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Our picks of the newest, coolest science in Canada this week
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Below are some science stories you may be interested in following this week. If you have any questions or feedback, please contact us at: info@sciencemedia.ca.
indicates Canadian contributors. 

PLEASE NOTE: Embargoed stories shall not be released, distributed, or published before the embargo date and time. Embargo violations will result in cancellation of access to our material.

Controversial insecticides threaten wild birds’ survival

Science

Embargoed until September 12, 2019 | 13:00 EDT (News release from the University of Saskatchewan; summary from AAAS)

Songbirds exposed to imidacloprid, a widely used neonicotinoid insecticide, exhibit anorexic behavior, reduced body weight, and delays in their migration. This study provides the first direct evidence to link the pesticide’s physical effects on the birds and declining migratory bird populations. The results suggest that, even in tiny, sublethal doses, the presence of these neurotoxic compounds at critical stopover sites that refueling birds visit during spring migration may contribute to songbird-population declines. 
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Authors: Margaret Eng, University of Saskatchewan - m.eng@usask.ca; Bridget Stutchbury, York University - bstutch@yorku.ca; Christy Morrissey, University of Saskatchewan - christy.morrissey@usask.ca


Teeth provide more evidence of our inner fish (scales)

Biology Letters
Embargoed until September 11, 2019 | 17:01 EDT (Brief from the Royal Society)

For most animals, baby teeth fall out and are replaced. However, some ancient amphibians and reptiles buried their teeth in a layer of bone and grew new teeth on top. Researchers trace this tooth-replacement strategy to 400-million-year-old ‘scales’ found in fossil fish, supporting the theory that teeth originated in our fishy ancestors’ scales.
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Lead author: Yara Haridy, University of Toronto, Mississauga - yara.haridy@mail.utoronto.ca

In Case You Missed It

A really, really bad day: How the first day of the Cenozoic unfolded at Chicxulub
PNAS
Published September 9, 2019

Analysis of cores from the impact crater’s peak ring reconstructs the first day of the Cenozoic, from moments after the impact to the sedimentation effects of the resulting tsunami. Those sediments provide evidence that that the impact caused widespread wildfires on land and released sulfate aerosols that would have contributed to a global nuclear winter. Read more here and here> 
Canada co-author: Gordon Osinski, Western University - gosinski@uwo.ca


New viruses discovered in endangered wild Pacific salmon
eLife
Published September 3, 2019

Three new viruses—including one from a group of viruses never before shown to infect fish—have been discovered in endangered Chinook and sockeye salmon populations. All three are related to viruses that cause serious disease in other species. Read more>
Lead author: Gideon Mordecai, University of British Columbia - gmordecai@eoas.ubc.ca
 

Gaps in understanding how contaminants harm Arctic fish and land animals
Science of The Total Environment
Published August 13, 2019

This review of current knowledge of contaminant exposure and effects in Arctic wildlife reveals animals’ vitamin metabolism, immune functioning and hormones, as well as pathology and reproduction, are affected. The study identifies gaps in knowledge about effects on terrestrial wildlife and fish and across populations.
Canadian co-authors: Robert Letcher, Carleton University - robert.letcher@canada.ca; Niladri Basu, McGill University - niladri.basu@mcgill.ca; Paul Drevnick, Alberta Environment and Parks, Calgary – paul.drevnick@gov.ab.ca; and more….


Newfound finger fragment shows Denisovans closer to modern humans than Neanderthals
Science Advances
Published September 4, 2019

A new finger fragment found in Siberia’s Denisova Cave structurally resembles a human finger bone more than a Neanderthal finger. The structural similarity does not extend to the Denisovan molars and mandible found on Asia’s Tibetan plateau. Read more>
Corresponding author: Bence Viola, University of Toronto - bence.viola@utoronto.ca
 

Scientists measure precise proton radius, resolve decade-old puzzle
Science
Published September 6, 2019

New measurements put the size of the proton at 0.833 femtometres, which is just under one trillionth of a millimetre. The measurement is approximately five per cent smaller than the previously-accepted radius value. Read more>
Corresponding author: Eric Hessels, York University - hessels@yorku.ca
 

Precious metals may hide deep within the moon
Nature Geoscience
Published August 19, 2019

Researchers have linked the sulfur content of lunar volcanic rocks to the presence of iron sulfide deep inside the moon. Similar mineral deposits within Earth suggest that iron sulfide often binds platinum, palladium, and other precious metals. Read more>
Lead author: James Brenan, Dalhousie University - jbrenan@dal.ca


Busy older stars outpace stellar youngsters
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Published August 28, 2019

