The first teeth grew on outside of body

The fictional Cheshire cat's smile seemed to have a life of its own, outside of the cat's body, and now new research suggests the world's first teeth grew outside of the mouth before later moving into the oral cavity.

The study, published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, supports what is known as the "outside-in" hypothesis of tooth evolution. The first teeth and smile, however, did not belong to a cat, but likely were flashed by small and spiny sharklike fish.

That initial smile would have looked rather sinister.

"The first smile would probably have been a prickly one, with many tiny teeth that looked like pointy cheek scales, and other small toothlike scales wrapping around the lips onto the outside of the head," co-author Mark Wilson told Discovery News.

For the study, Wilson, a professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Alberta, and his colleagues studied animals called ischnacanthid acanthodians, an extinct group of fish that resembled sharks. They lived during the Early Devonian period, which lasted from 416 to 397 million years ago.

The researchers determined that head scales from these fish were in transition, evolving from scales to teeth. The pointy structures were identified on the lips of the fish. This discovery helps to negate the ?inside out? theory of tooth evolution, which holds that the first teeth emerged from structures in the pharynx progressing into the mouth.

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Project leader Stephanie Blais, a University of Alberta researcher, told Discovery News that "our findings support the idea that teeth evolved from modified pointed scales on the mouth margins (lips) as we see in Obtusacanthus," one of the prehistoric fish included in the study. All of the analyzed fish specimens were excavated at the Man on the Hill site in the Mackenzie Mountains of Canada.

As to why teeth first evolved, Blais said they "would have conferred a major advantage in terms of food acquisition. Pointed scales near the margins of their mouths would have helped them grasp prey and hang on to it until they could swallow it whole."

Such prey consisted of "probably whatever they could swallow," co-author Lindsay MacKenzie of the University of Montana?s Department of Geosciences told Discovery News. Based on fossilized stomach contents and other evidence, their primary prey probably consisted of arthropods, including crustaceans, as well as a variety of soft-bodied creatures and fish.

Blais said jaws, which must have evolved earlier, and the toothlike formations "allowed fishes to change from a filter-feeding or mud-grubbing more passive lifestyle to one of active predation."

The world's first aggressive conflicts also may have arisen at this point, since the move from passive feeding to hunting led to what Blais termed "the very first evolutionary arms race" among vertebrates, with some becoming predators and others becoming prey.

The first teeth also probably first arose in sets, and not just as a single tooth here and there. MacKenzie explained that "scales and teeth exist in developmental fields in which similar developmental processes generate many similar tooth or scale elements." Since the first teeth likely arose from these scales, they then to some extent mirrored the prior scale groupings, emerging as sets of teeth.

There is a connection between human teeth and these first fish teeth.

"Because teeth would have allowed vertebrates to become more efficient predators, and eventually more efficient herbivores, they were retained and passed down through generations in most groups," Blais said.

While humans and other animals with teeth share this initial fish connection, a lot of evolution, as well as inter-species battles, occurred over the millions of years.

"Interactions between predators and prey through time only increased their (teeth's) importance, leading to highly specialized teeth, such as those in mammals," Blais said.

? 2011 Discovery Channel

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45343222/ns/technology_and_science-science/

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Pets Stolen For Quick Cash - Baltimore, Maryland News Story ...

POSTED: 11:00 pm EST November 17, 2011
UPDATED: 6:58 am EST November 18, 2011

BALTIMORE -- Some people looking to make quick cash in the tough economy are stealing pets in what has become a booming and disturbing industry in Maryland.In early November, Joe Thompson had his 3-year-old Toy Shih-Tzu, Diva, in his hands during a routine midnight stroll in the 2800 block of Erdman Avenue in northeast Baltimore. "Me and my dog (are) just strolling. The next thing I know, he had put his hand on me and pulled me toward him and I'm talking to him, 'Man, back up I don't know you,'" Thompson explained.Thompson told the WBAL-TV 11 News I-Team and Baltimore City police detectives that the assailant grabbed Diva and fled on foot. Thompson said he gave chase until he became too winded."He said, 'Diva's been stolen.' And, I'm like, 'Are you joking?'" said Thompson's wife, Michelle Rayner-Thompson.The couple plastered fliers all over the neighborhood and contacted veterinarians and dog groomers. They also spread the word via social media. To the Thompsons, Diva is worth much more than the $1,300 toy Shih-Tzus can fetch."I cry every time I see these fliers. I want my dog," Thompson said. "I don't want to press no charges or nothing. Just give me my dog back. That's all I want is my dog.""I just broke down and started sobbing and I said, 'They've stolen my baby,'" Rayner-Thompson said.

