Measurements of dinosaur body temperatures shed new light on 150-year debate
MyScience.org – Oct. 13
Among the shells studied were specimens dating to 75 million years ago from oviraptorid theropods, small dinosaurs that were closely related to Tyrannosaurus rex and birds. Were dinosaurs really fast, aggressive hunters like the ones depicted in the movie “Jurassic World”’ Or did they have lower metabolic rates that made them move more like today’s alligators and crocodiles? For 150 years, scientists have debated the nature of dinosaurs’ body temperatures and how those temperatures influenced their activity levels … New research by UCLA scientists indicates that some dinosaurs, at least, had the capacity to elevate their body temperature using heat sources in the environment, such as the sun. They also believe the animals were probably more active than modern-day alligators and crocodiles, which can be active and energetic, but only for brief spurts. Co-authors of the new research are from the California Institute of Technology; University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa; Germany’s University of Mainz; Columbia University; California State University, Fullerton; California State University, Los Angeles; Orcas Island Historical Museums in Washington state; CONCIET, Argentina; Boise State University; University of Utah; and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.
Let’s honor the Alabama women who changed the world
Al.com – Oct. 13
This weekend marked the 10th anniversary of Vivan Malone Jones’ death, I am reminded of all the work done before me to get me to where I am today. I know that as a person of color, I would not be a student at the University of Alabama if not for Vivian Malone Jones, James Hood and Autherine Lucy, the first African American students to integrate the University of Alabama. The opportunities and privileges I am afforded today are the result of millions of individuals who fought for a better future, even if that fight came at a great personal and professional cost. Many of my generation do not recognize that we would not be where we are without the effort, sacrifice, and resilience of our predecessors. Recognizing the actions of the leaders and activists from whom we draw inspiration are critical to how we progress as millennials and state. (By Vel Lewis, a senior at the University of Alabama double majoring in public relations and political science. She is the student chair of the Blackburn Institute, a leadership development and civic engagement organization with a focus on improving the quality of life of all Alabamians.)