Weekly Science Report

December 7, 2018
 
“If people cannot write well, they cannot think well, and if they cannot think well, others will
do their thinking for them.”
Eric Arthur Blair
 

Introduction
 
Steve Detwiler created this publication with the support of Graham Hancock and 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
 
600 Million Years Ago, the First Scavengers Lurked in Dark Ocean Gardens
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/30/science/ediacaran-period-predators.html
 
New Light on the Ancient Human Populations of Patagonia
https://popular-archaeology.com/article/new-light-on-the-ancient-human-populations-of-patagonia/
 
Like Whales and Dolphins, Prehistoric ‘Fish Lizards’ Kept Warm With Blubber
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/whales-and-dolphins-prehistoric-fish-lizards-kept-
warm-blubber-180970958/
 
Volcanic eruptions that depleted ocean oxygen may have set off the Great Dying
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/volcanic-eruptions-depleted-ocean-oxygen-may-have-set-
great-dying
 
 
 
 
 

History
 
I dig through archives to unearth hidden stories from African-American history
https://theconversation.com/i-dig-through-archives-to-unearth-hidden-stories-from-african-
american-history-103639
 
Collecting antiquities can be profitable yet their provenance can bite back
https://www.ft.com/content/f4df95c2-cc94-11e8-8d0b-a6539b949662
 
Dutch rail company to pay reparations for mass deportations of Jews in WWII
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/dutch-rail-company-pay-reparations-mass-deportations-
jews-wwii-n941136?cid=sm_npd_nn_fb_ma
 
What Lingers After Decades of Reporting on the Cambodian Genocide
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/30/reader-center/khmer-rouge-genocide-trial.html
 
Megan Fox fulfills her lifelong dream of becoming Indiana Jones in Travel Channel series
https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2018/12/03/megan-fox-indiana-jones-travel-channel-
legends-lost/2151794002/
 
25 Years, 25 Milestones
https://www.ushmm.org/information/about-the-museum/museum-publications/memory-and-action/
25-years-25-milestones?v=4GNIfQV7mJs?
utm_source=mkto&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=1812MKTEM04255-hotizontal-link-
2&mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiTURBME16UmtNekF4TVRkaiIsInQiOiJiTk9NXC9xbEQxaXBXRGp1YktuZ
lk0R2Npc2pDOVVSK1lLZkhCd2UzbDJiWnRybVRlVm16V2tMMFlRcVwvRDd4MzdQR3ErcUx
QUlNyeEtWNFZhQ25wWEJnQlRwOTkrcGF2cEdNbGZHcnZ3R3FEWjdIRXR1TndVZThyUitCb
UlVejNqIn0%3D
 
How Japan's Kamikaze Attacks Went From Last Resort at Pearl Harbor to WWII Strategy
https://www.history.com/news/pearl-harbor-japan-kamikaze-world-war-ii?
cmpid=FACEBOOK_FBPAGE__20181206&linkId=60634724
 
Meet Krampus, the Christmas Devil Who Punishes Naughty Children
https://www.history.com/news/krampus-christmas-legend-origin?
cmpid=FACEBOOK_FBPAGE__20181205&linkId=60617241
 
Native Americans On Tribal Land Are 'The Least Connected' To High-Speed Internet
https://www.npr.org/2018/12/06/673364305/native-americans-on-tribal-land-are-the-least-
connected-to-high-speed-internet?sc=tw
 
Hey, that's our stuff: Maasai tribespeople tackle Oxford's Pitt Rivers Museum
https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2018/dec/04/pitt-rivers-museum-oxford-maasai-colonial-
artefacts?
CMP=share_btn_fb&fbclid=IwAR0i0aHJ8fQhwfx7UXBbw48AUTAJddrrV5eMc7V1k1U6LMWP
gnVPpTDO3W8
 
Remains of Pearl Harbor sailors return home after 77 years
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2018/12/06/pearl-harbor-sailors-remains/2234289002/
 
Study upends timeline for Iroquoian history
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-12/cu-sut120718.php
 
 

Archaeology
 
Meet the people racing to save war-torn Syria’s history-Video
https://www.today.com/video/meet-the-people-racing-to-save-war-torn-syria-s-history-
1379843139858?v=raila&
 
Bronze Age woman in Scotland was an early immigrant, DNA analysis reveals
https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/03/health/scotland-dna-grave-scli-intl-gbr/index.html?
utm_medium=social&utm_content=2018-12-
03T20%3A03%3A37&utm_term=link&utm_source=fbCNN
 
Beauty or safety? Europe seeks to protect heritage from disasters
http://mercury.postlight.com/amp?url=http://news.trust.org/item/20181126142626-arur2/
&__twitter_impression=true
 
