Weekly Science Report

March 6, 2020
 
“Time’s always moving on. Nothing can stop it. The question is whether we use our time well
or not. We can't do anything about the past, but what happens in the future depends on what
we do now. We can create a happier future by remembering that in being human we are all
the same.”
Dalai Lama
 
 

Introduction
 
Steve Detwiler created this publication with the support of Graham Hancock and the late John
Anthony West to share news and information on various disciplines to include but not limited to
paleontology, space sciences, genetics and archaeology.  His goal behind sharing this publication
has always been very simple, by sharing knowledge we can make our world a better place.  This
publication is Mr. Detwiler’s contribution to bring people together and share ideas and discoveries
with his fellow humans.
 
I hope you enjoy this publication and that the content challenges and inspires you!
 
The Weekly Science Report is also on social media at:
 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/weeklysciencerpt/
 Twitter: https://twitter.com/wklysciencerpt
 

News Articles
 
Paleontology, Evolution and Prehistoric Studies
 
Fire from the Sky
https://www.news.ucsb.edu/2020/019823/fire-sky?
fbclid=IwAR1iAZUR1XQOjh2BXpSk_l79b8SNb7dKmB1wR2SHk_WcH_wcjjbqQalEAo0
 
More humans than thought survived volcanic super-eruption 74,000 years ago, scientists find
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/volcano-super-eruption-toba-sumatra-indonesia-
survive-asia-a9359231.html?
fbclid=IwAR3MKJukQl1rDZKF8cGmxcJ07XBJtqSdmjHcafR1rzeKXQKgGxAccF2WgZY
 
Ancient DNA from Sardinia reveals 6,000 years of genetic history
https://phys.org/news/2020-02-ancient-dna-sardinia-reveals-years.html
 
Gov’t Gives Up Part of Prehistoric Cave Painting Site For Mining
https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/2020/03/05/govt-gives-up-part-of-prehistoric-cave-painting-
site-for-mining/
 
Stone Age Seafood-Based Diet Was Full Of Toxic Metals
https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidbressan/2020/02/29/stone-age-seafood-based-diet-was-full-of-
toxic-metals/#30460df644a0
 
Stone Tools Recovered from Cave in West India
https://www.archaeology.org/news/8508-200306-india-prehistoric-tools
 
Homo erectus Fossils and Tools Unearthed in Ethiopia
https://www.archaeology.org/news/8505-200305-ethiopia-homo-erectus
 
Your back pain may be due to evolution and spine shape
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-03/sfu-ybp030420.php
 
215-Million-Year-Old, Sharp-Nosed Sea Creature Was Among the Last of Its Kind
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/215-million-year-old-sharp-nosed-marine-reptile-
was-among-last-its-kind-180974276/
History
 
Reading a Lost Wartime Letter from Albert Camus in 2020
https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/reading-a-lost-wartime-letter-from-albert-camus-
in-2020/amp?fbclid=IwAR1QCsjOHSDldoHGnyXlJTMEEdQNvF-
GSlCKC_GSJd3ZL6jpXdN6sKezuAE
 
How A Graphic Novel Resurrected A Forgotten Chapter In American History
https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2020/02/26/806124981/how-a-graphic-novel-resurrected-
a-forgotten-chapter-in-american-history
 
Father Ernesto Cardenal, poet and revolutionary, dies in Nicaragua
https://www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2020/03/02/father-ernesto-cardenal-poet-and-
revolutionary-dies-nicaragua
 
Vatican Opens Archives Of World War II-Era Pope Pius XII
https://www.npr.org/2020/03/02/811170588/vatican-opens-archives-of-world-war-ii-era-pope-pius-
xii?sc=18&f=1001
 
Parts of Florida Highway Honoring the Confederacy Will Be Renamed in Honor of Harriet Tubman
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/florida-highway-honoring-confederacy-renamed-
pay-tribute-harriet-tubman-180974269/
 
Meet Sgt. Maj. James Williams, one of the last Buffalo Soldier alive today
https://www.click2houston.com/features/2020/02/18/meet-sgt-maj-james-williams-the-last-buffalo-
soldier-alive-today/
 
A Father Recounts His Search For The Son Who Vanished In Costa Rican Wilderness
https://www.npr.org/2020/03/03/811397071/a-father-recounts-his-search-for-the-son-who-vanished-
in-costa-rican-wilderness?sc=18&f=811397071
 
Researchers want to save traditional pre-Hispanic ballgame
https://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/researchers-want-to-save-traditional-pre-hispanic-ballgame/
 
 
 
 

Archaeology
 
‘Utah’s cultural heritage is under threat’: Archeologists seek solutions as vandalism grows
https://www.ksl.com/article/46721796/utahs-cultural-heritage-is-under-threat-archeologists-seek-
solutions-as-vandalism-grows?
fbclid=IwAR0dQG3epX37K6W8P2CIuE6LCtYjaYs1sDoXB3rFWqg42iUDf3c2tPYtIVg
 
Mysterious, centuries-old rock inscription finally deciphered
https://www.livescience.com/mystery-inscription-translated.html?
fbclid=IwAR3YESln9Z9Bgg9QBjsR22Ovj7UkBe3Iv46MRxBtHOJUc_5w8Jt4DX-lXH0
 
This Pipeline Case Could Gut 100 Years of Safeguards for Federal Parks
https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/03/03/pipeline-safeguards-federal-parks-118941?
fbclid=IwAR1Nm8gTMpTdh_j4ibh8t5QamijE9sVWAG1jwTTrhEigx0ZIvSN00gZm_RU
 
