What's happened
A decade-long study by Anglia Ruskin University and Imperial College London reveals preserved red blood cell-like structures in a dinosaur fossil. This discovery could enhance understanding of ancient tumors and inform future cancer treatments for humans. The research focuses on a Telmatosaurus transsylvanicus fossil from Romania, which had a benign jaw tumor.
What's behind the headline?
Key Findings
- Researchers identified structures resembling red blood cells in a dinosaur fossil, suggesting soft tissue preservation over millions of years.
- The study highlights the potential for ancient specimens to provide insights into cancer's molecular building blocks.
Implications for Cancer Research
- Understanding ancient tumors may lead to better treatments for modern cancers.
- The findings challenge previous notions about the fossil record, emphasizing the importance of soft tissue analysis.
Future Directions
- This research could pave the way for further studies on prehistoric diseases and their relevance to contemporary health issues.
- The ability to analyze ancient tumors may reshape our understanding of cancer evolution and environmental influences on disease.
What the papers say
According to The Independent, the study's lead researcher, Professor Justin Stebbing, emphasized the significance of finding soft tissue in fossils, stating, "We could actually see like the flesh of the cancer." This contrasts with traditional fossil studies that focused primarily on hard structures. The South China Morning Post echoed this sentiment, noting that the research could fill in the "jigsaw" of cancer's molecular history, potentially influencing future treatments. Both sources highlight the collaborative effort between UK and Sri Lankan scientists, showcasing a multidisciplinary approach to understanding cancer.
How we got here
The study began in 2016 when Professor Justin Stebbing learned of a dinosaur fossil with a tumor in Romania. The research team aimed to explore parallels between dinosaur and human cancers, particularly focusing on the benign ameloblastoma found in the fossil.
Go deeper
- What are the implications of this study for modern cancer treatments?
- How did researchers analyze the dinosaur fossil?
- What other discoveries have been made in paleoncology?
More on these topics
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Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) is a public research university in the region of East Anglia, United Kingdom. Its origins date back to the Cambridge School of Art (CSA), founded in 1858 by William John Beamont, a Fellow of Trinity College at the University
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Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe. It shares land borders with Bulgaria to the south, Ukraine to the north, Hungary to the west, Serbia to the southwest, and Moldova to the east and has its opening
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Imperial College London is a public research university in London. Dating back to the Royal College of Chemistry's foundation in 1845, Imperial grew out of Prince Albert's vision of an area for culture, including the Royal Albert Hall, Imperial Institute,