“Origins Federation"--Scientists at Top Universities Join Forces to Hunt for Alien Life

Planet Earth Edition

How Fish Evolved To Walk – And In One Case, Turned Into Humans--It might sound bizarre but the evidence is in our genes, anatomy and in fossils, reports IFL Science. "Our sarcopterygian ancestor evolved lungs and other air-breathing mechanisms, bony limbs, and a stronger spinal column before venturing on to land. These adaptations were useful not only in aquatic environments but allowed our ancestors to explore land – they were “pre-adaptations” for life on land.

Leading scientists join forces to hunt for alien life--More than 5,000 exoplanets have been discovered orbiting distant stars far outside our own solar system, reports The Telegraph. "Astronomers from Harvard, the University of Cambridge, ETH Zurich and the University of Chicago have founded the “Origins Federation” to unpick what is needed for life to flourish and to determine the other worlds that might be a suitable location for this to happen."

How a Jurassic-Era bug was found at a Walmart, reports The New York Times. A giant lacewing moth, recently identified after being found at an Arkansas Walmart in 2012, is being heralded as the first specimen of its kind seen in eastern North America in more than 50 years.

Most detailed geological model reveals Earth's past 100 million years, reports University of Sydney. Digital tool can help us understand the past, predict Earth's future. "For the first time, scientists have a high-resolution model of how today's geophysical landscapes were created and how millions of tons of sediment have flowed to the oceans.

New analysis of ancient human protein could unlock secrets of evolution--The technique – known as proteomics – could bring new insights into the past two million years of humanity’s history, reports The Guardian. "Researchers believe a new technique – known as proteomics – could allow them to identify the proteins from which our predecessors’ bodies were constructed and bring new insights into the past 2 million years of humanity’s history."

How the Moon is making days longer on Earth, reports the BBC. "Billions of years ago the average Earth day lasted less than 13 hours and it is continuing to lengthen. The reason lies in the relationship between the Moon and our oceans."

First evidence for horseback riding dates back 5,000 years, reports AP News--"“When you get on a horse and ride it fast, it’s a thrill – I’m sure ancient humans felt the same way,” said David Anthony, a co-author of the study and Hartwick College archaeologist. “Horseback riding was the fastest a human could go before the railroads.”"

Earth's mysterious innermost core is a 400-mile-wide metallic ball, reports Sharmila Kuthunur for Space.com. ‘Everyone should be concerned’: Antarctic sea ice reaches lowest levels ever recorded, reports"

Stephen Spielberg: "I think it’s mathematically impossible that we are the only intelligent species in the cosmos. I think that’s totally impossible."