Weekly Science Report

September 11, 2020

 
“Years ago, anthropologist Margaret Mead was asked by a student what she
considered to be the first sign of civilization in a culture.  The student expected
Mead to talk about fishhooks or clay pots or grinding stones.  But no, Mead said
that the first sign of civilization in an ancient culture was a femur (thighbone) that
had been broken and then healed.  Mead explained that in the animal kingdom, if
you break your leg, you die.  You cannot run from danger, get to the river for a drink
or hunt for food.  You are meat for prowling beasts.  No animal survives a broken leg
long enough for the bone to heal.  A broken femur that has healed is evidence that
someone has taken time to stay with the one who fell, has bound up the wound, has
carried the person to safety and has tended the person through recovery.  Helping
someone else through difficulty is where civilization starts, Mead said.  We are at
our best when we serve others.  Be civilized.”
Ira Byock
 

Introduction
 
Steve Detwiler created this publication with the support of Graham Hancock and the late
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:
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News Articles
 
Paleontology, Evolution and Prehistoric Studies
 
Fingerprints help identify age and sex of prehistoric painters in southern Spain
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/news/fingerprints-help-identify-prehistoric-painters
 
Researchers reveal a much richer picture of the past with new DNA recovery technique
https://phys.org/news/2020-09-reveal-richer-picture-dna-recovery.html
 
When did we become fully human? What fossils and DNA tell us about the evolution of modern intelligence
https://theconversation.com/when-did-we-become-fully-human-what-fossils-and-dna-tell-us-about-the-
evolution-of-modern-intelligence-143717
 
The temporal lobes of Homo erectus were proportionally smaller than in H. sapiens
https://phys.org/news/2020-09-temporal-lobes-homo-erectus-proportionally.html
 
Paleolithic Dogs Found in Caves in Southern Italy
https://www.archaeology.org/news/9021-200911-italy-paleolithic-dogs
 
 
 
 
 

History
 
The Case Thurgood Marshall Never Forgot
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/case-thurgood-marshall-never-forgot-180964637/?
utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=socialmedia&fbclid=IwAR1PHTedSayWHhYJ9PiW6TUHo-
ufvaBFQzpMRUXDolEnjSbnAnYava9qjsQ
 
Duch, Prison Chief Who Slaughtered for the Khmer Rouge, Dies at 77
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/01/world/asia/duch-kaing-guek-eav-dead.html?s=09#click=https://t.co/
Li5ITdsIw2
 
‘Away from Home’ exhibit tells story of federal boarding schools for Indian children
https://amp.kansas.com/entertainment/article245272320.html?__twitter_impression=true&s=09
 
'The Quiet Americans' Examines Tragic Miscalculations In The CIA's Formative Years
https://www.npr.org/2020/09/01/908267554/the-quiet-americans-examines-tragic-miscalculations-in-the-cia-
s-formative-years?sc=18&f=1001
 
A deep dive into the secret archives of Pope Pius XII
https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2020/09/02/secret-archives-pope-pius-xii-vatican-catholic
 
Russia’s peasant history, once submerged, is brought back into the light
https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Making-a-difference/2020/0821/Russia-s-peasant-history-once-
submerged-is-brought-back-into-the-light?
utm_term=Autofeed&utm_medium=Social&cmpid=FB&utm_source=Facebook#Echobox=1598093297
 
Nazi-Occupied Norway Offers a Glimpse of What Hitler Wanted for the Entire World
https://time.com/5885434/nazi-norway-history/?
utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=editorial&utm_term=history_opinion&linkId=99
402445
 
New Research Sheds Light on Fraction Signs of Still Undeciphered Minoan Linear A Script
http://www.sci-news.com/archaeology/fraction-signs-minoan-linear-a-script-08835.html
 
Study confirms widespread literacy in biblical-period kingdom of Judah
https://phys.org/news/2020-09-widespread-literacy-biblical-period-kingdom-judah.html
 
Hokusai: More than 100 lost works by non-western world’s most famous artist rediscovered
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/hokusai-lost-artwork-found-paris-british-museum-
b404960.html
 
