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Science News for August 3, 2014


Kangaroos win when Aborigines hunt with fire

A University of Utah researcher found that the Aboriginal Martu people's traditional hunting and fire practices help maintain ecosystem stability, increasing kangaroo populations. The study suggests encouraging small-scale burning to bolster wildlife populations in certain areas.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalHuman Ecology·DateAug 3, 2014

Making sense of scents

Researchers at Harvard University have found that mice can distinguish between specific odors even when surrounded by multiple background smells. The team used fluorescent proteins to create images of how different scents activated neurons in the brain, revealing a neural explanation for how animals separate relevant from irrelevant se...

SourceHarvard University·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateAug 3, 2014

Small DNA modifications predict brain's threat response

A new study by Duke University researchers found that small DNA modifications can affect the brain's threat response. The study focused on the serotonin transporter gene and found a strong link between methylation levels and amygdala reactivity, which may contribute to stress-related disorders.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateAug 3, 2014