The EDGE: ScienceDaily Environment Headlines -- for Monday, October 10, 2011

ScienceDaily Environment Headlines

for Monday, October 10, 2011

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Scientists determine alternative insecticide dramatically reduces malaria transmission (October 10, 2011) -- Indoor spraying with the insecticide bendiocarb has dramatically decreased malaria transmission in many parts of Benin, new evidence that insecticides remain a potent weapon for fighting malaria in Africa despite the rapid rise of resistance to an entire class of mosquito-killing compounds, according to a new study. ... > full story

Gray jays' winter survival depends on food storage, study shows (October 10, 2011) -- A new study shows that gray jays hoping to survive and reproduce through Canada's harsh winters need to be able to store food in the right kinds of trees. ... > full story

New method to diagnose sinusitis could reduce use of antibiotics, Swedish research suggests (October 10, 2011) -- Research from Sweden suggests a new method of diagnosing sinusitis. The results offer the potential to reduce the use of antibiotics and the costs of the disease to society. ... > full story

Children's food choices are affected by direct advertising and parental influence, study suggests (October 10, 2011) -- Directly advertising food items to children worries many parents and health care providers, and the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Psychological Association have expressed concern about the negative impact of advertising on children's healthy food choices. A new study explores the relationship between fast food advertisements, parental influence, and the food choices made by children. ... > full story

Aquatic fish jump into picture of evolutionary land invasion (October 9, 2011) -- Research sometimes means looking for one thing and finding another. Such was the case when biology professor Alice Gibb and her research team witnessed a small amphibious fish, the mangrove rivulus, jump with apparent skill and purpose out of a small net and back into the water. This was no random flop, like you might see from a trout that's just been landed. The rivulus seemed to know what it was doing. ... > full story

Tougher, lighter wind turbine blade developed: Polyurethane reinforced with carbon nanotubes (October 9, 2011) -- Efforts to build larger wind turbines able to capture more energy from the air are stymied by the weight of blades. Researchers have now built a prototype blade that is substantially lighter and eight times tougher and more durable than currently used blade materials. ... > full story

Across the Atlantic on flotsam: New fossil findings shed light on the origins of the mysterious bird Hoatzin (October 9, 2011) -- Scientists have examined fossil relatives of the South American Hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin), which point to African origins for the enigmatic bird. ... > full story

New software models immune responses (October 9, 2011) -- New software lets researchers see how the immune system responds to pathogens that invade the bacteria-rich environment of the gut. ... > full story

Electricity from the nose: Engineers make power from human respiration (October 8, 2011) -- The same piezoelectric effect that ignites your gas grill with the push of a button could one day power sensors in your body via the respiration in your nose. ... > full story

A new species of 'gigantic' mollusc has been discovered in the Antarctic waters (October 8, 2011) -- Researchers have discovered a rare mollusc in Antarctic waters that looks the same as limpets but is bigger in size than the species known to date. The specimen appeared in waters much further away from where this type of species is normally found. ... > full story

Early detection of plant disease (October 8, 2011) -- Each year, plant viruses and fungal attacks lead to crop losses of up to 30 percent. That is why it is important to detect plant disease early on. Yet laboratory tests are expensive and often time-consuming. Researchers are now developing a low-cost quick test for use on site. ... > full story

Reefs recovered faster after mass extinction than first thought (October 8, 2011) -- Metazoan-dominated reefs only took 1.5 million years to recover after the largest species extinction 252 million years ago, paleontologists have found, based on fossils from the southwestern United States. ... > full story

Culling can't save the Tasmanian devil, researchers warn (October 8, 2011) -- Culling will not control the spread of facial tumor disease among Tasmanian devils, according to a new study. Unless a way of managing the disease is found, the iconic marsupial could become extinct in the wild within the next 25 years. ... > full story

Worm 'cell death' discovery could lead to new drugs for deadly parasite (October 7, 2011) -- Researchers have for the first time identified a "programmed cell death" pathway in parasitic worms that could one day lead to new treatments for one of the world's most serious and prevalent diseases. ... > full story

