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Science News Archive June 2018 - Page 5


Page 5 of 40

Dangerous reptiles

A study by Sebastian Brackhane reveals that saltwater crocodile attacks in East Timor have increased since the species' recovery under conservation. The research suggests that juvenile crocodiles migrate from Australia to find new habitats, highlighting a growing human-crocodile conflict in the region.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalJournal of Wildlife Management·DateJun 27, 2018

Probing nobelium with laser light

Researchers successfully measured the optical excitation of atomic levels in nobelium isotopes using laser spectroscopy. The results confirm that nobelium nuclei are deformed like an American football, with a lower charge density in their center than at their surface.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 27, 2018

Grease in space

Researchers estimate that the Milky Way contains about 10 billion trillion trillion tonnes of greasy matter, equivalent to 40 trillion trillion trillion packs of butter. The discovery could have implications for understanding the origins of life in the universe.

SourceRoyal Astronomical Society·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJun 27, 2018

In surveys, people say they'll pay twice what they're actually willing to spend

Researchers at Ohio State University found a significant gap between what people report they're willing to spend and what they actually spend in experiments. Hypothetical bias can lead to inaccurate decision-making in fields like economics, environmental conservation, and business. Techniques like cheap talk, certainty follow-up, and c...

SourceOhio State University·JournalAmerican Journal of Agricultural Economics·DateJun 27, 2018

Mandatory labels reduce GMO food fears

A study from the University of Vermont found that mandatory labeling in Vermont improved consumer attitudes toward genetically modified food, with opposition falling by 19%. The simple disclosure reduced fear and increased transparency, allowing consumers to make informed decisions.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalScience Advances·DateJun 27, 2018

Solar activities can affect the East Asian winter monsoon at the multidecadal time scale

The study found that solar irradiance strengthens the Siberian high and low-level East Asian winter circulation, resulting in lower surface air temperatures in East Asia. This mechanism helps explain the variability of the East Asian winter monsoon at decadal and longer time scales.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateJun 27, 2018

Your brain with a migraine

An international team of researchers has identified the electrical activity specific to the start of migraines and demonstrated a way to stop it in animal experiments. They found that spreading depolarization, seen in migraines, can be stopped with an opposite direction of electrical current used to turn off seizures.

SourcePenn State·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 27, 2018

The politics of cyberattacks

Researchers at the University of Konstanz are analyzing denial-of-service attacks to understand their influence on politics and international attention. The study aims to map global patterns of cyberattacks, evaluate their relationship with traditional forms of contention, and identify consequences for protest dynamics.

Social awkwardness scuppers standing meetings

Research from King's College London and Brunel University London found that standing in meetings can be difficult due to social pressure, with participants feeling awkward about breaking rules. However, some reported increased engagement and motivation when standing, and suggested ways for employers to encourage active meetings.

SourceKing's College London·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 26, 2018

Lynxes in danger

Research shows that illegal lynx hunting is a major factor in declining populations in the Šumava national park, with mortality rates increasing from 3-4% to 15-20% between 1998-2014. The study suggests that stopping hunting and preserving habitats are crucial to maintaining the population.

SourceForschungsverbund Berlin·JournalBiological Conservation·DateJun 26, 2018