ScienceDaily Environment Headlines
for Monday, March 1, 2010
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DNA sequence of extinct ancient cattle uncovered (March 1, 2010) -- Researchers, based in Ireland and Britain, have found the complete mitochondrial DNA genome sequence of ancient wild cattle using a sample from a 6,700 year-old bone. ... > full story
Global warming may hurt some poor populations, benefit others (March 1, 2010) -- The impact of global warming on food prices and hunger could be large over the next 20 years. But even as some poor populations are hurt, others would be helped out of poverty, according to a new study. ... > full story
E. coli as sole indicator of water pollution questioned (March 1, 2010) -- New research investigating pathogen survival in soils has found that E. coli can become integrated into the indigenous microbial community in soils and survive for more than nine years, considerably longer than scientists initially thought. ... > full story
Mouse model may provide insight into the schizophrenic brain (March 1, 2010) -- Schizophrenia is an incredibly complex and profoundly debilitating disorder that typically manifests in early adulthood but is thought to arise, at least in part, from pathological disturbances occurring during very early brain development. Now, a new study manipulates a known schizophrenia susceptibility gene in the brains of fetal mice to begin to unravel the complex link between prenatal brain development and maturation of information processing and cognition in adult animals. ... > full story
Easing egg allergies with eggs: Oral immunotherapy study shows it works (March 1, 2010) -- Children with egg allergies who consume increasingly higher doses of egg protein -- the very nutrient they react to -- appear to gradually overcome their allergies, tolerating eggs better over time and with milder symptoms, according to new research. ... > full story
Giant plankton-eating fishes roamed prehistoric seas, fossil evidence shows (February 28, 2010) -- Giant plankton-eating fishes roamed the prehistoric seas for over 100 million years before they were wiped out in the same event that killed off the dinosaurs, new fossil evidence has shown. ... > full story
Multiple sclerosis onset: Could mycobacteria play a role? (February 28, 2010) -- A non-pathogenic bacterium is capable to trigger an autoimmune disease similar to the multiple sclerosis in the mouse, the model animal which helps to explain how human diseases work. This is an unprecedented mechanism which could explain how this terrible central nervous system disease starts up in humans. ... > full story
Brown recluse spider is sometimes to blame when anemia strikes (February 28, 2010) -- As spring approaches and people return to outdoor activities, caution should be taken in areas of the country that are home to Loxosceles reclusa, also called the brown recluse spider. A new study found that when patients present with sudden anemia, but the cause is elusive, the brown recluse spider should be part of the differential diagnosis, at least in parts of the nation where the spider is regularly found. ... > full story
Novel way to study human inflammatory disease (February 28, 2010) -- A new study shows mice infected with the bacteria salmonella develop clinical signs consistent with a deadly and poorly understood human inflammatory disease, a finding that may lead to new therapies. ... > full story
Novel compound found effective against avian influenza virus (February 28, 2010) -- A novel compound is highly effective against the pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus, including some drug-resistant strains, according to new research. ... > full story
Tropics: Global warming likely to significantly affect rainfall patterns (February 28, 2010) -- Ocean temperature patterns in the tropics and subtropics will change in ways that will lead to significant changes in rainfall patterns, according to new research. ... > full story
Choking is a leading cause of injury and death among children (February 28, 2010) -- Choking is a leading cause of injury and death among children, especially those younger than 4 years of age. The majority of choking-related incidents among children are associated with food, coins and toys. ... > full story
New process yields high-energy-density, plant-based transportation fuel (February 28, 2010) -- A team of engineers has developed a highly efficient, environmentally friendly process that selectively converts gamma-valerolactone, a biomass derivative, into the chemical equivalent of jet fuel. ... > full story
Large Earthquake Hits Chile, Generates Tsunami Across Pacific (February 27, 2010) -- An 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of central Chile early morning on Saturday, February 27, 2010, about 200 miles southwest of the Chilean capital of Santiago, killing several hundred people and exposing millions of people to strong shaking that toppled many buildings. In addition, a tsunami triggered by the earthquake reverberated through the entire Pacific Ocean. ... > full story
Dolphin cognitive abilities raise ethical questions, says Emory neuroscientist (February 27, 2010) -- Many modern dolphin brains are significantly larger than those of humans and second in mass to the human brain when corrected for body size, says a scientist. Some dolphin brains exhibit features correlated with complex intelligence, including a large expanse of neocortical volume that is more convoluted than that of humans, extensive insular and cingulated regions, and highly differentiated cellular regions. This has ethical and policy considerations. ... > full story
Fueling the future with fish tank residue: Scientist discusses use of algae as biofuel (February 27, 2010) -- As Americans demand new and cleaner ways to meet the country's energy needs, researchers are turning to algae as a promising new fuel source. The approach has the potential to significantly reduce the nation's reliance on imported oil while contributing to rural economic development and lowering greenhouse emissions. ... > full story
