Entre las piedras de Potrerillos, en Mendoza, un equipo de investigadores del CONICET sacó a la luz un hallazgo inesperado: fósiles de jarilla que cuentan la historia de los ambientes áridos del actual sur argentino. Según el sitio oficial del CONICET, los restos petrificados de este arbusto típico de la Patagonia y el Monte datan de hace 18 millones de años y constituyen el primer registro inequívoco a nivel mundial de maderas fósiles de la familia Zygophyllaceae, particularmente cercanas al género Larrea.

La investigación, publicada en la revista Journal of Systematic Palaeontology, muestra que estas maderas petrificadas conservan una estructura adaptada a la sequía extrema. Mediante microscopía óptica y electrónica, el equipo identificó células que transportan agua de tamaño reducido y paredes celulares gruesas, rasgos propios de plantas que sobreviven en ambientes muy secos. Los investigadores bautizaron el hallazgo como un nuevo género y especie, Larreoxylon cuyensis, en reconocimiento a la región de Cuyo.

Para Jimena Franco, autora principal del trabajo, el descubrimiento permite mirar hacia el pasado y entender el presente de la vegetación argentina. “Estos fósiles nos muestran que la jarilla y sus parientes ya estaban adaptados a vivir en condiciones de aridez hace 18 millones de años, mientras los Andes proseguían su levantamiento, limitando el ingreso de las lluvias desde el océano Pacífico”, explicó Franco, en el comunicado oficial de la entidad.

La jarilla y sus especies afines forman parte de un linaje que ha persistido ante el aumento de la aridez a lo largo del tiempo geológico. Según la investigación, la diversificación de este grupo vegetal se encuentra estrechamente vinculada a dos procesos: los grandes cambios ambientales del Mioceno y el levantamiento de la cordillera de los Andes. Ambos fenómenos favorecieron la expansión de ambientes secos y modelaron la evolución de la flora regional.

El análisis filogenético realizado por el equipo del CONICET se basó exclusivamente en características de la madera, abarcando tanto las especies fósiles como 19 especies actuales. El resultado fue un árbol evolutivo que coincide con los análisis moleculares previos, lo que confirma que la anatomía del leño resulta una herramienta robusta para reconstruir la historia evolutiva incluso sin material genético disponible.

La importancia del descubrimiento va más allá del registro fósil. Los resultados aportan herramientas para interpretar la reacción de la vegetación ante la expansión de condiciones secas en el Cono Sur. “Comprender estos procesos permite anticipar la respuesta de la vegetación frente a la expansión de condiciones secas en el sur de América del Sur”, subrayó Franco.

La jarilla, además de su valor ecológico, cuenta con potenciales aplicaciones biotecnológicas. De acuerdo con el CONICET, diversos grupos de investigación han utilizado extractos de jarilla para desarrollar lociones capilares, cremas hidratantes, bebidas y alimentos funcionales, así como han analizado sus propiedades antifúngicas.

Los fósiles hallados representan puntos de calibración valiosos para calcular cuándo se separaron los linajes de la familia Zygophyllaceae y cómo se distribuyeron las floras áridas en América del Sur y el mundo. El caso de Larrea tridentata, la única especie del género presente en los desiertos de América del Norte, sugiere una dispersión tardía probablemente facilitada por animales.

Como enfatizó la investigadora de CICYTTP (Centro de Investigación Científica y de Transferencia Tecnológica a la Producción), estos hallazgos constituyen una fuente única de información para comprender cómo las plantas respondieron a cambios ambientales a lo largo del tiempo geológico, como así también el origen de los diferentes biomas que se presentan en la actualidad.

El trabajo, en el que participaron también Leandro C. A. Martínez, Mariana Brea y Esperanza Cerdeño, impulsa nuevas perspectivas para el manejo ambiental y la conservación de ecosistemas áridos. El conocimiento sobre la capacidad genética y ecológica de la jarilla para tolerar el estrés hídrico puede orientar políticas de conservación y gestión territorial.

A Russian gunman was killed by special forces Saturday in Ukraine after opening fire at a supermarket in Kyiv, killing six people and wounding 14 others — including a 12‑year‑old boy.

The 58-year-old shooter long resided in the Donetsk region and was born in Moscow, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko.

He took at least four hostages, killed one of them, and fatally shot four others on the street, Zelenskyy said. Another woman died at a hospital from her injuries.

Graphic video captured by witnesses showed the gunman shooting at a victim within close range on the street. Other bodies were seen lying on the pavement and in courtyards.

MANHUNT UNDERWAY AFTER GUNMEN STORM CHICK-FIL-A LEAVING 1 DEAD

Ukranian special forces stormed the convenience store after 40 minutes of failed negotiations, according to Klymenko.

At least fourteen people were wounded in the attack, though officials cautioned the number may rise as people continue to seek medical assistance.

Among the injured is a 12‑year‑old boy and a supermarket security guard, according to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko.

