Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive June 2020 - Page 6


Page 6 of 48

Ancient Maya reservoirs contained toxic pollution

Researchers found toxic levels of mercury and blue-green algae in ancient Maya reservoirs, suggesting droughts may have contributed to the city's abandonment. The pollutants made the water toxic to drink, even if boiled, highlighting the importance of understanding environmental factors in ancient civilizations.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 26, 2020

The geological record of mud deposits

Researchers analyzed cores from the Basque Mud Patch to determine sedimentation rates and detect environmental contamination. The study found that metals and contaminants accumulate at an approximate rate of one millimeter per year, highlighting human activity's impact on the coastal area.

SourceUniversity of the Basque Country·JournalQuaternary International·DateJun 26, 2020

Pilot program increases access to Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) in Colorado

A pilot program trained Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants to prescribe Medication for Opioid Use Disorders, increasing availability of services by 10-fold in two rural counties. The project led to the expansion of Medication-Assisted Treatment into 17 counties, addressing a critical need in Colorado's opioid crisis.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalJournal of Substance Abuse Treatment·DateJun 26, 2020

Fancy Aussie bees flew in from Asia

Researchers found that ancestors of distinctive Australian pollinating bees likely originated in tropical Asian countries, islands in the south-west Pacific or greater Oceania region. This study aims to better understand the origin and radiation of insects and other animals, helping environmental management during changing climates.

SourceFlinders University·JournalTransactions of the Royal Society of South Australia·DateJun 26, 2020

These muscle cells are guideposts to help regenerative flatworms grow back their eyes

A new study from Peter Reddien's Lab at Whitehead Institute has identified muscle cells that serve as guideposts to help regrow axons from the eyes to the brain in regenerative flatworms. The discovery sheds light on neural circuit regeneration in adults and could have implications for understanding human brain or nerve damage.

Dolphins learn foraging skills from peers

A study published in Current Biology found that dolphins can learn new foraging skills by observing and imitating their peers, not just their mothers. The researchers identified over 1,000 individual dolphins performing the behavior, which spreads primarily within social networks.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJun 25, 2020