ScienceDaily Environment Headlines
for Tuesday, September 14, 2010
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Scientists 'clone' human virus responsible for congenital malformations and other life-threatening diseases (September 14, 2010) -- Scientists have successfully cloned a human virus, offering new hope for the treatment of potentially life-threatening diseases. Human cytomegalovirus is a major infectious cause of congenital malformations worldwide. The virus is also known to cause life-threatening disease in transplant patients and people with HIV/AIDS. ... > full story
Public handwashing: More adults than ever (85 percent) observed washing hands in public restrooms (September 14, 2010) -- A new observational study finds that 85 percent of adults washed their hands in public restrooms, compared with 77 percent in 2007. ... > full story
2010 was fourth warmest U.S. summer on record (September 14, 2010) -- The contiguous United States had its fourth-warmest summer (June-August) on record, according to the latest NOAA State of the Climate report. The report also showed the August average temperature was 75.0 degrees F, which is 2.2 degrees F above the long-term (1901-2000) average. Last month's average precipitation was 2.41 inches, 0.19 inch below the 1901-2000 average. ... > full story
Sun and volcanic eruptions pace North Atlantic climate swings (September 14, 2010) -- Changes in solar intensity and volcanic eruptions act as a metronome for temperature variations in the North Atlantic climate, according to new research. Scientists studied the climate in the North Atlantic region over the past 600 years using the Bergen Climate Model and the observed temperature evolution. They point to changes in the solar intensity and explosive volcanic eruptions as important causes for climate variations in the North Atlantic during this period. ... > full story
Male maturity shaped by early nutrition; Differences between the sexes affected by environment during first six months of life (September 13, 2010) -- A new study makes a strong case for nurture's role in male to female differences -- suggesting that rapid weight gain in the first six months of life predicts earlier puberty for boys. Males who experienced rapid growth as babies -- an indication that they were not nutritionally stressed -- also were taller, had more muscle and were stronger, and had higher testosterone levels as young adults. ... > full story
Repeated antibiotic use alters gut's composition of beneficial microbes, study shows (September 13, 2010) -- Repeated use of an antibiotic that is considered generally benign, because users seldom incur obvious side effects, induces cumulative and persistent changes in the composition of the beneficial microbial species inhabiting the human gut, researchers have found. ... > full story
No dead zones observed or expected as part of BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill (September 13, 2010) -- A new report showed dissolved oxygen levels have dropped by about 20 percent from their long-term average in the Gulf of Mexico in areas where federal and independent scientists previously reported the presence of subsurface oil. Scientists from agencies involved in the report attribute the lower dissolved oxygen levels to microbes using oxygen to consume the oil from the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill. These dissolved oxygen levels, measured within 60 miles of the wellhead, have stabilized and are not low enough to become "dead zones." ... > full story
Genes behind arsenic in food identified (September 13, 2010) -- In many countries arsenic in food is a major problem. But researchers in Sweden have now identified two genes that may play a crucial role in how arsenic is stored in plants. ... > full story
New gecko species identified in West African rain forests (September 13, 2010) -- Using a new statistical method to compare the genes of 50 specimens of the West African forest gecko, researchers have determined that the widely distributed species is actually four distinct species that appear to have evolved over the past 100,000 years as the rain forest fragmented with increasing aridification. The finding demonstrates the wealth of biodiversity still surviving in the islands of tropical rain forest in West Africa. ... > full story
Manatee subspecies genetically confirmed, but diversity challenge looms (September 13, 2010) -- The first genetic study to compare nuclear DNA of endangered Antillean manatees in Belize with Florida manatees confirmed their designation as separate subspecies. Belize's manatees, however, were found to have extremely low genetic diversity, raising questions about their long-term genetic viability. ... > full story
Pole-to-pole climate research: Adaptation lessons from tiny springtails (September 13, 2010) -- What can minuscule soil-dwellers teach us about nature’s adaptation to climate change? Researchers in Norway and South Africa are using springtails as model systems in order to study how different species respond when the climate changes. ... > full story
