Uncovering Ancient Secrets: Dinosaurs Hold Clues to Cancer Discoveries

A groundbreaking study has discovered that dinosaurs may hold the key to new cancer discoveries. Researchers from Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) and Imperial College London have used advanced paleoproteomic techniques to analyze dinosaur fossils, revealing previously unknown secrets about the evolution of diseases in ancient creatures.

The researchers analyzed a fossilized bone of a Telmatosaurus transsylvanicus, a duck-billed plant-eater that lived between 66-70 million years ago. Using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), they identified low-density structures resembling red blood cells in the fossilized bone. This finding raises the possibility that soft tissue and cellular components are more commonly preserved in ancient remains than previously thought.

By identifying preserved proteins and biomarkers, scientists believe they can gain insights into the diseases that affected prehistoric creatures, including cancer. This has significant implications for future treatments for humans. The authors of the study highlight the importance of prioritizing the collection and preservation of fossilized soft tissue, rather than just dinosaur skeletons, as future advancements in molecular techniques will enable deeper insights into disease evolution.

A previous study had already identified evidence of cancer in Telmatosaurus transsylvanicus, indicating its deep evolutionary roots. Senior author Justin Stebbing, Professor of Biomedical Sciences at Anglia Ruskin University, emphasized the significance of dinosaurs in understanding how species managed cancer susceptibility and resistance over millions of years.

“Dinosaurs, as long-lived, large-bodied organisms, present a compelling case for investigating how species managed cancer susceptibility and resistance over millions of years,” said Stebbing. “Proteins, particularly those found in calcified tissues like bone, are more stable than DNA and are less susceptible to degradation and contamination. This makes them ideal candidates for studying ancient diseases, including cancer, in paleontological specimens.”

The research invites further exploration that could hold the key to future discoveries that could benefit humans. However, it is crucial that long-term fossil conservation efforts are coordinated to ensure that future researchers have access to specimens suitable for cutting-edge molecular investigations.

The largest predatory fish to have ever existed, Otodus megalodon, was thought to be primarily focused on whales as their main source of food. However, new research has revealed that these massive creatures had a much broader range of prey than previously assumed.

According to Dr. Jeremy McCormack from the Department of Geosciences at Goethe University Frankfurt, who conducted this study together with scientists from Germany, France, Austria and the US, megalodon’s diet was not as specialized as previously thought. By analyzing fossilized teeth, which are all that remains of these cartilaginous fish, researchers found that megalodon had a flexible enough to feed on various prey from different levels of the food pyramid.

The researchers extracted zinc from the fossil teeth and compared its ratio with other prehistoric and extant shark species, as well as other animal species. This analysis provided insights into predator-prey relationships 18 million years ago. The findings suggested that megalodon was an ecologically versatile generalist, capable of adapting to different food sources depending on availability.

Comparisons between fossils from Sigmaringen and Passau showed regional differences in the range of prey or changes in its availability at different times. This study not only shed new light on the diet of megalodon but also provided valuable insights into how marine communities have changed over geologic time.

As Kenshu Shimada, a paleobiologist at DePaul University in Chicago, USA and coauthor of this study noted, even “supercarnivores” like megalodon are not immune to extinction. Previous studies had suggested that the rise of the modern great white shark was partly responsible for the demise of Otodus megalodon.

In conclusion, this research has revised our understanding of the diet of megalodon and has shown that these creatures were more adaptable than previously thought. The analysis of tooth zinc isotope ratios has proven to be a valuable tool for paleoecological reconstructions and will continue to provide insights into how marine communities have changed over time.

The study, published in Nature, sheds light on the evolution of teeth and sensory exoskeletons in ancient fish. Researchers from the University of Chicago have found that the inner layer of teeth, called dentine, first evolved as sensory tissue in the armored exoskeletons of early vertebrate fish around 465 million years ago.

The research reveals that structures considered to be teeth in fossils from the Cambrian period were similar to features in the armor of fossil invertebrates and the sensory organs in the shells of modern arthropods. This implies that sensory organs evolved separately in both vertebrates and invertebrates to help them sense their environment.

The study’s findings confirm that the earliest vertebrate fish had tooth-like structures, but these were not teeth as we know them today. Instead, they were sensitive exoskeletons that helped the fish sense its surroundings.

Yara Haridy, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Chicago and lead author of the study, said that the discovery was exciting because it showed that the earliest vertebrate fish had similar structures to modern arthropods, including tooth-like features. The researchers believe that these structures eventually became teeth through evolution.

Neil Shubin, PhD, Robert R. Bensley Distinguished Service Professor of Organismal Biology and Anatomy at UChicago and senior author of the new study, said that the discovery was more than worth the effort, even though it didn’t find the earliest vertebrate fish. “We didn’t find the earliest one, but in some ways, we found something way cooler,” he added.

The study, supported by the National Science Foundation, the US Department of Energy, and the Brinson Family Foundation, highlights the importance of understanding the evolution of sensory structures and their role in animal development.

In conclusion, the research reveals that teeth and sensory exoskeletons have a common origin in ancient fish, and this understanding can provide new insights into the evolution of these complex structures.