Weekly Science Report

August 16, 2019

 
“Is there a God?  I don’t know.  Just tell me!  I would if I could but I don’t know and neither
does anybody else.  Roberta knows.  No Roberta has faith and that’s a great thing to have. 
Faith is about what you think and feel.  What about Jesus?  Love that guy, do what he says. 
But is he God?  I don’t know.  I have an opinion but that’s my opinion, I could be wrong.  So
why would I screw up yours?  Use your head but don’t be afraid to believe in things either. 
There was a guy on TV that said there was no God.  The only difference between the atheists
on TV and Roberta is that Roberta loves you.  She is just trying to help.  Tell you what
though, one way or another we all end up back together in the end.  That’s what you are
asking right?  Yep!  Do me a favor find something else to worry about.”
Gifted the Movie
 

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:
 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/weeklysciencerpt/
 Twitter: https://twitter.com/wklysciencerpt
 
 News Articles
 
Paleontology, Evolution and Prehistoric Studies
 
Meteorite strikes made life on Earth possible
https://phys.org/news/2019-08-meteorite-life-earth.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
 
Genetic Study Suggests Human Role in Cave Bear Extinction
https://www.archaeology.org/news/7941-190815-cave-bear-extinction
 
Humans migrated to Mongolia much earlier than previously believed
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-08/uoc--hmt081619.php
 
 
 
 
 

History
 
What’s Silver, Purple, and Very Well-Traveled?
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/silver-purple-bible-codex-mysterious-centuries
 
Ancient Maya practiced 'total war' well before climate stress
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/2019/08/ancient-maya-practiced-total-war-before-
drought/
 
'Guardians of The Grand Canyon': The Havasupai Tribe's Long Connection To The Canyon's Red
Rocks
https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2019/08/13/grand-canyon-havasupai-tribe
 
Vatican official: Church must be prudent judging Medjugorje apparitions
https://www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2019/08/16/vatican-official-church-must-be-
prudent-judging-medjugorje-apparitions?fbclid=IwAR2-T44EZag__LEaOd726uCbeeVAJPFi8-
oknp0WXPpieBrN_dOhTSciCl4
 
The World’s Oldest Library: Founded by a Woman, Restored By a Woman
https://lithub.com/the-worlds-oldest-library-founded-by-a-woman-restored-by-a-woman/
 
A Century Later: The Treaty Of Versailles And Its Rejection Of Racial Equality
https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2019/08/11/742293305/a-century-later-the-treaty-of-
versailles-and-its-rejection-of-racial-equality?
utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_
content=20190811&fbclid=IwAR2fe_PgMGZ-
NgwSTAl7ADOlikHCyvEoU7VO1d5NyGDxM1Guzaxcm3MWxrw
 
Across Europe, Museums Rethink What To Do With Their African Art Collections
https://www.npr.org/2019/08/12/750549303/across-europe-museums-rethink-what-to-do-with-their-
african-art-collections?
utm_campaign=npr&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_term=nprnews&utm_medium=social&fbcli
d=IwAR08HNHhgF87p-SHhhaOH6r7uQUm5MTldseuSFloSpgh_GI-
8zAVOYugGBw&fbclid=IwAR2t0iHr2C69DRlxR0vjmff1pBzgeFxpSqq5MIblm6F8d1TsNZkMYu
FTr6Q
 
New Netflix docuseries highlights Native American stories and storytellers
https://www.12news.com/video/news/local/arizona/new-netflix-docuseries-highlights-native-
american-stories-and-storytellers/75-d0a02890-3521-47d7-b144-69759e6be7c6?
fbclid=IwAR2f8BnOF0J4ZdOJZh6JVmNUVkxzwjdPUZLIC9HXVJ1lihcRobwA0404XV8
 
New Heritage Minute aims to raise awareness about traumatic chapter of Canadian history
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/new-heritage-minute-honours-acadian-history-
1.5248107
 
At-Risk Indigenous Languages Spotlighted on New Google Earth Platform
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/listen-risk-indigenous-languages-new-google-earth-
platform-180972896/?
utm_source=smithsoniandaily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20190815-daily-
responsive&spMailingID=40434060&spUserID=NDkzNjg5MzU3MzY5S0&spJobID=1581408184
&spReportId=MTU4MTQwODE4NAS2
 
 
 
Stunning New Images of a Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘Virgin of the Rocks’ Have Revealed
Underdrawings of an Entirely Different Composition
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/leonardo-da-vinci-virgin-rocks-immersive-experience-1625230?
fbclid=IwAR0QSCJ9OqTR0in8sl0qHe14u6cAKHe3tre-Z6KSEMQVH9_nSVt2BymezfI
 
Shard reveals how Cyprus’ ancient kingdoms managed economy
https://www.apnews.com/a20dadc01cb24453bf1c3fb1143fd205
 
 
 

Archaeology
 
National Park Service Awards $1.65 Million for the Return of Native American Remains and Sacred
Objects
https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1207/national-park-service-awards-1-65-million-for-the-return-of-native-
american-remains-and-sacred-objects.htm
 
