ScienceDaily Environment Headlines
for Saturday, September 11, 2010
Welcome to another edition of ScienceDaily's email newsletter. You can change your subscription options or unsubscribe at any time.
Graphene may hold key to speeding up DNA sequencing (September 10, 2010) -- Researchers have demonstrated that graphene can act as an artificial membrane separating two liquid reservoirs. By drilling a tiny pore just a few-nanometers in diameter, called a nanopore, in the graphene membrane, they were able to measure exchange of ions through the pore and demonstrated that a long DNA molecule can be pulled through the graphene nanopore just as a thread is pulled through the eye of a needle. ... > full story
In attracting mates, male bowerbirds appear to rely on special optical effect (September 10, 2010) -- Bowerbird males are well known for making elaborate constructions, lavished with decorative objects, to impress and attract their mates. Now, researchers have identified a completely new dimension to these showy structures in great bowerbirds. The birds create a staged scene, only visible from the point of view of their female audience, by placing pebbles, bones, and shells around their courts in a very special way that can make objects (or a bowerbird male) appear larger or smaller than they really are. ... > full story
Researchers analyze impact of chemical BPA in dental sealants used in children (September 10, 2010) -- Researchers have found that bisphenol A (BPA) released from some plastic resins used in pediatric dentistry is detectable in the saliva after placement in children's mouths. ... > full story
New report seeks to improve climate forecasts (September 10, 2010) -- From farmers to government officials in charge of efficiently managing Earth's precious water and energy resources, people all over the world rely on accurate short-term climate forecasts on timescales ranging from a few weeks to a few years to make more informed decisions. But today's climate forecast systems have limited ability to operate on such timescales. That's because it's difficult to realistically represent the complex interactions between Earth's ocean, atmosphere and land surface in the climate models from which forecasts are developed. A new report by the National Academy of Sciences looks at the current state of these climate predictions and recommends strategies and best practices for improving them. ... > full story
Frog skin may provide antimicrobial peptides effective against multidrug-resistant infections (September 10, 2010) -- Antimicrobial peptides from the skin of frogs may protect against life-threatening, multidrug-resistant infections such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, say researchers from Italy. ... > full story
Researchers expand yeast's sugary diet to include plant fiber (September 10, 2010) -- Yeast cells do not normally eat complex sugars or carbohydrates, only simple sugars like glucose and sucrose. Researchers have now added genes to yeast that allow it to eat more complex sugars, in particular the two-, three- and four-glucose molecules called cellodextrins. These yeast could find use in the biofuels industry, which hopes to use cellulosic plant fibers to make alcohol. ... > full story
Keeping stem cells from changing fates (September 10, 2010) -- Researchers have determined why certain stem cells are able to stay stem cells. A recent study reveals that an enzyme that changes the way DNA is packaged in cells allows specific genes to be turned on and off, thereby preventing a stem cell from becoming another cell type. ... > full story
Gene discovery holds key to growing crops in cold climates (September 10, 2010) -- Fresh insight into how plants slow their growth in cold weather could help scientists develop crops suited to cooler environments. ... > full story
Limiting harmful acrylamide: Lactic acid bacteria to lower risk of cancer (September 10, 2010) -- A small research-based Norwegian company has developed a method to reduce the formation of the carcinogenic compound acrylamide during industrial production of potatoes and coffee. International food giants are paying attention. ... > full story
Oldest Roman baths in Asia Minor discovered in Sagalassos (September 10, 2010) -- An archaeological team has discovered the oldest Roman baths in Asia Minor known to date in Sagalassos, Turkey. Sagalassos was inhabited as a city until the 7th century AD, when it was destroyed by earthquakes. ... > full story
Main climate threat from carbon dioxide sources yet to be built (September 10, 2010) -- New energy-efficient or carbon-free technologies can help cut carbon dioxide emissions, but what about the power plants, cars, trucks, and other fossil-fuel-burning devices already in operation? Unless forced into early retirement, they will emit carbon dioxide into the atmosphere for decades to come. Scientists have calculated the amount of carbon dioxide expected to be released from existing energy infrastructure worldwide, and then used a global climate model to project its effect on the Earth's atmosphere and climate. ... > full story
The making of a queen: Road to royalty begins early in paper wasps (September 10, 2010) -- Social status in paper wasps is established earlier in life than scientists thought, says a new study. While many social insects have distinct castes that differ in appearance and are fixed from birth, paper wasp society is more fluid -- all castes look alike, and any female can climb the social ladder and become a queen. Now, molecular analysis reveals that paper wasp social hierarchy is less flexible than it appears. ... > full story
Copyright 1995-2010 © ScienceDaily LLC. All rights reserved. Terms of use.
|
 To update/change your profile click here  |
