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Science News Archive October 2019 - Page 27


Page 27 of 47

Making conservation 'contagious'

A study by University of Queensland researchers found that most conservation initiatives follow a slow-fast-slow model, where adoption is slow initially but grows quickly as early adopters connect with potential adopters. The research aims to help designers create initiatives that reach scale and have a lasting impact on biodiversity.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalNature Sustainability·DateOct 15, 2019

Genetics to feed the world

A recent study published in Nature Genetics explores the potential of genomic selection to boost wheat yields and quality. By analyzing genomic data from diverse environments, researchers found that this approach can predict disease resistance, grain quality, and climate resilience with varying degrees of accuracy. The findings provide...

SourceUniversity of Córdoba·JournalNature Genetics·DateOct 15, 2019

Startled fish escape using several distinct neuronal circuits

Researchers identified a cluster of 38 neurons in the hindbrain that mediate delayed escape responses in zebrafish, characterized by flexible trajectories. This circuit may represent an evolutionarily ancient pathway for defensive responses to threats sensed via acoustic or vibrational cues.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateOct 15, 2019

Pro-science vs anti-science debates

A recent survey reveals rich patterns in anthropologists' views on sensitive controversies, with disciplinary subfield, gender, and politics identified as key predictors. The study draws on social intuitionism to interpret the results, suggesting that shared moral intuitions may aid scholars in coming to consensus.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalCurrent Anthropology·DateOct 15, 2019

Physicists shed new light on how liquids behave with other materials

Physicists have made significant breakthroughs in understanding how liquids behave with other materials, including finding super-repellant substrates that can repel water. Their findings provide a comprehensive framework for tailoring material properties, which has important implications for various physical and biological systems.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 15, 2019

Weight-loss surgery cuts risk of birth defects

A Swedish study found that children born to women who underwent gastric bypass surgery had a lower risk of major birth defects, which could be attributed to improved blood sugar control and weight loss. The researchers recommend special antenatal care for bariatric surgery patients to ensure fetal health.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalJAMA·DateOct 15, 2019

Being attractive helps, but it isn't everything

Research finds that physically attractive candidates can gain up to 11 percentage points in US House of Representatives elections and 3.8 percentage points in German Bundestag elections due to their appearance. However, competent appearance and likeability have a lesser impact on voter decisions.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalAmerican Politics Research·DateOct 15, 2019

Read to kids in Spanish; it'll help their English

A new study found that children with strong early reading skills in their native Spanish language performed better in reading English, even after controlling for English proficiency. This suggests that well-developed Spanish reading proficiency plays a greater role in English reading development than speaking English.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalChild Development·DateOct 15, 2019

The 7 types of sugar daddy relationships

A recent study by sociologist Maren Scull found seven types of sugar relationships in the US, including sugar prostitution, compensated dating, and pragmatic love. The research highlights genuine emotional connections and nuanced forms of companionship, challenging stereotypes and deviantizing these relationships.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Denver·JournalSociological Perspectives·DateOct 15, 2019

Searching for water

A team of researchers from the University of Delaware examined the age, origin, and sustainability of fossil aquifers in the Mega Aquifer System (MAS) in the Arabian Peninsula. They used a combination of geochemical analysis, satellite data, and field investigations to determine the quality and age of the water.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalJournal of Hydrology·DateOct 15, 2019

New study debunks myth that only children are more narcissistic than kids with siblings

Researchers from Germany analyzed data from over 500 people and found that both only children and those with siblings hold similar views on narcissism. The study's findings suggest that growing up without siblings is not associated with increased narcissism, challenging a common stereotype.

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·DateOct 15, 2019

Piranha fish swap old teeth for new simultaneously

Researchers at the University of Washington have confirmed that piranhas and pacus lose and regrow all teeth on one side of their face multiple times throughout their lives. This unique system allows them to distribute stress over their teeth, enabling efficient chewing and potentially justifying the loss of a full set of teeth.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalEvolutionary Ecology·DateOct 15, 2019