ScienceDesk

ScienceDesk, 7 days ago to science

Could magma be moving deep below the surface on the border of Germany and the Czech Republic? And if so, what is the significance? Recently installed seismometers in the Vogtland region captured a swarm of earthquakes, suggesting a “complex seismic situation” could be developing. Live Science explains.
https://flip.it/xMLNt9
#Science #Earthquakes #Germany #CzechRepublic #Geology

ScienceDesk, 8 days ago to science

The solar storm that provided the magnificent view of the northern lights on Friday night may put on an encore. CNN has more on how you can catch the show. https://flip.it/zrFNqq
#Science #NorthernLights #AuroraBorealis #Space #SolarStorm

ScienceDesk, 8 days ago to science

Scientists may have found a way to make biodegradable plastic from algae, a development that could potentially diminish the harmful effects of microplastics that linger for thousands of years. ABC News reports: https://flip.it/mizbsY
#Science #Plastics #Environment

ScienceDesk, 9 days ago to science

You already know not to take an AI chatbot seriously. But there may be reason to be even more cautious. New research has found that many AI systems have already started to deliberately present human users with false information. Science Alert explains why "AI developers do not have a confident understanding of what causes undesirable AI behaviors like deception.”
https://flip.it/ZbnJtj
#Science #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #Chatbot #Tech

ScienceDesk, 9 days ago to Japan

Could snow trigger earthquakes? A new study in the journal Science Advances says thousands of quakes on Japan’s Noto Peninsula since 2020 could be linked to the region’s heavy snowfall, pointing to the weather correlating with “earthquake swarms.” While the study doesn’t say that climate directly causes the earthquakes, it suggests the rate of the seismic events could fluctuate depending on the weight of water on the surface and the movement of water below. Read more from NBC News.

https://flip.it/QdW0_j

#Earthquakes #Japan #Geology #Snow #Snowfall

ScienceDesk, 9 days ago to ocean

Small but mighty, plankton are some of the most powerful creatures on Earth.

For @TheConversationUS, a marine conservationist writes: "Plankton are critical to marine ecosystems and to humans, but often glide under the radar of our interest."

https://flip.it/w_xF.r

#Plankton #Ocean #MarineBiology #Biology #Science #Animals

ScienceDesk, 9 days ago to space

A rare severe geomagnetic storm watch is issued for the first time in nearly 20 years amid "unusual" solar event.

CBS News quotes the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA): "Geomagnetic storms can impact infrastructure in near-Earth orbit and on Earth's surface, potentially disrupting communications, the electric power grid, navigation, radio and satellite operations."

https://flip.it/6cGvxW

#Sun #SolarFlare #Geomagnetic #Space #Science

ScienceDesk, 10 days ago to science

Jonathan An, an assistant professor of oral sciences, tries to ignore the hype around new life-extension treatments. But while studying for his doctorate in dentistry, An experimented with a drug normally used for organ transplant rejection on mice with oral disease. It worked, and An plans to test the drug on humans next. We may not live forever, but could science help us enjoy the time we have? Read more from Vox: https://flip.it/i0-9ZS
#Science #Health #Medicine #Longevity

ScienceDesk, 10 days ago to science

Several companies are offering people in mourning a chance to chat with a “simulation” of a deceased loved one. Some say it feels like they’re speaking to them from beyond the grave, while others find it disconcerting and manipulative. Ethicists Tomasz Hollanek and Katarzyna Nowaczyk-Basińska from the University of Cambridge are the latest to voice their concerns over the risks of the "digital afterlife industry." Here’s more from Science Alert: https://flip.it/C6.06y
#Science #AI #Ethics #Humans

ScienceDesk, 10 days ago to science

When Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai erupted in January 2022, the underwater volcano in the South Pacific unleashed the most intense lightning storm ever recorded and set off a mega-tsunami that was hundreds of feet high. Research indicated the eruption was fueled by two merging magma chambers. Now, scientists are looking at another potential trigger. Live Science has more: https://flip.it/ZAjd2N
#Science #Geology #Volcano #Eruption #Tonga

ScienceDesk, 10 days ago to earthquake

Two giant blobs lurk deep within the Earth, but why?

From @popsci "Some scientists believe they could be responsible for plate tectonics."

https://flip.it/ZswokA

#Earth #Earthquake #Volcano #Science

ScienceDesk, 11 days ago to Weather

The U.S. National Weather Service issues tornado warnings, watches and emergencies. Do you know the difference between the three terms?

AP explains: https://flip.it/kO4VDw

#Tornado #Weather #NWS #Storm #Meteorology

ScienceDesk, 11 days ago to Futurology

"A team of researchers have built a vision implant with tiny electrodes the size of a neuron, seeking to help blind people see again."

