This week in science includes reports on a major earthquake’s possible effects, a potential black hole observation and additional research findings.
A fresh study indicates the 2011 magnitude 9.0 Tōhoku quake off Japan produced a seismic wave that reached the boundary between the mantle and outer core before returning. GPS data suggest this may have caused parts of the country to move eastward by 5 to 6 millimeters.
Separately, researchers linked a variant of the OR2T6 gene to preference for onion flavor and to reduced risk of type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.
Another team reported a gravitational wave signal that could represent the first direct evidence of a black hole event horizon.
Analysis of blood markers also suggests younger adults may show faster biological aging than earlier generations at equivalent ages, which could relate to rising cancer rates.
Protein examination of teeth from Homo naledi remains in South Africa found no male markers, indicating the group may have consisted mainly or entirely of females.
Finally, a review argues that claims of aspen forest recovery in Yellowstone after wolf reintroduction were overstated due to data limitations.
