Number 355
== ok, maybe I now understand (see below)
Walmart and Amazon Are Exploring Issuing Their Own Stablecoins
Stablecoins could allow merchants to circumvent traditional payment rails, which cost them billions of dollars in fees each year, including the interchange fee they pay when customers make purchases using their cards.
== not sure about crypto, especially stablecoins, why use something tied to U$, why not just use U$
Shopify partners with Coinbase and Stripe in landmark stablecoin deal
Shopify announced Thursday that it was rolling out stablecoin payments to all users on its platform later this year in its largest crypto play yet.
== for the squash players amongst us
With potential implications for mechanical systems, study reveals physics of the ’nick shot’ in squash
While the shot is as old as the game itself, a team of researchers has now revealed the physics behind it.
Humans have unique breathing ‘fingerprints’ that may signal health status
A study demonstrates that scientists can identify individuals based solely on their breathing patterns with 96.8% accuracy.
Turning back time on muscle stem cells to prevent frailty due to aging
The population across developed countries is getting older and the associated frailty and debilitation are becoming major health problems.
Turning carbon dioxide into fuel just got easier, thanks to acid bubbles
Their study addresses a major bottleneck in the performance and stability of CO2 reduction systems: the buildup of salt that clogs gas flow channels, reduces efficiency and causes the devices to fail prematurely.
How recurrent fluorescence helps organic molecules survive extreme interstellar conditions
Using the Webb an international team of researchers set out to investigate how polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)—organic molecules and key players in cosmic chemistry—survive the harsh conditions of space and uncover the mechanism behind their resilience.
Erythritol has become a fixture in the ingredient lists of protein bars, low-calorie beverages, and diabetic-friendly baked goods. Its appeal lies in its sweetness-to-calorie ratio.
Volcano ‘hidden in plain sight’ could help date Mars—and its habitability
Called Jezero Mons, it is nearly half the size of the crater itself and could add critical clues to the habitability and volcanism of Mars, transforming how we understand Mars’ geologic history.
Nature’s sand trap killers.
== pretty sure we’ve seen this before, but too lazy to check
From plastic waste to clean hydrogen: A scalable solar-powered solution
A team of Korean scientists has developed an innovative green technology that transforms plastic waste into clean hydrogen fuel using only sunlight and water.
== that’s one busy satelitte/telescope
Webb ‘UNCOVERs’ galaxy population driving cosmic renovation
For much of its first billion years, the universe was immersed in a fog of neutral hydrogen gas. Today, this gas is ionized—stripped of its electrons. Astronomers, who refer to this transformation as reionization, have long wondered which types of objects were most responsible.
Supernovae may have kicked off abrupt climate shifts in the past—and they could again
When a star explodes, it sends high-energy particles out in all directions. This burst of energy can travel through space for thousands of light-years, traversing solar systems and even galaxies.
Webb telescope images frigid exoplanet in strange orbit
A planetary system described as abnormal, chaotic, and strange by researchers has come into clearer view with NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope.
How trace elements are recycled in the deep sea
Trace metals such as iron or zinc that are stored in deep-sea sediments are lost forever to phytoplankton on the ocean surface. This is what geochemists believed for a long time about the cycle of micronutrients in seawater.
Green light activates modified penicillin only where it’s needed
To treat bacterial infections, medical professionals prescribe antibiotics. But not all active medicine gets used up by the body. Some of it ends up in wastewater, where antimicrobial-resistant bacteria can develop.
== for now in mice, not sure about humans
A nose-to-brain connection linked to appetite
No more hunger after cooking? A newly identified network of nerve cells is responsible.
Triassic reptiles took 10,000 mile trips through ‘hellish’ conditions, study suggests
The first archosauromorphs, some resembling modern reptiles and many times smaller than familiar dinosaurs, were previously believed to only survive in certain parts of the globe due to extreme heat across the tropics, viewed by many paleontologists as a dead zone, in the earliest Triassic.
Global mercury levels in rivers have doubled since Industrial Revolution, research reveals
The findings have significant implications for human health and wildlife, as mercury compounds are potent neurotoxins that can accumulate in fish and pose health risks through consumption.
== yjc
Earth-based telescopes offer a fresh look at Cosmic Dawn
Cosmic microwaves are mere millimeters in wavelength and very faint. The signal from polarized microwave light is about a million times fainter.
== yjc
Roman-era ‘fast food’ discovered in ancient trash heap on Mallorca
Songbirds were on the menu 2,000 years ago on the Roman island of Mallorca, archaeological evidence reveals.
== yjc
Why Denmark is dumping Microsoft Office and Windows for LibreOffice and Linux
Before the Danish government announced its move, Denmark’s two largest cities had already announced plans to phase out Microsoft software and cloud services.
Major Telescope Hosts World’s Largest Digital Camera
Massive telescope will map the Universe and provide an evolving record of the Solar System and distant stars.
