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Here is your customized PHYSorg.com Newsletter for July 19, 2011:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Could the Big Bang have been a quick conversion of antimatter into matter?- Scientists discover new water waves
- Study shows voter turnout can be increased with simple word change
- Stellar eclipse gives glimpse of exoplanet
- New graphene discovery boosts oil exploration efforts, could enable self-powered microsensors
- Asexual ants are actually having sex: study
- Researchers discover possible drug targets for common non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
- When viruses attack: Chesapeake virus activity mirrors seasonal changes, plays critical ecosystem role
- Scientists identify molecular basis for DNA breakage
- Gene therapy delivered once to blood vessel wall protects against atherosclerosis in rabbit studies
- Feds: Harvard fellow hacked millions of papers
- Threatened by iPad, PCs start to look like tablets
- Hummingbirds catch flying bugs with the help of fast-closing beaks (w/ video)
- NY judge hearing Google book case grows impatient
- Avian 'Axe effect' attracts attention of females and males
Space & Earth news
Book examines how trees change as they age and grow: What do these clues tell us?
Knowing how trees grow and how they age may be key to further understanding how trees react to a warmer climate, for instance, and other changes. Little is known, however, about the cause of the physical changes associated with tree growth.
How dairy farms contribute to greenhouse gas emissions
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists have produced the first detailed data on how large-scale dairy facilities contribute to the emission of greenhouse gases. This research was conducted by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists at the ARS Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory in Kimberly, Idaho.
Last shuttle leaves space station, due back Thurs.
(AP) -- The last space shuttle is headed home.
NASA inks agreement with maker of Atlas V rocket
NASA said Monday that it had reached an agreement with United Launch Alliance (ULA) to try to adopt the Atlas V commercial rocket to send astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS).
Scientists discover 10 new planets
A total of 10 new planets have been unearthed by an international team of scientists, and one of these is orbiting a star just a few tens of millions years old.
Soil samples reveal urban mercury footprints
Indianapolis, St. Louis, Detroit, Buffalo, Richmond and Providence – cities scattered across the eastern half of the United States – have something in common, all have coal-fired power plants. A new study from the School of Science at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis is among the first to investigate mercury deposits in industrialized city soil near this type of facility.
NASA's infrared satellite data shows warming cloud tops in Tropical Storm Bret
Tropical Storm Bret's cloud tops are getting warmer on NASA infrared satellite imagery. That's an indication that the cloud top heights are dropping and Bret is weakening.
Tropical Storm Dora bringing rough surf to southern Mexico
Tropical Storm Dora was just a depression yesterday. Since then, NASA satellite imagery has watched Dora continue to strengthen as thunderstorm cloud tops have grown much colder. Dora is now stirring up high seas in the eastern Pacific and beach goers in southwestern will encounter warnings because of high surf Dora is kicking up. Warnings are also posted for three western Mexican states.
Russia relishes chances created by end of shuttle
(AP) -- The mothballing of the space shuttle will be mourned by many astronauts, but Russia is relishing the prospect of serving as the only carrier to the International Space Station.
Shuttle Atlantis heads home from space station
The crew of Atlantis undocked Tuesday from the International Space Station, wrapping up the last visit by a US shuttle to the orbiting outpost and setting its sights on an emotional homecoming.
After shuttle lands, Mission Control to go quiet
(AP) -- In the geeky world of space engineering, this large, high-ceilinged room is close to holy. Inside, people speak in hushed tones and observe time-honored traditions.
NASA satellites show heavy rainfall at southeastern coast of Japan
Some of the strongest thunderstorms within Typhoon Ma-on are now affecting the southeastern coast of Japan and appeared on satellite imagery from two NASA satellites. Rough surf, gusty winds and heavy rainfall is affecting eastern coastal Japan today.
Dawn spacecraft returns close-up image of asteroid Vesta
(PhysOrg.com) -- NASA's Dawn spacecraft has returned the first close-up image after beginning its orbit around the giant asteroid Vesta. On Friday, July 15, Dawn became the first probe to enter orbit around an object in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
Neighbor galaxy caught stealing stars
(PhysOrg.com) -- Astronomers from the National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO) and their collaborators have found that hundreds of the stars found in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) were stolen from another nearby galaxy – the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC). The Large and Small Magellanic Clouds are both neighbor galaxies to our Milky Way Galaxy and easily visible to the unaided eye from the southern hemisphere.
