== another environmentally safe appproach (see below)
Genetically engineered virus acts as ‘smart sponge’ to extract rare earth elements from water

Today’s high-tech electronics and green energy technologies would not function without rare earth elements (REEs). These 17 metals possess unique properties essential to creating items like the phosphors that illuminate our mobile phone displays and the powerful magnets used in electric vehicles and wind turbines. But extracting these substances from raw materials is a dirty process that relies on toxic chemicals and leaves behind polluted waste.

A wealth of genes for seed improvement uncovered in living fossils

Seed plants are essential as a source of food, fuel, medicine, and more. Now, a multidisciplinary team of researchers has combined deep botanical knowledge with powerful genomic technology to decode and mine the DNA of non-flowering seed plants and uncover genes that evolved to help plants build seeds.

Which came first: The sponge or the comb jelly? Scientists weigh in

In the world of phylogenetics, there’s team sponge and team comb jelly. Which creature roots the animal tree of life—the simple sponge or the more complex comb jelly—has stirred fierce debate among phylogeneticists.

‘Energy sandwich’ could power next-generation solar and lighting

Due to their remarkable ability to absorb and emit light, and because they are cheaper and can be configured to convert more of the solar spectrum into energy than silicon, perovskites have long been touted as a potential replacement for silicon in solar cells, LEDs and quantum technologies. However, their instability and durability has, so far, largely limited perovskite devices to the laboratory.

Chinese team finds a fern that makes rare earth elements

Scientists have discovered a fern from South China that naturally forms tiny crystals containing rare earth elements. This breakthrough opens the door to a promising new way of “green mining” of these minerals called phytomining.

Axial Seamount experiment to test real-time eruption forecasts

Currently, scientists struggle to forecast volcano eruption events, as no universally reliable, real-time eruption forecasting framework is available. Instead, researchers often rely on retrospective analysis to evaluate eruptions.

Our solar system is moving faster than expected

How fast and in which direction is our solar system moving through the universe? This seemingly simple question is one of the key tests of our cosmological understanding.

== yjc
Sam Altman Celebrates ChatGPT Finally Following Em Dash Formatting Rules

Ongoing struggles with AI model instruction-following show that true human-level AI still a ways off.

OpenAI’s new LLM exposes the secrets of how AI really works

The experimental model won’t compete with the biggest and best, but it could tell us why they behave in weird ways—and how trustworthy they really are.

== sorry more of the same
World Still On Track For Catastrophic 2.6C Temperature Rise, Report Finds

Fossil fuel emissions have hit a record high while many nations have done too little to avert deadly global heating.

== somewhat of a repeat, but…
String theory: Scientists are trying new ways to verify the idea that could unite all of physics

Stephen Hawking predicted that a theory of everything—uniting the clashing branches of general relativity and quantum mechanics might be discovered by the end of the 20th century. Forty-five years later, there is still no definitive theory of everything. The main candidate is string theory, a framework that describes all forces and particles including gravity.

Our dogs’ diversity can be traced back to the Stone Age

But a major new study suggests dogs’ physical transformation from wolf to sofa-hogging furball began in the Middle Stone Age, much earlier than we previously thought.

Researchers upcycle fermentation waste into vegetable sanitizer

Research scientists have found a way to make fresh produce safer by using what most would throw away. They discovered that leftover liquid from probiotic fermentation, known as culture waste broth, can be upcycled to fight foodborne pathogens.

How climate change brings wildlife to the yard

As climate change increases the frequency of droughts, researchers found one overlooked side effect: People report more conflicts with wildlife during drought, when resources are scarce.

What can a whale’s breath tell us? A lot about its health, according to new study

The researchers found that the microbial matter whales exhale through their blowholes carries valuable information about their health, including distinct, individual microbial patterns that can be linked to characteristics such as robust versus thin whales, among other health metrics.

