science news 27.11.2019

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.



earth

Extra-terrestrial impacts may have triggered 'bursts' of plate tectonics


evolution

Hibernating mammals arouse hope for genetic solutions to obesity, metabolic diseases


ecology and behaviour

Woody plants with undesirable tendencies

Fire ants' raft building skills react as fluid forces change



Spinning fire ant raft.
Credit: Hungtang Ko



environment

McMaster researcher warns plastic pollution in Great Lakes growing concern to ecosystem


food and drink

Industrial bread dough kneaders could use physics-based redesign

We love coffee, tea, chocolate and soft drinks so much, caffeine is literally in our blood
Sadly, this is not about recognising caffeine as a normal part of our physiology, but about contaminations found in blood donations.


sustainability

Leftover grain from breweries could be converted into fuel for homes

Saving bats from wind turbine death


humans

Human migration out of Africa may have followed monsoons in the Middle East

Unique sledge dogs helped the Inuit thrive in the North American Arctic

Prayers can crowd out donations for disaster victims


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From the news media:

Most bottlenosed dolphins are righthanded, reports the Guardian.