Uncategorized
- Archaeology
Shells may represent oldest known beads
Researchers have identified three perforated shells dating to around 100,000 years ago as beads, making these finds the oldest known examples of personal decoration.
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19705
As a malacologist, I enjoyed this article. Although the holes look like what could be made with a stone tool, the Science paper acknowledged that a small percentage of naturally occurring holes look similar. Either the people deliberately selected shells with suitable holes or else they perforated them deliberately. Both options show effort at obtaining […]
- Earth
Underwater landslides tallied near Puerto Rico
An oceanographic survey off the northern coast of Puerto Rico has found remnants of many underwater landslides, a handful of which were large enough to have caused deadly tsunamis.
- Earth
Fast-food flies ferry foul fauna
Houseflies buzzing around fast-food restaurants could be spreading antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
- Chemistry
Fungus foils polymer that defeats recycling
A common tree-rotting fungus is the first to break down an otherwise impervious resin found in plywood and fiberboard.
- Planetary Science
Lots of red dust, but not much noise
In space, no one can hear you scream, but a new analysis suggests that it's pretty quiet on Mars, too.
- Health & Medicine
Salmonella may join fight against cancer
Salmonella modified to remove its virulence works as a cancer vaccine, tests in mice show.
- Earth
Asian sediments betray age of nearby desert
Grains of silt embedded in thick sediments of northwestern China may settle a debate about the age of the Taklimakan Desert.
- Earth
Dirty Little Secret
Recognition is growing that many communities have soils laced with asbestos, which has prodded several federal agencies to probe the hazards they might pose.
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19704
When discussing how polarized light can help clarify our understanding of supernova mechanisms, this article initially quotes Doug Leonard’s explanation that “one does not see deeper into an object using polarimetry.” Later, the story says that “polarization studies viewed deeper and deeper layers of the explosion.” Which is it? Hal HeatonDamascus, Md. Polarization studies don’t […]
- Astronomy
Astronomy Gets Polarized
Studies using polarized light, an endeavor once considered astronomy's stepchild, are now elucidating the shape of supernovas as well as providing new details about the early universe.
- Math
Magic Square Physics
Taking a magic square or cube for a spin reveals some interesting properties. For more math, visit the MathTrek blog.
