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Science News Archive April 2016


Page 1 of 39

Scientists establish first map of the sea lion brain

Researchers at Vanderbilt University have created a detailed map of the California sea lion's brain, highlighting its unique somatosensory system. The study revealed specific areas in the brain responsible for processing touch information from whiskers and flippers, similar to those found in mice and humans.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalJournal of Comparative Neurology·DateApr 27, 2016

Scientists discover oral sexual encounters in spiders

Researchers found that male Darwin's bark spiders salivate onto female genitalia as an obligatory behavior before and after copulation. This unusual practice is thought to boost the male's chances of paternity by signaling quality or favoring one sperm over rivals.

SourceZRC SAZU·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 29, 2016

Screening method uncovers drugs that may combat deadly antibiotic-resistant bacteria

Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center have developed a method to identify new antimicrobials that target antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Approximately 10,000 compounds were screened, and three approved drugs showed promise in inhibiting the growth of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE).

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalAssay and Drug Development Technologies·DateApr 29, 2016

Trauma in a bee

Entomologists have described a traumatic insemination process in which male twisted-winged parasites inject semen directly into the female's body cavity. The fertilization process is unusually prolonged, lasting up to 30 minutes, and is likely used to reduce sperm competition.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 29, 2016

Don't retweet if you want to remember

Experiments at Cornell University and Beijing University found that retweeting creates cognitive overload, leading to poor comprehension and recall of information. The study suggests that web interfaces should be designed to promote rather than interfere with cognitive processing.

SourceCornell University·JournalComputers in Human Behavior·DateApr 29, 2016

Ebola virus genome provides clues to repeated disease 'flare-ups' in Western Africa

Genomic analysis of Ebola virus samples from Liberia in June 2015 indicates a re-emergence of a persistently infected source, highlighting the risk of disease flare-ups even after an outbreak is declared over. The study's findings suggest that the virus replicates at a lower rate during persistent infections.