Vermont bald eagle restoration follows years of trying

Thirteen years after Vermont lost the ignominious distinction of being the only state in the continental United States without any breeding pairs of bald eagles, the state is moving to remove the iconic national symbol from its list of threatened and endangered species.

Microbiology researchers further understanding of ocean's role in carbon cycling

Microbiology researchers at Oregon State University have shed new light on the mechanisms of carbon cycling in the ocean, using a novel approach to track which microbes are consuming different types of organic carbon produced by common phytoplankton species.

Elastic polymer that is both stiff and tough, resolves long-standing quandary

Polymer science has made possible rubber tires, Teflon and Kevlar, plastic water bottles, nylon jackets among many other ubiquitous features of daily life. Elastic polymers, known as elastomers, can be stretched and released repeatedly and are used in applications such as gloves and heart valves, where they need to last a long time without tearing. But a conundrum has long stumped polymer scientists: Elastic polymers can be stiff, or they can be tough, but they can't be both.

First ALMA animation of circling twin young stars

Researchers analyzed the accumulated data from the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) and depicted the motion of a young twin star system XZ Tauri over three years. This first-ever "ALMA Animation" of twin stars sheds new light on the origins of the binary stars and the planets to be formed around them.

Lasers to probe origin of life on a frigid moon and take the space-time pulse of star-shattering collisions

On Saturn's giant moon Titan, liquid methane and other hydrocarbons rain down, carving rivers, lakes and seas in a landscape of frozen water. The complex chemistry on this icy world could be analogous to the period when life first emerged on Earth, or it might yield an entirely new type of life. And even farther—light-years away in deep space, a black hole shreds the ultra-dense core of a dead star, warping the fabric of space itself and sending waves of space-time flying across the universe.

In Egypt's Red Sea, corals fade as oceans warm

Standing on a boat bobbing gently in the Red Sea, Egyptian diving instructor Mohamed Abdelaziz looks on as tourists snorkel amid the brilliantly coloured corals, a natural wonder now under threat from climate change.

UN summit to tackle 'unprecedented' biodiversity threats

Just weeks before the crucial COP26 climate conference, another global UN summit—this one tasked with reversing the destruction of nature—officially kicks off next week in Kunming, China.

Spanish volcano eruption shuts airport, area still 'tense'

The airport on the Spanish island of La Palma shut down again Thursday due to ashfall from a volcano that has been erupting for almost three weeks.

Extinct ground sloth likely ate meat with its veggies

A new study led by researchers at the American Museum of Natural History suggests that Mylodon—a ground sloth that lived in South America until about 10,000 to 12,000 years ago—was not a strict vegetarian like all of its living relatives. Based on a chemical analysis of amino acids (fundamental biological compounds that are the building blocks of proteins) preserved in sloth hair, the researchers uncovered evidence that this gigantic extinct sloth was an omnivore, at times eating meat or other animal protein in addition to plant matter. The study, published today in the journal Scientific Reports, contradicts previous assumptions in the field.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-10-extinct-ground-sloth-ate-meat.html

Social distancing: New study shows sick gorillas transmit illnesses to others nearby

Coughs and colds spread quickly within wild mountain gorilla groups but appear less likely to spread between neighboring groups, a new study published in Scientific Reports shows.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-10-social-distancing-sick-gorillas-transmit.html

Kids may be red line in Facebook regulation fight: experts

Facebook's previous major scandals barely dented its global dominance, but experts said Wednesday the tech giant may have hit a red line this time: evidence that it knew children using its apps were at risk of being harmed.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-10-kids-red-line-facebook-experts.html

Facebook exec: We do not prioritize engagement over safety

A Facebook executive is pushing back on a whistleblower's claims—supported by the company's own internal research—that the social network's products harm children and fuel polarization in the U.S.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-10-facebook-exec-prioritize-engagement-safety.html

Social distancing: New study shows sick gorillas transmit illnesses to others nearby

Coughs and colds spread quickly within wild mountain gorilla groups but appear less likely to spread between neighboring groups, a new study published in Scientific Reports shows.

Extinct ground sloth likely ate meat with its veggies

A new study led by researchers at the American Museum of Natural History suggests that Mylodon—a ground sloth that lived in South America until about 10,000 to 12,000 years ago—was not a strict vegetarian like all of its living relatives. Based on a chemical analysis of amino acids (fundamental biological compounds that are the building blocks of proteins) preserved in sloth hair, the researchers uncovered evidence that this gigantic extinct sloth was an omnivore, at times eating meat or other animal protein in addition to plant matter. The study, published today in the journal Scientific Reports, contradicts previous assumptions in the field.

Australia wants Facebook held liable for anonymous comments

Australia's prime minister on Thursday described social media as a "coward's palace" and warned that digital platforms including Facebook should be held liable for defamatory comments posted anonymously.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-10-australia-facebook-held-liable-anonymous.html

Ex-Facebook employee asks lawmakers to step in. Will they?

Camera lights glare. Outrage thunders from elected representatives. A brave industry whistleblower stands alone and takes the oath behind a table ringed by a photographers' mosh pit.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-10-ex-facebook-employee-lawmakers.html

Strong earthquake in southwest Pakistan kills at least 20

A powerful earthquake collapsed at least one coal mine and dozens of mud houses in southwest Pakistan early Thursday, killing at least 20 people and injuring more than 200, an official said.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-10-strong-earthquake-southwest-pakistan.html

Study reveals abundance of microscopic paint flakes in the North Atlantic

Flakes of paint could be one of the most abundant type of microplastic particles in the ocean, new research has suggested.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-10-reveals-abundance-microscopic-flakes-north.html

Crayfish and carp among the invasive species pushing lakes towards ecosystem collapse

Certain invasive, non-native species can disrupt lakes to the point of rapid ecosystem collapse, contaminating water for drinking, aquaculture and recreation, a new study has found.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-10-crayfish-carp-invasive-species-lakes.html

Strong earthquake in southwest Pakistan kills at least 20

A powerful earthquake collapsed at least one coal mine and dozens of mud houses in southwest Pakistan early Thursday, killing at least 20 people and injuring more than 200, an official said.

Study reveals abundance of microscopic paint flakes in the North Atlantic

Flakes of paint could be one of the most abundant type of microplastic particles in the ocean, new research has suggested.

Crayfish and carp among the invasive species pushing lakes towards ecosystem collapse

Certain invasive, non-native species can disrupt lakes to the point of rapid ecosystem collapse, contaminating water for drinking, aquaculture and recreation, a new study has found.