ScienceDaily Environment Headlines -- for Thursday, September 22, 2011 ~ techdeck

ScienceDaily Environment Headlines

for Thursday, September 22, 2011

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Smells may help birds find their homes, avoid inbreeding; Research may bring help to endangered species (September 22, 2011) -- Birds may have a more highly developed sense of smell than researchers previously thought, contend scholars who have found that penguins may use smell to determine if they are related to a potential mate. Smell may help guide them to their homes as well as avoid inbreeding, they say. ... > full story

Chinese researchers identify insect host species of a famous Tibetan medicinal fungus (September 22, 2011) -- Based on an extensive survey of the literature pertaining to the Chinese caterpillar fungus, a fungus with high medicinal and economic values, researchers investigated a total of 91 insect species and found 57 of these to be potential hosts to the fungus. ... > full story

Researchers discover how 'promiscuous parasites' hijack host immune cells (September 21, 2011) -- Researchers recently discovered how T. gondii evades our defenses by hacking immune cells, making it the first known parasite to control its host's immune system. A new study describes a forced partnership between parasite and host that challenges common conceptions of how pathogens interact with the body. ... > full story

Researchers' chance viewing of river cutoff forming provides rare insight (September 21, 2011) -- For two river researchers, new insight into river cutoffs was a case of being in the right place at the right time. That serendipity gave the researchers a rare view of a dynamic, little-understood river process that changed the local landscape and deposited so much sediment into the river system that it closed the Ohio River. ... > full story

Using human genomes to illuminate the mysteries of early human history (September 21, 2011) -- Researchers are utilizing the complete genome sequences of people alive today to shed light on events at the dawn of human history, such as the times of divergence of early human populations and of the "out of Africa" migration of the ancestors of modern Europeans, Asians and other non-African groups. ... > full story

New 'smart window' system with unprecedented performance (September 21, 2011) -- A new "smart" window system has the unprecedented ability to inexpensively change from summer to winter modes, darkening to save air conditioning costs on scorching days and returning to crystal clarity in the winter to capture free heat from the sun, scientists are reporting. ... > full story

Scientists discover rare theropod dinosaur wounded in action in southern Utah (September 21, 2011) -- Raptor dinosaurs like the iconic Velociraptor from the movie franchise Jurassic Park are renowned for their "fear-factor." Their terrifying image has been popularized in part because members of this group possess a greatly enlarged talon on their foot -- analogous to a butcher's hook. Yet the function of the highly recurved claw on the foot of raptor dinosaurs has largely remained a mystery to paleontologists. Scientists have now unveiled a new species of raptor dinosaur discovered in southern Utah that sheds new light on this and several other long-standing questions in paleontology, including how dinosaurs evolved on the "lost continent" of Laramidia (western North America) during the Late Cretaceous -- a period known as the zenith of dinosaur diversity. ... > full story

New insight into immune tolerance furthers understanding of autoimmune disease (September 21, 2011) -- The mechanisms that underlie immune activation and tolerance are not completely understood. Now, a new research study provides intriguing insight into the complex immune regulatory mechanisms that underlie immune tolerance. ... > full story

Crystal structure shows how motor protein works (September 21, 2011) -- The crystal structure of the dynamin protein -- one of the molecular machines that makes cells work -- has been revealed, bringing insights into a class of molecules with a wide influence on health and disease. ... > full story

Proton-based transistor could let machines communicate with living things (September 21, 2011) -- Human devices, from light bulbs to iPods, send information using electrons. Human bodies and all other living things, on the other hand, send signals and perform work using ions or protons. Materials scientists have built a novel transistor that uses protons, creating a key piece for devices that can communicate directly with living things. ... > full story

Fast-evolving genes control developmental differences in social insects (September 21, 2011) -- A new study found that genes involved in creating different sexes, life stages and castes of fire ants and honeybees evolved more rapidly than genes not involved in these processes. The fast-evolving genes also exhibited elevated rates of evolution before they were recruited for development. ... > full story

