science news 1.2.2019

Today's selection of science news. Links are normally to press releases on EurekAlert (at the bottom end I may also add a couple of newspaper stories). I include quotes from the summary (using quotation marks) in cases where the title alone doesn't reveal what the story is about.


astrobiology

Ancient asteroid impacts played a role in creation of Earth's future continents

Membraneless protocells could provide clues to formation of early life

New research uses Curiosity rover to measure gravity on Mars


evolution

Earth's largest extinction event likely took plants first
That's the Permian-Triassic extinction 252 million years ago.

Iguana-sized dinosaur cousin discovered in Antarctica
250 million years ago, just after the extinction above.

Ancient pandas weren't exclusive bamboo eaters, bone evidence suggests



climate

Waters west of Europe drive ocean overturning circulation, key for regulating climate



ecology

The 100 Australian plant species facing extinction

Citizen scientists discover pinhead-sized beetle in Borneo



The newly discovered species of leaf beetle, Clavicornaltica belalongensis.
Credit: Taxon Expeditions - Pierre Escoubas



humans

Medical cannabis relieves symptoms in children with autism




technology


Mean streets: Self-driving cars will 'cruise' to avoid paying to park
Ban them now, that's the solution.


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from the news media:

print your own Rodin sculpture (I'd rather have the kiss than the thinker, though!)

Britain's earliest evidence of beer discovered


The evil things that cruise ships get up to ...