Lactose tolerance spread throughout Europe in only a few thousand years
https://www.uni-mainz.de/presse/aktuell/12031_ENG_HTML.php
 
Severe Cyclones May Have Played a Role in the Maya Collapse
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/severe-cyclones-may-have-played-role-maya-collapse-
180975717/
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Archaeology
 
Uncovering the acoustical properties of Stonehenge
https://phys.org/news/2020-09-uncovering-acoustical-properties-stonehenge.html?fbclid=IwAR0zm1-
ugXJUF_kpevRzsxy9ULqZqJZLi6V8FF3F6ILVCqwno75d3lH0doM
 
New dating of Nebra sky disk
https://phys.org/news/2020-09-dating-nebra-sky-disk.html
 
Sacred lands must be preserved, not bombed
https://indiancountrytoday.com/opinion/sacred-lands-must-be-preserved-not-bombed-RpVHCSy-
H0SdjaFbCNcPhQ
 
Bones found on a property tied to Obama, causing tension with Native Hawaiians
https://www.staradvertiser.com/2020/08/15/hawaii-news/bones-found-on-a-property-tied-to-obama-causing-
tension-with-native-hawaiians/
 
The mystery of Central Asia’s desert kites
http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20200907-the-mystery-of-central-asias-desert-kites?ocid=fbtvl
 
5,000-year-old tomb on Orkney designed to 'ease passage to afterlife', research finds
https://www.scotsman.com/heritage-and-retro/heritage/5000-year-old-tomb-orkney-designed-ease-passage-
afterlife-research-finds-2964197
 
Sudan floods threaten ancient archaeological site, experts say
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/09/sudan-floods-threaten-ancient-archaeological-site-experts-
200908095137475.html
 
2,200-year-old Chinese text may be oldest surviving anatomical atlas
https://www.livescience.com/oldest-known-human-atlas-china.html
 
Wreckage of German World War II battleship found off Norway
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/wreckage-karlsruhe-german-world-war-ii-warship-found-norway/
 
Ancient hillfort 'built by the mysterious Votadini tribe' and dating back up to 3,000 years is discovered near
the top of Arthur's Seat by archaeologists
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-8705719/Archaeology-Hillfort-dating-3-000-years-discovered-
near-Arthurs-Seat.html
 
Commander's Orders
https://www.archaeology.org/issues/394-2009/digs/8926-digs-england-vindolanda-masclus-tablet
 
The Means of Production
https://www.archaeology.org/issues/394-2009/digs/8925-digs-mexico-copper-smelting
 
Siberian Island Enigma
https://www.archaeology.org/issues/394-2009/digs/8931-digs-siberia-por-bajin
 
Ancient earthquake may have caused destruction of Canaanite palace at Tel Kabri
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-09/gwu-aem091120.php
 
Long-Awaited Update Arrives for Radiocarbon Dating
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/long-awaited-update-arrives-for-radiocarbon-dating/

Egyptology
 
Trove of 2,500-Year-Old Sealed Coffins Unearthed in Egypt
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/trove-2500-year-old-human-coffins-unearthed-egypt-
180975755/
 
Closing in on a Pharaoh's Tomb
https://www.archaeology.org/issues/394-2009/digs/8929-digs-egypt-deir-el-bahari
 
3,200-year-old Egyptian-built fortress found in Israel
https://www.livescience.com/ancient-egyptian-philistine-fortress-discovered.html

General Science
 
Google’s Quantum Computer Achieves Chemistry Milestone
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/googles-quantum-computer-achieves-chemistry-milestone/
 
 

Physics, Earth and Space Sciences

 
Ancient meteorites suggest Earth's oceans didn't come from space, but were already here
https://www.nbcnews.com/science/science-news/ancient-meteorites-suggest-earth-s-oceans-didn-t-come-
space-n1238462?
cid=sm_npd_nn_fb_ma&fbclid=IwAR1GDq2ziKhT8VZ1MDjEmSG6km_Az9y09VmvT4OQd216G3DLf_famV
uUUs4
 
