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Science News for October 15, 2010


Missouri Botanical Garden researcher discover new genus

Researchers at the Missouri Botanical Garden have discovered a new genus of tree, Hondurodendron, which is endemic to Honduras and has unique characteristics. The genus was identified through morphological and molecular analysis, and its single species, Hondurodendron urceolatum, has a distinctive fruit resembling a guava.

SourceMissouri Botanical Garden·JournalAnnals of the Missouri Botanical Garden·DateOct 15, 2010

Study confirms: Whatever doesn't kill us can make us stronger

A new study found that experiencing some lifetime adversity can contribute to the development of resilience, leading to lower global distress, functional impairment, and increased life satisfaction. Researchers analyzed a national sample of 2,398 subjects and discovered a U-shaped relationship between lifetime adversity and outcomes.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateOct 15, 2010

Eat safer: Novel approach detects unknown food pathogens

Researchers developed a novel approach to automated detection and classification of harmful bacteria in food using machine-learning. The method can identify known and unknown classes of food pathogens, improving the ability to detect bacterial contamination in tested samples.

SourceIndiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis School of Science·JournalStatistical Analysis and Data Mining The ASA Data Science Journal·DateOct 15, 2010

How to weigh a star using a moon

New work by astrophysicist David Kipping reveals that astronomers can calculate a star's mass using its orbiting planet and moon. By measuring the size of the planet and moon relative to the star and their orbital periods, scientists can use Kepler's Laws of Motion to determine the density of the star.

SourceCenter for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateOct 15, 2010

A river ran through it

A study of 36 rivers found that human activities such as droughts and floods alter the length of food chains, particularly eliminating top predators like large-bodied fish. Climate change will exacerbate these effects, making it crucial to factor in the fate of large-bodied fishes in water management.

Images shed new light on inflammation

Researchers at the University of Calgary have discovered that damaged tissue can release signals that attract white blood cells, leading to inappropriate inflammation. The team used innovative imaging techniques to observe this process in real-time, shedding light on potential new treatments for inflammatory diseases.

SourceUniversity of Calgary·JournalScience·DateOct 15, 2010

Humidity makes gecko feet stickier

Researchers found that humidity helps geckos grip tighter by softening the surface of their feet, not through microscopic water bridges. The setae's increased softness strengthens contact with surfaces and makes it easier for geckos to peel their feet off.

SourceThe Company of Biologists·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateOct 15, 2010

What did T. rex eat? Each other

A study published in PLoS ONE found that Tyrannosaurus rex had bite marks on its own bones, indicating cannibalism. The research suggests that T. rex may have eaten smaller dinosaurs as well, and that its eating habits were different from those of modern species.

SourceYale University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 15, 2010