science news 5.4.2019

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.


astrobiology

Scientists discover a small, dense planet orbiting a white dwarf

Life on Mars?
"Researchers from Hungary have discovered embedded organic material in a Martian meteorite found in the late 1970s. The scientists were able to determine the presence of organic matter in mineralized form such as different forms of bacteria within the meteorite, suggesting that life could have existed on the Red Planet."


evolution

Noncoding DNA drives the convergent loss of flight in flightless birds

Jurassic crocodile discovery sheds light on reptiles' family tree

Ancient, four-legged whale with otter-like features found along the coast of Peru



This illustration shows an artistic reconstruction of two individuals of Peregocetus, one standing along the rocky shore of nowadays Peru and the other preying upon sparid fish. The presence of a tail fluke remains hypothetical.
Credit: A. Gennari


ecology

Seed dispersal by invasive birds in Hawaii fills critical ecosystem gap


armies old and new

Scientists shed light on preservation mystery of Terracotta Army weapons
"The chrome plating on the Terracotta Army bronze weapons -- once thought to be the earliest form of anti-rust technology -- derives from a decorative varnish rather than a preservation technique, finds a new study co-led by UCL and Terracotta Army Museum researchers."

Robots to autocomplete Soldier tasks, new study suggests
"Smart phones autocorrect in texting, search engines autocomplete queries, and mapping applications redirect navigation in real-time to avoid slowed traffic. These ubiquitous AI-based technologies adapt to everyday needs and learn user habits by focusing on making the algorithm better, but Army researchers want to enhance AI by providing more information about the intent of the user."
I missed the memo explaining why any of this was supposed to be good news.


humans

Poverty leaves a mark on our genes

A 'million word gap' for children who aren't read to at home

What and where in the processing of body-part information


------------------------

from the news media:

10 animals we're eating into extinction rounded up in the Guardian. On the same issue see also my feature Can we change our predatory ways? now on open access.

Also, the Guardian is adding the official CO2 concentration measured in Hawaii to its weather report - as a daily reminder that we must tackle climate change now.