Shark Sounds, Molecules on Mars and Continued Federal Cuts
whatshot 9 snips
Mar 31, 2025
NASA’s Curiosity rover has found long-chain alkanes on Mars, hinting at possible past microbial life. A newly identified dinosaur claw suggests a foraging function rather than combat. Researchers have recorded the first known sounds of sharks, unveiling their communication methods, while cuttlefish demonstrate fascinating visual tricks. Meanwhile, significant federal funding cuts threaten scientific research and public health initiatives, raising concerns about the future of science and health agencies.
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insights INSIGHT
Federal Health Job Cuts
The Department of Health and Human Services will cut 10,000 jobs.
Another 10,000 employees already accepted buyouts or retirements.
insights INSIGHT
Molecules on Mars
NASA's Curiosity rover found large carbon molecules, possibly from fatty acids.
These molecules hint at potential past life but could have non-biological origins.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Giant Dinosaur Claw
A new therizinosaur species with a huge claw was discovered in Mongolia.
They likely used their claws for foraging, not fighting, contrasting typical raptor behavior.
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Long-chain alkanes discovered by NASA’s Curiosity rover point to the possibility that there may have been fatty acids on Mars—and that they could have come from past microbial life. Paleontologists have found a huge dinosaur claw that was probably made for foraging, not fighting. Researchers studying ocean life have recorded the sounds of sharks and the tricks of cuttlefish. Plus, cuts to jobs and funding for U.S. federal science and health agencies continued last week. Tens of thousands of federal workers are on the chopping block, as is funding for COVID testing, vaccinations and equity initiatives.
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Science Quickly is produced by Rachel Feltman, Fonda Mwangi, Kelso Harper, Naeem Amarsy and Jeff DelViscio.This episode was hosted by Rachel Feltman. Our show is edited by Alex Sugiura with fact-checking by Shayna Posses and Aaron Shattuck. The theme music was composed by Dominic Smith.