April 2019

Simbakubwa kutokaafrika was a top predator that lived in Kenya 22 million years ago

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An article published in the “Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology” reports the identification of an extinct species of carnivorous mammal whose estimated weight is higher than that of polar bears. Dr. Nancy Stevens and Dr. Matthew Borths of the Ohio University named it Simbakubwa kutokaafrika after studying fossils dating back some 22 million years ago discovered in Kenya between 1978 and 1980 but never studied. In its ecosystem it was a top predator and is the oldest representative discovered so far of the group of hyaenodonts.

Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) in Such Sweet Sorrow Part 2 (Image courtesy CBS / Netflix. All rights reserved)

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“Such Sweet Sorrow Part 2” is the 14th and last episode of the 2nd season of the TV show “Star Trek: Discovery” and follows “Such Sweet Sorrow”.

The USS Discovery and the USS Enterprise can only count on their crews and the firepower of shuttles modified at the last moment for the battle against the fleet leed by Control. The hope is to gain enough time for the new Red Angel to be ready to accomplish her mission.

Artist's concept of Sollasina cthulhu (Image courtesy Elissa Martin)

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An article published in the journal “Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences” reports the discovery of a species related to the animals of the class Holothuroidea, the ones commonly known as sea cucumbers, which was named Sollasina cthulhu for a certain resemblance to the creature invented by the writer H.P. Lovecraft. A team of researchers examined very well preserved fossils discovered in the English site of Herefordshire dating back to about 430 million years ago, during the Silurian period, using modern technologies to create a 3D reconstruction.

Araminta Station by Jack Vance (Italian edition)

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The novel “Araminta Station” by Jack Vance was published for the first time in 1987. It’s the first book of the Cadwal Chronicles.

When Glawen Clattuc turns 16 his destiny is decided according to the strict rules ruling human presence on the planet Cadwal. His father manages to foil an attempt to sabotage the boy’s future by Spanchetta, a relative who hates them, and Glawen is given a place in the planet’s aristocracy and enters Bureau B, the police force of Araminta Station, the most important settlement on the planet.

Glawen gets romantically connected to Sessily Veder but during a party the girl mysteriously disappears. The investigation leads to the suspicion of a tragic demise for the girl but there’s not enough evidence to convict the man suspected of the possible murder. It’s just one of the events wrapped in mysteries that have Glawen’s attention over the years.

Professor Philip Piper with the first Homo luzonensis bone discovered (Photo courtesy Lannon Harley / ANU. All rights reserved)

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An article published in the journal “Nature” reports the recognition of a new species of primitive humans that was named Homo luzonensis. A team of researchers studied a number of fossils discovered between 2007 and 2015 in Callao Cave, on the island of Luzon, Philippines, concluding that these are the remains of individuals belonging to a species of hominins different from those hitherto known who lived on the island between 50,000 and 67,000 years ago.