science news 7.11.2019

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 in italics in cases where the title alone doesn't reveal what the story is about. My own thoughts appear without italics if I have any.


conservation

The importance of Madagascar's lowland rainforest for lemur conservation



A new Mammal Review study shows that the few remaining patches of lowland rainforest host the highest levels of lemur abundance for several species.
Credit: Marco Campera



nanoworld

Structural and biochemical studies clarify the methylation mechanism of anticodon in tRNA
These studies look like nerdy little details to most people, but I do believe that the clues to the origin of life (ie how did RNA begin to make protein) is encoded in there somewhere.

A solution to a hairy problem in forensic science
In an effort to make hair comparison a more useful technique for investigating crimes, scientists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have developed a new way to dissolve hair proteins without destroying them. Once in solution, the protein molecules from two hairs can be analyzed and compared, yielding objective, quantitative results.


food and drink

How hot (and not-so-hot) compounds in chili peppers change during ripening


sustainability

Nature might be better than tech at reducing air pollution
doesn't seem to work indoors though, compare and contrast:

Study: Actually, potted plants don't improve indoor air quality


humans

Autistic adults thought they were 'bad people'



The reproductive function of the clitoris



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From the news media:


The film 2040 - a documentary about how we can still save the world from climate collapse, reviewed by Peter Bradshaw in the Guardian.