Illegal metal-detecting at English Heritage sites doubles in two years
https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2020/feb/28/illegal-metal-detecting-at-english-heritage-sites-
doubles-in-two-years
 
Islamic-Era Ivory Workshops Found in Pakistan

https://www.archaeology.org/news/8506-200306-pakistan-
ivory-workshops

Egyptology
 
Egyptian authorities foil attempt to smuggle 16 parcels filled with artefact
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/364544/Egypt/Politics-/Egyptian-authorities-foil-
attempt-to-smuggle--parc.aspx
 
 
 
 
 
 

General Science
 
Nothing to report
 

Physics, Earth and Space Sciences

This astronomy student found 17 new exoplanets -- and one is potentially habitable
https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/28/world/astronomy-student-new-exoplanets-scn-trnd/index.html?
utm_source=fbCNN&utm_term=link&utm_content=2020-02-
29T01%3A29%3A31&utm_medium=social
 
Curiosity rover captures high-resolution panorama of its home on Mars
https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/04/world/curiosity-rover-panorama-mars-scn-trnd/index.html
 
Pioneering theoretical physicist Freeman Dyson dies at 96
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/pioneering-theoretical-physicist-freeman-dyson-dies-at-96
 
Quantum researchers able to split one photon into three
https://phys.org/news/2020-02-quantum-photon.html
 
New 'mini-moon' orbiting Earth — for now, astronomers say
https://www.nbcnews.com/science/space/new-mini-moon-orbiting-earth-now-astronomers-say-
n1143596?cid=sm_npd_nn_fb_ma
 
New ESO study evaluates impact of satellite constellations on astronomical observations
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-03/e-nes030520.php
 
Radar and ice could help detect an elusive subatomic particle
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-03/osu-rai030620.php
 
SpaceX announces partnership to send tourists to ISS
https://phys.org/news/2020-03-spacex-partnership-tourists-iss.html
 
Dimming Betelgeuse likely isn't cold, just dusty, new study shows
https://phys.org/news/2020-03-dimming-betelgeuse-isnt-cold-dusty.html
 
Novel method for easier scaling of quantum devices
https://phys.org/news/2020-03-method-easier-scaling-quantum-devices.html

Environment, Climate Change and Alternative Energy

Sources
 
Judge voids nearly 1 million acres of oil and gas leases, saying Trump policy undercut public input
https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2020/02/27/judge-voids-nearly-1-million-
acres-oil-gas-leases-saying-trump-policy-undercut-public-input/
 
Layered solar cell technology boosts efficiency, affordability
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-03/uoca-lsc030520.php
 
Satellite data boosts understanding of climate change's effects on kelp
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-03/osu-sdb030520.php
 
Corn productivity in real time: Satellites, field cameras, and farmers team up
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-03/uoic-cpi030520.php
 
FSU researchers find newly uncovered Arctic landscape plays important role in carbon cycle
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-03/fsu-frf030520.php
 
World-first system forecasts warming of lakes globally
https://phys.org/news/2020-03-world-first-lakes-globally.html
 
More accurate climate change model reveals bleaker outlook on electricity, water use
https://phys.org/news/2020-03-accurate-climate-reveals-bleaker-outlook.html
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Biological, Genetics and Medical Sciences

 
Scientists accidentally discover first-ever "animal" that doesn't need oxygen to breathe
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/scientists-discover-first-ever-animal-that-doesnt-need-oxygen-to-
breathe-2020-02-26/?ftag=CNM-00-10aab6a&linkId=83303560
 
In A 1st, Scientists Use Revolutionary Gene-Editing Tool To Edit Inside A Patient
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/03/04/811461486/in-a-1st-scientists-use-
revolutionary-gene-editing-tool-to-edit-inside-a-patient
 
Italy’s Museums Reopen With Coronavirus Rule: Stay a Meter Apart
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/05/arts/design/italy-museums-coronavirus.html
 

Pandemic lessons from the colony of Newfoundland in a time

of cholera
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/newfoundland-coronavirus-cholera-
1.5478056
 
New sleep method strengthens brain's ability to retain memories
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-03/afot-nsm030520.php
 
One step closer to understanding the human brain
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-03/ki-osc030320.php
 
Machine sucks up tiny tissue spheroids and prints them precisely
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-03/ps-msu022720.php
 
The Northern White Rhino Went Extinct, but for Two Minutes at a Time, the Animal Makes a
Digital Comeback
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/northern-white-rhino-extinct-two-
minutes-digital-comback-180974295/
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Other
 
Inequality is getting worse, but fewer people than ever are aware of it
https://theconversation.com/inequality-is-getting-worse-but-fewer-people-than-ever-are-aware-of-it-
76642?utm_campaign=meetedgar&utm_medium=social&utm_source=meetedgar.com
 
In Naples, Faith Substitutes for What Science Can’t Foresee
https://www.wired.com/story/naples-religion-science-volcanoes/?
bxid=5bd6790424c17c1048020acb&cndid=41291302&esrc=twitter-newsletter-
c&source=EDT_WIR_NEWSLETTER_0_DAILY_ZZ&utm_brand=wired&utm_campaign=aud-
dev&utm_content=A&utm_mailing=WIR_Daily_022920_PersonalizedTest&utm_medium=email&
utm_source=nl&utm_term=list2_p5
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Additional Informational
 
He Built Schools to Fight Injustice, and I Want You to Know His Story
https://www.npca.org/articles/2167-he-built-schools-to-fight-injustice-and-i-want-you-to-know-his-
story
 
UNESCO, Futures of Education
https://en.unesco.org/futuresofeducation/
 
New York Times Magazine, 1619 Project
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/08/14/magazine/1619-america-slavery.html?smid=rd