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Science News Archive July 2021 - Page 34


Page 34 of 41

Not only humans got talent, dogs got it too!

A new study published in Scientific Reports found that a handful of dogs learn multiple toy names effortlessly, despite struggling with object labels. The research suggests that talent in a specific field may not be exclusively human, with gifted word learner dogs displaying exceptional learning capacity.

SourceEötvös Loránd University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 7, 2021

The reproductive advantages of large male fish

Researchers found that larger male mosquitofish are preferred by females and produce more sperm. They also excel at driving off rivals and using forced mating strategies due to their small size and agility. The study analyzed 36 studies and provided new insights into the relationship between body size and reproductive success in fish.

SourceBielefeld University·JournalJournal of Animal Ecology·DateJul 7, 2021

Factors associated with deaths in US ICE detention facilities

A study examining US ICE detention facility deaths from 2011 to 2018 found that inadequate healthcare, poor living conditions, and mental health issues were key factors contributing to these deaths. The study highlights the need for improved healthcare and living conditions in ICE facilities to prevent unnecessary deaths.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJul 7, 2021

Gender pay gap means fewer female candidates on the ballot

A new study finds that electoral districts with a larger gender pay gap tend to have fewer female candidates, as voters' biases against women candidates can lead to lower vote shares. The Parity Law has had limited impact in reducing this disparity, with parties strategically allocating female candidates to less competitive districts.

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalJournal of the European Economic Association·DateJul 7, 2021

New AI tech for early detection of prostate cancer

A new AI-powered diagnostic tool can spot asymptomatic prostate cancer in routine CT scans, allowing for earlier diagnosis and improved treatment outcomes. The technology, developed at RMIT University, has been shown to perform better than human radiologists in detecting cancerous growths.

SourceRMIT University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 7, 2021

Machine learning tool sorts the nuances of quantum data

A Cornell University-led team developed a machine learning tool called Correlation Convolutional Neural Networks (CCNN) to parse quantum matter and make distinctions in the data. CCNN can identify relationships among microscopic properties that are impossible to determine at the scale of quantum systems.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 7, 2021

Acid sensor discovered in plants

Scientists from Würzburg, Germany, have identified a protein in the plant Arabidopsis thaliana that detects and translates acidic conditions into an electrical signal. This discovery could lead to more tolerant crops for waterlogging conditions.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJul 6, 2021

The brain's wiring technicians

A new study reveals that microglia, the brain's resident immune cells, play a crucial role in regulating brain wiring by sculpting inhibitory neurons. The research showed that microglia interact with GABA-emitting inhibitory synapses through direct physical contact, a process enabled by advanced imaging techniques.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalCell·DateJul 6, 2021

Behavioral ecology: Environmental heterogeneity maintains personality in wild bird

Researchers found that certain personality types excel in specific countries and years due to environmental factors like predator presence and beechmast availability. This suggests that spatial and temporal variation in selection promotes the maintenance of behavioral differences within species.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 6, 2021