Fwd: Science X Newsletter Thursday, Apr 28

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Od: Newsletter Science X <not-for-reply@physorg.com>
Date: pt., 29 kwi 2022, 02:19
Subject: Science X Newsletter Thursday, Apr 28
To: Andrzej Antoni Czerwinski <andrzej.czerwinski22@gmail.com>

Dear Andrzej Antoni Czerwinski,

Be an ACS Industry Insider: https://solutions.acs.org/industryinsider/

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Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for April 28, 2022:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Dopamine modulation could help to treat stress-induced anhedonia

Study traces the origins and diffusion of image memes online

Huge new ichthyosaur, one of the largest animals ever, uncovered high in the Alps

Researchers discover new function performed by nearly half of brain cells

Study examines keys to developing better batteries

Unchecked global emissions on track to initiate mass extinction of marine life

From seawater to drinking water, with the push of a button

Good dog or bad dog? New study shows that breed isn't really a predictor of behavior

Gene mutations that contribute to head and neck cancer also provide 'precision' treatment targets

Earth's atmosphere may be source of some lunar water

Bird populations in eastern Canada declining due to forest 'degradation,' research shows

Biological pathways found that drive genomic changes and bone metastasis in ewing sarcoma, a rare childhood cancer

New study finds climate change could spark the next pandemic

New study identifies genetic changes in patients who progress to esophageal cancer

New article outlines the characteristics of a 'longevity diet'

Nanotechnology news

	Building 'nanofactories' to help make medicines and more Thanks to a lesser-known feature of microbiology, Michigan State University researchers have helped open a door that could lead to medicines, vitamins and more being made at lower costs and with improved efficiency.
	Harnessing the powers of light to operate computers It is said that light is the source of life, and in the near future, it will possibly form the basis of our everyday personal computing needs too. Recently, researchers from the University of Tsukuba have harnessed specific energies of light from a "packet" of light by creating a nanocavity, which may help in the development of future all-optical computers.
	Skyrmions on the rise: New 2D material advances low-power computing Two-dimensional magnetic materials have been hailed as building blocks for the next generation of small, fast electronic devices. These materials, made of layers of crystalline sheets just a few atoms thick, gain their unique magnetic properties from the intrinsic compass-needle-like spins of their electrons. The sheets' atomic-scale thinness means that these spins can be manipulated on the finest scales using external electric fields, potentially leading to novel low-energy data storage and information processing systems. But knowing exactly how to design 2D materials with specific magnetic properties that can be precisely manipulated remains a barrier to their application.
	Researchers create self-assembled logic circuits from proteins In a proof-of-concept study, researchers have created self-assembled, protein-based circuits that can perform simple logic functions. The work demonstrates that it is possible to create stable digital circuits that take advantage of an electron's properties at quantum scales.
	New strategy to boost pseudocapacitive performance of micro-supercapacitors Graphene-based micro-supercapacitors (EG-MSCs) combine the distinct properties of graphene and the advantages of planar device configuration to maximize charge storage. Therefore, they can provide more flexible, smaller, and thinner devices.
	Beyond van der Waals: The next generation of covalent 2D-2D heterostructures A team of scientists have "velcroed" 2D structures of MoS2 and graphene using a covalent connection for the first time. The 2D-2D structures were used to build robust field effect transistors with controlled electronic communication, interface chemical nature and interlayer distance.

