Press Announcements

No Teeth? No Problem. Dinosaur Species Had Teeth as Babies, Lost Them as They Grew
A study co-authored by James Clark, the Ronald Weintraub Professor of Biology, has discovered that a species of dinosaur, Limusaurus inextricabilis, lost its teeth in adolescence and did not grow another set as adults. The finding, published today in Current Biology, is a radical change in anatomy during a lifespan and may help to explain why birds have beaks but no teeth.

Americans’ Likeliness to Believe in Climate Change Connected to Geographic Location and Local Weather Events, Study Finds
A new study, co-authored by Associate Professor of Geography Michael Mann, found local weather may play an important role in Americans’ belief in climate change. The study revealed that Americans’ belief that the earth is warming is related to the frequency of weather-related events they experience, suggesting that local changes in their climate influence their acceptance of this worldwide phenomenon.

New Study: Male Chimpanzees Can Be Players And Good Fathers
Assistant Professor of Anthropology Carson M. Murray and postdoctoral scientist Margaret A. Stanton coauthored a paper titled, "Chimpanzee Fathers Bias Their Behavior Toward Their Offspring." The research suggests that male chimpanzees are more invested in protecting their own offspring than previously thought.

$3.2 Million Endowed Fund to Support Accountability in Journalism at GW’s School of Media and Public Affairs
Char Beales, BA ’73, and her husband Howard Beales have pledged a $3.2 million gift to the School of Media and Public Affairs. In recognition of the changing landscape of journalism, the funding will create the Char Beales Endowed Professorship of Accountability in Journalism, focused on the importance of accuracy and accountability in journalism.

Columbian College Researcher Identifies Oldest Textile Dyed Indigo
If it weren’t for textile dying advancements made 6,200 years ago, people today might not be wearing blue jeans as a wardrobe staple. Associate Research Professor of Anthropology Jeffrey Splitstoser has identified a 6,200-year-old textile dyed indigo-blue from Huaca, Peru, a piece of dyed cotton produced more than 1,800 years before the previously known oldest textile in that color.
Preparing to Interview for Your Dream Job? Better Go in Person
Doctoral candidates Nikki Blacksmith and Jon Willford co-authored a new study examining the effects of technology-mediated interviews with Tara Behrend, associate professor of organizational sciences and communication. Through examinations of 12 articles published from 2000 - 2007 that included interviewer and interviewee ratings, they found in-person interviews yielded better impressions for the company and the candidate.

It’s Not Just Climate Change: Study Finds Human Activity Is a Major Factor Driving Wildfires
A new study examining wildfires in California found that human activity explains as much about their frequency and location as climate influences. The researchers systematically looked at human behaviors and climate change together, which is unique and rarely attempted on an area of land this large. Assistant Professor of Geography Michael Mann was lead author of the study.

Researchers Develop Technique to Convert Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide into Batteries

Columbian College Researcher Receives $2.6 Million Grant to Study Promising Treatment for Malaria and Tuberculosis
