Friday, November 01, 2019

science news 1.11.2019

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.



astrobiology

Even 'Goldilocks' exoplanets need a well-behaved star


ecology and behaviour

After release into wild, vampire bats keep 'friends' made in captivity



This picture shows a tagged desmodus rotundus bat in the wild.
Credit: Sherri ad Brock Fenton


nanoworld

Electrifying science: New study describes conduction through proteins


humans

Important gene variants found in certain African populations
In the first decade of sequencing individual human genomes, researchers completely ignored the fact that most of human diversity is found within Africa, which severely limited the scientific value of those first 1000 genomes, as I reported in my African genomes feature back in 2011. Glad to see that people are now doing something about this.


Ground penetrating radar reveals why ancient Cambodian capital was moved to Angkor
The largest water management feature in Khmer history was built in the 10th century as part of a short-lived ancient capital in northern Cambodia to store water but the system failed in its first year of operation, possibly leading to the return of the capital to Angkor.


People with autism have a more symmetrical brain
I can never remember which side of the brain is supposed to be for what, so maybe mine's a symmetrical one too ...


And finally ...


Simple injection of air proves successful in releasing child's tongue trapped in bottle, inspired by opening a wine bottle
I have so many questions


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From the news media:

Measles can erase the immune system's memory of other infections, reports the Guardian.

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