces of the organic chemicals within. "We know now that it has the real organic matter in it," Ostrom said.
Schweitzer said she and her colleagues were still trying to understand the conditions under which soft tissue can survive. It might have something to do with the increased density of the bones involved, or whether the bones were preserved in sandstone as opposed to mudstone.
"Whatever is going on, it seems to be relatively prevalent," Schweitzer said.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/ID/11385533
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by Filthy
The neo-con methane machine will soon be running at full fart. |
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Edited by - pleco on 02/17/2006 14:33:10
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filthy
SFN Die Hard
USA
14408 Posts |
 Posted - 02/17/2006 : 14:48:31 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by pleco
quote:
ST. LOUIS - Someday, biochemists will be able to figure out what dinosaurs ate, what diseases afflicted them and how they were related to each other — all by analyzing a bit of organic goo.
At least those are the kinds of tests that could theoretically be carried out in a new field dubbed "paleoproteomics." Paleontologists are becoming increasingly intrigued by the possibilities in the wake of last year's discovery that some of a Tyrannosaurus rex's soft tissues — perhaps its blood cells, blood vessels or fibrous cells — could survive the process of fossilization intact.
...
In any case, last year's findings have led paleontologists to rethink the fossilization process. It was once thought that fossil bones were completely mineralized, destroying all traces of the organic chemicals within. "We know now that it has the real organic matter in it," Ostrom said.
Schweitzer said she and her colleagues were still trying to understand the conditions under which soft tissue can survive. It might have something to do with the increased density of the bones involved, or whether the bones were preserved in sandstone as opposed to mudstone.
"Whatever is going on, it seems to be relatively prevalent," Schweitzer said.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/ID/11385533
This is indeed fascinating, and it has the YECs such as Ken Ham having all sorts of wholly unwarrented, nocturnal emmisions. We shall see; we shall see....
Artist's conception of Guanlong wuca, a recntly discovered, crested, Tyrannosaurus ancestor. It is thought to have been feathered.
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"What luck for rulers that men do not think." -- Adolf Hitler (1889 - 1945)
"If only we could impeach on the basis of criminal stupidity, 90% of the Rethuglicans and half of the Democrats would be thrown out of office." ~~ P.Z. Myres
"The default position of human nature is to punch the other guy in the face and take his stuff." ~~ Dude
Brother Boot Knife of Warm Humanitarianism,
and Crypto-Communist! 
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pleco
SFN Addict
USA
2998 Posts |
Posted - 02/17/2006 : 14:57:02 [Permalink]
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Yah, they (YECs) immediately leap to the conclusion (with no evidence of course, I guess it is a matter of faith  ) that is there was soft tissue it would be IMPOSSIBLE for it to survive for an extrememly long amount of time, therefore the earth is young, yada yada yada. |
by Filthy
The neo-con methane machine will soon be running at full fart. |
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