In this week’s edition of Quirks & Quarks, researchers have uncovered intriguing information about ancient sea creatures based on fossilized vomit found in the North Sea. The study delves into the behavior and diet of plesiosaurs, massive marine predators from the Jurassic era who would regurgitate shellfish they couldn’t digest. Geologist Dirk Knaust, from Equinor, shared these findings in Geological Magazine.

Moving on, physicist Francis Halzen’s groundbreaking idea of embedding a particle detector in Antarctic ice led to the creation of the IceCube Neutrino Observatory, enabling the detection of high-energy neutrinos from beyond our solar system. Halzen, now a Nobel laureate, sheds light on the project’s significance in understanding cosmic phenomena.

Meet Jonathan, a 194-year-old Aldabra giant tortoise, holding the title of the oldest-known land animal. Researchers studying Jonathan’s genetic makeup at Kallel have discovered that his gene regulation resembles that of much younger tortoises, offering insights into longevity mechanisms.

Furthermore, the introduction of nuclear clocks marks a new era in timekeeping precision, surpassing atomic clocks. These innovative timepieces, described by Thorsten Schumm from Vienna University of Technology, promise enhanced accuracy for diverse applications like space navigation and dark matter exploration.

Lastly, as wildfires become more frequent and devastating, Crystal Kolden from the University of British Columbia-Okanagan is pioneering nature-based solutions to mitigate their impact on communities. Her research aims to develop strategies for wildfire resilience amidst growing climate change threats.