Senin, 20 September 2010

ScienceDaily Environment Headlines

for Monday, September 20, 2010

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50-million-year-old snake gets a CT scan (September 20, 2010) -- Even some of the most advanced technology in medicine couldn't get Clarisse to give up all of her secrets. After all, she's protected them for more than 50 million years. Clarisse is a snake, found in the Fossil Butte region of Wyoming, perfectly fossilized in limestone and the only one of her kind known to be in existence. ... > full story

How HIV resists AZT: Virus hijacks a common molecule (September 20, 2010) -- Researchers have discovered the details of how HIV resists AZT. The scientists believe their discovery helps researchers understand how important anti-AIDS treatments can fail and could help AIDS researchers develop more effective treatment for the disease. ... > full story

Easily blocked signaling protein may help scientists stop parasites (September 20, 2010) -- Researchers have identified a parasite protein that has all the makings of a microbial glass jaw: it's essential, it's vulnerable and humans have nothing like it, meaning scientists can take pharmacological swings at it with minimal fear of collateral damage. ... > full story

2010 tied with 1998 as warmest global temperature on record (September 20, 2010) -- The first eight months of 2010 tied the same period in 1998 for the warmest combined land and ocean surface temperature on record worldwide. Meanwhile, the June-August summer was the second warmest on record globally after 1998, and last month was the third warmest August on record. Separately, last month's global average land surface temperature was the second warmest on record for August, while the global ocean surface temperature tied with 1997 as the sixth warmest for August. ... > full story

At the crossroads of chromosomes: Study reveals structure of cell division’s key molecule (September 20, 2010) -- On average, one hundred billion cells in the human body divide over the course of a day. Most of the time the body gets it right but sometimes, problems in cell replication can lead to abnormalities in chromosomes resulting in many types of disorders, from cancer to Down Syndrome. Now, researchers have defined the structure of a key molecule that plays a central role in how DNA is duplicated and then moved correctly and equally into two daughter cells to produce two exact copies of the mother cell. Without this molecule, entire chromosomes could be lost during cell division. ... > full story

Mechanism behind demethylation pinpointed in APC gene mutants (September 20, 2010) -- Researchers demonstrate in a study the mechanism by which mutation of the APC gene affects a cellular process known as DNA methylation. ... > full story

Environmental impact of organic solar cells assessed (September 20, 2010) -- To better understand the energy and environmental benefits and detriments of solar power, a research team has conducted one of the first life-cycle assessments of organic solar cells. The study found that the embodied energy -- or the total energy required to make a product -- is less for organic solar cells compared with conventional inorganic devices. ... > full story

Emotional robot pets (September 20, 2010) -- Designers of robot pets are fighting a never-ending battle with consumers to provide entertaining and realistic gadgets that respond to human interaction in ever more nuanced ways, mimicking the behavior of real pet animals or even people. Researchers in Taiwan are now looking at a new design paradigm that could see the development of a robot vision module that might one-day recognize human facial expressions and respond appropriately. ... > full story

Fossil of giant bony-toothed bird from chile sets wingspan record (September 19, 2010) -- A newly discovered skeleton of an ancient seabird from northern Chile provides evidence that giant birds were soaring the skies there 5-10 million years ago. The wing bones of the animal exceed those of all other birds in length; its wingspan would have been at least 5.2 m (17 ft.). This is the largest safely established wingspan for a bird. Other, larger estimates for fossil birds have been based on much less secure evidence. ... > full story

Scientists decode genomes of precocious fruit flies (September 19, 2010) -- Researchers have deciphered how lowly fruit flies bred to rapidly develop and reproduce actually evolve over time. The findings contradict the long-held belief that sexual beings evolve the same way simpler organisms do and could fundamentally alter the direction of genetic research for new pharmaceuticals and other products. ... > full story

Protein clamps tight to telomeres to help prevent aging and support cancer (September 19, 2010) -- Researchers have published the first detailed report on the structure and function of a crucial domain in the protein known as Cdc13, which sustains telomeres by clamping to DNA and recruiting telomere-lengthening enzymes to the area. The study was performed using the yeast gene, however, this essential life process has changed little through evolution, and evidence suggests that the human equivalent of this protein may make a good target for future anticancer drugs. ... > full story

