Science & Technology News

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by newhaul

Scuba divers thought it was just a log in a lake. Turns out they discovered a 1,200-year-old canoe
https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2021/11/05/u...rnd/index.html

COOL!
"Consider cutting down a tree that's two-and-a-half feet wide with a stone tool, and then hollowing it out and making it float. It must have taken hundreds of hours and a great deal of skill,"

[GordMay]

'Cold Bone': The First Distinct Dinosaur Species Ever Found in Greenland

A pair of 214 million-year-old skulls are thought to belong to the first distinct dinosaur species, identified in what is now Greenland, researchers say. [1]

Given the name “Issi saaneq” ["cold bone" in Greenlandic Inuit], the dinosaur is believed to have been a long-necked, plant-eating, sauropodomorph. It's been reconstructed from two skulls, discovered back in 1994, which were originally thought to belong to Plateosaurus.

After a closer analysis of the skulls; one a juvenile, the other a late-stage juvenile or sub-adult; and a comparison with other, more recent, fossil findings, researchers have now decided that this is a species all of its own, an extra branch, to add to the Late Triassic dinosaur family tree.

When Issi saaneq was alive, the supercontinent Pangaea would have been starting to break apart, forming the Atlantic Ocean, in the process. It's this shifting geography that means we now have dinosaur fossils spread out all across the world. At the time, the Earth was experiencing climate changes, that enabled the first plant-eating dinosaurs to reach Europe, and beyond.

While we don't know for sure how large Issi saaneq might have been, if the species was like other plateosaurids, it's possible it would have reached lengths of 3-10 meters (up to almost 33 feet), a similar size to Plateosaurus, as well as the Macrocollum, and the Unaysaurus: two related species, found in modern-day Brazil, which are almost 15 million years older.

Something else that is of particular interest about this discovery, is that the sauropodomorphs were the predecessors to the sauropods, the largest animals to ever walk on the face of the Earth.

About
“Cold bone”: Researchers discover first dinosaur species that lived on Greenland 214 million years ago” ➥ https://pressemitteilungen.pr.uni-ha...ige&pm_id=5316

Video ➥ https://filer.itz.uni-halle.de/dl/83...ssi-saaneq.mp4

[1] “A New Sauropodomorph Dinosaur from the Late Triassic (Norian) of Jameson Land, Central East Greenland”~ by Victor Beccari et al
➥ https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/13/11/561/htm

[CatNewBee]

A new study from Stockholm University shows potential DNA damaging properties of the spike protein in vaccines and Sars Cov2, that inhibit DNA repair capability in vitro.

https://youtu.be/-SYL-iU0E9Q


very disturbing.

[GordMay]

Protein-based COVID vaccines

Some people can’t get current COVID-19 vaccines for health reasons, but protein-based vaccines offer hope that they might soon be immunized.
To elicit a protective immune response, these shots deliver proteins, along with immunity-stimulating adjuvants, directly to a person’s cells, rather than sending in a fragment of genetic code, that the cells must read to synthesize the proteins themselves.

After months of quality-control setbacks, and manufacturing delays, the protein-based vaccine, from US biotechnology firm Novavax, has just received its first emergency-use authorization, in Indonesia.
Meanwhile, Clover Biopharmaceuticals, based in China, and Biological E, in India, are on track to file for authorization, in various countries, in the coming weeks and months.

More about:

“How protein-based COVID vaccines could change the pandemic”
Jabs from Novavax and other biotech firms are coming. Scientists say they have a lot to offer.
➥ https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-03025-0

“Indonesia first to greenlight Novavax COVID-19 vaccine”
➥ https://apnews.com/article/coronavir...7f52aeed1b8d5a


From the' Nature' article:

[GordMay]

Researchers have unlocked the secret to pearls’ incredible symmetry

Oysters, mussels and other mollusks use a complex process to grow pearls, that follows mathematical rules, seen throughout nature.

Pearls are formed when an irritant gets trapped inside a mollusk, and the animal protects itself by building smooth layers of mineral and protein, together called ‘nacre’, around it. Each new layer of nacre built over this asymmetrical center adapts precisely to the ones preceding it, smoothing out irregularities to result in a round pearl, according to an analysis [1] published October 19 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Made of just calcium, carbonate and protein, nacre is 3,000 times tougher than the materials from which it’s made of.

This new understanding of pearls could inspire the next generation of super materials, such as more energy-efficient solar panels, or tough and heat-resistant materials, optimized for use in spacecraft.

[1] “The mesoscale order of nacreous pearls” ~ by Jiseok Gim et al
➥ https://www.pnas.org/content/118/42/e2107477118

[jimbunyard]

Originally Posted by CatNewBee

A new study from Stockholm University shows potential DNA damaging properties of the spike protein in vaccines and Sars Cov2, that inhibit DNA repair capability in vitro.

https://youtu.be/-SYL-iU0E9Q


very disturbing.

