ScienceDaily Environment Headlines -- for Wednesday, April 27, 2011 ~ techdeck

ScienceDaily Environment Headlines

for Wednesday, April 27, 2011

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Can Siberian hot springs reveal ancient ecology? (April 27, 2011) -- Exotic bacteria that do not rely on oxygen may have played an important role in determining the composition of Earth's early atmosphere, according to a new theory that researchers are testing in the scalding hot springs of a volcanic crater in Siberia. ... > full story

Prey-tell: Why right whales linger in the Gulf of Maine (April 27, 2011) -- As they might with most endangered animals, scientists consider the whereabouts and activities of right whales extremely important. New research finds that the location, the length of stay, and perhaps the very abundance of the whales may be dependent on an interesting vertical migration pattern by the copepods on which the whales feed. It seems to be a case of how the behavior of the prey influences the behavior of the whales. ... > full story

Collective conservation efforts boosted rhino population in Nepal, new data show (April 27, 2011) -- After three rigorous weeks of conducting the National Rhino Census in Nepal, new data on the population of greater one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) have been formally released. According to the census, there are 534 rhinos in Nepal, marking an increase of 99 rhinos from the 435 recorded in the last census in 2008. ... > full story

Streptococci and E. coli continue to put newborns at risk for sepsis (April 27, 2011) -- Bloodstream infections in newborns can lead to serious complications with substantial morbidity and mortality. In recent years, antibiotic prophylaxis given to at-risk mothers has reduced the incidence of early-onset group B streptococcal infections among their babies. A new nationwide study shows the most frequent pathogens associated with sepsis are group B streptococci (GBS) in full-term infants and Escherichia coli in preterm infants. The study also found that infection rates in newborns increased with decreasing gestational age and birth weight. ... > full story

Water molecules characterize the structure of DNA genetic material (April 27, 2011) -- Water molecules surround the genetic material DNA in a very specific way. Scientists have discovered that, on the one hand, the texture of this hydration shell depends on the water content and, on the other hand, actually influences the structure of the genetic substance itself. These findings are not only important in understanding the biological function of DNA; they could also be used for the construction of new DNA-based materials. ... > full story

Plankton fossils tell tale of evolution and extinction (April 26, 2011) -- Scientists studying the fossils of tiny ocean-dwelling plankton, called foraminifera, have uncovered another piece in the puzzle of why species evolve or become extinct. ... > full story

Effect of cloud-scattered sunlight on Earth's energy balance depends on wavelength of light (April 26, 2011) -- Atmospheric scientists trying to pin down how clouds curb the amount of sunlight available to warm the earth have found that it depends on the wavelength of sunlight being measured. This unexpected result will help researchers improve how they portray clouds in climate models. ... > full story

Scientists identify a surprising new source of cancer stem cells (April 26, 2011) -- Certain differentiated cells in breast tissue can spontaneously convert to a stem-cell-like state, according to Whitehead Institute researchers. Until now, scientific dogma has stated that differentiation is a one-way path; once cells specialize, they cannot return to the flexible stem-cell state on their own. These findings hold true for normal mammary cells as well as for breast cancer cells. ... > full story

Green environments essential for human health, research shows (April 26, 2011) -- Research shows that a walk in the park is more than just a nice way to spend an afternoon. It's an essential component for good health, according to an environment and behavior researcher. ... > full story

King crabs invade Antarctica (April 26, 2011) -- It's like a scene out of a sci-fi movie -- thousands, possibly millions, of king crabs are marching through icy, deep-sea waters and up the Antarctic slope. Shell-crushing crabs haven't been in Antarctica, Earth's southernmost continent, for hundreds or thousands, if not millions, of years. But something has changed, and these crustaceans are poised to move by the droves up the slope and onto the shelf that surrounds Antarctica. ... > full story

Flame retardants at high levels in pet dogs, study finds (April 26, 2011) -- Scientists have found chemical flame retardants in the blood of pet dogs at concentrations five to 10 times higher than in humans, but lower than levels found in a previous study of cats. ... > full story