Physics news

	How quantum weirdness is improving electron microscopes Quantum weirdness is opening new doors for electron microscopes, powerful tools used for high-resolution imaging.
	New theory explains mystery behind fast magnetic reconnection When magnetic field lines of opposite directions merge, they create explosions that can release massive amounts of energy. On the sun, the merging of opposing field lines causes solar flares and coronal mass ejections, giant bursts of energy that can travel to Earth within a day.
	Researchers add antireflection coatings to complex 3D printed micro-optical systems Researchers have developed a new way to apply antireflective (AR) coatings to 3D printed multi-lens systems as small as 600 microns in diameter. Because these coatings help minimize light losses due to reflection, they are critical for making high-quality 3D printed systems consisting of multiple microlenses.
	Researchers design simpler magnets for twisty facilities that could lead to steady-state fusion operation Harnessing the power that makes the sun and stars shine could be made easier by powerful magnets with straighter shapes than have been made before. Researchers linked to the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) have found a way to create such magnets for fusion facilities known as stellarators.
	'Lensless' imaging through advanced machine learning for next generation image sensing solutions A camera usually requires a lens system to capture a focused image, and the lensed camera has been the dominant imaging solution for centuries. A lensed camera requires a complex lens system to achieve high-quality, bright, and aberration-free imaging. Recent decades have seen a surge in the demand for smaller, lighter, and cheaper cameras. There is a clear need for next-generation cameras with high functionality, compact enough to be installed anywhere. However, the miniaturization of the lensed camera is restricted by the lens system and the focusing distance required by refractive lenses.
	Laser-based ultrasound detects defect-producing features in metal 3D printing Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) researchers have developed a new all-optical ultrasound technique capable of performing on-demand characterization of melt tracks and detecting formation of defects in a popular metal 3D printing process.
	Time‑correlated single‑photon counting technique to visualize weak pulse electroluminescence Time‑correlated single‑photon counting (TCSPC) technique is a powerful way to measure the weak light signals. The basic principle behind TCSPC is the photoelectric effect in which an electrical charge is released by absorbing a photon. Compared to the traditional strategy of detecting analog photogenerated voltage, the TCSPC technique counts the single electron pulse created by single photons, which means its sensitivity can be up to single-photon level as its name implies. In fact, the TCSPC technique has been successfully employed to detect the transient/burst photoluminescence (PL) in many research fields, and the transient spectrometer is common equipment in many labs.

Earth news

	Unchecked global emissions on track to initiate mass extinction of marine life As greenhouse gas emissions continue to warm the world's oceans, marine biodiversity could be on track to plummet within the next few centuries to levels not seen since the extinction of the dinosaurs, according to a recent study in the journal Science by Princeton University researchers.
	Scientists call for cap on production to end plastic pollution Now, after the United Nations' historic decision to adopt a global treaty to end plastic pollution earlier this year, governmental negotiations on the agreement are set to begin on May 30th. These will foster intense debates on what kind of measures will be needed to end the pollution of the air, soils, rivers and oceans with plastic debris and microplastics.
	New method can predict summer rainfall in the Southwest months in advance As reservoir levels dwindle in the arid southwestern United States, scientists have developed a method to estimate summer rainfall in the region months in advance. Such seasonal predictions can help state and local officials make key reservoir storage and water allocation decisions earlier in the season and support more efficient water management.
	Model pinpoints glaciers at risk of collapse due to climate change As climate change warms the planet, glaciers are melting faster, and scientists fear that many will collapse by the end of the century, drastically raising sea level and inundating coastal cities and island nations.
	Research team finds that some magmas originate from mantle portions containing remnants of Earth's earliest crust In an international collaboration, Earth scientists at the University of Cologne and Freie Universität Berlin have discovered that some magmas on Earth, which made their way through the deep terrestrial mantle and erupted at Earth's surface, originate from mantle portions that contain remnants of Earth's earliest crust. This ancient material must have been buried in a "graveyard" of old and cold crust more than 4 billion years ago and survived since then, maybe since the giant impact event that formed the moon.
	Diminishing Arctic sea ice has lasting impacts on global climate As the impacts of climate change are felt around the world, no area is experiencing more drastic changes than the northern polar region. Studies have shown the Arctic is warming at two to three times as fast as the rest of the planet, resulting in a rapid loss of its sea ice volume.
	Simple changes could deliver greener future for booming food delivery industry The booming food delivery sector can contribute to net-zero carbon targets by making simple changes to ordering platforms, according to a new study.
	New earthquake assessments strengthen preparedness in Europe During the 20th century, earthquakes in Europe accounted for more than 200,000 deaths and over 250 billion Euros in losses. Comprehensive earthquake hazard and risk assessments are crucial to reducing the effects of catastrophic earthquakes because earthquakes cannot be prevented nor precisely predicted.
	We must halve our energy use to avoid climate catastrophe, according to new modelling Renewable energy transition won't come fast enough to solve the climate crisis—we also need to reduce global energy consumption, according to new research from UNSW Sydney.
	Researchers aim to accurately monitor subsurface carbon dioxide storage Capturing and storing carbon dioxide (CO2) deep underground can help combat climate change, but long-term monitoring of the stored CO2 within a geological storage site is difficult using current physics-based methods.
	New study simulates San Francisco's worst storms in future climate conditions The December 2014 North American Storm Complex was a powerful winter storm, referred to by some as California's "Storm of the Decade." Fueled by an atmospheric river originating over the tropical waters of the Pacific Ocean, the storm dropped 8 inches of rainfall in 24 hours, sported wind gusts of 139 miles per hour, and left 150,000 households without power across the San Francisco Bay Area.
	Space-based system using GPS satellites could warn of incoming tsunamis Initial tsunami waves are typically a few centimeters high, but nonetheless cause a disturbance in the Earth's upper atmosphere by pushing up air and creating an acoustic wave that is amplified as it goes higher.
	Extinction Rebellion scientists: Why we glued ourselves to a government department One recent Wednesday, while most scientists around the world were carrying out their research, we stepped away from our day jobs to engage in a more direct form of communication.
	How are the physical characteristics of the coal-fluid system reflected in ultrasound? Around the beginning of the 21st century, the world economy entered a new development cycle, and the demand for oil and natural gas resources around the world has skyrocketed. In the face of this huge energy demand, people are beginning to pay more attention to unconventional oil and natural gas resources. Coalbed methane (CBM) is a gas resource associated and symbiotic with coal. CBM is mainly hydrocarbon gas adsorbed on the pore surface of coal matrix and partially freed in pores or dissolved in water. It is, as an associated mineral resource of coal, a clean, high-quality energy and chemical raw material. It is well-known that the burial depth of CBM reservoirs ranges from hundreds of meters to several thousand meters, and its gas-liquid-solid interaction mechanism is complex. So, it is often necessary to obtain the fluid-coal information by means of, for example, acoustic logging. At present, many scholars have carried out the acoustic research on the fluid-coal system. However, there are relatively few studies on the acoustic characteristics of the gas-liquid-solid linkage effect, especially the fluid saturation effect under different coal rank conditions.
	South Asia wilts in heat as Delhi rubbish dump burns Millions sweltered in a dangerous early summer heatwave Thursday across India and Pakistan that has led to power and water shortages as annual furnace-like temperatures hit South Asia.