The Next Web reports: "Initial tests in mice showed that the implant can effectively stimulate visual perception using only a small amount of electricity."

https://flip.it/2Z5SA2

Here's the original study: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/adhm.202304169

#Eyes #Vision #Research #Science

ScienceDesk, 11 days ago to animals

Scientists are learning the basic building blocks of sperm whale language after years of effort.

AP reports on new research from the Caribbean island of Dominica: https://flip.it/43UWRD

#Whales #Animals #Language #Science

ScienceDesk, 12 days ago to climate

"Earth has just experienced its 11th straight warmest month on record -- a preview of the brutal temperatures forecast for the summer, according to scientists."

ABC News reports: "May 2023 through April 2024 was the warmest 12-month stretch on record with a global average temperature of 2.90 degrees Fahrenheit above the 1850 to 1900 pre-industrial average."

https://flip.it/.uYDvT

#Climate #ClimateChange #Heat #Environment

ScienceDesk, 12 days ago to SpaceX

"Over the weekend the crew of the upcoming Polaris Dawn mission shared a wealth of details about the intriguing private mission that will send humans farther than they have flown from Earth in half a century."

Here's an article by Eric Berger of @arstechnica: "Why a rich guy going to space for a second time actually matters."

https://flip.it/k_Qa7k

#Polaris #SpaceX #Space #NASA #Astronauts

ScienceDesk, 12 days ago to climate

We hate to be pessimistic, but have you ever wondered if/when will humans become extinct? A supercomputer simulation has the possible answer.

BGR reports on a new study: https://flip.it/i65vTe

Here's the study: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41561-023-01259-3

#Extinction #ClimateChange #Humanity #Science

ScienceDesk, 13 days ago to space

"Boeing called off its first astronaut launch because of a valve problem on the rocket Monday night."

AP reports: "The two NASA test pilots had just strapped into Boeing’s Starliner capsule for a flight to the International Space Station when the countdown was halted, just two hours before the planned liftoff."

https://flip.it/_Od3IK

#Boeing #Starliner #Space #NASA

ScienceDesk, 13 days ago to space

Venus wasn’t always hot and uninhabitable. Scientists think the second planet from the sun could have had as much water as Earth billions of years ago, and may have even supported life if any of that water was in liquid form. But researchers have a new theory as to how our neighbor in the solar system lost nearly all of its water and why it may have happened far faster than initially thought. The Conversation has more on the study.

https://flip.it/bY7VOz

#Venus #Space #Water #Life #Gas

ScienceDesk, 13 days ago to Medicine

Scientists have identified a genetic form of Alzheimer’s disease in older people, pinpointing a gene of which some people carry two copies. The gene, called APOE4, is not only a risk factor but an underlying cause for the disease when found twice in a person’s DNA, researchers say. Finding a way to target APOE4 in treatment is crucial because Leqembi, the only drug found to slow the disease, causes dangerous side effects in people with the gene. The Associated Press has more.

https://flip.it/vmFuUY

#Alzheimers #Medicine #OldAge #Disease #Genes

ScienceDesk, 13 days ago to Birds

After trillions of periodical cicadas emerged from years of burrowing in the U.S. last month, scientists are hoping to capitalize on the rare event by studying the effects the insects have on the food chain. Brood XIII and Brood XIX are loudly buzzing across America together for the first time since 1803, making 2024 a year of plentiful food for for snakes, spiders, birds, and even some mammals. But what happens when this all-you-can-eat buffet doesn’t come back next year? The BBC has more.

https://flip.it/jmPafG

#FoodChain #Cicadas #MidWest #Birds

ScienceDesk, 13 days ago to science

Largest-ever marine reptile found with help from an 11-year-old girl.

NPR reports on an amazing discovery in southwest England: https://flip.it/wPiFoq

#Fossil #Paleontology #Science

ScienceDesk, 14 days ago to science

Video chat apps like Facebook Messenger have often been a favored option for people who want to stay connected to friends and family. Could the same be said of parrots? Popular Science tells us what happened when scientists taught some parrots to video chat. https://flip.it/QqyEWw
#Science #Pets #Animals #Tech

ScienceDesk, 14 days ago to science

If you’re looking for something other than binge-watching to keep you up into the wee hours of the morning, check your weather forecast. If it’s clear, you could be in for a treat: The Eta Aquariid meteor shower is expected to be one of the best shows in recent years. Read more at CNN: https://flip.it/dnbgYT
#Science #Space #Meteors #MeteorShower

ScienceDesk, 15 days ago to science

Brain implant technology is rapidly advancing and can help people find their voice or beat neurological disorders. But what happens when the implant is no longer supported by its producer? Science Alert has more on the technology’s huge potential and its downsides: https://flip.it/yDq3i5
#Science Health #Brain #Technology