“Cette étude place ce qui pourrait être le dernier clou dans le cercueil de l’opinion dominante selon laquelle plus d’oxygène rendait les insectes anciens plus gros” commente Caleb Gordon, paléontologue du Musée d’histoire naturelle de Floride.

Taylor Mitchell Brown@tmitchellbrown.bsky.social · 24h ago

We actually covered the recent Snelling paper on tracheoles and oxygen for Science. A different thread, but more evidence suggesting oxygen might not have been so important for Meganeura and co. www.science.org/content/arti...

Not remotely clear oxygen levels at any point in the Paleozoic were above modern levels. Direct samples preserved in halite do not show this at all outside of the mid-Silurian.

Atmospheric oxygen of the Paleozoic

The evolution of Earth's atmosphere is of extreme importance to the lithosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere. This is particularly true for the role the…

sciencedirect.com

Dr Craig R McClain@drcraigmc.bsky.social · yesterday

300 million years ago, dragonflies the size of hawks patrolled the swamps and millipedes grew longer than your leg. The air was richer in oxygen then, and insects breathe through passive tubes that only reach so far into the body. More oxygen, bigger bug. 🧪 #HowToBuildAGiant

A new study finds many saber-toothed cats had hampered mobility, a side effect of heritable deformities and rare nerve tumors brought on by generations of inbreeding. https://scim.ag/4x74V5c

Saber-toothed cats became inbred—and struggled to move—before they went extinct

Population declines led to spike in spinal deformities and rare tumors, fossil study suggests

scim.ag

Scientists just found sabertooth cats from the La Brea Tar Pits suffered an abnormally high rate of rare spinal diseases. The incest-driven disorders likely hampered mobility, compelling the cats toward weakened animals entrapped in tar. #Paleontology #Smilodon @tarpits.org New at @science.org 🧪

Saber-toothed cats became inbred—and struggled to move—before they went extinct

Population declines led to spike in spinal deformities and rare tumors, fossil study suggests

science.org

The long fangs of Smilodon were thought to be rather delicate, but a study of large herbivore remains from Argentina shows these extinct cats had no trouble biting through hard bones

Sabre-toothed cats could crunch through bone | New Scientist

The long fangs of Smilodon were thought to be rather delicate, but a study of large herbivore remains from Argentina shows these extinct cats had no trouble biting through hard bones

newscientist.com

📰 Archaeologists decipher the name of a #Maya astronomer for the first time! 🏺 #AntiquityResearch #ArchaeologyNews via National Geographic www.nationalgeographic.com/history/arti...

Archaeologists decipher the name of a Maya astronomer for the first time

His moniker translates to "White-chested Fox."

nationalgeographic.com

This is AMAZING

Taylor Mitchell Brown@tmitchellbrown.bsky.social · 3w ago

Scientists just found the first-ever name of a Maya astronomer. His name was Sak Tahn Waax, meaning “White-chested Fox.” Maya astronomers have long lived in obscurity, uncredited for their work. Now we finally have a name. #Archaeology #AncientMaya @antiquity.ac.uk 🧪🏺 New at #NationalGeographic

New research identified 160 million small wetlands largely overlooked by typical wetlands surveys. The data reveal the surprising emissions from small wetlands. 🧪 eos.org/articles/big...

Big Trouble from Little Wetlands - Eos

New research suggests that small wetlands, previously unaccounted for in the global methane budget, are responsible for about 25% of global methane emissions.

eos.org

Ancient DNA confirms that Grand Duke Francesco de Medici and his older brother, Cardinal Giovanni de Medici, contracted malaria. Learn more: https://scim.ag/3RimiAO

Scientists just found the first-ever name of a Maya astronomer. His name was Sak Tahn Waax, meaning “White-chested Fox.” Maya astronomers have long lived in obscurity, uncredited for their work. Now we finally have a name. #Archaeology #AncientMaya @antiquity.ac.uk 🧪🏺 New at #NationalGeographic

Archaeologists decipher the name of a Maya astronomer for the first time

His moniker translates to "White-chested Fox."

nationalgeographic.com

I’ve seen a lot of fine rocks in my day, but among my favorites are the 12.5-million-year-old intrusions at Torres del Paine, Chile. The younger, light-colored volcanic rock Oreo’d itself between the darker, 94-million-year-old sedimentary rock. #InternationalRockDay #Geology #Patagonia 📸: me

“Mutual grooming does not mean the same thing in all contexts.” Cat behavioral scientists have found that sometimes cats groom each other specifically to be annoying.