The gunman was pictured dead in the convenience store. (Obtained by Will Stewart)

NINE DEAD, 13 WOUNDED IN SECOND TURKISH MASS SHOOTING IN TWO DAYS

Zelenskyy said the shooter also set fire to an apartment prior to the attack, though it is unclear if any injuries resulted from the arson.

«My condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims,» Zelenskyy wrote in an X post. «…We wish all the wounded a swift recovery.»

The gunman had previously been prosecuted for criminal offenses, but held a valid weapons permit, according to authorities. Investigators from the National Police and the Security Service of Ukraine are investigating.

The gunman was seen holding and shooting a weapon in the street. (Obtained by Will Stewart)

GUNMAN OPENS FIRE AT HIGH SCHOOL IN TURKEY, WOUNDING AT LEAST 16

Ukraine’s security service labeled the attack an act of terrorism.

«All available information about him and the motives behind his actions is being thoroughly investigated,» Zelenskyy said. «Every detail must be verified.»

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One of the shooter’s neighbors, Hanna Kulyk, 75, described him as an «educated, refined man,» who lived alone and did not socialize often.

«You’d never guess he was some kind of criminal,» Kulyk told The Associated Press.

Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., said she is not a millionaire and blamed a major accounting error after a congressional financial disclosure listing her assets as high as $30 million drew scrutiny from Republicans and a congressional watchdog.

An amended filing reviewed by The Wall Street Journal shows Omar and her husband’s assets were between $18,004 and $95,000, a sharp drop from an earlier disclosure that estimated their holdings between $6 million and $30 million.

«The amended disclosure confirms what we’ve said all along: The congresswoman is not a millionaire,» Omar spokesperson Jacklyn Rogers told the Journal, adding that the filing was corrected «as soon as the discrepancy was identified.»

The revised disclosure came after the Office of Congressional Conduct requested additional information earlier this year, according to the Journal.

TRUMP RIPS ‘CROOKED’ ILHAN OMAR AS HOUSE RAMPS UP INVESTIGATION INTO EXPLODING NET WORTH

Omar’s attorney said in a letter to the watchdog that the inaccurate filing was unintentional and stemmed from reliance on accountants.

«As the busiest of people, it is very common for members and their spouses to rely on learned professionals like accountants to make calculations and determinations that appear on public filings,» the attorney wrote, according to the Journal. «While the error is of course unfortunate, there is nothing untoward and nothing illegal has occurred.»

The amended filing shows Omar reported between $102,503 and $1,005,200 in income in 2024 from assets she and her husband own, according to the Journal. Documentation attached to the attorney’s letter showed $213,200 in distributions to her husband from his venture capital management firm and $3,000 from a winery.

COMER TO SAY TIM WALZ ‘ENABLED FRAUD,’ FAILED WHISTLEBLOWERS IN BOMBSHELL MINNESOTA HEARING

Representative Ilhan Omar, a Democrat from Minnesota, left, and Tim Mynett arrive to attend a state dinner in honor of Kenya’s president William Ruto hosted by US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden at the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Tierney L. Cross/Bloomberg/Getty Images)

A 2025 email between Omar’s husband and his accountant valued the venture capital firm at $7.9 million and the winery at $1.5 million, though he owns roughly one-third of both businesses, according to tax documents cited by the Journal.

The updated disclosure also shows Omar has between $15,001 and $50,000 in student loan debt and a similar amount in credit card debt.

The discrepancy had already drawn scrutiny from House Republicans, who questioned how such a large swing in reported assets went unflagged.

In a February letter to Omar’s husband, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., raised concerns about financial disclosures showing the value of two companies, eStCru LLC and Rose Lake Capital, surged from tens of thousands of dollars in 2023 to as much as $30 million in 2024.

Comer said the sudden increase «raises concerns that unknown individuals may be investing to gain influence,» and requested financial records tied to the businesses.

Omar’s office pushed back, describing Comer’s request as «a political stunt» and part of a campaign «meant to fundraise, not real oversight,» according to The Associated Press.

Rep. Ilhan Omar sits with husband Tim Mynett during the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on Aug.19, 2024, in Chicago, Illinois. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

A 2025 financial disclosure filing had previously listed Omar’s husband’s business interests in the millions, including a winery valued between $1 million and $5 million and a venture capital firm valued between $5 million and $25 million.

Those valuations were later revised in the amended filing, with the businesses listed as having no net value once liabilities were factored in, according to the Journal.

Omar, a progressive Democrat originally from Somalia and member of the «Squad,» has frequently clashed with President Donald Trump since first being elected in 2018 and has long been a target of Republican criticism.

Trump has suggested that Omar benefited from Minnesota’s sprawling welfare fraud scandal involving many people from the Somali community, a claim she has denied.

Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton weighed in on the amended filing, questioning how previously unreported liabilities wiped out millions in reported assets:

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«Ilhan Omar says her congressional financial reports have massive accounting error,» Fitton wrote on X. She and her husband only worth 18k-86k, NOT $6 million-$30 million! Previously unreported ‘liabilities’ erase wealth!»

Fox News Digital has reached out to Omar’s office for comment and will update this story with any response.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.