Mysterious ‘ghost’ populations had multiple trysts with human ancestors
Genomic studies show interbreeding goes back at least half a million years".
Metallurgy, Chemicals
Brickmaking bacteria and solar cells that turn ‘waste’ heat into electricity
On this week’s show: Engineering bacteria to produce “living” materials, converting waste heat from data centers or tailpipes into power, and live reporting from the AAAS annual meeting".
This long-overlooked part of our foot may be key to walking upright
Feature is not present in gorillas or chimpanzees".
An ancient empire hiding in plain sight, and the billion-dollar cost of illegal fishing
On this week’s show: Archaeologists are teasing out the relationship between two great Mesoamerican cultures, and economists are estimating the cost of the illegal fishing trade".
A single ‘paper mill’ appears to have churned out 400 papers, sleuths find
Problematic images abound in papers linked to Chinese institutions".
Was this life’s first meal?
Minerals common near hydrothermal vents drive chemical reactions needed to make organic molecules necessary for life".
Update: MeTooSTEM board members stand by embattled founder
BethAnn McLaughlin, leader of group fighting sexual harassment in science, had been accused of bullying".
New sense discovered in dog noses: the ability to detect heat
Sensory ability may help canines track their prey".
Canada’s ‘dynamic’ plan to protect endangered right whales rests on robots
Drones, submarine gliders will keep close watch for leviathans".
New Zealand birds show humanlike ability to make predictions
Keas use a mix of statistical, physical, and social information".
