Jumat, 12 November 2010

ScienceDaily Environment Headlines

for Friday, November 12, 2010

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New vaccine hope in fight against pneumonia and meningitis (November 12, 2010) -- A dramatic advance in understanding of how the body fights bacteria paves the way for more effective vaccines. ... > full story

How key drug kills worms in tropical diseases (November 12, 2010) -- Scientists have unlocked how a key anti-parasitic drug kills the worms brought on by the filarial diseases river blindness and elephantitis. Understanding how the drug ivermectin works has the potential to lead to new treatments for the diseases, in which the body is infected with parasitic worms. ... > full story

Invading weed threatens devastation to western rangelands (November 12, 2010) -- A new field study confirms that an invasive weed called medusahead has growth advantages over most other grass species, suggesting it will continue to spread across much of the West, disrupt native ecosystems and make millions of acres of grazing land almost worthless. ... > full story

Young, unsupervised children most at risk for dog bites, study shows; Dogs often target a child's face and eyes (November 12, 2010) -- As dog bites become an increasingly major public health concern, a new study shows that unsupervised children are most at risk for bites, that the culprits are usually family pets and if they bite once, they will bite again with the second attack often more brutal than the first. ... > full story

Extreme global warming in the ancient past (November 11, 2010) -- Variations in atmosphere carbon dioxide around 40 million years ago were tightly coupled to changes in global temperature, according to new findings. ... > full story

Nerve cells in the eyes of flies and vertebrates use similar process to split up optical information (November 11, 2010) -- The eye is not just a lens that takes pictures and converts them into electrical signals. As with all vertebrates, nerve cells in the human eye separate an image into different image channels once it has been projected onto the retina. This pre-sorted information is then transmitted to the brain as parallel image sequences. Scientists have now discovered that fruit flies process optical information in a similar way. The evidence suggests that this type of wiring is an effective energy-saving mechanism and is therefore deployed by a diverse range of animal species. ... > full story

Tropical forest diversity increased during ancient global warming event (November 11, 2010) -- Nearly 60 million years ago, rainforests prospered at temperatures that were 3-5 degrees higher and at atmospheric carbon dioxide levels 2.5 times today's levels, researchers report. Contrary to speculation that tropical forests could be devastated under these conditions, forest diversity increased rapidly during this warming event. New plant species evolved much faster than old species became extinct. Pollen from the passionflower plant family and the chocolate family, among others, were found for the first time. ... > full story

Oil spill vacuum cleaner uses bark for spills (November 11, 2010) -- Cleaning up oil spills is a time consuming, difficult process. But a novel approach developed by researchers in Norway uses a new kind of vacuum cleaner that blows bark or other absorbent material onto oil spills, and then sucks the material up again. ... > full story

Leaking underground CO<sub>2</sub> storage could contaminate drinking water, study finds (November 11, 2010) -- Leaks from carbon dioxide injected deep underground to help fight climate change could bubble up into drinking water aquifers near the surface, driving up levels of contaminants in the water tenfold or more in some places, according to a new study. ... > full story

Hope for Borneo's threatened biodiversity (November 11, 2010) -- To tackle species loss, representatives of the Rhino and Forest Fund (RFF) and of the Forestry Department of Sabah / Malaysia launched a long-term reforestation project to restore forest in Borneo. Borneo's unique biodiversity is threatened by deforestation and habitat fragmentation. To save endangered species like the Sabah rhino, the clouded leopard, or the orangutan, it is necessary to restore and reconnect degraded and fragmented forest land. ... > full story

Multiple fathers prevalent in Amazonian cultures, study finds (November 11, 2010) -- In modern culture, it is not considered socially acceptable for married people to have extramarital sexual partners. However, in some Amazonian cultures, extramarital sexual affairs were common, and people believed that when a woman became pregnant, each of her sexual partners would be considered part-biological father. Now, a new study has found that up to 70 percent of Amazonian cultures may have believed in the principle of multiple paternity. ... > full story

Grasses have potential as alternate ethanol crop, study finds (November 11, 2010) -- Money may not grow on trees, but energy could grow in grass. Researchers have completed the first extensive geographic yield and economic analysis of potential bioenergy grass crops in the Midwestern United States. The study found that miscanthus and switchgrass could be viable biofuel crops in the US in areas where the prospective grass yield is greater than current corn and soybean production. ... > full story

New dietary supplement reference materials could be 'berry' useful (November 11, 2010) -- Researchers have developed new certified reference materials for measuring amounts of organic acids in dietary supplements formulated with Vaccinium berries -- cranberries, blueberries and bilberries. Manufacturers and researchers can use this new suite of standard reference materials as quality assurance tools. ... > full story

Infant foods should be screened for mycotoxins, scientists say (November 11, 2010) -- Scientists call for protecting complementary food for infants in developing countries -- especially those where corn is a staple food -- against fumonisin, a toxin produced by fungi. Until now, physicians thought the growth retardation of children in those regions was to be blamed on the poor nutritional value of the complementary maize porridge they receive when breast milk is no longer sufficient. But toxins indeed are involved, scientists report. ... > full story