Your Cat Is Being Nice? Think Again.

A new study finds that sometimes cats groom each other specifically to be annoying.

nyti.ms

Not all cat licks are equal. Researchers just found that a subset of licks are dedicated to “social tension” and employed by one cat to annoy another. The tactic might be a subtle way to antagonize a furry foe without starting a serious fight. #Caturday #Allogrooming 🧪🧪 New at @nytimes.com

Your Cat Is Being Nice? Think Again. (Gift Article)

A new study finds that sometimes cats groom each other specifically to be annoying.

nytimes.com

Scientists just found rare ancient DNA evidence that resolves a 500-year-old murder mystery. Rather than poison, the Grand Duke Francesco de Medici likely died of malaria. His bones help reveal how the deadly parasite once ravaged Italy. #Archaeology #aDNA 🏺🧪 New at @science.org

Ancient DNA solves Medici murder mystery

Malaria, not poisoning, killed a prominent 16th century duke

science.org

Even 700 years ago people were dropping cherished belongings into toilets. A newly excavated medieval latrine in Germany revealed a pristinely preserved wax journal, which still bears the neatly jotted notes of its former wealthy owner. #Archaeology 🧪🏺 New for #NationalGeographic

700-year-old ‘Etch A Sketch’ found preserved in a medieval toilet

Protected by a sealed leather pouch, this 10-page notebook still contains legible Latin inscriptions and intact wax.

nationalgeographic.com

Ancient Maya Wetlands Reveal Settlement That Thrived Amid "Collapse" — In a recent article from @eos.org, Shanti Morell-Hart provided commentary on new research about how an ancient Maya settlement in Belize appears to have outlasted droughts by relying on local wetlands.

Ancient Maya Wetlands Reveal Settlement That Thrived Amid “Collapse” - Eos

A newly excavated site provides evidence that Maya communities migrated from urban areas to rural wetlands during times of intense drought.

eos.org

Artists have long imagined pterosaurs in vivid hues. A new fossil analysis suggests at least one species really did shimmer in iridescent greens and magentas. https://www.sciencenews.org/article/pterosaurs-iridescent-feathers-fossil

Some pterosaurs may have boasted bold iridescence

A new analysis of a 120-million-year-old fossil suggests at least one pterosaur species shimmered in iridescent greens and magentas.

sciencenews.org

According to new research, at least some spinosaurs appear to have spent their days in salty estuaries and marshes, as evidenced by special glands above their eyes that would have allowed them to “cry” salty tears to filter it from their blood. Learn more: https://scim.ag/4vlvVNy

Forget about crocodile tears! New research suggests certain Spinosaurus species may have had salt glands above their eyes, enabling them endure brackish waters by shedding salty tears. #Paleontology #Spinosaurus Art by the extraordinary Davide Bonadonna. 🧪🧪 New at @science.org

Some spinosaurs cried salty tears to thrive in brackish waters

Fossil evidence suggests some predatory dinosaurs could expel salt from their bloodstream like modern birds and crocodiles do

science.org

This woman battled beasts in Ancient Rome! A new analysis of a mid-3rd century mosaic reveals the only known depiction of a female beast hunter. Sadly, it was blown up during WWI and only drawings remain. #Archaeology #MosaicMonday 🧪🏺 New at @sciam.bsky.social

