technical updates

Engineers have developed an airborne method for imaging underwater objects by combining light and sound to break through the seemingly impassable barrier at the interface of air and water. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3qiCgs8

To develop effective therapeutics against pathogens, scientists need to first uncover how they attack host cells. An efficient way to conduct these investigations on an extensive scale is through high-speed screening tests called assays. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/37mae6C

A group of researchers developed Power Theory, a model emphasizing the role of demography in political centralization, and applied it to the shift in power dynamics in prehistoric northern coastal societies in Peru. To test the theory, the team created a summed probability distribution (SPD) from 755 radiocarbon dates from 10,000-1,000 B.P. Researchers found a correlation between the tenets of Power Theory and power structure changes in early Peruvian societies. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/33s6sr6

A study has solved the mystery of how and why columns of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, can stream out of solid sea-floor formations known as methane hydrates. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2VhR5wY

A music educator thought that if he could just control his study for the myriad factors that might have influenced previous ones - race, income, education, etc. -- he could disprove the notion of a link between students' musical and mathematical achievement. Nope. His new study showed statistically significant associations between the two at both the individual and the school-district levels. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3lkWSwt

A study conducted in the southern Great Barrier Reef reveals the chemical diversity of emissions from healthy corals. The researchers found that across the reef-building coral species studied on Heron Island, the abundance and chemical diversity of their gas emissions fell significantly during heat stress experiments. With the increasing frequency of heat stress events, understanding coral emissions may prove to be a key reef conservation tool. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3o8S3rM

Researchers report that low-income Black households experienced greater job loss, more food and medicine insecurity, and higher indebtedness in the early months of COVID-19 compared to white or Latinx low-income households. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2VjynoT

Ruellia is a very large genus of chiefly tropical American herbs and shrubs (family Acanthaceae) that have showy solitary or paniculate flowers with the simple or two-lobed style recurved at the apex and the two-cell ovary. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3fQtVaD

Ocean vertical structures are changing as a result of global warming. Whether these changes are in pace with the ocean circulation is unknown. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/2Jshvtc

As people age, they progressively lose muscle mass and strength, and this can lead to frailty and other age-related diseases. As the causes for the decline remain largely unknown, promoting muscle health is an area of great research interest. A recent study led by the researchers from NUS has shown how a molecule found in muscles responds to weak magnetic fields to promote muscle health. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3qdM6eX

A new University of Wollongong study overcomes a major challenge of thermoelectric materials, which can convert heat into electricity and vice versa, improving conversion efficiency by more than 60%. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3qcT9of

The ability to replicate materials at the atomic level has attracted significant attention from materials scientists. However, the current technology is limited by a number of factors. Udo Schwarz, professor of mechanical engineering & materials science and department chair, has recently published two papers on research that could significantly open up what's possible within this emerging field. His methods include a process that can replicate a surface's features to details of less than one 10 billionth of a meter, or less 1/20th the diameter of an atom. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/33rInR6

A team of biologists from RUDN University working together with foreign colleagues have summarized the results of 520 studies on the impact of manure on the soil and created a snapshot of all biochemical processes that go on in fertilized soils. The team also compared the effect of manure with and without mineral additives, showed how manure from different animals affects the fertility of the soil, and calculated the optimal amount of manure for soil fertilization. The results of the study were published in Science of The Total Environment . from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3oa26Na

ITMO University's bioinformatics researchers have developed an algorithm that helps to assess the influence of genes on processes in the human body, including the development of disease. The research was published in BMC Bioinformatics. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/39sLxYI

Scientists of Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU) with international collaborators have proposed direct magnetic writing of skyrmions, i.e., magnetic quasiparticles, and skyrmion lattices, within which it is possible to encode, transmit, process information and produce topological patterns with a resolution less than 100 nanometers. This has applications for miniaturized post-silicon electronics, new topological cryptography techniques and green data centers, potentially reducing the load on the Earth's ecosystem significantly. A related article appears in ACS Nano. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/33wluvZ

Get the Rebel Alliance and Resistance packs for just $20.99 today only from Space.com https://ift.tt/36js0Io