First view of the Sun’s south pole filmed by spacecraft
The new images will enable scientists to learn how the Sun cycles between periods of raging storms and quiet times.
To build muscle and gain strength, researchers say train smarter—not longer
So, how much training is actually enough?
Sea cucumbers could hold key to stopping cancer spread
Sea cucumbers are the ocean’s janitors, cleaning the seabed and recycling nutrients back into the water.
Do you know how to prepare for your digital life after death?
From family photos in the cloud to email archives and social media accounts, the digital lives of Americans are extensive and growing.
Researchers develop simple, low-cost method to detect GPS trackers hidden in vehicles
Using a commercially available device, the researchers developed a specialized algorithm that distinguishes weak tracker signals amid cellular transmission noise by monitoring LTE IoT uplink frequency bands.
== yjc
‘Optical neural engine’ can solve partial differential equations
Partial differential equations (PDEs) are a class of mathematical problems that represent the interplay of multiple variables, and therefore have predictive power when it comes to complex physical systems.
== yjc
Central Brazil Cerrado
Amid a patchwork of fields, towns, and winding rivers and roads in central Brazil stands a monolithic oval-shaped plateau.
== yjc
Where is the center of the universe?
It’s more accurate to say that everything in the universe is getting farther away from everything else, all at once.
A ten-fold increase in rocket launches would start harming the ozone layer, new research finds
Gases and particulates emitted by rockets as they punch through the atmosphere are known to thin the ozone layer.
Jarosite: A golden sponge to mop up metals
Jarosite is a dusty yellow mineral you might see crusting the surface of mine tailings or dried-out wetlands.
An Alaskan volcano could help scientists understand why ‘stealthy’ volcanoes erupt without warning
Some volcanoes, called “stealthy” volcanoes, don’t give obvious warning signs.
What the coins of the San José Galleon shipwreck reveal
Researchers have used an unmanned underwater vehicle to carry out a non-intrusive investigation of an 18th-century AD shipwreck in the Colombian Caribbean.
Record-breaking cosmic structure discovered in colossal galaxy cluster
Astronomers have discovered the largest known cloud of energetic particles surrounding a galaxy cluster—spanning nearly 20 million light-years.
The everyday activity that can reveal your brain’s age
The speed at which you walk can reveal profound insights into your brain’s rate of ageing.
== paywall?
The arid air of Death Valley may actually be a valuable water source
An innovative device extracted a small glassful of water from the air of Death Valley desert over one day.
Tech Giants’ Indirect Emissions Rose 150% In Three Years
The use of artificial intelligence drove up their global indirect emissions because of the vast amounts of energy required to power data centres.
Students’ favored study method isn’t the most effective, research shows
A new study reveals that students learn best through prediction activities, even though they don’t realize it.
2020s on Course To Be Weakest Decade for Global Economy Since 1960s, Says World Bank
Washington-based lender cuts its forecast for world GDP growth, blaming Donald Trump tariffs
1.5 TB of James Webb Space Telescope Data Just Hit the Internet
Online catalog gives open science access to data from early universe
Scientists warn against attempts to change definition of ‘forever chemicals’
Move to narrow classification of Pfas and weaken regulation is ‘politically and/or economically motivated’.
Creatine is safe, effective and important for everyone, researcher says
Creatine, the supplement popular with athletes for its ability to help build strength and power, is increasingly being recognized for its broad health benefits.
Should you do cardio before or after lifting weights?
Fitness enthusiasts have debated the question for decades.
Is black mold really as bad for us as we think?
Mold in houses is unsightly and may cause unpleasant odors. However, is mold exposure linked to a serious lung disease in children, unrelated to asthma?
== not a big fan of oysters, but do enjoy a feed of mussels
How an offshore shellfish farm is boosting marine life
Almost half of the world’s wild-caught fish is used to produce fishmeal and oils that feed farmed fish.
Researchers discover protection from genes and strong immune systems.
Two-million-year-old pitted teeth from our ancient relatives reveal secrets about human evolutio
Tiny, shallow pits in fossil teeth may not be signs of malnutrition or disease. Instead, they may carry surprising evolutionary significance.
Giant plankton could help coral fight climate change
Corals are often seen as passive feeders reliant on sunlight and algae, but in reality, they’re much more opportunistic—capable of catching and digesting larger plankton when conditions allow,
Study finds protein droplets shield fragile DNA from repair errors
When DNA breaks inside the cell, it can spell disaster, especially if the damage occurs in areas of the genome that are difficult to repair.
Researchers investigated how the natural genetic variation of the split gill mushroom can influence the characteristics of the fungal mycelium.
Turning trash into treasure: How microwaves are revolutionizing e-waste recycling
You may not have heard of tantalum, but chances are you’re holding some right now.
NASA’s ready-to-use dataset details land motion across North America
The online portal and its underlying dataset unlock a trove of satellite radar measurements that can help anyone identify where and by how much the land beneath their feet may be moving.
