ScienceDaily Environment Headlines
for Monday, October 4, 2010
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Fungal spores travel farther by surfing their own wind (October 4, 2010) -- Many fungi, including the destructive Sclerotinia, spew thousands of spores at once to give the spores an extra boost into their host plants. Researchers now show how this works. The near-simultaneous ejection of spores reduces drag to nearly zero and creates a wind that carries some of the spores 20 times farther than a single spore could travel solo. ... > full story
Dual nature of dew: Researcher measures the effect of dew on desert plants (October 4, 2010) -- Dew is often celebrated as a bringer of life. Now, a researcher in Israel has examined the effects of dew in the Eastern Mediterranean region and says that dew serves as an important water source for plant life. ... > full story
Noise and chemicals: Workers are losing their hearing, Spanish study finds (October 4, 2010) -- A study carried out by Spanish researchers has shown that the presence of chemical contaminants can interact with noise and modify, for good or for bad, the way in which work-related "deafness" -- which is increasingly common among young people -- manifests itself. Noise-related hearing loss is the most common occupational disease in Europe. ... > full story
Individual mutations are very slow to promote tumor growth, mathematical modeling shows (October 3, 2010) -- Individual cancer-causing mutations have a minute effect on tumor growth, increasing the rate of cell division by just 0.4 percent on average, according to new mathematical modeling. The research reinforces that cancer is the culmination of many accumulated mutations, and highlights the fundamental heterogeneity and randomness of many cancers. ... > full story
Acidification of oceans may contribute to global declines of shellfish (October 3, 2010) -- The acidification of the Earth's oceans due to rising levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) may be contributing to a global decline of clams, scallops and other shellfish by interfering with the development of shellfish larvae, according to scientists. ... > full story
Insecticides from genetically modified corn are present in adjacent streams, new study reveals (October 3, 2010) -- A new study by ecologists reveals that streams throughout the Midwest are receiving transgenic materials from corn crop byproducts, even six months after harvest. ... > full story
Tracking down pathogenic yeasts (October 3, 2010) -- If the human immunological system is weakened, yeast fungi that are normally harmless can be transformed into a lethal danger. This is why researchers in Germany are using next-generation sequencing to track down one of the most frequent pathogens for fungal infections among humans. ... > full story
Climate change target 'not safe', researchers say (October 3, 2010) -- An analysis of geological records that preserve details of the last known period of global warming has revealed "startling" results which suggest current targets for limiting climate change are unsafe. ... > full story
Adult stem cells that do not age (October 3, 2010) -- Biomedical researchers have engineered adult stem cells that scientists can grow continuously in culture, a discovery that could speed development of cost-effective treatments for diseases including heart disease, diabetes, immune disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. ... > full story
Digging deep for ways to curb ammonia emissions (October 3, 2010) -- Dairy farmers can greatly reduce ammonia emissions from their production facilities by injecting liquid manure into crop fields below the soil surface, according to new research. ... > full story
NASA's EPOXI mission sets up for comet flyby (October 3, 2010) -- On Sept. 29, 2010, navigators and mission controllers for NASA's EPOXI mission watched their computer screens as 23.6 million kilometers (14.7 million miles) away, their spacecraft successfully performed its 20th trajectory correction maneuver. The maneuver refined the spacecraft's orbit, setting the stage for its flyby of comet Hartley 2 on Nov. 4. ... > full story
How to still kill a resistant parasite (October 2, 2010) -- Scientists in Belgium, in collaboration with colleagues from several developing countries, were able to restore a sleeping sickness parasite’s susceptibility to drugs. The parasite causes sleeping sickness in cattle. Because it has become resistant against all currently available drugs, it causes enormous economic losses. Until now, that is. ... > full story
Severe food allergies turned off in mice (October 2, 2010) -- Scientists have discovered a way to turn off the immune system's allergic reaction to certain food proteins in mice, a discovery that could have implications for the millions of people who suffer severe reactions to foods, such as peanuts and milk. ... > full story
Mosquito gene examined for new disease response (October 2, 2010) -- Researchers have searched for new genes that are turned on during infection in a type of mosquito that is not only a pest, but transmits disease-causing pathogens. ... > full story
Searching for dense water cascades in the Arctic Ocean (October 2, 2010) -- The Arctic is one of the most sensitive regions of the plant to the effects of global climate change. Researchers are now studying the phenomenon of dense water cascading and its relationship with climate change in an area to the west of the Svalbard Islands in the Arctic Circle. ... > full story
Could genetically altered trees, plants help counter global warming? (October 2, 2010) -- New research examines the prospects for enhancing biological carbon sequestration through a variety of policy and technical approaches, including the deployment of genetically engineered trees and other plants. ... > full story
