New research suggests a new method for identifying children at risk for bone and joint infection by looking for the Kingella kingae bacteria in their throats. Study authors examined 65 children admitted to hospitals in Canada and Switzerland with joint or bone infection, and found that 70% of them also carried the bacteria in their […]
Babies learn to detect fearful faces as early as 3.5 months of age 
An infant can tell a fearful expression from a happy one as early as three months after being born, results of a new study suggest. Fear detection is an important evolutionary mechanism and is thus developed at a young age, but present research is the first to show a precursor to this important ability. To […]
The mechanism behind Jupiter’s colorful auroras is different from Earth’s
Auroral emissions—also known as Northern or Southern Lights on Earth—are very powerful on Jupiter, which is why scientists thought the process behind auroras on the biggest Solar System planet was similar to the one responsible for Earth’s brightest auroras. But recent research suggests this is not the case. On our planet, two processes are responsible […]
How a deadly virus spreads among young farmed fish in the Pacific Northwest
A new study explores the spread of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV), which plagues Pacific salmon and trout. Researchers looked at the spread of IHNV among juvenile hatchery-raised fish in the Pacific Northwest, where rates of infection and mortality are high. Hatchery-raised salmon present a unique challenge when it comes to IHNV detection, because while hatcheries […]
Brains of athletes in contact sports differ from those in non-contact sports
Athletes participating in collision and contact sports have differences in brain structure, and function compared to athletes in non-contact sports, recent research suggests. Unlike previous research, which explored the effects of collision sports like hockey and football, the present study focused on sports where body contact is ‘permitted, but not purposeful” – such as soccer, […]
40% of opioid prescriptions in Ontario still above new national guidelines, report finds
Opioid prescribing practices in Ontario are becoming safer, but many patients with existing prescriptions before the introduction of the new guidelines are still receiving higher doses of the painkiller, report finds. Researchers also found that patients from lower socioeconomic groups are still overrepresented among those seeking treatment for opioid addiction and dying of an opioid-related […]
Cyborg bacteria cover themselves in tiny solar panels to mimic effects of chlorophyll
Researchers designed tiny bacteria that can be more efficient than plants at converting sunlight into useful compounds. Plants accomplish this task with the help of chlorophyll, the green pigment that helps them absorb sunlight. Scientists have designed a cyborg bacteria that can achieve the same results in a more efficient way using semiconductor nanocrystals. In order to […]
How climate change has altered Kodiak bears’ feeding habits
Red elderberry and sockeye salmon make up a large portion of a Kodiak bear’s diet; usually, the bears treat themselves to spawning salmon before the elderberry season begins. Recently, warmer springs have shifted the elderberry fruiting time to an earlier period, which coincides with the salmon spawn. Researchers observed how warmer springs affected the bears’ […]
Predator birds and mammals have a stronger fear of the unknown
Neophobia – the fear of unfamiliar stimuli – is more pronounced among birds and mammals, especially those reared in the wild, than in other animals, a recent meta-analysis reveals. Researchers looked into different kinds of neophobia among predators, both wild-caught and captive, to see which animals brave the novelty better. Their findings also identified that […]
A roadmap to adapting 100% clean energy in 139 countries by 2050
A group of researchers outlined a comprehensive roadmap of infrastructure changes that 139 countries can make to be entirely powered by wind, water, and sunlight by 2050. Researchers assessed the raw renewable energy resources available to each country, how many alternative-energy generators are available, and how much land and rooftop area these power sources would […]
Researchers pinpoint the heart’s pump-up protein
Scientists have discovered a protein that promotes healthy heart growth by helping this key muscle pump blood efficiently throughout the body. The protein, cardiotrophin 1 (CT-1), stimulates both the growth of heart muscles and the growth of blood vessels in the heart. The effect of CT-1 is similar to what is naturally achieved through exercise or […]
Potentially toxic new byproduct of coal burning discovered in ash
Coal mining is a well-known contributor of pollutants to particulate matter in the air. A new study has discovered a new byproduct of burning coal, titania suboxide, which has the potential to be toxic to humans. The research team analyzed ash samples from 12 coal-burning power plants in the US and China, and found large […]
Dopamine determines fruit flies’ personal bubble
Dopamine regulates fruit flies’ perception of personal space, a new study suggests. The concept of a “bubble”, or the amount and proximity of others one feels comfortable with, is observed in one form or another in all social animals. New research shows evidence that for fruit flies, dopamine is a key modulator of social space. […]
2016 yet another exceptionally warm year, experts confirm
Global temperatures in 2016 have reached a peak high of 0.8 degrees Celsius above their level in the period between 1961 and 1990. This is the second year in a row to produce record global temperatures – although there isn’t a significant increase from 2015, according to the study authors. Warmer global temperatures in 2016 […]
Action video games may be shrinking the players’ hippocampi
New evidence suggests that habitual gamers have less grey matter in their hippocampus, a part of the brain that plays a big role in different kinds of memory processing. The study, which combines neuroimaging and longitudinal research data, revealed that the hippocampus gets less stimulation during play time; while another part of the brain, called […]
Eliminating tax on private land could help meet Canadian conservation targets
Shifting property tax from private land with high conservation value to regions with lower conservation value could help the Canadian government meet its conservation targets – without taking a hit to tax revenue. A new study paper explores the concept of such “tax-shifting” as a way to maximize the efficiency of conservation investments in highly […]
