New Scientist - Life

1. Giant sloths lived alongside humans in South America for millennia
   South American megafauna, from giant sloths to camel-like creatures, survived thousands of years longer than we thought, challenging the idea that they were hunted to extinction by humans
2. Dinosaurs may have first evolved in the Sahara and Amazon rainforest
   Many think dinosaurs first emerged on land well south of the equator that now forms part of Argentina and Zimbabwe, but they may have actually arisen in tougher conditions near the equator
3. An orchid uses a finger-like appendage to pollinate itself
   More than 130 years after a fungus-eating orchid species was discovered, the purpose of its mysterious appendage has been revealed
4. Why giving Jurassic Park's velociraptors feathers is a good thing
   Feedback is delighted by a YouTuber's sterling efforts to make Michael Crichton's velociraptors more accurate – but points out that they're still far too big
5. Rabbits may eat their own teeth to boost their calcium intake
   The animals' teeth are constantly being worn down due to their tough diet. But rather than losing calcium this way, they could be recycling it to help grow their teeth back up to size
6. Fossil claimed to be new species of mosasaur is suspected forgery
   A jawbone found in a Moroccan mine was thought to be a novel species of marine reptile from the Cretaceous period, but other researchers believe it is probably a fake
7. US has imported billions of wild animals in the past 20 years
   From 2000 to 2022, the US legally imported almost 30,000 different species of plants and animals, from songbirds to reptiles
8. Giant isopod named after Darth Vader is a delicacy in Vietnam
   A marine crustacean that looks like Darth Vader’s helmet has been recognised as a new species, but it could be under threat from trawling due to its popularity in Vietnamese restaurants
9. Why sabre-toothed animals evolved again and again
   Sabre teeth can be ideal for puncturing the flesh of prey, which may explain why they evolved in different groups of mammals at least five times
10. Nerve-racking tale of reviving wild cocoa to make amazing chocolate
    Could cultivating wild cocoa help us produce great chocolate ethically? A stirring account reveals the problems of trying to transform an industry