An international study led from the University of Turku, Finland, discovered phosphorus and fluorine in solid dust particles collected from a comet. The finding indicates that all the most important elements necessary for life may have been delivered to the Earth by comets. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3mpc2Sx

In hidden pockets around the world, tiny creatures consume toxins and wait for their day to again rule the Earth. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3fPzwxA

You can take over the galaxy for just $11.99 a month from Space.com https://ift.tt/3mlQc2t

Ignorance may feel like bliss, but preparedness offers better odds of surviving what is to come. And when it comes to planetary defense, ignorance just became a bit more inevitable. from Space.com https://ift.tt/3qd635v

New technologies could allow exploration of skylights, lava tubes and caverns on the moon — underground environments that human explorers may be able to exploit in the not-too-distant future. from Space.com https://ift.tt/39tk1u4

International students have arrived in Australia for the first time since the country shut its borders to curb coronavirus in March, with a charter flight touching down in Darwin on Monday. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/37jkqNh

Australian firefighters are struggling to control a massive bush fire that already destroyed 40 percent of the UNESCO world heritage-listed Fraser Island before a heatwave hit Monday. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/2KSLbk0

Thousands have fled the scene of a rumbling Indonesian volcano that burst to life for the first time in several years, belching a massive column of smoke and ash, the disaster agency said Monday. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3lnr0qK

If you were to choose a word that rose above most in 2020, which word would it be? from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3fPJHlT

A brightly burning meteor was seen plunging from the sky in wide areas of Japan, capturing attention on television and social media. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3mmiNEM

A unique stage of planetary system evolution has been imaged by astronomers, showing fast-moving carbon monoxide gas flowing away from a star system over 400 light years away, a discovery that provides an opportunity to study how our own solar system developed. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/2VeE0Vh

Get your space dreams flying with this basic set of rockets and accessories from Space.com https://ift.tt/2KS1GwI

From Yoda teaching a lesson in the Force to Kylo Ren fighting a Praetorian Guard, there’s a Funko Pop! for all of your favorite Star Wars moments. from Space.com https://ift.tt/3fKCXpu

Lego's highly sought-after International Space Station building set is often sold out, but now you can get it for 16% off its usual price. from Space.com https://ift.tt/33uaIGx

Analog astronauts are currently facing challenges during a simulated Moon mission at the HI-SEAS habitat. Commander Musilova reports about the sacrifices the crew is making to survive the mission. from Space.com https://ift.tt/3q679Ad

Show your friends The Dark Side for only $149.99, while supplies last. from Space.com https://ift.tt/3llxCpC

Florida's waters may be protected from offshore drilling but the Bahamas plans to start looking for oil in less than a month at an exploratory well just 150 miles off the coast of the Sunshine State. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/39DkM4b

In the winter of 1969-70, Philadelphia had an average temperature of 30.3 degrees Fahrenheit. Last year, the average was 39.4. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3qbslEV

Sydney recorded its hottest November night as Australia's largest city suffered through a weekend heatwave that saw daytime temperatures peak above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/2HPdBdz

Following years of public outcry and campaigning by American pop star Cher, the "world's loneliest elephant" embarked Sunday on a mammoth move from Pakistan to retirement in a Cambodian sanctuary. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/33rYOgs

Earth observation data will flow more quickly using laser technology instead of radio, according to JAXA from Space.com https://ift.tt/33ur3uO

It sounds like science fiction: giant solar power stations floating in space that beam down enormous amounts of energy to Earth. from Space.com https://ift.tt/3nYyO4a

Astronomers have discovered a previously unknown galactic collision between the Milky Way and the mysterious 'Kraken galaxy.' from Space.com https://ift.tt/2JmIZR8

Drones, books, games, toys and more dominate the multispecies Federation universe from Space.com https://ift.tt/36gVg2w

China's Chang'e 5 spacecraft has entered orbit around the moon ahead of an historic attempt to collect samples from the moon and return to Earth. from Space.com https://ift.tt/3mlkLVR

