Rabu, 08 September 2010

ScienceDaily Environment Headlines

for Wednesday, September 8, 2010

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Turkey genome sequenced more than 90 percent, including sex chromosomes 'Z' and 'W' (September 8, 2010) -- More than 90 percent of the domesticated turkey genome has been sequenced and assembled. Thousands of genes previously unknown to avian scientists have been described. Also of interest are the sequences of the sex chromosomes "Z" and "W," which were poorly covered in the past. ... > full story

Is hand washing enough to stop the spread of disease? (September 8, 2010) -- Not drying your hands thoroughly after washing them, could increase the spread of bacteria and rubbing your hands whilst using a conventional electric hand dryer could be a contributing factor. Frequently people give up drying their hands and wipe them on their clothes instead, but hand-hygiene is a key part of infection control and drying hands after washing is a very important part of the process. A new study looks at different methods of hand drying, and their effect on transfer of bacteria from the hands to other surfaces. ... > full story

GOCE gravity mission back in action (September 8, 2010) -- ESA’s GOCE gravity mission has recovered from a glitch that prevented the satellite from sending its flow of scientific data to the ground. News of the recovery comes earlier than expected, thanks to the fervent efforts of a team of experts. ... > full story

Irrigation's cooling effects may mask warming in some regions -- for now (September 8, 2010) -- Expanded irrigation has made it possible to feed the world's growing billions -- and it may also temporarily be counteracting the effects of climate change in some regions, say scientists. But some sources of irrigation water are projected to dry up in coming decades and when they do, people may face the double whammy of food shortages and higher temperatures. A new study pinpoints where the trouble spots may be. ... > full story

Satellite navigation steers unmanned micro-planes (September 8, 2010) -- An unmanned aircraft system guided by satnav has been developed within ESA's Business Incubation Centre to provide rapid monitoring of land areas and disaster zones. The planes have already helped Spanish farmers in Andalusia to fight land erosion. ... > full story

Potomac River: 10-fold increase in native submerged vegetation reflects improved water quality (September 8, 2010) -- The Potomac River is showing multiple benefits from restoration efforts. Reduced nutrients and improved water clarity have increased the abundance and diversity of submerged aquatic vegetation, according to an 18-year field study. ... > full story

What can a New Zealand reptile tell us about false teeth? (September 7, 2010) -- Using a moving 3-D computer model based on the skull and teeth of a New Zealand reptile called tuatara, researchers have revealed how damage to dental implants and jaw joints may be prevented by sophisticated interplay between our jaws, muscles and brain. ... > full story

Imaging reveals key metabolic factors of cannibalistic bacteria (September 7, 2010) -- Researchers have revealed new details about how cannibalistic bacteria identify peers suitable for consumption. The work, which employed imaging mass spectrometry, is a first step toward a broader effort to map all signaling molecules between organisms. ... > full story

Critically endangered whales may be fleeing Russian oil and gas boom, observers fear (September 7, 2010) -- Russian oil and gas company Rosneft is conducting oil and gas exploration work that may have caused the critically endangered western gray whale to flee its main feeding ground. Tests and offshore installment of equipment by Rosneft for a major seismic survey began in late August, despite repeated calls from 12 governments, NGOs, scientists and the public to postpone the survey because of potential risks to the whales. ... > full story

Insect brains are rich stores of new antibiotics (September 7, 2010) -- Cockroaches could be more of a health benefit than a health hazard, according to scientists who have discovered powerful antibiotic properties in the brains of cockroaches and locusts. ... > full story

Discovery of mixer cells: Mixer cells relax tissue tension during embryogenesis (September 7, 2010) -- Researchers have recently identified cells that surprisingly change identity during embryogenesis in the Drosophila. By studying these "mixer cells" in a healing model, the scientists demonstrated that they helped to relax tissue tension, allowing perfect intercalation of the epidermis. ... > full story

Six times more insect species in tropical mountains than predicted (September 7, 2010) -- How many species of insects exist? Researchers found that in tropical mountains there are six times more insects than shown in global calculations. The insects in these areas are also highly specialized in their choice of food. ... > full story

Extreme survival: 'Conan the Bacterium' reveals its recipe for success (September 7, 2010) -- The discovery of long-sought chemical antioxidants in the world's toughest microbe is reported in a breakthrough study. First studied nearly 50 years ago, this bacterium can survive massive exposures to gamma-radiation, ultraviolet radiation, desiccation, and other agents which kill cells by generating reactive oxygen species. ... > full story

Melting rate of icecaps in Greenland and Western Antarctica lower than expected (September 7, 2010) -- The Greenland and West Antarctic ice caps are melting at half the speed previously predicted, according to analysis of recent satellite data. ... > full story

Cells can eat parts of themselves, with help from one protein (September 7, 2010) -- Like some people, cells eat when they are under pressure -- but they consume parts of themselves. A multi-function protein helps control this form of cannibalism, according to a new article. ... > full story

