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Sotheby’s has sold a 67‑million‑year‑old Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton nicknamed “Gus” for $50.1 million, the highest price ever paid for a dinosaur at auction. The specimen, about 61–63% complete, was excavated in South Dakota from 2021–23; scientists are warning that private ownership will restrict research access.
A meteorite named Hillsborough, which crashed through a New Jersey home in July 2024, has yielded pristine fragments rich in amino acids and salts. Scientists say the sample, preserved by a quick-thinking homeowner, offers new insights into how brine-rich water could have seeded life on Earth. The finding appears in a Science Advances study published this week.
A team studying primates in Lomami National Park has confirmed a new African monkey species, Colobus congoensis, known locally as Likweli. The animal is rare, has distinctive orange facial markings, and roars in the trees. Researchers published their findings in PLOS ONE, noting the species’ limited range and threats from hunting and habitat loss.