The EDGE: ScienceDaily Environment Headlines -- for Friday, February 17, 2012

ScienceDaily Environment Headlines

for Friday, February 17, 2012

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'Honeycombs' and hexacopters help tell story of Mars (February 16, 2012) -- In a rough-and-tumble wonderland of plunging canyons and towering buttes, some of the still-raw bluffs are lined with soaring, six-sided stone columns so orderly and trim, they could almost pass as relics of a colossal temple. The secret of how these columns, packed in edge to edge, formed en masse from a sea of molten rock is encrypted in details as tiny as the cracks running across their faces. To add to this mystery's allure, decoding it might do more than reveal the life story of some local lava: it might help explain the history of Mars. ... > full story

'Mini-cellulose' molecule unlocks biofuel chemistry (February 16, 2012) -- Chemical engineers have discovered a small molecule that behaves the same as cellulose when it is converted to biofuel. Studying this "mini-cellulose" molecule reveals for the first time the chemical reactions that take place in wood and prairie grasses during high-temperature conversion to biofuel. ... > full story

Gecko feet inspire amazing glue that can hold 700 pounds on smooth wall (February 16, 2012) -- Biologists have long been amazed by gecko feet, which allow 5-ounce lizards to produce an adhesive force equivalent to carrying 9 lbs. up a wall without slipping. Now, a team of polymer scientists and a biologist have invented “Geckskin,” an adhesive device that can hold 700 pounds on a smooth wall. ... > full story

New molecular map to guide development of new treatments for multiple sclerosis and other diseases (February 16, 2012) -- Scientists have created the first high-resolution virtual image of cellular structures called S1P1 receptors, which are critical in controlling the onset and progression of multiple sclerosis and other diseases. This new molecular map is already pointing researchers toward promising new paths for drug discovery and aiding them in better understanding how certain existing drugs work. ... > full story

Light shed on how body fends off bacteria (February 16, 2012) -- Scientists have developed the first 3D look at the interaction between an immune sensor and a protein that helps bacteria move. ... > full story

To understand chromosome reshuffling, look to the genome's 3-D structure (February 16, 2012) -- That our chromosomes can break and reshuffle pieces of themselves is nothing new; scientists have recognized this for decades, especially in cancer cells. The rules for where chromosomes are likely to break and how the broken pieces come together are only just now starting to come into view. Researchers have brought those rules into clearer focus by discovering that where each of the genome's thousands of genes lie within the cell's nucleus -- essentially, the genome's three-dimensional organization -- holds great influence over where broken chromosome ends rejoin. This knowledge could shed light on fundamental processes related to cancer and normal cellular functions -- for example, in immunity. ... > full story

New ability to regrow blood vessels holds promise for treatment of heart disease (February 16, 2012) -- Researchers have demonstrated a new and more effective method for regrowing blood vessels in the heart and limbs -- a research advancement that could have major implications for how we treat heart disease, the leading cause of death in the Western world. ... > full story

Nanoparticles may enhance cancer therapy (February 16, 2012) -- A mixture of current drugs and carbon nanoparticles shows potential to enhance treatment for head-and-neck cancers, especially when combined with radiation therapy, according to new research. ... > full story

Fossilized pollen unlocks secrets of ancient royal garden (February 16, 2012) -- The garden at the 2,500-year-old palace of Ramat Rahel in Israel hasn't been in bloom for more than two millennia. But now researchers say that pollen recovered from its plaster walls will permit them to reconstruct it for public enjoyment once again. ... > full story

Preventing the Tasmanian devil's downfall: Genome of contagious cancer sheds light on disease origin and spread (February 16, 2012) -- Researchers have sequenced the genome of a contagious cancer that is threatening the Tasmanian devil, the world's largest carnivorous marsupial, with extinction. Cataloguing the mutations present in the cancer has led to clues about where the cancer came from and how it became contagious. ... > full story

The splice of life: Proteins cooperate to regulate gene splicing (February 16, 2012) -- In a step toward deciphering the “splicing code” of the human genome, researchers have comprehensively analyzed six of the more highly expressed RNA binding proteins collectively known as heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoparticle (hnRNP) proteins. ... > full story

