SCIENCES ENERGIES ENVURONNEMENT

 Dear olivier hartmanshenn,

Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for week 36:

	A person's intelligence limits their computer proficiency more than previously thought, say researchers A new study has found that intelligence, in the form of general cognitive abilities such as perception, thinking and remembering, is more important than hitherto thought at predicting a person's ability to complete common tasks with a PC. The study was published in the International Journal of Human-Computer Studies in August 2024.
	Witness 1.8 billion years of tectonic plates dance across Earth's surface in a new animation Using information from inside the rocks on Earth's surface, we have reconstructed the plate tectonics of the planet over the last 1.8 billion years.
	Researchers make sound waves travel in one direction only, with implications for electromagnetic wave technology Researchers at ETH Zurich have managed to make sound waves travel only in one direction. In the future, this method could also be used in technical applications with electromagnetic waves.
	Northern elephant seals use deep-sea research sonar as dinner bell Northern elephant seals were repeatedly captured on camera in the deep Pacific Ocean using sonar from an Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) observatory as a dinner bell to forage for their next fish feast, according to a new study led by University of Victoria researchers.
	Newly discovered antibody protects against all COVID-19 variants Researchers have discovered an antibody able to neutralize all known variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, as well as distantly related SARS-like coronaviruses that infect other animals.
	Fungal spores of the mold Aspergillus fumigatus produce an enzyme that weakens the immune system Aspergillus fumigatus is a mold that is found all over the world. Unlike closely related species, it can cause serious, often fatal infections in humans. What makes A. fumigatus so dangerous? An international research team led by Gustavo Goldman from the University of São Paulo in Brazil has found clues to the cause.
	Neuroscientists uncover serotonin's role in resilience The simple act of observing others cope with a traumatic experience can increase our capacity for resilience and prevent the pathological states that can result from it, notably depression. Neuroscientists at UNIL have demonstrated the presence of this "emotional contagion" in mice, and successfully deciphered its mechanism.
	Inside the 'golden age' of alien hunting at the Green Bank Telescope Nestled between mountains in a secluded corner of West Virginia, a giant awakens: the Green Bank Telescope begins its nightly vigil, scanning the cosmos for secrets.
	Yosemite National Park: Crews restore damaged landscape back to conditions not seen in 150 years Yosemite National Park is famous for towering waterfalls, giant sequoia trees and massive granite cliffs. But at an out-of-the-way spot near the park's western boundary few visitors ever see, a landmark of a different type is taking shape.
	The Roman siege of Masada lasted just a few weeks, not several years, say archaeologists Researchers from the Sonia & Marco Nadler Institute of Archaeology at Tel Aviv University have used a range of modern technologies, including drones, remote sensing, and 3D digital modeling, to generate the first objective, quantified analysis of the Roman siege system at Masada. Findings indicate that, contrary to the widespread myth, the Roman army's siege of Masada in 73 CE lasted no more than a few weeks.
	'Some pterosaurs would flap, others would soar'—new study confirms flight capability of these giants of the skies Some species of pterosaurs flew by flapping their wings while others soared like vultures, demonstrates a new study published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.
	Electricity generated by earthquakes might be the secret behind giant gold nuggets Scientists have long been fascinated by the formation of gold nuggets, often found nestled within quartz veins. New research led by Monash University geologists suggests that the process might be even more electrifying than we previously thought—literally.
	Thailand nets 1.3 million kilograms of invasive fish Thailand has netted more than 1.3 million kilograms of highly destructive blackchin tilapia fish, the government said Tuesday, as it battles to stamp out the invasive species.
	Fetching in cats is more common than previously thought, researchers find Although it is more common in dogs, 4 in 10 pet cats also choose to play fetch with their owners, report Mikel Delgado from Purdue University, US, and colleagues in PLOS ONE.
	DNA may be a powerful predictor of educational success, new research suggests Researchers at the University of York are calling for further exploration of the role DNA could play in predicting educational outcomes. The work is published in the journal Educational Psychology Review.
	AI helps distinguish dark matter from cosmic noise Dark matter is the invisible force holding the universe together—or so we think. It makes up about 85% of all matter and around 27% of the universe's contents, but since we can't see it directly, we have to study its gravitational effects on galaxies and other cosmic structures. Despite decades of research, the true nature of dark matter remains one of science's most elusive questions.
	Brain scans reveal that mindfulness meditation for pain is not a placebo Pain is a complex, multifaceted experience shaped by various factors beyond physical sensation, such as a person's mindset and their expectations of pain. The placebo effect, the tendency for a person's symptoms to improve in response to inactive treatment, is a well-known example of how expectations can significantly alter a person's experience. Mindfulness meditation, which has been used for pain management in various cultures for centuries, has long been thought to work by activating the placebo response. However, scientists have now shown that this is not the case.
	SpaceX Polaris Dawn mission set to launch early Friday The SpaceX Polaris Dawn mission, a multiday orbital expedition set to feature the first-ever spacewalk by private citizens, is now scheduled to launch on Friday, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
	Chemists find new pharmaceutically active substances from billions of newly combined molecules Nowadays, there's lots of buzz about spectacular new medical treatments, such as personalized cancer therapy with modified immune cells or antibodies. Such treatments, however, are very complex and expensive and so find only limited application. Most medical therapies are still based on small chemical compounds that can be produced in large quantities and thus at low cost.
	Why are black holes stable against their own gravity? Neutron stars are timelike matter with a maximum mass of about 2.34 solar masses in quantum chromodynamics (the strong color force). Black holes are spacelike matter that have no maximum mass, but a minimum mass of 2.35 solar masses. Indeed, black holes have been identified with millions or billions of solar masses.