DNA from cave bear dates back 360,000 years and is oldest extracted from animal not in permafrost

Scientists have successfully identified, extracted and analysed the oldest ever DNA from an animal which was not frozen and preserved in permafrost.  The 360,000-year-old genetic material came from the bone of a cave bear, the larger and vegetarian relative of polar and brown bears, which died in what is now Georgia during the Middle Pleistocene. … Read more

Adolescent woolly rhino found in Siberian permafrost after 34,000 years

A woolly rhinoceros was today defrosted and revealed for the first time since it died in the frozen tundra of Siberia up to 40,000 years ago.  The animal of the extinct species was well-fed and is thought to have died after getting stuck in a swamp or river and drowning.  Experts also believe it may … Read more

Adolescent woolly rhino found in Siberian permafrost after 34,000 years

A woolly rhinoceros was today defrosted and revealed for the first time since it died in the frozen tundra of Siberia around 34,000 years ago.  The animal of the extinct species was well-fed and is thought to have died after getting stuck in a swamp or river and drowning.  Experts also believe it may have … Read more

Mummified wolf pup preserved in Canadian permafrost for 57,000 years

A mummified baby grey wolf with a perfectly preserved head, tail, paws and fur has been found in Yukon, northern Canada.  The seven-week-old female wolf pup, christened Zhùr, had been locked in permafrost – ground that remains completely frozen – for 57,000 years. Researchers think the 1.4-pound pup, who had traces of salmon in her gut, died … Read more

Ancient wolf pup mummy unearthed in Canadian permafrost

A mummified baby grey wolf with a perfectly preserved head, tail, paws and fur has been found in Yukon, northern Canada.  The seven-week-old female wolf pup, christened Zhùr, had been locked in permafrost – ground that remains completely frozen – for 57,000 years. Researchers think the 1.4-pound pup, who had traces of salmon in her gut, died … Read more

Permafrost melt could release 40 BILLION more tons of CO2 into atmosphere than previously thought

Permafrost melt may prompt microbes to release 40 BILLION more tons of CO2 into the atmosphere than previously thought, new study says The study assess the effects of microbes that feed on plant-produced carbon Permafrost melt and warmer temperatures will fuel plant life Increased plant life will cause microbes to respire more CO2 This will … Read more

Siberian building splits as permafrost weakens foundation

A house divided! Apartment building in the second coldest large city in the world splits in two as its foundation weakens due to a record-breaking heatwave that thawed the permafrost it was built on An apartment building in Siberia began to split in two after regional heatwave Residents were woken by a cracking noise in … Read more

Researchers identify bacteria in permafrost samples in the Swiss Alps that could break down plastics

Researchers identify 13-million-year-old bacteria in permafrost samples collected in the Swiss Alps, which could be used in bioreactors to break down plastic waste Swiss researchers have discovered a new species of bacteria in the Swiss Alps It was found in permafrost samples and is believed to be 13million years old The team describes permafrost as … Read more

Researchers identify bacteria in permafrost samples in the Swiss Alps that could break down plastics

Researchers identify 13-million-year-old bacteria in permafrost samples collected in the Swiss Alps, which could be used in bioreactors to break down plastic waste Swiss researchers have discovered a new species of bacteria in the Swiss Alps It was found in permafrost samples and is believed to be 13million years old The team describes permafrost as … Read more