Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for November 11, 2016


Anesthesia changes neuronal choreography

A recent study published in Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience has made significant discoveries about the effects of anesthesia on brain activity. The researchers found that neurons under anesthesia become highly synchronized and more sensitive to environmental stimuli, which challenges traditional views on consciousness.

SourceCharité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin·JournalFrontiers in Cellular Neuroscience·DateNov 11, 2016

Research finds new approach for quantifying nitrate discharge from groundwater to streams

A new approach has been developed to measure the rate of movement of nitrate from groundwater into streams, which is critical for understanding how this pollutant moves through the environment and assessing water quality management. The research found that the rate of nitrate input to the aquifer dropped by 6 percent in 2013, while the...

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalWater Resources Research·DateNov 11, 2016

Meteorites reveal lasting drought on Mars

New evidence from meteorites on Mars indicates a lasting drought on the planet, making it difficult for life to exist today. The study calculates a chemical weathering rate that shows rust formation takes thousands of times longer on Mars than in driest deserts on Earth.

SourceUniversity of Stirling·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 11, 2016

Pest control: Wicked weeds may be agricultural angels

A study by Cornell University researchers suggests that certain weeds, like milkweed, can be beneficial to crops and the environment. By incorporating these weeds into agricultural systems, farmers may reduce their reliance on pesticides and herbicides, while also supporting biodiversity and pollinator health.

SourceCornell University·JournalWeed Science·DateNov 11, 2016

Even physicists are 'afraid' of mathematics

A new study published in New Journal of Physics found that physicists pay less attention to articles with dense mathematical details, indicating real and widespread barriers to scientific communication. The researchers suggest improving clearer presentation of technical work is key to bridging this gap.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalNew Journal of Physics·DateNov 11, 2016

Plant's POEM: 'No need to fertilize, for increase in seed size'

Plant biologists at ITbM, Nagoya University, have made a key discovery that the contents in pollen tubes alone can increase the size of seeds, without the need for fertilization. This new plant phenomenon, named as POEM (pollen tube-dependent ovule enlargement morphology), shows that even in the absence of fertilization, release of the...

Plants modulate accumulation of metabolites at organ level

Researchers used a new approach to measure metabolic diversity in various plant tissues, revealing distinct profiles for each tissue. The study identified specific genes regulating the biosynthesis of ecologically-important secondary metabolites, shedding light on how plants modulate their metabolite accumulation at the organ level.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 11, 2016

New maps created by Stanford scientists reveal safe locations for wastewater injection

Stanford scientists created detailed stress maps to understand earthquake triggers in Texas and Oklahoma, identifying problematic faults and ideal orientations for earthquakes. The maps help predict seismic activity resulting from fluid injection, enabling companies and regulators to avoid these faults and prevent induced earthquakes.

SourceStanford's School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateNov 11, 2016

Study examines effectiveness of probation program

A randomized control trial tested the HOPE program against traditional PAU, finding no significant differences in re-arrest rates or time to re-arrest. The study suggests that strict supervision practices can be effective, but more work is needed to determine the model's effectiveness for specific types of probationers.

SourceWiley·JournalCriminology & Public Policy·DateNov 11, 2016

Keeping our balance -- a tale of two systems

Scientists have identified two sensory channels that transmit information to the brain about movement using fundamentally different approaches. The discovery suggests a legacy of the differences between navigating in water and air, with one channel sending smooth signals resembling sound waves and another rapid signals like drumbeats.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 11, 2016

Crowd workers help robot keep conversation fresh

A Disney Research team created an automated method of crowdsourcing multiple lines of dialogue for robots, using a persistent interactive personality that can translate high-level goals into simple narratives. The method was tested in a trivia contest and resulted in 716 unique lines of dialogue.