Climate change and coral reefs: Coral species has developed the 'skills' to cope with rising temperatures (February 27, 2010) -- Marine reserves are increasingly important for species that are being forced by climate change to move to a new home, adapt to new conditions or die. Biologists have now compared the relative benefits of large and small protected areas in perpetuating populations. Interestingly they have also found a coral species that has developed the "skills" to cope with rising temperatures. ... > full story
Flower power may reduce resistance to breast cancer drug tamoxifen (February 27, 2010) -- Combining tamoxifen, the world's most prescribed breast cancer agent, with a compound found in the flowering plant feverfew may prevent initial or future resistance to the drug, say researchers. The finding provides new insight into the biological roots of that resistance, and also tests a novel way to get around it. ... > full story
Malicious software: Hiding the honeypots (February 27, 2010) -- Armies of networked computers that have been compromised by malicious software are commonly known as Botnets. Such Botnets are usually used to carry out fraudulent and criminal activity on the Internet. Now US computer scientists reveal that the honeypot trap designed to protect computers from Botnets are now vulnerable to attack because of advances in Botnet malware. ... > full story
Threat to monkey numbers from forest decline (February 27, 2010) -- Monkey populations in threatened forests are far more sensitive to damage to their habitat than previously thought. Numbers closely related to the type of habitat found between forest fragments, rather than the distance that separates them. ... > full story
Intelligent energy management for the home (February 27, 2010) -- In order to save energy, consumers need to be able to obtain up-to-date information at any time about the energy consumption of their appliances, and be able to control them while away from home. Scientists have developed two new applications that help consumers manage their power use. ... > full story
Presence of snails points to forest recovery (February 27, 2010) -- Researchers have studied the changes in the make-up of animal populations following forest fires, and have concluded that malacological fauna are a good indicator of forest recovery. The conclusions of this study will help to ensure that post-fire forestry operations that do not harm these species of mollusks, which are sensitive to microclimatic conditions of the soil and vegetation structure. ... > full story
The pig and its pancreas: A unique model for a common disease (February 26, 2010) -- The incidence of diabetes is rising worldwide. Using genetic engineering techniques in pigs, scientists at in Germany have created a new model of this metabolic disorder, which recapitulates many features of the disease, and promises to contribute significantly to improvements in diagnosis and therapy. ... > full story
Scientists unlock key enzyme using newly created 'cool' method (February 26, 2010) -- Scientists -- using a new cooling method they created -- have uncovered the inner workings of a key iron-containing enzyme, a discovery that could help researchers develop new medicines or understand how enzymes repair DNA. Taurine/alpha-ketoglutarate dioxygenase, known as TauD, is a bacterial enzyme that is important in metabolism. Enzymes in this family repair DNA, sense oxygen and help produce antibiotics. ... > full story
How to make French fries with less acrylamide (February 26, 2010) -- Researchers have developed a technique to to reduce acrylamide in French fries on an industrial scale. Acrylamide is a product that may cause cancer and was discovered in various foods. ... > full story
Large Iceberg breaks off Antarctica's Mertz Glacier (February 26, 2010) -- Scientists have discovered the calving of a large iceberg from Antarctica's Mertz Glacier. The iceberg -- 78 kilometres long with a surface area of roughly 2,500 square kilometres, about the size of Luxembourg -- broke off after being rammed by another iceberg, 97 kilometres long. The future position of the two giant icebergs will likely affect local ocean circulation, experts predict. ... > full story
Ancient DNA reveals caribou history linked to volcanic eruption (February 26, 2010) -- DNA recovered from ancient caribou bones reveals a possible link between several small unique caribou herds and a massive volcanic eruption that blanketed much of the Alaskan Yukon territory in a thick layer of ash 1,000 years ago, researchers report. ... > full story
Single-dose HIV DNA vaccine induces long-lasting immune response in monkeys (February 26, 2010) -- For the first time researchers from the U.S. and abroad have shown a single-dose HIV DNA vaccine can induce a long-lasting HIV-specific immune response in nonhuman primates, a discovery that could prove significant in the development of HIV vaccines. ... > full story
Does promiscuity prevent extinction? (February 26, 2010) -- Promiscuous females may be the key to a species' survival, according to new research. The study could solve the mystery of why females of most species have multiple mates, despite this being more risky for the individual. ... > full story
Single-dose H5N1 vaccine safe and effective in adults and elderly (February 26, 2010) -- Researchers from Hungary and the UK have developed a single-dose H5N1 influenza vaccine that induces a protective level of immunity against infection in healthy adult and elderly volunteers. The vaccine is the first single-dose regimen to be tested in elderly subjects and it fulfills all European Union and U.S. licensing criteria offering a promising influenza A virus vaccine candidate. ... > full story
Going green in the hospital: Recycling medical equipment saves money, reduces waste and is safe (February 26, 2010) -- Wider adoption of the practice of recycling medical equipment -- including laparoscopic ports and durable cutting tools typically tossed out after a single use -- could save hospitals hundreds of millions of dollars annually and curb trash at medical centers, the second-largest waste producers in the United States after the food industry. ... > full story
Long-reigning microbe controlling ocean nitrogen shares the throne (February 26, 2010) -- Marine scientists long believed that a microbe called Trichodesmium, a member of a group called the cyanobacteria, reigned over the ocean's nitrogen budget. ... > full story
