M. Pittman

NON-AVIAN DINOSAUR EGGSHELL CALCITE CONTAINS ANCIENT, ENDOGENOUS AMINO ACIDS

The paper analyzes amino acids in non-avian dinosaur eggshells, finding evidence of endogenous proteins preserved through closed-system processes, but also indicating complete hydrolysis of most amino acids.

Trophic diversity and evolution in Enantiornithes: a synthesis including new insights from Bohaiornithidae

This paper analyzes the ecological diversity and evolution of Enantiornithes by introducing new data on Bohaiornithidae and integrating it with existing data on other enantiornithine families.

Reconstructing the 3D genome organization of Neanderthals reveals that chromatin folding shaped phenotypic and sequence divergence

This study uses deep learning to infer 3D genome organization from ancient DNA, revealing how chromatin folding influenced phenotypic and sequence divergence between Neanderthals, Denisovans, and modern humans.

Human hepatocyte PNPLA3 148M exacerbates rapid non-alcoholic steatohepatitis development in chimeric mice

This study shows that the PNPLA3 148M variant in human hepatocytes worsens non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in chimeric mice on a hypercaloric diet.

A crocodylian-style cloaca in a non-avialan dinosaur

This study describes the cloaca of a non-avialan dinosaur, finding it most similar to crocodylians and highlighting the importance of exceptional specimens for understanding dinosaur biology.

Three-dimensionally preserved 'Stage IIIb' fossil down feather supports developmental modularity in feather evolution

The paper describes a Late Cretaceous fossil down feather that supports the developmental modularity hypothesis in feather evolution by matching a specific developmental stage in the Prum and Brush model.

Powered flight potential approached by wide range of close avian relatives but achieved selectively

The paper uses phylogenetic analysis and ancestral state reconstruction to estimate flight potential in early birds and their relatives, finding that powered flight potential emerged multiple times from ancestors with high potential.

The Biogeography of coelurosaurian theropods and its impact on their evolutionary history

This study quantitatively analyzes coelurosaurian biogeography using evolutionary trees and biogeographic models, finding support for vicariance and dispersal events during the Mesozoic era.