In a study on mice scientists pinpoint specific areas of the brain that individually promote patience through the action of serotonin. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3fICJiF

Research reveals how pores form during metals additive manufacturing and become defects trapped in solidifying metal. The practical value of this research is that it can inform industry on how to predict and improve 3D printing processes. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/39kgRZL

The ability to cancel and induce magnetic fields from a distance could improve biomedicine. from Space.com https://ift.tt/3qaxEEn

The health harms associated with prolonged sitting can be offset by exceeding weekly recommended physical activity levels, says the World Health Organization (WHO) in new global guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behavior. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3me8faG

Being born early (before 37 weeks' gestation) is associated with a higher risk of hospital admission throughout childhood than being born at full term (40 weeks' gestation), finds a new study. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2J5cpU8

Scientists have unlocked a new genetic variation in wheat and barley - a major boost for the global effort in breeding higher-yielding wheat and barley varieties. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/37bJ9CV

One of Space.com's recommended computerized telescopes is on offer, starting at just $499 from Space.com https://ift.tt/36axdSA

A great way to keep children busy and learning when stuck indoors. from Space.com https://ift.tt/2U7ewtj

It's time to get into Dark Side fashion as the Lego Star Wars helmets are on sale right now, just in time for Black Friday. from Space.com https://ift.tt/2HHetRk

Beep, bop, boop and save 17%! from Space.com https://ift.tt/3q3w1bD

The Jupiter moon Europa may cough water into space from small pockets in its icy crust, a new study suggests. from Space.com https://ift.tt/3q2UvSq

As the days shorten and temperatures drop in the northern hemisphere, leaves begin to turn. We can enjoy glorious autumnal colours while the leaves are still on the trees and, later, kicking through a red, brown and gold carpet when out walking. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/2JcR4YM

Five food-delivery cyclists have died on Australian roads in the past three months, four in Sydney. Most commentary has focused on the harsh employment conditions that force people to take risks they shouldn't have to. These problems should of course be fixed, but cycling in general is too dangerous in our cities. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3l87crj

They may have been around for hundreds of millions of years—long before trees—but today sharks and rays are are among the most threatened animals in the world, largely because of overfishing and habitat loss. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/37c8igR

How old you are could be more important to some employers than your experience, or your capacity to do the job—particularly for older candidates. That was the conclusion of research my colleagues and I recently published on age discrimination. We tested 500 managers across nine European countries, using job applications of people aged between 43 and 63, and showed more suitable job candidates did not experience less discrimination. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/368lzb0

The UK government is spending an enormous amount on COVID-19 - supporting the health service, helping to relieve the suffering of those who have lost their incomes, and helping businesses keep afloat. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/33lWZ4C

The endangered Mauritius fruit bat is once again the centre of a controversial cull at the hands of its government, much to the alarm of wildlife conservation organisations. Under pressure from both farmers and the public, the government of the Indian Ocean island recently announced a plan to cull 10% of its 80,000 or so fruit bats to protect the nation's fruit industry. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3mqguAJ

It has long been known that ship strikes involving large vessels pose one of the greatest threats to North Atlantic right whales, whose coastal habitats and tendency to stay close to the water's surface make them vulnerable to such deadly collisions. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3fJ0xD8

A third of native mammals are currently at risk of extinction in Wales, according to a new report. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3pZyJim

Non-indigenous or alien species need to be appreciated for their potential benefits and not just the negative impacts they can have on the environment, according to new research. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/37sx6S7

The Fraser River estuary in British Columbia is home to 102 species at risk of extinction. A new study says it's not too late to save these species if action is taken now. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/2V7RrWX

New Zealand has more than 1,100 registered quarries. Some of these mined sites are small, rural operations, but a significant number are large and complex, and within a city's urban boundaries. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/37sxcZZ

A faraway galaxy with almost no dark matter has threatened to break our theory of galaxy formation. New evidence suggests the galaxy isn't an anomaly—but a victim of theft. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/39kRhE0

An enormous iceberg, called A-68A, has made headlines over the past weeks as it drifts towards South Georgia in the Southern Ocean. New images, captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-1 mission, show the berg is rotating and potentially drifting westwards. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/368b5bE