"Bery disturbing" indeed... that someone would post such an obviously biased bit of misinformation, loosely cloaked as 'alarming news'.

Of course what could have been done was post a link to the study, which discusses the real issue; the effect that the 'nefarious' spike proteins from all sources (i.e. {pardon the oversimplification} not just those in the vaccine [of which those originating from an infection probably outnumber those obtained from a vaccination by several orders of magnitude]), have on the DNA damage repair machinery.

The actual study this unfounded alarmism is based on is here;

https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/13/10/2056/htm

its most relevant portion is


"Our findings provide evidence of the spike protein hijacking the DNA damage repair machinery and adaptive immune machinery in vitro. We propose a potential mechanism by which spike proteins may impair adaptive immunity by inhibiting DNA damage repair. Although no evidence has been published that SARS–CoV–2 can infect thymocytes or bone marrow lymphoid cells, our in vitro V(D)J reporter assay shows that the spike protein intensely impeded V(D)J recombination. Consistent with our results, clinical observations also show that the risk of severe illness or death with COVID–19 increases with age, especially older adults who are at the highest risk. This may be because SARS–CoV–2 spike proteins can weaken the DNA repair system of older people and consequently impede V(D)J recombination and adaptive immunity. In contrast, our data provide valuable details on the involvement of spike protein subunits in DNA damage repair, indicating that full–length spike–based vaccines may inhibit the recombination of V(D)J in B cells, which is also consistent with a recent study that a full–length spike–based vaccine induced lower antibody titers compared to the RBD–based vaccine. This suggests that the use of antigenic epitopes of the spike as a SARS–CoV–2 vaccine might be safer and more efficacious than the full–length spike. Taken together, we identified one of the potentially important mechanisms of SARS–CoV–2 suppression of the host adaptive immune machinery. Furthermore, our findings also imply a potential side effect of the full–length spike–based vaccine. This work will improve the understanding of COVID–19 pathogenesis and provide new strategies for designing more efficient and safer vaccines."


My emphasis.


See also

Immune Responses Induced by mRNA Vaccination in Mice, Monkeys and Humans

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7831080/

SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccines: Immunological Mechanism and Beyond

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7918810/

[ImaginaryNumber]

Scientists extend and straighten iconic climate “hockey stick"

https://arstechnica.com/science/2021...y-stick/?amp=1

[jimbunyard]

Originally Posted by ImaginaryNumber

Scientists extend and straighten iconic climate “hockey stick"

https://arstechnica.com/science/2021...y-stick/?amp=1

Perhaps an awkward title, given the second paragraph of the article;


"Today, in a paper published by Nature, scientists show that the "handle" of the "hockey stick" extends back 9,500 years, while its "blade" is taller—the last decade was 1.5° C hotter than the average temperature over the last 11,700 years. "Human-caused global temperature change during the last century was likely faster than any changes during the last 24,000 years," said lead author Dr. Matt Osman of the University of Arizona."

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by jimbunyard

Perhaps an awkward title, given the second paragraph of the article;

"Today, in a paper published by Nature, scientists show that the "handle" of the "hockey stick" extends back 9,500 years, while its "blade" is taller—the last decade was 1.5° C hotter than the average temperature over the last 11,700 years. "Human-caused global temperature change during the last century was likely faster than any changes during the last 24,000 years," said lead author Dr. Matt Osman of the University of Arizona."

Indeed. The paper, basically, validates Hansen's original paper, modifying it slightly, with new data.

[newhaul]

Well it seems that NOAA is finally agreeing with me on the la Nina event lasting till north hemisphere
Summer.

The forecaster consensus anticipates La Niña to persist longer, potentially returning to ENSO-neutral during April-June 2022,” NOAA said in its outlook
https://www.kxan.com/weather/la-nina...it-could-last/

[jimbunyard]

Originally Posted by newhaul

Well it seems that NOAA is finally agreeing with me on the la Nina event lasting till north hemisphere Summer.

The forecaster consensus anticipates La Niña to persist longer, potentially returning to ENSO-neutral during April-June 2022,” NOAA said in its outlook
https://www.kxan.com/weather/la-nina...it-could-last/

Yet again, complete bollocks, revealing either an inability to understand, or, perhaps, the lack of desire to read what you're posting.


The mildly clickbaity title


"La Niña isn’t going anywhere. Here’s how long NOAA says it could last"


is belied by the contents of the 'article'.


"La Niña conditions, which emerged in October, have a 90% chance of persisting through the winter months, and a 50% chance of continuing through spring."


Notice also what neither your misinforming source nor NOAA didn't say; namely, that the 'event' would continue into "early summer"...but, somehow, the Puget Sound Oracle did...has someone been visiting Mt. St. Helens on the sly?


In case you're unaware, a "50% chance of continuing through spring" means that there's also a 50% chance of it not continuing through spring.