Fears of a decline in bee pollination confirmed (September 7, 2010) -- Widespread reports of a decline in the population of bees and other flower-visiting animals have aroused fear and speculation that pollination is also likely on the decline. A recent study provides the first long-term evidence of a downward trend in pollination, while also pointing to climate change as a possible contributor. ... > full story

Blue breed: Rare hibiscus color is achieved thanks to flower breeding project (September 7, 2010) -- Scientists working on a winter-hardy hibiscus breeding project have achieved a rare color for the plant: blue. ... > full story

Chronic Lyme disease: How often is it diagnosed and treated? (September 7, 2010) -- The existence of chronic Lyme disease is an issue of sharp debate within the medical community. Many doctors are concerned with the potential dangers associated with the prolonged and intensive use of oral and intravenous antibiotics (the recommended treatment for chronic Lyme disease), such as blood clots and life threatening infections. A new study attempts to determine how often chronic Lyme disease is actually being diagnosed and treated. ... > full story

Fashion student designs edible clothes (September 7, 2010) -- Emily Crane's research into growing edible materials has enabled her to bring a touch of haute cuisine to her haute couture. ... > full story

Role of key genetic catalyst for human diversity discovered (September 6, 2010) -- One of the key drivers of human evolution and diversity, accounting for changes that occur between different generations of people, is explained by new research. ... > full story

Talented bacteria make food poisoning unpredictable (September 6, 2010) -- While we are often exposed to bacteria in our food which could cause food poisoning, we don't always become ill -- why should this be so? New research sheds light on how bacteria use different tricks to aid their survival inside the body, helping to explain why food poisoning can be so unpredictable. ... > full story

Increase in Cambodia's vultures gives hope to imperiled scavengers (September 6, 2010) -- While vultures across Asia teeter on the brink of extinction, the vultures of Cambodia are increasing in number, providing a beacon of hope for these threatened scavengers, according wildlife conservation experts. ... > full story

Satellite data reveals why migrating birds have a small window to spread bird flu (September 6, 2010) -- In 2005 an outbreak of the H5N1 'bird flu' virus in South East Asia led to widespread fear with predictions that the intercontinental migration of wild birds could lead to global pandemic. Such fears were never realised, and now new research reveals why the global spread of bird flu by direct migration of wildfowl is unlikely, while also providing a new framework for quantifying the risk of avian-borne diseases. ... > full story

New self-assembling photovoltaic technology repairs itself (September 6, 2010) -- Scientists have created a novel set of self-assembling molecules that can turn sunlight into electricity; the molecules can be repeatedly broken down and then reassembled quickly, just by adding or removing an additional solution. ... > full story

Backstabbing bacteria: A new treatment for infection? (September 6, 2010) -- Selfish bacterial cells that act in their own interests and do not cooperate with their infection-causing colleagues can actually reduce the severity of infection. The selfish behaviour of these uncooperative bacteria could be exploited to treat antibiotic-resistant infections, according to new research. ... > full story

Lake Michigan ecosystem may crash: 'Doughnut' of phytoplankton disappearing (September 6, 2010) -- In 1998, Charlie Kerfoot discovered a "doughnut" of phytoplankton circulating in Lake Michigan, helping to feed the lake's famous fishery. Just 12 later, the doughnut is disappearing, and Kerfoot fears that the lake's ecosystem will crash, taking with it much of the fish biomass. ... > full story

Induced pluripotent stem cell retain an inactivated X chromosome, study finds (September 6, 2010) -- Female induced pluripotent stem cells, reprogrammed from human skin cells into cells that have the embryonic-like potential to become any cell in the body, retain an inactive X chromosome, stem cell researchers have found. ... > full story

Listening to ancient colors: New technique may help restorers identify decades-old pigments (September 6, 2010) -- A team of chemists has discovered that a technique known as photoacoustic infrared spectroscopy could be used to identify the composition of pigments used in art work that is decades or even centuries old. Pigments give artist's materials color, and they emit sounds when light is shone on them. ... > full story

Transition metal catalysts could be key to origin of life, scientists report (September 6, 2010) -- Scientists propose that an overlooked type of biological catalyst -- metal-ligand complexes -- could have jump-started metabolism and life itself, deep in hydrothermal ocean vents. ... > full story

'Jailbreak' bacteria can trigger heart disease (September 6, 2010) -- Plaque-causing bacteria can jailbreak from the mouth into the bloodstream and increase your risk of heart attack, according to new research. ... > full story

In a changing climate, erratic rainfall poses growing threat to rural poor, new report says (September 6, 2010) -- Against a backdrop of extreme weather wreaking havoc around the world, a new report warns that increasingly erratic rainfall related to climate change will pose a major threat to food security and economic growth, especially in Africa and Asia, requiring increased investment in diverse forms of water storage as an effective remedy. ... > full story

Acting selfish? Blame your mother! (September 6, 2010) -- The fact that our female ancestors dispersed more than our male ancestors can lead to conflicts within the brain that influence our social behavior, new research reveals. ... > full story

Mothers matter! High social status and maternal support play an important role in mating success of male bonobos (September 5, 2010) -- The higher up a male bonobo is placed in the social hierarchy, the greater his mating success is with female bonobos, researchers have found. But even males who are not so highly placed still have a chance of impressing females. A new study finds evidence of direct support from mothers to their sons in agonistic conflicts over access to estrous females. ... > full story

