🌎 380-million-year-old air-breathing fish fossil unearthed in Australia

Plus: Zero-gravity parabolic flights to connect Japan's Simojishima islands                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 February 10, 2024 | [Read Online]( It’s time to introduce a new species of ancient lobe-finned fish — thanks to fossils recently unearthed in Australia. The sleek creature has been described as having ‘unique biological features,’ including huge fangs and bony scales. We also now know these fish roamed Earth’s seas roughly 380 million years ago (the Late Devonian). But what adds to the intrigue is the existence of large holes in the upper part of the fish's skull. These spiracular structures are believed to have aided in surface air-breathing, allowing the fish to take in air at the water's surface. To see images and gain more insights, check out today's [Must Read](. 🚨 IE’s Electrical Engineering newsletter is your go-to for all things ‘spark’ such as AI and smart grids. Charge your curiosity every Sunday by [subscribing now.]( 🔥 Today’s hot jobs as featured on [jobs.interestingengineering.com](: - [Senior Software Engineer]( - [Service Engineering Manager]( - [Civil Engineer - H&H Engineering & Modeling]( Good morning. I’m Sade, newsletter editor at IE. This is the Blueprint. Let’s get into it! Reading time: 5 minutes Did a friend forward this e-mail to you? [Subscribe ✉](  VIDEO OF THE DAY Virgin Galactic's minor mishap: Galactic 06 spaceflight update Recently, Virgin Galactic experienced a minor issue on its Galactic 06 mission when a small alignment pin came loose from the VMS Eve mothership's launch pylon. IE+ SUPPORT INTERESTING ENGINEERING Invest In Science And Engineering Insider access to exclusive content, featuring riveting stories that take you right to the heart of the action. Engage with our thriving online community, dive into captivating science discoveries, and stay informed with our enlightening weekly premium newsletters. With IE+, quality reporting is more than just news - and it is Ad-Free. [Subscribe]( HOT TOPICS - 🇺🇸[Â]([US Navy picks Anduril to develop massive AI-powered underwater drones]( - ⛰️ [‘Mountains stink’: Everest climbers ordered to carry poop back to the base camp]( - 🔋 [Hydrogen-powered drones get a major boost with new fuel cell membrane]( MUST READ [🌎 380-million-year-old air-breathing fish fossil unearthed in Australia]( Scientists announce a new predatory marine creature that once thrived in what is now Australia when rivers flowed over the now-dry landscape. Fossil analysis reveals the newly discovered fish species named Harajicadectes zhumini lived 380 million years ago. Large holes in the fish’s skull indicate air-breathing adaptabilities to supplement gill respiration. This makes sense considering the Mid to Late- Devonian times coincided with low atmospheric oxygen levels. [Read more >]( [SCIENCE]( 🤖 [Swiss army knife: Scientific robot set to 'slurp' deep-sea species for study]( An international expedition, the MSM126 Jellyweb Madeira, will explore the enigmatic depths of the ocean around Madeira, Portugal. Central to the mission is the remotely operated vehicle, ROV PHOCA, dubbed the "Swiss army knife of marine research," with the capability to explore depths exceeding 6,500 feet (2000 meters). [Read more >]( [TRANSPORTATION]( 🛩️[Â]([Zero-gravity parabolic flights to connect Japan's Simojishima islands]( Washington DC's 0-G Launch, a trailblazer in microgravity flight technology, and Japan's PD AeroSpace, renowned for space transportation, have signed a collaboration deal. The partnership aims to launch zero-gravity parabolic flights from Japan's Simojishima islands starting in 2024. [Read more >]( PODCAST [🆕 New podcast The future of space exploration and ethics with Erika Nesvold]( Question of the day Which aspect of the recently discovered ancient lobe-finned fish in Australia intrigues you the most? [The fact it existed around 380 million years ago. Earth was such a different place.]