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Science News Archive June 2012 - Page 17


Page 17 of 29

Bonobo genome completed

The completed bonobo genome reveals evolutionary relationships with chimpanzees and humans, differing by approximately 1.3% from both species. Analysis suggests a clean split between bonobos and chimpanzees, supporting the hypothesis that the formation of the Congo River separated their ancestors.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature·DateJun 13, 2012

Book a flight on 'Air Algae?'

The airline industry is poised to adopt biobased jet fuel, derived from waste cooking oil and algae, due to rising costs for conventional fuels. Biobased fuels are blended with traditional Jet A-1 fuel and have shown promising results in test flights.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateJun 13, 2012

The science of training and development in organizations: What really matters, what really works

Research reveals that human resource executives should view training as a holistic process, considering factors like job analysis, employee motivation, and structured guidance. Effective training programs also incorporate empirically tested insights into learning, such as repetition, error handling, and behavioral role modeling.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science in the Public Interest·DateJun 13, 2012

Virtual sailing gives competitors the edge

New research reveals that simulating weather and water conditions before a race can predict a yacht's behavior with accuracy, giving sailors a competitive advantage. The study uses virtual simulation to model resistance on the hull, comparing results with physical tests.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalInternational Journal of Small Craft Technology·DateJun 13, 2012

Announcing the Human Microbiome Project Collection

The Human Microbiome Project Collection provides a comprehensive baseline of the microbial diversity at 18 human body sites, including reference genomes and metagenomic sequences. The studies examine relationships between the microbiome and host health, shedding light on conditions such as Crohn's disease and psoriasis.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 13, 2012

Researchers find new cause of cardiac damage after heart attack in type 1 diabetes

Scientists at Joslin Diabetes Center have identified a new cause of cardiac damage after heart attacks in people with type 1 diabetes. A runaway autoimmune response triggered by alpha-myosin leads to chronic inflammation, cardiomyopathy, and heart failure. The study offers promising targets for future interventions to protect the heart.

SourceJoslin Diabetes Center·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJun 13, 2012

Bat bridges don't work

Researchers at the University of Leeds found that wire bridges built to help bats cross busy roads do not work. Bats prefer their original routes over the bridges, crossing at low heights and showing no change in behavior despite prolonged exposure.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 13, 2012

Tale of 3 segregations

Researchers analyzed data from the 2000 census, finding that poor other-race neighbors disproportionately contribute to neighborhood poverty, especially among blacks and Hispanics. Concentrated poverty is attributed to three segregations: racial, poverty-status within race, and segregation from high-income members of other groups.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalAmerican Sociological Review·DateJun 13, 2012

GAVI boosts global response to measles outbreaks

The GAVI Alliance has pledged an additional $162 million to control and prevent measles outbreaks in six high-risk countries. The funding will strengthen routine immunisation systems and follows a decision last November to provide over $600 million to tackle rubella through a combined measles-rubella vaccine.

Big uncertainties in the global water budget

Researchers found significant differences between global models and measurement data sets, with uncertainties increasing due to a shrinking global network of measurement stations. This study emphasizes the need for better understanding of evaporation, clouds, and precipitation interactions on regional levels.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalJournal of Hydrometeorology·DateJun 13, 2012

Videogamers no better at talking while driving

A Duke University study found that videogamers are not better at multitasking while driving than non-gamers, contrary to popular belief. The researchers measured the performance of 60 undergraduate students on visual tasks and had them answer Trivial Pursuit questions over a speakerphone while driving.

Clarity begins at exome

Researchers sequenced exomes of 118 patients with specific neurodevelopmental diseases, identifying numerous disease-causing genes. In approximately 10% of cases, exome sequencing led to the identification of a known disease-causing gene, prompting changes in diagnosis and care for some patients.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJun 13, 2012

Census of microbes in healthy humans reported

A comprehensive census of the microbial make-up of healthy humans identified over 10,000 species of microbes occupying various body sites. The research found unique communities of microbes in every site, with skin hosting the most diverse collection, while teeth and gums had distinct microbiota profiles.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalNature·DateJun 13, 2012