ScienceDaily Environment Headlines
for Sunday, December 5, 2010
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Global sea-level rise at the end of the last Ice Age interrupted by rapid 'jumps' (December 4, 2010) -- Researchers have estimated that sea-level rose by an average of about 1 meter per century at the end of the last Ice Age, interrupted by rapid "jumps" during which it rose by up to 2.5 meters per century. The findings will help unravel the responses of ocean circulation and climate to large inputs of ice-sheet meltwater to the world ocean. ... > full story
Blame the environment: Why vaccines may be ineffective for some people (December 4, 2010) -- A new discovery may explain why a tuberculosis vaccine is not as effective for some people as anticipated, and potentially explains why other vaccines do not work as well for some as they do for others. ... > full story
Novel metal catalysts may be able to turn greenhouse gases into liquid fuels (December 4, 2010) -- It sounds a bit like spinning straw into gold, but novel metal catalysts may be able to turn greenhouse gases like methane and carbon dioxide into liquid fuels without producing more carbon waste in the process. ... > full story
Interspecies electron transfer: Anaerobic bacteria found to cooperate (December 4, 2010) -- Microbiologists report that they have discovered a new cooperative behavior in anaerobic bacteria, known as interspecies electron transfer, that could have important implications for the global carbon cycle and bioenergy. ... > full story
New prion discovery reveals drug target for mad cow disease and related illnesses (December 4, 2010) -- In a new study, scientists have found that a protein our body uses to break up blood clots speeds up the progress of prion diseases. This substance, called plasminogen, is a new drug target for prion diseases in both humans and animals. ... > full story
Electrocution of birds and collision with power lines: Solutions to a global problem (December 4, 2010) -- Electrocution on power lines is a major threat to many bird species across the world, in particular endangered species such birds of prey, which show the greatest incidence of electrocution. A new study focuses on preventing bird electrocution through the identification and correction of high-risk pylons. ... > full story
Ozone hole affects upper-atmosphere temperature and circulation (December 4, 2010) -- Observations have shown differences in altitude and brightness between polar mesospheric clouds (clouds made of ice crystals in the upper mesosphere) in the Northern Hemisphere and those in the Southern Hemisphere. Various mechanisms have been suggested to explain the differences; a new study shows that the ozone hole in the stratosphere above Antarctica could be playing a key role in the temperature and circulation patterns in the mesosphere. ... > full story
Tooth decay to be a thing of the past? Enzyme responsible for dental plaque sticking to teeth deciphered (December 4, 2010) -- Scientists have deciphered the structure and functional mechanism of the glucansucrase enzyme that is responsible for dental plaque sticking to teeth. This knowledge will stimulate the identification of substances that inhibit the enzyme. Just add that substance to toothpaste, or even sweets, and caries could be a thing of the past. ... > full story
More efficient polymer solar cells fabricated (December 4, 2010) -- Researchers have developed a process for fabricating more efficient polymer solar cells. They discovered a textured substrate pattern that allows deposition of a uniformly thin light-absorbing layer. The result is a polymer solar cell that captures more light and produces more power. ... > full story
Preterm infants may need a boost to protect against invasitve pneumococcal disease (December 4, 2010) -- A new study suggests that preterm infants may not be fully protected against invasive pneumococcal disease under the current United Kingdom immunization schedule. ... > full story
Vitamins identified as key nutrient which may promote harmful algal blooms in coastal waters (December 4, 2010) -- Harmful algal blooms, which negatively affect coastal ecosystems, public health, economies and fisheries around the world, may be promoted by vitamins B-1 and B-12 according to new research. ... > full story
Do our bodies' bacteria play matchmaker? (December 3, 2010) -- Could the bacteria that we carry in our bodies decide who we marry? According to a new study, the answer lies in the gut of a small fruit fly. Scientists recently demonstrated that the symbiotic bacteria inside a fruit fly greatly influence its choice of mates. ... > full story
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