Rare Fossil of T. Rex Cousin on Display in NYC Before Auction

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Rare Fossil of T. Rex Cousin on Display in NYC Before Auction (Maria)

The author writes, “At quick glance, the fossil unveiled Tuesday at a Manhattan auction house looks like an undersized Tyrannosaurus rex, with its signature gaping jaw filled with razor sharp teeth. But the proportions are off; its arms and legs are far too long. That’s because the skeleton isn’t a T. rex, but a distant cousin. The Nanotyrannus, as this predator is known, is on view in the lobby of Sotheby’s headquarters ahead of its Oct. 27 auction. … The rare fossil is one of only three such skeletons known to exist.”

We’re Demanding Better 2026 Election Coverage (DonkeyHotey)

From the Media and Democracy Project: “Dear American Journalists, Editors, and Media Executives: We need you to stand up for America. Our democracy is under attack. The 2026 elections are not normal elections. The outcomes could actually determine if American democracy survives. Our democratic principles continue to be degraded by an authoritarian movement at odds with Constitutional order, the rule of law, and the common good. … Reporting unvarnished facts, uplifting democracy and condemning corruption is not partisan. In fact, for a truly free press, pro-democracy bias is crucial for the survival of our nation and Constitutional order.”

What Jerry Seinfeld Has Said About Israel as Protester Dragged From Show (Sean)

From Newsweek: “An incident involving a pro-Palestine protester at a Jerry Seinfeld comedy gig has quickly gone viral online. Seinfeld’s Chicago show was interrupted by a number of activists, who interrupted the performance with shouts about the Israel-Hamas war. One heckler shouted, ‘Seinfeld, you will see, Palestine will be free,’ while another yelled, ‘I’ve had enough of genocide.’ The comedian then began to dance on stage and said, ‘I am a racist. It’s a genocide, I’m into it,’ before adding, ‘I’m gonna find out how much your ticket was and I’m sending it to Israel.’ Video footage showed one of the protesters being dragged from the venue, as an audience member shouted, ‘Rough her up.’”

Revealing the Invisible Injustice of Extreme Heat (Laura)

The author writes, “The extreme heat scientists have warned about for decades came to Europe again this summer, killing at least 30,000 people like a silent, invisible plague. It came for poor people, the very young and very old, and those suffering from debilitating conditions. The final toll will likely be higher. A 2024 United Nations report estimated about 175,000 annual heat-related deaths across Europe, and total deaths in European Union countries spiked above 60,000 in 2022 and 2024. The heat started earlier than ever, in late May, and kept coming in deadly, unrelenting waves that destroyed crops and vineyards, buckled railroad tracks, turned forests to kindling and dried up rivers and lakes.”

Aging Muscles May Be Losing Strength for a Reason Scientists Missed (Mili)

The author writes, “A newly identified breakdown in communication between nerves and muscles could help explain why people lose strength as they age. Researchers were able to improve muscle strength in an animal model by targeting a key protein, raising hopes that some age-related weakness could eventually be treated.”

Large Dog Breeds Die Younger. Biologists Think They Finally Know Why (Dana)

From Popular Science: “A first-of-its-kind genetic analysis of dog breeds presents the clearest insights into why larger dogs rarely outlive their smaller relatives. According to a team of biologists writing in the journal Science, the longstanding size–age correlation is likely due to ‘jumping genes’ that inevitably begin sowing chaos inside canine DNA as dogs get older. Most dog owners are aware of an unfortunate rule of thumb — the bigger the pooch, the shorter the lifespan. While this trend isn’t always the case, breeds like the Great Dane generally don’t stick around as long as smaller relatives like golden retrievers or even pugs.”