Astronomy and Space news

	Earth's atmosphere may be source of some lunar water Hydrogen and oxygen ions escaping from Earth's upper atmosphere and combining on the moon could be one of the sources of the known lunar water and ice, according to new research by University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute scientists.
	Spinning stars shed new light on strange signal coming from galactic center Researchers from The Australian National University (ANU) have found an alternative explanation for a mysterious gamma-ray signal coming from the center of the galaxy, which was long claimed as a signature of dark matter.
	Discovery of 30 exocomets in a young planetary system For the past 30 years, the star β Pictoris has fascinated astronomers because it enables them to observe a planetary system in the process of formation. It is made up of at least two young planets, and also contains comets, which were detected as early as 1987. These were the first comets ever observed around a star other than the sun.
	NASA's Webb telescope is now in full focus, ready for instrument commissioning Alignment of NASA's James Webb Space Telescope is now complete. After full review, the observatory has been confirmed to be capable of capturing crisp, well-focused images with each of its four powerful onboard science instruments. Upon completing the seventh and final stage of telescope alignment, the team held a set of key decision meetings and unanimously agreed that Webb is ready to move forward into its next and final series of preparations, known as science instrument commissioning. This process will take about two months before scientific operations begin in the summer.
	Enigmatic rock layer in Mars' Gale crater awaits measurements by the Curiosity rover Scientists have been studying the sediments within Mars' Gale crater for many years using orbital data sets, but thanks to the Curiosity rover driving across these deposits we can also obtain up-close observations and detailed measurements of the rocks, similar to field work done by geologists on Earth.
	New proton capture rate of arsenic-65 changes periodic thermonuclear X-ray bursts A research team at the Institute of Modern Physics (IMP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), together with international collaborators at Monash University and the Joint Institute for Nuclear Astrophysics, has computed a significantly revised proton capture reaction rate of arsenic-65 for the extreme astrophysical environments of accreting neutron stars, permitting astrophysicists to probe the mechanism of periodic thermonuclear X-ray bursts. This study has been published in The Astrophysical Journal.
	Canada to prosecute crimes on the moon Canadian lawmakers on Thursday passed an amendment to the nation's Criminal Code to allow for the prosecution of crimes committed on the moon.

