ScienceDaily Environment Headlines
for Friday, March 5, 2010
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Precursors of life-enabling organic molecules in Orion Nebula unveiled by Herschel Space Observatory (March 5, 2010) -- ESA's Herschel Space Observatory has revealed the chemical fingerprints of potential life-enabling organic molecules in the Orion Nebula, a nearby stellar nursery in our Milky Way galaxy. ... > full story
For California vintners, it's not easy being green (March 5, 2010) -- California wine is like Kermit the Frog, suggests a new study. It isn't easy being green. Wine made with organically grown grapes enjoy higher ratings than conventionally produced wines. So long as "organic" doesn't appear on the label, they also command a considerably higher price. But once vintners slap an eco-label on certified wines, the price premium evaporates. They sell for 7 percent less than their conventionally produced counterparts. ... > full story
Plodding amoeba flips into free-swimming flagellate: Naegleria genome sheds light on transition from prokaryotes to eukaryotes (March 5, 2010) -- Scientists have sequenced the genome of a weird creature that exists as an amoeba until the food runs out, then turns into a two-tailed swimmer to find new hunting grounds. The organism, Naegleria, is an early eukaryote -- a cell with a nucleus and internal organs -- and could shed light on the origin of complex cells like those in humans, according to an analysis. ... > full story
Waste could generate up to 7 percent of electricity in Spain (March 5, 2010) -- Researchers have calculated the energy and economic potential of urban solid waste, sludge from water treatment plants and livestock slurry for generating electricity in Spain. These residues are alternative sources of renewable energy, which are more environmentally friendly and, in the case of solid urban waste, more cost effective. ... > full story
Asteroid killed off the dinosaurs, says international scientific panel (March 4, 2010) -- The Cretaceous-Tertiary mass extinction, which wiped out the dinosaurs and more than half of species on Earth, was caused by an asteroid colliding with Earth and not massive volcanic activity, according to a comprehensive review of all the available evidence. ... > full story
Warming coastal water, thinning marine populations: Tracking of 2010 El Niño reveals marine life reductions (March 4, 2010) -- The ongoing El Niño of 2010 is affecting north Pacific Ocean ecosystems in ways that could affect the West Coast fishing industry, according to scientists. Researchers report a stronger than normal northward movement of warm water up the Southern California coast, a high sea-level event in January and low abundances of plankton and pelagic fish -- all conditions consistent with El Niño. ... > full story
Mercurial tuna: Study explores sources of mercury to ocean fish (March 4, 2010) -- With concern over mercury contamination of tuna on the rise and growing information about the health effects of eating contaminated fish, scientists would like to know exactly where the pollutant is coming from and how it's getting into open-ocean fish species. ... > full story
Bacterial balance keeps us healthy: Microbial genes in gut outnumber genes in human body (March 4, 2010) -- The thousands of bacteria, fungi and other microbes that live in our gut are essential contributors to our good health. They break down toxins, manufacture some vitamins and essential amino acids, and form a barrier against invaders. A new study shows that, at 3.3 million, microbial genes in our gut outnumber previous estimates for the whole of the human body. ... > full story
Evidence of increasing antibiotic resistance in soil microbes (March 4, 2010) -- Scientists are reporting disturbing evidence that soil microbes have become progressively more resistant to antibiotics over the last 60 years. Surprisingly, this trend continues despite apparent more stringent rules on use of antibiotics in medicine and agriculture, and improved sewage treatment technology that broadly improves water quality in surrounding environments. ... > full story
Measuring impact nanoparticles on health and environment by looking at blood stream of chicken embryos (March 4, 2010) -- Researchers are a step closer to helping solve a complex problem in nanotechnology: the impact nanoparticles have on human health and the environment. They have developed a methodology to measure various aspects of nanoparticles in the blood stream of chicken embryos. ... > full story
Genetic variant offers protection against tuberculosis and leprosy (March 4, 2010) -- When people get exposed to the mycobacterium responsible for tuberculosis, some will become sick with a disease that is a major cause of mortality around the world while others simply don't. Now, researchers can point to one important reason for this variation in susceptibility or resistance. It turns out individuals with a certain genetic variation are less likely to succumb to tuberculosis. They also appear to gain protection against leprosy, a disease which is also caused by mycobacterial infection. ... > full story