Quest for sugars involved in origin of life (February 16, 2012) -- Researchers have managed to isolate a sugar – a ribose – in gas phase and to characterize a number of its structures. Sugars give rise to enormous biochemical interest given the importance and diversity of the functions they carry out: they act as an energy storage system and serve as fuel for a number of biological systems; they form part of DNA and of ribonucleic acid (RNA) and, moreover, play a key role in cell processes. Recently interest in sugars has also been increasingly attracting the attention of cosmochemistry, more concretely, in the search for the fundamental matter of the origin of life in interstellar space. ... > full story

Can cold-water corals adapt to climate change? (February 16, 2012) -- By absorbing about a third of human-made carbon dioxide, the ocean decelerates global warming. However, when dissolved in seawater, carbon dioxide reacts to produce carbonic acid, causing seawater pH to decrease. It also diminishes the concentration of carbonate ions, thereby putting organisms forming their shells and skeletons from calcium carbonate at risk. Apart from plankton, algae, mussels and snails, stony corals are among those particularly endangered: Their skeletons consist of aragonite, the most soluble form of calcium carbonate. ... > full story

Why do dinosaur skeletons look so weird? (February 16, 2012) -- Many fossilized dinosaurs have been found in a twisted posture. Scientists have long interpreted this as a sign of death spasms. Researchers have now come to the conclusion that these bizarre deformations occurred only during decomposition of dead dinosaurs. ... > full story

Microbial oasis discovered beneath the Atacama Desert (February 16, 2012) -- Two meters below the surface of the Atacama Desert there is an 'oasis' of microorganisms. Researchers have found it in hypersaline substrates thanks to SOLID, a detector for signs of life which could be used in environments similar to subsoil on Mars. ... > full story

BIg step toward vaccine for Hepatitis C (February 16, 2012) -- Researchers have made the discovery of a vaccine that will potentially help combat hepatitis C. ... > full story

Low-carbon technologies 'no quick-fix': May not lessen global warming until late this century (February 16, 2012) -- A drastic switch to low carbon-emitting technologies, such as wind and hydroelectric power, may not yield a reduction in global warming until the latter part of this century, new research suggests. Furthermore, it states that technologies that offer only modest reductions in greenhouse gases, such as the use of natural gas and perhaps carbon capture and storage, cannot substantially reduce climate risk in the next 100 years. ... > full story

Time of year important in projections of climate change effects on ecosystems (February 15, 2012) -- Based on more than 25 years of data, ecologists looked at how droughts and heat waves affect grass growth during different months of the year. ... > full story

Extreme summer temperatures occur more frequently in U.S. now, analysis shows (February 15, 2012) -- Extreme summer temperatures are already occurring more frequently in the United States, and will become normal by mid-century if the world continues on a business as usual schedule of emitting greenhouse gases. By analyzing observations and results obtained from climate models, a new study has shown that previously rare high summertime (June, July and August) temperatures are already occurring more frequently in some regions of the 48 contiguous United States. ... > full story

Computer sleuthing helps unravel RNA's role in cellular function (February 15, 2012) -- Computer engineers may have just provided the medical community a new way of figuring out exactly how one of the three building blocks of life forms and functions. They have used a complex computer program to analyze RNA motifs – the subunits that make up RNA. ... > full story

Climate change may increase risk of water shortages in hundreds of US counties by 2050 (February 15, 2012) -- More than one in three counties in the US could face a "high" or "extreme" risk of water shortages due to climate change by the middle of the 21st century, according to a new study. The report concluded seven in 10 of the more than 3,100 counties could face "some" risk of shortages of fresh water. ... > full story

Out of Africa? Data fail to support language origin in Africa (February 15, 2012) -- Last year, a report claiming to support the idea that the origin of language can be traced to West Africa appeared in Science. The article caused quite a stir. Now a linguist has challenged its conclusions, in a commentary just published in Science. ... > full story

