Weekly Science Report

April 17, 2020

 
“Your job as a historian is to help people remember not just what they want to remember but
also what they need to remember.”
Lonnie Bunch
 

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
 
Skull Fossils in Cave Show Mix of Human Relatives Roamed South Africa
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/02/science/skulls-africa-caves.html
 
Fossils Show Raptors Prowled North America Late in Dinosaurs’ Era
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/26/science/raptor-fossil-dinosaurs.html
 
50,000-year-old string found at France Neanderthal site
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-52267383
 
Salish Sea basin was one of continent's most densely populated areas when Europeans arrived
https://theprovince.com/news/local-news/salish-sea-basin-was-one-of-the-most-densely-populated-
areas-of-north-america-at-time-of-contact/wcm/41e18b98-548a-47df-a67e-3206a87caff9
 
Molecular and isotopic evidence of milk, meat and plants in prehistoric food systems
https://phys.org/news/2020-04-molecular-isotopic-evidence-meat-prehistoric.html
 
Papua New Guinea highland research redates Neolithic period
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-04/uoo-png041720.php
 
 
 
 
 
 

History
 
Bible Museum, Admitting Mistakes, Tries to Convert Its Critics
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/05/arts/bible-museum-artifacts.html
 
Researcher merges science, Native American tradition
https://news.jrn.msu.edu/2020/04/researcher-merges-science-native-american-tradition/?
utm_content=buffer539f1&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer
 
The Alaska Native Teacher Upending the Legacy of Colonial Education
https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2020/04/teaching-native-culture-in-alaskas-
classrooms/609292/?
utm_content=buffer2d962&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer
 
Last Plains Indian war chief dies at age 102
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/last-surviving-war-chief-montana-crow-tribe-joseph-medicine-
crow-dies-102/
 
N.C. Civil War & Reconstruction History Center moving forward
https://www.fayobserver.com/news/20200419/nc-civil-war--reconstruction-history-center-moving-
forward
 
Mediterranean shipwrecks reveal 'birth of globalisation' in trade
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/apr/18/mediterranean-shipwrecks-reveal-birth-of-
globalisation-in-trade
 
Iranian, German archaeologists to shed more light on history of Persia
https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/446883/Iranian-German-archaeologists-to-shed-more-light-on-
history
 
Genome Analysis Estimates Size of Samoa’s Early Population
https://www.archaeology.org/news/8634-200416-samoa-genome-population
 
Exeter to repatriate Blackfoot regalia to Siksika Nation
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/14/exeter-to-repatriate-blackfoot-regalia-to-siksika-
nation
 
How museums in West Africa are saving cultural treasures
https://www.dw.com/en/how-museums-in-west-africa-are-saving-cultural-treasures/a-53110013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Archaeology
 
Almost 98 Percent of ‘Eastern Mediterranean’ Antiquities Sold in Germany Are of Questionable
Origin, a New Report Has Found
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/germany-illicit-antiquities-1826016/amp-page?
__twitter_impression=true
 
Revolutionary new method for dating pottery sheds new light on prehistoric past
https://phys.org/news/2020-04-revolutionary-method-dating-pottery-prehistoric.html

Large settlements, hunting, fishing and sledge dogs: how

Kamchatka indigenous peoples lived 1000 years ago

https://phys.org/wire-news/348390929/large-settlements-
hunting-fishing-and-sledge-dogs-how-kamchatka.html
 

Archaeological Sites Investigated in Northern Alaska

https://www.archaeology.org/news/8628-200414-alaska-
howard-s-pass
 
Discover Ozbaki hill that goes down 9,000 years in history
https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/446690/Discover-Ozbaki-hill-that-goes-down-9-000-years-in-
history
 
Turkey’s Zerzevan Castle Considered for World Heritage List
https://www.archaeology.org/news/8640-200420-turkey-zerzevan-castle
 
Statue Fragments Uncovered at Angkor Wat
https://www.archaeology.org/news/8638-200420-angkor-wat-statues
 
 
 
 

Egyptology
 
Scholars Just Removed a High-Ranking Mummy From Her Coffin—Only to Discover She Was
Buried With a Secret Painting Gallery
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/museum-discovers-hidden-painting-inside-mummy-coffin-
1826361
 
Oxford professor arrested on suspicion of ancient papyrus theft
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/apr/16/oxford-professor-arrested-ancient-papyrus-
bible-theft-dirk-obbink?
fbclid=IwAR0ALlySygvqEFR0NIa7GkIXIXasIcp4gydq3YfID4Gi7PCJrhlnCt3a-v8
 
