Prehistoric Insects Aren't Just for the Black Death

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Paleontologists used a type of c tea scan to stmate the insides of a 230 million year old coprolite that's fossilized feces from, in this case, the triacic dinosaur relative silosaurus. They were amazed to see it containd an incredibly well preserved beetle, complete with intact legs and antennae. The insect is a previously undiscovered species representing an entirely new family of beetles. Researchers who found it think that prehistoric poo could be hiding a treasure trove of other ancient insects. And they're encouraging people to scan more coprolites to build a better picture of ancient food webs find that paper perfectly preserved.

A historian reflects on the life of Chinese crop scientist Yuan Longping, and the possible influence of geothermal energy production on earthquake aftershocks.

In this episode:

00:46 Remembering Yuan Longping

Yuan Longping, one of China’s most famous scientists, died in May at the age of 90. Known as the ‘father of hybrid rice’, we reflect on his life and the impact of his research, which helped feed billions of people.

Obituary: Yuan Longping (1930–2021)

09:55 Research Highlights

The ancient and incredibly well-preserved beetle found in dinosaur poo, and a 5,000 year old, less transmissible strain of plague bacteria.

Research Highlight: A piece of Triassic poo yields a beautifully preserved beetle

Research Highlight: A hunter-gather’s bones yield the oldest known strain of plague

12:14 Geothermal power and earthquake aftershocks

In 2019, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake rippled through California, except – according to some researchers – at the site of a geothermal power plant. Now, a paper in Nature tries to understand why.

Research paper: Im et al.

16:47 Briefing Chat

We discuss some highlights from the Nature Briefing. This time, the new skull fossils that might expand the human family tree, and a new estimate of the age of an ancient ‘living fossil’.

Nature News: Mysterious skull fossils expand human family tree — but questions remain

Science: This ‘living fossil’ could reach 100 years old

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