Extreme summertime temperatures to become a regular occurrence, researcher predicts (September 21, 2011) -- In a new article, researchers have estimated the impact near-term increases in global-mean temperatures will have on summertime temperatures in the US and around the globe. ... > full story

Nanoparticles cause brain injury in fish (September 21, 2011) -- Scientists have shown, for the first time in an animal, that nanoparticles have a detrimental effect on the brain and other parts of the central nervous system. ... > full story

Vacuum-like device makes cellular exploration easier (September 21, 2011) -- Imagine a microscopic jet vacuum cleaner, the size of a pen nib that hovers over cell surfaces without ever touching them. Then imagine that the soap in the cleaning solution is replaced with various molecules that can be selectively delivered to the cells. This gives you a sense of a new device that researchers believe will serve as a powerful tool to study the behavior of living cells and a range of crucial cellular processes. ... > full story

Study on emissions from BP/Deepwater Horizon controlled burns completed (September 21, 2011) -- During the 2010 Gulf oil spill, an estimated one of every 20 barrels of spilled oil was deliberately burned to reduce surface oil slick size and minimize impacts of oil on sensitive shoreline ecosystems and marine life. The black smoke from those controlled burns pumped more than 1 million pounds of black carbon (soot) pollution into the atmosphere, according to a new study by NOAA and CIRES researchers. ... > full story

Primitive birds shared dinosaurs' fate (September 21, 2011) -- A new study puts an end to the longstanding debate about how archaic birds went extinct, suggesting they were virtually wiped out by the same meteorite impact that put an end to dinosaurs 65 million years ago. ... > full story

Human body rids itself of damage when it really matters (September 21, 2011) -- Although the body is constantly replacing cells and cell constituents, damage and imperfections accumulate over time. Cleanup efforts are saved for when it really matters. Researchers in Sweden are able to show how the body rids itself of damage when it is time to reproduce and create new life. ... > full story

Captive breeding could transform the saltwater aquarium trade and save coral reefs, biologists say (September 21, 2011) -- Marine biologists are developing means to efficiently breed saltwater aquarium fish, seahorses, plankton and invertebrates in captivity in order to preserve the biologically rich ecosystems of the world's coral reefs. These scientists believe their efforts, and those of colleagues around the world, could help shift much of the billion marine ornamental industry toward entrepreneurs who are working sustainably to raise fish for the aquarium trade. ... > full story

Air quality has continued to improve in Finnish Lapland (September 21, 2011) -- Long-term observations indicate a positive trend in the quality of air in Lapland during the past 10-20 years. This favorable trend may be threatened by increased marine transport emissions from the Arctic Ocean, which may remain free of ice owing to climate change. ... > full story

Did the orientation of the continents hinder ancient settlement of the Americas? (September 21, 2011) -- In an intriguing original look at the history of the first Americans, a new study finds evidence that the north-south orientation of the American continents slowed the spread of populations and technology, compared to the east-west axis of Eurasia. ... > full story

Epigenetic changes often don’t last, probably have limited effects on long-term evolution, research finds (September 20, 2011) -- The first comprehensive inventory of epigenetic changes over several generations shows that these often do not last and therefore probably have limited effects on long-term evolution, according to scientist in Germany. ... > full story

Uncertain climate models impair long-term climate strategies: New calibration satellite required to make accurate predictions, say scientists (September 20, 2011) -- A new paper explains weaknesses in our understanding of climate change and how we can fix them. These issues mean predictions vary wildly about how quickly temperatures will rise, resulting in serious implications for long-term political and economic planning, experts argue. ... > full story

Continents influenced ancient human migration, spread of technology (September 20, 2011) -- New research pieces together ancient human migration in North and South America. Researchers have found that technology spread more slowly in the Americas than in Eurasia. Population groups in the Americas have less frequent exchanges than groups that fanned out over Europe and Asia. ... > full story