Stellar eclipse gives glimpse of exoplanet
A group of astronomers led by an MIT professor has spotted an exoplanetary eclipse of a star only 40 light years away — right around the corner, astronomically speaking — revealing a "super-Earth."
Technology news
Amazon says gets OK for Calif sales tax referendum
(AP) -- Amazon.com Inc. says the California Attorney General's Office has approved its petition for a referendum that would let voters decide whether to overturn a new law that forces online retailers to collect sales taxes in the state.
American Express to offer coupons via Facebook
(AP) -- American Express is jumping into the daily deals arena.
China's online population rises to 485 million
(AP) -- China's online population soared to 485 million as of the end of June as use of mobile phones to surf the Web spreads, an industry group reported Tuesday.
China's Baidu, music labels launch online service
(AP) -- Baidu Inc., which operates China's most popular search engine, said Tuesday it will distribute music from three global labels in a deal that its partners say could help clean up China's piracy-plagued music market.
EU tightens nuclear waste disposal rules
The European Union on Tuesday tightened rules on the disposal of radioactive waste with strict conditions on exporting it outside EU borders.
Microsoft 'vault ' open for dying Google Health records
Microsoft on Monday offered its HealthVault as a new care center for digitized medical records kept at Google's dying Health service.
Apple shares hit record high ahead of earnings
Apple shares hit a record high on Wall Street on Monday ahead of what is expected to be another blockbuster quarterly earnings report by the California gadget-maker.
Taiwan's Acer to invest $4 mn in China R&D centre
Taiwan's leading personal computer maker Acer said Tuesday it will spend $4 million to set up a global R&D centre in western China to boost its production of smartphones and tablet computers.
LulzSec hacks scandal-hit News International websites
Websites owned by Rupert Murdoch's News International were down Tuesday after the Lulz Security hacker group replaced The Sun's online version with a fake story pronouncing the mogul's death.
Accident protection in the windshield
Driver-assistance systems help prevent accidents. Quite simply, the more a car knows about its surroundings, the more intelligently it can respond to them. Researchers have now developed an optical sensor for the windshield that can even tell the difference between fog and darkness. The system will also be available for small cars.
Saving fuel while plowing
Less friction, less power, less fuel – plowshares coated with diamond-like carbon (DLC) slide through the soil like a hot knife through butter. As a result, the tractors pulling them need less power and fuel. In some tests the power required has been reduced by more than 30 percent.
Free tool kit to assist big-data scientists
Two years ago, during a cyberinfrastructure meeting convened by the U.S. National Science Foundation, principal investigators from across the country found their scientific concerns begin to converge.
FBI conducts raids in NY, Calif. in hacking probe
(AP) -- The FBI has raided homes in New York and California during a probe into the hacker group Anonymous.
Canada won't review $4.5B sale of Nortel patents
(AP) -- The $4.5 billion sale of Nortel's patent portfolio to a consortium including Research In Motion Ltd. cleared another hurdle Tuesday as the Canadian government said the deal does not need to be reviewed under the Investment Canada Act.
NYC fires shot at Silicon Valley tech dominance
(AP) -- Mayor Michael Bloomberg is firing a shot across the bow of Silicon Valley, saying New York City's efforts to attract a new science and engineering campus will help the metropolis surpass the California region as the world capital of technology startups.
Yahoo 2Q earnings rise, net revenue sinks 5 pct
(AP) -- Yahoo plodded through another disappointing performance in the second quarter.
US Air Force: We want to use biofuels
The US Air Force is ready to switch to biofuels to help power its warplanes but the price of alternative fuels remains too high, military officials said Tuesday.
Apple results blow past expectations again in 3Q
(AP) -- Apple says results trumped expectations for yet another quarter, with iPhone and iPad sales setting new records.
Rebooting the PC industry: Tablets force a shift
(AP) -- The personal computer industry needs a jumpstart - and it's counting on a rescue from emerging markets and a late-to-the-party push into tablet computers.
