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Science News Archive April 2021 - Page 40


Page 40 of 46

Droughts longer, rainfall more erratic over the last 50 years in most of the West

Across most of the western US, dry periods between rainstorms have become longer and annual rainfall has become more erratic over the last 50 years. This is according to a new study that used actual rainfall data from 337 weather stations, revealing changes in drought length and rainfall patterns.

SourceUS Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Research Service·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateApr 6, 2021

Americans are super-spreaders of COVID-19 misinformation

A study by McGill University found that Canadians exposed to US-based information on social media are more likely to consume and spread COVID-19 misinformation. The researchers analyzed the behaviors of 200,000 active Canadian Twitter users and found that exposure to US news outlets was associated with misperceptions about COVID-19.

SourceMcGill University·JournalFrontiers in Political Science·DateApr 6, 2021

Sharing and enjoying meals with loved ones reduces obesity and improves the health of adolescents

A study conducted by researchers at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya found that family meal routines, such as sharing food and engaging in pleasant conversation, contribute to healthier eating habits among adolescents. The Mediterranean diet's emphasis on conviviality is crucial for promoting a healthy lifestyle.

SourceUniversitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC)·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateApr 6, 2021

Origins of life could have started with DNA-like XNAs

Researchers at Nagoya University discovered a DNA-like molecule called XNA that could be synthesized without enzymes, supporting the hypothesis of an XNA world before the RNA world. The findings suggest that XNAs can carry genetic code stably and potentially transfer genetic information between DNA and RNA.

SourceNagoya University·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 6, 2021

Are you using antihistamines properly?

A recent study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal highlights the need to rethink antihistamine use, as millions worldwide take these medications incorrectly. The study emphasizes that newer generation antihistamines are safer and more effective than first-generation antihistamines.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateApr 6, 2021

Radical attack on live cells

Researchers create a microfluidic probe that generates free radicals with controlled size and concentration, allowing them to manipulate small areas on cellular surfaces. This approach enables the study of cell reactions to radicals in a controlled way, opening up new possibilities for subcellular research.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateApr 6, 2021

Being top baboon costs males their longevity

A recent study by Duke University researchers reveals that male baboons who attain high social status experience accelerated aging due to the physical and energetic demands of competing for dominance. This is in contrast to humans, where high social status typically predicts better health.

Fossil discovery deepens snakefly mystery

A recent fossil discovery of four new snakefly species has deepened the mystery surrounding their evolutionary history and distribution. The ancient insects, dating back 50 million years, were found in British Columbia and Washington state, where scientists had previously believed they required cold winters to thrive.

SourceSimon Fraser University·JournalZootaxa·DateApr 6, 2021

How do lakes affect energy, heat, and carbon exchange processes in mountainous areas?

Research reveals lakes promote latent heat mixing but suppress carbon dioxide exchange compared to other land surfaces. The findings published in Advances in Atmospheric Sciences highlight the need for future field experiments to investigate energy and carbon dioxide exchange at different scales.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateApr 6, 2021

How the spinifex got its hole

Researchers have found that pathogenic soil microbes impede seedling emergence and subsequent growth in the centre of spinifex rings. The study suggests that older parts of the plant succumb to a build-up of these microbes, while new seedlings establish at the outside edge of the rings.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalAustralian Journal of Botany·DateApr 6, 2021

People with HIV at high risk for intimate partner violence

A new study finds that people with HIV who experienced intimate partner violence are more likely to engage in riskier behaviors and have poor adherence to HIV treatment. IPV is associated with increased depression, anxiety, and poor clinical outcomes, highlighting the need for screening and supportive services.

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateApr 6, 2021