astrobiology
Astronomers capture rare images of planet-forming disks around stars
Astronomers could spot life signs orbiting long-dead stars
To help future scientists make sense of what their telescopes are showing them, Cornell University astronomers have developed a spectral field guide for rocky worlds orbiting white dwarf stars.
ecology
Coffee plants have a small but consistent core microbiome of fungi and bacteria
Naked mole-rats need carbon dioxide to avoid seizures and here's why
Good for them that humans are changing the atmosphere to meet their needs.
A second PR for the same paper in Current Biology highlighted neuro-behavioural aspects:
Mole-rats' failure to social distance offers clue for treating some neurological disorders
This image shows an African naked mole-rat
Credit: Roland Gockel
conservation
Study helps arboreta, botanical gardens meet genetic diversity conservation goals
See also my feature on botanic gardens and their role in conservation (free access).
light and life
Eyes send an unexpected signal to the brain
a subset of retinal neurons sends inhibitory signals (circadian-related)
sustainability
Water is key in catalytic conversion of methane to methanol
Scientists reveal new details that explain how a highly selective catalyst converts methane, the main component of natural gas, to methanol, an easy-to-transport liquid fuel and feedstock for making plastics, paints, and other commodity products. The findings could aid the design of even more efficient/selective catalysts to make methane conversion an economically viable and environmentally attractive alternative to venting or flaring 'waste' gas.
Flaring should just be banned full stop.
humans
African skeletons from early colonial Mexico tell the story of first-generation slaves
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