In the News: Missing Brains and Lost Plants

This week, we have learned about examining zoonotic diseases in a new light, Shakespearean monarchs, and missing brain collections. Click below to read more:

• Understanding the animal side to zoonotic disease is just as important as understanding the human side: “Lurking in the Shadows,” The Scientist (1 Dec 2014)

• Richard III's remains were found under a parking lot and yield new insight into the British royal line: “DNA Confirms: Here Lieth Richard III, Under Yon Parking Lot,” National Geographic (2 Dec 2014)

• The Snowmastodon Project fossils show an ancient ecosystem and allow researchers to understand how species change with global warming: “Colorado Mastodon Bones Show Ancient Warmer Earth,” Washington Post (26 Nov 2014)

• The mystery of missing brains has finally been solved with a lesson on how proper specimen preservation is necessary to retain the research viability of collections: “University of Texas Says it can Account for Missing Brain Specimens,” New York Times (3 Dec 2014)

• Museums hold clues to species decline and response of animals to their environments. These types of studies are especially important when understanding how environmental change affect food security: “Museum Specimens Reveal Loss of Pollen Host Plants as Key Factor Driving Wild Bee Decline in The Netherlands,” PNAS (30 Oct 2014)