Where did cosmic rays come from? Astrophysicists are closer to finding out
“About 100 trillion cosmic neutrinos from far, far away sources like black holes pass through your body every second. Don’t you want to know where they came from?”
Turfgrass data may improve urban greenhouse gas emission estimates
Researchers found that turfgrass lawns, like those surrounding our homes and in parks, golf courses and cemeteries, have impacts distinct from other urban vegetation
Hurricanes stir deep ocean layers, bringing nutrients and low-oxygen zones to surface, study finds
With careful planning and a little luck, researchers found a surprising upside to hurricanes after a Category 4 storm disrupted their expedition off the coast of Mexico.
Terahertz polarimetry detects microscopic tissue changes linked to cancer and burns
The use of THz scattering for medical diagnosis is a promising frontier in this field, as THz waves can probe tissue structures in ways that traditional imaging methods cannot.
Out of the string theory swampland: New models may resolve problem that conflicts with dark energy
String theory has long been touted as physicists’ best candidate for describing the fundamental nature of the universe. But in the early 21st century, it was realized that most of the versions of reality described by string theory’s equations cannot match up with observations of our own universe.
Protected Antarctic oceanic life threatened by ships anchoring, underwater videos show
Ships operate in every ocean, and even the most remote waters aren’t off-limits. When they anchor, they leave behind a footprint.
== paywall? lengthy
‘Welcome to Campus. Here’s Your ChatGPT.’
OpenAI, the firm that helped spark chatbot cheating, wants to embed A.I. in every facet of college. First up: 460,000 students at Cal State.
Sea Acidity Has Reached Critical Levels, Threatening Entire Ecosystem
Ocean acidification has already crossed a crucial threshold for planetary health, scientists say in unexpected finding.
The Medical Revolutions That Prevented Millions of Cancer Deaths
We’re secretly winning the war on cancer.
Scientists Show Reforestation Helps Cool the Planet Even More Than Thought
But even if every tree lost since the mid-19th century is replanted, the total effect won’t cancel out human-generated warming. Cutting emissions remains essential.
Caffeine Has a Weird Effect On Your Brain While You’re Asleep
A new study adds a whole extra level of detail to our understanding of caffeine’s impact on the brain during sleep.
We Finally May Be Able to Rid the World of Mosquitoes. But Should We?
Yet the development of gene editing technology also raises a profound ethical question: When, if ever, is it okay to intentionally drive a species out of existence?
Student Discovers Long-Awaited Mystery Fungus Sought By LSD’s Inventor
Morning glory plants live in symbiosis with fungi that produce the same ergot alkaloids the Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann modified when he invented LSD in the late 1930s.
== yjc, a touch lengthy
For Algorithms, a Little Memory Outweighs a Lot of Time
One computer scientist’s “stunning” proof is the first progress in 50 years on one of the most famous questions in computer science.
We tracked 13,000 giants of the ocean over 30 years, to uncover their hidden highways
The results reveal underwater “highways” where megafauna crisscross the global ocean. They also show where megafauna dwell for feeding and breeding.
Laboratory model links fault contact area to earthquake occurrences
This breakthrough demonstrates the connection between microscopic friction and earthquakes, offering new insights into earthquake mechanics and potential prediction.
Chemists design a next generation of weight-loss drugs
Weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy are used by more than 15 million adults in the U.S., or 4.5% of the population. Despite their effectiveness, they have drawbacks.
Ultra-selective aptamers give viruses a taste of their own medicine
Synthetic and inexpensive to produce, aptamers are attractive alternatives to antibodies for biomedical diagnostics and therapeutics.
Study reveals surprising breaks in egg-laying cycle
Even bumble bee queens need personal days.
== yjc, lengthy
Medieval murder: Records suggest vengeful noblewoman had priest assassinated in 688-year-old cold case
A Cambridge criminologist has uncovered new evidence in the killing of a priest, John Forde, who had his throat cut on a busy London street almost seven centuries ago.
Self-learning neural network cracks iconic black holes
Previous studies by the Event Horizon Telescope Collaboration used only a handful of realistic synthetic data files. This time, the astronomers fed millions of such data files into a so-called Bayesian neural network that can quantify uncertainties.
== a touch too much jargon
Age-related brain changes reduce social-engagement behaviors, research finds
Social engagement is a vital component of psychological and physical well-being linked to better health and a longer life, yet many older adults struggle to maintain relationships that support these outcomes.
Cybercriminals Are Hiding Malicious Web Traffic in Plain Sight
In an effort to evade detection, cybercriminals are increasingly turning to “residential proxy” services that cover their tracks by making it look like everyday online activity.
Scientists Create ‘World’s Smallest Violin’
It was created to test the capabilities of the university’s new nanolithography system, which allows researchers to build and study tiny structures.
CO2 levels just broke another record
The CO2 concentration at the Mauna Loa observatory in Hawaii has passed 430 parts per million.
It's literally Einstein's proverbial definition of insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.
- Entrepreneur Arnaud Bertrand reflects on America's latest attempt to rein in Huawei