Teaching robots to identify human activities
(PhysOrg.com) -- If we someday live in "smart houses" or have personal robots to help around the home and office, they will need to be aware of what humans are doing. You don't remind grandpa to take his arthritis pills if you already saw him taking them -- and robots need the same insight.
Computer scientists say it's time to start looking at treatment of data waste
(PhysOrg.com) -- As anyone who has ever used a Windows based computer for any length of time knows, the longer you have it, the slower it goes; this is because of the accumulation of data files and entries in system logs; information that in many cases isn’t really necessary. Thus, our computers slow down due to the accumulation of "waste." Now, two computer scientists from Johns Hopkins University have published a paper on arXiv, where they argue that data waste management on computer systems could, and should be handled similarly to the way physical-world waste is managed.
NY judge hearing Google book case grows impatient
A judge warned lawyers for authors and publishers and Google Tuesday that he will decide whether snippets of books can be sold online without the permission of copyright holders if the sides do not settle their 6-year-old case soon with an agreement to create a massive online library.
Arbiter says Kodak didn't infringe Apple patents
The U.S. arbiter for trade disputes has spurned Apple Inc.'s digital-camera patent claims against Eastman Kodak Co., a 131-year-old photography pioneer caught in a perilous race to redefine itself in the cutthroat digital-imaging arena.
Feds: Harvard fellow hacked millions of papers
(AP) -- A Harvard University fellow who was studying ethics was charged with hacking into the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's computer network to steal nearly 5 million academic articles.
Medicine & Health news
Conscientious objection to any procedure doctor's right, say medical students
Doctors should be allowed to object to any procedure that conflicts with their personal, moral, or religious beliefs, reveals a survey of medical students, published in the Journal of Medical Ethics.
Depressed heart function from stress improved by a simple sugar
Enhancing the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), an energy carrying molecule in heart cells, may shorten the heart’s recovery time after a heart attack or heart surgery.
Cannabis link to other drugs
Quitting cannabis use in your 20s significantly reduces the chance of progressing to other illicit drugs, according to research published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.
UK suicide, homicide rates in mental health patients revealed
(Medical Xpress) -- Suicide rates among people with mental illness in England and Wales have fallen over the last decade, latest figures show.
To help doctors and patients, researchers are developing a 'vocabulary of pain'
All over the world, patients with chronic pain struggle to express how they feel to the doctors and health-care providers who are trying to understand and treat them.
Red flags on pain reliever safety
For many people, pain relievers are wonder drugs, allowing them to carry on with their lives despite disabling arthritis, for instance, or recurrent headaches. But all pain relievers, whether sold over-the counter (OTC) or by prescription, have potential risks. Recent studies have amplified the concerns.
Tips for battling a deadly heat wave
Forecasters are predicting this week’s heat wave to be one of the hottest this summer. A Loyola physician is available to comment on staying safe.
E-health records should play bigger role in patient safety initiatives, researchers advocate
Patient safety researchers are calling for the expanded use of electronic health records (EHRs) to address the disquieting number of medical errors in the healthcare system that can lead to readmissions and even death. Their commentary is in the July 6 issue of JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association.
Researchers find common test may be unnecessary for bariatric surgery candidates
A new study by researchers from Rhode Island Hospital has found that stress testing with myocardial perfusion imaging as part of a pre-operative workup for bariatric surgery candidates may be unnecessary. The research is published in the Journal of Nuclear Cardiology, and is now available online in advance of print.
New mouse model for testing cancer drugs
Only one in twenty cancer drugs makes its way from the laboratory to become an approved pharmaceutical product. The majority of new agents are only shown to be unsuitable in the later phases of clinical development which would explain the exorbitantly high development costs of 500 to 600 million euros per new cancer drug. In order to recognize at an earlier stage which side effects are associated with the use of new cancer drugs, a research group under the guidance of the Goethe University has developed a new mouse model.
Painful legacy of teen sports
Vigorous sports activities, like basketball, during childhood and adolescence can cause abnormal development of the femur in young athletes, resulting in a deformed hip with reduced rotation and pain during movement. This may explain why athletes are more likely to develop osteoarthritis than more sedentary individuals, according to Dr. Klaus Siebenrock, from the University of Bern in Switzerland, and colleagues, whose work is published online in Springer's journal Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research.