Shaping up: Controlling a stem cell's form can determine its fate (September 20, 2011) -- New research reinforces the idea that stem cells can be induced to develop into specific types of cells solely by controlling their shape. The results may be important to the design of materials to induce the regeneration of lost or damaged tissues in the body. ... > full story

Natural therapies: Cardiologists examine alternatives to halt high blood pressure (September 20, 2011) -- More and more, patients show up to appointments with hypertension experts carrying bags full of "natural" products that they hope will help lower their blood pressure. And like most physicians, hypertension experts don't always know if these products will do any good, or if they will cause any harm. To better educate physicians and patients, researchers have now conducted the most comprehensive review to date of the evidence behind a range of non-drug interventions. ... > full story

NASA's WISE raises doubt about asteroid family believed responsible for dinosaur extinction (September 20, 2011) -- Observations from NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) mission indicate the family of asteroids some believed was responsible for the demise of the dinosaurs is not likely the culprit, keeping open the case on one of Earth's greatest mysteries. ... > full story

Scientists disarm HIV in step towards vaccine (September 20, 2011) -- Researchers have found a way to prevent HIV from damaging the immune system, in a new lab-based study. The research could have important implications for the development of HIV vaccines. ... > full story

50-million-year-old clam shells provide indications of future of El Nino phenomenon (September 20, 2011) -- Earth warming will presumably not lead to a permanent El Nino state in the South Pacific Ocean. This is the conclusion drawn by an international team of researchers after it investigated 50-million-year-old clam shells and wood from the Antarctic. The growth rings of these fossils indicate that there was also a climate rhythm over the South Pacific during the last prolonged interglacial phase of the Earth's history resembling the present-day interplay of El Nino and La Nina. ... > full story

One size doesn't fit all for vitamin D and men: African-American men in northern regions especially need high doses of supplements (September 20, 2011) -- African-American men living in areas with low sunlight are up to 3.5 times more likely to have vitamin D deficiency than Caucasian men and should take high levels of Vitamin D supplements, reports a new study. The current general recommendation of 600 international units is way too low for all men in northern regions. Low Vitamin D has been linked to prostate cancer, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. ... > full story

Not just skin deep: CT study of early humans reveals evolutionary relationships (September 20, 2011) -- CT scans of fossil skull fragments may help researchers settle a long-standing debate about the evolution of Africa's Australopithecus, a key ancestor of modern humans that died out some 1.4 million years ago. The study explains how CT scans shed new light on a classic evolutionary puzzle by providing crucial information about the internal anatomy of the face. ... > full story

Biodiversity loss may be contributing to amphibian-killing fungal infection (September 20, 2011) -- Researchers have shown that loss of biodiversity may be contributing to a fungal infection that is killing amphibians around the world, and provides more evidence for why biodiversity is important to many ecosystems. ... > full story

Hope for powerful new C. difficile treatment (September 20, 2011) -- Researchers are developing a powerful new antibiotic treatment for resistant infections including the deadly MRSA and Clostridium difficile (C. diff.) bugs. ... > full story

Shark compound proves potential as drug to treat human viruses, says researcher (September 20, 2011) -- A compound initially isolated from sharks shows potential as a unique broad-spectrum human antiviral agent. The compound, squalamine, has been in human clinical trials for the treatment of cancer and several eye disorders, and so has a well-known safety profile, suggesting it can be quickly tested as a new class of drugs to treat infections caused by viruses ranging from dengue and yellow fever to hepatitis B, C, and D. ... > full story

Feed your genes: How our genes respond to the foods we eat (September 20, 2011) -- What should we eat? Answers abound in the media, all of which rely on their interpretation of recent medical literature to come up with recommendations for the healthiest diet. But what if you could answer this question at a molecular level -- what if you could find out how our genes respond to the foods we eat, and what this does to the cellular processes that make us healthy -- or not? That's precisely what biologists in Norway have done. ... > full story

