New research demonstrates connections between climate change and civil unrest among the ancient Maya

An extended period of turmoil in the prehistoric Maya city of Mayapan, in the Yucatan region of Mexico, was marked by population declines, political rivalries and civil conflict. Between 1441 and 1461 CE the strife reached an unfortunate crescendo—the complete institutional collapse and abandonment of the city. This all occurred during a protracted drought.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/new-research-demonstrates-connections-between-climate-change-and-civil-unrest-among-the-ancient-maya

Scientists reveal genetic architecture underlying alcohol, cigarette abuse

Have you ever wondered why one person can smoke cigarettes for a year and easily quit, while another person will become addicted for life? Why can't some people help themselves from abusing alcohol and others can take it or leave it? One reason is a person's genetic proclivity to abuse substances. UNC School of Medicine researchers led by Hyejung Won, Ph.D., are beginning to understand these underlying genetic differences. The more they learn, the better chance they will be able to create therapies to help the millions of people who struggle with addiction.

Discovery of lonely tortoise doubles known members of 'phantasticus' species

The discovery in 2019 of a lone small female tortoise living on one of the most inaccessible islands of the Galapagos Islands has baffled evolutionary biologists. Only one other tortoise, a large male discovered in 1906, has ever been found on Fernandina Island, an isolated island on the western edge of the iconic archipelago.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/discovery-of-lonely-tortoise-doubles-known-members-of-phantasticus-species

New model predicts how temperature affects life from quantum to classical scales

Every biological process depends critically on temperature. It's true of the very small, the very large, and every scale in between, from molecules to ecosystems and across every environment.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/new-model-predicts-how-temperature-affects-life-from-quantum-to-classical-scales

Women are more likely to die or require repeat surgery five years after abdominal aortic aneurysm repair

Women are more likely to die within five years of having elective surgery to repair a weakening in the wall of the aorta or need repeat surgery, according to a recent Rutgers study.

Asteroid impacts create diamond materials with exceptionally complex structures

Shockwaves caused by asteroids colliding with Earth create materials with a range of complex carbon structures, which could be used for advancing future engineering applications, according to an international study led by UCL and Hungarian scientists.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/asteroid-impacts-create-diamond-materials-with-exceptionally-complex-structures

New study finds environmental injustice is key to decoding climate change debate

A new study from researchers at the University of Miami (UM) Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science found that Miami's history of environmental injustice was the key to understanding why different groups were often talking at cross-purposes, leading to misunderstandings and disagreements about climate change and what they believe should be done about it.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/new-study-finds-environmental-injustice-is-key-to-decoding-climate-change-debate

Survey looks at why patients request stem cell treatments

In one of the first studies of its kind, Mayo Clinic researchers have analyzed a large group of patients to understand their motivations for seeking stem cell therapies and whether expectations are grounded in science. The findings could help health care professionals cut through misleading claims and better counsel patients. The research by Jennifer Arthurs; Zubin Master, Ph.D.; and Shane Shapiro, M.D., is published in npj Regenerative Medicine.

Legalization of marijuana linked to increased traffic crashes, fatalities

States that legalized recreational marijuana saw a subsequent increase in traffic crashes and fatalities, according to new research in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.