Kennel Club: Pet Thefts On Rise

Police do not track the incidences of stolen pets, but there's good indication pet theft is on the rise, WBAL-TV 11 News I-Team reporter David Collins reported. Baltimore police said they aren't able to specify how many pets are stolen because the animals are considered property, so the crime is recorded as a robbery or larceny, which is not broken down by what was taken.For the first seven months of last year, the American Kennel Club received 150 reports of stolen pets. For the same time period this year, the club received 224 reports -- a 67 percent increase. Reports indicate pets are stolen during home invasions, from parked cars and from owners like Thompson who may be out for a walk. For the first time this year, the club said it has seen a new trend of dogs stolen from shelters and adoption events.Ines de Pablo, co-founder of pet safety company Wag'N Enterprises, said stolen pets are often resold on the Internet for an easy buck."It's quick money," de Pablo said.Perhaps more disturbing is how they are often used in the Baltimore area -- as bait for dogfighting rings."Unfortunately, it's a really sick thing to say, but they always need prey dogs for the fighting dogs to learn their killing skills on or the attack skills. So, they need bait, and they will pay for some of those bait dogs," de Pablo said.Last November, Baltimore City police broke up a pit bull ring on Payson Street, where city animal control officials said they believe some of the rescued puppies were being used as bait.

Some Pets Held For Ransom

Experts have warned that pets are also stolen and held for ransom. A puppy named Scrappy, along with his older brother, Scooby, escaped from their back yard, after which Jajie Shabay Walker, 21, called the dogs' owner, Gloria Chicas, saying he found the dogs but wanted money for their return, according to officials.Chicas said Walker told her, "You have to give me $200." The ransom was only for one animal, and during the time the dogs were held, Scooby was accidentally struck by a car and killed. Walker has since pleaded guilty to extortion, but he was not prosecuted for theft. He was sentenced to 18 months in jail and paid $65 in restitution for the loss of Scooby.As for the Thompsons, they believe Diva has been sold."(We're) not giving up. Even through we are getting another dog, we want Diva to come home. We'll just have two," Rayner-Thompson said.In response to the pet theft trend, dog advocates have advised against buying a pet through the online classified website Craigslist. They also warn against telling people how much you paid for a specific breed. Finally, they recommend inserting a microchip or getting a tattoo on your pet's inside thigh.Advocates also advise against leaving pets unattended in a vehicle or yard.

? 2011 by WBALTV.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Contact Us

Source: http://www.wbaltv.com/news/29800605/detail.html

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Truck driver pulls man out of sinking car

DUPONT, Ohio?? A truck driver loading milk came to the rescue of a man whose car plunged into a pond at a northwest Ohio dairy farm.

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John Neumeier said he had just finished getting the milk into his tanker and sealing it up when he heard a loud noise. When he looked up, he saw a car driving into water and the light from a cell phone moving inside.

As the car began to sink, he knew the driver didn't have a lot of time. The water, about 8 feet deep, was already at the level of the driver's side window. "I decided right then and there that somebody had to go in the water," he said.

So he grabbed the large wrench he always carries with him in his truck, and dove in. After three tries, he finally managed to break the glass. "I had to hit that window with everything I had," he said.

As the driver, identified by authorities as Earl Kuhlman, struggled to keep his head above the water, Neumeier said he reached in and pulled him out by his feet. Kuhlman was taken to Putnam County Ambulatory Care in Glandorf. He was reported in stable condition Monday night.

Story: 9-year-old survives almost 2 days in car wreckage with dead dad

Neumeier said the accident happened when the driver missed a curve in the road and drove right into the pond, near the village of Dupont in Putnam County. "It was raining, nasty and dirty out," he said.

