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Science News for May 28, 2010


Put more nitrogen into milk, not manure

A study by US Department of Agriculture researchers found that only 20-35% of nitrogen fed to dairy cows is converted into milk, with 16-77% necessary for grass and other pasture plants. The research provides tools to improve nitrogen use efficiency, promoting better practices for farmers and reducing environmental impact.

Zeroing in on quantum effects

Physicists use iron oxychalcogenides to study Mott localization in undoped pnictide parent compounds, providing further evidence that these systems are on the verge of Mott localization. This proximity to Mott localization endows the system with strong quantum magnetic fluctuations.

SourceRice University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 28, 2010

Following the sugar right from the start

Researchers have successfully attached imaging probes to glycans in zebrafish embryos just seven hours after fertilization, allowing for the first-ever images of glycan activity on embryonic cells. This new technique enables scientists to study physiological changes during embryogenesis without damaging the embryos.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 28, 2010

Yale researchers develop test to identify 'best' sperm

Researchers at Yale School of Medicine have developed a method to select sperm with the highest DNA integrity, comparable to the egg's natural selection abilities. The test identified a biochemical marker that allows clinicians to choose the best sperm for fertilization, improving male fertility rates.

SourceYale University·JournalJournal of Andrology·DateMay 28, 2010

Post-mortem of a comet

Researchers at the University of Leicester have dissected comet samples to reveal their true composition, shedding light on the Solar System's early stages and water delivery. They found unexpected signs of high-temperature iron oxides, raising questions about comet formation.

Novel protein essential for successful pregnancy

Researchers at Yale University have discovered a novel protein called Preimplantation Factor, which is crucial for successful pregnancy. The protein modulates maternal immunity and promotes early embryo attachment, influencing uterine cell remodeling.

SourceYale University·JournalAmerican Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology·DateMay 28, 2010

First horned dinosaur from Mexico

The newly discovered Coahuilaceratops magnacuerna is a rhino-sized plant-eater with massive horns up to 4 feet long and weighs around four to five tons. The species provides fresh insights into the Late Cretaceous period in Mexico, offering a new perspective on western North America's ecosystem.

Student uses pedal power to create novel machine

A student at the University of Sheffield designed a mobile bicycle-powered water pump, called bicibomba movil, to improve irrigation and water distribution for rural residents in Guatemala. The machine can achieve a flow rate of 40 liters per minute on flat ground and has been produced in regular production since its creation.

UBC researcher decodes Rembrandt's 'magic'

A UBC researcher has discovered what makes Rembrandt's portraits so captivating by recreating four of the artist's most famous works using computer-rendering programs. The study found that viewers fixated on specific areas of the face, such as the eyes, and preferred portraits with 'eye guiding narrative' techniques.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalLeonardo·DateMay 28, 2010

The deep voice of alpha male

A new study published in Springer's journal Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology found that men perceive vocal masculinity as a strong indicator of dominance, but it does not influence their attentiveness to rivals' voices. The researchers also discovered that testosterone levels are linked to dominance ratings.

SourceSpringer·JournalBehavioral Ecology and Sociobiology·DateMay 28, 2010