science news 2.4.2019

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. My own thoughts appear without quotation marks, if I have any.


evolution

UTA biologist shows new insights into chromosome evolution, venom regulation in snakes

The evolution of bird-of-paradise sex chromosomes revealed

Scientists construct new family tree for perching birds



White-bellied Sunbird (Cinnyris talatala) in Kruger National Park, South Africa. These Old World ecological analogues of hummingbirds have convergently acquired a penchant for nectar and stunning iridescence.
Credit: Daniel J. Field, University of Cambridge


synthetic biology

First bacterial genome created entirely with a computer


recycling

New 'blue-green' solution for recycling world's batteries
"Rice University materials scientists demonstrate an environmentally friendly solution to remove valuable cobalt and lithium metals from spent lithium-ion batteries. The metals and the eutectic solvent they use to extract them can then be recycled."


humans

Can technology improve even though people don't understand what they are doing?
"New experimental work by an ASU research team suggests that cultural evolution can generate new adaptive knowledge even though people don't understand what they are doing."


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biodegradable vibrators and vegan condoms - Amy Fleming looks for sustainability in all things sexual.