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Science News for December 26, 2011


Over 65 million years North American mammal evolution has tracked with climate change

Researchers identified six consecutive waves of mammal species diversity in North America, linked to climate change and temperature fluctuations. The study found correlations between species diversity and global paleotemperatures, shedding light on the impact of climate change on mammal evolution over millions of years.

SourceBrown University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 26, 2011

NOAA scientists: spilled oil unexpectedly lethal to fish embryos in shallow, sunlit waters

A study published in PNAS found that Pacific herring embryos in shallow waters died at high rates after the 2007 Cosco Busan oil spill, highlighting an interaction between sunlight and chemicals in oil. The findings suggest oil threats in sunlit habitats, particularly for translucent animals like herring embryos.

SourceNOAA National Marine Fisheries Service·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 26, 2011