Photo credit: phys.org
This week, notable advancements emerged in scientific research with findings from NASA’s Dawn mission, which unveiled 11 potential locations on Ceres that indicate the presence of internal organic materials. A collaborative investigation also shed light on the dazzle camouflage techniques used on naval ships during World War I. Furthermore, Japanese scientists discovered a mechanism in living organisms that relies on a single hydrogen atom as a nano-switch to facilitate energy acquisition. Other significant topics included ongoing challenges in urban commercial real estate post-pandemic, the creation of the world’s first carbon-14 battery, and a renewed debate surrounding the classification of Neanderthals versus Homo sapiens.
Impact on Urban Real Estate
The COVID-19 pandemic prompted a significant shift as workers sought refuge from urban centers to suburban areas or their homes. This trend adversely affected city tax revenues, the stock valuation of certain businesses, especially salad chains, and placed considerable strain on the commercial real estate market. According to a recent analysis by Stanford University economist Nicholas Bloom, these shifts have proven persistent, encapsulated in what he describes as the “donut effect”—a phenomenon where financial districts face significant depopulation, impacting local economies.
Bloom’s study analyzed data on migratory patterns, real estate trends, commuting methods, and consumer expenditure. Findings indicate that 12 major U.S. cities have seen an 8% decline in downtown populations, with many relocating to the suburbs. Additionally, there has been a noticeable drop in the number of businesses within urban centers, particularly in cities like New York, Boston, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. While some other U.S. cities are experiencing minimal or no effects, Bloom reassures that this trend may represent a new norm rather than an escalating crisis.
Innovative Battery Technology
Researchers from the University of Bristol, in collaboration with the U.K. Atomic Energy Authority, have pioneered an advanced diamond battery powered by the radioactive decay of carbon-14. This groundbreaking technology promises to drive devices for millennia. The unique mechanism mimics the functioning of solar panels, but instead of harnessing photons, it captures electrons flowing within a diamond matrix.
The implications for this innovation are vast, from creating biocompatible batteries for medical implants like pacemakers and hearing devices to serving as reliable power sources in challenging environments such as space, where battery replacement is particularly complex. Tom Scott, a materials professor at the University of Bristol and a co-author of the research, expressed enthusiasm about exploring various applications where this micropower technology can make an impact across industries and research fields in the coming years.
Evolutionary Discourse
A contentious topic in evolutionary biology pertains to the classification of Homo sapiens and Homo neanderthalensis. Recent research published in the Evolutionary Journal of the Linnean Society offers fresh arguments supporting the notion that Neanderthals should be recognized as a distinct species. The study argues that Neanderthals underwent a gradual evolutionary process leading to reproductive isolation from early Homo sapiens. This divided lineage potentially positioned them for extinction after a prolonged 400,000-year evolution.
The researchers in this study highlight Neanderthals’ adaptations to colder climates, showcasing greater physical activity over extended periods for resource acquisition, as well as their anatomical traits suggesting larger organ capacities. In contrast, the more streamlined physiology of Homo sapiens may have allowed for greater energy efficiency, which could have ultimately contributed to their survival during challenging periods.
Source
phys.org