ScienceDaily Environment Headlines
for Friday, September 17, 2010
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Scientists document fate of deep hydrocarbon plumes in Gulf oil spill (September 17, 2010) -- In the aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, scientists embarked on a research cruise with an urgent mission: determining the fate and impact of hydrocarbon gases escaping from a deep-water oil spill. What they found was surprising: Three specific hydrocarbon gases -- ethane, propane and butane -- were responsible for most of the respiration and oxygen loss observed in the deep plumes. They further identified the dominant bacteria present in the plumes and suggested some of the organisms were targeting the natural gases. ... > full story
Getting the news out: Disease transmission model says media coverage cuts infection rate and pandemic extent (September 17, 2010) -- Public health officials have long believed that notifying the public about outbreaks of infectious disease could help reduce transmission rates and the overall impact of a pandemic. Now, researchers have modified the most widely used infectious disease model to account for the impact of media coverage. ... > full story
'Goddess of fortune' found near shores of Sea of Galilee (September 17, 2010) -- A wall painting (fresco) of Tyche, the Greek goddess of fortune, was exposed during the 11th season of excavation at the Sussita site, on the east shore of the Sea of Galilee. Another female figure was found during this season, of a maenad, one of the companions of the wine god Dionysus. ... > full story
Global initiative underway to preserve yam biodiversity (September 17, 2010) -- Farmers and crop scientists worldwide are engaged in an ambitious new effort to add 3,000 yam samples to international gene banks with the aim of saving the diversity of a crop that is consumed by 60 million people on a daily basis in Africa alone. ... > full story
Understanding behavioral patterns: Why bird flocks move in unison (September 16, 2010) -- Animal flocks, be it honeybees, fish, ants or birds, often move in surprising synchronicity and seemingly make unanimous decisions at a moment's notice, a phenomenon which has remained puzzling to many researchers. ... > full story
Optimizing climate change reduction (September 16, 2010) -- Scientists have taken a new approach on examining a proposal to fix the warming planet by injecting stratospheric aerosols of sulfates to shade the Earth. Past approaches modeled how the aerosols might affect Earth's climate and chemistry. These researchers began with climate goals and modeled the aerosol distribution pattern that would come closest to achieving their idealized climate. This is the first attempt to determine the optimal way of achieving defined climate goals. ... > full story
Arctic sea ice reaches lowest 2010 extent, third lowest in satellite record (September 16, 2010) -- The Arctic sea ice cover appears to have reached its minimum extent for the year, the third-lowest recorded since satellites began measuring sea ice extent in 1979, according to researchers. ... > full story
How bacteria acquire immunity: First theoretical description of bacterial system to silence viral genes (September 16, 2010) -- In a new study, scientists have brought the latest tools of computational biology to bear in examining how the processes of natural selection and evolution influence the way bacteria acquire immunity from disease. The study builds upon one of the major discoveries made possible by molecular genetics in the past decade -- the revelation that bacteria and similar single-celled organisms have an acquired immune system. ... > full story
Discovery highlights promise of new immune system-based therapies (September 16, 2010) -- A new focus on the immune system's ability to both unleash and restrain its attack on disease has led scientists to identify cells in mice that prevent the immune system from attacking the animals' own cells, protecting them from autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, and lupus. ... > full story
Discovery of the secrets that enable plants near Chernobyl to shrug off radiation (September 16, 2010) -- Scientists are reporting discovery of the biological secrets that enable plants growing near the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant to adapt and flourish in highly radioactive soil -- legacy of the 1986 nuclear disaster in the Ukraine. Their study helps solve a long-standing mystery. ... > full story
Toward resolving Darwin's 'abominable mystery': Patterns of flower biodiversity point to the importance of having 'room to grow' (September 16, 2010) -- Biologists in Canada have found through extensive statistical analysis that the size of the geographical area is the most important factor when it comes to biodiversity of a particular flowering plant family. ... > full story