Feeding the world: archaeology can help us learn from history to build a sustainable future for food
https://theconversation.com/amp/feeding-the-world-archaeology-can-help-us-learn-from-history-to-
build-a-sustainable-future-for-food-117601
 
The rain in Spain: how an ancient Arabic technique saves Alicante from floods
https://amp.theguardian.com/cities/2019/aug/15/the-rain-in-spain-how-an-ancient-arabic-technique-
saves-alicante-from-floods?__twitter_impression=true
 

Archaeologists in Pompeii find amulets and charms that may

have been used by Roman sorcerer

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/08/12/archaeologists-
pompeii-find-amulets-charms-may-have-used-roman/

Evidence of the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem found in

Mount Zion excavation

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-08/uonc-
eot080819.php

Egyptology
 
Sarah Parcak Thinks We Need to Learn From the Fall of Egypt’s Old Kingdom
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/08/science/sarah-parcak-space-archaeology.html
 
Egypt to introduce ‘tourism ethics’ in primary education curricula
https://www.egyptindependent.com/egypt-to-introduce-tourism-ethics-in-primary-education-
curricula/?fbclid=IwAR271JzA8h2JbczBEbTeuR34buY3-sZbNv1Ce3Gb2mpLixLhfXTmMsuv9L4
 
Peak practice – the art of building pyramids in ancient Egypt
https://www.apollo-magazine.com/ancient-egypt-pyramids-shapes/
 
Archaeology at BESSY II
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-08/hbfm-aab081619.php
 
 
 
 
 

General Science
 
Nothing to report
 

Physics, Earth and Space Sciences

 
How SpaceX's Starship Will Help Establish a Mars Base
https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-mars-transportation-plans.html?utm_source=notification
 
New Everest Rules Could Significantly Limit Who Gets to Climb
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/14/world/asia/everest-climbing-rules.html?
fbclid=IwAR2DyCiOTbtuLHImIB_TqRbAf3AuHCQLNb5yPG85aeyONOvVaBPj1QUcXg0
 
Nuclear Reactor for Mars Outpost Could Be Ready to Fly by 2022
https://www.space.com/nuclear-reactor-for-mars-outpost-2022.html?utm_source=notification
 
Methane on Mars Isn't Being Released by Wind Erosion
https://www.space.com/mars-methane-mystery-wind-erosion.html?utm_source=notification
 
Private Dream Chaser Space Plane Will Ride New Vulcan Rocket for NASA Cargo Launches
https://www.space.com/dream-chaser-space-plane-vulcan-rocket-ride.html?utm_source=notification
 
Our galaxy's black hole suddenly flashed a bright light — and scientists don't know exactly why
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/milky-way-supermassive-black-hole-lights-up-suddenly-flashed-
bright-light-scientists-dont-know-exactly-why/
 
A Crashed Spacecraft Might Have Put Earth’s Most Indestructible Organisms on the Moon
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/crashed-spacecraft-might-have-put-water-bears-
moon-180972840/?
utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=socialmedia&fbclid=IwAR2fR9EmslLcK3pxNZwLqM
FCMWtjwK_xupVCnDRp4avO7j44bF1b8uaWFfM
 
The Aging Spacecraft of Deep Space
https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2019/08/voyager-nasa-interstellar/596152/?
utm_campaign=the-atlantic&utm_medium=social&utm_term=2019-08-
15T18%3A20%3A26&utm_source=facebook&utm_content=edit-
promo&fbclid=IwAR33KPiQnYpEu6XpR5Io4T-
VCeOsjMOVvR7XWRZ4qFYkS4RVJvIVdazfJqw
 
For superconductors, discovery comes from disorder
https://phys.org/news/2019-08-superconductors-discovery-disorder.html
 
Space Dust from Ancient Supernova Found Hiding in Antarctica
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/space-dust-from-ancient-supernova-found-hiding-in-
antarctica/
 

Environment, Climate Change and Alternative Energy

Sources
 
A Tax Credit Fueled the Solar Energy Boom. Now It's in Limbo
https://www.wired.com/story/a-tax-credit-fueled-the-solar-energy-boom-now-its-in-limbo/?
bxid=5bd6790424c17c1048020acb&cndid=41291302&esrc=twitter-newsletter-
c&source=EDT_WIR_NEWSLETTER_0_DAILY_ZZ&utm_brand=wired&utm_campaign=aud-
dev&utm_mailing=WIR_Daily_081419&utm_medium=email&utm_source=nl&utm_term=list1_p
3
 
Solar power is now cheaper than the grid in hundreds of Chinese cities
https://edition.cnn.com/2019/08/15/business/china-solar-electricity-scli-intl/index.html?
utm_term=link&utm_medium=social&utm_source=fbCNNi&utm_content=2019-08-
15T16%3A02%3A01&fbclid=IwAR1a-nu2Vgtj6ueZAcCZDYv0AxqnBVlt-
90pDzPmYY39eEMnf5y86O3HMWE
 
