New findings in biology and climate change

by Henrik AaltonenSeptember 26, 20266 links · ~32 min read · ~1 min for the TL;DR

Error Bars by Henrik Aaltonen: six links on Science every week.

TL;DR

Fossilized dinosaur poop containing feathers offers a potential explanation for why certain Cretaceous-era birds survived the asteroid impact while others did not.
Isotope ratios found in T. rex teeth indicate that these dinosaurs actively managed their body temperatures, similar to modern elephants.
Comb jellies are serving as biological models to help scientists understand the evolution of early nervous systems and the process of bioluminescence.
The eternal snow on Puncak Jaya in Indonesia is disappearing due to climate change, resulting in the loss of a site with scientific and spiritual value.
A series of adult T. rex footprints suggests the dinosaur moved at an ambling pace of 1.6 meters per second, comparable to a human's quick walk.
While biology is not quantum, researchers are finding that the mathematical frameworks used to describe biological systems share similarities with quantum mechanics.

From the curator

Recent scientific observations are refining our understanding of ancient life and the changing natural world. The Science News article reports that fossilized dinosaur poop containing feathers may explain why some Cretaceous-era birds survived an asteroid impact. Meanwhile, the BBC News article explains that climate change is causing the eternal snow on Indonesia's Puncak Jaya to disappear, threatening both its scientific and spiritual significance.

Other research is providing new data on prehistoric behavior and biological systems. The Ars Technica article notes that isotope ratios in T. rex teeth suggest these giants managed their body temperatures like elephants. Additionally, the Quanta Magazine article highlights how comb jellies are helping researchers investigate the evolution of nervous systems and the mechanics of bioluminescence.

Henrik Aaltonen

Curated for this issue

Science News2 min readThese are the first feathers ever found in fossilized dinosaur poop
The rare fossil hints that differences in plumage may explain why some Cretaceous-era birds survived an asteroid impact but others died.

Ars Technica6 min readT. rex teeth indicate it ran as warm as an elephant
Isotope ratios provide a hint that the giants were actively managing temperatures.

Quanta Magazine3 min readCtenophores Aren’t Just Beautiful. They’re Biological Wonders.
Comb jellies are helping answer fundamental questions in biology, from how the earliest nervous systems evolved to how bioluminescence works.

BBC News5 min readIndonesia Carstensz Pyramid: Papua's 'eternal snow' on Puncak Jaya is about to disappear forever
Climate change is transforming Papua's snowy peaks, which hold scientific value and spiritual significance.

Science News2 min readFirst series of adult T. rex footprints hints at its walking speed
The steps were poorly preserved, but still hint at an ambling pace of 1.6 meters per second, roughly equivalent to a quick walking speed for a human.

Quanta Magazine13 min readBiology Might Not Be Quantum, but Its Math Is Quantumlike
Scientists have a history of trying — and failing — to link biology and quantum mechanics. The real connection between them may be in the math.

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From the curator

Science News2 min readThese are the first feathers ever found in fossilized dinosaur poopThe rare fossil hints that differences in plumage may explain why some Cretaceous-era birds survived an asteroid impact but others died.

Ars Technica6 min readT. rex teeth indicate it ran as warm as an elephantIsotope ratios provide a hint that the giants were actively managing temperatures.

Quanta Magazine3 min readCtenophores Aren’t Just Beautiful. They’re Biological Wonders.Comb jellies are helping answer fundamental questions in biology, from how the earliest nervous systems evolved to how bioluminescence works.

BBC News5 min readIndonesia Carstensz Pyramid: Papua's 'eternal snow' on Puncak Jaya is about to disappear foreverClimate change is transforming Papua's snowy peaks, which hold scientific value and spiritual significance.

Science News2 min readFirst series of adult T. rex footprints hints at its walking speedThe steps were poorly preserved, but still hint at an ambling pace of 1.6 meters per second, roughly equivalent to a quick walking speed for a human.

Quanta Magazine13 min readBiology Might Not Be Quantum, but Its Math Is QuantumlikeScientists have a history of trying — and failing — to link biology and quantum mechanics. The real connection between them may be in the math.