A new analysis finds that our understanding of the history of life on Earth is biased towards wealthier countries
were excavated in Chilean region of Patagonia, South America.Our understanding of the history of life on Earth is biased towards wealthier countries, warns a study of the fossil record. The analysis reveals that a whopping 97% of palaeontological data come from scientists in high- and upper-middle-income countries such as the United States, Germany and China“I knew it was going to be high, but I didn’t think it was going to be this high.
More than one-third of these records included authors based in the United States; the rest of the top five consisted of Germany, the United Kingdom, France and Canada . The analysis included fossils found either in the researchers’ country of study or abroad. Whereas US-based researchers worked roughly equally on domestic and international fossil finds, those from European countries disproportionately studied fossils found abroad.
In many cases, such efforts did not involve local collaborators — a practice known as parachute science. Raja and Dunne’s team developed a ‘parachute index’ that measures the proportion of a country’s palaeontological data contributed by foreign teams without local scientists as co-authors. This proportion was the highest for Myanmar and the Dominican Republic . Highly coveted amber-encased fossils from both of these countries have made them especially vulnerable to parachute science.
The study’s conclusions are important, but unfortunately not a surprise, says Mark Uhen, a vertebrate palaeontologist at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, and chair of the PBDB’s executive committee. “Being aware of a problem is the first step to trying to solve it,” he says.
It’s not just palaeontology that suffers as a result of parachute science, says Juan Carlos Cisneros, a palaeontologist at the Federal University of Piauí in Teresina, Brazil. Fossil discoveries can support local economies — for instance, by attracting tourists to museums. Such benefits are lost if foreign scientists relocate the fossils, he adds.
México Últimas Noticias, México Titulares
Similar News:También puedes leer noticias similares a ésta que hemos recopilado de otras fuentes de noticias.
COVID may never go away but public health emergency could be over this year: WHOThe vaccine imbalance between rich and poor countries was slammed by the WHO as a 'catastrophic moral failure.'
Leer más »
Massive winter storm slams East Coast, with another arctic blast in towSLIPPING AND SLIDING: The winter storm that hit the Southeast left behind icy roads, with drivers in Raleigh, North Carolina, seen swerving on the slick pavement. North Carolina State Highway Patrol has reported hundreds of vehicle collisions.
Leer más »
Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow II | Spotted'If you don't love a Silver Shadow, I am afraid to inform you that you have no soul.' You heard it here first...
Leer más »
Outlook for Fossil Gas is “Bumpy”Wood Mackenzie’s recent press release highlights the difficulties that may lie ahead for the gas industry. As the preeminent global research and consultancy business powering the natural resources industry, Wood Mackenzie's voice is a voice
Leer más »
Ozone harms East Asian crops, costing $63 bln a year, scientists sayFossil fuel emissions aren’t just driving climate change and worsening air quality, they’re also hurting crop yields enough to cause some $63 billion in annual losses in East Asia, scientists say.
Leer más »
'Stan' the T. rex just sold for $31.8 million—and scientists are furiousThe fossil was priceless to paleontologists, but experts fear it may be lost to research now that it belongs to an unknown bidder.
Leer más »