DAILY DOSE: World leaders talk climate change; March of the microscopic robots.

scientificinquirer

Dec 1

TALK TALK TALK.

The international climate talks in Dubai highlighted the urgency of addressing climate change, with world leaders emphasizing the need for decisive action. Notably absent were U.S. President Joe Biden and China's President Xi Jinping, leaders of the two biggest carbon-polluting nations. Key figures like Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and leaders from France, South Africa, Egypt, and Turkey participated. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stressed the planet's critical state, linking climate change with global injustice and economic challenges. Jordan's King Abdullah and Kenya's President William Ruto underlined the interconnection of climate change with other global issues. Guterres criticized the fossil fuel industry, advocating for the complete phase-out of oil, coal, and gas. Britain's King Charles III urged leaders to act with urgency, while Brazil's Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva called for concrete actions over empty promises, emphasizing climate justice for poorer nations. The talks aimed to advance renewable energy and energy efficiency, with contentious debates over fossil fuel usage. India's Modi proposed hosting the 2028 climate talks and announced a green credits program, emphasizing India's progress towards its climate goals. The conference underscored the significant impact of climate change on countries worldwide, particularly those facing severe environmental disasters. (Associated Press)

HERE COME THE MICROBOTS.

Scientists have created 'anthrobots,' tiny robots made from human tracheal cells, capable of repairing damaged neural tissue. This advancement in tissue engineering was led by developmental biologist Michael Levin and his team at Tufts University. Unlike their previous 'xenobots' made from frog cells, these anthrobots self-assemble and are derived from human cells, making them more relevant for medical applications. The researchers grew human tracheal skin cells into spheroids, which then moved using cilia acting as oars, displaying various swimming patterns. When tested, these anthrobots fused into a 'superbot' and successfully healed a scratched neural tissue layer within three days, without needing genetic modification. This surprising repair capability suggests potential uses in personalized medicine, such as clearing arteries, breaking up mucus, or drug delivery, either with or without genetic engineering. The team envisions a future where biobots, robots made from biological material, could have diverse applications in sustainable construction and space exploration. This research opens possibilities for controlling cell collectives in regenerative medicine, including limb regrowth. (Nature)

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IT'S THE CYBERTRUCK.

Elon Musk recently unveiled the Tesla Cybertruck at a dynamic event, delivering the first units to notable customers including Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian. The futuristic electric pickup truck, initially announced four years ago, has evolved in both design and pricing. Three versions will be available: a rear-wheel drive model arriving in 2025 priced at $60,990, an all-wheel drive variant with a 341-mile range costing $79,990, and the high-performance Cyberbeast with a 320-mile range priced at $99,990. All models feature a towing capacity of 11,000 pounds. Tesla is also developing a range extender for increased mileage, though details and pricing remain undisclosed. The Cybertruck boasts advanced features like armored glass, a 48-volt electrical system for efficient power distribution, and a steer-by-wire technology. Its interior includes an expansive touchscreen interface, a sophisticated sound system, and various charging options. Musk's Cybertruck represents a significant innovation in Tesla's electric vehicle lineup, blending utility with futuristic design elements. (Techcrunch)

SCIENTIFIC CENSORSHIP.

PAPER ABSTRACT: Science is among humanity's greatest achievements, yet scientific censorship is rarely studied empirically. We explore the social, psychological, and institutional causes and consequences of scientific censorship (defined as actions aimed at obstructing particular scientific ideas from reaching an audience for reasons other than low scientific quality). Popular narratives suggest that scientific censorship is driven by authoritarian officials with dark motives, such as dogmatism and intolerance. Our analysis suggests that scientific censorship is often driven by scientists, who are primarily motivated by self-protection, benevolence toward peer scholars, and prosocial concerns for the well-being of human social groups. This perspective helps explain both recent findings on scientific censorship and recent changes to scientific institutions, such as the use of harm-based criteria to evaluate research. We discuss unknowns surrounding the consequences of censorship and provide recommendations for improving transparency and accountability in scientific decision-making to enable the exploration of these unknowns. The benefits of censorship may sometimes outweigh costs. However, until costs and benefits are examined empirically, scholars on opposing sides of ongoing debates are left to quarrel based on competing values, assumptions, and intuitions. (PNAS)

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GUNS IN AMERICA

The U.S. firearm suicide rate saw an 11% increase from 7.3 per 100,000 in 2019 to 8.1 in 2022, reaching its highest level since 1968. Data from the National Vital Statistics System, analyzed by race and ethnicity, showed variations in this increase among different groups. Non-Hispanic White individuals experienced a 9% rise, from 10.2 to 11.1 per 100,000. The most significant increase was among American Indian or Alaska Native persons, with a 66% surge from 6.4 to 10.6. Non-Hispanic Black or African American and Hispanic or Latino groups saw increases of 42% and 28%, respectively, with rates of 5.3 and 3.3 in 2022. The lowest rates were among non-Hispanic Asian or Pacific Islander individuals, rising 10% from 1.7 to 1.9. This data, derived from the CDC WONDER and U.S. Census Bureau, indicates a concerning upward trend in firearm suicides across various racial and ethnic groups. (MMWR)

BRAIN PROCESS TRAUMATIC MEMORY IN THE PRESENT.

