Nutrition Portugal  PORTUGAL 27/07/2018

A protein that promotes compatibility between chromosomes after fertilization

The study, now published in the scientific journal 'EMBO reports', may pave the way for future developments in the clinical management of infertile couples

A research team from the Center for Biomedical Research (CBMR), at the University of Algarve (UAlg), and Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência (IGC), led by Rui Gonçalo Martinho (UAlg) and Paulo Navarro-Costa (UAlg and IGC) has identified the mechanism by which the fertilized egg balances out the differences between chromosomes inherited from the mother and the father. The study, now published in the scientific journal EMBO reports*, may pave the way for future developments in the clinical management of infertile couples.

 
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Technology Spain  SALAMANCA 27/07/2018

A technological platform to overcome the fear of driving

A project of the University of Salamanca teaches psychological techniques 'online' to improve road safety

Many people suffer from amaxophobia or fear of driving a vehicle, which besides being a problem for personal daily life, can put road safety at risk. Faced with this situation, researchers, psychologists and experts from the University of Salamanca have worked on the project 'Development of a Computer Application for Amaxophobic and Risk Behavior in Driving' (DAICRAC), which aims to provide an effective solution to this problem.

 
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Science Spain  MADRID 24/07/2018

A scientific study characterises our circles of friendships

Conducted by Universidad Carlos III de Madrid and Oxford University

The organisation of our friendships is guided to a large degree by our cognitive capacity when it comes to managing them, that is, by the amount of time and mental effort we can devote to them. This is one of the conclusions of a study which was published by researchers from Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) and the University of Oxford and which analysed these relationships from a mathematical perspective. The study has been published in the latest issue of the PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences) journal.

 
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Nutrition Panama  PANAMÁ 23/07/2018

First report of stone tool use by Cebus Monkeys

White-faced capuchin monkeys in Panama’s Coiba National Park habitually use hammer and anvil stones, according to visiting scientists at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI)

 

White-faced capuchin monkeys in Panama’s Coiba National Park habitually use hammer and anvil stones to break hermit crab shells, snail shells, coconuts and other food items, according to visiting scientists at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI). This is the first report of habitual stone-tool use by Cebus monkeys.

 
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Technology Spain  SALAMANCA 20/07/2018

A smart shopping car for people with reduced mobility

Researchers from the University of Salamanca develop a system that includes an autonomous cart that follows the client throughout the supermarket and provides products information

Researchers from the University of Salamanca have developed a revolutionary shopping cart that will facilitate the acquisition of products in supermarkets, especially for people with reduced mobility. The car will be able to follow the user through all the corridors, will count the products that he has chosen and can offer information and advice on these products nutrition values.

 
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Nutrition Ecuador  GALÁPAGOS 19/07/2018

To tell the sex of a Galápagos penguin, measure its beak, researchers say

Galápagos penguins are the only penguins to live in an equatorial region. Like all penguin species and most birds, they lack external genitalia. In addition, male and female Galápagos penguins look similar to one another

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Nutrition Brazil  BRASIL 18/07/2018

Protecting tropical forest carbon stocks may not prevent large-scale species loss

Investments designed to prevent massive carbon losses from the world's tropical forests are likely to be least effective for biodiversity in the most ecologically valuable forests, according to research

Tropical forests are rich in carbon and biodiversity. As the world seeks to curb human-induced climate change, will protecting the carbon of tropical forests also ensure the survival of their species?.

 

 

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Nutrition Spain  SALAMANCA 09/07/2018

New fermentation starter allow the development of bread and other innovative products without gluten

A research from the University of Salamanca combines different yeasts and lactic acid bacteria to improve the quality of bread made with wheat flours or corn and rice flours, suitable for celiacs

A research project of the Institute of Functional and Genomic Biology (IBFG, a mixed center of the CSIC and the University of Salamanca) in collaboration with the University of Salamanca's Department of Microbiology and Genetics is developing new starter for bread fermentation. After isolating numerous beneficial microorganisms from natural sourdoughs, the researchers selected the best strains and formulated two prototypes, one for fermentation of wheat flours and the other for gluten-free corn and rice flours.

 
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Nutrition Portugal  PORTUGAL 09/07/2018

New mechanism involved in memory loss associated with aging discovered

Understanding these processes is crucial in defining new therapeutic strategies as aging is the greatest risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases

A study led by Luísa Lopes, Group Leader at Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes (iMM; Portugal) and published today in the prestigious journal Molecular Psychiatry, describes a new mechanism involved in memory loss associated with aging. The work developed over 3 years by a team of Portuguese, French and German scientists now shows that specific changes in the signaling of circuits involved in memory induce an abnormal response of the neurons in the brain that is associated with aging. Understanding these processes is crucial in defining new therapeutic strategies as aging is the greatest risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases.