You're controlling your very own space agency at the dawn of the space age, with the ultimate goal of setting foot on the surface of Mars. Which technologies should you research? Which rockets should you build? Should you aim for the Moon first or head straight to the Red Planet? from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/33jzwRK

A Japanese spacecraft is nearing Earth after a yearlong journey home from a distant asteroid with soil samples and data that could provide clues to the origins of the solar system, a space agency official said Friday. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/2HLljW6

Melanin's high refractive index (RI) and broadband absorption capability contribute to the pigment's ability to protect against ultraviolet radiation (UV). These optical properties also contribute to the vibrant structural colors seen in birds and many other animals and plants. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3q5TxoD

QUT Professor Ken Ostrikov from the School of Chemistry and Physics and QUT Centre for Materials Science said the new material could be used to develop new transistor devices for electronics and photodetectors for such applications as fibre-optic communication systems and environmental sensing. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3m4O52N

A new QUT-led study has found wild jaguars in the Amazon can cope with climate extremes in the short-term, but numbers will rapidly decline if weather events increase in frequency, diminishing sources of food. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/2J9Efhv

Federal environment minister Sussan Ley this week announced A$2 million for a national audit of Australia's koalas, as part of an A$18 million package to protect the vulnerable species. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3l6wgit

A dwindling tribe of chimpanzees in Guinea that leapt to prominence for uncanny abilities to use tools has a glimmer of hope after its last fertile female gave birth. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3689670

Destructive volcanic mudflows, huge clouds of volcanic ash that ground flights, and catastrophic floods when natural glacial lake dams fail—these are all examples of the dramatic interactions between volcanoes and glaciers. To help others study, and hopefully predict, dangerous glaciovolcanic activity, researchers have created a new database that combines existing global data. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3nZ6PRT

The European Space Agency says it is signing a 86 million-euro ($102 million) contract with a Swiss start-up company to bring a large piece of orbital trash back to Earth. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/378BLZ7

Last week, a progress report from the New York Declaration on Forests announced that the world is not on track to meet the declaration's goals to reduce forest loss and promote sustainable and equitable development. The report identifies lack of transparency as one of the main barriers to progress, and calls for greater involvement of civil society and grassroots movements while planning and implementing large-scale development projects. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/365bTOu

Higher than normal blood pressure is linked to more extensive brain damage in the elderly, according to a new study. In particular, the study found that there was a strong association between diastolic blood pressure (the blood pressure between heart beats) before the age of 50 and brain damage in later life, even if the diastolic blood pressure was within what is normally considered to be a healthy range. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3686qpY

The Darksaber is now just $24.86 at Amazon, but we don't think it'll be around for long from Space.com https://ift.tt/3fE97D0

A new method for analyzing the structure of skin using a type of radiation known as T-rays could help improve the diagnosis and treatment of skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and skin cancer. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3mbcy6q

If you're an avid viewer of crime shows, you've probably come across cases in which an expert, often a psychologist, is called in to help solve a crime using their language analysis skills. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/33ivIjz

If she could stand, the towering astronaut on Olay's first Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade float would need a rocket about the same size as the tallest skyscraper in New York City. from Space.com https://ift.tt/2HCJgP9

In a new video, five of the spacefarers living on the orbiting laboratory share what packaged food they would be eating. from Space.com https://ift.tt/2V4vesJ

How do molecules involved in activating our immune system discriminate between our own DNA and foreign pathogens? Researchers from the Thomä group, in collaboration with the EPFL, deciphered the structural and functional basis of a DNA-sensing molecule when it comes in contact with the cell's own DNA, providing crucial insights into the recognition of self vs. non-self DNA. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/2HEtPpP

From great brands like Celestron and Orion, get a great deal on your next piece of skywatching kit from Space.com https://ift.tt/3o4GOkh

Space technology and prepared foods developed for astronauts will also help keep Americans safe this Thanksgiving, as many prepare for a socially distanced meal. from Space.com https://ift.tt/3682VQw

