Proteins in modern-day feathers also found in dinosaur feathers, new research reveals

New method reveals similarities between dinosaurs and birds

Dr Tiffany Slater and Prof. Maria McNamara pictured in the experimental fossilization laboratory at the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences at University College Cork. Pic Daragh Mc Sweeney/Provision

Palaeontologists at University College Cork (UCC) have discovered X-ray evidence of proteins in fossil feathers that shed new light on feather evolution.

Previous studies suggested that ancient feathers had a different composition to the feathers of birds today.