Raptors Really Ran in Packs —in China

Dinosaur is earliest known feathered species, may have flown on four wings

(NEWSER) - A fossilized creature found in northern China puts an end to any controversy over whether birds descended from dinosaurs, say Chinese scientists. The dinosaur, who lived some 10 million years before Archaeopteryx, is the oldest feather species ever discovered. The feathers cover its arms, tail, and also its feet, leading scientists to believe that it may have flown on four wings. More»

7,600 fossils dug up, including biggest hadrosaur on record

(NEWSER) - Scientists in eastern China have uncovered the largest collection of dinosaur fossils in the world, they say. They’ve pulled some 7,600 fossils from a 980-foot-long pit over the past 7 months, including what could be the biggest duck-billed hadrosaur ever discovered, at more than 65 feet long, state media said. The trove is in the Shandong province city of Zhucheng, called China’s “Dinosaur City” for its many other finds, Reuters reports. More»

(NEWSER) - Chinese villagers in Henan province dug up a ton of fossilized dinosaur bones, using them to make traditional medicines, including soup and poultices. The villagers, not entirely inaccurately, believed that they were ‘dragon bones’ from flying dragons. Once they learned of their value to paleontologists, the villagers donated the uneaten bones to the Chinese Academy of Sciences. More»

Chen Guangcheng's brother had disappeared after fleeing his village

(NEWSER) - The brother of blind Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng has returned home to his village after apparently vanishing yesterday in Beijing, Reuters reports. Chen Guangfu, a 55-year-old laborer and farmer, had fled his home earlier this week to seek legal help for his son, who is in Beijing facing attempted murder charges. The family grew worried when Chen Guangfu failed to return to his hotel room last night, reports the Guardian . More»

Senate report finds 1,800 cases, blames crappy supply chain

(NEWSER) - The US military's planes and helicopters are full of counterfeit electronic parts, most of which originated in China, according to a new Senate report. The year-long Armed Services Committee probe identified 1,800 cases of fake parts being found in aircraft, particularly in Navy helicopters, cargo planes, and Poseidon jets. More than 70% of the fake parts hail from China, with the UK and Canada being the next-biggest culprits, the BBC reports. More»