Hence, much like your 'prediction', not one at all. (Excepting, of course, the paradoxical-seeming 'even any chance of something happening is infinitely larger than zero chance of it happening...')

So I reluctantly concede you're finally correct. It appears that NOAA has followed your lead into making silly 'predictions'.

Except what really happened is that they didn't, and you're just flailing around, quoting a source of lousy information in a vain attempt to achieve --- whatever it is you're trying to achieve.

Sooo, yet again, please provide, in a way that all the ignorant novices here on CF can understand, the method and mechanisms that you used to formulate your non-predictive 'predition' that "In my personal estimation it should persist until mid spring to early summer 2022. Possibly longer.".


And, just to be clear, remember, I don't consider it "wasting my time ... until you can prove you actually have a clue asto the facts of solar physics and ENSO as well", because I consider it a service to illustrate the illogical and often dangerous (although this is mostly just amusing) misinformation that the disingenuous try to pass off as reflecting real-world logic and understanding.

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by jimbunyard

Yet again, complete bollocks, revealing either an inability to understand, or, perhaps, the lack of desire to read what you're posting.


The mildly clickbaity title


"La Niña isn’t going anywhere. Here’s how long NOAA says it could last"


is belied by the contents of the 'article'.


"La Niña conditions, which emerged in October, have a 90% chance of persisting through the winter months, and a 50% chance of continuing through spring."


Notice also what neither your misinforming source nor NOAA didn't say; namely, that the 'event' would continue into "early summer"...but, somehow, the Puget Sound Oracle did...has someone been visiting Mt. St. Helens on the sly?


In case you're unaware, a "50% chance of continuing through spring" means that there's also a 50% chance of it not continuing through spring.

Hence, much like your 'prediction', not one at all. (Excepting, of course, the paradoxical-seeming 'even any chance of something happening is infinitely larger than zero chance of it happening...')

So I reluctantly concede you're finally correct. It appears that NOAA has followed your lead into making silly 'predictions'.

Except what really happened is that they didn't, and you're just flailing around, quoting a source of lousy information in a vain attempt to achieve --- whatever it is you're trying to achieve.

Sooo, yet again, please provide, in a way that all the ignorant novices here on CF can understand, the method and mechanisms that you used to formulate your non-predictive 'predition' that "In my personal estimation it should persist until mid spring to early summer 2022. Possibly longer.".


And, just to be clear, remember, I don't consider it "wasting my time ... until you can prove you actually have a clue asto the facts of solar physics and ENSO as well", because I consider it a service to illustrate the illogical and often dangerous (although this is mostly just amusing) misinformation that the disingenuous try to pass off as reflecting real-world logic and understanding.

Do your homework then we shall talk

[GordMay]

“EL NIÑO/SOUTHERN OSCILLATION (ENSO) DIAGNOSTIC DISCUSSION”
Issued by: CLIMATE PREDICTION CENTER/NCEP/NWS [Nov. 11, 2021]

Originally Posted by CPC

”La Niña is likely to continue through the Northern Hemisphere winter 2021-22 (~90% chance) and into spring 2022 (~50% chance during March-May)...”

Here ➥ https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/produc...u_DR1hq7gl8ITM


Historically Speaking, El Niño and La Niña events tend to develop during the period April through June, and they tend to reach their maximum strength during October - February.
Typically, they persist for 9-12 months, though occasionally persisting for up to 2 years.
Typically, they recur every 2 to 7 years.

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by GordMay

“EL NIÑO/SOUTHERN OSCILLATION (ENSO) DIAGNOSTIC DISCUSSION”
Issued by: CLIMATE PREDICTION CENTER/NCEP/NWS [Nov. 11, 2021]

Here ➥ https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/produc...u_DR1hq7gl8ITM


Historically Speaking, El Niño and La Niña events tend to develop during the period April through June, and they tend to reach their maximum strength during October - February.
Typically, they persist for 9-12 months, though occasionally persisting for up to 2 years.
Typically, they recur every 2 to 7 years.

Hope he thanks you for doing his quick research for him.

[jimbunyard]

Ah yes, but we're still waiting for you to tell us how you arrived at your non-'prediction' that the (likely weaker-than-expected) new la Nina event is going to last longer than NOAA or the CPC are forecasting.

You do, of course, realize that Summer starts on June 21st, therefore stipulating that your 'predicted' US 'cooling' will extend 'til the third week of July?

So, for what is it, the fifth time?, tell us how you arrived at your assertion that the latest lN event will last longer than the authorities that you routinely (erroneously try to) contradict are willing to forecast.

Not even sad that Gord's well-mannered annoyance at your apparently clueless hubris completely escapes your notice.

Here's a guess on par with your 'prediction'.

Next year the PNW will experience a heat wave similar (but not as 'strong') as the one they experienced this year. Why? Let's just call it 'inertia'...and a desire to illustrate the stupidity of bias-based pseudo-'predictions'.