A new species of fossil silky lacewing insects that lived more than 120 million years ago (October 7, 2011) -- A team of researchers has discovered a remarkable silky lacewing insect from the Mesozoic of China. ... > full story

New insight into plant immune defenses (October 7, 2011) -- Researchers have identified an important cog in the molecular machinery of plant immunity -- a discovery that could help crop breeders produce disease-resistant varieties to help ensure future food security. There may also be implications for treating human immune-related disorders. ... > full story

Natural compound helps reverse diabetes in mice (October 7, 2011) -- Researchers have restored normal blood sugar metabolism in diabetic mice using a compound the body makes naturally. The finding suggests that it may one day be possible for people to take the compound much like a daily vitamin as a way to treat or even prevent Type 2 diabetes. ... > full story

Novel mechanism for preventing infection via body's mucosal borders (October 7, 2011) -- Researchers have identified a previously unknown mechanism that generates protective immune memory cells to fight recurring infections at the body's mucosal linings -- which include the mouth, the intestines, the lungs and other areas. These are the main entry points for many viruses and other infectious organisms. ... > full story

Pregnant mothers at risk from air pollution, California study suggests (October 7, 2011) -- A California-based study has looked in detail at air quality and the impact of traffic-related air pollution on premature birth. Results from the study show that traffic-related air pollution, especially polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, is associated with up to a 30 percent increase in premature births, and that seasonal changes and vicinity to the coast affected concentration of toxic pollutants in the air. ... > full story

Multibeam sonar can map undersea gas seeps (October 7, 2011) -- A technology commonly used to map the bottom of the deep ocean can also detect gas seeps in the water column with remarkably high fidelity, according to scientists. This finding, made onboard the NOAA ship Okeanos Explorer in the Gulf of Mexico, will lead to more effective mapping of these gas seeps and, ultimately, enhanced understanding of our ocean environments. ... > full story

Ionic liquid catalyst helps turn emissions into fuel (October 7, 2011) -- Scientists have overcome one major obstacle to artificial photosynthesis, a promising technology that simultaneously reduces atmospheric carbon dioxide and produces fuel. They have now used an ionic liquid to catalyze the conversion of CO2 to CO, the first step in making fuel, greatly reducing the energy required to drive the process. ... > full story

Southern California's tectonic plates revealed in detail (October 7, 2011) -- Geologists have produced the most detailed picture of southern California's lithosphere, which is crucial to understanding the geological forces that shaped the area. The team found the lithosphere's thickness differs markedly throughout, yielding new insights into how rifting shaped the southern California terrain. ... > full story

Aggression-boldness gene identified in model fish (October 7, 2011) -- A gene responsible for aggressive and bold behavior has been identified in zebrafish. This specific behavioral association, whose three characteristics are boldness, exploratory behavior and aggressiveness, has been described in many animal species. In zebrafish, it could be due to the action of a single gene (fgfr-1) through its regulation of histamine levels in the brain, as histamine is the neurotransmitter involved in numerous behavioral traits. ... > full story

Lungfish provides insight to life on land: 'Humans are just modified fish' (October 7, 2011) -- A study into the muscle development of several different fish has given insights into the genetic leap that set the scene for the evolution of hind legs in terrestrial animals. This innovation gave rise to the tetrapods -- four-legged creatures, and our distant ancestors -- that made the first small steps on land some 400 million years ago. ... > full story

Is chivalry the norm for insects? (October 7, 2011) -- The long-standing consensus of why insects stick together after mating has been turned on its head. This study shows that, contrary to previous thinking, females benefit from this arrangement just as much as males. Instead of dominating their female partners through bullying and aggressive behavior, males were revealed to be protective, even laying their lives on the line when their mates faced danger. ... > full story

Plants may have the genetic flexibility to respond to climate change (October 6, 2011) -- Plants may have the genetic flexibility to respond to climate change. In experiments with the common European plant Arabidopsis thaliana, scientists have learned that climate is the agent that determines the suite of genes that gives the plant the best chance of surviving and reproducing throughout its natural range. The finding may unlock the molecular basis for other plants' adaptability to climate change. ... > full story