House-sharing with microbes (September 19, 2010) -- Household dust contains up to 1000 different species of microbes, with tens of millions of individual bacterial cells in each gram. And these are just the ones that can be grown in the lab. New research looks at how we share our living and working spaces with millions of microbes, not all of whom are bad news. ... > full story

Gene limits learning and memory in mice (September 19, 2010) -- Deleting a certain gene in mice can make them smarter by unlocking a mysterious region of the brain considered to be relatively inflexible, scientists have found. Mice with a disabled RGS14 gene are able to remember objects they'd explored and learn to navigate mazes better than regular mice, suggesting that RGS14's presence limits some forms of learning and memory. ... > full story

Tracking triclosan's field footprint (September 19, 2010) -- A study by agricultural scientists and cooperators provides new details about how fertilizing soils with biosolids also introduces triclosan -- an antibacterial agent in soaps and other cleaning supplies -- into the environment. ... > full story

AIDS virus lineage much older than previously thought (September 19, 2010) -- An ancestor of HIV that infects monkeys is thousands of years older than previously thought, suggesting that HIV, which causes AIDS, is not likely to stop killing humans anytime soon. ... > full story

Great Lakes water quality is focus of new research grant (September 19, 2010) -- How could climate change and our response to it affect the Great Lakes' water quality? That's the primary question a team of 27 scientists will answer in a new research project. ... > full story

Night light pollution affect songbirds' mating life, research suggests (September 18, 2010) -- In today's increasingly urbanized world, the lights in many places are always on, and according to a new study, that's having a real impact on the mating life of forest-breeding songbirds. ... > full story

Tick tock: Rods help set internal clocks, biologist says (September 18, 2010) -- Rod cells -- one of three kinds of exquisitely photosensitive cells found in the retina of the eye -- are surprisingly found to be the only ones responsible for setting our internal "clocks" in low light. ... > full story

Synthetic fuels research aims to reduce oil dependence (September 18, 2010) -- Researchers have developed a facility aimed at learning precisely how coal and biomass are broken down in reactors called gasifiers as part of a project to strengthen the scientific foundations of the synthetic fuel economy. ... > full story

Fish schools and krill swarms take on common shape (September 18, 2010) -- When fish or tiny, shrimp-like krill get together, it appears they follow the same set of "rules." According to a new study, shoals of fish and swarms of krill hang out in groups that take on the same overall shape; it's not a simple sphere, a cylinder, or ovoid, but something more akin to an irregular crystal, the researchers say. ... > full story

NASA uses new method to estimate Earth mass movements (September 18, 2010) -- NASA and European researchers have conducted a novel study to simultaneously measure, for the first time, trends in how water is transported across Earth's surface and how the solid Earth responds to the retreat of glaciers following the last major Ice Age, including the shifting of Earth's center of mass. ... > full story

U.S. tsunami detection improves, but coastal areas still vulnerable, report finds (September 18, 2010) -- The nation's ability to detect and forecast tsunamis has improved since the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, but current efforts are still not sufficient to meet challenges posed by tsunamis generated near land that leave little time for warning, says a new report. ... > full story

Asian 'unicorn' photographed for first time in over 10 years (September 18, 2010) -- For the first time in more than ten years, there has been a confirmed sighting of one of the rarest and most mysterious animals in the world, the saola of Laos and Vietnam. The Government of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (also known as Laos) announced on September 15 that in late August villagers in the central province of Bolikhamxay captured a saola and brought it back to their village. The animal died several days later, but was photographed while still alive. ... > full story

Radiometric dating still reliable (again), research shows (September 18, 2010) -- Recent puzzling observations of tiny variations in nuclear decay rates have led some to question the science behind carbon-14 dating and similar techniques. However scientists tested the hypothesis that solar radiation might affect the rate at which radioactive elements decay and found no detectable effect. ... > full story

