ScienceDaily Environment Headlines -- for Tuesday, April 19, 2011 ~ techdeck

ScienceDaily Environment Headlines

for Tuesday, April 19, 2011

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Biological arms races in birds result in sophisticated defenses against cuckoos (April 19, 2011) -- New research reveals how biological arms races between cuckoos and host birds can escalate into a competition between the host evolving new, unique egg patterns (or "signatures") and the parasite new forgeries. ... > full story

Genetic study offers insight into the social lives of bees (April 19, 2011) -- Most people have trouble telling them apart, but bumble bees, honey bees, stingless bees and solitary bees have home lives that are as different from one another as a monarch's palace is from a hippie commune or a hermit's cabin in the woods. A new study of these bees offers a first look at the genetic underpinnings of their differences in lifestyle. ... > full story

Using leaves' characteristics improves accuracy measuring past climates (April 19, 2011) -- Geologists have shown that a new method that uses different size and shape traits of leaves to reconstruct past climates over the last 120 million years is more accurate than other current methods. ... > full story

Did a supernova mark the birth of the Merry Monarch? (April 19, 2011) -- The supernova remnant Cassiopeia A (Cas A) is the relic of the explosion of a massive star that took place around 11,000 years ago and is one of the brightest radio sources in the sky. Oddly, although the light from the explosion should have reached the Earth in the seventeenth century and been easily visible in the sky, it appears to have gone unnoticed. Now astronomers and historians argue that the supernova was seen -- as a 'new' star visible during the day at the birth of the future King Charles II of Great Britain. ... > full story

'Liquefaction' key to much of Japanese earthquake damage (April 18, 2011) -- The massive subduction zone earthquake in Japan caused a significant level of soil "liquefaction" that has surprised researchers with its widespread severity, a new analysis shows. The findings also raise questions about whether existing building codes and engineering technologies are adequately accounting for this phenomenon in other vulnerable locations. ... > full story

New pollutants: Flame retardants detected in peregrine falcon eggs (April 18, 2011) -- Flame retardants are chemical compounds added to fabrics and plastics to keep them from burning easily, but these can be toxic. Now a team of researchers from Spain and Canada has detected some of these emerging pollutants for the first time in peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) eggs in both countries. ... > full story

Closer look at cell membrane shows cholesterol 'keeping order' (April 18, 2011) -- Scientists have developed a way to magnify cell membranes dramatically and watch them move, revealing a surprising dependence on cholesterol within this boundary between the cell and the outside world. ... > full story

Many restaurant staff are undertrained and misinformed about food allergies, study finds (April 18, 2011) -- A new study reveals that there is no association between a restaurant worker's knowledge of food allergy and his or her confidence in being able to provide a safe meal to a food allergic customer. ... > full story

Oxygenation at a depth of 120 meters could save the Baltic Sea, researchers demonstrate (April 18, 2011) -- Oxygenation brings dead sea bottoms to life. This creates the necessary conditions for the establishment of new ecosystems that enable nature itself to deal with eutrophication. By conducting pilot studies in two fjords in Sweden, researchers have demonstrated that pumping oxygen-rich surface water down to sea bottoms is effective. A large wind-driven pump is now to be tested in open water in the Baltic. ... > full story

Oldest known toothache? Infection in jaw of ancient reptilian fossil revealed (April 18, 2011) -- A reptile that lived 275-million years ago in what is now Oklahoma is giving paleontologists a glimpse of the oldest known toothache. ... > full story

Breast cancer: Tumor marker same in dogs and humans (April 18, 2011) -- Researchers were surprised to find that dogs and humans share a common tumor marker. The researchers uncovered a molecule, the CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen) receptor, that is almost identical in the two species. The result could lead to the rapid development of new therapies for dogs and humans. ... > full story

Carbon sequestration estimate in US increased, barring a drought (April 18, 2011) -- Forests and other terrestrial ecosystems in the lower 48 states can sequester up to 40 percent of the nation's fossil fuel carbon emissions, a larger amount than previously estimated -- unless a drought or other major disturbance occurs, new research shows. ... > full story

Sugarcane cools climate, study finds (April 18, 2011) -- Brazilians are world leaders in using biofuels. About a quarter of their automobile fuel consumption comes from sugarcane, which significantly reduces carbon dioxide emissions. Now scientists have found that sugarcane has a double benefit. Expansion of the crop in areas previously occupied by other crops cools the local climate by reflecting sunlight back into space and by lowering the air temperature as the plants "exhale" cooler water. ... > full story

Probiotic may reduce rate of recurrent urinary tract infections in women, study suggests (April 18, 2011) -- Urinary tract infections are common in women and occur frequently, affecting 2 to 3 percent of all women. A depletion of vaginal lactobacilli, a type of bacteria, is associated with urinary tract infection risk, which suggests that replenishing these bacteria may be beneficial. Researchers conducted a double-blind placebo-controlled trial to investigate this theory. Their results suggest that a probiotic may reduce the rate of recurrent urinary tract infections in women prone to these infections. ... > full story

