Nanotech opens door to future of insulin medication
An international team, led by researchers from Australia, have developed a system using nanotechnology that could allow people with diabetes to take oral insulin in the future. The researchers say the new insulin could be eaten by taking a tablet or even embedded within a piece of chocolate. ⌘ Read more

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 preferred stimuli. This week, the dogs selected stories about parrot-to-parrot video calling, loud human noises, and a new neural map of … ⌘ Read more

Boeing’s Starliner joins select club of crewed US spaceships
Throughout the annals of American space exploration, a select few spacecraft have had the distinction of carrying human beings beyond Earth. ⌘ Read more

Vietnam temperature records tumble as heat wave scorches
More than 100 temperature records fell across Vietnam in April, according to official data, as a deadly heat wave scorches South and Southeast Asia. ⌘ Read more

Rising mercury levels may contribute to declining Steller sea lion populations
A team of researchers from Texas A&M University and other institutions has made a surprising discovery about rising mercury levels in Steller sea lion pups that may have detrimental effects on the endangered species. ⌘ Read more

Five-day work week builds work–life balance in construction
Construction workers typically work six days a week but research tracking a five-day work week in the industry shows flexibility is key to improving worker well-being, with minimal perceived impact on productivity. ⌘ Read more

New mirror that can be flexibly shaped improves X-ray microscopes
A team of researchers in Japan has engineered a mirror for X-rays that can be flexibly shaped, resulting in remarkable precision at the atomic level and increased stability. ⌘ Read more

Research quantifies ‘gap’ in carbon removal for first time—shows countries need more awareness, ambition and action
New research involving the University of East Anglia (UEA) suggests that countries’ current plans to remove CO2 from the atmosphere will not be enough to comply with the 1.5ºC warming limit set out under the Paris Agreement. ⌘ Read more

Research shows bumblebee nests are overheating due to climate change, threatening future populations
As a result of the climate crisis, global warming is driving up temperatures around the world—and bumblebees, like humans, are struggling to cope with homes that can’t beat the heat. ⌘ Read more

Coastal hurricanes around the world are intensifying faster, new study finds
Hurricanes are among the world’s most destructive natural hazards. Their ability to cause damage is shaped by their environment; conditions like warm ocean waters, guiding winds, and atmospheric moisture can all dictate storm strength. ⌘ Read more

Researchers develop near-chromosome-level genome for the Mojave poppy bee
Scientists at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and university research partners have developed a near chromosome-level genome for the Mojave poppy bee, a specialist pollinator of conservation concern, according to a recent paper published in the Journal of Heredity. ⌘ Read more

Long-awaited Chicago policy doesn’t do enough to protect migrating birds, advocates say
Annette Prince peered between glossy downtown buildings: “There’s a bird in that grate.” ⌘ Read more

Why do male chicks play more than females? Study finds answers in distant ancestor
Play is widespread, but far from ubiquitous, across the animal kingdom. Especially common in mammals, play is also known to occur in taxa as diverse as birds, fish, octopuses, and even insects. But what is its function, given that natural selection never selects fun for its own sake? One prominent hypothesis is that play is beneficial to individuals because it allows them to practice skills needed later in life. ⌘ Read more

Precipitation may brighten Colorado River’s future, says modeling study
The Colorado River’s future may be a little brighter than expected, according to a new modeling study from CIRES researchers. Warming temperatures, which deplete water in the river, have raised doubts the Colorado River could recover from a multi-decade drought. The new study fully accounts for both rising temperatures and precipitation in the Colorado’s headwaters, and finds precipitation, not temperature, will likel … ⌘ Read more

Survey: Most workers feel that AI can’t replace soft skills
A new survey from Wiley suggests workers do not feel artificial intelligence (AI) will be replacing the art of communication in the workplace. ⌘ Read more

Horizontal running could help lunar astronauts retain physical conditioning
A small team of pathophysiologists and human locomotion specialists at the University of Milan has found that it should be possible for astronauts on the moon to prevent muscle and bone deterioration by running horizontally in a cylinder. In their study, published in the journal Royal Society Open Science, the group mimicked the effects of the moon’s gravity on volunteer runners inside of a borrowed “wall of death. … ⌘ Read more

Study says El Nino, not climate change, was key driver of low rainfall that snarled Panama Canal
The climate phenomenon known as El Niño—and not climate change—was a key driver in low rainfall that disrupted shipping at the Panama Canal last year, scientists said Wednesday. ⌘ Read more

New observatory in Chile—the highest in the world—aims to reveal origins of planets, galaxies and more
How do planets form? How do galaxies evolve? And ultimately, how did the universe itself begin? A unique astronomical observatory that researchers hope will unravel some of the biggest mysteries out there marks its opening on April 30, 2024. ⌘ Read more