Growing La Nina chills out the Pacific (September 16, 2010) -- The tropical Pacific Ocean has transitioned from last winter's El Niño conditions to a cool La Niña, as shown by new data about sea surface heights, collected by the U.S-French Ocean Surface Topography Mission (OSTM)/Jason-2 oceanography satellite. ... > full story
Low carbon hemp house put to the test (September 16, 2010) -- A consortium in the UK has constructed a small building on a university campus out of hemp-lime to test its properties as a building material. Called the "HemPod", this one-storey building has highly insulating walls made from the chopped woody core, or shiv, of the industrial hemp plant mixed with a specially developed lime-based binder. ... > full story
'Friendship paradox' may help predict spread of infectious disease (September 16, 2010) -- Researchers used a basic feature of social networks to study the 2009 flu epidemic. The findings, they say, point to a novel method for early detection of contagious outbreaks. ... > full story
Glaciers help high-latitude mountains grow taller (September 16, 2010) -- Glaciers can help actively growing mountains become higher by protecting them from erosion, according to new research. The finding is contrary to the conventional view of glaciers as powerful agents of erosion that carve deep fjords and move massive amounts of sediment down mountains. The research is the first to show that the erosion effect of glaciers -- what has been dubbed the "glacial buzzsaw" -- reverses on mountains in colder climates. ... > full story
Scots Pine shows its continental roots (September 16, 2010) -- By studying similarities in the genes of Scots Pine trees, scientists have shown that the iconic pine forests of Highland Scotland still carry the traces of the ancestors that colonized Britain after the end of the last ice age, harboring genetic variation that could help regenerate future populations, according to new research. ... > full story
Nature's gift for gardening may hold key to biodiversity (September 16, 2010) -- Gardeners are used to cross-breeding flowers to produce pretty petals or sweet scents -- now scientists have shown the importance of nature's talent for producing new types of flowers. ... > full story
Farm management choice can benefit fungi key to healthy ecosystems (September 16, 2010) -- Farming practices have a significant impact on the diversity of beneficial microbial fungi known to play important roles in crop productivity, soil recovery and maintenance of healthy ecosystems, according to new research. The conclusions could have important implications for the way humans manage the agricultural landscape and tackle food security issues. ... > full story
Sequencing of cacao genome to help chocolate industry, subsistence farmers (September 15, 2010) -- Scientists have announced the preliminary release of the sequenced genome of the cacao tree, an achievement that should help sustain the supply of high-quality cocoa to the billion U.S. chocolate industry and protect the livelihoods of small farmers around the world by speeding up development, through traditional breeding techniques, of trees better equipped to resist the droughts, diseases and pests that threaten this vital agricultural crop. ... > full story
Neutrons helping researchers unlock secrets to cheaper ethanol (September 15, 2010) -- New insight into the structure of switchgrass and poplars is fueling discussions that could result in more efficient methods to turn biomass into biofuel. ... > full story
Higher altitudes hide deadly problem: Increased suicide risk (September 15, 2010) -- The Intermountain West is renowned for the beauty of its towering mountains and high deserts, but according to new research the region's lofty altitudes significantly influence a deadly problem: the high prevalence of suicides in this part of the country. ... > full story
Radiation exposure poses similar risk of first and second cancers in atomic bomb survivors (September 15, 2010) -- The first large-scale study of the relationship between radiation dose and risk of multiple cancers among atomic bomb survivors in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, reveals a similar risk in the development of first and second subsequent cancers. ... > full story
Tiny MAVs may someday explore and detect environmental hazards (September 15, 2010) -- Researchers are developing what could become the next phase of high-performance micro air vehicles for the Air Force. The research is on track to evolve into robotic, insect-scale devices for monitoring and exploration of hazardous environments, such as collapsed structures, caves and chemical spills. ... > full story
Largest ever white-shouldered ibis count (September 15, 2010) -- A record-breaking 429 white-shouldered ibis have just been recorded in Cambodia, making the known global population much larger than previously thought. With so many birds remaining in the wild the chances of conservation success are greatly improved -- welcome news for this Critically Endangered bird species. ... > full story
