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Science News for March 18, 2012


Marine Protected Areas are keeping turtles safe

A recent study published in Global Ecology and Biogeography reveals that 35% of the world's green turtles inhabit Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), significantly higher than expected. The research also shows that older MPAs are more likely to contain turtles, highlighting the importance of conservation efforts.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalGlobal Ecology and Biogeography·DateMar 18, 2012

The Viking journey of mice and men

A multinational team of researchers found that house mice (M. m. domesticus) colonized Iceland and Greenland during the Viking age, mirroring human settlement patterns. The analysis of mouse mitochondrial DNA showed no evidence of mice in Newfoundland, suggesting a fleeting presence.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Evolutionary Biology·DateMar 18, 2012

Exotic materials will change optics, Duke researchers say

Duke researchers have developed exotic materials that can control light at will, allowing for the creation of holograms in the infrared range. The team's innovative approach enables a broad range of optical devices with complex properties, opening up new possibilities for advanced optics and optoelectronics.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Materials·DateMar 18, 2012

Need for speed

A team of scientists at EMBL found that oskar RNA requires both tags to reach its correct destination, suggesting a 'ticket' that also affects its speed of transport. The study provides clues on how a single molecule could receive tickets for different destinations depending on the type of cell.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateMar 18, 2012

UMass Amherst theoretical physicists find a way to simulate strongly correlated fermions

Theoretical physicists at UMass Amherst have developed a new technique called Diagrammatic Monte Carlo to simulate strongly interacting quantum systems. This breakthrough enables accurate predictions of their properties, opening doors to practical superconductor applications and solving complex 'many-body' problems in high-energy physi...

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalNature Physics·DateMar 18, 2012

Looking at quantum gravity in a mirror

Researchers propose a new quantum experiment using Planck-mass mirrors to test predictions of quantum gravity. The team's findings suggest that certain modifications predicted by quantum gravity proposals could be verified in the laboratory, potentially shedding light on the unification of quantum mechanics and general relativity.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature Physics·DateMar 18, 2012

Hazy shades of life on early Earth

A new study reveals that the Earth's early atmosphere periodically transitioned between a hydrocarbon-rich state and a haze-free environment due to microbial activity. This 'see-sawing' phenomenon had a profound impact on the climate system, with evidence suggesting a significant role in regulating atmospheric oxygen levels.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalNature Geoscience·DateMar 18, 2012