New way to control disease-spreading mosquitoes: Make them hold their urine (March 4, 2010) -- Researchers have found a protein that may lead to a new way to control mosquitoes that spread dengue fever, yellow fever and other diseases when they feed on humans: Prevent them from urinating as they feed on blood. ... > full story
Second dose of gene therapy for inherited blindness proves safe in animal studies (March 4, 2010) -- A research team that conducted the gene therapy trial for an inherited blindness reports that a study in animals has shown that a second injection of genes into the opposite, previously untreated eye is safe and effective, with no signs of interference from unwanted immune reactions following the earlier injection. These new findings suggest that patients who benefit from gene therapy in one eye may experience similar benefits from treatment in the other eye. ... > full story
Early test for a killer of the sickest (March 4, 2010) -- An early test for fungal infections that measures how a patient's genes are responding could save the lives of some very sick patients. Researchers have devised an early gene-expression test for the fungal pathogen Candida that worked in mice. ... > full story
Oldest known dinosaur relative discovered (March 4, 2010) -- Paleontologists have discovered a dinosaur-like animal living 10 million years earlier than the oldest known dinosaurs. The researchers suggest that dinosaurs and other close relatives might have also lived much earlier than previously thought. ... > full story
Hydrothermal vents discovered off Antarctica (March 4, 2010) -- Scientists have found evidence of hydrothermal vents on the seafloor near Antarctica, formerly a blank spot on the map for researchers wanting to learn more about seafloor formation and the bizarre life forms drawn to these extreme environments. ... > full story
More, better biodiesel (March 4, 2010) -- Higher yields of better-performing biodiesel could be produced using a new method. ... > full story
A convincing mimic: Scientists report octopus imitating flounder in the Atlantic (March 4, 2010) -- Cephalopod experts report the exceptional camouflage capabilities of the Atlantic longarm octopus, Macrotritopus defilippi, whose strategy for avoiding predators includes expertly disguising itself as a flounder. While researchers have documented two other species of octopuses imitating flounder in Indonesian waters, this is the first report of flounder mimicry by an Atlantic octopus, and only the fourth convincing case of mimicry for cephalopods. ... > full story
With just one enzyme missing, mice show 'global' metabolic improvements (March 4, 2010) -- When researchers created mice lacking an enzyme that breaks down and releases stored triglycerides, they expected to see animals with better lipid profiles. But according to a new study, they got more than they bargained for. The triacylglycerol hydrolase (TGH)-deficient mice showed global metabolic benefits, with essentially no downside. ... > full story
Gene regulation: Can we stomach it? New technique fights against cause of peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer (March 4, 2010) -- A breakthrough in decoding gene regulation of Helicobacter pylori has been made by an international research team. Using a newly developed sequencing technique, the researchers discovered 60 small ribonucleic acids -- tiny RNA-particles which can regulate genes -- in the genome of this human pathogen. These findings could facilitate the development of new therapeutic strategies against this widespread pathogen. ... > full story
Participation important for healthy marine parks (March 4, 2010) -- The involvement of locals is a key ingredient in the success of marine parks which protect coral reefs and fish stocks. The largest-scale study to date of how coastal communities influence successful outcomes in marine reserves has found that human population pressure was a critical factor in whether or not a reserve succeeded in protecting marine resources -- but so too was local involvement in research and management. ... > full story
How trauma leads to inflammatory response: Mitochondria may be at root of dangerous complications from injury (March 4, 2010) -- A new study suggests that mitochondria can be released into the bloodstream following physical injury, resulting in a sepsis-like immune response, and leading to the onset of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome. ... > full story
Pesky aphid thrives despite weak immune system (March 4, 2010) -- Pea aphids, expert survivors of the insect world, appear to lack major biological defenses, according to the first genetic analysis of their immune system. ... > full story
Sea squirt offers hope for Alzheimer's sufferers (March 3, 2010) -- Plaques and tangles in the brains of Alzheimer's patients mark its slow, inexorable progression. Finding new drugs to prevent plaques is currently the best hope for sufferers. However, efficient drug screens that detect plaque formation are often impossible due to their slow formation. Researchers have now identified the sea squirt, our closest invertebrate relative, as a potential new resource for drug development. ... > full story