New TB pathogen discovered (October 2, 2010) -- In studies of banded mongoose in Botswana, researchers have discovered a novel tuberculosis species in the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. Unlike other species of tuberculosis, which typically present as a chronic disease, M. mungi usually kills infected banded mongoose within two to three months after symptoms develop, with outbreaks occurring in a largely seasonal pattern. ... > full story
World's rivers in 'crisis state', report finds (October 1, 2010) -- The world's rivers, the single largest renewable water resource for humans and a crucible of aquatic biodiversity, are in a crisis of ominous proportions, according to a new global analysis. ... > full story
How warm was this summer? (October 1, 2010) -- An unparalleled heat wave in eastern Europe, coupled with intense droughts and fires around Moscow, put Earth's temperatures in the headlines this summer. Likewise, a string of exceptionally warm days in July in the eastern United States strained power grids, forced nursing home evacuations, and slowed transit systems. Both high-profile events reinvigorated questions about humanity's role in climate change. ... > full story
Garlic oil shows protective effect against heart disease in diabetes (October 1, 2010) -- Garlic has "significant" potential for preventing cardiomyopathy, a form of heart disease that is a leading cause of death in people with diabetes, scientists have concluded in a new study. Their report also explains why people with diabetes are at high risk for diabetic cardiomyopathy. ... > full story
Simple approach could clean up oil remaining from Exxon Valdez spill (October 1, 2010) -- Traces of crude oil that linger on the shores of Alaska's Prince William Sound after the Exxon Valdez oil spill remain highly biodegradable, despite almost 20 years of weathering and decomposition, scientists are reporting in a new study. Their findings suggest a simple approach for further cleaning up remaining traces of the Exxon Valdez spill -- the largest in US waters until the 2010 Deepwater Horizon episode. ... > full story
Dinosaurs significantly taller than previously thought, research suggests (October 1, 2010) -- It might seem obvious that a dinosaur's leg bone connects to the hip bone, but what came between the bones has been less obvious. Now, researchers have found that dinosaurs had thick layers of cartilage in their joints, which means they may have been considerably taller than previously thought. ... > full story
First genetic evidence for loss of teeth in the common ancestor of baleen whales (October 1, 2010) -- Biologists provide the first genetic evidence for the loss of mineralized teeth in the common ancestor of baleen whales. This genomic record, they argue, is fully compatible with the available fossil record showing that the origin of baleen and the loss of teeth both occurred in the common ancestor of modern baleen whales. ... > full story
Varieties of tea leaves identified using neural networks (October 1, 2010) -- Chemists have managed to distinguish between different kinds of tea leaves on the basis of their mineral content and by using artificial neural networks. This technique makes it possible to differentiate between the five main varieties of tea -- white, green black, Oolong and red tea. ... > full story
Key nutrient found to prevent cataracts in salmon (October 1, 2010) -- New research shows how the nutrient histidine, when added to the diet of farmed salmon, stops cataracts from forming. ... > full story
No evidence for Clovis comet catastrophe, archaeologists say (October 1, 2010) -- New research challenges the controversial theory that an ancient comet impact devastated the Clovis people, one of the earliest known cultures to inhabit North America. ... > full story
Dog ownership is associated with reduced eczema in children with dog allergies (October 1, 2010) -- Children with eczema have a greater risk of developing asthma and food allergies. The number of children with eczema is rising, but the reasons are unclear. A new study examines the relationship between pet ownership and eczema. Researchers found that dog ownership among children with dog allergies may reduce the risk of developing eczema by age 4 years; cat ownership, however, may increase the risk among children with cat allergies. ... > full story
Species accumulate on Earth at slower rates than in the past, computational biologists say (October 1, 2010) -- Computational biologists say that species are still accumulating on Earth but at a slower rate than in the past. ... > full story
Growing drought-resistant plants: Research could offer alternative to genetically-engineered crops to combat global food shortages (October 1, 2010) -- New findings could lead to environmentally-friendly sprays that help plants survive drought and other stresses in harsh environments to combat global food shortages. ... > full story
Breast cancer linked to environmental smoke exposure among Mexican women (October 1, 2010) -- Mexican women who do not smoke but are exposed to smoking, known as environmental smoke exposure, are at three times higher risk for breast cancer than non-smoking women not exposed to passive smoking, according to new findings. ... > full story
Growth of biofuel industry hurt by GMO regulations, say experts (October 1, 2010) -- Faster development of the promising field of cellulosic biofuels -- the renewable energy produced from grasses and trees -- is being significantly hampered by a "deep and thorny regulatory thicket" that makes almost impossible the use of advanced gene modification methods, researchers say. ... > full story
Genome of mosquito that spreads West Nile virus sequenced (September 30, 2010) -- To understand the genetic makeup of the Culex mosquito, and how the insect is able to transmit this and other viruses, scientists have sequenced the genome of Culex quinquefasciatus, a representative of the Culex genus of mosquitoes. The genome could give scientists clues to target specific Culex genes involved in the transmission of West Nile virus, St. Louis encephalitis, lymphatic filariasis and other diseases. ... > full story
