Publications by authors named "C Loch"
Vertebrate fossils from Aotearoa New Zealand have revealed the global significance of Zealandia on the origins of modern birds, the history of cetaceans during major climatic events of the Cenozoic and the evolution of cartilaginous and ray-finned fish. Internationally important collections of vertebrate fossils are housed in collections across Aotearoa and have attracted researchers from around the world studying evolution, biogeography and climate change. This special issue of the Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand celebrates the vertebrate fossils of Aotearoa by showcasing taonga (treasures) that are significant to global and local vertebrate history.
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- * A newly described species of tiny penguin helps fill a morphological gap between older Oligocene penguins from New Zealand and early Miocene forms from South America.
- * Phylogenetic analysis suggests that penguin wings evolved quickly during this period, contributing to their swimming efficiency and ecological diversity, with evidence pointing to the role of Zealandia in this evolutionary process.
Studies involving anatomical description and taxonomy of fossil odontocetes offer insights into their evolutionary history and diversity. This study analyses tusk-like teeth in odontocetes including the description of a new species, , from the Waitaki valley, North Otago, New Zealand. Dental features of , a gracile, longirostrine odontocete with procumbent tusk-like anterior teeth and slightly denticulate cheek teeth, are described in detail.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFComputed tomography (CT) and microcomputed tomography (μCT) require calibration against density phantoms scanned with specimens or during routine internal calibration for assessment of mineral concentration (MC) and density. In clinical studies involving bone, alternative calibration methods using bodily tissues and fluids ("phantomless" calibration) have been suggested. However, such tissues are seldom available in archeological and osteological research.
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- Severe influenza A virus can cause serious issues like lung damage and breathing problems, and there are currently no good medicines to treat it.
- A new drug called UH15-38 has been created to stop a harmful process (called necroptosis) that makes the lung problems worse during severe infections.
- Tests showed that UH15-38 helped reduce lung inflammation and saved lives in infected patients, even when given later in the illness, making it a promising option for treating severe influenza and related conditions.