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Science News for January 8, 2010


Where do puffins go in the winter?

A recent increase in winter mortality among Atlantic puffins could be attributed to worsening North Sea conditions, according to a new study. Geolocation technology tracked puffins from the Isle of May National Nature Reserve, revealing that some birds make long trips into the Atlantic during winter.

SourceUK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology·JournalMarine Biology·DateJan 8, 2010

What came first in the origin of life? A study contradicts the 'metabolism first' hypothesis

Researchers from Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona found that compound genomes lose essential properties for evolution when complex. The study challenges the 'metabolism first' theory and supports the idea that genetic information stored in nucleotide polymers, like RNA and DNA, is crucial for life to emerge.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 8, 2010

Brain imaging may help diagnose autism

Researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia found a delayed brain response to sound in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), which may be refined into the first imaging biomarker. The study used magnetoencephalography (MEG) to detect subtle language delays, potentially leading to earlier diagnosis and treatment.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalAutism Research·DateJan 8, 2010

How high can a climber go?

A new study led by researchers from the University of Granada reveals that climbing time to exhaustion is the sole determinant of high-level sport climber performance. The study analyzed physiological parameters and found no significant differences between expert and elite climbers except in these two areas.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalEuropean Journal of Applied Physiology·DateJan 8, 2010