ScienceDaily Environment Headlines -- for Friday, April 29, 2011 ~ techdeck

ScienceDaily Environment Headlines

for Friday, April 29, 2011

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International trade may offset reported carbon emission reductions (April 29, 2011) -- An increasing share of global emissions is from the production of internationally traded goods and services, according to a new study. Due to current reporting practices, this has allowed some countries to increase their carbon footprints while reporting stabilized emissions. ... > full story

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria have evolved a unique chemical mechanism, new discovery reveals (April 29, 2011) -- For the first time, scientists have been able to paint a detailed chemical picture of how a particular strain of bacteria has evolved to become resistant to antibiotics. The research is a key step toward designing compounds to prevent infections by the recently evolved, drug-resistant "superbugs" that are infecting hospitalized patients and others. ... > full story

Improved recovery of samples from biohazard events (April 29, 2011) -- In a recent paper, Researchers studied different methods for collecting, extracting and quantifying microbial spores from indoor surfaces to estimate parameters that should be considered in the development of a standard biological sampling protocol. A precise and reliable recovery system is critical to evaluating the success of cleanup efforts following an accidental biohazard contamination or bioterrorist attack (such as the aanthrax spore-laden letters sent to Congress and elsewhere in 2001). ... > full story

Early warning signal for ecosystem collapse: Fluctuations before the fall (April 28, 2011) -- Researchers eavesdropping on complex signals emanating from a remote Wisconsin lake have detected what they say is an unmistakable warning -- a death knell -- of the impending collapse of the lake's aquatic ecosystem. Researchers have found that models used to assess catastrophic changes in economic and medical systems can also predict environmental collapse. Stock market crashes, epileptic seizures, and ecological breakdowns are all preceded by a measurable increase in variance --- be it fluctuations in brain waves, the Dow Jones index, or, in the case of the Wisconsin lake, chlorophyll. ... > full story

Plenty more fish in the sea? New method for measuring biomass reveals fish stocks are more stable than widely believed (April 28, 2011) -- Fish and marine species are among the most threatened wildlife on earth, due partly to over exploitation by fishing fleets. Yet there are differences in assessing trends in worldwide fishing stocks which, researchers argue, stem from inappropriate use of time trends in catches. ... > full story

As the worm turns, its secrets are revealed (April 28, 2011) -- Scientists have developed a new method for discerning the functions of previously uncharacterized genes and placing them in interactive, functional networks that reveal how gene products interact to bring about cellular events. ... > full story

Social bonding in prairie voles helps guide search for autism treatments (April 28, 2011) -- Researchers are focusing on prairie voles as a new model to screen the effectiveness of drugs to treat autism. They are starting with D-cycloserine, a drug resarchers have shown enhances behavioral therapy for phobias and also promotes pair bonding among prairie voles. Giving female voles D-cycloserine, which is thought to facilitate learning and memory, can encourage them to bond with a new male more quickly than usual. ... > full story

From the beginning, the brain knows the difference between night and day (April 28, 2011) -- The brain is apparently programmed from birth to develop the ability to determine sunrise and sunset, according to new research on circadian rhythms that research sheds new light on brain plasticity and may explain some basic human behaviors. ... > full story

Mutations in single gene may have shaped human cerebral cortex (April 28, 2011) -- The size and shape of the human cerebral cortex, an evolutionary marvel responsible for everything from Shakespeare's poetry to the atomic bomb, are largely influenced by mutations in a single gene, according to new research. ... > full story

Fish livers contain beneficial fatty acids, study suggests (April 28, 2011) -- The fishing industry usually discards fish livers, but a team of researchers has confirmed that they are a good source of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are beneficial to health. Anchovies are one of the fish whose livers contain the highest levels of these substances. ... > full story

