This month’s Cited in the News roundup showcases a selection of research published in MDPI’s Open Access journals that has attracted attention from media outlets around the world.

This month, we explore studies uncovering new insights into how dinosaurs reproduced and cared for their young, how nostalgia and declinism influence personal growth, and research debunking the long-standing myth that baby rattlesnakes are more dangerous than adults.

As research increasingly shapes public understanding of the world around us, accurate reporting of scientific discoveries has never been more important. At MDPI, we are committed to making cutting-edge research freely accessible through Open Access publishing, helping ensure that high-quality science reaches researchers, journalists, policymakers, and the wider public.

Hatchlings of Tyrannosaurus rex and the Evolution of Dinosaur Reproductive Strategies

Published in Biology | Mentioned in Science Alert

Figure 1: Size of T. rex compared to a cat based on the size of the third metatarsal of the T. rex.

Tyrannosaurus rex (T. rex) is one of the most studied dinosaurs ever discovered. Yet surprisingly, little has been discovered about how these iconic predators began life since fossils of hatchlings and young juveniles are exceptionally rare.

Researchers identified some of the youngest known fossils of T. rex and Gorgosaurus, revealing that tyrannosaur hatchlings weighed less than 2.5 kg and were able to move soon after hatching. The findings suggest these dinosaurs laid relatively large clutches of eggs but invested less parental care in individual offspring than modern birds, with hatchlings likely feeding themselves shortly after emerging from the nest.

The study also provides new insight into the evolution of dinosaur reproduction. The authors suggest that tyrannosaurs occupied an evolutionary middle ground between reptiles, which produce many offspring with limited parental care, and modern birds, which invest more heavily in fewer young. These findings help refine our understanding of how parental care evolved over millions of years.

Diverging Paths to the Self: The Distinct Psychological Roles of Nostalgia and Declinism in Personal Growth

Published in Behavioral Sciences | Mentioned in TIME

Nostalgia is a bittersweet emotion and one of the most popular themes addressed in poetry and literature. This distinct and sentimental feeling leaves an individual yearning for a past event or period of life, which is often viewed through rose-tinted glasses.

A study published in Behavioral Sciences explored how nostalgia and diclinism, the belief that a society or country is inevitably deteriorating with time, relates to one’s personal growth.

The key findings of the study show that despite the ‘pain of longing’ associated with nostalgia, it is used as motivation to fuel future experiences. Meanwhile, diclinism is associated with dormancy, disengagement, and resistance to experiences and future change.

Declining Rainfall in Southern Coastal Australia Signals a Return to Drought, Low Dam Levels, Declining Stream Flows, and Catastrophic Bushfires

Published in Climate | Mentioned in The Guardian

Across the globe, the effects of climate change are becoming increasingly apparent.

Regions across Europe and the US are experiencing record-breaking temperatures this summer. Many of these areas are not well-equipped to deal with extreme heat, and therefore soaring temperatures are having significant impacts on human health.

Similarly, as highlighted in the study published in Climate, coastal areas in southern Australia are experiencing severe drought. Data from 2016-2025 shows a significant drop in rainfall during the April-September wet season, a period of frequent rainfall and cooler temperatures.

The reduction in rainfall can exacerbate the frequency of drought and minimise stream flows and dam levels. With the region’s already exceptionally high temperatures during summer, the lack of previous rainfall during wet seasons can heighten the risk of climate-related bush fires and other heat-related catastrophes.

Are Baby Rattlesnakes More Dangerous than Adults? Origin, Transmission, and Prevalence of a Media-Driven Myth, with Evidence of Effective Messaging to Dispel It

Published in Toxins | Mentioned in The Cool Down

Figure 2: Detailed close-up of a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake on rocky terrain.

A study published in the Open Access journal Toxins sets out to understand how the common myth of baby rattlesnakes being more dangerous than adult snakes came to be. The widely believed myth is based on the idea that baby rattlesnakes have no control over how much venom they expel, and thus, release all of it when they bite.

The study, mentioned by The Cool Down, tracked down and analysed 130 newspaper stories from California about the danger of rattlesnakes, with many pieces containing significant misinformation. A survey of emergency responders and health professionals carried out in southern California revealed that 73.3% of the responders believed the myth.

The authors emphasise the misinformation present in even some of the more reliable organisations and media outlets. Studies on public perception and knowledge is important and highlights the impact of reliable and effective science communication and credible reporting.

Browse the full journal list to access more diverse, Open Access research published by MDPI.