A 36-million-year cycle of marine biodiversity booms and busts matches the movements of plate tectonics, linking what happens deep below the ocean to what’s happening in it.
fossils & paleontology
Posted inNews
Illegal Fossil Export Is More Than an Irritator to the Global South
More than 2,000 researchers have signed an open letter requesting the repatriation of a dinosaur fossil to Brazil. Some say the case highlights a pattern of scientific colonialism in paleontology.
Posted inFeatures
Aline Ghilardi: Fighting Against Colonialism and Sexism in Paleontology
The Brazilian scientist is one of the leading voices in the movement to bring a rare fossil back to Brazil.
Posted inFeatures
Eiko Kitao: Fossil Hunter and Passionate Educator
From uncovering giant ground sloths to helping build a fossil database, Kitao goes above and beyond as a laboratory technician at Santa Barbara City College.
Posted inNews
Humans Adapted to Diverse Habitats as Climate and Landscapes Changed
Long-term changes in Earth’s climate affected the dispersal of human ancestors and their adaptation to diverse habitats, a new study finds.
Posted inNews
Marine Life May Be Headed to Higher Latitudes
Researchers tracked plankton through a changing climate over 8 million years. Now, that knowledge is helping scientists understand the coming effects of warming oceans.
Posted inNews
UV Radiation Contributed to Earth’s Biggest Mass Extinction
To find the first direct evidence of heightened UV radiation during the end-Permian mass extinction, researchers turned to chemical evidence preserved in pollen grains.
Posted inNews
Small Shrubs May Have Played a Large Role in Decarbonizing the Ancient Atmosphere
Vascular plants may have contributed to shaping Earth’s atmosphere long before trees evolved.
Posted inNews
How Animals May Have Conquered Snowball Earth
We know there were animals during Earth’s chilliest era. The question is, What did they look like?
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Fluid Dynamics of Tiny, Ancient Marine Animals
Water flow simulations using 3D models of fossils yield new clues to the evolution of organisms known as medusozoans.