Faster method to detect bacterial contamination in coastal waters developed (March 3, 2010) -- Currently, beachgoers are informed about water quality conditions based on results from the previous day's sample. Scientists must collect samples in the field, then return to a lab to culture them for analysis -- a process that takes a minimum of 24 hours. Now, engineers have sped up the process of analyzing bacterial concentrations to under one hour, through the development of a new in-field, rapid detection method. ... > full story
Mother's milk kick-starts liver to produce molecule that turns on heat-generating brown fat (March 3, 2010) -- In newborn mice, at least, mother's milk appears to have some rather immediate and potentially far-reaching metabolic consequences. The milk intake kick-starts the liver to produce a molecule that then turns on heat-generating brown fat. ... > full story
'History Detectives' investigate the case of the mylar mystery (March 3, 2010) -- There is a mystery afoot at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center -- the case of the mylar mystery to be exact. The PBS show "The History Detectives" recently investigated questions surrounding one clue -- a small, unassuming, silver sample of mylar with pink residue on one side. The mystery to be solved was whether or not this bit of mylar was from Goddard's Echo II satelloon project. Satelloons are a combination of satellites and balloons which were constructed out of bright, metallic mylar for increased visibility. ... > full story
Modern man found to be generally monogamous, moderately polygamous (March 3, 2010) -- New research has found that modern man, or Homo sapiens, would have been monogamous while exhibiting tendencies toward polygamy over the course of evolutionary history. These findings are consistent with studies in evolutionary psychology and anthropology that depict contemporary human populations. ... > full story
Artificial bee silk a big step closer to reality (March 3, 2010) -- Scientists have achieved another important milestone in the international quest to artificially produce insect silk. ... > full story
Foodborne illness costs US 2 billion annually, landmark report estimates (March 3, 2010) -- A new study estimates the total economic impact of foodborne illness across the U.S. to be a combined 2 billion annually. ... > full story
Sorting device for analyzing biological reactions puts the power of a lab in a researcher’s pocket (March 3, 2010) -- Researchers have demonstrated a new microfluidic sorting device that rapidly analyzes millions of biological reactions. Smaller than an iPod Nano, the device analyzes reactions a 1,000-times faster and uses 10 million-fold less volumes of reagent than conventional state-of-the-art robotic methods. The scientists anticipate that the invention could reduce screening costs by 1 million-fold and make directed evolution more commonplace in the lab. ... > full story
Canine morphology: Hunting for genes and tracking mutations (March 3, 2010) -- Why do domestic dogs vary so much in size, shape, coat texture, color and patterning? Study of the dog genome has reached a point where the molecular mechanisms governing such variation across mammalian species are becoming understood. ... > full story
Bringing bison back to North American landscapes (March 3, 2010) -- The next 10 to 20 years could be extremely significant for restoring wild populations of American bison to their original roaming grounds. But for this to happen, more land must be made available for herds to roam free, government policies must be updated and the public must change its attitude towards bison, a new report says. ... > full story
'Missing link' fossil was not human ancestor as claimed, anthropologists say (March 3, 2010) -- A fossil that was celebrated last year as a possible "missing link" between humans and early primates is actually a forebear of modern-day lemurs and lorises, according new research. ... > full story
'Pompeii-like' excavations tell us more about Toba super-eruption (March 3, 2010) -- Newly discovered archaeological sites in southern and northern India have revealed how people lived before and after the colossal Toba volcanic eruption 74,000 years ago. ... > full story
Cocaine-related deaths rise in warm weather, study finds (March 3, 2010) -- Researchers in the United States have discovered that accidental overdose deaths involving cocaine rise when the average weekly ambient temperature passes 24 degrees Celsius (75 degrees Fahrenheit). ... > full story
Red tide: Researchers issue outlook for a significant New England bloom of a toxic alga in 2010 (March 3, 2010) -- Scientists have issued an outlook for a significant regional bloom of a toxic alga that can cause 'red tides' in the spring and summer of this year, potentially threatening the New England shellfish industry. This year's bloom could be similar to the major red tides of 2005 and 2008. ... > full story