Improving soil for better lawns and gardens (November 11, 2010) -- US Department of Agriculture scientists in West Virginia are finding ways to improve soil on degraded land so it can be used for sports fields and other uses. ... > full story

Challenge of feeding the world (November 11, 2010) -- One of the biggest challenges facing the world today is how to feed the expected population of nine billion by 2050. A new paper identifies the top 100 questions for the future of global agriculture. ... > full story

Sharks and wolves: Predator, prey interactions similar on land and in oceans (November 10, 2010) -- There may be many similarities between the importance of large predators in marine and terrestrial environments, researchers concluded in a recent study, which examined the interactions between wolves and elk in the United States, as well as sharks and dugongs in Australia. ... > full story

DNA repair protein caught in act of molecular theft (November 10, 2010) -- Scientists have observed, for the first time, an intermediate stage in the chemical process that repairs DNA methylation damage and regulates many important biological functions that impact health conditions such as obesity, cancer and diabetes. ... > full story

New transportable technology detects bacteria in water (November 10, 2010) -- To keep soldiers in the battlefield healthy, the US Army is exploring new ways to detect harmful bacteria in water. ... > full story

Cambrian Explosion: New timeline for appearances of skeletal animals in fossil record (November 10, 2010) -- Beginning around 542 million years ago, a profusion of animals with shells and skeletons began to appear in the fossil record. So many life forms appeared during this time that it is often referred to as the "Cambrian Explosion." Geologists have now proposed a rethinking of the timeline of these early animal appearances. ... > full story

New class of 'dancing' dendritic cells derived from blood monocytes (November 10, 2010) -- The discovery of a new class of dendritic cells that stem from blood monocytes in mice promises to accelerate research into clinical therapies that use these cells, known to be the sentinels of the immune system. ... > full story

New method for control of malaria applied in Africa (November 10, 2010) -- Research carried out in Mali, West Africa, has demonstrated that a new, safe and uncomplicated insect control method, developed by researchers in Israel, can bring about a serious decline in malaria-bearing mosquitoes in afflicted regions in the world. ... > full story

Special skin keeps fish species alive on land (November 10, 2010) -- A new study shows how an amphibious fish stays alive for up to two months on land. It's all in the skin. ... > full story

How the dragon got its 'snap': Computer modeling and experimental genetics combined to work out complex shapes of organs (November 10, 2010) -- Scientists are pioneering a powerful combination of computer modelling and experimental genetics to work out how the complex shapes of organs found in nature are produced by the interacting actions of genes. Their findings will influence our thinking about how these complex shapes have evolved. ... > full story

Growth defects in cystic fibrosis may start before birth (November 10, 2010) -- A new study using a pig model of cystic fibrosis (CF) suggests that low levels of a growth promoting hormone at or before birth may contribute to growth defects in patients with CF. The study could help predict the severity of the disease in patients and may lead to new therapies for growth defects in people with CF. ... > full story

Researchers aim to harvest solar energy from pavement to melt ice, power streetlights (November 10, 2010) -- The heat radiating off roadways has long been a factor in explaining why city temperatures are often considerably warmer than nearby suburban or rural areas. Now a team of engineering researchers is examining methods of harvesting that solar energy to melt ice, power streetlights, illuminate signs, heat buildings and potentially use it for many other purposes. ... > full story

Skeletons from the 18th century reveal typhus epidemic from Spain (November 10, 2010) -- By studying the dental pulp of skeletons buried in Douai (northern France), researchers have identified the pathogenic agents responsible for trench fever and typhus. This work reveals for the first time the presence of typhus in Europe at the start of the 18th century and lends weight to the hypothesis that this disease could have been imported into Europe by Spanish conquistadors returning from the Americas. ... > full story

Global warming reduces available wind energy, new research finds (November 10, 2010) -- A switch to wind energy will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions -- and reduce the global warming they cause. But there's a catch, according to a new study: rising temperatures decrease wind speeds, making for less power bang for the wind turbine buck. ... > full story

DNA reveals origins of first European farmers (November 10, 2010) -- A team of international researchers has resolved the longstanding issue of the origins of the people who introduced farming to Europe some 8,000 years ago. A detailed genetic study of one of the first farming communities in Europe, from central Germany, reveals marked similarities with populations living in the Ancient Near East (modern-day Turkey, Iraq and other countries) rather than those from Europe. ... > full story

Probiotics shorten diarrhea episodes, review suggests (November 10, 2010) -- Probiotic bacteria given as therapies for diarrhea reduce the length of time sufferers are affected and lessen the chance of episodes continuing for more than four days. ... > full story

MicroRNA controls mammary gland development in mice: Novel mechanism for vertebrate organ development (November 10, 2010) -- Hormones, growth factors and several proteins ensure that development occurs in the right way, at the right time. The components that cause breast development in mammals, for example, were thought to be largely known. However, as scientists in Germany have now discovered, in the case of breast development, hormones and proteins do not account for the full story. The scientists have shown that tiny ribonucleic acid molecules play a key role in this process. The mammary glands of mice lacking the gene for the microRNAs 212 and 132 failed to grow at puberty. ... > full story