Gov. Hogan Launches Task Force To Bring New Push In Solar, Wind Energy Projects
https://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2019/08/14/gov-hogan-launches-task-force-to-bring-new-push-in-
solar-wind-energy-projects/?
utm_content=buffer01df6&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buff
er&fbclid=IwAR1l5qogBVgDYlSoXi7vHh-sKs6UNs-HQgxWW59dKjN2JXp1_NvrDYPa2pU
 
Arctic sea ice loaded with microplastics
https://phys.org/news/2019-08-arctic-sea-ice-microplastics.html
 
 

Biological, Genetics and Medical Sciences

 
Genome Study Reveals Clues to Komodo Dragon’s Unique Abilities
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/09/science/komodo-dragon-genome.html?
fbclid=IwAR3D_4ZNZRL-Fk_TtHSNPNsNjz59jBEcBmIE5VZf2Zvie4VMQC8NPXFE_Xw
 
Trump Administration Weakens Protections for Endangered Species
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/12/climate/endangered-species-act-changes.html?smid=nytcore-
ios-
share&fbclid=IwAR3TfBXMprSDm_zZvWRWYQOV18eVXGiVduNijch9jO6gCLk6_scrcYm6k
NY
 
The Promise and Price of Cellular Therapies
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/07/22/the-promise-and-price-of-cellular-therapies?
utm_medium=social&mbid=social_twitter&utm_social-
type=owned&utm_source=twitter&utm_brand=tny&mbid=social_twitter&utm_medium=social&ut
m_social-type=owned&utm_source=twitter&utm_brand=tny
 
Artificial Intelligence Could Improve Health Care for All—Unless it Doesn’t
https://time.com/5650360/artificial-intelligence-health-care/?xid=tcoshare#0e3bc275-fd0c-4675-
9a34-1d012af032c3
 
Researchers refine guidelines for pediatric brain injuries

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-08/uowh-
rrg081619.php
 
Wearable sensors detect what's in your sweat
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-08/uoc--wsd081619.php
 

Discovery of anti-opioid pathway offers new route to designing

safer pain medications

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-08/sri-
doa081619.php
 
Top U.S. Medical Centers Roll Out DNA Sequencing Clinics for Healthy Clients
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/top-u-s-medical-centers-roll-out-dna-sequencing-
clinics-for-healthy-clients/
 
 

Other
 
These Experimental Shorts Are An 'Exosuit' That Boosts Endurance On The Trail
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/08/15/751096093/these-experimental-shorts-are-an-
exosuit-that-boosts-endurance-on-the-trail?sc=tw
 
The Decision Scientist: Kennedy School Professor Jennifer Lerner is teaching the military how to
harness the science of judgment and decision making
https://www.hks.harvard.edu/faculty-research/policy-topics/decision-making-negotiation/decision-
scientist
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Additional Informational
 
The impact of the Transcontinental Railroad on Native Americans
https://americanhistory.si.edu/blog/TRR
 
The Decorated North Wall in the Tomb of Tutankhamun (KV 62) (The Burial of Nefertiti? II)
(2019)
https://www.academia.edu/39903971/
The_Decorated_North_Wall_in_the_Tomb_of_Tutankhamun_KV_62_The_Burial_of_Nefertiti_II_
2019_
 
Climate Heritage Network Global Launch, Oct 24-25: Edinburgh, Scotland
http://climateheritage.org/launch-2019/
 
Oral history interview with Benjamin B. Ferencz- Video
https://collections.ushmm.org/search/catalog/irn507286
 
TED Talk, The Greatest Trial The World Has Ever Seen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zwa4zRWDsvI&app=desktop
 
The Illegal Use Of Armed Force As A Crime Against Humanity
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/20531702.2015.1092705
 
Report Proposes Recommendations and New Framework to Speed Progress Toward Open
Science
http://www8.nationalacademies.org/onpinews/newsitem.aspx?RecordID=25116
 
National Academies of Science, Based on Science
http://sites.nationalacademies.org/BasedOnScience/climate-change-humans-are-causing-global-
warming/index.htm
 
Attacks on Public Health and Safety that the Scientific Integrity Act Could Have Prevented
https://blog.ucsusa.org/jacob-carter/attacks-on-public-health-and-safety-that-the-scientific-integrity-
act-could-have-prevented?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=tw
 
Groups Urge Support of Scientific Integrity Act as Congressional Hearing Looms
https://blog.ucsusa.org/michael-halpern/groups-urge-support-of-scientific-integrity-act?
utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=tw
 
TED Talk, Why we need to imagine different futures
https://www.ted.com/talks/anab_jain_why_we_need_to_imagine_different_futures
 
TED Talk, The most mysterious star in the universe
https://www.ted.com/talks/tabetha_boyajian_the_most_mysterious_star_in_the_universe?
utm_campaign=social&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=t.co&utm_content=talk&utm_term=sci
ence
 
Your Fatwa Does Not Apply Here: Untold Stories from the Fight against Muslim Fundamentalism 
https://www.amazon.com/Your-Fatwa-Does-Apply-Here-ebook/dp/B00AV7JV5W/
ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1565877072&sr=8-1
 
Through Anne Frank's Eyes: Teaching her Diary and the Play Webinar, Aug 21
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_VpdMWKOoSFiRgmPfHEIXMw