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Science News Archive July 2020 - Page 16


Page 16 of 47

Gender differences in prosecution of police assault in Sweden

A study published in PLOS ONE found that female prosecutors in Sweden are 16 percentage points more likely to investigate police assault claims than their male counterparts. This difference was observed despite the prosecutors being randomly assigned to cases and having similar characteristics.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 22, 2020

Climate change is impacting the spread of invasive animal species

Climate change is fueling the rapid expansion of invasive species like the Asian shore crab into previously unknown habitats. This study finds that climate warming can predict the speed and extent of these invasions by examining the early developmental stages of larvae, which are often more vulnerable to environmental fluctuations.

Photonic crystal light converter

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have created a simple device to convert circularly polarized visible laser light into circularly polarized vacuum ultraviolet light, twisted in the opposite direction. This new method can be useful for researchers in medicine, life sciences, molecular chemistry and solid state physics.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalOptica·DateJul 22, 2020

2,000 years of storms in the Caribbean

A 2,000-year sedimentary archive from the Blue Hole in Belize provides insights into climate change and its impact on storms in the Caribbean. The study shows that hurricane activity has increased over the past 1,885 years, with a significant shift in frequency and intensity starting around AD 900.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 22, 2020

Plastics found in sea-bed sharks

Researchers discovered 67% of examined sharks contained microplastics and man-made fibers, emphasizing the widespread nature of plastic pollution. The study highlights potential sources of microplastic contamination, including fishing lines and textile waste.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 22, 2020

New insights into anxiety

Researchers at the University of Trento mapped anxiety types differently in human brain, finding stable traits associated with negative thoughts and transient brain activity linked to state anxiety. The study aims to develop new diagnostic tools and treatments targeting chronic anxiety.

SourceUniversità di Trento·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 21, 2020