Funneling solar energy: Antenna made of carbon nanotubes could make photovoltaic cells more efficient (September 13, 2010) -- Using carbon nanotubes (hollow tubes of carbon atoms), chemical engineers have found a way to concentrate solar energy 100 times more than a regular photovoltaic cell. Such nanotubes could form antennas that capture and focus light energy, potentially allowing much smaller and more powerful solar arrays. ... > full story
The bright red of cardinals means less in urban areas (September 13, 2010) -- Normally, the brilliant red of a male cardinal signals to females that he is a high-quality mate. But that may not be true of cardinals living in urban areas, a new study suggests. Researchers found that the bright red feather coloration of male northern cardinals was less related to body condition for birds living in urban forests than it is for those in rural forests. In other words, even cardinals in relatively poor condition may appear bright red in urban areas. ... > full story
Ancient viral invasion shaped human genome (September 13, 2010) -- Scientists have discovered that viruses that "invaded" the human genome millions of years ago have changed the way genes get turned on and off in human embryonic stem cells. ... > full story
How disease-causing parasite gets around human innate immunity (September 13, 2010) -- A team of researchers has now shown, for the first time, how one species of the parasites that cause African sleeping sickness evades the human innate defenses. ... > full story
Using underground clues to determine past atmospheric heat (September 13, 2010) -- Before a global climate model can be used by scientists to predict future climate patterns, it must first successfully predict the climate of the past as known by historical records or as inferred by proxy data (for example, oxygen isotopes in ice cores and tree ring records). Because historical records are spatially and temporally scarce, many climate models rely on proxy data, which by definition introduce large amounts of error into model calibrations. Reducing these errors is of high importance to climate scientists. ... > full story
Human well-being is improving even as ecosystem services decline: Why? (September 13, 2010) -- Researchers writing a new article examine four possible explanations for why human well-being is increasing despite the global degradation of ecosystem services. Gains in food production, technological innovation generally, and time lags in the consequences of ecosystem degradation all find some support; observable trends suggest these factors may be limited in the future. ... > full story
Long-standing mystery of protein 'quality control' mechanism solved (September 13, 2010) -- Scientists have solved a long-standing mystery of how cells conduct "quality control" to eliminate the toxic effects of a certain kind of error in protein production. The findings may lead to a better understanding of a host of neurodegenerative diseases. ... > full story
Dry lake bed salts promote cloud formation (September 13, 2010) -- One of the major uncertainties in climate modeling is the effect of aerosol particles on cloud formation. Sea salt in the air has been known to be important in cloud formation over oceans. A new study now provides the first direct measurements of clouds showing that wind-blown dust from dry lake beds (playas) can also act as cloud condensation nuclei, encouraging the formation of clouds over continents and thereby affecting climate. ... > full story
Understanding volcanism and tectonic activity in Yellowstone and the Pacific Northwest (September 13, 2010) -- During the past 65 million years, the Pacific Northwest has experienced significant tectonic and volcanic activity, including volcanism in the Yellowstone region. The origins of volcanism in the area have been debated. ... > full story
Fruit fly gene study leads to new method for understanding brain function (September 12, 2010) -- A team of researchers studying neurobiology in fruit flies has developed a new method for understanding brain function with potential applications in studies of human neurological diseases. ... > full story
Interrupting death messages to treat bone disease (September 12, 2010) -- A surface molecule on bacteria that instructs bone cells to die could be the target for new treatments for bone disease, says a scientist. Blocking the death signal from bacteria could be a way of treating painful bone infections that are resistant to antibiotics, such as those caused by meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. ... > full story
Discovery offers hope of saving sub-Saharan crops from devastating parasites (September 12, 2010) -- Each year, thousands of acres of crops are planted throughout Africa, Asia and Australia only to be laid to waste by a parasitic plant called Striga, also known as witchweed. It is one of the largest challenges to food security in Africa, and a team of scientists has discovered chemicals and genes that may break Striga's stranglehold. ... > full story
