New fossil discovery reveals how volcanic deposits can preserve the microscopic details of animal tissues

University College Cork

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A Fossilized feather preserved with the volcanic rock.

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Credit: Edoardo Terranova

An analysis of a 30,000-year-old fossil vulture from Central Italy has revealed for the first time that volcanic rock can preserve microscopic details in feathers - the first ever record of such a preservation.

An international team, led by Dr Valentina Rossi (University College Cork, Ireland), discovered a new mode of preservation of soft tissues that can occur when animals are buried in ash-rich volcanic sediments.

The new research, published in the scientific journal Geology, reveals that the feathers are preserved in a mineral phase called zeolite, a mode of preservation of soft tissues never reported before.

The fossil vulture was found in 1889 near Rome by a local landowner who recognized its remarkable preservation. The entire body was preserved as a three-dimensional impression, with fine details such as the eye lids and wing feathers. The new research shows that preservation of feathers extends to tiny microscopic feather pigment structures.

Dr Rossi said: “Fossil feathers are usually preserved in ancient mudrocks laid down in lakes or lagoons. The fossil vulture is preserved in ash deposits, which is extremely unusual. When analysing the fossil vulture plumage, we found ourselves in uncharted territory. These feathers are nothing like what we usually see in other fossils”.

By analysing tiny samples of the fossil feathers using electron microscopes and chemical tests, the team revealed that the feathers are preserved in the mineral zeolite, a mode of fossil preservation never reported before.

“Zeolites are minerals rich in silicon and aluminium and are common in volcanic and hydrothermal geological settings” Rossi explains “zeolites can form as primary minerals (with pretty crystals) or can form secondarily, during the natural alteration of volcanic glass and ash, giving the rock a “mudrock-like” aspect”. The alteration of the ash due to passage of water induced the precipitation of zeolites nanocrystals that, in turn replicated the feathers to the tiniest cellular detail.

"The fine preservation of the feather structures indicates that the vulture carcass was entombed in a low temperature pyroclastic deposit."

Prof. Dawid A. Iurino (University of Milan), coordinator of the study said: “We are used to think that volcanic deposits are associated with hot, fast-moving pyroclastic currents that will destroy soft tissues. However, these geological settings are complex and can include low temperature deposits that can preserve soft tissues at the cellular level.”

Prof. Maria McNamara (UCC) said “The fossil record is continually surprising us, be it new fossil species, strange new body shapes, or in this case, new styles of fossil preservation. We never expected to find delicate tissues such as feathers preserved in a volcanic rock. Discoveries such as these broaden the range of potential rock types where we can find fossils, even those preserving fragile soft tissues.”

The discovery of a new mode of preservation of soft tissues potentially specific of volcanic rocks indicates that these deposits can contain remarkable fossils and should be the focus of new research.

 

ENDS

‘The Doom of the Alban Hills’ a digital painting representing a possible scenario of the moments before the vulture carcass was entombed in the pyroclastic current.

Credit

Dawid A. Iurino

Dr Valentina Rossi preparing a fossil sample to be analysed in the lab.

Credit

Dirleane Ottonelli

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Journal

Geology

DOI

10.1130/G52971.1 

Method of Research

Content analysis

Subject of Research

Animals

Article Title

Fossil feathers from the Colli Albani volcanic complex (Late Pleistocene, Central Italy)

Article Publication Date

18-Mar-2025

 

Internal displacement in Syria used to reshape the country’s political and social landscape, new study shows

University of Exeter

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Internal displacement in Syria was used by the Assad regime to reshape the country’s political and social landscape, a new study shows.

The forceful movement of people was systematically employed alongside indiscriminate violence, the research says.

This was not just a consequence of war, but a strategy to depopulate key areas and repopulate them to create new political and social realities. This tactic extended the impact of displacement beyond the immediate conflict, embedding it as a long-term political tool with lasting post-war consequences.

The study is by Samer Bakkour and Rama Sahtout, from the University of Exeter.

Dr Sahtout said: “The immediate goals of internal displacement were military and concerned with the imperative of confronting well-armed and tenacious opposition fighters in tightly-confined urban spaces. Here, the displacement of the population essentially functioned as a way of separating ‘friend’ and ‘foe’: indiscriminate bombardment and targeting of whole areas compelled civilian movement, and those who remained in the aftermath were presumed to be ‘foes’, irrespective of their age, ethnic identity and/or political loyalties.

“The regime permitted those who fled to enter its territory, on the presumption that this sufficiently illustrated their political loyalty.”

The study highlights how the Syrian regime gradually incorporated displacement into an integrated military-political strategy.