Did Viking Mars landers find life's building blocks? Missing piece inspires new look at puzzle (September 5, 2010) -- Experiments prompted by a 2008 surprise from NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander suggest that soil examined by NASA's Viking Mars landers in 1976 may have contained carbon-based chemical building blocks of life. ... > full story

New bee species discovered in downtown Toronto (September 5, 2010) -- A doctoral student who discovered a new species of bee in Toronto has completed a study of 84 species of sweat bees in Canada. Nineteen of these species are new to science -- never before identified -- including the new Toronto bee, which is actually quite common in eastern Canada and the US. The new research will help scientists track bee diversity, and understand pollination biology and insect social behavior. ... > full story

Mosquitoes: Genetic structure of first animal to show evolutionary response to climate change determined (September 5, 2010) -- Scientists have determined the fine-scale genetic structure of the first animal to show an evolutionary response to rapid climate change. ... > full story

Starvation keeps sleep-deprived fly brain sharp (September 5, 2010) -- As anyone who has ever struggled to keep his or her eyes open after a big meal knows, eating can induce sleepiness. New research in fruit flies suggests that, conversely, being hungry may provide a way to stay awake without feeling groggy or mentally challenged. ... > full story

Global warming's silver lining? Northern countries will thrive and grow, researcher predicts (September 5, 2010) -- Move over, Sunbelt. The New North is coming through, a geographer predicts in a new book. As worldwide population increases by 40 percent over the next 40 years, sparsely populated Canada, Scandinavia, Russia and the northern United States will become formidable economic powers and migration magnets, Laurence C. Smith writes. ... > full story

Novel nanotechnology collaboration leads to breakthrough in cancer research (September 4, 2010) -- A multidisciplinary group of researchers has produced a 3.6-angstrom resolution structure of the human adenovirus. Scientists are working with adenovirus as a vector for gene therapy, but have needed better structural information. ... > full story

Helping corn-based plastics take more heat (September 4, 2010) -- A team of agricultural scientists are working to make corn-derived plastics more heat tolerant -- research that may broaden the range of applications for which these plastics could be used as an alternative to petroleum-based plastics. ... > full story

Next step in evolution? A technical life form that passes on knowledge and experience (September 4, 2010) -- Dutch biologist Gerard Jagers op Akkerhuis has developed the ‘operator hierarchy’ -- a system based on the complexity of particles and of organisms, which can predict the next step in evolution: a technical life form, that can pass on its knowledge and experience to the next generation. ... > full story

Most new farmland in tropics comes from slashing forests, research shows (September 4, 2010) -- A new study shows that more than 80 percent of the new farmland created in the tropics between 1980 and 2000 came from felling forests, which sends carbon into the atmosphere and drives global warming. But the research team also noted that big agribusiness has largely replaced small farmers in doing most of the tree cutting in Brazil and Indonesia, which may make it easier to rein in the trend. ... > full story

Why fish oils work swimmingly against inflammation and diabetes (September 4, 2010) -- Researchers have identified the molecular mechanism that makes omega-3 fatty acids so effective in reducing chronic inflammation and insulin resistance. ... > full story

Many urban streams harmful to aquatic life following winter pavement deicing (September 4, 2010) -- The use of salt to deice pavement can leave urban streams toxic to aquatic life, according to a new study on the influence of winter runoff in northern US cities, with a special focus on eastern Wisconsin and Milwaukee. ... > full story

Ants take on Goliath role in protecting trees in the savanna from elephants (September 3, 2010) -- Ants are not out of their weight class when defending trees from the appetite of nature's heavyweight, the African elephant, a new study finds. Columns of angered ants will crawl up into elephant trunks to repel the ravenous beasts from devouring tree cover throughout drought-plagued East African savannas, playing a potentially important role in regulating carbon sequestration in these ecosystems. ... > full story

Mechanisms and function of a type of mysterious immune cell discovered (September 3, 2010) -- In two closely related studies, two teams of scientists have discovered the underlying mechanisms that activate a type of immune cell in the skin and other organs. The findings may lead to the development of new therapies to treat inflammation, wounds, asthma and malignant tumors. ... > full story

Giant Greenland iceberg -- largest in the northern hemisphere -- enters Nares Strait (September 3, 2010) -- The European Space Agency's Envisat satellite has been tracking the progression of the giant iceberg that calved from Greenland's Petermann glacier on 4 August 2010. A new animation shows that the iceberg, the largest in the northern hemisphere, is now entering Nares Strait -- a stretch of water that connects the Lincoln Sea and Arctic Ocean with Baffin Bay. ... > full story

Brainy worms: Scientists uncover counterpart of cerebral cortex in marine worms (September 3, 2010) -- Unexpectedly, scientists have now discovered a true counterpart of the cerebral cortex in an invertebrate, a marine worm. Their findings give an idea of what the most ancient higher brain centers looked like, and what our distant ancestors used them for. ... > full story


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