( [Its air-breathing capability — and how this works.]( [How environmental changes drive biological adaptations.]( [Fossil discoveries do not interest me.]( YESTERDAY'S RESULTS Yesterday, we asked Do you believe the JET experiment's success indicates a promising future for fusion power plants? Here are the results: 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Somewhat optimistic, pending further development (50%) 🟨🟨🟨⬜️️⬜️️⬜️️ Absolutely, it is a game changer (26%) 🟨⬜️️⬜️️⬜️️⬜️️⬜️️ Unsure, need more information (12%) 🟨⬜️️⬜️️⬜️️⬜️⬜️ No, I remain skeptical about the feasibility of fusion power (12%) “The ability to supplement gill respiration with aerial oxygen likely afforded an adaptive advantage.” Professor John Long, Fossil Fish Expert THINGS WE LOVE [[DaVinci Code Crypte] DaVinci Code Cryptex $29.99]( [[Magnetic Levitating Pen] Magnetic Levitating Pen $29.99]( [[TESLYAR Wood Phone Docking Station] TESLYAR Wood Phone Docking Station $39.80]( [[Magnetic Levitating Bulb] Magnetic Levitating Bulb $70.89]( AND ANOTHER THING - [400 ancient fossils dating back 470 million years found in France]( - [US researchers engineer tiny earrings to track stress, periods, and more]( - ['Physics of AI': German scientists train AI to think like Albert Einstein]( what else? ⚙️ To explore the wonders of mechanical engineering, get your [Mechanical]( 🔷 For all the week’s top engineering stories, subscribe to the [Vital Component]( 🛩️ For the latest on propulsion, satellites, aeronautics, and more, subscribe to [Aerospace]( 🧑🏻‍🔧 For expert advice on engineering careers, subscribe to [Engineer Pros]( 🧠New: To get the latest AI news every Monday, subscribe to [AI Logs]( 🎬 For a weekly round-up of our best science, tech & engineering videos, subscribe to [IE Originals]( For our weekly premium newsletter and an ad-free experience, [sign up for IE+]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [Give Feedback](mailto:emre.dagli@interestingengineering.com?subject=User%20feedback%20for%20the%20Blueprint) --------------------------------------------------------------- //link.mail.beehiiv.com/ss/c/gIGIpUF6d1hGqcQjHe437kyVA6g1LfBq9HXC1ZND4y_KHdNGtW9Rjemv5T9JZONn9N6kE9FabNy8ENARvywendjBQSc8nkjJI3Jm-fN-jt97HCIFeLuaqvPij5Yj0LHjilTDSYJrwUtaG644J9qFkYtiC8DpaSOKaiPghzxB5H-83ksAsImKgaAiE_BEfWzWjfqp2HdkxNhW9s5tHGnyi3xjYZ1Ivb_qcXe7sfdDiNWMbzcNSXkPdxEDUxTedf2BNMqOXT5XDlB_oMWU_Ae5TA/43q/DvfQs21URSW30xxQbEqgbQ/h44/O41po-IhvY60dOPu-cHOHD_MDnEA7N9iuR0sxULGcNI//link.mail.beehiiv.com/ss/c/oI2ds1eY3zrDzwM4HveOVRmeJ5i_p5i5KNVinJHZlhSkOHNfWq__msc9VRtNfnHyXddq6vzr5t6T6GYW7KJXdUpzzfGanFORrMI8zWICIfEjm4EeiJq4Bt8OPeELuqlXrJmS9s8Y30WqEmDFAZ00pRFbB3TVcxXVi_xG7WIWGKy0us2HpNCuj9X8Dh14js4t135jZPUQ7MU6UWwtiKn0Rco7fLoxwyoQ0drtKvfZLD1sC9rHUGFMHEPiRmhJr0ZF/43q/DvfQs21URSW30xxQbEqgbQ/h46/L-7a0vASqqxuxApFYLZUHv3nwwBJf-akeybxMg493D0//link.mail.beehiiv.com/ss/c/gIGIpUF6d1hGqcQjHe437oAWXHY86pFVzUigyeO7aWaLPmh4WUXCw0RjhsSC7o2NbU_ca_kYL8MJJVyxd9lLLHnpv384io7Db-FZ5RsZytiT-YlGVF8fbTbGPt28XyPQwBGQ2AGbTq_P7JGGRajS4TUj-AlNkw9k9ssxW0KQT2dx6S8Rko1FdRMvRnnx6smOAL-5XSEc9cBml8k4z8IvyUhPf3PhcVTxlYzgzoEDhvmEVCXnrcm1G0opCA3CTfAxdC-H4zYGcTGOftarQDZRcw/43q/DvfQs21URSW30xxQbEqgbQ/h48/cyRhOeiE0XwrKONZNlxlGUQQ2b2oa_c726sAXAk0QDM Update your email preferences or unsubscribe [here]( © 2024 The Blueprint 530 5th Ave New York, New York 10036, United States of America