Why ancient Mayan communities were 'living on the edge' of what is now a massive wetland (April 18, 2011) -- Archeologists are investigating why a highly sophisticated civilization decided to build large, bustling cities next to what is essentially swampland. The research zeroes in on why larger and successful Maya communities were located along the edges of the massive wetlands of Tikal. ... > full story

Bone-munching worms from the deep sea thrive on fish bones (April 18, 2011) -- A new study is painting a more complete picture of an extraordinary sea worm that makes its living in the depths of the ocean on the bones of dead animals. ... > full story

Vanilla: Preserving a world favorite flavor (April 18, 2011) -- Vanilla is one of the world's best-loved flavors, and demand for it is increasing all the time. But now its future in the global food industry could be more secure, thanks to new research in Malaysia. ... > full story

Paleontologists audition modern examples of ancient behavior (April 18, 2011) -- A video of a modern shellfish by paleontologists suggests a way to test theories about the behavior of fossilized specimens. ... > full story

Ocean front is energetic contributor to mixing, data shows (April 18, 2011) -- Wind blowing on the ocean is a crucial factor mixing carbon dioxide into the ocean depths and keeping it from going back into the atmosphere. For more than two decades scientists have suspected there's another -- possibly substantial -- source of energy for mixing that's generated where cold, heavy water collides with warm, light water. However, there's never been a way to get enough measurements of such a "front" to prove this -- until now. ... > full story

Safer treatment for millions suffering from trypanosome parasite infection (April 18, 2011) -- A safer and more effective treatment for 10 million people in developing countries who suffer from infections caused by trypanosome parasites could become a reality, thanks to new research. ... > full story

Miniature sensors to measure the ocean (April 18, 2011) -- The first miniature sensors designed to measure saltiness and temperature across the world's oceans are being put in use on an ambitious expedition. ... > full story

Hydrocarbons deep within Earth: New computational study reveals how (April 17, 2011) -- A new computational study reveals how hydrocarbons may be formed from methane in deep Earth at extreme pressures and temperatures. The thermodynamic and kinetic properties of hydrocarbons at high pressures and temperature are important for understanding carbon reservoirs and fluxes in Earth. ... > full story

Invasive mussels causing massive ecological changes in Great Lake (April 17, 2011) -- The ongoing spread of non-native mussels in the Great Lakes has caused "massive, ecosystem-wide changes" throughout lakes Michigan and Huron, two of the planet's largest freshwater lakes, according to a new study. ... > full story

Biochemist uses computer models to study protein involved with cancer, aging and chronic disease (April 17, 2011) -- Biochemists took a combined computational and experimental approach to understand how protein p21 functions as a versatile regulator of cell division. ... > full story

Earth's dust and plankton from space: New views from Envisat satellite (April 17, 2011) -- Europe's Envisat satellite has captured a new view of dust and sand from the Algerian Sahara Desert, located in northern Africa, blowing west across the Atlantic Ocean. ... > full story

Long-sought fossil mammal with transitional middle ear (April 17, 2011) -- A new, complete fossil turns what's known about the evolution of early mammals on its ear. The specimen shows the bones associated with hearing in mammals -- the malleus, incus and ectotympanic -- decoupled from the lower jaw, as had been predicted, but were held in place by an ossified cartilage that rested in a groove on the lower jaw. ... > full story

GPS data used to model effects of tidal loads on Earth's surface (April 17, 2011) -- Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite technology is helping researchers find their way to a more complete understanding of Earth's interior structure. ... > full story

Successful blueprints are recycled by evolution, study suggests (April 17, 2011) -- A new study finds evidence that the different cell types that make up organs have arisen only once during the course of evolution. The programs to develop these cells have been passed on ever since. ... > full story

Vegetarians may be at lower risk of heart disease, diabetes and stroke (April 17, 2011) -- Vegetarians experience a 36 percent lower prevalence of metabolic syndrome than non-vegetarians, suggests new research. Because metabolic syndrome can be a precursor to heart disease, diabetes, and stroke, the findings indicate vegetarians may be at lower risk of developing these conditions. ... > full story

Recipe for radioactive compounds aids nuclear waste and fuel storage pools studies (April 17, 2011) -- Easy-to-follow recipes for radioactive compounds like those found in nuclear fuel storage pools, liquid waste containment areas and other contaminated aqueous environments have been developed by researchers. ... > full story

Toward a 'green grid' for delivering solar and wind-based electricity (April 17, 2011) -- After years of neglect, scientists and policy makers are focusing more attention on developing technologies needed to make the so-called "green grid" possible, according to a new article. That's the much-needed future electrical grid, an interconnected network for delivering solar and wind-based electricity from suppliers to consumers. ... > full story

Online calculator allows households to track carbon footprint (April 16, 2011) -- A new analysis of the carbon footprints of households around the U.S. shows that consumers need different strategies in different cities to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. An online "carbon calculator" helps consumers decide how to change their lifestyles for the maximum reduction in their footprints. ... > full story