Two unsuspected proteins may hold the key to creating artificial chromosomes (April 28, 2011) -- Scientists report that two proteins once thought to have only supporting roles, are the true "stars" of the kinetochore assembly process in human cells. The kinetochore is vital to proper DNA distribution during cell division. This finding suggests that scientists may be able to stimulate kinetochore assembly in a process that could lead to new genetic research tools, such as efficient creation of artificial human chromosomes. ... > full story

Get a whiff of this: Low-cost sensor can diagnose bacterial infections (April 28, 2011) -- Bacterial infections really stink. And that could be the key to a fast diagnosis. Researchers have demonstrated a quick, simple method to identify infectious bacteria by smell using a low-cost array of printed pigments as a chemical sensor. In only a few hours, the array not only confirms the presence of bacteria, but identifies a specific species and strain. It even can recognize antibiotic resistance -- a key factor in treatment decisions. ... > full story

Scientists can track origin of shark fins using 'zip codes' in their DNA (April 28, 2011) -- Scientists have used DNA to determine that groups of dusky sharks and copper sharks living in different coastal regions across the globe are separate populations of each species. ... > full story

Record number of whales, krill found in Antarctic bays (April 28, 2011) -- Scientists have observed a "super aggregation" of more than 300 humpback whales gorging on the largest swarm of Antarctic krill seen in more than 20 years in bays along the Western Antarctic Peninsula. ... > full story

Animals have personalities, too, bird study suggests (April 28, 2011) -- An individual's personality can have a big effect on their life. Some people are outgoing and gregarious while others find novel situations stressful which can be detrimental to their health and wellbeing. Increasingly, scientists are discovering that animals are no different. ... > full story

NASA mission seeks to uncover a rainfall mystery (April 28, 2011) -- Scientists are on a mission to unlock the mysteries of why certain clouds produce copious amounts of rain. In a field mission that is now under way, aircraft are carrying instruments above and into rain clouds. Meanwhile scientists are also getting rainfall measurements on the ground. ... > full story

Indigenous cases of leprosy found in the Southern United States: Human contamination through contact with armadillos (April 28, 2011) -- Using advanced DNA analysis and extensive field work, an international research team has confirmed the link between leprosy infection in Americans and direct contact with armadillos. Clear evidence was found that a never-before-seen strain of Mycobacterium leprae has emerged in the Southern United States and that it is transmitted through contact with armadillos carrying the disease. ... > full story

Geologists solve mystery of the Colorado Plateau (April 28, 2011) -- Scientists have figured out why the Colorado Plateau -- a 130,000-square-mile region that straddles Colorado, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico -- is rising even while parts of its lower crust appear to be falling. The massive, tectonically stable region of the western United States has long puzzled geologists. ... > full story

Novel microorganism 'Nitrososphaera viennensis' isolated (April 28, 2011) -- Microorganisms play an important role in global nutrient cycles. A research team has isolated the first ammonium oxidizing Archaeon from a soil in Vienna and thus proved its activity. ... > full story

A surprise: China’s energy consumption will stabilize (April 28, 2011) -- Well before 2050, China's energy use will level off, even as its population edges past 1.4 billion, according to a new study. There will come a time -- within the next two decades -- when the number of people in China acquiring cars, larger homes, and other accouterments of industrialized societies will peak. Between 2030 and 2035, the steeply rising curve of energy demand in China will begin to moderate and flatten thereafter. ... > full story

Melatonin might help control weight gain and prevent heart disease associated with obesity (April 28, 2011) -- Melatonin is a natural hormone produced by the body that can also be found in some fruits and vegetables as mustard, Goji berries, almonds, sunflower seeds, cardamom, fennel, coriander and cherries. Researchers in Spain have analyzed the effects of melatonin on obesity, dyslipidemia and high blood pressure in young diabetic obese rats. ... > full story

Agulhas ocean current 'leakage', fueled by global warming, could stabilize Atlantic overturning circulation (April 27, 2011) -- The Agulhas Current which runs along the east coast of Africa may not be as well known as its counterpart in the Atlantic, the Gulf Stream, but researchers are now taking a much closer look at this current and its "leakage" from the Indian Ocean into the Atlantic Ocean. Agulhas Leakage could be a significant player in global climate variability, according to new research. ... > full story