Natural 'magnetometer' in upper beak of birds? (February 26, 2010) -- Neurobiologists show similar structural candidates for a magnetoreceptor in different bird species. ... > full story
Road transportation emerges as key driver of warming in new analysis from NASA (February 26, 2010) -- For decades, climatologists have studied the gases and particles that have potential to alter Earth's climate. They have discovered and described certain airborne chemicals that can trap incoming sunlight and warm the climate, while others cool the planet by blocking the Sun's rays. Now a new study offers a more intuitive way to understand what's changing the Earth's climate. Rather than analyzing impacts by chemical species, scientists have analyzed the climate impacts by different economic sectors. ... > full story
Novel antitoxin strategy developed using 'tagged binding agents' (February 26, 2010) -- A study involving the world's deadliest substance has yielded a new strategy to clear toxins from the body -- which may lead to more efficient strategies against toxins that may be used in a bioterrorist event, as well as snake bites, scorpion stings, and even some important chronic diseases. ... > full story
Computer models show how skyborne seawater particles change cloud brightness, temperature, rain patterns (February 26, 2010) -- Ships blowing off steam are helping researchers understand how human-made particles might be useful against global warming. New results from modeling clouds like those seen in shipping lanes reveal the complex interplay between aerosols, the prevailing weather and even the time of day the aerosol particles hit the air, according to new research. ... > full story
Interactions between species: Powerful driving force behind evolution? (February 25, 2010) -- Scientists in the UK have provided the first experimental evidence that shows that evolution is driven most powerfully by interactions between species, rather than adaptation to the environment. ... > full story
As Skiers Go Down, Moguls Migrate Up (February 25, 2010) -- Gravity always wins, one might think. Avalanches roar and skiers plunge inexorably downhill. But moguls -- or bumps, as skiers know them -- move uphill. ... > full story
The Philippines triples its rice yield (February 25, 2010) -- In the last 50 years, the Philippines has more than tripled its rice yield, while the world average rice yield has increased only about 2.3 times. ... > full story
The bigger the animal, the stiffer the 'shoes': Carnivores' feet 'tuned' to their body size (February 25, 2010) -- If a Tiger's feet were built the same way as a mongoose's feet, they'd have to be about the size of a hippo's feet to support the big cat's weight. But they're not. ... > full story
Idea of restoring 'natural systems' misses mark as response to climate change challenges, expert argues (February 25, 2010) -- Approaches to formulating geoengineering solutions to global environmental challenges such as climate change are often too one-dimensional, an Arizona expert argues. They fail to move beyond a technical framework and deal with the many societal, cultural and ethical issues that will arise in any large-scale efforts to alter or counteract atmospheric and climate conditions, he says. ... > full story
Optical system promises to revolutionize undersea communications (February 25, 2010) -- In a technological advance that its developers are likening to the cell phone and wireless Internet access, scientists and engineers have devised an undersea optical communications system that -- complemented by acoustics -- enables a virtual revolution in high-speed undersea data collection and transmission. ... > full story
Second hydrocarbon boom threatens the Peruvian Amazon, researchers say (February 25, 2010) -- A rapid and unprecedented proliferation of oil and gas concessions threatens the megadiverse Peruvian Amazon. The amount of area leased is on track to reach around 70% of the region, threatening biodiversity and indigenous people. Researchers have documented the full history of hydrocarbon activities in the region and made projections about expected levels of activity in the near future. ... > full story
Suffocating head lice works in new treatment (February 25, 2010) -- A new non-neurotoxic treatment for head lice has been found to have an average of 91.2 percent treatment success rate after one week, and to be safe in humans from six months of age and up. ... > full story
Laser surgery technique gets new life in art restoration (February 25, 2010) -- A laser technique best known for its use to remove unwanted tattoos from the skin is finding a second life in preserving great sculptures, paintings and other works of art. The technique, called laser ablation, involves removing material from a solid surface by vaporizing the material with a laser beam. ... > full story
Biotech, nanotech and synthetic biology roles in future food supply explored (February 25, 2010) -- Some say the world's population will swell to 9 billion people by 2030, presenting significant challenges for agriculture to provide enough food to meet demand. Scientists explore ways biotechnology could provide healthy and plentiful animal-based foods to meet future demands. ... > full story
Genetic link between misery and death discovered; novel strategy probes 'genetic haystack' (February 25, 2010) -- Researchers have discovered what they describe as a biochemical link between misery and death, and in addition found a specific genetic variation that seems to break that link. Additionally, they have developed a computer model of gene-environment interactions to more efficiently probe the "genetic haystack." ... > full story
Drug delivery breakthrough: Vehicle that can carry drugs to a specific organelle inside the cell (February 25, 2010) -- A team of scientists has got a step closer to one of the holy grails of drug delivery. The goal -- to find a vehicle that can carry drugs not just to a specific cell but a specific organ (organelle) inside the cell, and accurately measure how it behaves when it gets there -- has proved elusive despite two decades of research. ... > full story
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