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Science News Archive July 2019 - Page 6


Page 6 of 41

It pays to explore in times of uncertainty

A study examining fishing boat captains found that those who explored new territory experienced less impact from disruptions when popular grounds were closed, suggesting the benefits of exploration in uncertain environments. This strategy may provide a way to future-proof livelihoods by drawing on knowledge of alternatives.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 29, 2019

Study: Black students receive fewer warnings from teachers about misbehavior

A study by University of Illinois social work professor Kate M. Wegmann found that black middle school students were significantly less likely to receive verbal or written warnings from their teachers about behavioral infractions. Black students were also more likely to experience exclusionary forms of discipline, such as suspensions a...

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalChildren and Youth Services Review·DateJul 29, 2019

Energy from seawater

The Stanford group's battery captures blue energy by releasing sodium and chloride ions, then reincorporating them through rapid wastewater and seawater exchanges. The technology has shown 97% effectiveness in capturing salinity gradient energy over 180 cycles.

SourceStanford University·JournalACS Omega·DateJul 29, 2019

A catalyst for sustainable methanol

Scientists at ETH Zurich developed a new catalyst technology converting CO2 and hydrogen directly into methanol, enabling the production of fuels and chemicals from renewable resources. The approach has significant potential to close the carbon cycle and produce sustainable methanol on an industrial scale.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 29, 2019

African smoke is fertilizing Amazon rainforest and oceans, new study finds

Research found that African biomass burning is a substantial source of phosphorus deposition to the Amazon, Tropical Atlantic Ocean, and Southern Ocean. This discovery has significant implications for understanding Earth's climate and may impact primary productivity and carbon dioxide drawdown in both ecosystems.

SourceUniversity of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 29, 2019

Cannabidiol reduces aggressiveness, study concludes

A Brazilian study found that cannabidiol attenuates social isolation-induced aggression in mice by facilitating the activation of serotonin and CB1 receptors. The researchers used a resident-intruder test model to demonstrate that lower doses of cannabidiol inhibit aggressive behavior, while higher doses have little effect.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalProgress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry·DateJul 29, 2019

Uncovering the roots of discrimination toward immigrants

A new study in Germany found that religious differences can drive anti-immigrant bias, even when immigrants follow local social norms. The researchers used an experimental approach to measure bystanders' behavior and found that Muslim immigrant women who wore a hijab received less assistance than native German women.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 29, 2019

Tart cherry juice may juice up the brain

Daily intake of Montmorency tart cherry juice improved memory scores among adults aged 65-73, with notable reductions in movement time and errors during visual and spatial working memory tasks. Compliance was high, but larger studies are warranted to confirm findings.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalFood & Function·DateJul 28, 2019

Do babies like yawning? Evidence from brain activity

A new study found that 5- to 8-month-old babies exhibit face-specific brain activity in response to yawning, suggesting a neural basis for their preference. The research used functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to measure brain activity while babies viewed yawning and mouth movement.

SourceChuo University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 27, 2019

Are US adults meeting physical activity guidelines?

Between 2007 and 2016, the proportion of US adults meeting aerobic activity guidelines remained relatively stable at around 65%, while sedentary behavior increased from 5.7 to 6.4 hours per day. This trend suggests a stagnation in physical activity levels despite updated guidelines recommending less sitting.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJul 26, 2019

Burnout symptoms associated with racial bias in medical residents

A recent study by Mayo Clinic researchers found an association between increased symptoms of burnout and heightened racial bias in medical residents. Physicians experiencing high symptoms of burnout tended to exhibit more racial bias, both explicit and implicit, but recoveries from burnout were linked to reductions in bias.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJul 26, 2019