Topic: Biology
Scientists used neutron imaging to examine a broken rib from Scotty, the largest T. rex skeleton ever found. They discovered evidence of an injury that was still healing when the animal died.
A fractured rib from Scotty, the largest Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton ever discovered, is giving researchers a rare look at dinosaur biology from 66 million years ago.
Preserved inside the bone is something almost never found in the fossil record: evidence of an injury that was still healing when the animal died. Scientists used neutron imaging at the Department of Energy's (DOE) Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to examine the fossil from the inside. The technology allowed them to construct detailed 3D images without damaging the preserved soft tissue.
The researchers, led by Mauricio Barbi and Jerit Mitchell from the University of Regina in Canada, used a powerful neutron beam to peer inside Scotty's rib. They found a vast network of mineralized blood vessels that has never before been observed in a fossil. This discovery is significant because it provides a glimpse of what was happening inside the dinosaur's body while the injury was healing.
Scotty's remains were discovered by teams from the Royal Saskatchewan Museum in Saskatchewan's Frenchman River Valley, one of North America's richest sites for dinosaur fossils. The researchers are also studying fossilized amber, dinosaur scales and bones from other dinosaurs to understand the past and how things could evolve in the future.
Why It Matters
This discovery helps us learn about the biology of dinosaurs and how they healed injuries. It also shows how scientists use advanced technology to study fossils and uncover secrets of the past.
Key Facts
- Scotty is the largest T. rex skeleton ever discovered.
- The rib was preserved with evidence of an injury that was still healing when the animal died.
- Neutron imaging was used to examine the fossil from the inside without damaging it.
- A vast network of mineralized blood vessels was found in Scotty's rib, which has never been observed before.
- Scotty's remains were discovered by teams from the Royal Saskatchewan Museum in Saskatchewan's Frenchman River Valley.
Key Terms
- Neutron imaging
- A technique used to examine materials without damaging them, using powerful neutron beams.
- Mineralized blood vessels
- Blood vessels that have been replaced with minerals over time, preserving their structure and function.
Implications
This discovery helps us learn about the biology of dinosaurs and how they healed injuries. It also shows how scientists use advanced technology to study fossils and uncover secrets of the past.
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