What did the starry sky look like on the occasion of the very first Thanksgiving? from Space.com https://ift.tt/369uWqV

A new study traces the neural circuit that makes a female fly receptive to a mating advance. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3fzTnkx

National reading and math tests long used to track what U.S. students know in those subjects are being postponed from next year to 2022 over concerns about whether testing would be feasible or produce valid results during the coronavirus pandemic, the National Center for Education Statistics announced Wednesday. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/33mdyxs

Demystifying traditional Chinese medicine for conservationists could be the key to better protecting endangered species like pangolins, tigers and rhino, according to University of Queensland-led researchers. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/368Hw9Q

Accurate forecasting and the evacuation of several hundred thousand people helped avert any loss of life after a cyclone clobbered southeast India, authorities said Thursday, as rescuers worked to restore power and clear fallen trees. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/39fnqfZ

A group of sunspots has emerged on the Earth-facing side of the sun, just in time for Thanksgiving. from Space.com https://ift.tt/2HGpIcS

Make a saving of 10% on the usual retail price of $199.99 and get a free moon map worth $10.99 from Space.com https://ift.tt/39eWw8f

Computer simulations explain how electrons with wide-ranging energies rain into Earth's upper and middle atmosphere during a phenomenon known as the pulsating aurora. The findings, published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, suggest that the higher-energy electrons resulting from this process could cause destruction of the part of the ozone in the mesosphere, about 60 kilometers above Earth's surface. The study was a collaboration between scientists in Japan, including at Nagoya University, and colleagues in the US, including from NASA. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/2KGtZOD

Researchers from the Disruptive & Sustainable Technologies for Agricultural Precision (DiSTAP) Interdisciplinary Research Group (IRG) of Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART), MIT's research enterprise in Singapore and Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory (TLL) have discovered a way to use Raman spectroscopy for early detection of shade avoidance syndrome (SAS) in plants. The discovery can help farmers with timely intervention against SAS, leading to better plant health and crop yield. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/39dKGLn

Exquisitely preserved feeding marks on fossil conifer leaves show that the same insect feeding and fungi persisted for millions of years on the same type of plant, from ancient Patagonian rainforests to the modern rainforests of the tropical West Pacific. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/2UZZ5T5

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are the most luminous and explosive transient phenomena in the universe after the Big Bang. A powerful tool for characterizing and classifying GRBs to allow them to be used as tracers of the expansion history of the universe and to understand their mysterious and debated physical mechanisms has been recently presented by an international team of researchers led by Dr. Maria Dainotti, assistant professor at Jagiellonian University, Poland. The new article, which has been accepted by the Astrophysical Journal, is a statistical analysis of the properties of the mysterious GRBs, aimed at determining the observational properties of GRB subclasses. The article pays particular attention to the GRBs associated with kilonovae. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/39gqE38

Despite their reputation, rats are surprisingly sociable and actually regularly help each other out with tasks. Researchers at the Universities of Göttingen, Bern and St Andrews have now shown that a rat only has to smell the scent of another rat that is engaged in helpful behavior to increase his or her own helpfulness. This is the first study to show that just the smell of a cooperating individual rat is enough to trigger an altruistic and helpful response in another. The research was published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/2J13naG

NASA is working toward sending humans to Mars by 2030. If all goes according to plan, the flight crew's return trip to the red planet will take about two-and-half years. That's a long time to spend uninterrupted with co-workers. But imagine if the astronauts don't get along with each other. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/2V38k4W

Several thousand people in south-eastern India fled their homes on Wednesday, out of the path of a cyclone due to slam coastal areas after midnight, bringing with it heavy rain. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3m46AVa

Give your kids the gift of science with these fully immersive virtual and augmented reality science kits. from Space.com https://ift.tt/3l4lzx4

Astronomers report a strange new feature of the aurora-like STEVE, which they are calling 'streaks.' from Space.com https://ift.tt/2V4i9iY

The United Arab Emirates' first foray beyond Earth's orbit is going so smoothly that the nation's Hope Mars mission will tackle some bonus observations before it reaches its destination. from Space.com https://ift.tt/3l2E2dm

