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Science News Archive July 2018 - Page 5


Page 5 of 38

The best spies in the skies analyze Mellaria

The Upper Guadiato Archaeological Ager Mellariensis project has analyzed 49 km2 of the territory containing ancient Roman city Mellaria using the COSMO-SkyMed constellation. The satellite technology has revealed invisible moist and floodable areas, groundwater flow, and lost medieval roads.

SourceUniversity of Córdoba·JournalArchaeological Prospection·DateJul 27, 2018

Extinct vegetarian cave bear diet mystery unravelled

A recent study reveals that the direct ancestor of the cave bear had a similar diet to its descendant, suggesting a dietary specialization in vegetal matter. The researchers used geometric morphometrics and micro-CT scanning to analyze ancient fossils, providing new insights into the evolution of Europe's iconic species.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalHistorical Biology·DateJul 26, 2018

The last wild ocean

A new study finds that the ocean has lost most of its untouched areas, leaving only 13% classified as wilderness due to human activity such as fishing and shipping fleets. The authors call for conservation policies to protect marine wilderness, which is home to high levels of species diversity.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJul 26, 2018

DEEP study: Modelling persistent orofacial pain management's costs and benefits

The DEEP study examined the costs and quality-of-life of individuals with persistent orofacial pain (POFP) and estimated outcomes from pain onset. The results showed that high pain levels led to increased healthcare costs and decreased quality-of-life, highlighting the burden of POFP on health.

World's marine wilderness is dwindling

A study by University of Queensland scientists reveals that only 13% of the ocean can be classified as wilderness, leaving it vulnerable to loss. Marine areas devoid of intense human impacts are being protected, but most remaining wilderness is located in remote regions and is unprotected.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJul 26, 2018

A spin trio for strong coupling

A team of scientists at ETH Zurich have found a way to avoid disturbances in qubit operations by coupling a microwave photon to a spin qubit. The researchers created a 'spin trio' consisting of three quantum dots and demonstrated strong coupling between the spin qubits and a microwave photon.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature·DateJul 26, 2018

Solution to medical mystery may help some children avoid bone marrow transplantation

A study by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and UCSF identified germline mutations in the genes SAMD9 or SAMD9L as responsible for a rare bone marrow disorder, myelodysplasia and leukemia syndrome with monosomy 7. The research found that some children with these mutations can spontaneously recover normal bone marrow function witho...

Soundwave-surfing droplets leave no traces

Researchers create a digital microfluidics platform using soundwaves and oil to avoid contamination for reusable lab-on-a-chip devices. The technology enables programmable, rewritable biomedical chips with exponentially increased combinations of reagent inputs.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 26, 2018

A calmer horse is just a sniff away

Researchers at the University of Arizona found that horses experience significant stress reduction when inhaled lavender from a diffuser, as measured by heart rate variability. The data showed a significant increase in relaxation signals such as neck lowering and licking, indicating a calming effect on the horses.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalJournal of Equine Veterinary Science·DateJul 26, 2018