A one-woman team tried to protect cultural sites from warming. She just quit.
https://grist.org/article/national-park-service-climate-change-jamestown/
 
Road workers drill through 6,000-year-old prehistoric platform near Stonehenge
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/road-workers-drill-through-6-000-year-old-prehistoric-
platform-n944671?cid=sm_npd_nn_fb_ma
 
Ancient, unknown strain of plaque found in 5,000 year old tomb in Sweden
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ancient-unknown-strain-of-plague-found-in-5000-year-old-tomb-
in-sweden/?ftag=CNM-00-10aab6a&linkId=60679777
 
 
Egyptology
 
Burial well dating back to Middle Kingdom uncovered
http://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/61557/Burial-well-dating-back-to-Middle-Kingdom-
uncovered
 
More light on the Saite Period
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/News/26027.aspx
 
 
 
 
 
 

General Science
 
The Genius Neuroscientist Who Might Hold the Key to True AI
https://www.wired.com/story/karl-friston-free-energy-principle-artificial-intelligence/?
CNDID=41291302&CNDID=41291302&bxid=MjM5NjgxMjIxODk5S0&hasha=3ed15b3d4270f5
2ce4da5de4e5031836&hashb=9085a9ae56cc45a4e9bae24e2eaeaade6e04a43e&mbid=nl_120318_p
aywall-reminder_list3_p1&utm_brand=wired&utm_mailing=Paywall%20Reminder%20NL
%20120318%20(1)&utm_medium=email&utm_source=nl
 
Quantum computers pose a security threat that we’re still totally unprepared for
https://www.technologyreview.com/s/612509/quantum-computers-encryption-threat/amp/?
__twitter_impression=true
Physics, Earth and Space Sciences

NASA spacecraft arrives at ancient asteroid, its 1st visitor

https://apnews.com/144355e6b43a4202936456caacc80775
 
Why Do We Put Telescopes in Space?
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-do-we-put-telescopes-in-space/?
utm_medium=spredfast&utm_content=&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=SciAm_&sf2034979
00=1
 
Neil DeGrasse Tyson Rejects Claims Of Sexual Misconduct
https://www.npr.org/2018/12/02/672643776/neil-degrasse-tyson-responds-to-claims-of-sexual-
harassment?sc=tw
 
A radio search for artificial emissions from 'Oumuamua
https://phys.org/news/2018-12-radio-artificial-emissions-oumuamua.html?
fbclid=IwAR3ON4vttBZpfmcz9iY75Jv6dBidC-BuV71K4jPwsW1HGMJTrrH5jAgpCdc
 
SpaceX launches cargo, but fails to land rocket
https://phys.org/news/2018-12-spacex-cargo-rocket.html?
fbclid=IwAR3THvb_VXRGkqu9jCf7TxEyirIrY1xbH6Lcol4d4zVrTVqP9aGUN6LfwbQ
 
InSight lander 'hears' Martian winds
https://phys.org/news/2018-12-insight-lander-martian.html
 
The Possible Parallel Universe of Dark Matter
http://discovermagazine.com/2013/julyaug/21-the-possible-parallel-universe-of-dark-matter?
utm_source=dscfb&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=dscfb
 
China Launches First Mission to Land on the Far Side of the Moon
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/china-launches-change-4-mission-land-far-side-
moon-180970973/
 
 

Environment, Climate Change and Alternative Energy

Sources
 
Climate change is shrinking winter snowpack, which harms Northeast forests year-round
https://theconversation.com/climate-change-is-shrinking-winter-snowpack-which-harms-northeast-
forests-year-round-103410
 
Scientists reveal substantial water loss in global landlocked regions
https://www.preventionweb.net/news/view/62365
 
Switching to electric vehicles could save the US billions, but timing is everything
https://theconversation.com/switching-to-electric-vehicles-could-save-the-us-billions-but-timing-is-
everything-106227
 
Carbon bill makes first footprint
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/morning-energy/2018/11/28/carbon-bill-makes-first-footprint-
432003
 
The European Union is aiming to be carbon-neutral by 2050
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2018/12/european-union-aims-to-be-first-carbon-neutral-major-
economy-by-2050?utm_source=Facebook%20Videos&utm_medium=Facebook
%20Videos&utm_campaign=Facebook%20Video%20Blogs
 
Solar Mini-Grids Give Nigeria a Power Boost
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/02/climate/solar-mini-grids-give-nigeria-a-power-boost.html
 
World's first brick made of urine requires a lot of it
https://www.nbcnews.com/mach/science/world-s-first-brick-made-urine-requires-lot-it-
ncna941356?cid=sm_npd_nn_tw_ma
 
