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Science News Archive April 2015 - Page 12


Page 12 of 36

Invasion of the earthworms, mapped and analyzed

Researchers use statistical analysis to predict the spread of invasive European earthworm species Dendrobaena octaedra into Canada's boreal forest, forecasting it will expand from 3% to 39% of the forest floor by 2056. The worms are entering the forest via roadways, altering soil pH and decomposition rates.

SourceOhio State University·JournalComputational Statistics & Data Analysis·DateApr 22, 2015

Cloth masks -- dangerous to your health?

A new study suggests that cloth masks used by healthcare workers in Vietnam increased their risk of contracting respiratory illnesses. The trial found that cloth masks allowed almost 97% of particles to pass through, compared to medical masks with 44%. Experts warn against the use of cloth masks in healthcare settings.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalBMJ Open·DateApr 22, 2015

UNH researchers discover new method to detect most common bacteria contaminating oysters

Researchers at the University of New Hampshire have discovered a new method to detect Vibrio parahaemolyticus, a bacterium that has contaminated oyster beds and sickened consumers in the Northeast. The detection platform uses genome sequencing and analysis to identify specific genes found only in the invasive strain.

SourceUniversity of New Hampshire·JournalJournal of Clinical Microbiology·DateApr 22, 2015

Flameproof falcons and hawks

A Cooper's hawk in Greater Vancouver has been found with the highest levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) ever recorded, significantly higher than levels in California or China.

SourceMcGill University·JournalThe Science of The Total Environment·DateApr 22, 2015

Testosterone key to new bird bang theory

Researchers discovered that birds with complex courtship displays have muscles sensitive to testosterone, enabling them to perform impressive acrobatics. This groundbreaking study sheds light on how hormones control social behavior in birds, paving the way for further research into the evolution of bird brawn.

SourceWake Forest University·JournalFunctional Ecology·DateApr 22, 2015

Cloud security reaches silicon

The new chip features a data structure known as a tree, where every address is randomly assigned to a path through the tree -- a sequence of nodes stretching from the top of the tree to the bottom, with no backtracking. This approach improves efficiency by minimizing extra data needed between the chip and memory.

Boosting the malaria battle-line

Researchers discovered that combining artemisinins with a low dose of an anti-cancer drug can increase the effectiveness of anti-malarial drugs and overcome the parasite's defences. This finding has the potential to combat resistant malaria parasites, which are currently spreading globally.

SourceUniversity of Melbourne·JournalPLOS Biology·DateApr 22, 2015