Dr Bakkour said: “Indiscriminate violence inflicted on targeted populations in opposition-controlled areas became an essential part of a strategy that sought to achieve the large-scale removal of resident populations.

“Through this study we hope to underscore the significance of recognizing internal displacement as a political strategy, not just a humanitarian crisis. Addressing displacement-related grievances is essential for any meaningful post-conflict reconciliation process.

“We aim to bring greater awareness to the strategic use of internal displacement and we call on policymakers to engage with it beyond a protection-based approach. Understanding its role in conflict and post-conflict settings is vital to shaping just and lasting stability in post-conflict societies.”

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Journal

Comparative Migration Studies

DOI

10.1186/s40878-024-00403-1 

Method of Research

Meta-analysis

Subject of Research

People

Article Title

Uprooting, removing and relocating populations: The role and significance of internal displacement in the syrian regime’s integrated military–political war strategy

 

Building a safer future: Rice researcher works to strengthen Haiti’s earthquake resilience

Rice University

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Marc-Ansy Laguerre presenting his research.

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Credit: Rice University.

Over the past two decades, Haiti has endured the devastation of two catastrophic earthquakes — first in 2010 and again in 2021. Each disaster left behind widespread destruction: buildings reduced to rubble, entire communities displaced and an overwhelming loss of life. A major factor in the severity of these tragedies was the widespread structural failure of poorly designed buildings, many of which were not constructed to withstand the powerful tremors.

Marc-Ansy Laguerre, a postdoctoral associate in civil and environmental engineering at Rice University, is determined to change that.

Having grown up in Haiti, Laguerre witnessed firsthand the devastation caused by these natural disasters. He says living through the 2010 earthquake, which claimed an estimated 300,000 lives, reinforced his commitment to helping build a safer future for his country.

His academic path has been laser-focused on this mission. Before attending Rice as a graduate student and now a postdoc, Laguerre earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the State University of Haiti then attended the University of Pittsburgh as a Fulbright Scholar, earning a master’s degree in civil engineering and a graduate certificate in Latin American studies. Laguerre said he hopes to work in earthquake mitigation and education to protect vulnerable communities from future disasters.

At Rice, Laguerre has found a mentor in Reginald DesRoches, an internationally recognized structural engineer and earthquake resilience expert. Now the university’s president, DesRoches previously served as the William and Stephanie Sick Dean of Engineering at the George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing, the role he held when Laguerre arrived at Rice.

Born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, DesRoches said he felt an immediate connection with Laguerre and recognized his potential early on. Even after assuming the presidency in 2022, he has remained actively involved as Laguerre’s adviser.

“Marc is deeply committed to building a more resilient Haiti, and his passion for earthquake mitigation is both inspiring and essential,” DesRoches said. “His dedication to using engineering to protect communities from future disasters reflects the kind of leadership and innovation we need in this field. I have no doubt that his work will make a lasting impact.”

Haiti’s seismic vulnerability

Together with Mohammad Salehi of the engineering firm Simpson Gumpertz & Heger, Laguerre and DesRoches conducted a comprehensive numerical analysis to assess the seismic vulnerability of reinforced concrete (RC) structures in Haiti. Their research, recently published in Earthquake Spectra, explores cost-effective retrofitting solutions that could help fortify buildings against future earthquakes.

“The level of destruction from these earthquakes is a reminder of the urgent need for stronger, safer construction practices in Haiti,” Laguerre said. “Unfortunately, many buildings, especially those constructed before 2010, were not built with seismic resilience in mind.”

The study focused on common structural weaknesses in Haitian RC buildings, which are prevalent in both residential and commercial construction. Many of these buildings suffer from insufficient column reinforcement, poor concrete quality and a lack of lateral load resistance — design flaws that make them highly vulnerable to collapse.

“Haitian buildings were largely constructed without seismic codes in place,” Laguerre said. “Many of them rely on weak columns with minimal reinforcement, which means they cannot properly absorb earthquake forces. When the ground shakes, these structures collapse instead of flexing or redistributing energy.”

Engineering solutions

To determine the most effective retrofitting methods, Laguerre, DesRoches and Salehi created detailed 3D computer models of four common Haitian building types ranging from single-story homes to multistory commercial structures. Using advanced engineering software, they simulated earthquake forces and tested five different retrofitting techniques:

● RC jacketing — adding reinforced concrete around existing columns to strengthen them.

● RC shear walls — thick concrete walls that provide additional lateral support.

● Steel braces — rigid frames that help buildings absorb seismic forces.

● Buckling-restrained braces (BRBs) — specially designed braces that flex without breaking.

