![A 650-million-year-old fossil of fungus.](https://www.uc.edu/news/articles/2021/01/n20979326/jcr:content/image.img.cq5dam.thumbnail.500.500.jpg/1611928813313.jpg)
UPI: UC geologist photographs oldest known land fossils
International research team writes about microfossils found in China
United Press International reported on a discovery coauthored by a University of Cincinnati geologist of the oldest known land fossils on Earth.
The microfossils of fungi were found in 635-million-year-old sedimentary rock in China. The discovery was published in the journal Nature Communications.
UC associate professor of geology Andrew Czaja, a paper co-author, captured microscopic images of the crystal-like fungus. Researchers believe fungus in caves helped speed the end of a planet-wide ice age by reversing feedback loops.
The discovery could suggest that fungus predated terrestrial plants.
Lead author Tian Gan, a postdoctoral researcher with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, called the finding "an accidental discovery."
But Gan said the fossil could help us better understand the forces behind climate change more than 600 million years ago.
Featured image at top: A microscopic image shows the filament-like microfossils found in China. Photo by Andrew Czaja/University of Cincinnati.
UC geologist Andrew Czaja, pictured in this file photo, was part of an international team that discovered 635-million-year-old microfossils in China. Photo/Joseph Fuqua II/UC Creative + Brand
Related Stories
Put down that beer; it's not a tanning lotion
![WVXU logo](/content/dam/refresh/uc-news/news-icons/dark/wvxu.png)
July 1, 2024
The University of Cincinnati's Kelly Dobos joined WVXU's Cincinnati Edition to discuss what's fact and what's myth when it comes to sunscreen use, different kinds of sunscreen and a social media recommendation to use beer on your skin to help get a tan.
Cincinnati researchers want to know if MRIs can work better
![WVXU logo](/content/dam/refresh/uc-news/news-icons/dark/wvxu.png)
June 28, 2024
WVXU and the Cincinnati Business Courier highlighted a new collaboration between the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, UC Health GE HealthCare, JobsOhio, REDI Cincinnati and Cincinnati Children’s to create an MRI Research and Development Center of Excellence located on UC’s medical campus.
UC 1819 Innovation Hub workshop spreads AI awareness
June 28, 2024
Microsoft and Disrupt Now joined forces to run a June 24-27 seminar at UC’s 1819 Innovation Hub teaching Cincinnati residents how to responsibly use AI.