Windy weather carries Britain to renewable energy record
https://amp.theguardian.com/environment/2018/nov/30/windy-weather-carries-britain-to-
renewable-energy-record?CMP=share_btn_tw&__twitter_impression=true
 
Monumental Disaster at the Department of the Interior
https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/monumental-disaster-at-the-department-of-the-
interior/?sf203621390=1
 
Greenland ice sheet melt 'off the charts' compared with past four centuries
https://phys.org/news/2018-12-greenland-ice-sheet-centuries.html?
fbclid=IwAR1rAwdrTYMQ4CZ9OyaRnZ-J_WTgqlVxNCPtXvAytb5fFEnG9UQ1V0rG3L0
 
California Gives Final OK To Require Solar Panels On New Houses
https://www.npr.org/2018/12/06/674075032/california-gives-final-ok-to-requiring-solar-panels-on-
new-houses?sc=tw
 

Trump administration swaps academics for business

executives on National Park Service advisory panel

https://www.washingtonpost.com/energy-environment/
2018/12/06/trump-administration-swaps-academics-
businessmen-national-park-service-advisory-panel/?
fbclid=IwAR0AtcFcXtFQTTYs2hmBEuk8lZ04qDhL8sPzobI2
gi1U7xz5Hh4o3K2evT4&utm_term=.e4673abc977f

 
Biological, Genetics and Medical Sciences

AIDS treatment has progressed, but without a vaccine,

suffering still abounds

https://theconversation.com/aids-treatment-has-progressed-
but-without-a-vaccine-suffering-still-abounds-107765

CRISPR babies and other ethical missteps in science threaten

China’s global standing

https://theconversation.com/crispr-babies-and-other-ethical-
missteps-in-science-threaten-chinas-global-standing-108009

 
Chinese scientist who edited twin girls' genes He Jiankui missing for over a week
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-12-07/chinese-scientist-who-edited-twins-genes-he-jiankui-
missing/10588528?smid=Page:%20ABC%20News-
Facebook_Organic&WT.tsrc=Facebook_Organic&sf203784388=1
 

Deepwater corals thrive at the bottom of the ocean, but can’t

escape human impacts

https://theconversation.com/deepwater-corals-thrive-at-the-
bottom-of-the-ocean-but-cant-escape-human-impacts-104211
 
Beloved Yellowstone Wolf ‘Spitfire’ Killed By Trophy Hunter
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/yellowstone-park-wolf-
killed_us_5c03eec6e4b0606a15b63d33?
utm_campaign=hp_fb_pages&utm_source=main_fb&ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000063&utm_mediu
m=facebook&fbclid=IwAR3LkKN5BmlnaASSPgOHs6G4Zhov2FV1_faO9csWAmfpwWSivw3jH
_NsKfY
 
Sacking of Italy's health experts raises political interference concerns
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/dec/04/politically-motivated-italys-m5s-sacks-peak-
board-of-health-experts?CMP=share_btn_link
 
Antarctic researchers enter a state of 'psychological hibernation,' study finds
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-12-antarctic-state-psychological-hibernation.html?
fbclid=IwAR3fpaVmFfljLv6XM3PzWxU7bJRKU-QRMOaO-lEAmhwW8mYD9v4Iu6TCSH4
 

Apple’s Newest Watch Features Will Transform Heart Health

https://www.wired.com/story/apple-watch-heart-monitoring-
pros-and-cons/?
CNDID=41291302&CNDID=41291302&bxid=MjM5NjgxMjIx
ODk5S0&hasha=3ed15b3d4270f52ce4da5de4e5031836&hashb
=9085a9ae56cc45a4e9bae24e2eaeaade6e04a43e&mbid=nl_120
818_daily_list1_p2&utm_brand=wired&utm_mailing=WIRE
D%20NL
%20120818%20(1)&utm_medium=email&utm_source=nl

WSU researchers create 3D-printed glucose biosensors

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-12/wsu-
wrc120618.php

Could algae that are 'poor-providers' help corals come back

after bleaching?

