Uploaded November 2016 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Like many kids, I dissected owl pellets when I was in school - but I never realized they can be used by scientists to learn about certain aspects of an ecosystem. And today, paleontologists like Matt McDowell are using these pellets to learn about the history of an environment, to preserve them for the future.
↓ More info + Links! ↓
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Natural News from The Field Museum, our new news show!: bit.ly/2e0bWzN
"Looking forward to the past: what fossils tell us about extinction," bit.ly/2fg2B6b
"Extinction means more than a loss of species to Australia's delicate ecosystems" bit.ly/2ffGwY2
To learn more about Matt's work and research: http://www.flinders.edu.au/people/matthew.mcdowell
You can (and should!) read Matt's papers, which we referenced for this episode: researchgate.net/profile/Matthew_McDowell
Matthew McDowell's research is being supported by The Field Museum, and a grant from the Australia Awards -- Endeavour Scholarships and Fellowships. For more information, visit their website: https://internationaleducation.gov.au/Endeavour%20program/Scholarships-and-Fellowships/Pages/default.aspx
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Credits:
Producer, Writer, Creator, Host:
Emily Graslie
Producer, Director, Editor, Graphics:
Brandon Brungard
Producer, Camera:
Sheheryar Ahsan
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NEW!! Brain Scoop Merch: bit.ly/29J9SJw
Help support our videos! bit.ly/1TjMRAo
Under 'Designation,' put 'The Brain Scoop' - all proceeds go exclusively towards helping the show. We appreciate whatever you can give!
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Come hang out in our Subreddit: reddit.com/r/thebrainscoop
Instagram.com/egraslie
Twitters: @ehmee
Facebook: facebook.com/thebrainscoop
Tumblr: thebrainscoop.tumblr.com
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This episode is supported by and filmed on location at:
The Field Museum in Chicago, IL
(http://www.fieldmuseum.org)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Like many kids, I dissected owl pellets when I was in school - but I never realized they can be used by scientists to learn about certain aspects of an ecosystem. And today, paleontologists like Matt McDowell are using these pellets to learn about the history of an environment, to preserve them for the future.
↓ More info + Links! ↓
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Natural News from The Field Museum, our new news show!: bit.ly/2e0bWzN
"Looking forward to the past: what fossils tell us about extinction," bit.ly/2fg2B6b
"Extinction means more than a loss of species to Australia's delicate ecosystems" bit.ly/2ffGwY2
To learn more about Matt's work and research: http://www.flinders.edu.au/people/matthew.mcdowell
You can (and should!) read Matt's papers, which we referenced for this episode: researchgate.net/profile/Matthew_McDowell
Matthew McDowell's research is being supported by The Field Museum, and a grant from the Australia Awards -- Endeavour Scholarships and Fellowships. For more information, visit their website: https://internationaleducation.gov.au/Endeavour%20program/Scholarships-and-Fellowships/Pages/default.aspx
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Credits:
Producer, Writer, Creator, Host:
Emily Graslie
Producer, Director, Editor, Graphics:
Brandon Brungard
Producer, Camera:
Sheheryar Ahsan
---------------------------------------------------------------------
NEW!! Brain Scoop Merch: bit.ly/29J9SJw
Help support our videos! bit.ly/1TjMRAo
Under 'Designation,' put 'The Brain Scoop' - all proceeds go exclusively towards helping the show. We appreciate whatever you can give!
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Come hang out in our Subreddit: reddit.com/r/thebrainscoop
Instagram.com/egraslie
Twitters: @ehmee
Facebook: facebook.com/thebrainscoop
Tumblr: thebrainscoop.tumblr.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------
This episode is supported by and filmed on location at:
The Field Museum in Chicago, IL
(http://www.fieldmuseum.org)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
