Hacker News
- Humans Migrated to Mongolia Much Earlier Than Previously Believed https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/humans-migrated-mongolia-much-earlier-previously-believed 9 comments
- Maize (corn) was first domesticated about 10,000 years ago, but a new genomic study shows it didn't take off as a crop until a hybrid appeared about 5,000 years later https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/mixed-origin-made-maize-successful 12 comments science
- A new metanalysis shows links between personality traits and risk of being diagnosed with dementia. Personality traits did not however correlate with neuropathology at autopsy. https://www.ucdavis.edu/health/news/conscientious-personalities-less-risk-dementia-diagnosis 2 comments science
- Unprecedented levels of high-severity fire burn in Sierra Nevada. Research found that in low- and middle-elevation forest types, the average annual area that burned at low-to-moderate severity has decreased from more than 90 percent before 1850 to 60-70 percent today. https://www.ucdavis.edu/climate/news/unprecedented-levels-high-severity-fire-burn-sierra-nevada-forests 4 comments science
- Cats Prefer to Get Free Meals Rather Than Work for Them https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/cats-prefer-get-free-meals-rather-work-them 6 comments nottheonion
- Rhesus macaques at a California primate center naturally exposed to wildfire smoke at the peak of breeding season had an increased rate of miscarriage when offspring were born the following Spring https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/natural-exposure-wildfire-smoke-increased-pregnancy-loss-rhesus-macaques 2 comments science
- When given the choice between a free meal and performing a task for a meal, cats would prefer the meal that doesn’t require much effort. While that might not come as a surprise to cat lovers, it does to cat behaviorists. Most animals prefer to work for their food—a behavior called contrafreeloading. https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/cats-prefer-get-free-meals-rather-work-them 55 comments science
- Face masks are effective in blocking expired airborne particles from talking and coughing even if they don't seal around the edges, a new study shows https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/facemasks-block-expired-particles-despite-leakage 1863 comments science
- New technique usesnear-infrared laser interferometry to measure cerebral blood flow https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/measuring-brain-blood-flow-and-activity-light 3 comments science
- Study: Prioritizing who gets vaccinated for Covid-19 saves lives; vaccinating seniors, essential workers first offers greatest public health benefit. Once a large proportion of the most vulnerable people or the most likely to be exposed have been vaccinated, it becomes less important who gets it. https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/vaccine-priorities-work 82 comments science
- Extra stress in the COVID-19 pandemic caused by income loss, and lack of ability to pay for housing and food has exacerbated the often silent epidemic of intimate partner violence, suggests a new University of California, Davis, study. https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/covid-19-isolation-linked-increased-domestic-violence-researchers-suggest 28 comments science
- California’s urban regions had much larger temperature differences between the wealthiest and poorest neighborhoods compared with regions in the rest of the Southwest. The greatest differences were seen in Palm Springs, Bakersfield and Fresno, researchers found. https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/poor-swelter-urban-areas-us-southwest-get-hotter 3 comments science
- Young children aged 4 and 6 who have experienced compassionate parenting are more generous to others than their peers. Mothers who express compassionate love and empathy provide an early example of prosocial orientation toward the needs of others. https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/it-better-give-receive 3 comments science
- 240-million year old ichthyosaur fossil has the body of another large marine reptile in its stomach, providing evidence that the dolphin-like reptiles fed on large prey. https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/ichthyosaurs-last-meal-evidence-triassic-megapredation 62 comments science
- Sequencing tooth enamel protein is a more reliable method than DNA for estimating sex of human remains https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/archaeologists-use-tooth-enamel-protein-show-sex-human-remains 7 comments science
- Using cleaner-burning kiln reduces the health costs of air pollution from concrete production by 14%. Cement production is responsible for about half of the total climate (32 percent) and health (18 percent) damages of making concrete. https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/concrete-solutions-lower-both-emissions-and-air-pollution 5 comments science
- Many species of reef fish change functional sex over their life time. New work shows why this evolves. https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/male-size-advantage-drives-evolution-sex-change-reef-fish 3 comments science
- Bumblebees can fly while carrying almost their bodyweight in nectar either by flapping their wings faster or by using an energy-efficient economy mode. Bees make a behavioral choice about which flight mode to use. https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/bumblebees-carry-heavy-loads-economy-mode 87 comments science
- Scientists find Marburg virus in bats in Sierra Leone. It's the first time the Ebola-like virus has been found in West Africa and will help public health officials manage hemorrhagic fever outbreaks. https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/marburg-virus-found-sierra-leone-bats 15 comments science