'Funding gap' imperils science exploits, AIDS forum hears
Scientists have now provided revolutionary tools to roll back HIV but only a major funding boost, supported especially by emerging giant economies, will determine the outcome, experts say.
Heartburn treatment may extend survival in IPF patients
Patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) who report treatment for gastroespophageal reflux (GER) appear to have longer survival than IPF patients who are not treated for GERD, according to a new study from the University of California, San Francisco.
Policy: Sex abuse by doctors 'profound betrayal'
(AP) -- The nation's largest pediatricians' group has issued its first policy on protecting children from sexual abuse by doctors, citing a recent Delaware case and urging medical facilities to screen employees for previous abuse.
Testosterone deficiency and replacement therapy in men
Testosterone deficiency (TD), often referred to as hypogonadism, is associated with aging and affects approximately 30 percent of men ages 40-79. To highlight some of the challenges and controversies encountered in diagnosis and treatment of men with TD, the authors of a review article in the American Journal of Medicine introduced a clinical vignette to illustrate the implication of TD on men's overall health and analyzed a number of studies in men receiving Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) to treat TD. The article also provided an algorithm for diagnosis and treatment and addressed the areas of concern and uncertainty involving testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).
Relieving the effects of surgery with hypnosis
When Don Gotler was undergoing two procedures preparing him for treatment for his esophageal cancer last year, his doctor asked if he wanted to take part in the hospital's new hypnotherapy program. Combined with anesthesia, he was told, the hypnosis would help alleviate anxiety and post-surgery pain.
It's simple: increasing complexity of models does not necessarily increase their accuracy
Mathematical modeling of infectious diseases is an important tool in the understanding and prediction of epidemics. Knowledge of social interactions is used to understand how infectious diseases spread through populations and how to control epidemics. New research published in BMC Medicine shows that a model, which included dynamic information about the heterogeneity of contact length and rate of making new contacts, was as effective as a more complex model which included the order of contacts.
Over half of Alzheimer's cases may be preventable, say researchers
Over half of all Alzheimer's disease cases could potentially be prevented through lifestyle changes and treatment or prevention of chronic medical conditions, according to a study led by Deborah Barnes, PhD, a mental health researcher at the San Francisco VA Medical Center.
Manual breast milk expression better than breast pump for poor feeders
Expressing breast milk by hand in the first days after birth is better for boosting breastfeeding rates among poorly feeding newborns than the use of a breast pump, indicates a small study published online in the Archives of Disease in Childhood.
Positive teens become healthier adults
Teenagers are known for their angst-ridden ways, but those who remain happy and positive during the tumultuous teenage years report better general health when they are adults, according to a new Northwestern University study.
No increase in commonest preventable cause of intellectual disability over 20 years
A new study that was prompted by recent reports of an increase in cases of congenital hypothyroidism in the United States, and aimed at assessing the incidence of this condition among Quebec newborns, suggests that the increase is entirely artifactual.
Chinese culture encourages binge drinking in middle-aged men
A nationwide study confirms that binge drinking has reached epidemic proportions in China and argues that efforts to tackle the problem must address the country's unique drinking culture.
Genetically engineered cardiac stem cells repaired damaged mouse heart
Genetically engineered human cardiac stem cells helped repair damaged heart tissue and improved function after a heart attack, in a new animal study.
How flu virus spreads to college community: Major implications for control
Many different strains of the H1N1 influenza virus were represented among 57 students at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) who were infected during the epidemic in the fall of 2009, according to a paper in the July Journal of Virology. The findings have major implications in the controversy over how best to reduce the virus’ spread.
Study: Older adults more willing to wait for gains
Older adults, compared with younger adults, tend to report they are more upbeat and that their emotions and mental health do not interfere with their work and social life. That better mental health allows them to wait longer for a monetary gain, reports a new Cornell study.