● Prestressed high-strength steel cables — tensioned cables that reinforce structures.

The goal of these retrofits was to bring buildings to a Life Safety Code performance level, meaning that while structures could sustain damage during a major earthquake, they would remain intact and prevent catastrophic collapse.

“To evaluate the effectiveness of each retrofit strategy under real seismic conditions, we applied 11 simulated ground motions — one of which was recorded in Haiti — representing the Earth’s surface movement during an earthquake,” Laguerre said.

The team found that all five retrofitting techniques improved seismic performance, but their effectiveness varied depending on the building type.

For residential buildings, the best results came from using steel braces combined with RC jacketing, which significantly reduced structural movement during an earthquake.

“Steel braces are a practical and relatively low-cost way to strengthen homes,” Laguerre said. “When combined with RC jacketing, which reinforces the existing columns, it creates a much stronger structure.”

For larger, nonresidential buildings, BRBs and shear walls proved to be the most effective solutions. These reinforcements helped distribute earthquake forces more evenly, reducing the risk of collapse.

“For schools, hospitals and government buildings — places where structural failure would be disastrous — adding BRBs or shear walls should be a priority,” Laguerre said. “These global retrofit techniques substantially reduced interstory drift demands, decreasing the risk of collapse.”

A roadmap for a safer Haiti

The study’s findings have significant implications for Haiti’s disaster preparedness strategy. With limited resources, the country needs retrofitting solutions that are both effective and cost-conscious.

“We can’t prevent earthquakes, but we can prevent buildings from collapsing,” Laguerre said. “This research provides a roadmap for making existing structures safer while keeping costs manageable.”

Beyond engineering solutions, the team stressed the importance of policy changes and education initiatives to promote safer construction practices.

“These findings can inform building codes and guide engineering practices for safer construction,” Laguerre said. “We want to create lasting changes so that when the next earthquake strikes, Haiti will be better prepared to withstand it.”

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Journal

Earthquake Spectra

DOI

10.1177/87552930241311975 

Article Title

A numerical study on the seismic retrofit of Haitian reinforced concrete building frames

 

Bacteria invade brain after implanting medical devices

New research could transform design of brain implants for neurological disorders to make them safer, more effective

Case Western Reserve University

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Jeff Capadona

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Credit: Case Western Reserve University

CLEVELAND—Brain implants hold immense promise for restoring function in patients with paralysis, epilepsy and other neurological disorders.

But a team of researchers at Case Western Reserve University has discovered that bacteria can invade the brain after a medical device is implanted, contributing to inflammation and reducing the device’s long-term effectiveness. 

The groundbreaking research, recently published in Nature Communications, could improve the long-term success of brain implants now that a target has been identified to address.

“Understanding the role of bacteria in implant performance and brain health could revolutionize how these devices are designed and maintained,” said Jeff Capadona, Case Western Reserve’s vice provost for innovation, the Donnell Institute Professor of Biomedical Engineering and senior research career scientist at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center.

Capadona’s lab led the study, which examined the presence of bacterial DNA in the brains of mouse models implanted with microelectrodes.

To their surprise, researchers found bacteria linked to the gut inside the brain. The discovery suggests that a breach in what is known as “the blood-brain barrier,” caused by implanting the device, could allow microbes to enter.

“This is a paradigm-shifting finding,” said George Hoeferlin, the study’s lead author, who was a biomedical engineering graduate student at Case Western Reserve in Capadona’s lab. “For decades, the field has focused on the body's immune response to these implants, but our research now shows that bacteria—some originating from the gut—are also playing a role in the inflammation surrounding these devices.”

In the study, mouse models treated with antibiotics had reduced bacterial contamination and the performance of the implanted devices improved—although prolonged antibiotic use proved detrimental.

The discovery’s implications go beyond device failure. Some of the bacteria found in the brain have been linked to neurological diseases, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson’s and stroke.

“If we’re not identifying or addressing this consequence of implantation, we could be causing more harm than we’re fixing,” Capadona said. “This finding highlights the urgent need to develop a permanent strategy for preventing bacterial invasion from implanted devices, rather than just managing inflammation after the fact. The more we understand about this process, the better we can design implants that work safely and effectively.”

Capadona said his lab is now expanding the research to examine bacteria in other types of brain implants, such as ventricular shunts used to treat hydrocephalus, an abnormal buildup of fluid in the brain.

The team also examined the fecal matter of a human subject implanted with a brain device and found similar results.

