(C) Daily Kos This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . Overnight News Digest - Saturday Science - Wind energy, Alzheimer’s cause, Orcas strike again [1] ['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.'] Date: 2023-11-11 Welcome to Overnight News Digest- Saturday Science. Since 2007 the OND has been a regular community feature on Daily Kos, consisting of news stories from around the world, sometimes coupled with a daily theme, original research or commentary. Editors of OND impart their own presentation styles and content choices, typically publishing each day near 12:00 AM Eastern Time. Topics in this edition include: Bill Gates backs novel wind energy device New cause of Alzheimer’s and dementia identified Orcas strike again in the Bay of Gibraltar China dominates world solar production Encouraging potential for recovery of brain function with alcohol abstinence Proud of my veteran family members Using sustainable holiday decorations New Atlas by Loz Blain Bill Gates backs novel device promising wind energy at 1/3 the cost It looks nothing like a typical "fan on a stick" wind turbine, but this oval track with evenly spaced wing blades could be an enormously disruptive addition to the renewable energy mix, since it slashes the cost of wind power to unprecedented lows. Wyoming's Airloom Energy has come out of stealth mode with a new CEO fresh out of Google[x], US$4 million in seed funding, led by Bill Gates's Breakthrough Energy Ventures fund, and a radically different technical approach that it says fundamentally upends the financial equation for wind farms. […] Airloom's approach makes everything much smaller and much closer to the ground. A 2.5-MW Airloom setup would use a number of 25-m (82-ft) poles to suspend an oval-shaped track, into which a series of 10-m (33-ft) wing blades are set, joined by a cable. Like sailboats, which can harvest motion energy from wind in any direction except dead-ahead or straight behind, these blades harvest wind energy as they travel around the track, which is oriented such that its long sides are angled for maximum wind capture and its short ends are spaces where the blades can change direction as the rest of the blades haul them around. The Brighter Side Scientists discover the surprising cause of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia A groundbreaking study from Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) has unveiled a new avenue of cell death in Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia, offering a unique direction for future research and potential therapeutic interventions. This seminal research, recently published online in the esteemed journal Annals of Neurology , reveals that a form of cell death known as ferroptosis, caused by an accumulation of iron within cells, is responsible for the obliteration of microglia cells in the brain. Microglia are the brain's resident immune cells. Ordinarily, these cells are actively engaged in clearing out cellular debris to maintain a healthy neural environment. They spring into action, especially when myelin, the protective sheath surrounding nerve fibers in the brain, becomes damaged. Their primary function is to eliminate the resulting debris. However, this recent study has brought to light that the very act of clearing iron-rich myelin results in the destruction of the microglia themselves through ferroptosis. This discovery pivots our understanding of the progression of Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia. USA Today by Camille Fine Orcas strike back (again), sinking another yacht in Europe after 45-minute attack Sailors’ newest nightmare has struck again, and on Halloween of all days. A pod of orcas in southwestern Europe sank a sailing boat on Oct. 31 after a non-stop, 45-minute attack, Live Science reported. The incident is the fourth occurrence in two years where orcas, also known as killer whales, are blamed for sinking ships in southwestern Europe. Orca pods from the Strait of Gibraltar region have been harassing boats and their passengers for more than three years. According to a translated Facebook post made by Polish cruise company Morskie Mile, owner of the sunken boat, a mid-size sailing yacht named the Grazie Mamma was attacked by a pod of orcas off the coast of Morocco in the Strait of Gibraltar. Major damage caused by an unknown number of orcas who repeatedly hit the yacht's rudder caused water to enter the vessel's hull. All passengers were safely evacuated before the boat sank as it entered the port of Tanger-Med in Morocco while in tow with the Moroccan Navy. Electrec by Michelle Lewis China achieves world solar domination with 80% of manufacturing capacity to 2026 China’s astounding solar manufacturing expansion is going to dominate the global solar supply chain – and widen the technology and cost gap. China invested over $130 billion into the solar industry in 2023. As a result, it will hold more than 80% of