News From the Field
Alligators Hint at What Life May Have Been Like for Dinosaurs

April 17, 2009

When dinosaurs evolved, oxygen levels were much lower than they are now, so how did they cope? Curious to know what effects different oxygen levels would have on a modern dino relative, a team of U.S.-based scientists incubated alligator eggs at 12 percent, 21 percent and 30 percent oxygen levels. They found that the low oxygen conditions dramatically affected the embryo's development suggesting that dinosaurs' growth and metabolic patterns were drastically different from their modern relatives. Full Story

Source
The Company of Biologists

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering. In fiscal year (FY) 2009, its budget is $9.5 billion, which includes $3.0 billion provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to over 1,900 universities and institutions. Each year, NSF receives about 44,400 competitive requests for funding, and makes over 11,500 new funding awards. NSF also awards over $400 million in professional and service contracts yearly.

 Get News Updates by Email 

Useful NSF Web Sites:
NSF Home Page: http://www.nsf.gov
NSF News: http://www.nsf.gov/news/
For the News Media: http://www.nsf.gov/news/newsroom.jsp
Science and Engineering Statistics: http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/
Awards Searches: http://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/