Medical sleuthing linked muscle, kidney problems to kava tea (April 27, 2011) -- When a 34-year-old bicyclist was found collapsed on a roadside and rushed to the emergency room on the verge of kidney failure and muscle breakdown, doctors were surprised to discover that a trendy tea derived from the kava plant was the cause of his ills. ... > full story

Green UV sterilization: Switching on LEDs to save energy and the environment (April 27, 2011) -- Ultraviolet light can safely sterilize food, water and medical equipment by disrupting the DNA and other reproductive molecules in harmful bacteria. Traditionally, mercury lamps have supplied this UV light, however mercury release from power generation and lamp disposal have generated discussion of harmful environmental impact. A potentially energy efficient and non-toxic alternative is the light-emitting diode, or LED, which can be made to emit at almost any desired wavelength. ... > full story

How mosquitoes handle the heat of a hot blood meal (April 27, 2011) -- Mosquitoes make proteins to help them handle the stressful spike in body temperature that's prompted by their hot blood meals, a new study has found. The mosquito's eating pattern is inherently risky: Taking a blood meal involves finding warm-blooded hosts, avoiding detection, penetrating tough skin and evading any host immune response, not to mention the slap of a human hand. ... > full story

Caterpillars inspire new movements in soft robots (April 27, 2011) -- Researchers have been examining the diverse behaviors of caterpillars to find solutions for the new generation of search and rescue soft robots. Despite their extreme flexibility and adaptability, current soft-bodied robots are often limited by their slow speed, leading the researchers to turn to terrestrial soft-bodied animals for inspiration. Some caterpillars have the extraordinary ability to rapidly curl themselves into a wheel and propel themselves away from predators. Researchers saw this as an opportunity to design a robot that mimics this behavior of caterpillars and to develop a better understanding of the mechanics behind ballistic rolling. ... > full story

Mercury converted to its most toxic form in ocean waters (April 27, 2011) -- New research has confirmed that a relatively harmless inorganic form of mercury found worldwide in ocean water is transformed into a potent neurotoxin in the seawater itself. ... > full story

Novel ash analysis validates volcano no-fly zones (April 27, 2011) -- Air safety authorities essentially had to fly blind when the ash cloud from Eyjafjallajökull caused them to close the airspace over Europe last year. Now nanoscientists have developed a way to provide the necessary information within hours. ... > full story

New heat pump could last 10,000 years, experts say (April 27, 2011) -- Researchers in Norway are testing an entirely new kind of heat pump. While heat pumps used today typically last 10 to 20 years, the new one will last practically indefinitely, the scientists believe. ... > full story

RAD-tagging technology is demystifying genome sequencing (April 27, 2011) -- Take millions of puzzle pieces containing partial words and create full words, sentences, paragraphs and chapters until a book is rebuilt. That process is like sequencing a genome, says a biologist who has published a proof-of-principle article on a patent-pending technology. ... > full story

Wind turbines: In the wake of the wind (April 27, 2011) -- Wind turbines not only produce power, they produce wakes -- similar to what forms in bodies of water -- that are invisible ripples and waves and other disturbances in the atmosphere downstream that can damage turbines and decrease efficiency. Researchers are launching a study of those wakes, with an eye toward improving the efficiency of wind farms. ... > full story

Choosing the right electric vehicles batteries for the future (April 27, 2011) -- One of the most important decisions facing designers of plug-in electric or hybrid vehicles is related to battery choice. Now, researchers have used a life cycle analysis to examine three vehicle battery types to determine which does the best job of powering the vehicle while causing the least amount of environmental impact during its production. ... > full story

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

Prototypes framework developed for evaluating sustainability standards (April 27, 2011) -- Researchers have developed a prototype tool to help organizations of all types sort through the welter of choices and evaluate, and implement sustainability standards most appropriate for their operations and interests. ... > 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