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-12/cifs-
cat120618.php
 
New generation of therapeutics based on understanding of aging biology show promise for
Alzheimer's disease
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-12/addf-fti120718.php
 
 

Other
 
How local journalism can upend the ‘fake news’ narrative
https://theconversation.com/how-local-journalism-can-upend-the-fake-news-narrative-104630
 
'It's the real me': Nigerian president denies dying and being replaced by clone
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/dec/03/its-real-me-nigerian-president-denies-dying-and-
being-replaced-by-clone?
CMP=fb_gu&fbclid=IwAR3EQnJAJZNC99R2BUtxcYr9AFL4Hvh_Rn2SLFJmQ0PiquxocmMg5
Eiw0o8
 
School District Apologizes For Teacher Who Allegedly Cut Native American Child's Hair
https://www.npr.org/2018/12/06/673837893/school-district-apologizes-for-teacher-who-allegedly-
cut-native-american-childs-?
utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_
content=203007&fbclid=IwAR0n2J4AWF4255KjJCf5BNDPvoTF06BsfzAeN_KvPraFnJOUHGN
HyDjP6RQ
 

Additional Informational
 
A Message from the US Holocaust Memorial Museum survivor volunteers- Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Np2KKHBZCQA&feature=youtu.be%3Futm_source
%3Dmkto&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=1812MKTEM04255-horizontal-link-
1&mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiTURBME16UmtNekF4TVRkaiIsInQiOiJiTk9NXC9xbEQxaXBXRGp1YktuZ
lk0R2Npc2pDOVVSK1lLZkhCd2UzbDJiWnRybVRlVm16V2tMMFlRcVwvRDd4MzdQR3ErcUx
QUlNyeEtWNFZhQ25wWEJnQlRwOTkrcGF2cEdNbGZHcnZ3R3FEWjdIRXR1TndVZThyUitCb
UlVejNqIn0%3D
 
The Holocaust: History and Memory: Virtual Field Trip and Lesson Plan
https://www.ushmm.org/educators/lesson-plans/virtual-field-trip?v=7gSUEnxiYpw?
utm_source=mkto&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=1812MKTEM04255-hotizontal-link-
3&mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiTURBME16UmtNekF4TVRkaiIsInQiOiJiTk9NXC9xbEQxaXBXRGp1YktuZ
lk0R2Npc2pDOVVSK1lLZkhCd2UzbDJiWnRybVRlVm16V2tMMFlRcVwvRDd4MzdQR3ErcUx
QUlNyeEtWNFZhQ25wWEJnQlRwOTkrcGF2cEdNbGZHcnZ3R3FEWjdIRXR1TndVZThyUitCb
UlVejNqIn0%3D
 
How would today’s atrocity prevention experts have evaluated Kristallnacht?
https://medium.com/@HolocaustMuseum/how-would-todays-atrocity-prevention-experts-have-
evaluated-kristallnacht-727b5cda022e?
mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiTURBME16UmtNekF4TVRkaiIsInQiOiJiTk9NXC9xbEQxaXBXRGp1YktuZlk0
R2Npc2pDOVVSK1lLZkhCd2UzbDJiWnRybVRlVm16V2tMMFlRcVwvRDd4MzdQR3ErcUxQ
UlNyeEtWNFZhQ25wWEJnQlRwOTkrcGF2cEdNbGZHcnZ3R3FEWjdIRXR1TndVZThyUitCbU
lVejNqIn0%3D
 
Holocaust Encyclopedia, Kindertransport 1938-40
https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/kindertransport-1938-40?
utm_source=mkto&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=1812MKTEM04255-three-col-link-
3&mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiTURBME16UmtNekF4TVRkaiIsInQiOiJiTk9NXC9xbEQxaXBXRGp1YktuZ
lk0R2Npc2pDOVVSK1lLZkhCd2UzbDJiWnRybVRlVm16V2tMMFlRcVwvRDd4MzdQR3ErcUx
QUlNyeEtWNFZhQ25wWEJnQlRwOTkrcGF2cEdNbGZHcnZ3R3FEWjdIRXR1TndVZThyUitCb
UlVejNqIn0%3D
 
Our planet’s agricultural moonshot
http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/blog/2018/Our_planets_agricultural_moonshot.html?
_lrsc=a1c52a07-e3fa-49d9-9d4f-68e5bab6fd99#.XAb8EoDxVgU.twitter
 
8 Tales of Pearl Harbor Heroics
https://www.history.com/news/8-tales-of-pearl-harbor-heroics?
cmpid=FACEBOOK_FBPAGE__20181207&linkId=60721234
 
Space Photos of the Week: Do You Want to Land on an Asteroid?
https://www.wired.com/story/space-photos-of-the-week-land-on-an-asteroid/?
CNDID=41291302&CNDID=41291302&bxid=MjM5NjgxMjIxODk5S0&hasha=3ed15b3d4270f5
2ce4da5de4e5031836&hashb=9085a9ae56cc45a4e9bae24e2eaeaade6e04a43e&mbid=nl_120818_d
aily_list3_p4&utm_brand=wired&utm_mailing=WIRED%20NL
%20120818%20(1)&utm_medium=email&utm_source=nl