Public looks at synthetic biology -- cautiously (September 12, 2010) -- A new poll finds that two-thirds of Americans think that synthetic biology should move forward, but with more research to study its possible effects on humans and the environment, while one-third support a ban until we better understand its implications and risks. More than half of Americans believe the federal government should be involved in regulating synthetic biology. ... > full story
Carbon mapping breakthrough (September 12, 2010) -- By integrating satellite mapping, airborne-laser technology, and ground-based plot surveys, scientists have revealed the first high-resolution maps of carbon locked up in tropical forest vegetation and emitted by land-use practices. ... > full story
Land-use expert brings satellite data down to Earth (September 12, 2010) -- By integrating remote satellite imagery with revelations from door-to-door interviews, geographers are exploring the complex conditions that give rise to a broad range of land-use challenges -- from the reforestation of Vietnam to the spread of Lyme disease in Belgium. ... > full story
New model provides more effective basis for biodiversity conservation (September 12, 2010) -- A new mathematical model has been developed that provides a more effective basis for biodiversity conservation than existing frameworks. ... > full story
Flying fish glide as well as birds, researchers find (September 11, 2010) -- How well do flying fish fly? This is the question that puzzled researchers in South Korea. Measuring aerodynamic forces on dried darkedged-wing flying fish in a wind tunnel, they discovered that flying fish glide better than insects and as well as birds. The fish also derive an aerodynamic advantage from gliding close to the water's surface to cover distances as great as 400 meters. ... > full story
E. coli engineered to produce biodiesel (September 11, 2010) -- New research is shedding light on how to alter the genetic makeup of E. coli to produce biodiesel fuel derived from fatty acids. ... > full story
Energy drinks may give young sports teams an edge, study says (September 11, 2010) -- Consuming energy drinks during team sports could help young people perform better, a new study suggests. ... > full story
Moonstruck primates: Owl monkeys need moonlight as much as a biological clock for nocturnal activity (September 11, 2010) -- Anthropologists have shown that environmental factors, like temperature and light, play as much of a role in the activity of traditionally nocturnal monkeys as the circadian rhythm that regulates periods of sleep and wakefulness. ... > full story
Research shows continued decline of Oregon's largest glacier (September 11, 2010) -- Researchers have returned to Collier Glacier for the first time in almost 20 years and found that the glacier has decreased more than 20 percent from its size in the late 1980s. The findings are consistent with glacial retreat all over the world and provide some of the critical data needed to help quantify the effects of global change on glacier retreat and associated sea level rise. ... > full story
Hip dysplasia susceptibility in dogs may be underreported (September 11, 2010) -- A study comparing a new method for evaluating a dog's susceptibility to hip dysplasia to the traditional American method has shown that 80 percent of dogs judged to be normal by the traditional method are actually at risk for developing osteoarthritis and hip dysplasia, according to the new method. ... > full story
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
Chopping and changing in the microbial world: How mycoplasmas – the simplest bacterial pathogens – stay alive (September 10, 2010) -- Pathogenic bacteria have evolved a variety of mechanisms to avoid being killed by the immune systems of the humans and animals they invade. Among the most sophisticated is that practiced by mycoplasmas, which regularly change their surface proteins to confuse the immune system. Recent work has revealed surprising new details of the way they do so and at the same time raised important evolutionary questions. ... > full story
In order to save biodiversity, society's behavior must change, leading conservationists warn (September 9, 2010) -- Conservation scientists and practitioners have come together to advocate a fundamental shift in the way we view biodiversity. They argue that unless people recognize the link between their consumption choices and biodiversity loss, the diversity of life on Earth will continue to decline. ... > full story
How mycobacteria avoid destruction inside human cells (September 9, 2010) -- Researchers have identified ten factors that help Mycobacterium tuberculosis avoid destruction inside host cell phagosomes. Two of the genes identified by high-throughput visual screening of 11,000 mutant mycobacteria are involved in the synthesis of acyltrehalose-containing glycolipids. These glycolipids prevent maturation of the host cell phagosome and may be a target for novel antimycobacterial drugs. ... > full story
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