Safeguarding genome integrity through extraordinary DNA repair (April 26, 2011) -- Once called "junk DNA" because it contains numerous repeated short sequences that don't code for proteins, heterochromatin is in fact vital for normal growth and function. Yet it poses special challenges to accurate DNA repair. Scientists have discovered an unsuspected and dramatic process by which double-strand breaks in heterochromatin are repaired in dynamic stages. ... > full story

Solar power goes viral: Researchers use virus to improve solar-cell efficiency (April 26, 2011) -- Researchers have found a way to make significant improvements to the power-conversion efficiency of solar cells by enlisting the services of tiny viruses to perform detailed assembly work at the microscopic level. ... > full story

Chernobyl's radioactivity reduced populations of birds of orange plumage, study finds (April 26, 2011) -- On April 26, 1986, history's greatest nuclear accident took place northwest of the Ukrainian city of Chernobyl. Despite the scale of the disaster, 25 years later, we still do not know its real effects. An international team of investigators has shown for the first time that the color of birds' plumage may make them more vulnerable to radioactivity. ... > full story

Pioneering animal diabetes treatment: Researchers adapt human continuous glucose monitors for pets (April 26, 2011) -- Researchers have changed the way veterinarians treat diabetes in animals by adapting a device used to monitor glucose in humans. ... > full story

Reasonable quantities of red pepper may help curb appetite, study suggests (April 26, 2011) -- Spicing up your daily diet with some red pepper can curb appetite, especially for those who don't normally eat the popular spice, according to research from Purdue University. ... > full story

New tools to tackle a solar data storm (April 26, 2011) -- So great is the wealth of data about the Sun now being sent back by space missions such as SOHO, STEREO and the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) that scientists back on Earth can struggle to keep pace. To combat this data overload, scientists are developing advanced imaging tools to help scientists visualise what's happening at the Sun, make sense of the data and predict the extreme solar activities that could affect our life here on Earth. ... > full story

Global catastrophic amphibian declines have multiple causes, no simple solution (April 26, 2011) -- Amphibian declines around the world have forced many species to the brink of extinction, are much more complex than realized and have multiple causes that are still not fully understood, researchers conclude in a new report. ... > full story

Tuberculosis discovery paves way for drugs that prevent lung destruction (April 26, 2011) -- Scientists have identified a key enzyme responsible for destroying lung tissue in tuberculosis. Drugs that inhibit this enzyme are already available, meaning that the finding could lead quickly to new treatments. ... > full story

Understanding how crops deal with stress -- yield's biggest enemy (April 26, 2011) -- Researchers have discovered a new arm of the pathway by which plants activate a response to environmental stress caused by adverse environmental conditions, such as drought, flood and heat. These stresses affect yield more than crop pests and diseases. Finding a way to maintain high yields for plants under stress is a goal of plant breeders and other agriculture stakeholders. ... > full story

Lollipops with side effects: A plant's sugary offering betrays caterpillars to predatory ants (April 26, 2011) -- Trichomes, hair-like projections on leaves, of wild tobacco contain acyl sugars, which are composed of sucrose, bound to branched chain aliphatic acids. Hatched caterpillars consume these sweet secretions. This has unwanted side effects for the insects: the caterpillars develop a distinctive odor. Scientists discovered that ants recognize the caterpillar's odor to locate the larvae on the plants and carry them back to their nests to feed their young and co-workers. ... > full story

Discovery identifies elaborate G-protein network in plants (April 26, 2011) -- The most elaborate heterotrimeric G-protein network known to date in the plant kingdom has just been identified. ... > full story

Cheaper hydrogen fuel cells: Utility of non-precious-metal catalysts documented (April 25, 2011) -- Scientists have developed a way to avoid the use of expensive platinum in hydrogen fuel cells, the environmentally friendly devices that might replace current power sources in everything from personal data devices to automobiles. Scientists have developed a platinum-free catalyst for use in the cathode of a hydrogen fuel cell. ... > full story