Scott Kelly, the NASA astronaut who spent nearly a year in orbit in 2015-16, has a new audio course available about leading and achieving in space — and on the ground. from Space.com https://ift.tt/364ldlO

See the moon and Mars rendezvous in the evening sky this Wednesday (Nov. 25). from Space.com https://ift.tt/2UXJh3i

Scientists have built tiny droplet-based microbial factories that produce hydrogen, instead of oxygen, when exposed to daylight in air. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/2KE0EEu

The largest sharks ever to have roamed the oceans parked their young in shallow, warm-water nurseries where food was abundant and predators scarce until they could assume their title as kings and queens of the sea. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3nRe7aj

Almost 100 pilot whales have died in a mass stranding on New Zealand's remote Chatham Islands, conservation officials said Wednesday. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3pWV6VD

Phosphorus is a necessary nutrient for plants to grow. But when it's applied to plants as part of a chemical fertilizer, phosphorus can react strongly with minerals in the soil, forming complexes with iron, aluminum and calcium. This locks up the phosphorus, preventing plants from being able to access this crucial nutrient. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3m3u6BH

2020 is the worst fire year on record in the United States, with nearly 13 million acres burned, 14,000 structures destroyed and an estimated $3 billion spent on fire suppression—and counting. At the same time, certain land managers have invested huge amounts of time and resources toward restoring fire through "controlled burn" approaches. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3m4QnyY

Waste fishing gear in the River Ganges poses a threat to wildlife including otters, turtles and dolphins, new research shows. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/33g60vW

Researchers from Boston University and University of Virginia published a new paper in the Journal of Marketing that examines how consumers respond to AI recommenders when focused on the functional and practical aspects of a product (its utilitarian value) versus the experiential and sensory aspects of a product (its hedonic value). from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3fz6oKR

SpaceX just launched one of its Falcon 9 rockets for a record seventh time. The booster carried a stack of 60 Starlink internet satellites into orbit and then nailed a landing at sea. from Space.com https://ift.tt/3fxD2N2

SpaceX's latest Starship prototype fired its engines for the fourth time on Tuesday evening (Nov. 24), keeping the vehicle on track for a landmark test flight next week. from Space.com https://ift.tt/2Hxcor2

Tyrannosaurus rex was one of the biggest meat-eating dinosaurs of all time—it measured up to 42 feet long from snout to tail and would have weighed in at around 16,000 pounds. And it wasn't alone—some of its less-well-known cousins could reach nearly the same size. Scientists have previously shown that T. rex got so big by going through a huge teenage growth spurt, but they didn't know if that was true for just tyrannosaurs, just them and their close relatives, or perhaps all big bipedal dinosaurs. By cutting into dinosaur bones and analyzing the growth lines, a team of researchers got their answer: T. rex and its closest relatives had an awkward adolescence during which they got huge, while its more distant cousins in the allosauroid group kept on growing a little bit every year. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/39jlROp

Advocates hope to ensure the fate of astronomy in Puerto Rico in the wake of an announcement that the massive radio telescope at Arecibo Observatory would be decommissioned. from Space.com https://ift.tt/3nLvVn4

China has been the only country to land on the Moon for over 40 years – since the Soviet Luna programme. from Space.com https://ift.tt/2UY60wg

Two of Charles Darwin's notebooks containing his pioneering ideas on evolution and his famous "Tree of Life" sketch are missing, believed stolen, the Cambridge University Library said on Tuesday. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/374qRU7

When the words "artificial intelligence" (AI) come to mind, your first thoughts may be of super-smart computers, or robots that perform tasks without needing any help from humans. Now, a multi-institutional team including researchers from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has accomplished something not too far off: They developed an AI algorithm called CAMEO that discovered a potentially useful new material without requiring additional training from scientists. The AI system could help reduce the amount of trial-and-error time scientists spend in the lab, while maximizing productivity and efficiency in their research. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3pV175l

There's little doubt that government-ordered business shutdowns to stop the spread of COVID-19 damaged the US economy, but the exact cost has not been clear. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3lZE7zz