Hundreds of undiscovered artifacts found at Gallipoli battlefield (October 6, 2011) -- More than 100 artifacts from the First World War have been uncovered in an archaeological fieldwork survey on the Gallipoli battlefield, leading to some interesting theories about life on the frontline. ... > full story

Living species of aquatic beetle found in 20-million-year-old sediments (October 6, 2011) -- A study of an Early Miocene fossil from southern Siberia performed by an international team of researchers led to the surprising find that the fossil belongs to a species of aquatic beetles which is still alive today and widely distributed in Eurasia. ... > full story

Archaeologist argues world's oldest temples were not temples at all (October 6, 2011) -- Ancient structures uncovered in Turkey and thought to be the world's oldest temples may not have been strictly religious buildings after all, according to a new article. Archaeologists argue that the buildings found at Gobekli Tepe may have been houses for people, not the gods. ... > full story

Monkeys 'move and feel' virtual objects using only their brains (October 6, 2011) -- In a first ever demonstration of a two-way interaction between a primate brain and a virtual body, two trained monkeys learned to employ brain activity alone to move an avatar hand and identify the texture of virtual objects. ... > full story

Death from above: Parasite wasps attacking ants from the air filmed for the first time (October 6, 2011) -- Flight attacks of small parasitoid wasps (no larger than two millimeters in size) on ant workers have been filmed by researchers. The four species of wasps show amazing adaptations and enormous differences in the tactics they use. Two of the four filmed species are new to science. ... > full story

Young and thin instead of old and bulky: Researchers report on changes in Arctic sea ice after return of research vessel Polarstern (October 6, 2011) -- In the central Arctic the proportion of old, thick sea ice has declined significantly. Instead, the ice cover now largely consists of thin, one-year-old floes. This is one of the results that scientists brought back from the 26th Arctic expedition of the research vessel Polarstern. ... > full story

Baby formula: Inflammatory food toxins found in high levels in infants (October 6, 2011) -- Researchers have found high levels of food toxins called advanced glycation end products in infants. Excessive food AGEs, through both maternal blood transmission and baby formula, could together significantly increase childrens' risk for diseases such as diabetes from a very young age. ... > full story

Key pathway in the nitrogen cycle uncovered: Bacteria forge nitrogen from nitric oxide (October 6, 2011) -- The molecular mechanism of anaerobic ammonium oxidation has been unraveled. The anaerobic oxidation of ammonia (anammox) is an important pathway in the nitrogen cycle that was only discovered in the 1980s. Currently, scientists estimate that about 50 percent of the nitrogen in the atmosphere is forged by this process. A group of specialized bacteria perform the anammox reaction, but so far scientists have been in the dark about how these bacteria could convert ammonia to nitrogen in the complete absence of oxygen. Now, 25 years after its discovery, they finally solved the molecular mechanism of anammox. ... > full story

First comet found with ocean-like water (October 6, 2011) -- New evidence supports the theory that comets delivered a significant portion of Earth's oceans, which scientists believe formed about eight million years after the planet itself. ... > full story

Colossal aggregations of giant alien freshwater fish as a potential biogeochemical hotspot (October 6, 2011) -- Many different types of animals come together to form vast groups -- insect swarms, mammal herds, or bird flocks, for example. Researchers in France added another example to the list: the huge Wels catfish, the world's third largest and Europe's largest freshwater fish. ... > full story

Triple rainbows exist, photo evidence shows (October 6, 2011) -- Single rainbows are inspiring, double rainbows are rare, but tertiary rainbows have been elusive until a meteorologist provided guidelines that showed how to find them. Few people have ever claimed to see three rainbows arcing through the sky at once. In fact, scientific reports of these tertiary rainbows were so rare that until now many scientists believed sightings were as fanciful as Leprechaun's gold at a rainbow's end. These legendary optical rarities have finally been confirmed, thanks to photographic perseverance and a new meteorological model. ... > full story