 
 
 
 
 

General Science
 
Researchers unveil electronics that mimic the human brain in efficient learning
https://phys.org/news/2020-04-unveil-electronics-mimic-human-brain.html
 
 
 

Physics, Earth and Space Sciences

 
Uranus Ejected a Giant Plasma Bubble During Voyager 2’s Visit
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/27/science/uranus-bubble-voyager.html
 
Life on the Planet Mercury? ‘It’s Not Completely Nuts’
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/24/science/mercury-life-water.html
 
Private companies find role in developing nuclear power for space travel
https://www.space.com/commercial-nuclear-power-for-faster-space-travel.html
 
Quantum mechanics means some black hole orbits are impossible to predict
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/quantum-mechanics-some-black-hole-orbits-impossible-
predict
 
Hubble observes aftermath of massive collision
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-04/eic-hoa042020.php
 
ALMA reveals unusual composition of interstellar comet 2I/Borisov
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-04/nrao-aru041720.php
 
Exoplanet apparently disappears in latest Hubble observations
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-04/nsfc-ead042020.php
 
Arctic research expedition likely faces extreme conditions in fast-changing Arctic
https://phys.org/news/2020-04-arctic-extreme-conditions-fast-changing.html
 
Remembering Freeman Dyson
https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/remembering-freeman-dyson/
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Environment, Climate Change and Alternative Energy

Sources
 
People in India can see the Himalayas for the first time in 'decades,' as the lockdown eases air
pollution
https://www.cnn.com/travel/amp/himalayas-visible-lockdown-india-scli-intl/index.html?
__twitter_impression=true
 
North pole soon to be ice free in summer
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-04/uoh-nps042020.php
 
Why relying on new technology won't save the planet
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-04/lu-wro041720.php
 
 

 
Biological, Genetics and Medical Sciences

 
Low-cost, easy-to-build ventilator performs similarly to high-quality commercial device
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-04/elf-lev041720.php
 
Investigating the role of ventral pallidum neurons in the basal ganglia
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-04-role-ventral-pallidum-neurons-basal.html
 
 

Other
 
Nothing to report
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Additional Informational
 
One Park's Horrific Past
https://www.npca.org/articles/2498-one-park-s-horrific-past
 
Restructuring US/ICOMOS in the Face of COVID-19 and the World that Will Follow
https://mailchi.mp/358f803cc3cb/message-from-usicomos-president-restructuring-in-the-face-of-
covid-19
 
New NEMO publication: Museums 2030 – Sharing recipes for a better future
https://www.ne-mo.org/news/article/nemo/new-nemo-publication-museums-2030-sharing-recipes-
for-a-better-future.html
 
Park Activities You Can Do from the Comfort of Your Home
https://www.nationalparks.org/connect/blog/park-activities-you-can-do-comfort-your-home
 
Crime, Corruption, and Collateral Damage: Large Infrastructure Projects as a Threat to Cultural
Heritage
https://traffickingculture.org/publications/crime-corruption-and-collateral-damage-large-
infrastructure-projects-as-a-threat-to-cultural-heritage/
 
COASTAL EROSION AND FLOODING ON CULTURAL HERITAGE SITES IN SCOTLAND |
INTERVIEW WITH DR. MAIRI DAVIES
https://www.archernet.org/en/2020/03/31/coastal-erosion-and-flooding-on-cultural-heritage-sites-in-
scotland-interview-with-dr-mairi-davies-2/
 
Message from the Chairman: We Will Take Action to Prevent the Loss of Our Land
https://mashpeewampanoagtribe-nsn.gov/news/2020/3/27/message-from-the-chairman-we-will-
take-action-to-prevent-the-loss-of-our-land
 
Cultural Rights Defenders (CRDs)
https://artistsatriskconnection.org/story/cultural-rights-defenders-crds
 
Resilience After Recession: 4 Ways to Reboot the U.S. Economy
https://www.wri.org/blog/2020/03/coronavirus-rebooting-US-economy
 
Seychelles Achieves 30 Percent Marine Conservation Commitment
https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/africa/stories-in-africa/seychelles-
conservation-commitment-comes-to-life/
 
TED Talk, You Can't be "Bad" at Science
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wxokci6BWY
 
TED Talk, The galactic recipe for a living planet
https://www.ted.com/talks/karin_oberg_the_galactic_recipe_for_a_living_planet?
utm_campaign=social&utm_source=t.co&utm_term=science&utm_medium=referral&utm_content
=talk