Fruit flies on meth: Study explores whole-body effects of toxic drug (April 25, 2011) -- A new study in fruit flies offers a broad view of the potent and sometimes devastating molecular events that occur throughout the body as a result of methamphetamine exposure. The study tracks changes in the expression of genes and proteins throughout the body in fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) exposed to meth. ... > full story

'Going off the grid' helps some bacteria hide from antibiotics (April 25, 2011) -- Call them the Jason Bournes of the bacteria world. Going "off the grid," like rogue secret agents, some bacteria avoid antibiotic treatments by essentially shutting down and hiding until it's safe to come out again. ... > full story

Phage hunting students find new bacteriophages in soils of St. Louis suburbs (April 25, 2011) -- Twelve students who had participated in an unusual biology course as freshmen have found two bacteriophages, viruses that prey exclusively on bacteria, in the soil of two suburbs of St. Louis, Missouri. As the finders, they had the naming rights; the new phages are called Angelica and Uncle Howie. ... > full story

Radar checks buildings after earthquakes (April 25, 2011) -- Recent advances in ground-penetrating radar could be used to help structural engineers and conservationists assess the stability of historic buildings or buildings affected by earthquakes that otherwise appear sound. ... > full story

Beetle bling: Researchers discover optical secrets of 'metallic' beetles (April 25, 2011) -- Brilliant gold- (and silver-colored beetles have given optics researchers new insights into the way biology can recreate the appearance of some of nature's most precious metals, which in turn may allow researchers to produce new materials based on the natural properties found in the beetles' coloring. ... > full story

How do you get a fruit fly to exercise? (April 25, 2011) -- A professor puts his fruit flies through a grueling daily workout in a quest to understand how their genes respond to exercise and to uncover clues that may one day help people stay healthier and more active into their advanced years. ... > full story

Ozone hole linked to climate change all the way to the equator (April 25, 2011) -- The ozone hole, which is located over the South Pole, has affected the entire circulation of the Southern Hemisphere all the way to the equator, according to new research. This is the first time that ozone depletion, an upper atmospheric phenomenon confined to the polar regions, has been linked to climate change from the Pole to the equator. ... > full story

Breed-specific causes of death in dogs revealed in landmark study (April 25, 2011) -- Dog owners and veterinarians have long relied on a mix of limited data and anecdotal evidence to assess which breeds are at risk of dying from various conditions, but a new study provides a rare and comprehensive look at causes of death in more than 80 breeds. ... > full story

RNA dynamics deconstructed (April 25, 2011) -- RNA plays a critical role in directing the creation of proteins, but there is more to the life of an RNA molecule than simply carrying DNA's message. Researchers have developed an approach that offers many windows into the lifecycle of these essential molecules. Their approach offers high resolution and a comprehensive scope. ... > full story

Researcher use trees to detect contaminants and health threats (April 25, 2011) -- Researchers have developed a method to detect the presence of soil and groundwater contamination without turning a shovel or touching the water. Instead, they're using trees. ... > full story

Using duck eggs to track climate change (April 25, 2011) -- Julie DeJong can't set foot on the ground of an Oregon marsh to gather duck eggs on a spring day in 1875. But Charles Bendire did. And thanks to a research project that is the next best thing to time travel, DeJong is measuring the duck eggs in several museum collections. When her project is done, DeJong will have assembled and analyzed a metrics database on perhaps 60,000 duck eggs representing at least 40 species and subspecies of ducks found in North America. ... > full story

Missing link in plant defense against fungal disease found (April 25, 2011) -- Scientists report on a discovery in a key component in the signaling pathway that regulates the production of phytoalexins to kill the disease-causing fungus Botrytis cinerea. ... > full story

Development in fog harvesting process may make water available to the world’s poor (April 25, 2011) -- An engineer and aspiring entrepreneur works on fog harvesting, the deployment of devices that, like the beetle, attract water droplets and corral the runoff. This way, poor villagers could collect clean water near their homes, instead of spending hours carrying water from distant wells or streams. ... > full story