Fountain of youth in bile? Longevity molecule identified (September 15, 2010) -- The human quest for longer life may be one step closer. A new study is the first to identify the role of a bile acid, called lithocholic acid, in extending the lifespan of normally aging yeast. The findings may have significant implications for human longevity and health, as yeast share some common elements with people. ... > full story
Simpler mathematical model for reproducing bacterial growth patterns developed (September 15, 2010) -- The expansion of bacterial colonies is one of the classic research areas in biology. Researchers now consider a new model that uses two parameters to reproduce the growth patterns of these microorganisms. ... > full story
Hydroelectric power reservoirs cleaner than previously feared, new research shows (September 15, 2010) -- A new report is helping to remove the dirty image attributed to climate gas emissions from hydroelectric power reservoirs. ... > full story
Outsmarting killer bacteria (September 15, 2010) -- Scientists are developing a generation of antibiotics that takes the mechanism of bacterial resistance and integrates it into drugs, short-circuiting the superbugs' resistance and rendering them susceptible to treatment. ... > full story
World's last remaining tigers clustered in 6% of available habitat (September 15, 2010) -- Researchers have revealed an ominous finding: most of the world's last remaining tigers -- long decimated by overhunting, logging, and wildlife trade -- are now clustered in just six percent of their available habitat. ... > full story
NASA's Aqua satellite takes snapshot of Arctic Ocean sea ice (September 15, 2010) -- The Arctic Ocean is covered by a dynamic layer of sea ice that grows each winter and shrinks each summer, reaching its yearly minimum size each fall. While the 2010 minimum remains to be seen, NASA's Aqua satellite captured a snapshot on Sept. 3. ... > full story
Frosty times for dinosaurs: Major fall in temperature 137 million years ago during Cretaceous greenhouse period, evidence shows (September 15, 2010) -- New research sheds light on a major drop in temperature 137 million years ago, which briefly interrupted the warm, equable climate of the Cretaceous Period. Dinosaurs inhabited the polar regions during the Cretaceous greenhouse period. While marine reptiles such as pliosaurs and ichthyosaurs may have migrated with the onset of the cold snap, it is not clear how dinosaurs would have handled the colder conditions. ... > full story
Consumption of 'good salt' can reduce population blood pressure levels, research finds (September 15, 2010) -- An increased intake of 'good' potassium salts could contribute significantly to improving blood pressure at the population level, according to new research. The favorable effect brought about by potassium is even estimated to be comparable with the blood pressure reduction achievable by halving the intake of 'bad' sodium salts (mostly from table salt). ... > full story
Computer in wrapping-paper form give solar cells a makeover (September 15, 2010) -- Investigators in New York are giving factory production of solar energy cells a modern makeover. Their new approach includes the use of "continuous electronic sheets," something like a computer flattened into wrapping paper. ... > full story
Women more likely than men to accept scientific consensus on global warming, study finds (September 15, 2010) -- Women tend to believe the scientific consensus on global warming more than men, according to a new study. The findings challenge common perceptions that men are more scientifically literate, the study's author says. ... > full story
Nanodiamonds discovered in Greenland ice sheet, contribute to evidence for cosmic impact (September 15, 2010) -- Nanosize diamonds have been discovered in the Greenland ice sheet, according to a new study. The finding adds credence to the controversial hypothesis that fragments of a comet struck across North America and Europe approximately 12,900 years ago. ... > full story
New treatment for rabies advances after successful Phase 1 trial in India (September 15, 2010) -- Researchers have announced that a newly completed Phase 1 study of a monoclonal antibody to rabies (RAB-1) showed positive results for the new therapy, which has the potential to save tens of thousands of lives each year in areas of the world hardest hit by rabies, where current standard treatments are often not available. ... > full story
Salmon's body language tells all: Body language can be an indicator of stress or well-being in fish (September 15, 2010) -- Automatic photo analysis may make it possible to continuously monitor and interpret fish behavior. Researchers in Norway have been collaborating on finding methods of measuring the stress levels and welfare of production fish. Cameras and automatic photo analysis were used to quantify behavior. This could open up possibilities for continuous monitoring of production fish in the future. ... > full story
