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Science News Archive July 2016 - Page 28


Page 28 of 36

Is the agile wallaby man's new best friend?

A new study published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science ranks the suitability of mammals as pets, with Agile Wallaby, Sika Deer, Tamar Wallaby, Llama, and Asian Palm Civet making the top five list. The research developed a methodology to assess mammal suitability for domestic ownership, considering behavioral needs and welfare risks.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Veterinary Science·DateJul 11, 2016

The true cost of crime -- in carbon footprints

A University of Surrey study estimates the carbon footprint of crime in England and Wales, revealing burglaries contribute 30% to the total footprint. The study also found that reducing crime does not necessarily reduce carbon emissions, due to the 'rebound effect', where money spent on addressing crime is spent elsewhere.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalJournal of Industrial Ecology·DateJul 11, 2016

Discovery of insulin-producing beta cell subtypes may impact diabetes treatment

Researchers have discovered at least four separate subtypes of human insulin-producing beta cells, which could lead to a better understanding of the disease process and the development of new treatments for type 2 diabetes. The study found that these cell subtypes produce different amounts of insulin and may regenerate at varying rates.

SourceOregon Health & Science University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 11, 2016

Use it or lose it: Visual activity regenerates neural connections between eye and brain

A study in mice funded by the National Institutes of Health shows that high-contrast visual stimulation can help regenerate optic nerve fibers, allowing for partial restoration of visual function. The research demonstrates that adult regenerated central nervous system axons are capable of navigating to correct targets in the brain.

SourceNIH/National Eye Institute·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateJul 11, 2016

Thousands join diabetic eye disease trial

A new clinical trial funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) aims to transform early detection of diabetic eye disease by introducing a novel screening method. The trial will enable patients at lower risk to undergo tests only every two years, while those at higher risk can be checked up to twice a year.

Fruit and veg give you the feel-good factor

A study of over 12,000 Australians found that each extra daily portion of fruit and vegetables up to 8 portions per day increased life satisfaction. The researchers concluded that people who changed their diet experienced an increase in life satisfaction equivalent to moving from unemployment to employment.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateJul 9, 2016

Scientists simulate tiny bacteria-powered 'windfarm'

Researchers from Oxford University used computer simulations to demonstrate how chaotic bacterial swarming can be organized to power microscopic rotors and devices. The study found that densely packed bacteria can spontaneously assemble into a 'bacterial windfarm' capable of generating persistent mechanical power.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 8, 2016

A 'time switch' in the brain improves sense of smell

Scientists have found that a time-dependent coding mechanism is essential for distinguishing between similar smells. By inhibiting signals to olfactory bulb output neurons, researchers showed that mice could no longer differentiate between odor mixtures with slightly different ratios or molecules with similar chemical structures.

New record in microwave detection

Researchers achieved a 14-fold increase in energy resolution of thermal photodetection, opening doors for ultrasensitive cameras and quantum computing applications. The detector works at extremely low temperatures, detecting single zeptojoule energy packets.

SourceAalto University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 8, 2016