Why are Internet anti-vaccine messages dangerous
Evidence has long shown routine vaccines to be safe and effective, but a growing community of critics still claims that they pose more danger than the diseases they prevent. A Google search of "vaccine," for example, produces links to government and science-based vaccine websites on the same screen as official-sounding anti-vaccination links.
Gradual bone reduction seen in some pill users
Birth control pills may reduce a woman's bone density, according to a study published online July 13 in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism by Group Health Research Institute (GHRI) scientists. Impacts on bone were small, depended on the woman's age and the pill's hormone dose, and did not appear until about two years of use. The study size and design allowed the researchers to focus on 14- to 18-year-old teenagers, and to look at how bone density might change when a woman stops using the pill.
Protein boosts lung cancer in smokers, non-smokers; Potential anti-oncogenic target
Lung cancer is strongly correlated with smoking, and most lung cancer patients are current or former smokers. But it is not rare in nonsmokers. Now, a team of researchers from the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, shows that a protein called ID1 is a key player in lung cancer in both smokers and nonsmokers. The research is published in the July issue of the journal Molecular and Cellular Biology.
Teen well-being spills over into young adult health
A new study finds that teens with a positive sense of well-being are more likely to report being healthy in young adulthood. The research suggests this is not just because teenagers who feel good about themselves are healthy in the first place.
Mothers with breastfeeding difficulties more likely to suffer postpartum depression
Women who have breastfeeding difficulties in the first two weeks after giving birth are more likely to suffer postpartum depression two months later compared to women without such difficulties.
Small hippocampus associated with depression in the elderly: Risk factor or shrinkage?
Imaging studies have repeatedly found that people with depression have smaller hippocampal volumes than healthy individuals. The hippocampus is a brain region involved in learning and memory, spatial navigation, and the evaluation of complex life situations or "contexts". However, because in prior studies hippocampal volume was only measured in people once they became depressed, it has been unclear whether a small hippocampus renders a person vulnerable to developing depression, or whether it is a consequence of depression.
Are drinking guidelines adequate regarding the risk of cancer?
A group of French scientists (from the Unit of Research on Nutritional Epidemiology, French National Institute for Agricultural Research, Bobigny, France; the French Institute for Prevention and Health Education, St. Denis, France; and the French National Cancer Institute) have published a paper in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) on guidelines for drinking and the relation of alcohol to cancer.
Studies evaluate the association between physical activity and lower rates of cognitive impairment
Engaging in regular physical activity is associated with less decline in cognitive function in older adults, according to two studies published Online First by Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. The articles are being released on July 19 to coincide with the International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease in Paris and will be included in the July 25 print edition.
Scientists show for first time how early human embryo acquires its shape
How is it that a disc-like cluster of cells transforms within the first month of pregnancy into an elongated embryo? This mechanism is a mystery that man has tried to unravel for millennia.
Does food act physiologically like a 'drug of choice' for some?
Variety is considered the "spice of life," but does today's unprecedented level of dietary variety help explain skyrocketing rates of obesity? Some researchers think it might.
Patients who use anti-depressants are more likely to suffer relapse, researcher finds
Patients who use anti-depressants are much more likely to suffer relapses of major depression than those who use no medication at all, concludes a McMaster researcher.
After PCs, Bill Gates sets out to reinvent WCs
The man who reinvented computers and made PCs a household item in most wealthy nations, Microsoft tycoon turned philanthropist Bill Gates, is now focusing his attention on recasting the WC.
Reservoir dogs: Scientists aim at HIV's last holdout
Just a few years ago, anyone who talked of a cure for the AIDS virus would in all likelihood have met with a sad, ironic smile.
Gov't advisers: No copays for contraceptives
(AP) -- Millions of women stand to gain free access to a broad menu of birth control methods, thanks to a recommendation issued Tuesday by health experts advising the government.
Kidney dopamine regulates blood pressure, life span
The neurotransmitter dopamine is best known for its roles in the brain – in signaling pathways that control movement, motivation, reward, learning and memory.
Calorie counts swing wildly in US restaurants
Nearly one in five dishes served at US restaurants has at least 100 more calories than advertised, a difference that could pack on up to 15 kilograms (22 pounds) per year, said a study on Tuesday.