A Yale University and Icahn School of Medicine study revealed distinct brain activity in PTSD patients when recalling traumatic memories. Brain scans of 28 participants showed active hippocampus during sad memories, but not traumatic ones, which seemed like current experiences. Traumatic memories engaged the posterior cingulate cortex (P.C.C.), associated with introspection, more in severe PTSD cases. This challenges traditional PTSD research, underscoring the P.C.C.'s role in reliving trauma. It supports therapies like prolonged exposure and EMDR, aiming to transform traumatic memories into coherent, less intrusive ones. While significant, the findings aren't conclusive due to the absence of a non-PTSD comparison group and lack of detail on subjects' trauma history and therapy. They contribute to the debate about PTSD treatment and trauma definition, indicating the need for personalized therapy approaches. The study highlights the complexity of PTSD, suggesting new directions for research and treatment. (New York Times)

PENGUINS ENGAGE IN MICROSLEEPS.

Antarctica's chinstrap penguins (Pygoscelis antarcticus) use "microsleeps" to cope with the demanding conditions of nesting. These brief naps, lasting only a few seconds each, accumulate to about 11 hours of sleep daily, helping them stay alert to protect their eggs and chicks. This adaptation was detailed in a study reported in Science, highlighting how animals adjust their sleep in challenging environments. Researchers, led by Won Young Lee, equipped penguins with data loggers and accelerometers to analyze their sleep patterns in their natural habitat. They found that the penguins' sleep was highly fragmented, consisting of over 10,000 microsleeps per day, even during foraging at sea. Remarkably, these microsleeps included periods of deep, restorative slow wave sleep. This research contributes to understanding how different animals sleep and might inform wider sleep studies, revealing that animal sleep patterns can vary substantially from humans. The findings also raise questions about how sleep functions in various species and in different environmental contexts. (Science)

SOLAR CANNIBALISM.

A coronal mass ejection (CME) from the Sun, termed a "Cannibal CME," is expected to hit Earth, generating considerable excitement among aurora chasers. This super-hot plasma eruption followed a substantial M9.8-class solar flare on November 29 and is set to merge with slower CMEs from November 28, potentially causing a strong geomagnetic storm. Geomagnetic storms, disruptions to Earth's magnetic field due to solar plasma and magnetic fields, can lead to vivid auroral displays. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) anticipates a G3 level geomagnetic storm, which could lead to impressive auroras across the U.S. NOAA's geomagnetic storm scale ranges from G1, causing minor auroral and power supply changes, to G5, which can result in extensive radio blackouts. Photographer Steven Lomas captured a particularly striking aurora and the phenomenon known as STEVE over Dunstanburgh Castle in the UK, describing it as the most intense aurora he's seen in eight years. For those wishing to view auroras, it's advised to seek dark locations away from city lights and watch the skies periodically, as auroras can suddenly intensify. Alternatively, aurora webcams offer a convenient option for experiencing the northern lights from home. (Space)

PICTURING WATER.

NASA, in partnership with Google Arts & Culture and artist Yiyun Kang, has developed "A Passage of Water," an interactive digital project illustrating the impact of climate change on global freshwater resources. This project, using data from the GRACE satellites and the SWOT mission, is set for release on November 30, coinciding with the UN's Climate Change Conference in Dubai. It aims to make NASA's Earth science data on water cycles and climate change more accessible and engaging. NASA's chief scientist, Kate Calvin, emphasizes the importance of sharing their research on Earth's environment, a key part of NASA's Earth Science Division's work. The SWOT mission, a collaboration between NASA and France's CNES, provides detailed data on Earth's freshwater bodies, essential for understanding climate change. This initiative, under NASA's Space Act Agreement with Google, is part of a series aimed at presenting NASA's findings through innovative digital experiences, helping the public understand and engage with environmental issues. (NASA)

CORN CONTINUES TO MYSTIFY.

Recent research in Science has revealed that maize, one of the world's key crops, has a dual ancestry. Originally believed to be domesticated from the teosinte subspecies parviglumis in Mexico around 9,000 years ago, it's now understood that between 15-25% of modern maize genetics are derived from another teosinte subspecies, mexicana. This hybridization occurred approximately 4,000 years after maize's initial domestication. Jeffrey Ross-Ibarra's team analyzed 1,000 maize genomes, finding widespread mexicana ancestry. Maize initially spread from Mexico 9,000 years ago, then 6,000 years later, hybridized with mexicana in the highlands. This new hybrid variety quickly proliferated throughout Central and South America, significantly altering maize's genetic makeup. The widespread adoption of this hybrid variety remains a mystery, as its genetic advantages are subtle. The transition corresponds with a shift to sedentary agriculture, suggesting that mexicana genes might have enhanced maize's reliability as a staple crop. This discovery underscores the importance of ancient Indigenous farmers and the value of genetic diversity in crop development. (Science)

THE WAY THEY WERE.

Archaeologists at Cambridge University have reconstructed the lives of medieval residents in Cambridge by examining over 400 skeletons buried at a medieval hospital between AD 1200 and 1500. This detailed study provides insights into the health, lifestyle, and social classes of these individuals. The research reveals that the hospital served a diverse group, including orphan children, university scholars, and the "shame-faced poor" – those who had once been prosperous but later faced hardship. Excavated in 2010, the hospital of St John the Evangelist's site offered a unique opportunity to explore medieval life. Using DNA and isotope analysis, and examining up to 50 characteristics per skeleton, researchers created a rich dataset for medieval England. The findings, now shared on a new website and in a research paper in Antiquity, include stories of individuals like "Wat," a man who survived multiple Black Death outbreaks but died of cancer, and "Maria," a woman who endured a hard life and died of tuberculosis in her early 20s. The study, led by Professor John Robb, highlights the hospital's role in serving various social classes and suggests that its diverse patronage was a strategy to appeal to a wide range of donors, ensuring its operation for 300 years. This work sheds light on the complexities of medieval social support systems and the lives of individuals who otherwise would have remained unknown. (The Guardian)

Thanks for reading. Let's be careful out there.

WORDS: The Biology Guy.

IMAGE CREDIT: Tufts University.