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Science News for November 2, 2014


Study reveals startling decline in European birds

Bird populations across Europe have experienced sharp declines, with the majority of losses from the most common species. However, some less common birds have shown increases in recent years due to conservation efforts and legal protection. The study highlights the need for greater efforts to halt these continent-wide declines.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalEcology Letters·DateNov 2, 2014

Ultracold disappearing act

In a new study published in Nature Physics, Rice University physicists observed ultracold atomic collisions producing gaps between colliding solitons. This phenomenon challenges the expected behavior of solitons, which are waves that do not diminish or change shape as they move through space.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Physics·DateNov 2, 2014

The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology: Weight loss surgery substantially reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes

A new study published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology found that bariatric surgery can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by around 80% in obese people compared to standard care. This significant reduction was observed even after controlling for other important factors such as smoking and high blood pressure.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology·DateNov 2, 2014

Mutant models

Researchers develop mathematical toolkit that analyzes cancer mutation data, revealing common and rare mutations have equal impact on tumor behavior. The study also finds that mutations cause subtle, precise alterations in protein communication pathways, enabling targeted therapies.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalNature Genetics·DateNov 2, 2014

Wrangling data flood to manage the health of streams

Researchers at Michigan State University have developed a new database and algorithm to analyze upstream data, enabling the management of stream health across large landscapes. The system allows for rapid analysis of 2.6 million stream reaches in the contiguous United States, reducing analysis time from weeks to just five hours.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalSpringerPlus·DateNov 2, 2014