ScienceDaily: Fossils & Ruins News

Life on Earth is amazingly diverse, and exhibits striking geographical global patterns in biodiversity. A pair of companion papers reveal that mountain regions -- especially those in the tropics -- are hotspots of extraordinary and baffling richness. Although mountain regions cover only 25% of Earth's land area, they are home to more than 85% of the world's species of amphibians, birds, and mammals, and many of these are found only in mountains.

A simple epidemiological model accurately captures long-term measles transmission dynamics in London, including major perturbations triggered by historical events.

Contrary to conventional wisdom, sulphur production by tiny marine algae decreased during glacial periods, and is more closely linked to climate than previously thought, according to latest research. A clearer understanding of the link between the climate and marine phytoplankton can help scientists incorporate these impacts in future climate models.

A prehistoric crocodile that lived around 180 million years ago has been identified -- almost 250 years after the discovery of it fossil remains.