Offshore San Andreas Fault and associated ecosystems mapped (September 30, 2010) -- An effort to map offshore portions of the San Andreas fault could help scientists better understand past earthquakes -- and the potential for future ones. ... > full story
Plants that move: How a New Zealand species disperses seeds in a high alpine, wet environment (September 30, 2010) -- High in an alpine meadow, a researcher crouched low to the ground and splashed some water from her water bottle on a low green plant cushion, then sat back waiting to see if something would move. Sound crazy? Many hikers passing by her may have thought so, but she was trying to find potential plant species that possess a type of plant movement called hygrochasy. ... > full story
Fossilized giant penguin reveals unusual colors, sheds light on bird evolution (September 30, 2010) -- Paleontologists have unearthed the first extinct penguin with preserved evidence of scales and feathers. The 36-million-year-old fossil from Peru shows the new giant penguin's feathers were reddish brown and gray, distinct from the black tuxedoed look of living penguins. The fossil shows the flipper and feather shapes that make penguins such powerful swimmers evolved early, while the color patterning of living penguins is likely a much more recent innovation. ... > full story
Bedouin tribe reveals secrets to 'GA-JOE' high-tech genome analyzer (September 30, 2010) -- Scientists studied three patients from biologically interrelated Bedouin families, and sent samples to Canada for analysis by GA JOE -- a high-tech genome analyzing machine. They discovered that mutations in the gene SCARF2 are responsible for Van Den Ende-Gupta syndrome. ... > full story
Most complete beer 'proteome' finding could lead to engineered brews (September 30, 2010) -- In an advance that may give brewers powerful new ability to engineer the flavor and aroma of beer -- the world's favorite alcoholic beverage -- scientists are publishing the most comprehensive deciphering of the beer's "proteome" ever reported. ... > full story
Maternal diet high in trans fats doubles risk of excess body fat in breastfed babies, study finds (September 30, 2010) -- A new study suggests that mothers who consume a diet high in trans fats double the likelihood that their infants will have high levels of body fat. ... > full story
Research lays foundation for building on the Moon -- or anywhere else (September 30, 2010) -- The key to the stability of any building is its foundation, but it is difficult to test some building sites in advance -- such as those on the moon. New research is helping resolve the problem by using computer models that can utilize a small sample of soil to answer fundamental questions about how soil at a building site will interact with foundations. ... > full story
For the first time, monkeys recognize themselves in the mirror, indicating self-awareness (September 30, 2010) -- A study shows that under specific conditions, a rhesus macaque monkey that normally would fail the mark test can still recognize itself in the mirror and perform actions that scientists would expect from animals that are self-aware. ... > full story
IV treatment may lower risk of dying from bacterial meningitis (September 30, 2010) -- New research shows that an intravenous treatment -- called dexamethasone -- may cut a person's risk of dying from bacterial meningitis. ... > full story
Blueberries help fight artery hardening, lab animal study indicates (September 30, 2010) -- Blueberries may help fight atherosclerosis, also known as hardening of the arteries, according to results of a preliminary study with laboratory mice. The research provides the first direct evidence that blueberries can help prevent harmful plaques or lesions, symptomatic of atherosclerosis, from increasing in size in arteries. ... > full story
Strong link between diabetes and air pollution found in national U.S. study (September 30, 2010) -- A national U.S. epidemiologic study finds a strong, consistent correlation between adult diabetes and particulate air pollution that persists after adjustment for other risk factors like obesity and ethnicity, researchers report. The relationship was seen even at exposure levels below the current EPA safety limit. ... > full story
Diet when young affects future food responses (September 30, 2010) -- A high protein diet during development primes the body to react unhealthily to future food binges. A study on juvenile rats suggests that lasting changes result from altering the composition of the first solid food that is consumed throughout growth into early adulthood. ... > full story
Dancing honeybees use democratic process when selecting a new home (September 30, 2010) -- When honeybees seek a new home, they choose the best site through a democratic process that humans would do well to emulate, according to a biologist. ... > full story
Swine flu patients benefited from taking Tamiflu, says study (September 30, 2010) -- Healthy people who caught swine flu during the 2009 pandemic may have been protected against developing radiographically (X-ray) confirmed pneumonia by taking the antiviral drug oseltamivir (Tamiflu), concludes a study of cases in China. ... > full story
Genome of mosquito that spreads West Nile virus, encephalitis and elephantiasis decoded (September 30, 2010) -- Scientists have decoded the genome of the southern house mosquito, which transmits the devastating diseases West Nile virus, encephalitis and elephantiasis, giving the global effort to contain mosquito-borne diseases a new understanding of the insects and the evolution of the diseases they spread. ... > full story
Need to undertake epidemiological monitoring programs for ticks confirmed (September 30, 2010) -- Researchers have undertaken a study of ticks, tick-borne diseases and the reservoirs of tick-borne pathogens, which has confirmed the importance of continuous surveillance programs to monitor these arthropods. ... > full story
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