Oldest fossilized shrimp: Geologists study rare well-preserved creature showing muscles (November 10, 2010) -- Geologists report on the oldest fossil shrimp known to date. The creature in stone is as much as 360 million years old and was found in Oklahoma. ... > full story

Improved rice availability and reduced environmental impact forecast through new Global Rice Science Partnership (November 10, 2010) -- One of the world's largest global scientific partnerships for sustainable agricultural development has launched a bold new research initiative that aims to dramatically improve the ability of rice farmers to feed growing populations in some of the world's poorest nations. The efforts of the Global Rice Science Partnership, or GRiSP, are expected to lift 150 million people out of poverty by 2035 and prevent the emission of greenhouse gases by an amount equivalent to more than 1 billion tons of carbon dioxide. ... > full story

Robust methods for GMO detection ready at hand (November 10, 2010) -- A new Reference Report lists 79 reference methods for GMO analysis which have been validated according to international standards. This Compendium presents the technical state of the art in GMO detection methods. Each method is described in a user-friendly way, facilitating the implementation of GMO legislation by official control bodies. ... > full story

Brains of Neanderthals and modern humans developed differently (November 9, 2010) -- Researchers have documented species differences in the pattern of brain development after birth that are likely to contribute to cognitive differences between modern humans and Neanderthals. ... > full story

Home exposure to tobacco carcinogens high in children of smokers (November 9, 2010) -- Ninety percent of children who lived in a house where an adult smoked had evidence of tobacco-related carcinogens in their urine, according to new research. ... > full story

Myth of a germ-free world: A closer look at antimicrobial products (November 9, 2010) -- Are antimicrobial chemicals like triclosan and triclocarban, as commonly used by consumers, really safe for human health and the environment? Are they even effective? According to new research, the scientific evidence suggests otherwise. ... > full story

Offshore wind farms: Low loss solutions for transferring current (November 9, 2010) -- Using wind energy where the wind blows strongest makes perfect sense as long as the energy can be readily transported to where it is needed. The first offshore plants are already being erected, and many more are planned. But the farther they are away from the coast, the more urgent becomes the problem of transferring the current with as low a loss as possible. Over long distances, this is possible only with direct current. ... > full story

Engineered plants make potential precursor to raw material for plastics (November 9, 2010) -- Scientists report engineering a plant that produces industrially relevant levels of compounds that could potentially be used to make plastics. ... > full story

Soy may stop prostate cancer spread: Experimental soy-based drug shows benefits in men with localized prostate cancer (November 9, 2010) -- Researchers have found that a new, nontoxic drug made from a chemical in soy could prevent the movement of cancer cells from the prostate to the rest of the body. ... > full story

More than 1,000 tigers reduced to skin and bones in last decade, report finds (November 9, 2010) -- Parts of at least 1,069 tigers have been seized in tiger range countries over the past decade, according to new analysis of tiger seizures. The report shows that from January 2000 to April 2010, parts of between 1,069 and 1,220 tigers were seized in 11 of the 13 tiger range countries -- or an average of 104 to 119 animals per year. ... > full story

Soy isoflavones may modify risk of breast cancer (November 9, 2010) -- Increased phytoestrogens commonly found in dietary soy may modify the risk of some types of breast cancer, according to new findings. ... > full story

Cellular communicators for cancer virus identified (November 9, 2010) -- A new finding describes how cells infected by the Epstein-Barr virus produce small vesicles or sacs called exosomes, changing their cellular "cargo" of proteins and RNA. This altered exosome enters cells and can change the growth of recipient cells from benign to cancer-producing. ... > full story

Fat sand rats are SAD like us: Research shines a light on a mood disorder (November 9, 2010) -- With her work on the Israeli desert inhabitant gerbil called the fat sand rat, a researcher has found new hope for the study of seasonal affective disorder and similar conditions. Her research indicates that her new test subjects are a more suitable model animal for the study of SAD than the rats and mice used previously. ... > full story

Dangerous chemicals in food wrappers likely migrating to humans (November 9, 2010) -- Scientists have found that chemicals used to line junk food wrappers and microwave popcorn bags are migrating into food and being ingested by people where they are contributing to chemical contamination observed in blood. ... > full story

TB-drugome provides new targets for anti-tuberculosis drug discovery (November 9, 2010) -- Researchers have linked hundreds of federally approved drugs to more than 1,000 proteins in Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of tuberculosis (TB), opening new avenues to repurpose these drugs to treat TB. ... > full story

Overweight children have eating patterns different from those of normal weight children, Norwegian study finds (November 9, 2010) -- Overweight children reported more frequent intake of healthy foods such as fruit, vegetables, fish, brown bread and potatoes as well as low-energy cheese and yogurt compared with normal weight children, a Norwegian study has found. ... > full story

Climate change: Regional differences in water reservoir glaciers (November 9, 2010) -- Glaciers of large mountain regions contribute, to some extent considerably, to the water supply of certain populated areas. However, a recent study has shown that there are important regional differences. ... > full story


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