Gum arabic from Africa’s acacia trees in the Sahel is used in hundreds of products: What’s worth knowing
The conflict in Sudan has turned attention to a rarely discussed commodity: gum arabic. This product, the dried sap of certain species of acacia trees, is used mainly as an additive in the soft drinks industry. Sudan accounts for about 70% of global gum arabic exports. Asgar Ali, an expert in sustainable food systems, answers questions about the commodity and its prospects. ⌘ Read more

JWST uses interferometry mode to reveal two protoplanets around a young star
The JWST is flexing its muscles with its interferometry mode. Researchers used it to study a well-known extrasolar system called PDS 70. The goal? To test the interferometry mode and see how it performs when observing a complex target. ⌘ Read more

Astronomers significantly impact the climate by traveling to conferences, say researchers
In 2019, global travel to international academic conferences in the field of astronomy caused the equivalent of 42,500 tons of climate-damaging CO2 emissions. This equates to an average of one ton of CO2 per participant and conference. The total distance covered adds up to a truly astronomical sum: one and a half times the distance between the Earth and the sun. ⌘ Read more

Many old books contain toxic chemicals—here’s how to spot them
In our modern society, we rarely consider books to be dangerous items. However, certain books contain elements so hazardous that they require scrutiny before being placed on the shelves of public libraries, bookstores or even private homes. ⌘ Read more

New research reveals terahertz waves’ impact on dynamics of nanoconfined water molecules
In a new discovery, researchers have revealed novel insights into the behavior of water molecules confined within nanostructures. Their study, published in Science Advances on April 24, delves into how terahertz (THz) waves influence the dynamics of water molecules confined in two-dimensional (2D) spaces within nanoresonators. ⌘ Read more

Behavioral therapy against aging: Researchers study the effect of therapies on older dogs
It is well known that getting plenty of exercise and mental training are important for a long and healthy life. But which is more effective? Do the tasks develop abilities that go beyond them? ⌘ Read more

Too many vehicles, slow reactions and reckless merging: New math model explains how traffic and bacteria move
What do the flow of cars on a highway and the movement of bacteria towards a food source have in common? In both cases, annoying traffic jams can form. Especially for cars, we might want to understand how to avoid them, but perhaps we’ve never thought of turning to statistical physics. ⌘ Read more

Maps developed with artificial intelligence confirm low levels of phosphorus in Amazonian soil
As the impacts of climate change increasingly affect the daily lives of residents in several countries, including Brazil, the resilience of forests, especially tropical ones such as the Amazon, has become a frequent topic of research. In addition to studying various factors that influence the way vegetation reacts to global warming, scientists are seeking to improve vegetation models—tools … ⌘ Read more

Satellite maps boost mangrove conservation in China
Mangroves are vital ecosystems along coastlines, providing essential services such as coastal protection, biodiversity enhancement, and carbon sequestration. Despite their critical importance, effective management of these areas is often hampered by the challenges of acquiring accurate, species-specific data. ⌘ Read more

More than 2 million gazelle still roam the Mongolian steppe
A study published in Oryx sheds light on the status of Mongolian gazelle populations across Mongolia, Russia, and China, revealing both successes and challenges in the conservation efforts of this iconic species ⌘ Read more

Australians are having fewer babies and the local-born population is about to shrink: Why it’s not that scary
Australians are having fewer babies, so many fewer that without international migration the population would be on track to decline in just over a decade. ⌘ Read more

African farmers look to the past and the future to address climate change
From ancient fertilizer methods in Zimbabwe to new greenhouse technology in Somalia, farmers across the heavily agriculture-reliant African continent are looking to the past and future to respond to climate change. ⌘ Read more

Here’s why we should put a gravitational wave observatory on the moon
Scientists detected the first long-predicted gravitational wave in 2015, and since then, researchers have been hungering for better detectors. But the Earth is warm and seismically noisy, and that will always limit the effectiveness of Earth-based detectors. ⌘ Read more

DNA study of Avar cemetery remains reveals network of large pedigrees and social practices
An international team of archaeologists and archaeogenetics specialists, working with the Hungarian National Museum, has discovered a network of Avar pedigrees and community social practices after conducting a DNA study of the remains of people who once lived in what is now a part of Hungary. ⌘ Read more

US labor market can affect ‘people who are not even here’
That the job market in Phoenix can affect a child’s education in Mexico may strain credulity, but it’s nevertheless true, according to a recent paper co-authored by Brian Cadena, a University of Colorado Boulder associate professor of economics. ⌘ Read more

Global study shows a third more insects come out after dark
A groundbreaking study, led by Dr. Mark Wong of The University of Western Australia, has provided the first global picture of insect activity patterns across the fundamental day–night cycle. ⌘ Read more