Technology news

	Study traces the origins and diffusion of image memes online Memes, images or videos with text overlays that convey funny messages to specific audiences are a well-known global phenomenon. As they tend to rapidly circulate online and become viral quickly, memes are also sometimes included in marketing and social engagement strategies.
	Study examines keys to developing better batteries It doesn't come on fast. It may take weeks to notice. You have the newly recharged lithium-ion AA batteries in the wireless kitty water fountain, and they last two days. They once lasted a week or more. Another round of charging, and they last one day. Soon, nothing.
	From seawater to drinking water, with the push of a button MIT researchers have developed a portable desalination unit, weighing less than 10 kilograms, that can remove particles and salts to generate drinking water.
	Chinese scientists develop highly robust stretchable electrode for E-skin applications Prof. Li Runwei's group at the Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering (NIMTE) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, cooperating with Prof. Zhu Guang's group from University of Nottingham Ningbo China, has developed a nano-liquid-metal-based highly robust stretchable electrode (NHSE) for multiple electronic skin (e-skin) applications, such as human healthcare monitoring and human-machine interaction. The results were published in InfoMat as a cover article.
	Can your mobile phone get a virus? Yes, and you'll have to look carefully to see the signs With nearly 84% of the world's population now owning a smartphone, and our dependence on them growing all the time, these devices have become an attractive avenue for scammers.
	Lithium-ion battery charged to 60% in 5.6 minutes with ordered anode A team of researchers affiliated with multiple institutions in China has increased the speed of charging a lithium-ion battery by adding a copper coating and nanowires to its anode to improve ordering. Their study is published in the journal Science Advances.
	Ionic liquid-based reservoir computing yields efficient and flexible edge computing Artificial intelligence (AI) is fast becoming ubiquitous in modern society and will feature a broader implementation in the coming years. In applications involving sensors and Internet-of-Things devices, the norm is often edge AI, a technology in which the computing and analyses are performed close to the user (where the data is collected) and not far away on a centralized server. This is because edge AI has low power requirements as well as high-speed data processing capabilities, traits that are particularly desirable in processing time-series data in real time.
	Scientific advance leads to a new tool in the fight against hackers A new form of security identification could soon see the light of day and help us protect our data from hackers and cybercriminals. Quantum mathematicians at the University of Copenhagen have solved a mathematical riddle that allows for a person's geographical location to be used as a personal ID that is secure against even the most advanced cyber attacks.
	Developing a better ionic skin In the quest to build smart skin that mimics the sensing capabilities of natural skin, ionic skins have shown significant advantages. They're made of flexible, biocompatible hydrogels that use ions to carry an electrical charge. In contrast to smart skins made of plastics and metals, the hydrogels have the softness of natural skin. This offers a more natural feel to the prosthetic arm or robot hand they are mounted on, and makes them comfortable to wear.
	China grants first driverless taxi permits to Baidu, Pony.ai China has granted Chinese internet services company Baidu and a rival autonomous car company, Pony.ai, permits to provide driverless ride-hailing services to the public in Beijing, a significant regulatory step in the country's pursuit of driverless technology.
	Samsung Electronics Q1 net profit up almost 60 percent South Korean tech giant Samsung Electronics posted a near 60 percent rise in first-quarter net profits on Thursday, largely driven by steady memory chip demand and brisk smartphone sales.
	Net zero by 2050 will hit a major timing problem technology can't solve. We need to talk about cutting consumption Many climate activists, scientists, engineers and politicians are trying to reassure us the climate crisis can be solved rapidly without any changes to lifestyle, society or the economy.
	New language-learning algorithms risk reinforcing inequalities, social fragmentation The use of large language models could transform many facets of modern life, including how policymakers assess public sentiment about pending legislation, how patients evaluate their medical care and how scientists could translate research findings across languages.
	Transport apps are being hailed as a sustainable alternative to driving, but they're not female-friendly The UK's roads are some of the main culprits of its greenhouse gas emissions. And in 2020, 92% of passenger kilometers traveled in the UK was made by cars, vans and taxis. That means getting around by private vehicle has a disproportionately large negative impact on the environment.
	Apple Self Service Repair: Now you can fix your own iPhone Own an iPhone in need of repair? You now have the choice to fix it yourself.
	Mixed-reality driving simulator a low-cost alternative Cornell Tech researchers have developed a mixed-reality (XR) driving simulator system that could lower the cost of testing vehicle systems and interfaces, such as the turn signal and dashboard.