the world’s polysilicon, wafer, cell, and module manufacturing capacity from 2023 to 2026, according to Wood Mackenzie‘s recent report, “How will China’s expansion affect global solar module supply chains?” China is projected to bring more than 1 terawatt (TW) of wafer, cell, and module capacity online by 2024. That means the country’s capacity is sufficient to meet annual global demand through 2032, based on Wood Mackenzie’s forecasts of annual demand growth. PsyPost by Eric W. Dolan Groundbreaking research shows significant brain recovery after abstinence from alcohol A recent scientific study has unveiled promising news for individuals recovering from alcohol abuse. Researchers discovered that the brains of those who abstained from alcohol for approximately 7.3 months exhibited significant improvements in brain structure, suggesting a remarkable potential for recovery. This new finding, published in the journal Alcohol, provides hope for people with alcohol use disorders and underscores the importance of sustained abstinence. Alcohol abuse is a widespread concern globally, and its adverse effects on health are well-documented. Long-term alcohol consumption can lead to cognitive impairment and structural changes in the brain. Prior research has indicated that some brain regions may recover during abstinence from alcohol, but the extent and patterns of recovery have remained unclear. This uncertainty prompted scientists to embark on the current study, aiming to shed light on the brain’s remarkable capacity for self-healing during sobriety. “There is very limited information in the alcohol use disorder field regarding how human brain structure recovers over longer-term abstinence after treatment,” said study author Timothy C. Durazzo, a clinical neuropsychologist at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System and professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford University School of Medicine. “Our study is the first to demonstrate significant recovery of cortical thickness in multiple regions in those seeking treatment for alcohol use disorder over approximately 6-7 months of abstinence after treatment.” DailyKos by Susan Andrus aka Rise above the swamp Proud of my brother who served while I protested Although I am opposed to war, I am proud of my family members who served in the armed forces. My grandfather served in the Army in WWI, my dad served in the Navy in WWII, And my son was a “nuke” on the USS Wyoming. My brother failed out of Texas A&M and enlisted during the ‘60s. Here’s his presentation of some of his experiences serving two tours in Vietnam while I led protest songs in college. Wait til the end. x x YouTube Video WREN Use Sustainable Decorations Decorating for the festive season is special for many, but it’s important that we prevent unnecessary consumption and minimize material waste . Here are some ways you could make your decorations more sustainable: Use what you already have. First and foremost, start with the decorations you already own or can borrow from friends and family. Many households already have a surplus of decorations, so maybe you could host a decoration swap to get a haul that’s new-to-you. Buy second-hand. Nearly every thrift store will have a holiday section at this time of year. Instead of buying new, how about going for a used-goods treasure hunt? You can find some real gems, and reusing previously made items is kinder on the planet. Make your own decorations. If you’re looking for something specific, could you make your own decorations from recycled materials or natural items? Maybe you could make hanging decorations from old magazine cutouts, or a wreath with fallen pinecones or garden clippings. Choose LED lights. If you’re looking to replace string lights, consider choosing a set with LED bulbs. These last up to 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs and are more energy-efficient, so you’ll save money on your power bill too! Pick an eco-friendly Christmas tree. If you celebrate Christmas, choose a tree that’s kinder on the planet . Check out Wren’s post on the topic to assess your options. This is an open thread where everyone is welcome, especially night owls and early birds, to share and discuss the science news of the day. Please share your articles and stories in the comments. I’m feeling a bit under the weather, so I may sleep in tomorrow. Talk amongst yourselves. 😉 [END] --- [1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/11/11/2204449/-Overnight-News-Digest-Saturday-Science-Wind-energy-Alzheimer-s-cause-Orcas-strike-again?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=trending&pm_medium=web Published and (C) by Daily Kos Content appears here under this condition or license: Site content may be used for any purpose without permission unless otherwise specified. via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds: gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/dailykos/