Chemical compound holds potential against Alzheimer’s disease

A team of researchers has developed a new chemical compound with the potential to treat Alzheimer’s disease. The research involved computer simulations (in silico), cell culture tests (in vitro), and animal experiments (in vivo) and yielded promising results.

== pretty much some garlic in a high percentage of our suppers and some lunches (eg soups)
From heart health to drug interactions: Garlic’s effect on the body

Whether it is sizzling in olive oil or crushed into a curry, garlic has long been a hero in the kitchen. But beyond its strong flavor, garlic has earned a reputation as a natural remedy with a surprising range of potential health benefits.

Superheated star factory discovered in early universe

The discovery of a superheated star factory that forms stars 180 times faster than our own Milky Way could help solve a long-standing puzzle about how galaxies grew so quickly in the early universe.

Stirling engine generates mechanical power by linking Earth’s warmth to space

Engineers have devleoped a Sterling engine that can generate mechanical power at night by linking the natural warmth around us to the cold depths of space.

Scientists tie lupus to a virus nearly all of us carry

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which resides silently inside the bodies of 19 out of 20 Americans, is directly responsible for commandeering what starts out as a minuscule number of immune cells to go rogue and persuade far more of their fellow immune cells to launch a widespread assault on the body’s tissues, the scientists have shown.

Gut microbes pass down behavioral traits in mice offspring independent of genes

Gut microbes are essential partners that help digest food, produce vitamins and train the immune system. They can also pass on behavioral traits to their host’s offspring, at least in mice.

Bees learn to read simple ‘Morse code’

In Morse code, a short duration flash or “dot” denotes a letter “E” and a long duration flash, or “dash,” means letter “T.” Until now, the ability to discriminate between “dot” and “dash” has been seen only in humans and other vertebrates such as macaques or pigeons.

How number systems shape our thinking, and what this means for learning, language and culture

Most of us have little trouble working out how many milliliters are in 2.4 liters of water (it’s 2,400). But the same can’t be said when we’re asked how many minutes are in 2.4 hours (it’s 144). Expressing time in decimal notation leads to an interaction between two numerical bases, which can have implications at both the cognitive and cultural level.

Polar climate change could amplify global health risks, study warns

Climate change in Earth’s polar regions is emerging as an underrecognized driver of global health risks, with consequences reaching far beyond the Arctic and Antarctic, researchers argue.

== perhaps something Iceland should monitor
Key ‘fingerprint’ reveals slowdown of Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation

A research team analyzed observational data, climate models, and ocean simulations. They uncovered a key “fingerprint” of AMOC slowdown: mid-depth (1,000–2,000 meters) warming in the equatorial Atlantic Ocean.

Electrostatic defrosting removes ice without heat or chemicals

During winter months, frost can unleash icy havoc on cars, planes, heat pumps, and much more. But thermal defrosting with heaters is very energy intensive, while chemical defrosting is expensive and toxic to the environment.

How continents peel from below to trigger oceanic volcanoes

The research shows how slivers of continents are slowly stripped from below and swept into the oceanic mantle—the hot, mostly solid layer beneath the ocean floor that slowly flows.

Fractal-based metamaterial improves sound fields in car cabins

Car enthusiasts will pay hundreds of dollars for stereo systems that will improve the sound quality in their cars. However, the inherent directionality of speakers and complex shapes of car cabins can exacerbate sound disparities between the drivers and passengers, no matter how advanced a speaker system.

Mapping AI’s brain reveals memory and reasoning are not located in the same place

AI models trained on massive datasets rely on at least two major processing features. The first is memory, which allows the system to retrieve and recite information. The second is reasoning, solving new problems by applying generalized principles and learned patterns.

Mathematical model indicates Neanderthal disappearance can be explained by genetic dilution

Currently, there are several hypotheses surrounding the disappearance of Neanderthals. While they all have at least some scientific support, researchers can’t agree on which—or which combination—is most likely.