Health care volunteers and disasters: First, be prepared (March 3, 2010) -- A surge in volunteers following a major disaster can overwhelm a response system, and without overall coordination, can actually make a situation worse instead of better. The outpouring of medical volunteers who responded to the devastating earthquake that rocked Haiti in January provides a roadmap for health care providers during future disasters, say the authors of a new article. ... > full story
Mass loss from Alaskan glaciers overestimated? Previous melt contributed a third less to sea-level rise than estimated (March 3, 2010) -- The melting of glaciers is well documented, but when looking at the rate at which they have been retreating, a team of international researchers steps back and says not so fast. Previous studies have largely overestimated mass loss from Alaskan glaciers over the past 40-plus years, according to a new study that recalculates glacier melt in Alaska. ... > full story
Glue, fly, glue: Caddisflies' underwater silk adhesive might suture wounds (March 3, 2010) -- Like silkworm moths, butterflies and spiders, caddisfly larvae spin silk, but they do so underwater instead on dry land. Now, researchers have discovered why the fly's silk is sticky when wet and how that may make it valuable as an adhesive tape during surgery. ... > full story
Where will the next food crisis strike? Extended geographical monitoring using satellite observation (March 3, 2010) -- Satellite observation is the key instrument that will allow to double in 2010 the number of countries monitored in real time for detecting first indications of adverse agricultural outcomes. The new Integrated Phase Classification system facilitates and accelerates the reaction time to food security crises by allowing a common and internationally recognized classification of their severity. ... > full story
Baby monkeys receive signals through their mother's breast milk that affect behavior and temperament (March 3, 2010) -- Among rhesus macaque monkeys, mothers who weigh more and have had previous pregnancies produce more and better breast milk for their babies than mothers who weigh less and are less experienced. Scientists are using this natural variation in breast milk quality and quantity to show that a mother's milk sends a reliable signal to infants about their environment. This signal may program the infant's behavior and temperament. ... > full story
Imaging studies reveal order in programmed cell death (March 3, 2010) -- Every day, about 10 billion cells in a human body commit suicide. Cells infected by virus, that are transformed or otherwise dysfunctional altruistically sacrifice themselves for the greater good. Now, new imaging experiments have revealed a previously unseen order to this process, showing closely related cells dying in synchrony as a wave of destruction sweeps across their mitochondria, snuffing out the main source of energy that keeps cells alive. ... > full story
Strategies to curb urban heat island (March 3, 2010) -- Protect yourself from the summer sun is good advice to children who want to play outside on a hot summer day and it is good advice to cities as a way to mitigate the phenomenon known as urban heat island, according to experts. ... > full story
Leaf veins inspire a new model for distribution networks (March 3, 2010) -- A straight line may be the shortest path from A to B, but it's not always the most reliable or efficient way to go. In fact, depending on what's traveling where, the best route may run in circles, according to a new model that bucks decades of theorizing on the subject. A team of biophysicists have developed a mathematical model showing that complex sets of interconnecting loops -- like the netted veins that transport water in a leaf -- provide the best distribution network for supplying fluctuating loads to varying parts of the system. It also shows that such a network can best handle damage. ... > full story
Marine spatial planning: A more balanced approach to ocean management (March 3, 2010) -- The old balkanized approach to ocean management, in which different resources and activities are governed by different laws and agencies, has failed to protect ocean ecosystems or reduce conflicts between ocean users, a panel of international scientists says. It should be replaced with a more balanced approach using marine spatial planning. ... > full story
More efficient methods of food-recall notices needed, expert urges (March 3, 2010) -- Consumers need faster, more efficient ways of being notified when there is a recall of food products, according to one Michigan expert. ... > full story
Road salt and cars produce extreme water contamination in Frenchman's Bay, Ontario, Canada (March 3, 2010) -- The levels of contamination to water and sediment in Frenchman's Bay in Pickering, Ontario, greatly exceed provincial water quality standards, in some cases by as much as 250 per cent, according to a new study. This is largely due to large amounts of road salt applied in winter, especially to Highway 401, the study finds. ... > full story
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