Last Week in Science: 4th to 10th March, 2024

The world of science never ceases to amaze us with new and exciting discoveries. The past week, from March 4 to March 10, 2024, was no exception. Here are some of the highlights of the science news that you might have missed.

In the realm of natural history, a recent study published in the journal Evolution has shed light on the genetic underpinnings of ‘living fossils,’ specifically gars, an ancient group of fish. Researchers at Yale University discovered that gars have the slowest rate of molecular evolution among all jawed vertebrates, which means their genomes change very minimally over time. This slow genetic evolution contributes to their low species diversity and physical similarity to their ancestors from millions of years ago. The study also suggests that gars’ robust DNA repair mechanisms could offer insights into human health, particularly in cancer research.

Meanwhile, in a groundbreaking study, scientists from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew have utilized artificial intelligence to predict the extinction risk of all known flowering plant species. The research, published in New Phytologist, leverages a Bayesian Additive Regression Trees model to assess the status of 328,565 species. This AI-driven approach, based on data from over 53,000 plants on the IUCN Red List, allows for immediate access to extinction risk predictions online. The findings aim to make plant conservation more accessible and inform efforts to protect global biodiversity.

In agriculture, a recent study has highlighted the potential of birds, beetles, and bugs as natural pest control agents, which could serve as an effective alternative to chemical pesticides. This approach not only suppresses pest populations but also enhances crop yields. Researchers found that these predators could reduce pest numbers by over 70% and increase yields by 25%. The study emphasizes the importance of preserving these natural predators, especially in the face of climate change, to maintain ecological balance and support sustainable agriculture.

Contrasting the natural world, In an unexpected development, a signal previously believed to be of interstellar origin was identified as the mundane rumble of a truck. Researchers from Johns Hopkins University have clarified that the ocean floor materials, once thought to be remnants of an alien encounter, are likely just common meteorites or Earth-based debris. The upcoming presentation at the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference will detail how the seismic data, initially linked to a 2014 meteor event, actually corresponds to terrestrial traffic, dispelling the notion of an alien connection. This revelation redirects the narrative from cosmic intervention to terrestrial explanation.

NASA’s Europa Clipper mission is set to carry a unique message to Jupiter’s moon Europa. The spacecraft will launch in October with a metal plate inscribed with U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón’s “In Praise of Mystery: A Poem for Europa,” and a silicon microchip bearing over 2.6 million names from the public. The plate also features waveforms representing the word “water” in 103 languages, symbolizing Earth’s connection to Europa’s subsurface ocean. This artistic endeavor aims to unite science, technology, and art, celebrating our quest to explore the cosmos.

In the field of energy, researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have made a novel discovery in battery chemistry by studying heat flow in lithium-ion cells through the Peltier effect. This effect, where electric current draws heat, enabled them to measure the entropy of the lithium-ion electrolyte, providing insights that could improve battery design. Their findings, which reveal the relationship between heat flow and the chemical structure of dissolved ions, were reported in the journal Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics. The study’s innovative approach could lead to the development of more efficient and sustainable batteries.

Lastly, researchers at the University of Delaware have explored the psychological impact of streaks on consumer behavior. Their study, sparked by a casual observation at a brewery, led to two published papers. They examined how streaks, often encouraged by apps, motivate people to maintain consistent behavior, like daily language lessons on Duolingo or regular workouts on Peloton. The research also delved into the effects of breaking streaks and how it changes one’s motivation. This insight into consumer psychology can help individuals understand their habits and potentially foster more informed decision-making.

Together, these studies paint a picture of a world where science continuously pushes the boundaries of knowledge, offering solutions and deeper understanding across various domains.

About the Author:
Nouman Ahmad Noor, your friendly Clinical Psychologist with big dreams! Juggling the art of unraveling minds, aspiring to craft captivating novels, and fueling the next generation of knowledge as a future professor. Join me on this exciting journey of understanding minds and weaving tales!

Citations:

Bachman, S. P., Brown, M. J. M., Leão, T. C. C., Lughadha, E. N., & Walker, B. E. (n.d.). Extinction risk predictions for the world’s flowering plants to support their conservation. New Phytologist. https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.19592

Brownstein, C. D., MacGuigan, D. J., Kim, D., Orr, O., Yang, L., David, S. R., Kreiser, B., & Near, T. J. (2024, March 4). The genomic signatures of evolutionary stasis . Evolution. https://academic.oup.com/evolut/advance-article/doi/10.1093/evolut/qpae028/7615529

Cheng, Z., Huang, Y.-J., Zahiri, B., Kwon, P., Braun, P. V., & Cahill, D. G. (2024). Ionic Peltier effect in Li-ion electrolytes. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 26(8), 6708–6716. https://doi.org/10.1039/d3cp05998g

McCartney, G. (2024, March 8). NASA unveils design for message heading to Jupiter’s moon Europa. Phys.Org. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-nasa-unveils-message-jupiter-moon.html

Silverman, J., & Barasch, A. (2022). On or off track: How (broken) streaks affect consumer decisions. Journal of Consumer Research, 49(6), 1095–1117. https://doi.org/10.1093/jcr/ucac029

Silverman, J., Barasch, A. P., & Small, D. A. (2023). Hot streak! Inferences and predictions about goal adherence. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 179, 104281. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.obhdp.2023.104281

X, S. (2024a, March 6). Birds, beetles, bugs could help replace pesticides: Study. Phys.Org. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-birds-beetles-bugs-pesticides.html

X, S. (2024b, March 7). Interstellar signal linked to aliens was actually just a truck. Phys.Org. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-interstellar-linked-aliens-truck.html