Astronauts arrive at Kennedy Space Center as first crew for Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft
It’s not just another ride for a pair of veteran NASA astronauts who arrived to the Space Coast ahead of their flight onboard Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner. ⌘ Read more

CRISPR is promising to tackle antimicrobial resistance, but bacteria can fight back
In his presentation “How to use CRISPR-Cas to combat AMR” at the ESCMID Global Congress, Assistant Prof. Ibrahim Bitar, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital in Plzen, Charles University in Prague, Plzen, Czech Republic, will give an overview of the molecular biology of CRISPR technology in explaining how it can used to tackle antimicrobial resistance. ⌘ Read more

Herds of endangered hippos trapped in mud in drought-hit Botswana
Herds of endangered hippos stuck in the mud of dried-up ponds are in danger of dying in drought-struck Botswana, conservation authorities told AFP Friday. ⌘ Read more

Canadian government plans to amend legislation to allow detained migrants to be held in federal prisons
The Canadian government recently proposed earmarking $325 million in the 2024 federal budget to upgrade federal immigration detention centers to hold more people. The budget also proposes to amend the law to allow federal prisons to be used to detain “high-risk” immigrants. ⌘ Read more

Nature conservation works, and we’re getting better at it, says new study
To work in nature conservation is to battle a headwind of bad news. When the overwhelming picture indicates the natural world is in decline, is there any room for optimism? Well, our new global study has some good news: we provide the strongest evidence to date that nature conservation efforts are not only effective, but that when they do work, they often really work. ⌘ Read more

Philippine settlement submerged by dam reappears due to drought
A centuries-old settlement submerged by the construction of a dam in the northern Philippines in the 1970s has reappeared as water levels drop due to a drought affecting swathes of the country. ⌘ Read more

Long-term research shows herring arrive earlier in the Wadden Sea due to climate change
Due to the changing climate, young herring arrive in the Wadden Sea earlier and earlier in spring. That is shown in a new publication by NIOZ ecologists Mark Rademaker, Myron Peck, and Anieke van Leeuwen in Global Change Biology. ⌘ Read more

Did climate chaos cultivate or constrain 2023’s greenery?
In the ongoing quest to track the progression of climate change, scientists frequently examine the state of our planet’s vegetation—forests, grasslands, agricultural lands, and beyond. ⌘ Read more

Impact investing in Paris suburban ‘banlieue’ neighborhoods: Untapped social and economic potential
From July to August, Paris will host the 2024 Olympic games. However, once the athletes and spectators have packed up and left, the Games will leave behind a lasting social impact on the run-down neighborhoods on the outskirts of the French capital. ⌘ Read more

Solar geoengineering to cool the planet: Is it worth the risks?
When I first wrote about geoengineering in 2012 , it was considered far-fetched at best, and crazy by most. But 12 years later, while there is still controversy and considerable resistance to deploying it, respectable scientists and institutions are pushing for more research into geoengineering—the deliberate and large-scale intervention in our climate system to moderate global warming. ⌘ Read more

US announces sweeping cuts to power sector carbon emissions
President Joe Biden’s government on Thursday finalized sweeping plans to curb planet-warming emissions from the nation’s fossil fuel plants as part of the United States’ efforts to confront the climate crisis. ⌘ Read more

The guardian angels of the source of the Seine
The river Seine, the centerpiece of the Paris Olympics opening ceremony in July, starts with a few drops of water in a mossy grotto deep in the woods of central France. ⌘ Read more

Heatstroke kills 30 in Thailand this year as kingdom bakes
Thailand issued fresh warnings about scorching hot weather on Thursday as the government said heatstroke has already killed at least 30 people this year. ⌘ Read more

Ultrasensitive photonic crystal detects single particles down to 50 nanometers
Using an ultrasensitive photonic crystal, TU/e researchers were able to detect single particles down to 50 nanometers in diameter. The new research has just been published in the journal Optica. ⌘ Read more

Giant virus discovered in wastewater treatment plant infects deadly parasite
The single-celled organism Naegleria fowleri ranks among the deadliest human parasites. Researchers around Matthias Horn and Patrick Arthofer from the Center for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science at the University of Vienna, in an international collaboration, have discovered viruses that infect this harmful microbe. ⌘ Read more

Lunar landforms indicate geologically recent seismic activity on the moon
The moon’s steadfast illumination of our night sky has been a source of wonder and inspiration for millennia. Since the first satellite images of its surface were taken in the 1960s, our understanding of Earth’s companion through time has developed immeasurably. A complex interplay of cosmic interactions and planetary systems, the moon’s surface displays a plethora of landforms evidencing its history. ⌘ Read more