Lake Mead levels are expected to drop again, plus learn how Earth’s magnetic field works.
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This week, we’re talking about how a snow drought may impact vital water sources in the U.S., the first detailed study of plesiosaur skin, the unusually red bones of a buried woman in Spain, what mummies smell like and how you might get the chance to smell one, a surprising discovery that revealed the Earth’s core isn’t completely solid, and how our planet’s magnetic field actually works.?????
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Lake Mead Water Levels Drop Again as Snow Drought Takes Over Western U.S.
Lake Mead and Lake Powell could be in for another record year for low water levels as a snow drought persists throughout the Western U.S.?
With minimal snowfall in the last two months, the Colorado snowpack will likely not provide an abundant water supply to the lakes. And the snow drought could impact crucial drinking water sources.
183-Million-Year-Old Fossil Reveals That Plesiosaur Skin Was Smooth and Scaly
Is it better to be smooth or to be scaly? For fossil plesiosaurs around 183 million years ago, the answer was a bit of both. Scrutinizing some of the first soft tissues from a fossil plesiosaur in a study in Current Biology, a team of researchers has revealed that these massive marine reptiles sported both smooth and scaly skin, potentially suited to swimming as well as to skimming or “bottom-walking” over the seafloor.
DNA From Cave Dirt Unearths Genetic Roots of the Red Lady of El Mirón
In the cave of El Mirón in northern Spain, intrigue surrounds a woman who was laid to rest there 19,000 years ago. Her bones, coated in an earthy shade of red derived from the natural pigment ochre, led archaeologists to give her the name the "Red Lady of El Mirón;" new research, however, has taken a closer look not at her red-hued bones, but at the soil within the cave.?
In a study recently published in Nature Communications, researchers analyzed sedimentary ancient DNA, or sedaDNA, refining their understanding of the Red Lady of El Mirón’s heritage. In addition, they detected genetic evidence showing the consistent presence of several carnivore species that often visited the cave when humans weren’t present.
Ancient Egyptian Mummies Smell Spicy and Sweet Instead of Musty or Moldy
One would expect a mummy to smell moldy, musty, and mildewy. But the first study to systematically sniff the wrapped human remains report much more pleasant scents, describing whiffs as "woody," "spicy," and "sweet," according to a report in Journal of the American Chemical Society.
“The smell of mummified bodies has for years attracted significant interest from experts and the general public, but no combined chemical and perceptual scientific study has been conducted until now,” lead author, Matija Strli?, a UCL scientist and author of the paper, said in a press release.
Earth’s Inner Core Is Slowing Down — and May Not Be Entirely Solid
A recent study revealed that Earth’s inner core is slowing down, prompting scientists to investigate further. Their research led to an unexpected discovery: that inner core is not entirely solid.
Scientists from the University of Southern California (USC) analyzed data from earthquakes and identified unexpected changes in the core's composition, offering insights into why these shifts are occurring.
How Does Earth’s Magnetic Field Work?
One of the many unseen forces to which you owe your existence is magnetism. If it weren’t for the magnetic field that surrounds our planet, blocking cosmic radiation and solar wind, Earth would likely have little atmosphere to speak of. Life (at least of the human variety) would be impossible.
Changes in the field can also play havoc with satellite communication and electric infrastructure, disrupting the modern world in a big way. Given the importance of this gargantuan bar magnet in our day-to-day lives, it’s worth understanding how it works — and when it doesn’t.
What was your favorite story of the week? Let us know in the comments.
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