Saturday Citations: Parrots on the internet; a map of human wakefulness; the most useless rare-earth element
We field a torrent of science news updates every week and on Saturday morning, we highlight three or four of them based on the observed preferences of a panel of dogs as shown by the Paired-Stimulus Preference Assessment, a standardized evaluation of.....»»
US to launch satellite to better prepare for space weather
The United States is aiming Tuesday to launch a new satellite expected to significantly improve forecasts of solar flares and coronal mass ejections—huge plasma bubbles that can crash into Earth, disrupting power grids and communications......»»
China makes history by returning the first sample from far side of the moon
The Chang'e 6 mission landed on the moon's far side earlier this month, from where it collected a sample which was returned to Earth today, Tuesday June 25......»»
Extreme wildfires are on the rise globally, powered by the climate crisis
Wildfires are the new "polar bear," routinely used by the media to epitomize the climate crisis and the threat of major natural hazards. This is despite most fire on Earth being harmless, even ecologically beneficial......»»
Pauses in human activity benefit biodiversity
A study published in Global Ecology and Conservation shows that COVID-19 lockdowns had a positive impact on the quality of species' habitats......»»
New study unveils formation secrets of tiny rare earth elements
Researchers from Trinity College Dublin's School of Natural Sciences have revealed a novel route to the formation of bastnäsite, a crucial mineral for the extraction of rare earth elements (REEs). Their work offers promise in one day making the extr.....»»
Marine cloud brightening models show unexpected consequences of geoengineering
A combined team of Earth scientists and climate specialists at the University of California San Diego and the National Center for Atmospheric Research has found via modeling that geoengineering projects such as marine cloud brightening can have unexp.....»»
New security loophole allows spying on internet users’ online activity
Researchers at Graz University of Technology were able to spy on users’ online activities simply by monitoring fluctuations in the speed of their internet connection. This vulnerability, known as SnailLoad, does not require malicious code to ex.....»»
China lunar probe returns to Earth with samples
A Chinese probe carrying samples from the far side of the moon returned to Earth on Tuesday, capping a technically complex 53-day mission heralded as a world first......»»
Scientists identify safe havens we must preserve to prevent "the sixth great extinction of life on Earth"
In a new article, a coalition of conservationists and researchers have shown how we can protect Earth's remaining biodiversity by conserving just a tiny percentage of the planet's surface. This affordable, achievable plan would make it possible for u.....»»
Geologists expect Chang"e-6 lunar surface samples to contain volcanic rock and impact ejecta
On June 25, China's Chang'e-6 (CE-6) lunar probe is set to return to Earth, carrying the first surface samples collected from the farside of the moon. In anticipation of this historic event, scientists from the Institute of Geology and Geophysics at.....»»
Extreme wildfires doubled over past two decades: Study
The frequency and intensity of extreme wildfires has more than doubled worldwide over the past two decades as human activity has warmed the planet, said a new study published Monday......»»
Researchers develop RNA-targeting technology for precisely manipulating parts of human genes
Researchers at the University of Toronto have harnessed a bacterial immune defense system, known as CRISPR, to efficiently and precisely control the process of RNA splicing. The technology opens the door to new applications, including systematically.....»»
Study provides new understanding of Gurbantunggut Desert"s dust source
Central Asian dust has a significant impact on regional and global climate, and it is crucial for the balance of local ecosystems, socio-economic development, and human health......»»
Your wig could be poisoning you: Study finds pesticides and other toxic chemicals in synthetic hair in Nigeria
Well-groomed hair is a symbol of beauty for many black African women. Natural hair requires special care and attention, though, which can be time consuming. Wigs (human or synthetic hair), weave-ons and other artificial hair extensions offer women an.....»»
New study confirms forever chemicals are absorbed through human skin
A study of 17 commonly-used synthetic 'forever chemicals' has shown that these toxic substances can readily be absorbed through human skin......»»
Venus could be the perfect place to count meteors
Watching meteoroids enter the Earth's atmosphere and streak across the sky as the visual spectacle known as meteors, it is one of the most awe-inspiring spectacles on Earth, often exhibiting multiple colors as they blaze through the atmosphere, which.....»»
Astronomers find three potential super-Earths around nearby star
Astronomers have discovered three potential "super-Earth" exoplanets orbiting a relatively nearby orange dwarf star. This groundbreaking find was made by an international team of researchers led by Dr. Shweta Dalal from the University of Exeter......»»
Italy"s Capri lifts tourist ban as water shortage resolved
The Italian island of Capri lifted a ban on tourists Saturday after problems with the water supply to the holiday hotspot were resolved......»»
At dealerships, ‘wishful thinking" for CDK cyberattack resolution on crucial sales Saturday
Dealerships, which typically have busy sales days on Saturdays, enter the fourth day of the cyberattack shutdown with uncertainty......»»
China, France launch satellite to better understand the universe
A French-Chinese satellite blasted off Saturday on a hunt for the mightiest explosions in the universe, in a notable example of cooperation between a Western power and the Asian giant......»»