Iceland deems possible Atlantic current collapse a security risk

A potential collapse of AMOC could trigger a modern-day ice age, with winter temperatures across Northern Europe plummeting to new cold extremes, bringing far more snow and ice. The AMOC has collapsed in the past - notably before the last Ice Age that ended about 12,000 years age.

Scientists Watch Supernova Shockwave Shoot Through a Dying Star For First Time

The supernova was the death of a red supergiant star 500 times larger than the sun, in a galaxy just 22 million light-years away.

Crop rotation delivers higher yields, better nutrition, and increased farm revenues across six continents, study shows

An international study has shown that the practice of crop rotation outperforms continuous monoculture in terms of yield, nutritional quality and farm revenues. The results are based on more than 3600 field observations from 738 experimental trials across six continents.

Scientists discover chameleon’s telephone-cord-like optic nerves once overlooked by Aristotle and Newton

Chameleons’ wandering eyes have fascinated and puzzled scientists since the days of ancient Greece. Now, after millennia of study, modern imaging has revealed the secret of their nearly 360-degree view and uncanny ability to look in two different directions at once.

Tropical spiders craft giant doppelgängers as decoys

The tiny, vulnerable spiders turn their web into a “theater of deception” to trick would-be attackers.

Hawaiian blueberries traced back to Northeast Asia in surprising discovery

Using DNA analysis, the research team compared Hawaiian blueberries with their relatives around the world. The results showed that Hawaii’s blueberries are most closely related to Vaccinium yatabei, a species found only in Japan.

A psychedelic tour of Earth’s ecosystems—from the desert to Siberia

Every mind-bending molecule in nature has an evolutionary origin; a defense against being eaten, a lure for pollinators, or perhaps a happy biochemical accident. Though they seem extraordinary, life has evolved psychedelic molecules that alter consciousness across almost every ecosystem.

Lake Turkana study highlights connections between tectonics and human evolution

Lake Turkana in northern Kenya is often called the cradle of humankind. Home to some of the earliest hominids, its fossil-rich basin has helped scientists piece together the story of human evolution. Now, researchers are revealing that the lake’s geologic history may be just as significant as its anthropological one.

== yjc
Fragments of Stone of Scone tracked down to reveal a hidden history

The Stone of Scone, also known as the Stone of Destiny, is a treasured relic of history in Great Britain, used for centuries as an accompaniment to the coronation of kings. This 152 kg (335 lb) sandstone block has suffered through a series of thefts and journeys, one of which apparently resulted in a loss of 34 fragments.

‘Impossible’ merger of two massive black holes explained

In 2023, astronomers detected a huge collision. Two unprecedentedly massive black holes had crashed an estimated 7 billion light-years away. The enormous masses and extreme spins of the black holes puzzled astronomers. Black holes like these were not supposed to exist.

Neanderthal DNA helps explain how faces form

Every human face is unique, allowing us to distinguish between individuals. We know little about how facial features are encoded in our DNA, but we may be able to learn more about how our faces develop by looking at our ancient relatives, the Neanderthals.

New AI framework can uncover space physics equations in raw data

Artificial intelligence (AI) systems, particularly artificial neural networks, have proved to be highly promising tools for uncovering patterns in large amounts of data that would otherwise be difficult to detect.

== lengthy, interesting opinions
What Are the Best Ways for Humans to Explore Space?

The time has come to expand our visions of life beyond Earth.

== yjc, rather lengthy, but an interesting analysis/opinion piece
What Happens When Humans Start Writing for AI?

Why are some writers tailoring their work for AI, and what does this mean for the future of writing and reading?

== yjc
Nonprofit Releases Thousands of Rare American Music Recordings Online

Thousands of songs representing some of the rarest and most uniquely American music borne from the Jazz Age and the Great Depression would have likely been lost to landfills and faded from memory.

Did ChatGPT Conversations Leak… Into Google Search Console Results?

ChatGPT leaks seem to confirm OpenAI scrapes Google, expert says.