New microfluidic chip for discriminating bacteria (September 15, 2010) -- A new "on-chip" method for sorting and identifying bacteria has been created by biomedical engineers. The discovery may lead to portable devices that could be used for analyzing bacteria-infected blood, finding the causes of urethral irritation, and for screening raw milk and other foods. ... > full story
Selfishness can sometimes help the common good, yeast study finds (September 15, 2010) -- Scientists have overturned the conventional wisdom that cooperation is essential for the well-being of the whole population, finding proof that slackers can sometimes help the common good. The researchers studied populations of yeast and found that a mixture of 'co-operators' and 'cheats' grew faster than a more utopian one of only 'co-operators'. ... > full story
Ending the oceans' 'tragedy of the commons' (September 15, 2010) -- Leading international marine scientists are proposing radical changes in the governance of the world's oceans to rescue them from overfishing, pollution and other human impacts. Based on a successful experiment in Chile, the researchers say a new approach to marine tenure could help to reverse the maritime "tragedy of the commons" which has led to the depletion of fish stocks worldwide. ... > full story
Adapting to darkness: How behavioral and genetic changes helped cavefish survive extreme environment (September 15, 2010) -- Biologists have identified how changes in both behavior and genetics led to the evolution of the Mexican blind cavefish from its sighted, surface-dwelling ancestor. They identified a behavioral shift that was advantageous for feeding success in the dark, and linked it to its genetic basis in the fish's lateral line. This is the first time that a clear link has been identified between behavior, genetics, and evolution in Mexican blind cavefish. ... > full story
New Global Standards Information website experience puts product standards on the map (September 15, 2010) -- Those looking for the latest product standards-related news, regulatory developments, events and workshops around the world now can turn to the new Global Standards Information (GSI) website. ... > full story
Chocolate farmers could benefit from newly sequenced cacao genome (September 15, 2010) -- A first draft of the cacao genome is complete, a consortium of academic, governmental, and industry scientists announced. Cacao Genome Database scientists say one of their chief concerns has been making sure the Theobroma cacao genome data was published for all to see -- especially cacao farmers and breeders in West Africa, Asia and South America, who can use genetic information to improve their planting stocks and protect their often-fragile incomes. ... > full story
Human impacts on the deep seafloor (September 14, 2010) -- Scientists have for the first time estimated the physical footprint of human activities on the deep seafloor of the North East Atlantic. The findings reveal that the area disturbed by bottom trawling commercial fishing fleets exceeds the combined physical footprint of other major human activities considered. ... > full story
Making cookies that are good for your heart (September 14, 2010) -- Years of research has proven that saturated and trans fats clog arteries, make it tough for the heart to pump and are not valuable components of any diet. Unfortunately, they are contained in many foods. Now, a research team has developed a soybean which produces oil that is naturally low in saturated and trans fats. ... > full story
Global fisheries research finds promise and peril: While industry contributes 0B annually, overfishing takes toll on people and revenue (September 14, 2010) -- Global fisheries, a vital source of food and revenue throughout the world, contribute between 5-0 billion per year to the worldwide economy, according to four new studies. Researchers also concluded that healthier fisheries could have prevented malnourishment in nearly 20 million people in poorer countries. ... > full story
Watercress may 'turn off' breast cancer signal (September 14, 2010) -- New research has revealed that a plant compound in watercress may have the ability to suppress breast cancer cell development by "turning off" a signal in the body and thereby starving the growing tumor of essential blood and oxygen. ... > full story
CRISPR critters: Scientists identify key enzyme in microbial immune system (September 14, 2010) -- Using protein crystallography beamlines at Berkeley Lab's Advanced Light Source, a team of researchers has resolved the atomic-scale crystal structure of an enzyme called "Csy4" that plays a key role in a microbial immune system. The research provides important new clues to the fundamental role of RNA in the evolution of life. ... > full story
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