When Earth's mantle meets its core: Findings boost hypothesis of deep magma ocean (September 17, 2010) -- Earth's mantle and its core mix at 2900 kilometers under our feet in a mysterious zone. A team of geophysicists has just verified that the partial fusion of the mantle is possible in this area when the temperature reaches 4200 Kelvin. This reinforces the hypothesis of the presence of a deep magma ocean. The results have an effect in the understanding of the dynamics, composition and formation of the depths of our planet. ... > full story

Pickle spoilage bacteria may help environment (September 17, 2010) -- Spoilage bacteria that can cause red coloration of pickles' skin during fermentation may actually help clean up dyes in textile industry wastewater, according to a new study. ... > full story

Foraging for fat: Crafty crows use tools to fish for nutritious morsels (September 17, 2010) -- Researchers have used CSI-style analysis to reveal the huge benefits conferred on New Caledonian crows through tool use. Their results give hard evidence of the huge evolutionary advantage that can be gained by tool use -- giving an insight into the importance of tool use in survival. ... > full story

Veterinarian says natural foods not always best for pets (September 17, 2010) -- While natural food is a rising trend among humans, pet owners should be careful before feeding similar types of food to their pets, according to a veterinarian. ... > full story

Tornado-chasing becomes vacation choice, researchers find (September 17, 2010) -- Instead of heading to the coast for vacation, people are traveling to Tornado Alley. The number of people registering to get a closer look at tornadoes is growing as vacationers trade in their beach towels for a ride with storm chasers. Labeled "Tornado Tourists" by a University of Missouri research team, these travelers are searching for an experience beyond just thrills. ... > full story

The biggest crash on Earth: India slides under Tibet, but how? (September 17, 2010) -- During the collision of India with the Eurasian continent, the Indian plate was pushed about 500 kilometers under Tibet, reaching a depth of 250 kilometers. The result of this largest collision in Earth's history is the world's highest mountain range. But even more recently, the collision could be felt -- for example, the earthquakes that created the 2004 tsunami in the Indian Ocean. ... > full story

Cancer-cell quirk could be exploited to develop new drugs that starve tumors (September 17, 2010) -- Scientists report a previously unknown element of cancer cells' peculiar metabolism. They found that cells can trigger an alternative biochemical pathway that speeds up their metabolism and diverts the byproducts to construct new cells. ... > full story

Researcher discovers new 'anti-pathogenic' drugs to treat MRSA (September 17, 2010) -- A researcher has identified new anti-pathogenic drugs that, without killing the bacteria, render methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus harmless by preventing the production of toxins that cause disease. ... > full story

Fungus among us could become non-food source for biodiesel production (September 17, 2010) -- In the quest for alternatives to soybeans, palm, and other edible oilseed plants as sources for biodiesel production, enter an unlikely new candidate: A fungus, or mold, that produces and socks away large amounts of oils that are suitable for low-cost, eco-friendly biodiesel. ... > full story

Tyrannosaurus redux: T. rex was more than just a large carnivore at top of food chain, new findings reveal (September 17, 2010) -- A new research paper highlights recent tyrannosaur discoveries and complex analyses of the biology of certain species. The paper includes a new family tree for T. rex and its relatives. ... > full story

Bacteria identified that may lead to inflammatory bowel disease in certain individuals (September 17, 2010) -- Certain bacteria that inhabit the intestine provide the environmental trigger that initiates and perpetuates chronic intestinal inflammation in individuals who are genetically susceptible to inflammatory bowel disease, a study has found. ... > full story

Healthy diet rocks when it comes to fighting kidney stones (September 17, 2010) -- Certain key ingredients of a diet designed to prevent high blood pressure can ward off kidney stones, according to a new study. The results suggest how low-fat dairy products and/or plants may have potent kidney stone-fighting properties. ... > full story

NASA data track seasonal pollution changes over India (September 17, 2010) -- Data from the Multi-angle Imaging Spectroradiometer (MISR) instrument on NASA's Terra spacecraft have been used in a groundbreaking new university study that examines the concentration, distribution and composition of aerosol pollution over the Indian subcontinent. The study documents the region's very high levels of natural and human-produced pollutants, and uncovered surprising seasonal shifts in the source of the pollution. ... > full story

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


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