Prions play powerful role in the survival and evolution of wild yeast strains (February 15, 2012) -- Scientists have tested nearly 700 wild yeast strains isolated from diverse environments for the presence of known and unknown prion elements, finding them in one third of all strains. All the prions appear capable of creating diverse new traits, nearly half of which are beneficial. These unexpected findings stand as strong evidence against the common argument that prions are merely yeast "diseases" or rare artifacts of laboratory culture. ... > full story

Lava formations in Western U.S. linked to rip in giant slab of Earth (February 15, 2012) -- Scientists have proposed mass melting as a new force behind volcanic activity in the Columbia River region. ... > full story

Stretching helices help keep muscles together (February 15, 2012) -- Scientists have discovered that the elastic part of myomesin, a protein that links muscle filaments, can stretch to two and a half times its original length, unfolding in a way that was hitherto unknown. ... > full story

New defense mechanism against viruses and cancer identified (February 15, 2012) -- Scientists have found a fundamentally new mechanism how our defense system is ramped up when facing a viral intruder. Exploitation of this mechanism in vaccines sparks new hope for better prevention and therapy of infectious diseases and cancer. ... > full story

In the mouth, smoking zaps healthy bacteria (February 15, 2012) -- According to a new study, smoking causes the body to turn against its own helpful bacteria, leaving smokers more vulnerable to disease. ... > full story

NASA Landsat's thermal infrared sensor arrives at Orbital (February 15, 2012) -- A new NASA satellite instrument that makes a quantum leap forward in detector technology has arrived at Orbital Sciences Corp. in Gilbert, Ariz. There it will be integrated into the next Landsat satellite, the Landsat Data Continuity Mission (LDCM). ... > full story

Teachers fly experiments on NASA reduced gravity flights (February 15, 2012) -- More than 70 teachers had an opportunity to experience what it feels like to float in space as they participated in the Reduced Gravity Education Flight Program at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston last week. ... > full story

NASA science aircraft to travel the globe in 2012 (February 15, 2012) -- With missions scheduled throughout the year, 2012 is shaping up to be an extraordinary time for NASA's Airborne Science Program and Earth system science research. Multiple aircraft and specialized instruments will operate in the United States, Europe, Asia and South America this year in support of studies conducted by NASA and the Earth science community, improving scientists' understanding of our planet. ... > full story

Tiny chameleons discovered in Madagascar: Small enough to stand on the tip of a finger (February 15, 2012) -- Four new species of miniaturized lizards have been identified in Madagascar. These lizards, just tens of millimeters from head to tail and in some cases small enough to stand on the head of a match, rank among the smallest reptiles in the world. ... > full story

Short-term exposure to most major air pollutants associated with increased risk of heart attack (February 14, 2012) -- Short-term exposure (for up to 7 days) to all major air pollutants, with the exception of ozone, is significantly associated with an increased risk of heart attack, according to a new review article. ... > full story

Antibiotics ineffective for most sinus infections, study finds (February 14, 2012) -- Antibiotics that doctors typically prescribe for sinus infections do not reduce symptoms any better than an inactive placebo, according to investigators. ... > full story

Report seeks to integrate microbes into climate models (February 14, 2012) -- The models used to understand how Earth's climate works include thousands of different variables from many scientific including atmospherics, oceanography, seismology, geology, physics and chemistry, but few take into consideration the vast effect that microbes have on climate. Now, a new report offers a plan for integrating the latest understanding of the science of microbiology into climate models. ... > full story

Proteins in Yellowstone bacteria considered for biofuel inspiration (February 14, 2012) -- Studies of bacteria first found in Yellowstone's hot springs are furthering efforts toward commercially viable ethanol production from crops such as switchgrass. ... > full story

Noncoding RNAs alter yeast phenotypes in a site-specific manner (February 14, 2012) -- Scientists have shown for the first time how two long intergenic noncoding RNAs in brewer's yeast contribute to a location-dependent switch for the yeast FLO11 gene to toggle between active and inactive states. ... > full story

