Fossilised faeces helps explain dinosaurs' rise to dominance
Nature Podcast
Deep Dive
Why did dinosaurs rise to dominance according to new research?
Dinosaurs likely rose to dominance through a combination of opportunistic events and superior adaptations. Initially, they took advantage of other species dying out, but later, they out-competed rivals by better exploiting new resources during climate changes.
What role did fossilized faeces play in understanding dinosaur dominance?
Fossilized faeces, or coprolites, provided insights into dinosaur diets and interactions with other species, helping researchers understand how they adapted and exploited different food sources over time.
What did the researchers discover about dinosaur diets?
The researchers found that dinosaurs ate a variety of foods, including plants, fish, and even insects. They discovered a never-before-seen species of beetle preserved in a fossilized faeces, highlighting the detailed information these fossils can provide.
How did the researchers analyze the fossilized faeces?
The researchers used synchrotron imaging, a type of 3D microtomography similar to a CT scanner, to examine the internal structures of the fossilized faeces and identify the remains of the dinosaurs' diets.
What is the significance of the fungus Kazachstania pintolopesii in mouse guts?
Kazachstania pintolopesii is a commensal fungus that colonizes mouse guts and interacts with the immune system. It can activate type 2 immunity, which helps protect against parasites, but it can also exacerbate allergies in mice.
How did the researchers identify the fungus in mice?
The researchers collected fecal samples from wild mice, lab mice, and mice in different environments across the U.S., including New York City and Los Angeles, to identify the fungus Kazachstania pintolopesii as a common commensal in mouse guts.
What were the key outcomes of COP29 regarding climate finance?
COP29 agreed to raise climate finance to $300 billion per year by 2035, with a goal of reaching $1.3 trillion through private and public funding. However, some critics argue that this is insufficient to address the global climate crisis.
Why is the COP29 agreement on climate finance controversial?
The agreement is controversial because some poorer countries feel it is insufficient to cover the costs of decarbonization and adaptation to climate change. There are also concerns about how much of the funding will be grants versus loans.
What other major agreement came out of COP29?
COP29 finalized a framework for a global carbon trading market, which aims to provide a mechanism for developing countries to raise funds for climate adaptation and decarbonization.
What challenges remain after COP29?
The main challenge is ensuring that the promised climate finance is delivered, as previous commitments have been delayed. There are also questions about how much will come from grants versus loans and how much will be funded by the private sector.
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