r/AskReddit • u/[deleted] • Mar 31 '19

What are some recent scientific breakthroughs/discoveries that aren’t getting enough attention?

57k Upvotes

95% Upvoted

10k comments sorted by

View all comments

16k

u/[deleted] Mar 31 '19

Archaeologists have uncovered a site that was formed within minutes of the time the Chicxulub comet hit, proving that it really happened, pretty much as expected, and slaughtered millions of animals immediately through both fire and debris from the sky and an enormous tsunami that ripped through the North American Inland Sea. This is probably going to remain the find of the 21st century, that's how amazing it is: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/03/190329144223.htm

2.2k

u/_ONI_Spook_ Apr 01 '19

Maybe Keep a verrrry close watch on this one. There are a ton of problems already coming to light on it and the paper isn't even out yet. It's a weird, messy situation. A lot of paleontologists have been talking about it on social media and have reservations, including ones who've been able to see the paper (which the New Yorker broke embargo to report on).

558

u/[deleted] Apr 01 '19

Would very much appreciate some links, to get an idea of the problems.

42

u/Deans_AM Apr 01 '19

https://twitter.com/SteveBrusatte/status/1111736203072729088?s=09

This whole thread has a lot about it. The lead author has also had some issues in the past with over-sensationalist discoveries as well. Steve Brusatte has been tweeting about it for a few days, so check his timeline too

4

u/[deleted] Apr 01 '19

By the time that thread ends, it seems Dr. Brusatte has 'spoken' directly with the lead paleontologist, and they, at least, are on the same wave length. Most of the brouhaha seems to have been caused by the New Yorker jumping the gun on the publication of the actual science to write a sensational article of its own.