Non-lethal way of switching off essential genes in mice perfected (April 16, 2011) -- Switching off an essential gene to study its function is problematic because shutting off its activity permanently will kill the organism before the gene's function can be determined. Researchers have overcome this problem by using RNAi technology to temporarily turn off any essential gene in adult mice and then turn it back on before the change kills the animals. ... > full story

Dietary yeast extracts tested as alternative to antibiotics in poultry (April 16, 2011) -- A dietary yeast extract could be an effective alternative to antibiotics for poultry producers, according to a new study. Microbiologists have been studying the effects of yeast extract as an immune stimulant and alternative to antibiotics in conventional turkeys. Non-pharmaceutical remedies and preventatives are particularly needed for organic poultry production. ... > full story

Africa the birthplace of human language, analysis suggests (April 15, 2011) -- A new study by a New Zealand researcher provides strong evidence for Africa as the birthplace of human language. An analysis of languages from around the world suggests that, like our genes, human speech originated -- just once -- in sub-Saharan Africa. The research studied the phonemes, or the perceptually distinct units of sound that differentiate words, used in 504 human languages today and found that the number of phonemes is highest in Africa and decreases with increasing distance from Africa. ... > full story

Childhood eczema and hay fever leads to adult allergic asthma, study finds (April 15, 2011) -- Children who have eczema, particularly when occurring with hay fever, are nine times more likely to develop allergic asthma in their 40s, a new study reveals. ... > full story

US meat and poultry is widely contaminated with drug-resistant Staph bacteria, study finds (April 15, 2011) -- Drug-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria linked to a wide range of human diseases, are present in meat and poultry from US grocery stores at unexpectedly high rates, according to a new study. ... > full story

Forest byproducts, shells may be key to removing radioactive contaminants from drinking water (April 15, 2011) -- A combination of forest byproducts and crustacean shells may be the key to removing radioactive materials from drinking water, researchers have found. ... > full story

The eyes have it: Dinosaurs hunted by night (April 15, 2011) -- The movie Jurassic Park got one thing right: those velociraptors hunted by night while the big plant-eaters browsed around the clock, according to a new study of the eyes of fossil animals. ... > full story

Humpback whale songs spread eastward like the latest pop tune (April 15, 2011) -- Humpback whales have their own version of the hit single, according to a new study. At any given time within a population, male humpbacks all sing the same mating tune. But the pattern of the song changes over time, with the new and apparently catchy versions of the song spreading repeatedly across the ocean, almost always traveling from west to east. ... > full story

Studies of marine animals aim to help prevent rejection of transplanted organs (April 15, 2011) -- Studies of the small sea squirt may ultimately help solve the problem of rejection of organ and bone marrow transplants in humans, according to scientists. ... > full story

Sensor determines if packaged meat has spoiled (April 15, 2011) -- When it comes to packaged fish or meat, it is nearly impossible to distinguish between fresh goods and their inedible counterparts. Researchers have now developed a sensor film that can be integrated into the package itself, where it takes over the role of quality control. And if the food has spoiled, it changes color to announce the fact. ... > full story

Pig stem cell transplants: The key to future research into retina treatment (April 15, 2011) -- Scientists studying the role of stem cells in repairing damaged retina tissue have found that pigs represent an effective proxy species to research treatments for humans. The study demonstrates how stem cells can be isolated and transplanted between pigs, overcoming a key barrier to the research. ... > full story

Changes in 'good' fatty acid concentration of inner organs might be largely independent of diet (April 15, 2011) -- We are all encouraged to eat polyunsaturated fatty acids, as these are "good for us". The (relative) levels of particular classes of polyunsaturated fatty acids have been associated with a plethora of human illnesses. New research suggests that changes in fatty acid concentration of inner organs might be largely independent from diet composition. ... > full story

DNA nanoforms: Miniature architectural forms -- some no larger than viruses -- constructed through DNA origami (April 14, 2011) -- Miniature architectural forms -- some no larger than viruses -- have been constructed through a revolutionary technique known as DNA origami. Now, scientists have expanded the capability of this method to construct arbitrary, two and three-dimensional shapes, mimicking those commonly found in nature. ... > full story

Recent census in war-torn DR Congo finds gorillas have survived, even increased (April 14, 2011) -- A census team has announced some encouraging news from a region plagued by warfare and insecurity: a small population of Grauer's gorillas has not only survived, but also increased since the last census. ... > full story

Europe's wildlife under threat from nitrogen, study warns (April 14, 2011) -- A new international study warns that nitrogen pollution, resulting from industry and agriculture, is putting wildlife in Europe’s at risk. More than 60 per cent of the EU’s most important wildlife sites receive aerial nitrogen pollution inputs above sustainable levels. ... > full story

Weak evidence for word-order universals: Language not as 'innate' as thought? (April 14, 2011) -- About 6,000 languages are spoken today worldwide. How this wealth of expression developed, however, largely remains a mystery. A group of researchers in the Netherlands has now found that word-orders in languages from different language families evolve differently. This contradicts the common understanding that word-order develops in accordance with a set of universal rules, applicable to all languages. Researchers have concluded that languages do not primarily follow innate rules of language processing in the brain. Rather, sentence structure is determined by the historical context in which a language develops. ... > full story