	More than half of young people are concerned about personal data security, says study Sociologists at the Ural Federal University (UrFU) have identified digital fears among young people. According to experts, these are additional fears that do not replace, but complement and reinforce traditional ones. They have emerged against the background of uncertainty, the growth of forces beyond human control. Developed emotional intelligence, creativity, and the ability to collaborate help to overcome them.
	Apple's revenue, profit top analyst views in latest quarter Apple on Thursday reported quarterly results that topped analysts' profit projections despite supply shortages, economic fallout from the Russia-Ukraine war and a growth slowdown from the huge sales lift that technology products and service got from pandemic restrictions.
	Amazon reports rare quarterly loss as online shopping slows Amazon reported its first quarterly loss since 2015 on Thursday, its money-making juggernaut stalled by a slowdown in pandemic-induced online shopping and a huge write-down of its investment in an electric-vehicle startup.
	Twitter reporting earnings on heels of Elon Musk buyout deal Twitter, which has agreed to be sold to billionaire Elon Musk, is due to report its first-quarter earnings Thursday before trading opens on Wall Street.
	EXPLAINER: What Twitter could do as privately held company If Elon Musk and Twitter get their way, the company will soon be privately held and under his control.
	Nokia's Q1 profits eroded by Russia withdrawal Finnish telecom equipment maker Nokia on Thursday announced a 17 percent fall in quarterly profits due to its withdrawal from Russia and supply problems but said it would meet this year's target.
	Judge sides with Elon Musk in lawsuit over SolarCity A judge in the state of Delaware on Wednesday handed Tesla chief Elon Musk a victory in a shareholder lawsuit filed over the controversial buy of solar panel maker SolarCity.
	Ford confirms 2022 profit outlook despite lingering semiconductor crunch Ford confirmed its 2022 profit outlook Wednesday despite lower quarterly auto sales as strong vehicle pricing offsets the hit from higher operating costs and the ongoing semiconductor chip shortage.
	Huawei's Q1 sales down 14% as U.S. sanctions remain Chinese telecoms equipment and smartphone maker Huawei's sales fell 14% in January-March from a year earlier as it pumped money into research and development while grappling with U.S. sanctions, according to figures released by the company Thursday.
	China cuts coal import taxes to zero to ensure energy supply China will slash coal import tariffs to ensure energy security, the finance ministry said Thursday, the latest move to cast doubt on the country's environmental promises.
	Twitter, in possibly last quarterly report, sees user growth Twitter's quarterly profit, revenue and the number of daily users on its platform are rising but its quarterly report, released days after agreeing to be sold to billionaire Elon Musk, offered scant details about what it expects on the financial front for the rest of the year.
	Social media regulation: Why we must ensure it is democratic and inclusive News that the world's richest man, Elon Musk, is buying Twitter has sent the world into a spin, dividing those who advocate for unfettered free speech—like Musk—and those who believe that some platforms wield too much power and influence. But the ultimate outcome for Twitter may depend heavily on social media regulation.
	Free speech, meet Elon Musk's Twitter This week, billionaire Elon Musk struck a deal to buy Twitter for $44 billion. His statements before and since have led many to believe he intends to ease or eliminate content moderation. "Free speech is the bedrock of a functioning democracy, and Twitter is the digital town square where matters vital to the future of humanity are debated," he said. Here, UCR professor of political science and public policy Kevin Esterling weighs in on Musk's pending acquisition. Esterling is director of the Laboratory for Technology, Communication and Democracy.
	Disney 'metaverse' begins to take shape Walt Disney Co. has brought its characters to life in its theme parks and expanded its franchises through streaming services.
	Crypto miners' electricity use in Texas would equal another Houston The Texas grid operator expects crypto miners to increase electricity demand by up to 6 gigawatts by mid-2023, more than enough to power every home in Houston.
	Meta expanding massive $1 billion Illinois data center, set to power everything from Facebook to Instagram Meta, the social media giant formerly known as Facebook, is expanding its massive $1 billion data center under construction in DeKalb to nearly 2.4 million square feet, putting the college town west of Chicago at the center of its metaverse.
	Why does Elon Musk want to take Twitter private, and what does it mean for shareholders? Billionaire Elon Musk plans to make Twitter a private company following his $44 billion deal to buy the social media platform.

Chemistry news

	Team creates map for production of eco-friendly metals In work that could usher in more efficient, eco-friendly processes for the production of important metals like lithium, iron and cobalt, researchers from MIT and SLAC have mapped what is happening at the atomic level behind a particularly promising approach called metal electrolysis.
	Researchers unlock potential means to reduce reliance on rare metals A research group, utilizing inexpensive elements, has demonstrated the feasibility of synthesizing electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). If explored further, this method could reduce industrial reliance on rare metals such as cobalt and nickel.
	Hybrid electro-biosystem upcycles carbon dioxide into energy-rich long-chain compounds Artificial upcycling of carbon dioxide (CO2) into value-added products in a sustainable manner represents an opportunity to tackle environmental issues and realize a circular economy.
	What drives rechargeable battery decay? D