Precise measurements of cholesterol transport rates give new hope for Alzheimer's treatment
Neutrons have shown the movement of cholesterol between and within cells takes far longer than previously thought. Findings could impact the treatment of a range of diseases linked to abnormal rates of cholesterol transfer.
Cardiac disorder may affect broader range of patients than previously reported
Stress cardiomyopathy (a transient form of acute heart failure triggered by stressful events) appears to have clinical characteristics that are broader than reported previously, including younger patients, men, and patients without an identifiable stressful trigger, according to a study in the July 20 issue of JAMA.
Therapy appears to reduce rate of chemotherapy-induced early menopause for women with breast cancer
Temporarily suppressing ovarian function with use of the hormone analogue triptorelin reduced the occurrence of early menopause induced by chemotherapy among women with breast cancer, according to a study in the July 20 issue of JAMA.
Toddler co-sleeping not associated with developmental issues, study says
(Medical Xpress) -- Researchers from the Stony Brook University School of Medicine in New York, led by Lauren Hale, released a new study in the August issue of Pediatrics that shows bed-sharing or co-sleeping with your toddler does not lead to an increased risk in behavioral or learning problems later in life.
Time and numbers mix together in the brain
(Medical Xpress) -- Clocks tell time in numbers -- and so do our minds, according to a new study which will be published in an upcoming issue of Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science. In two experiments, scientists found that people associate small numbers with short time intervals and large numbers with longer intervals -- suggesting that these two systems are linked in the brain.
Researchers connect gene to pre-Alzheimer's
(Medical Xpress) -- Cornell scientists have shown a significant correlation for the first time between a human gene and people's risk for mild cognitive impairment (MCI), often a precursor to Alzheimer's disease and related forms of dementia.
Study shows new evidence of age-related decline in the brain's master circadian clock
(Medical Xpress) -- A new study of the brain's master circadian clock — known as the suprachiasmatic nucleus, or SCN — reveals that a key pattern of rhythmic neural activity begins to decline by middle age. The study, whose senior author is UCLA Chancellor Gene Block, may have implications for the large number of older people who have difficulty sleeping and adjusting to time changes.
New lung cancer gene found
A major challenge for cancer biologists is figuring out which among the hundreds of genetic mutations found in a cancer cell are most important for driving the cancer’s spread.
Researchers discover possible drug targets for common non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine have discovered a novel interaction between two proteins involved in regulating cell growth that could provide possible new drug targets for treating diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, the most common type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Gene therapy delivered once to blood vessel wall protects against atherosclerosis in rabbit studies
A one-dose method for delivering gene therapy into an arterial wall effectively protects the artery from developing atherosclerosis despite ongoing high blood cholesterol. The promising results, published July 19 in the journal Molecular Therapy, came from research in rabbits.
Biology news
Mysterious fossils provide new clues to insect evolution
German scientists at the Stuttgart Natural History Museum were leading in the discovery of a new insect order from the Lower Cretaceous of South America. The spectacular fossils were named Coxoplectoptera by their discoverers and their findings were published in a special issue on Cretaceous Insects in the scientific journal Insect Systematics & Evolution.
Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia yield 18 new species of rare ferns and flowering plants
Recent botanical exploration efforts in the rugged Marquesas Islands (French Polynesia) have increased the known flora of the archipelago by an impressive 20%. Field research and collecting in conjunction with the Vascular Flora of the Marquesas Islands and Flore de la Polynesie française projects have yielded 62 new species of ferns and flowering plants bringing the total native species to 360, of which 18 are newly described and illustrated in a special issue of PhytoKeys.
Weather conditions could results in cattle heat stress
Cattle producers should be aware that forecasted weather conditions could result in significant heat stress issues in cattle. The US Meat Animal Research Center predicts danger or emergency conditions through most of South Dakota beginning Saturday, July 16 and extending well into next week. In addition to afternoon temperatures forecast in the mid to upper 90s, recent moisture and humidity increases the risk of a more intense heat stress event according to Extension Beef Feedlot Specialist Ben Holland. Although some cloud cover and isolated thunderstorms are forecasted for Sunday, many areas will be hot and sunny most of the day and cattle could really start to suffer on Monday and Tuesday of next week.