Female beast hunters battled leopards in ancient Rome, long-lost mosaic shows

Mosaic depictions of a weapon-wielding female gladiator are the first physical evidence showing women in ancient Rome could be skilled beast hunters

scientificamerican.com

Khufu’s Great Pyramid has survived 4,600 years of seismic activity—now researchers have a better idea why. “It felt like uncovering a masterpiece of empirical engineering that had been hiding in plain sight for thousands of years.” #Egyptology #Archaeology #AncientEgypt 🧪🏺 @ National Geographic

How ancient builders made the Great Pyramid of Giza nearly earthquake-proof

A new study measuring vibration frequencies throughout the Great Pyramid revealed how it has been able to withstand severe seismic shocks.

nationalgeographic.com

Mosaic depictions of a weapon-wielding female gladiator are the first physical evidence showing women in ancient Rome could be skilled beast hunters

Female beast hunters battled leopards in ancient Rome, long-lost mosaic shows

Mosaic depictions of a weapon-wielding female gladiator are the first physical evidence showing women in ancient Rome could be skilled beast hunters

scientificamerican.com

Researchers just found 20 packets of sealed papyri curiously placed atop Egyptian mummies—one of which contained fragments of Homer’s Iliad. Each fragment was linked to the “Catalogue of Ships,” which details the heroes, cities, and ships of the Trojan War. #Archaeology @ National Geographic 🧪🏺

The mummy, the Iliad, and a mysterious death ritual

Archaeologists in Egypt unearthed a sealed packet of the epic poem resting atop a Roman-era mummy, suggesting they may have been used as a magical ward for the afterlife.

nationalgeographic.com

Research published in AR has been featured in The New York Times, highlighting insights into the classic “falling cat problem". 🐈‍Curious how cats manage gravity‑defying midair twists? NYT story www.nytimes.com/2026/03/11/s... AR paper: anatomypubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...

There's been a lot of good work on this, but it's now pretty clear that people were seriously overthinking why ancient insects got so large: they had a first mover advantage on land and in the air. As land-fish caught up, insect sizes were increasingly suppressed

Science Magazine@science.org · 4mo ago

“This study places what may be the final nail in the coffin for the prevailing view that more oxygen made ancient insects bigger.” Learn more: https://scim.ag/4vcqqS8

Breaking my social media hiatus to share a story I've been pursuing for about a year. Last week, officials from Brazil and Germany announced the skull of the magnificent #Irritator will finally go home. Complex story with @tmitchellbrown.bsky.social in @science.org www.science.org/content/arti...

Famed Brazilian dinosaur fossil finally heads home

Germany and Brazil reach agreement over controversial spinosaurid fossil, heralding new collaboration between the two nations

science.org

Recently uncovered damage to walls in Pompeii displays patterns that may have been made by an ancient “machine gun” called a polybolos

Ancient ‘machine-gun’ damage discovered on walls of Pompeii

Recently uncovered damage to walls in Pompeii displays patterns that may have been made by an ancient “machine gun” called a polybolos

scientificamerican.com

Scientists just found that an enigmatic and long-debated muscle in penguins is likely helping them waddle. The tissue helps stabilize their cramped leg posture, giving their wobbly gait a surprising efficiency. #Penguins #WaddleWednesday 🧪🧪 New for @science.org

Enigmatic muscle may help explain penguins’ signature waddle

Find also reveals how the birds keep their bodies streamlined when underwater

science.org

www.science.org/content/arti... #IrritatorBelongstoBR

Famed Brazilian dinosaur fossil finally heads home

Germany and Brazil reach agreement over controversial spinosaurid fossil, heralding new collaboration between the two nations

science.org

Irritator challengeri, the best preserved Spinosaurus skull ever discovered, is finally heading home to Brazil! The announcement comes years after tireless attempts from Brazilian scholars to see the fossil repatriated from a German museum. #Paleontology #Spinosaurus 🧪🧪 New at @science.org

Famed Brazilian spinosaurid fossil finally heads home

Germany and Brazil reach agreement over controversial fossil, heralding new collaboration between the two nations

science.org