“This finding stresses the importance of understanding how bacterial invasion may not just be a laboratory phenomenon, but a clinically relevant issue,” said Bolu Ajiboye, the Robert and Brenda Aiken Professor in biomedical engineering at the Case School of Engineering and School of Medicine and scientist at the Cleveland VA Medical Center. “Through our strong translational pipeline between CWRU and the VA, we are now investigating how this discovery can directly contribute to safer, more effective neural implant strategies for patients.”

The research was supported by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Advanced Platform Technology Center, National Institutes of Health, Department of Defense and the Donnell Institute Professorship Endowment.

                                                            ###

At Case Western Reserve, one of the nation's leading research universities, we're driven to seek knowledge and find solutions to some of the world's most pressing problems. Nearly 6,200 undergraduate and 6,100 graduate students from across 96 countries study in our more than 250 degree programs across arts, dental medicine, engineering, law, management, medicine, nursing, science and social work. Our location in Cleveland, Ohio—a hub of cultural, business and healthcare activity—gives students unparalleled access to engaging academic, research, clinical, entrepreneurial and volunteer opportunities and prepares them to join our network of 125,000+ alumni making an impact worldwide. Visit case.edu to learn more.

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Journal

Nature Communications

Article Title

Bacteria invade the brain following intracortical microelectrode implantation, inducing gut-brain axis disruption and contributing to reduced microelectrode performance

 

Diverging views of democracy fuel support for authoritarian politicians, Notre Dame study shows

By Renée LaReau

University of Notre Dame

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Marc Jacob, assistant professor of democracy and global affairs in the Keough School of Global Affairs at the University of Notre Dame.

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Credit: University of Notre Dame

Why do people living in democratic countries vote for political candidates who openly violate democratic standards? A new study by a University of Notre Dame researcher found that diverse understandings of democracy among voters can lead to votes for authoritarian-leaning political leaders.

“A considerable variety in democratic views leads part of the electorate to overlook violations of democratic norms such as minority rights protection or restraints on executive power,” said Marc Jacob, assistant professor of democracy and global affairs at Notre Dame’s Keough School of Global Affairs. “These varied attitudes represent an important vulnerability for the democratic system as they can enable authoritarian political candidates to access and retain power.”

The study, which was published in the British Journal of Political Science, found that voters' differing conceptions of democracy shape their ability to recognize democratic violations and, in turn, affect their voting choices.

Jacob and co-authors Natasha Wunsch of the University of Fribourg, Switzerland, and Laurenz Derksen of ETH Zurich conducted a candidate choice experiment in Poland, a democracy where elections remain competitive despite some democratic backsliding over the past several years. (Democratic backsliding occurs when existing democracies slip backward toward autocracy and is currently taking place in every region of the world.)

The researchers found that respondents who supported democracy in principle but adhered less strongly to liberal democratic norms, such as minority rights protection and constraints on executive power, tolerated democratic violations more readily.

“Where liberal democratic commitment is weak or unevenly distributed across the electorate, voters cannot reliably act as safeguards against democratic backsliding,” Jacob said.

Conversely, voters who subscribed more strongly to a liberal understanding were more likely to vote against non-liberal candidates, even those from their own political party.

Jacob said that additional survey-based research and qualitative approaches such as focus groups may provide further insights into citizens’ divergent understandings of democracy. To counter further democratic backsliding, the researchers recommend extensive and deliberate investment in civic education of citizens that highlights how each individual benefits from democratic governance, especially in more recent democracies.

“Democracy education often features big, abstract ideas, but it’s just as important to show people how civil liberties, power-sharing and the rule of law directly benefit them — and to remind them that their votes play a crucial role in keeping those values alive.”

The study was funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation.

Contact: Tracy DeStazio, associate director of media relations, 574-631-9958 or tdestazi@nd.edu

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Journal

British Journal of Political Science

DOI

10.1017/S0007123424000711 

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

People

Article Title

The Demand Side of Democratic Backsliding: How Divergent Understandings of Democracy Shape Political Choice

Article Publication Date

17-Mar-2025

Food and non-alcoholic drink products in Mexico were substantially reformulated to be healthier following the 2020 introduction of warning labels identifying products with excessive content of calories, fat, salt, sugar, sweetener and caffeine

PLOS
News Release 18-Mar-2025




Mexican warning labels on canned soft drinks.

In your coverage, please use this URL to provide access to the freely available paper in PLOS Medicine:

http://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1004533

Article title: Product reformulation in non-alcoholic beverages and foods after the implementation of front-of-pack warning labels in Mexico

Author countries: Mexico

Funding: see manuscript

Journal

PLOS Medicine

DOI

10.1371/journal.pmed.1004533

Method of Research

Observational study

Subject of Research

People