He said it was fortunate that he was in the right place at the right time on Monday ? normally he doesn't get to the dairy until later at night, part of an 11-hour run that takes him into Tennessee. He's also grateful that he had the 22-inch wrench in his truck.

Neumeier, who has been driving a truck for close to 25 years, said he saw the tool six years ago on the side of the road while hauling produce in California. He stopped to pick it up, and has been carrying it with him ever since.

"I kind of feel partial to it," he said, adding that he asked the farm owner to look for the wrench when the car gets pulled out of the pond.

Neumeier, 58, said he was relieved to learn that nobody else was in the vehicle. So after Kuhlman was taken to the hospital, he changed into the spare set of clothes he keeps in his truck and started his 520-mile trek to Tennessee, arriving on time.

"I just try to be prepared," he said Tuesday by phone on his way home. 'You see a lot of things out on the road."

This story was originally reported by The Lima News.

The Associated Press and msnbc.com's Sylvia Wood contributed to this report.

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45306081/ns/us_news-wonderful_world/

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Witness: suspect wanted to fight Americans in Iraq (AP)

BOSTON ? An American man in prison for training at a terrorist camp in Somalia has testified that a Massachusetts man told him that he would fight U.S. soldiers in Iraq, if given the chance.

Daniel Maldonado testified Thursday in the trial of Tarek Mehanna, a Sudbury man charged with plotting to provide material support to al-Qaida. Prosecutors say Mehanna made an unsuccessful attempt to get training at a terrorist camp in Yemen.

Maldonado, who grew up in Pelham, N.H., said he and Mehanna were "best friends," and said they often watched jihadi videos and talked about their hope to participate in jihad.

Maldonado said Mehanna also said the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States were "justified" because the same thing has happened to the Muslims around the world.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/terrorism/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20111117/ap_on_re_us/us_massachusetts_terror_charge

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Chicago union president apologizes for Duncan joke (Providence Journal)

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Syrian soldiers killed as crisis accelerates (AP)

BEIRUT ? Army defectors ambushed dozens of Syrian troops and regime forces gunned down civilians during one of the bloodiest days of the country's 8-month-old uprising, which appeared Tuesday to be spiraling out of President Bashar Assad's control.

Up to 90 people were killed in a gruesome wave of violence Monday, activists said. The extent of the bloodshed only came to light Tuesday, in part because corpses lying in the streets did not reach the morgue until daylight.

As the bloodshed spiked, Assad's former allies were turning on him in rapid succession ? a sign of profound impatience with a leader who has failed to stem months of unrest that could explode into a regional conflagration.

Turkey, Jordan and the 22-member Arab League all signaled they were fed up with Assad's response to the uprising and were ready to pressure him to go.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday he no longer has confidence in the government led by Assad, a 46-year-old eye doctor who inherited power from his father 11 years ago.

"No regime can survive by killing or jailing," said Erdogan, who cultivated close ties with Assad before the uprising began in March. "No one can build a future over the blood of the oppressed."

Erdogan ? who disrespectfully addressed Assad by his first name ? warned Assad that his brutal crackdown on opponents threatens to place him on a list of leaders who "feed on blood."

Turkey also canceled plans for oil exploration in Syria and threatened to cut electricity supplies to the country, which is burning through the $17 billion in foreign reserves the government had at the start of the uprising. Turkey provides around 7 percent of Syria's total electricity consumption.

A day earlier, Jordan's king said Assad should step down, the first Arab leader to publicly make such a call. And over the weekend, the 22-member Arab League took a near-unanimous vote to suspend Damascus from the regional body.

In a sign that Saudi Arabia's rulers now foresee an end to Assad's rule, the former Saudi ambassador to the United States, Prince Turki Al Faisal, told reporters in Washington that it was "inevitable" that Assad would step down.

"I think what we're seeing here and continue to see is that the drumbeat of international pressure is increasing on Assad," U.S. State Department spokesman Mark Toner said.

Despite the widespread condemnation, Assad was unlikely to put an end to the crackdown, said Fadia Kiwan, a political science professor at Beirut's St. Joseph University. The reason is simple: Assad's regime would almost certainly fall if the crackdown ends, she said.