Saving electricity while playing online game (September 20, 2011) -- The federal government of Germany has decided to accelerate change in energy policy. But the transition will succeed only with the help of the consumers. They are called upon to use the energy from renewable resources in a more efficient fashion. A new online game shows how energy can be saved. ... > full story

New technique fills gaps in fossil record (September 20, 2011) -- Evolutionary biologists have resolved a long-standing paleontological problem by reconciling the fossil record of species diversity with modern DNA samples. ... > full story

Understanding methane's seabed escape (September 20, 2011) -- A shipboard expedition off Norway to determine how methane escapes from beneath the Arctic seabed has discovered widespread pockets of the gas and numerous channels that allow it to reach the seafloor. ... > full story

Researchers reinforce gas hydrate strategy: New study goes deeper in proving simple technique to pinpoint valuable energy source (September 20, 2011) -- A new study expands upon previous research to locate and quantify the amount of methane hydrates -- a potentially vast source of energy -- that may be trapped under the seabed by analyzing shallow core samples. The paper should silence the skeptics, the researchers said. ... > full story

Experts discover oldest DNA regulatory region known to date in vertebrates and invertebrates (September 20, 2011) -- A team of scientists has discovered the oldest known DNA regulatory region. The team identified a small DNA fragment, with a deeply conserved noncoding sequence region (CNR), in the vicinity of soxB2 regulatory genes, which plays a role in gene regulation. ... > full story

Think locally when treating individually (September 20, 2011) -- By taking local biosurveillance data into account when assessing patients for communicable diseases, doctors may be able to make better diagnostic decisions, according to researchers. ... > full story

No safe level of radiation exposure? Researcher points to suppression of evidence on radiation effects by Nobel Laureate (September 20, 2011) -- Environmental toxicologist Edward Calabrese, whose career research shows that low doses of some chemicals and radiation are benign or even helpful, says he has uncovered evidence that one of the fathers of radiation genetics, Nobel Prize winner Hermann Muller, knowingly lied when he claimed in 1946 that there is no safe level of radiation exposure. ... > full story

African-American men living in poor sunlight areas at risk for vitamin D deficiency (September 20, 2011) -- African-American men living in low sunlight areas are more likely to experience vitamin D deficiency than European-American men living in the same environment. Researchers believe that these findings should change recommendations for daily intake of vitamin D. ... > full story

Deep oceans can mask global warming for decade-long periods (September 19, 2011) -- The planet's deep oceans at times may absorb enough heat to flatten the rate of global warming for periods of as long as a decade even in the midst of longer-term warming, according to a new analysis. ... > full story

Scientists solve long-standing plant biochemistry mystery (September 19, 2011) -- Scientists have discovered how an enzyme "knows" where to insert a double bond when desaturating plant fatty acids. Understanding the mechanism may lead to new ways to engineer plant oils as a renewable replacement for petrochemicals. ... > full story

Unzipping DNA mysteries: Physicists discover how a vital enzyme works (September 19, 2011) -- With an eye toward understanding DNA replication, researchers have learned how a helicase enzyme works to actually unzip the two strands of DNA. ... > full story

For kids with ADHD, regular 'green time' is linked to milder symptoms (September 19, 2011) -- A study of more than 400 children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder has found a link between the children's routine play settings and the severity of their symptoms, researchers report. Those who regularly play in outdoor settings with lots of green (grass and trees, for example) have milder ADHD symptoms than those who play indoors or in built outdoor environments, the researchers found. The association holds even when the researchers controlled for income and other variables. ... > full story

Self-steering automated tractor offers more precision in the field (September 19, 2011) -- A farmer rising at the crack of dawn to till his fields in a tractor all day? This could soon become a thing of the past. Scientists have now engineered a fully automated, self-steering robotic tractor. ... > full story

Breast milk antibody fights HIV but needs boost, study finds (September 19, 2011) -- Breast milk antibody both neutralizes human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and kills HIV-infected cells, according to a new study. Nonetheless, the statistics indicate that breast milk antibodies are doing an incomplete job of protecting babies from HIV transmission. ... > full story

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