Sabertooth cat fossil opens window into past

+ the anatomy of your belly button; fracking chemicals US Edition - Today's top story: Sabertooth cat skull newly discovered in Iowa reveals details about this Ice Age predator [View in browser]( US Edition | 5 April 2023 [The Conversation] [The Conversation]( I find it hard not to be in awe of the extinct animals that roamed in prehistoric times, and the sabertooth cat is one of the most iconic. Anthropologist Matthew G. Hill of Iowa State University uses the recent discovery in Iowa of a fossil skull in excellent condition to [describe this creature in detail](, as well as what researchers continue to debate. He explains how he and his colleague can use numerous techniques, including comparisons with today’s big cats, to “cast a new light on the history and behavior” of this once-fearsome predator. As a reader interested in the world of science, you know that curiosity and basic questions often drive scientific inquiry. Wonder and curiosity also help fuel our newsroom, too. A fun example is this story on belly buttons – [why you have one, innies versus outies, and much more]( – which came out of our staff retreat last fall when a few editors were voicing questions about belly buttons. Biologist Sarah Leupen from University of Maryland Baltimore County addresses seven questions about belly buttons and explains why our navels are part of mammals’ “evolutionary legacy.” Perhaps the biggest story in science this week was the selection of astronauts heading to the Moon on the Artemis II; this article introduces you to [the crew and how they meet NASA’s goals](. A study published last week reviews the history of horses in North America, relying more on Indigenous knowledge to form a different narrative of the [presence of horses and their relationship with people](. And a recent analysis of the chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing shows the U.S. public is exposed to “an array of chemicals that are [widely recognized as threats to public health](.” Also in this week’s science news: - [Putting a financial value on Mekong River services could aid conservation]( - [Regulating AI is not easy – here are some consideration]( - [Opioid overdose treatment Narcan to go over the counter]( If there’s a subject you’d like our team of science editors to investigate, please reply to this email. Martin La Monica Director of Editorial Projects and Newsletters Heavier than a modern lion, these big cats were fearsome predators. Daniel Eskridge/Stocktrek Images via Getty Images [Sabertooth cat skull newly discovered in Iowa reveals details about this Ice Age predator]( Matthew G. Hill, Iowa State University Researchers are analyzing the fossil cranium of a Smilodon fatalis that lived more than 13,000 years ago to learn more about the lifestyle of this iconic big cat. Your genes determine the look of your navel. Mike Kemp/Tetra images via Getty Images [Innies, outies and omphalophobia: 7 navel-gazing questions about belly buttons answered]( Sarah Leupen, University of Maryland, Baltimore County All mammals who get nutrients from their parent via a placenta before birth are left with a belly button. It’s a visual reminder of this original connection. A deep injection well used for disposal of fracking wastewater in Kern County, Calif. Citizens of the Planet/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images [Companies that frack for oil and gas can keep a lot of information secret – but what they disclose shows widespread use of hazardous chemicals]( Vivian R. Underhill, Northeastern University; Lourdes Vera, University at Buffalo Fracking for oil and gas uses millions of pounds of chemicals, some of which are toxic or carcinogenic. Two researchers summarize what companies have disclosed and call for more transparency. [Meet the next four people headed to the Moon – how the diverse crew of Artemis II shows NASA’s plan for the future of space exploration]( Wendy Whitman Cobb, Air University The Artemis II mission is scheduled for launch in late 2024 and is a critical step towards NASA’s goals of establishing a permanent human presence on and near the Moon. [How much is the world’s most productive river worth? Here’s how experts estimate the value of nature]( Stefan Lovgren, University of Nevada, Reno Putting a dollar value on nature has staunch opponents who say it’s morally wrong, but without it, building dams and other infrastructure can run roughshod over vital ecosystems. [One way to speed up clinical trials: Skip right to the data with electronic medical records]( Kevin Kip, University of Pittsburgh; Erin McCreary, University of Pittsburgh; Oscar Marroquin, University of Pittsburgh In health care crises, researchers can avoid waiting for clinical trial results by using data from health care systems to analyze the effectiveness of treatments for COVID-19 and other illnesses. [Regulating AI: 3 experts explain why it’s difficult to do and important to get right]( S. Shyam Sundar, Penn State; Cason Schmit, Texas A&M University; John Villasenor, University of California, Los Angeles Powerful new AI systems could amplify fraud and misinformation, leading to widespread calls for government regulation. But doing so is easier said than done and could have unintended consequences. [Buildings left standing in Turkey offer design guidance for future earthquake-resilient construction]( Osman Ozbulut, University of Virginia February earthquakes wreaked havoc across Turkey and Syria, killing tens of thousands of people. An engineer originally from Turkey describes what kept some buildings functional while others collapsed. [Food forests are bringing shade and sustenance to US cities, one parcel of land at a time]( Karen A. Spiller, University of New Hampshire; Prakash Kashwan, Brandeis University Food forests are urban oases that pack a lot into small spaces, including food production, local cooling and social connections. [Racist and sexist depictions of human evolution still permeate science, education and popular culture today]( Rui Diogo, Howard University From Aristotle to Darwin, inaccurate and biased narratives in science not only reproduce these biases in future generations but also perpetuate the discrimination they are used to justify. [Archaeology and genomics together with Indigenous knowledge revise the human-horse story in the American West]( William Taylor, University of Colorado Boulder; Yvette Running Horse Collin, Université de Toulouse III – Paul Sabatier European colonists chronicled their version of how Indigenous peoples lived with horses. New collaborative research adds scientific detail to Indigenous narratives that tell a different story. - [FDA approval of over-the-counter Narcan is an important step in the effort to combat the US opioid crisis]( Lucas Berenbrok, University of Pittsburgh; Janice L. Pringle, University of Pittsburgh; Joni Carroll, University of Pittsburgh The Food and Drug Administration’s approval of Narcan will make the lifesaving drug more widely available, especially to those who might be likely to witness or respond to opioid overdoses. - [Heteronormativity in health care is harmful for LGBTQ+ patients – and a source of tension for queer and trans doctors]( William Robertson, University of Memphis Though some LGBTQ+ health care providers may try to separate their personal and professional identities, the prejudice they experience highlights their queerness in the clinic. - [Eating disorders among teens have more than doubled during the COVID-19 pandemic – here’s what to watch for]( Sydney Hartman-Munick, UMass Chan Medical School Eating disorders in teens are common and dangerous, and parents and loved ones play a crucial role in helping to both identify concerning behaviors and promote healthy ones. - [Unconscious biases continue to hold back women in medicine, but research shows how to fight them and get closer to true equity and inclusion]( Jennifer R. Grandis, University of California, San Francisco After decades of effort to reduce discrimination in the workplace, a cultural change may be happening that will enable people to move past their unconscious biases. - Like this newsletter? You might be interested in our weekly emails: [Politics Weekly]( • [This Week in Religion]( • [Weekly Highlights]( • [Global Economy & Business]( - - About The Conversation: We're a nonprofit news organization dedicated to [helping academic experts share ideas with the public](. We can give away our articles thanks to the help of foundations, universities and readers like you. [Donate now to support research-based journalism]( [The Conversation]( You’re receiving this newsletter from [The Conversation]( 303 Wyman Street, Suite 300 Waltham, MA 02451 [Forward to a friend]( • [Unsubscribe](