Fossil sirenians, related to today's manatees, give scientists new look at ancient climate (April 24, 2011) -- What tales they tell of their former lives, these old bones of sirenians, relatives of today's dugongs and manatees. And now, geologists have found, they tell of the waters in which they swam. While researching the evolutionary ecology of ancient sirenians -- commonly known as sea cows -- scientists unexpectedly stumbled across data that could change the view of climate during the Eocene Epoch, some 50 million years ago. ... > full story

Evolution can cause a rapid reduction in genome size (April 24, 2011) -- It would appear reasonable to assume that two closely related plant species would have similar genetic blueprints. However, scientists have now decoded, for the first time, the entire genome of the lyre-leaved rock cress (Arabidopsis lyrata), a close relative of the thale cress (Arabidopsis thaliana), the model plant used by geneticists. They discovered that the genome of the lyre-leaved rock cress is fifty percent bigger than that of the thale cress. Moreover, these changes arose over a very short period in evolutionary terms. ... > full story

Brown recluse spider: Range could expand in N. America with changing climate (April 23, 2011) -- One of the most feared spiders in North America -- the brown recluse -- is the subject a new study that aims to predict its distribution and how that distribution may be affected by climate changes. Researchers believe that the range may expand northward, potentially invading previously unaffected regions. Newly influenced areas may include parts of Nebraska, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, South Dakota, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. ... > full story

Starting a new metabolic path: New technique will help metabolic engineering (April 23, 2011) -- Researchers have demonstrated a new technique that speeds up and improves the identification and quantification of proteins within a cell or micoorganism. Called "targeted proteomics," the new technique is expected to be an important new tool for the fields of metabolic engineering and synthetic biology. ... > full story

How molecules get to the right place at the right time (April 23, 2011) -- Active transport processes in cells ensure that proteins with specialized local functions reach their intracellular destinations. Impaired transport causes cellular dysfunction or even cell death. Scientists have now revealed how such a transport complex recognizes its cargo and assembles. ... > full story

New approach to defeating flu shows promise (April 23, 2011) -- New research on mice has shown that pulmonary administration of granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) significantly reduces flu symptoms and prevents death after a lethal dose influenza virus. While GM-SCF therapy for humans as a flu prophylaxis or treatment may be years away, the study results were striking: All of the mice treated with GM-SCF survived after being infected with the influenza virus, whereas untreated mice all died from the same infection. ... > full story

C. difficile colonization accompanied by changes in gut microbiota: Study hints at probiotics as treatment (April 23, 2011) -- Asymptomatic colonization by Clostridium difficile, absent the use of antibiotics, is common in infants and when it happens changes occur in the composition of the gut microbiota, according to new research. ... > full story

Democrats and Republicans increasingly divided over global warming, study finds (April 23, 2011) -- Despite the growing scientific consensus that global warming is real, Americans have become increasingly polarized on the environmental problem, according to a first-of-its-kind study. ... > full story

Parasite strategy offers insight to help tackle sleeping sickness (April 22, 2011) -- Fresh insight into the survival strategy of the parasite that causes sleeping sickness could help inform new treatments for the disease. ... > full story

Lawn of native grasses beats traditional lawn for lushness, weed resistance (April 22, 2011) -- A lawn of regionally native grasses would take less resources to maintain while providing as lush a carpet as a common turfgrass used in the South, according to a new study. ... > full story

Jurassic spider from China is largest fossil specimen discovered (April 22, 2011) -- With a leg span of more than five inches, a recently named Jurassic period spider from China is the largest fossil specimen discovered, and one that has modern relatives in tropical climates today. ... > full story

Clouds, clouds, burning bright (April 22, 2011) -- High up in the sky near the poles some 50 miles above the ground, silvery blue clouds sometimes appear, shining brightly in the night. These are noctilucent or "night shining" clouds. Since 2007, a NASA mission called Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere (AIM) has shown that the cloud formation is changing year to year, a process they believe is intimately tied to the weather and climate of the whole globe. ... > full story