SIV infection may lead to increase in immune-suppressive Treg cells (February 14, 2012) -- Tissue in monkeys infected with a close relative of HIV can ramp up production of a type of T cell that actually weakens the body's attack against the invading virus. ... > full story

Tangled up in DNA: New molecule has potential to help treat genetic diseases and HIV (February 14, 2012) -- Chemists have created a molecule that's so good at tangling itself inside the double helix of a DNA sequence that it can stay there for up to 16 days before the DNA liberates itself, much longer than any other molecule reported. ... > full story

Chemists mimic nature to design better medical tests (February 14, 2012) -- Over their 3.8 billion years of evolution, living organisms have developed countless strategies for monitoring their surroundings. Chemists have adapted some of these strategies to improve the performance of DNA detectors. Their findings may aid efforts to build better medical diagnostics, such as improved HIV or cancer tests. ... > full story

Sobering future of wildfire dangers in U.S. west, researchers predict (February 14, 2012) -- The American West has seen a recent increase in large wildfires due to droughts, the build-up of combustible fuel, or biomass, in forests, a spread of fire-prone species and increased tree mortality from insects and heat. A research team warns that these conditions may be "a perfect storm" for more fires. ... > full story

Bumblebees get by with a little help from their honeybee rivals (February 14, 2012) -- Bumblebees can use cues from their rivals the honeybees to learn where the best food resources are, according to new research. In a new study, researchers trained a colony of bumblebees (Bombus terrestris) to use cues provided by a different species, the honeybee (Apis mellifera), as well as cues provided by fellow bumblebees to locate food resources on artificial flowers. ... > full story

Super high-resolution carbon estimates for endangered Madagascar (February 14, 2012) -- By combining airborne laser technology, satellite mapping, and ground-based plot surveys, a team of researchers has produced the first large-scale, high-resolution estimates of carbon stocks in remote and fragile Madagascar. The group has shown that it is possible to map carbon stocks in rugged geographic regions and that this type of carbon monitoring can be successfully employed to support conservation and climate-change mitigation under the United Nations initiative on Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation. ... > full story

Critical stage of embryonic development now observable (February 14, 2012) -- A novel approach in the study of the development of mammalian embryos has just been developed. The research enables scientists to view critical aspects of embryonic development which was previously unobservable. ... > full story

Malaria parasite goes bananas before sex (February 14, 2012) -- New research shows how the malaria parasite changes into a banana shape before sexual reproduction, a finding that could provide targets for vaccine or drug development and may explain how the parasite evades the human immune system. ... > full story

Fukushima at increased earthquake risk, scientists report (February 14, 2012) -- Seismic risk at the Fukushima nuclear plant increased after the magnitude 9 earthquake that hit Japan last March, scientists report. The new study, which uses data from over 6,000 earthquakes, shows the 11 March tremor caused a seismic fault close to the nuclear plant to reactivate. The research suggests authorities should strengthen the security of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant to withstand large earthquakes that are likely to directly disturb the region. ... > full story

'Invisibility' cloak could protect buildings from earthquakes (February 14, 2012) -- Mathematicians have developed the theory for a Harry Potter style 'cloaking' device which could protect buildings from earthquakes. Scientists have been working on the theory of invisibility cloaks which, until recently, have been merely the subject of science fiction. In recent times, however, scientists have been getting close to achieving 'cloaking' in a variety of contexts. The new work focuses on the theory of cloaking devices which could eventually help to protect buildings and structures from vibrations and natural disasters such as earthquakes. ... > full story

Research reveals the true cost of a burger (February 14, 2012) -- Society could considerably reduce its carbon footprint if more of us switched to a vegetarian diet, according to new research. ... > full story

Turmeric-based drug effective on Alzheimer flies (February 14, 2012) -- Curcumin, a substance extracted from turmeric, prolongs life and enhances activity of fruit flies with a nervous disorder similar to Alzheimer's disease, according to new research. The study indicates that it is the initial stages of fibril formation and fragments of the amyloid fibrils that are most toxic to neurons. ... > full story