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UCSB researcher bridges the worlds of general relativity and supernova astrophysics
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New photonic device, developed by MIT researchers, efficiently beams light into free space
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Astronomers capture birth of a magnetar, confirming link to some of universe’s brightest exploding stars
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Long Before The Inca Colonized Peru, Natives Had A Thriving Trade Network
A new DNA analysis reveals that long before the Incan Empire took over Peru, animals were being transported across the Andes, a trek that also involved rainforests, highlands and deserts.
The analysis was of parrot feathers discovered at Pachacamac, Peru, a religious hub that is far outside the birds’ native rainforest range. The burial feather assemblage included the Scarlet Macaw, Blue-and-yellow Macaw, Red-and-green Macaw and Mealy Amazon. DNA sequencing, isotope chemistry and computational landscape modeling says the western side of the Andes was just as inhospitable to these species one thousand years ago as it is today.
The analysis was of parrot feathers discovered at Pachacamac, Peru, a religious hub that is far outside the birds’ native rainforest range. The burial feather assemblage included the Scarlet Macaw, Blue-and-yellow Macaw, Red-and-green Macaw and Mealy Amazon. DNA sequencing, isotope chemistry and computational landscape modeling says the western side of the Andes was just as inhospitable to these species one thousand years ago as it is today.
Categories: Science 2.0
Analysis of ancient parrot DNA reveals sophisticated, long-distance animal trade network that pre-dates the Inca Empire
Categories: Content
The Creepy Uncanny Valley Of Targeted Online Marketing
Personalized online ads must work for the same reason advertising must work; it wouldn't be a trillion-dollar industry if it didn't work. Even supplements and organic food are only $140 billion, and those are really popular things that don't work. Advertising is not popular at all but good luck succeeding without it.
Yet there are limits for what people accept without being uncomfortable. In robots and animation, that has long been termed the 'uncanny valley' - where something is not lifelike enough to look real but too lifelike to be acceptable. Some digital marketing has its own uncanny valley; where it becomes unsettling. Examples are people who say they mentioned something in the presence of their Amazon Echo and then ads on Facebook began to target them.
Yet there are limits for what people accept without being uncomfortable. In robots and animation, that has long been termed the 'uncanny valley' - where something is not lifelike enough to look real but too lifelike to be acceptable. Some digital marketing has its own uncanny valley; where it becomes unsettling. Examples are people who say they mentioned something in the presence of their Amazon Echo and then ads on Facebook began to target them.
Categories: Science 2.0
Teens Are Getting Much Less Sleep Than In The Past
A new paper says teens are not getting enough sleep and a lot of parents with teenage children may disagree. Others reflexively blame phones and tablets.
It isn't a new concern, though. Nor is technology new in getting blame. In 1905, The Lancet published a study saying that kids in British boarding schools were getting less sleep than was healthy, and the reason was the new popularity of affordable lighting. “Late to bed and early to rise is neither physiological nor wise,” the authors wrote.
By the 1950s, the concern was in culture again, this time due to radio and television keeping children up. In all instances, overstimulation, mental health, and poor academic achievement is invoked.
It isn't a new concern, though. Nor is technology new in getting blame. In 1905, The Lancet published a study saying that kids in British boarding schools were getting less sleep than was healthy, and the reason was the new popularity of affordable lighting. “Late to bed and early to rise is neither physiological nor wise,” the authors wrote.
By the 1950s, the concern was in culture again, this time due to radio and television keeping children up. In all instances, overstimulation, mental health, and poor academic achievement is invoked.
Categories: Science 2.0
Ozempic Is A Kickstart, Not Magic - Here Is How To Make Weight Loss Stick
Publicly doctors say all of the things you'd expect a group with heavy state and federal scrutiny to say about weight loss drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy but privately they say things like 'people will be on it for the rest of their lives.'
Categories: Science 2.0
Spring Forward Fall Back: We Hate Changing Clocks But Hate One Change Most
In 1918, with Gen Black Jack Pershing off to France to stop the Germans in World War I, the United States instituted Daylight Saving Time. The public were told it was to save energy sources that would be needed for the war but in June America stopped the Germans cold at the Marne, and then pushed them back toward Germany in July, and by November had ended that war.
Yet Daylight Saving Time remained. It still exists 100 years later despite energy savings claims long being debunked, and it being broadly unpopular. Government routinely says they might change it, but when they do they say they would switch permanently to the one everyone actually hates the most, which is the most government thing you will read today.
Yet Daylight Saving Time remained. It still exists 100 years later despite energy savings claims long being debunked, and it being broadly unpopular. Government routinely says they might change it, but when they do they say they would switch permanently to the one everyone actually hates the most, which is the most government thing you will read today.
Categories: Science 2.0
A Nice Little Combination
Although I have long retired from serious chess tournaments (they take too much time, a luxury I do not have anymore - even more so now that I have two infants to help grow!), I insist playing online blitz on chess.com, with alternating fortunes. My elo rating hovers in the 2200-2300 range, signalling that I still have my wits around me (I figure it is a very good way to keep a watch on my mental capabilities: if Alzheimer lurks, I will spot it early).
Categories: Science 2.0
Mesolithic People Had Meals With More Tradition Than You Thought
The common imagery of prehistoric people is either rooting through dirt for grubs and picking berries, or hunting mastodons with spears. Those are both true but some also had a good variety in meals. They were also fishers, not just hunter-gatherers.
