Fossilized dinosaur eggshells can preserve amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, over millions of years

Calcite, the material making up fossilized eggshells, may preserve amino acids better than bone.

Evan Thomas Saitta, Postdoctoral Scholar in Paleontology, University of Chicago • conversation
April 9, 2024 ~9 min

Growing quickly helped the earliest dinosaurs and other ancient reptiles flourish in the aftermath of mass extinction

By examining fossilized bone tissue, a new study finds rapid growth was an asset for survivors of the Great Dying 250 million years ago, Earth’s largest mass extinction event.

Kristi Curry Rogers, Professor of Biology and Geology, Macalester College • conversation
April 3, 2024 ~9 min


Horses lived in the Americas for millions of years – new research helps paleontologists understand the fossils we’ve found and those that are missing from the record

Horse fossils are abundant and widespread across North America. Scientists often use their long history to illustrate how species evolve in response to a changing environment.

Bruce J. MacFadden, Distinguished Professor and Director of Thompson Earth Systems Institute (TESI), University of Florida • conversation
March 27, 2024 ~9 min

Titanosaurs were the biggest land animals Earth’s ever seen − these plant-powered dinos combined reptile and mammal traits

Some of these giant vegetarians were as tall as a 3-story building. Microscopic analysis of their teeth, bones and eggshells reveals how they grew, what they ate and even their body temperature.

Kristi Curry Rogers, Professor of Biology and Geology, Macalester College • conversation
March 7, 2024 ~9 min

A newly identified ‘Hell chicken’ species suggests dinosaurs weren’t sliding toward extinction before the fateful asteroid hit

Rather than a juvenile of a known species, several fossilized bones represent a new species – and shed light on the question of whether dinosaurs were already in decline before disaster struck.

Eric Snively, Associate Professor of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Oklahoma State University • conversation
Jan. 24, 2024 ~10 min

Why we think that some extinct giant flying reptiles cared for their young

Reptiles don’t generally care for their offspring, but some pterosaurs may have bucked the trend.

Jason Gilchrist, Lecturer in the School of Applied Sciences, Edinburgh Napier University • conversation
Aug. 18, 2023 ~7 min

A changing climate, growing human populations and widespread fires contributed to the last major extinction event − can we prevent another?

New findings from the La Brea Tar Pits in southern California suggest human-caused wildfires in the region, along with a warming climate, led to the loss of most of the area’s large mammals.

Regan E. Dunn, Adjunct Professor of Earth Sciences, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences • conversation
Aug. 17, 2023 ~8 min

How did birds survive while dinosaurs went extinct?

Birds and dinosaurs lived together for millions of years, but only toothless birds survived the asteroid impact that upended life on Earth.

Chris Lituma, Assistant Professor of Wildlife and Fisheries Resources, West Virginia University • conversation
Feb. 6, 2023 ~5 min


Beware of 'Shark Week': Scientists watched 202 episodes and found them filled with junk science, misinformation and white male 'experts' named Mike

A recent study offers evidence that marine biology’s biggest stage is broken, and suggests ways to fix it.

David Shiffman, Post-Doctoral and Research Scholar in Marine Biology, Arizona State University • conversation
Nov. 30, 2022 ~10 min

Meet _Qikiqtania_, a fossil fish with the good sense to stay in the water while others ventured onto land

The newly discovered species – Qikiqtania – highlights evolution’s twisty, tangled path.

Thomas Stewart, Assistant Professor of Biology, Penn State • conversation
July 20, 2022 ~9 min

/

4