Volkswagen loses top court case in EU in diesel scandal

The European Union's top court ruled on Thursday that Volkswagen breached the law by installing on its cars a so-called defeat device to cheat on emission tests and cannot argue it was merely protecting car engines.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2020-12-volkswagen-court-case-eu-diesel.html

Two smuggled Indonesian orangutans fly home from Thailand

Eating fruit and drinking from plastic bottles, two Sumatran orangutans stared from their cages at Bangkok airport on Thursday before flying home to Indonesia, years after being smuggled into Thailand.

source https://phys.org/news/2020-12-smuggled-indonesian-orangutans-home-thailand.html

Super cyclone hits Fiji bringing floods, landslides

Super cyclone Yasa slammed into Fiji's second-largest island Thursday, tearing roofs off buildings as it triggered flash floods and landslides in the Pacific island nation.

source https://phys.org/news/2020-12-super-cyclone-fiji-landslides.html

New lab director expects more work on next wave of reactors

The new director of Idaho National Laboratory said its efforts to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by creating a new generation of nuclear reactors appears to align with the goals of the incoming Biden administration and will likely receive ongoing bipartisan support.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2020-12-lab-director-reactors.html

Chinese capsule returns to Earth carrying moon rocks

A Chinese lunar capsule returned to Earth on Thursday with the first fresh rock samples from the moon in more than 40 years, offering the possibility of new insights into the history of the solar system and marking a new landmark for China's rapidly advancing space program.

source https://phys.org/news/2020-12-chinese-capsule-earth-moon.html

Scientists use NASA data to predict appearance of December 14, 2020 eclipse

On Dec. 14, 2020, the Moon's shadow raced across Chile and Argentina, casting a thin ribbon of land into brief, mid-day darkness.

source https://phys.org/news/2020-12-scientists-nasa-december-eclipse.html

When genetic data meets marketing

Researchers from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania published a new paper in the Journal of Marketing that assesses the implications of the growth of private genetic testing for the field of marketing and evaluates ethical challenges that arise. The researchers review past research in the field of behavioral genetics and use these findings to incorporate genetic influences into existing consumer behavior theory. They then survey potential uses of genetic data for marketing strategy and research, and raise concerns regarding significant ethical challenges that arise from unique features of genetic data.

source https://phys.org/news/2020-12-genetic.html

Public cameras provide valuable insights on pandemic, consumers

Technology similar to massive search engines used to scour the web may soon be used to provide new insights into consumer behavior and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on economies across the world. The technology also may be a useful tool for reducing misinformation in news media.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2020-12-cameras-valuable-insights-pandemic-consumers.html

Organic molecules on a metal surface... a machinist's best friend

How can you improve the cutting of "gummy" metals? Purdue University innovators have come up with an answer—and their findings may help in manufacturing products and reducing component failures.

source https://phys.org/news/2020-12-molecules-metal-surface-machinist-friend.html

New path to rare earth mineral formation has implications for green energy and smart tech

Researchers from Trinity College Dublin have shed new light on the formation mechanisms of a rare earth-bearing mineral that is in increasingly high demand across the globe for its use in the green energy and tech industries.

source https://phys.org/news/2020-12-path-rare-earth-mineral-formation.html

Moon rocks in hand, China prepares for future moon missions

Following the successful return of moon rocks by its Chang'e 5 robotic probe, China is preparing for future missions that could set the stage for an eventual lunar base to host human explorers, a top space program official said Thursday.

Volkswagen loses top court case in EU in diesel scandal

The European Union's top court ruled on Thursday that Volkswagen breached the law by installing on its cars a so-called defeat device to cheat on emission tests and cannot argue it was merely protecting car engines.

Two smuggled Indonesian orangutans fly home from Thailand

Eating fruit and drinking from plastic bottles, two Sumatran orangutans stared from their cages at Bangkok airport on Thursday before flying home to Indonesia, years after being smuggled into Thailand.

Super cyclone hits Fiji bringing floods, landslides

Super cyclone Yasa slammed into Fiji's second-largest island Thursday, tearing roofs off buildings as it triggered flash floods and landslides in the Pacific island nation.

New lab director expects more work on next wave of reactors

The new director of Idaho National Laboratory said its efforts to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by creating a new generation of nuclear reactors appears to align with the goals of the incoming Biden administration and will likely receive ongoing bipartisan support.

Chinese capsule returns to Earth carrying moon rocks

A Chinese lunar capsule returned to Earth on Thursday with the first fresh rock samples from the moon in more than 40 years, offering the possibility of new insights into the history of the solar system and marking a new landmark for China's rapidly advancing space program.

Scientists use NASA data to predict appearance of December 14, 2020 eclipse

On Dec. 14, 2020, the Moon's shadow raced across Chile and Argentina, casting a thin ribbon of land into brief, mid-day darkness.

When genetic data meets marketing

Researchers from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania published a new paper in the Journal of Marketing that assesses the implications of the growth of private genetic testing for the field of marketing and evaluates ethical challenges that arise. The researchers review past research in the field of behavioral genetics and use these findings to incorporate genetic influences into existing consumer behavior theory. They then survey potential uses of genetic data for marketing strategy and research, and raise concerns regarding significant ethical challenges that arise from unique features of genetic data.

Public cameras provide valuable insights on pandemic, consumers

Technology similar to massive search engines used to scour the web may soon be used to provide new insights into consumer behavior and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on economies across the world. The technology also may be a useful tool for reducing misinformation in news media.

Organic molecules on a metal surface... a machinist's best friend

How can you improve the cutting of "gummy" metals? Purdue University innovators have come up with an answer—and their findings may help in manufacturing products and reducing component failures.

New path to rare earth mineral formation has implications for green energy and smart tech

Researchers from Trinity College Dublin have shed new light on the formation mechanisms of a rare earth-bearing mineral that is in increasingly high demand across the globe for its use in the green energy and tech industries.

Shark fishing bans partially effective: study

Bans on shark fishing are only partially effective in protecting sharks, new research suggests.

Shark fishing bans partially effective: study

Bans on shark fishing are only partially effective in protecting sharks, new research suggests.

source https://phys.org/news/2020-12-shark-fishing-partially-effective.html