== you never know? or do you?
Ever feel the need to switch off? Your vagus nerve might hold the key

It’s the body’s superhighway that carries information from your brain to your major organs. You might not have a clue it exists - let alone that you might need to train it.

Scientists Edit Gene in 15 Patients That May Permanently Reduce High Cholesterol

In a 15-patient, Phase 1, first-in-human trial, a one-time CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing therapy safely reduced LDL cholesterol and triglycerides in people with difficult-to-treat lipid disorders.

== expect this applies to all of North America
Canada could face ‘worst kind’ of flu season as experts warn evolving strain may be mismatch for vaccine

Alarm bells abroad, spread of a new form of H3N2 provide warnings as influenza cases start ticking up.

World’s Largest Cargo Sailboat Completes Historic First Atlantic Crossing

The world’s largest cargo sailboat, Neoliner Origin, completed its first transatlantic voyage on 30 October despite damage to one of its sails during the journey.

== yjc, more on AI spending/costs
The AI spending frenzy is so huge that it makes no sense

Maybe you’ve heard that artificial intelligence is a bubble poised to burst. Maybe you have heard that it isn’t. But I can confidently tell you that the money being thrown around for AI is so huge that numbers have lost all meaning.

Bombshell report exposes how Meta relied on scam ad profits to fund AI

Meta projected 10% of its 2024 revenue would come from ads for scams and banned goods, documents seen by Reuters show. And the social media giant internally estimates that its platforms show users 15 billion scam ads a day. Among its responses to suspected rogue marketers: charging them a premium for ads – and issuing reports on ’Scammiest Scammers.’

== yjc
Why your booze-free drink costs just as much as the alcoholic kind

From small-batch brewing to big-brand marketing, producers say going alcohol-free adds complexity — and cost.

Why do pregnancy, breastfeeding reduce risk of breast cancer? Latest science finds clues

Immune cells may orchestrate reduced cancer risk from breastfeeding.

Evolution of human saliva tracked back to primates

Saliva is a bodily fluid most of us take for granted despite the significant roles it plays: aiding in digestion, maintaining strong teeth and defending against oral disease.

Cracks in Antarctic ‘Doomsday Glacier’ ice shelf trigger accelerated destabilization

Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica—often called the “Doomsday Glacier”—is one of the fastest-changing ice–ocean systems on Earth, and its future remains a major uncertainty in global sea-level rise projections.

Insects on the space menu: A sustainable food source for future missions

Eating insects is not unusual: billions of people do it every day. According to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization, humans consume more than 2,000 species of insects around the planet.

Scientists try heat therapy to lower blood pressure

In a study, researchers found at-home heat therapy may hold the key to lowering blood pressure. A group of older adults wore heated pants for an hour a day, four days a week.

Antarctic ice melt triggers further melting: Evidence for cascading feedbacks 9,000 years ago

A study has revealed that the substantial retreat of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet approximately 9,000 years ago was driven by a self-reinforcing feedback loop between ice melt and ocean circulation.

Alternate proteins from the same gene can contribute differently to health and rare disease

The common wisdom is that each gene codes for one protein. Someone studying whether a patient has a mutation or version of a gene that contributes to their disease will therefore look for mutations that affect the “known” protein product of that gene.

Death Valley plant yields blueprint for building heat-resilient crops

In California’s Death Valley, where summer temperatures regularly soar above 120 degrees Fahrenheit, life seems almost impossible. Yet among the cracked earth and blinding sunlight, one native plant not only survives—it thrives.

Urolithin A nudges aging immune cells toward a youthful profile in 28 days

Urolithin A is a metabolite produced by gut bacteria after breaking down ellagic acid from certain foods, such as pomegranates and walnuts.

Saturn’s icy moon may host a stable ocean fit for life

A new study has provided the first evidence of significant heat flow at Enceladus’s north pole, overturning previous assumptions that heat loss was confined to its active south pole.