Although activists say the anti-government protesters have remained largely peaceful, an armed insurgency has developed in recent months targeting Assad's military and security forces.

Thirty-four soldiers were killed Monday in an ambush in Daraa, the birthplace of the uprising, said Rami Abdul-Rahman, head of the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The brazen attack by army defectors suggests a new confidence among troops who have sided with the protesters and highlights the potential for an armed confrontation to escalate.

Amateur video provided by activists showed what appeared to be an army tank and other military vehicles engulfed in flames in Daraa. "God is great!" a voice cried out. "This is an armored vehicle with a machine gun from Assad's brigades. God is great!"

Other footage showed a fire at the end of an alley sending up a plume of smoke, followed by an explosion. "That's the free army!" a man shouted as gunshots rang out. "That's a sniper," another voice said. "There's a sniper at the school."

Other videos showed tanks on urban streets firing their cannons and crowds of people running from the sound of automatic gunfire.

An activist in the area said he counted the bodies of 12 civilians killed by security forces' fire. "I saw two army armored personnel carriers, totally burnt," he told The Associated Press by telephone.

A resident near the town of Khirbet Ghazaleh in Daraa province said he heard more than four hours of intense gunfire. Both witnesses asked that their names not be used for fear of government reprisals.

As many as 90 people were killed nationwide Monday, including 19 civilians whose bodies were collected from the streets of Homs and delivered to the morgue.

The U.N. estimates the regime's military crackdown has killed 3,500 people in the past eight months. November is shaping up to be the bloodiest month of the revolt, with well over 300 people killed so far.

The latest death toll was compiled by sources including British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the Local Coordination Committees activist coalition and morgue officials.

In many ways, the violence against security forces plays directly into the regime's hands by giving it a pretext to crack down with overwhelming force, analysts say.

Assad says extremists pushing a foreign agenda to destabilize Syria are behind the unrest, not true reform-seekers aiming to open the country's autocratic political system.

Assad has responded with once-unthinkable promises of reform in one of the most authoritarian states in the Middle East. But he simultaneously unleashed the military to crush the protests with tanks, gunfire and snipers.

On Tuesday, the regime announced an amnesty for 1,180 prisoners who were arrested over the past eight months but whose "hands have not been stained by blood." Earlier this month, Assad freed 533 prisoners to mark Eid al-Adha, the Muslim feast of sacrifice.

The regime also released Kamal Labwani, 54, one of the country's most prominent detainees, according to the observatory for human rights. Labwani was serving a 12-year sentence on charges of anti-government activities after he met White House officials. He was detained in 2005.

Still, the gestures ring hollow alongside the mounting death toll and amateur videos posted online every day that appear to show random gunfire and shelling.

The Syrian government has largely sealed off the country, barring most foreign journalists and preventing independent reporting. But details gathered by activist groups and witnesses, along with the amateur videos, have become key channels of information.

The bloodshed also has laid bare Syria's long-simmering sectarian tensions, with disturbing reports of Iraq-style sectarian killings.

Syria is an overwhelmingly Sunni country of 22 million, but Assad and the ruling elite belong to the minority Alawite sect. Assad, and his father before him, stacked key military posts with Alawites to meld the fates of the army and the regime ? a tactic aimed at compelling the army to fight to the death to protect the Assad family dynasty.

To a large degree, the military has remained loyal. Most of the defectors appear to be lower-level Sunni conscripts, not officers. But observers say the tide could change if the military continues to be called upon to shoot unarmed protesters.

On Wednesday, the Arab League will meet in Morocco and the group is expected to formally suspend Syria. The decision has enraged Syria, which considers itself a bastion of Arab nationalism.

Syria's foreign minister branded the decision "shameful and malicious" and accused other Arabs of conspiring with the West to undermine the regime.

The sharp rebuke suggests Damascus fears the United States and its allies might use the rare Arab consensus to press for tougher sanctions at the United Nations. Veto-wielding Russia and China have so far opposed efforts at the U.N. Security Council to impose sanctions on Syria ? a stance that could become harder to maintain.

___

Associated Press writer Selcan Hacaoglu in Ankara, Turkey, contributed to this report.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/world/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20111115/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_syria

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