 
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Nutrition Cuba  CUBA 05/07/2018

New results of Deepwater Horizon research to protect marine life against future oil spills

Researchers just published results of a seven-year study, recording the most comprehensive data available of marine life throughout the entire Gulf of Mexico

The University of South Florida continues to play an integral role in discovering the extent of damage caused by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Researchers just published results of a seven-year study, recording the most comprehensive data available of marine life throughout the entire Gulf of Mexico.

 
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Nutrition Bolivia  BOLIVIA 02/07/2018

Researchers discover two new Miocene mammals in Bolivia

Litopterns: Extinct hoofed mammals similar to small moose

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Health Spain  MADRID 29/06/2018

Sounds of moving objects change perceptions of body size

When there is a mismatch between the sensory signals a recalibration of the mental representation of our body height occurs

Sound and object motion can be used to change perceptions about body size, according to a new study by an international team led by a researcher from the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M). The study, published in PLOS ONE, found that when there is a mismatch between the sensory signals (in this experiment, when the sound made by dropping a ball takes more than we expected), a recalibration of the mental representation of our body height occurs.

 
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Nutrition Uruguay  URUGUAY 29/06/2018

Hunting and fishing activities cause dietary changes in South American fur seals and sea lions

The results show that these species’ diets were different until late 20th century, when they started coinciding without overlapping each other

Researchers of the Faculty of Biology and the Biodiversity Research Institute (IRBio) of the University of Barcelona reconstructed the dietary habits of South American sea lions and seals in the area of Rio de la Plata (Uruguay) over the last 7,000 years. The results show that these species’ diets were different until late 20th century, when they started coinciding without overlapping each other.

 
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Technology Spain  SALAMANCA 27/06/2018

A device to control tinnitus patients evolution at home

The BISITE group of the University of Salamanca develops a project that will improve the lives of people suffering from tinnitus

Tinnitus is a hearing alteration characterized because the patient perceives a beep sound, without coming from outside, since it is generated in the ear itself or in the auditory nerve. Although it has no cure, it can be controlled so the patient can live a relatively normal life, but the diagnostic tests and follow-up in a clinic are complex. Therefore, the BISITE research group at the University of Salamanca has developed a simple device so that the patient can self-assess at home and doctors have more information about their condition.

 
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Technology Spain  MADRID 26/06/2018

Innovative autonomous system for identifying schools of fish

The SYMBIOSIS system integrates acoustic and optical technologies without human intervention. The system is the product of an international scientific initiative under the EU’s Horizon 2020 program

The SYMBIOSIS system integrates acoustic and optical technologies without human intervention. The system is the product of an international scientific initiative under the EU’s Horizon 2020 program. Real-time monitoring of schools of fish will inform the development of fishing policy and lead to enhanced protection of the marine environment.

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Technology Spain  ZAMORA 20/06/2018

A new heating system improves the autonomy of electric vehicles

The Polytechnic School of Zamora of the University of Salamanca has developed a more efficient prototype since current systems consume a lot of energy

A research project developed at the Polytechnic School of Zamora from the University of Salamanca proposes a better heating system for electric cars. The engines of these vehicles are very efficient, but when the heating is connected by electrical resistances, they lose a lot of energy and, therefore, quickly lower the battery charge, thus decreasing the autonomy of the car. The new prototype addresses this problem.

 
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Technology Spain  MADRID 20/06/2018

New tool using Facebook data shows worldwide gender gap

Gender inequality online is related to gender inequality in society at large

An international group of researchers, involving scientists from Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) and the Complexity Science Hub Vienna, developed a tool to track and analyze gender inequality through Facebook usage data. Their results, published in an article in the latest issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), show that gender inequality online is related to gender inequality in society at large.

 
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Health Spain  SALAMANCA 18/06/2018

An animal model to study new treatments against epilepsy

The University of Salamanca has a hamster strain of that suffers seizures similar to those that occur in epileptic humans so the genetic analysis of these animals will lead to the development of transgenic mice that will serve to test therapies.

The University of Salamanca has an animal model to study epilepsy. The hamster called GASH: Sal (Genetic Audiogenic Seizure Hamster: Salamanca) presents seizures of genetic origin similar to those suffered by epileptic humans. Morphological, genetic, pharmacological and physiological studies confirm that the model is valid and useful to test any developing antiepileptic therapy.

 
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Science Chile  ATACAMA 13/06/2018

ALMA Discovers Trio of Infant Planets around Newborn Star

These are considered the first planets discovered by ALMA

Two independent teams of astronomers have used Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) to uncover convincing evidence that three young planets are in orbit around the infant star HD 163296. Using a novel planet-finding technique, the astronomers identified three disturbances in the gas-filled disc around the young star: the most reliable evidence yet that newly formed planets are in orbit there. These are considered the first planets discovered by ALMA.

 
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Nutrition Spain  MADRID 11/06/2018

A new system optimises electric transmission from offshore wind farms

Patented by UC3M researchers

Scientists from Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) have designed a new control system for wind turbines in offshore wind farms which allows power transmission to the coast in a simpler, more flexible and cheaper way than current solutions.

 
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