Categories: Science 2.0
If You Don't Like Math, Blame Pollen
Epidemiologists say that pollen can cause worse outcomes for students in math, chemistry and physics.
Allergic rhinitis, an allergic reaction to things such as dust, pet hair, and pollen, is common. Epidemiologists link that to cardiovascular health and even blanket terms like wellness. There is no question people with allergies suffer, especially during peak pollen production, but a new paper says allergy sufferers may be less likely to be good at math and science, and pollen could be why.
Allergic rhinitis, an allergic reaction to things such as dust, pet hair, and pollen, is common. Epidemiologists link that to cardiovascular health and even blanket terms like wellness. There is no question people with allergies suffer, especially during peak pollen production, but a new paper says allergy sufferers may be less likely to be good at math and science, and pollen could be why.
Categories: Science 2.0
For Cancer, Alternative Medicine Is The Same As Doing Nothing
Medicine works. When progressives insisted Science Is A Vast Right Wing Conspiracy it was dumb. Vani Hari and Joe Mercola, DO, and the rest jumping on the MAHA train and claiming Science Is A Left Wing Conspiracy (enjoy endorsing glyphosate you two!) is still dumb.
Because facts are real.
Because facts are real.
Categories: Science 2.0
COVID-19 Lockdowns Set Back Childhood Development By Years
COVID-19 lockdowns were an important tool in mitigating risks of acquiring the disease and putting those with comorbidities at higher risk, but objective epidemiologists questioned the value of lockdowns beyond three weeks. Some areas exceeded SAR and R0 models by months or, in states like California, years.
The value of public education over home-schooling or private has been touted by proponents as social adjustment, so there was also concern about how children might be stunted by not having access to anything except close family and device screens.
The value of public education over home-schooling or private has been touted by proponents as social adjustment, so there was also concern about how children might be stunted by not having access to anything except close family and device screens.
Categories: Science 2.0
Urban Trees Can Absorb More CO2 Than Cars Emit
A new study finds that even in urban environments, trees make a terrific contribution to offsetting carbon dioxide emissions in cities, while grass is less valuable.
Soil respiration of grass exceeds photosynthesis so grassy areas release more carbon dioxide than they bind, making them a source of CO2 rather than mitigation, whereas on summer days, tree absorption can cover the emissions from Munich's urban car traffic and even exceed them at times.
Soil respiration of grass exceeds photosynthesis so grassy areas release more carbon dioxide than they bind, making them a source of CO2 rather than mitigation, whereas on summer days, tree absorption can cover the emissions from Munich's urban car traffic and even exceed them at times.
Categories: Science 2.0
Don't Sleep A Lot? You May Be At Risk For Diabetes
A new paper says the way to lower your risk of acquiring type 2 diabetes is not losing weight and exercising more, but sleeping 7 hours and 18 minutes every night.
You can't multiply that by seven days and catch up by sleeping more on the weekend and it also means if you just sleep less, you are out of luck. That is why like all epidemiological correlation, this is only EXPLORATORY. Science has not confirmed this and the correlation arrows could easily go the other way; insulin misfires may make you sleep less.
You can't multiply that by seven days and catch up by sleeping more on the weekend and it also means if you just sleep less, you are out of luck. That is why like all epidemiological correlation, this is only EXPLORATORY. Science has not confirmed this and the correlation arrows could easily go the other way; insulin misfires may make you sleep less.
Categories: Science 2.0
Mushrooms Linked To Fewer COVID-19 Vaccine Side Effects
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial tested a four-day oral supplement, “FoTv,” which is made from the mycelium — the root-like network — of two types of mushrooms: Fomitopsis officinalis and Trametes versicolor (FoTv).
Participants began taking the supplement on the same day they received their vaccine and the authors reported that the supplement acted as a natural immune regulator and decreased vaccine side effects while preserving or increasing antibody levels and helping vaccine protection last longer. They say it could replace synthetic immune adjuncts which help the body produce a stronger antibody response - but have been linked to side effects such as fever, chills, fatigue and muscle aches.
Participants began taking the supplement on the same day they received their vaccine and the authors reported that the supplement acted as a natural immune regulator and decreased vaccine side effects while preserving or increasing antibody levels and helping vaccine protection last longer. They say it could replace synthetic immune adjuncts which help the body produce a stronger antibody response - but have been linked to side effects such as fever, chills, fatigue and muscle aches.
Categories: Science 2.0
New Study Shows Shrinking Snow Coverage
A new study examining regional snow cover trends across the Northern Hemisphere found seasonal shifts in snow - and a lot less of it.
The authors used the Rutgers University Global Snow Lab Northern Hemisphere Weekly Snow Cover Extent Data Record to determine whether snow cover across the Northern Hemisphere is increasing or decreasing. Then their two-state Markov chain model with periodic dynamics was used to analyze snow cover and found that significantly more areas are losing snow cover than gaining it.
And the seasons were changing.
Central Park in New York City. Credit: Mary Pollitz
The authors used the Rutgers University Global Snow Lab Northern Hemisphere Weekly Snow Cover Extent Data Record to determine whether snow cover across the Northern Hemisphere is increasing or decreasing. Then their two-state Markov chain model with periodic dynamics was used to analyze snow cover and found that significantly more areas are losing snow cover than gaining it.
And the seasons were changing.
Central Park in New York City. Credit: Mary Pollitz
Categories: Science 2.0