PubHawk
Science September 2018 PMID 30237355

Ancient steroids establish the Ediacaran fossil as one of the earliest animals.

Ilya Bobrovskiy, Janet M Hope, Andrey Ivantsov, Benjamin J Nettersheim, Christian Hallmann, Jochen J Brocks

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Mentions

277
Peak: 3 in Mar 2023
across 5 sources since Feb 2019

Extended reach

53,479
potential audience

Total likes

287

Video views

27,372

Mentions per month

Feb 2019 – May 2024

Where it's discussed

  • News225 articles
  • Blogs28 articles
  • Facebook14 posts
  • X / Twitter7 posts
  • YouTube3 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The overall analysis reflects a strong positive sentiment, with many posts discussing the significance of lipid biomarkers as evidence for early animals, using words like 'amazing' and emphasizing the study’s potential to illuminate the origins of complex life. The tone and context underscore the scientific community’s recognition of this discovery as a notable breakthrough with meaningful impact.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions express support or excitement about the significance of the research, especially emphasizing the finding that these fossils contained animal-like lipid biomarkers.

InterestHigh interest

Posts show high curiosity, with many comments highlighting the importance of the discovery, usage of terms like 'amazing,' and focus on the implications for understanding early animal life.

EngagementModerate engagement

Various discussions delve into the methods used, such as chemical fossil analysis and molecular evidence, indicating active engagement with the scientific details.

ImpactModerate impact

The posts suggest that the discovery could reshape understanding of life's origins, evidenced by phrases like 'game changer' and references to its relevance in the broader context of evolution.

Abstract in brief

  • The Ediacara biota, existing 571 to 541 million years ago, represents the earliest complex organisms in the fossil record and may help us understand the origin of animals.
  • Their peculiar and diverse forms have made it difficult to classify them, with some scientists debating whether they were marine animals, giant single-celled protists, or even terrestrial lichens.
  • Recent research shows that lipid biomarkers from these fossils confirm they produced cholesteroids, a key characteristic of animals, making them the oldest known macroscopic animals and suggesting they were precursors to the Cambrian explosion of life.
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Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
ANU Earth Sciences
@anuearthscience · X

Oldest lifeform all lit up!

Mar 8, 2023 · 10 likes · 2 shares · 3,387 followers View post →
David Naafs
@david_naafs · X

@InamedSciart @ogu_bristol @YizhouHuang6 Molecular fossils are organic molecules derived from once living organisms. For example, if we measure cholesterol (or cholesteroids) in ancient sediments, we can infer that animals were present at that time. See this paper as example https://t.co/R58AG86Jli

Nov 16, 2021 · 5 likes · 1,455 followers View post →
Lipotype
@Lipotype_Global · X

@MassCheck Hi Alan! Here you go: https://t.co/QQefSpmgAz What do you like most about this: the idea or the results? :)

Feb 7, 2019 · 1 like · 1,398 followers View post →
Research at ANU
@ANU_Research · X

RT @anuearthscience: Oldest lifeform all lit up!

Mar 8, 2023 · 2 shares · 9,405 followers View post →
Science & Medicine at ANU
@scienceANU · X

RT @anuearthscience: Oldest lifeform all lit up!

Mar 8, 2023 · 2 shares · 5,550 followers View post →
BeSteveL
@BrknMan · X

@starkicus @GlennCarr6 @MLeiter42 @rln_nelson @TWTThisIsNow @CDCollins5269 @JimBowersclimb @WayneAllanH @jimdtweet @6lennybravo @jgatta06 @josiejessop631 @BenKoby1911 @GeorgeJeff9804 @Kenneth72712993 @MedBennett @Vulcan_hobo @BubbasRanch @ChrisBBacon3 @pauladamsalber1 @Gabwbw181237 @Stephen90045069 @NoelTurner194 @nxgrs73 @NewNormality20 @ChrisManuell @priscian @Michael_D_Crow @icarus62 @freddie07068768 @Veritatem2021 @automatrix66_KC @0Sundance @JustinGrant923 @evenminded121 @TopAlliedAceWW1 @MikeDel21893959 @njbtweet @MisinformNoMore @philbaylisss @shicks_sam @bomac_macbo @onefromtexas @SZOMB @Vlaamse_Zaak @CrispyCX @aSinister @variegated2 @mugger124 Who said it was algae? https://t.co/cI4A9iFMot

May 10, 2024 · 4,680 followers View post →

All mentions

BeSteveL
@BrknMan · X

@starkicus @GlennCarr6 @MLeiter42 @rln_nelson @TWTThisIsNow @CDCollins5269 @JimBowersclimb @WayneAllanH @jimdtweet @6lennybravo @jgatta06 @josiejessop631 @BenKoby1911 @GeorgeJeff9804 @Kenneth72712993 @MedBennett @Vulcan_hobo @BubbasRanch @ChrisBBacon3 @pauladamsalber1 @Gabwbw181237 @Stephen90045069 @NoelTurner194 @nxgrs73 @NewNormality20 @ChrisManuell @priscian @Michael_D_Crow @icarus62 @freddie07068768 @Veritatem2021 @automatrix66_KC @0Sundance @JustinGrant923 @evenminded121 @TopAlliedAceWW1 @MikeDel21893959 @njbtweet @MisinformNoMore @philbaylisss @shicks_sam @bomac_macbo @onefromtexas @SZOMB @Vlaamse_Zaak @CrispyCX @aSinister @variegated2 @mugger124 Who said it was algae? https://t.co/cI4A9iFMot

May 10, 2024 · 4,680 followers View post →
Science & Medicine at ANU
@scienceANU · X

RT @anuearthscience: Oldest lifeform all lit up!

Mar 8, 2023 · 2 shares · 5,550 followers View post →
Research at ANU
@ANU_Research · X

RT @anuearthscience: Oldest lifeform all lit up!

Mar 8, 2023 · 2 shares · 9,405 followers View post →
ANU Earth Sciences
@anuearthscience · X

Oldest lifeform all lit up!

Mar 8, 2023 · 10 likes · 2 shares · 3,387 followers View post →
Amber Jarrett (she/her)
@JarrettGeo · X

@katiedigsdinos Here is a pretty amazing study that came out of my PhD supervisor's lab extracting chemical fossils from some of the oldest body fossils https://t.co/gGOT5nCHsk

Apr 16, 2022 · 220 followers View post →
David Naafs
@david_naafs · X

@InamedSciart @ogu_bristol @YizhouHuang6 Molecular fossils are organic molecules derived from once living organisms. For example, if we measure cholesterol (or cholesteroids) in ancient sediments, we can infer that animals were present at that time. See this paper as example https://t.co/R58AG86Jli

Nov 16, 2021 · 5 likes · 1,455 followers View post →
Lipotype
@Lipotype_Global · X

@MassCheck Hi Alan! Here you go: https://t.co/QQefSpmgAz What do you like most about this: the idea or the results? :)

Feb 7, 2019 · 1 like · 1,398 followers View post →