The oldest stars in the Milky Way are also the busiest, moving more rapidly than their younger counterparts in and out of the galaxy’s disk. Read more>
Canadian co-authors: Jo Bovy, University of Toronto - bovy@astro.utoronto.ca; Henry Leung, University of Toronto - henrysky.leung@utoronto.ca
 

Canadian and US patients more likely to receive opioids after surgery
JAMA Network Open
Published September 4, 2019

American and Canadian patients are seven times more likely than those in Sweden to receive a prescription for opioid medications after surgery. The US and Canada have similar prescription rates, but American patients are prescribed higher doses. Read more>
Lead author: Karim Ladha, University of Toronto and St. Michael’s Hospital - karim.ladha@mail.utoronto.ca
 

Hospital infections decline in Canada
CMAJ
Published September 9, 2019

Infections acquired by patients in Canadian hospitals are declining, with a 30 per cent reduction between 2009 and 2017. However, continued focus is necessary to identify and prevent emerging antimicrobial-resistant pathogens and infections with medical devices, such as urinary or intravenous catheters. Read more>
Commentary by Jennie Johnstone, Public Health Ontario - jennie.johnstone@oahpp.ca
Corresponding author: Geoffrey Taylor, University of Alberta Hospital - geoff.taylor@ualberta.ca
 

Migraines linked to higher risk of dementia
International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry
Published September 4, 2019

In this study of 679 community-dwelling adults aged 65 years and older, migraines were a significant risk factor for dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. Read more>
Corresponding author: Suzanne Tyas, University of Waterloo - styas@uwaterloo.ca
 

Landscaping reduces heat in city pedestrian spaces by 10o
Science of the Total Environment
Published October 2019

By countering the intense radiant heat given off by sidewalks, buildings and other infrastructure, urban landscaping and construction can make a city’s pedestrian spaces feel 10 degrees Celsius cooler or more. Read more>
Corresponding author: Scott Krayenhoff, University of Guelph - skrayenh@uoguelph.ca
 

Hemophilia more prevalent than previously reported
Annals of Internal Medicine
Published September 9, 2019

More than 1,125,000 men around the world have the inherited bleeding disorder of hemophilia, and 418,000 of those have a severe version of the mostly undiagnosed disease. This is three times what was previously known. Read more>
Editorial
Corresponding author: Alfonso Iorio, McMaster University, via Veronica McGuire - vmcguir@mcmaster.ca.
 

Slowed metabolism helps geese fly high
eLife
Published September 3, 2019

During flight at simulated altitudes in a wind tunnel, geese’s metabolic rate increased 16-fold from resting rates. Humans and most animals can increase their metabolism ten-fold at most. Read more>
Lead author: Jessica Meir, NASA Johnson Space Center and University of British
Columbia - jessica.u.meir@nasa.gov
 
NSERC awards more grants to male scientists
FACETS
Published September 2, 2019

Analysis of gender and language use in grant writing in Canada reveals that grant proposals by female early career researchers are significantly more likely to be rejected than proposals by men. Accounting for field of research and career stage, Canadian researchers who are women also receive smaller grants. Read more>
Lead author: Mackenzie Urquhart-Cronish, University of British Columbia - mackenzie.urq@gmail.com

News Tips

Federal scientists fail to disclose industry connections in salmon farm virus studies
High-profile, Fisheries and Oceans Canada research published in two journals in 2019 about a controversial virus prevalent in fish farms did not disclose the research was funded by the salmon farm industry. Read more>

Updated position on climate change highlights impacts for Canadians
Published September 9, 2019
The Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society (CMOS) statement highlights the science and the implications of a warming planet for Canadians. These include more extreme heat, less extreme cold, longer growing seasons, increased precipitation in most areas, increased wildfire risk, shorter snow- and ice-cover seasons, earlier spring peak streamflow, thinning glaciers, thawing permafrost, increased coastal erosion, rising sea level, and more frequent coastal flooding. Read the statement>
CMOS experts available for interview: Clark Richards, co-chair of the CMOS Scientific Committee - Clark.Richards@dfo-mpo.gc.ca; Tim Merlis, co-chair of the CMOS Scientific Committee, Atmospheric and Climate Dynamics - timothy.merlis@mcgill.ca; Kimberly Strong, CMOS President - president@cmos.ca


Interviews available with authors of IPCC Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate
Date/Time: September 25, 2019, 13:00 Monaco time (CEST)
Location: Oceanographic Museum of Monaco in the Principality of Monaco 
Interviews can be conducted by phone or other remote means for those not attending the press conference in person.
Canadian authors: Greg Flatow, Environment and Climate Change Canada – Will not be at the media event; Stephan Gruber, Carleton University – Will be at the event; William Cheung, University of British Columbia – Will be at the event
Information>
Form to request interview>
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