- First trial of nutrient-rich nut and bean based supplements shows 27 percent drop in child mortality https://www.ucdavis.edu/health/nutrient-supplements-significantly-reduce-child-deaths 53 comments science
- DNA databases used by genealogy hobbyists may be vulnerable to genetic hacking. By uploading DNA sequences, an attacker could gain access to extensive genetic information from users. https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/hobbyist-dna-services-may-be-open-genetic-hacking 8 comments science
- A dairy bull made hornless by gene editing has passed the trait on to his offspring. The method could replace physical dehorning of dairy calves, routinely done for animal safety. https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/genome-edited-bull-passes-hornless-trait-calves 242 comments science
- Chemicals cats use for scent marking are made by anal sac microbes https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/microbes-make-chemicals-scent-marking-in-cat 5 comments science
- Using facts to promote cancer prevention on social media is more effective than anecdotes, suggests a new study, which found that clear information from trusted organizations has greater reach on social media than personal anecdotes of patients, so social media may be effective for preventive care. https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/using-facts-promote-cancer-prevention-social-media-more-effective-personal-stories 364 comments science
- A New Candidate for Dark Matter and a Way to Detect It https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/new-candidate-dark-matter-and-way-detect-it/ 4 comments science
- A synthetic, non-intoxicating analogue of cannabidiol (CBD) is effective in treating seizures in rats. It is easier to purify than a plant extract, eliminates the need to use agricultural land for hemp cultivation, and could avoid legal complications with cannabis-related products. https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/synthetic-version-cbd-treats-seizures-rats 18 comments science
- Computer scientists create short pieces of DNA that can act as logic gates. The DNA can assemble into patterns by running a program. https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/computer-scientists-create-programmable-self-assembling-dna 8 comments science
- Microdosing rats with a psychedelic drug had beneficial effects in models of depression and anxiety https://www.ucdavis.edu/health/news/psychedelic-microdosing-rats-shows-beneficial-effects 4 comments science
- Device sold for "theta wave entrainment" with sound and light actually does enhance memory function https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/brain-wave-device-enhances-memory-function 4 comments science
- While calories from any food have the potential to increase the risk of obesity and other cardiometabolic diseases, 22 nutrition researchers agree that sugar-sweetened beverages play a unique role in chronic health problems. https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/some-calories-more-harmful-others 219 comments science
- Gains in visual attention from intensive meditation training maintained after seven years https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/7-year-follow-shows-lasting-cognitive-gains-meditation 3 comments science
- Blocking oxytocin reduces social anxiety in a mouse model, suggesting that the role of oxytocin is more complex than a so-called "love hormone" https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/oxytocin-turns-volume-your-social-environment 3 comments science
- A ketogenic (high-fat vs high-carb) diet extends health and longevity in mice https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/eat-fat-live-longer 72 comments science
- Common ingredient in household products, like toothpaste & disinfecting cleaners, may inhibit the function of mitochondria which could increase risk for Parkinson’s disease, and hormone functions in cells which could potentially cause reproductive harm. https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/common-antiseptic-ingredients-de-energize-cells-and-impair-hormone-response 38 comments science
- Virus similar to human Epstein-Barr found in mountain gorillas, appears mostly harmless https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/mountain-gorillas-have-herpes-virus-similar-found-humans 9 comments science
- Survey of California forests shows trees of southern Sierra Nevada most vulnerable to drought https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/how-much-drought-can-forest-take 3 comments science
- Neanderthal genes are being removed from the modern human genome by weak but widespread natural selection https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/fate-neanderthal-genes 375 comments science
- People with diabetes often suffer slow healing wounds that can lead to ulcers, gangrene, and amputation. Research shows that in animal models of diabetes, slow healing is associated with weaker electrical currents in wounds. The results could open up new approaches for managing diabetic patients. https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/electric-fields-weaker-slow-healing-diabetic-wounds 33 comments science
- Astronomers use gravitational lens to image faint galaxy 13 billion light years away https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/astronomers-see-faintest-furthest-galaxy 5 comments science
- How failures on multiple small faults can add up to damaging earthquakes https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/breaking-strongest-link-triggered-big-baja-earthquake 4 comments science