'Escaped' genetically engineered canola growing outside of established cultivation regions across North Dakota (October 6, 2011) -- A new study reports that genetically engineered canola endowed with herbicide resistance have been found growing outside of established cultivation regions along roadsides across North Dakota. ... > full story

Biologists find 'surprising' number of unknown viruses in sewage (October 6, 2011) -- Though viruses are the most abundant life form on Earth, our knowledge of the viral universe is limited to a tiny fraction of the viruses that likely exist. In a new paper, researchers found that raw sewage is home to thousands of novel, undiscovered viruses, some of which could relate to human health. ... > full story

Components based on nature’s example (October 6, 2011) -- They are lightweight and yet strong and resilient: straw, bamboo, bones and teeth owe their surprising strength to their cleverly designed internal structures and a judicious combination of materials. The same principles can be applied to produce lighter and more durable plastic products. ... > full story

Arctic sea ice continues decline, hits second-lowest level (October 6, 2011) -- Last month the extent of sea ice covering the Arctic Ocean declined to the second-lowest extent on record. Satellite data from NASA and the the National Snow and Ice Data Center showed that the summertime sea ice cover narrowly avoided a new record low. The near-record ice-melt followed higher-than-average summer temperatures, but without the unusual weather conditions that contributed to the extreme melt of 2007. ... > full story

MVA-B Spanish HIV vaccine shows 90 percent immune response in humans (October 6, 2011) -- Phase I clinical trials developed by Spanish researchers reveals MVA-B preventive vaccine's immune efficiency against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). 90% of the volunteers who went through the tests developed an immunological response against the virus and 85% has kept this response for at least one year, according to researchers. ... > full story

Lift weights, eat mustard, build muscles? (October 6, 2011) -- If you want to lean out, add muscle and get ripped, new research suggests to look to your garden for help. Scientists have found that when a specific plant steroid was ingested by rats, it triggered a response similar to anabolic steroids with minimal side effects. The stimulatory effect of homobrassinolide on protein synthesis in muscle cells led to increases in lean body mass, muscle mass, and physical performance. ... > full story

Unlocking jams in fluid materials: A theoretical model to understand how to best avoid jamming of soft matter (October 6, 2011) -- In a new study, a German scientist constructed a theoretical model to understand how to best avoid jamming of soft matter that can be applied in food and cosmetics production. ... > full story

NASA's Aqua satellite sees birth of two tropical cyclones in Eastern Pacific (October 6, 2011) -- The tropics in the eastern Pacific were quiet for a couple of days after Hurricane Hilary dissipated, and today gave birth to Tropical Depression 10 and Tropical Storm Irwin. NASA's Aqua satellite captured an infrared image of both storms and saw the powerful convection in the center of Irwin that enabled the storm to go from a depression to a tropical storm in a short time. ... > full story

3-D look at Philippe provided clues of transition into a hurricane (October 6, 2011) -- Tropical Storm Philippe took its time to strengthen into a hurricane because of wind shear problems. The wind shear lessened, and Philippe became a hurricane today, after 12 days of moving across the Atlantic Ocean. NASA's TRMM satellite saw towering thunderstorms and intense rainfall within Philippe yesterday, which provided forecasters with a clue that the storm was strengthening. Philippe reached hurricane status this morning, Oct. 6, 2011. ... > full story

Pumice proposed as home to the first life forms (October 5, 2011) -- The glassy, porous, and once gas-rich rock called pumice may have given rise to early life forms, according to a provocative new hypothesis on the origin of life. ... > full story

HIV: Cell-penetrating peptides for drug delivery act like a Swiss Army Knife (October 5, 2011) -- Scientists have identified how HIV TAT peptides can have multiple interactions with the membrane, the actin cytoskeleton, and specific cell-surface receptors to produce multiple pathways of translocation under different conditions. Moreover, because they now know how cell penetrating peptides work, it is possible to have a general recipe for reprogramming normal peptides into cell penetrating peptides. ... > full story