Study shows small-scale fisheries' impact on marine life
Small-scale fisheries could pose a more serious threat to marine life than previously thought. Research led by the University of Exeter, published today (19 July) in the British Ecological Society's Journal of Applied Ecology, shows that tens of thousands of turtles from across the Pacific are being captured through the activities of small-scale fisheries.
Scientists find rice 'chalk' gene, eye yield rise
Scientists expect to soon be able to remove a chalk-like part of rice, dramatically raising global harvests amid rising demand for the staple, an international research outfit said Tuesday.
Tortoise populations can withstand fires every 30 years
Populations of spur-thighed tortoises (Testudo graeca), a species classified as vulnerable and at risk of extinction, can withstand fires if outbreaks occur once every three decades or more. However, the youngest tortoises are more vulnerable, and disappear after each fire. These are the results of a study by Spanish researchers, who analysed the impact of a 2004 forest fire in the Sierra de la Carrasquilla mountains in Murcia (Spain) on these reptiles.
Antibiotic disrupts termite microflora, reducing fertility, longevity
The microbial flora of the termite gut are necessary both for cellulose digestion and normal reproduction, and feeding the insects antibiotics can interfere in these processes, according to a paper in the July issue of the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology.
New light on otter mystery
(PhysOrg.com) -- The solitary and mysterious lives of British otters are being uncovered by Cardiff scientists – thanks to help from the public.
Scientists studying wasps discover being social is better for fighting disease
(PhysOrg.com) -- In a paper release today, a group of scientists from Macquarie University studying the evolution of disease resistance in insects have found evidence that social species of wasps show significantly higher antimicrobial activity than solitary species.
Farming and the fate of wild nature
Farming is the greatest extinction threat to birds, mammals, plants and insects, and widespread land clearing, irrigation and chemical treatments have profoundly affected wild species and habitats the world over. But why should we care about biodiversity when the necessity of meeting an expected doubling of global food demand is only decades away?
The decoding of slowness: Zoologists find out how sloths perfected energy saving
Zoologists of the Friedrich Schiller University Jena found out how sloths move and how their locomotive system adapted to their unhurried lifestyle in the course of evolution.
Study finds some desert birds less affected by wildfires and climate change
A new Baylor University study has found that some bird species in the desert southwest are less affected, and in some cases positively influenced, by widespread fire through their habitat. In fact, the Baylor researchers say that fire actually helps some bird species because of the habitat that is formed after a fire is positive for the bird's prey needs.
Loss of large predators has caused widespread disruption of ecosystems
(PhysOrg.com) -- The decline of large predators and other "apex consumers" at the top of the food chain has disrupted ecosystems all over the planet, according to a review of recent findings conducted by an international team of scientists and published in the July 15 issue of Science.
When viruses attack: Chesapeake virus activity mirrors seasonal changes, plays critical ecosystem role
The Chesapeake Bay houses a huge diversity of fish, birds, plants, and mammals. But to understand this vital habitat, University of Delaware scientists studied its tiniest inhabitants -- viruses -- and found that they play an extremely important role in the workings of the ecosystem.
Scientists identify molecular basis for DNA breakage
Scientists from the Hebrew University have identified the molecular basis for DNA breakage, a hallmark of cancer cells. The findings of this research have just been published in the journal Molecular Cell.
Hummingbirds catch flying bugs with the help of fast-closing beaks (w/ video)
The shape of a hummingbird's beak allows for a "controlled elastic snap" that allows it to snatch up flying insects in a mere fraction of a second —with greater speed and power than could be achieved by jaw muscles alone, says a new study in a forthcoming issue of Journal of Theoretical Biology.
Avian 'Axe effect' attracts attention of females and males
In a case of life imitating art, avian scents given off by male songbirds have the females (and males) flocking in.
Engineering excitable cells for studies of bioelectricity and cell therapy
By altering the genetic makeup of normally "unexcitable" cells, Duke University bioengineers have turned them into cells capable of generating and passing electrical current.
Asexual ants are actually having sex: study
(PhysOrg.com) -- A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has looked at the asexual Latin American ants Mycocepurus smithii and found that they are actually having sex.
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