July 2016

Reconstruction of Murusraptor barrosaensis. In white the bones found (Image Rodolfo A. Coria, Philip J. Currie)

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An article published in the journal PLOS One describes the discovery of a new species of theropod dinosaur that was called Murusraptor barrosaensis dating back some 87 million years ago, in the Late Cretaceous. Two paleontologists identified it as a megaraptorid, a group of large carnivores whose classification is controversial. This new discovery could help to better understand the relations between different groups of theropods.

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The short story “Virtually Yours” by Nina Munteanu was published for the first time in 2016.

Vincent is a Corporation Overseer and is supposed to do his work anonymously checking the employees assigned to him remotely, using a V-set. This allows him to experience what carriers such as Jake, who have a special implant, are feeling through their senses. For Vincent the control job ends up as a virtual love affair with Katherine, Jake’s girlfriend.

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Yesterday came the confirmation of the agreement for which Verizon will acquire Yahoo! web activities for $4.83 billion to be paid in cash. The deal doesn’t include some Yahoo! activities such as the partecipation in the Chinese eCommerce Alibabawhich will form a new company. The acquired business will be integrated with those of AOL, acquired by Verizon just over a year ago.

Harvest of Time by Alastair Reynolds

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The novel “Harvest of Time” by Alastair Reynolds was published for the first time in 2013.

UNIT has been called to investigate an accident on an oil rig by its director Edwina “Eddie” McCrimmon. However, when the Third Doctor arrives along with Jo Grant and Captain Mike Yates, McCrimmon receives them coldly explaining that there was an accident, unfortunate and painful, but a normal accident. The Doctor is not convinced but has no reason to stay on the rig.

It seems just a false alarm but strange things start happening. In particular, the UNIT people start having trouble remembering the existence of the Master, despite the fact that he’s their very special prisoner. What has all that to do with the events on the oil rig? Has that anything to do with the Red Queen? And what are the plans of the Sild?

Reconstruction of Gualicho shinyae with the bones found in white (Image Sebastián Apesteguía at al.)

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An article published in the journal PLOS ONE describes the discovery of a theropod dinosaur that was called Gualicho shinyae. It’s been classified in the group of carnosaurs and what makes it particularly interesting is that its arms are small like those of the more famous Tyrannosaurus rex, classified in another group of theropods. This suggests that this feature evolved a number of times independently.