There's a second impact crater under Greenland
https://astronomy.com/news/2019/02/theres-a-second-impact-crater-under-greenland?
utm_source=asyfb&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=asyfb&fbclid=IwAR2OLimoL9rqQf-VFo8nRH-
lTIbB0JaMfCnhYsrx9qKbtVjkYIeskhOLe-4
 
Breakthrough narrows intelligent life search in Milky Way
https://phys.org/news/2020-09-breakthrough-narrows-intelligent-life-milky.amp
 
'Biggest bang since the Big Bang': Scientists detect collision of huge black holes
https://www.nbcnews.com/science/space/biggest-bang-big-bang-scientists-detect-collision-huge-black-holes-
rcna106
 
Gravity, Gizmos, and a Grand Theory of Interstellar Travel
https://www.wired.com/story/mach-effect-thrusters-interstellar-travel/
 
Volcanic ash may have a bigger impact on the climate than we thought
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-09/uoca-vam091020.php
 
China says Mars probe stable; no word on reusable spacecraft
https://phys.org/news/2020-09-china-mars-probe-stable-word.html
 
Carbon-rich exoplanets may be made of diamonds
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-09/asu-cem091120.php
 
Galactic census reveals origin of most 'extreme' galaxies
https://phys.org/news/2020-09-galactic-census-reveals-extreme-galaxies.html
 
How Cold War Politics Shaped the International Space Station
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/how-cold-war-politics-shaped-international-space-station-
180975743/
 
SpaceX’s Dark Satellites Are Still Too Bright for Astronomers
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/spacexs-dark-satellites-are-still-too-bright-for-astronomers/
 
 
 
 

Environment, Climate Change and Alternative Energy Sources

 
Oklahoma seeks continued authority to oversee environmental programs in state's Indian territories
https://oklahoman.com/article/5667451/oklahoma-seeks-continued-authority-to-oversee-environmental-
programs-in-states-indian-territories
 
Industrial waste can turn planet-warming carbon dioxide into stone
https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/09/industrial-waste-can-turn-planet-warming-carbon-dioxide-stone
 
New mathematical method shows how climate change led to fall of ancient civilization
https://phys.org/news/2020-09-mathematical-method-climate-fall-ancient.html
 
Global warming threatens soil phosphorus, says a soil scientist from RUDN University
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-09/ru-gwt091120.php
 
 
 
 
 

Biological, Genetics and Medical Sciences

 
UNC researchers publish striking images of SARS-CoV-2 infected cells
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-09/uonc-urp091020.php
 
CityU develops anti-bacterial graphene face masks
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-09/cuoh-cda091020.php
 
Researchers reveal safeguarding of key DNA sensor in innate immune system
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-09/uonc-rrs091020.php
 
Novel discovery challenges a current kidney cancer paradigm
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-09/hci-ndc091120.php
 
Is the "Mozart Effect" real? New analysis indicates that music can help epilepsy
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-09/econ-it091120.php
 
Significant leap forward in method for cancer treatment
https://phys.org/news/2020-09-significant-method-cancer-treatment.html
 
Antarctica is still free of COVID-19. Can it stay that way?
https://phys.org/news/2020-09-antarctica-free-covid-.html
 
Drugging the undruggable: A treatment path for muscular dystrophy
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-09-drugging-undruggable-treatment-path-muscular.html
 
Nine COVID-19 Myths That Just Won’t Go Away
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/nine-covid-19-myths-that-just-wont-go-away/
 
 
 

Other
 
How Do I Know I’m Not the Only Conscious Being in the Universe?
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-do-i-know-im-not-the-only-conscious-being-in-the-universe/
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Additional Informational
 
Key Governance Issues in Space Report
https://aerospace.csis.org/key-governance-issues-in-space/
 
DESTROYING THE SOUL OF THE YAZIDIS: Cultural Heritage Destruction During the Islamic State’s
Genocide Against the Yazidis Report
https://t.co/CBMd4fPTuE?amp=1&s=09
 
The oldest Neanderthal DNA of Central-Eastern Europe
https://www.mpg.de/15342301/0907-evan-019609-the-oldest-neanderthal-dna-of-central-eastern-europe
 
Palaeoproteomics gives new insight into early southern African pastoralism
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-71374-3