The EDGE: ScienceDaily Environment Headlines -- for Wednesday, February 29, 2012

ScienceDaily Environment Headlines

for Wednesday, February 29, 2012

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Elephant behavior and conservation issues (February 28, 2012) -- Researchers are using fieldwork and genetics research to uncover insights into elephant population genetics and social behavior as well as how human activities alter elephants' social and genetic structures. ... > full story

New 'magnetic yeast' marks step toward harnessing Nature's magnetic capabilities (February 28, 2012) -- Researchers have developed a method for inducing magnetic sensitivity in an organism that is not naturally magnetic -- yeast. Their technology could potentially be used to magnetize a variety of different cell types in medical, industrial and research applications. ... > full story

Mysterious electron acceleration explained: Computer simulation identifies source of aurora-causing high-speed electrons in space (February 28, 2012) -- A mysterious phenomenon detected by space probes has finally been explained, thanks to a massive computer simulation that was able to precisely align with details of spacecraft observations. The simulation shows that an active region in Earth's magnetotail, where "reconnection" events take place in the magnetic field, is roughly 1,000 times larger than had been thought. ... > full story

Mutated plants may be better for biofuels (February 28, 2012) -- A new study says genetic mutations in plants could make it easier to break down plant cellulose to the sugars that are fermented into biofuels. ... > full story

Eat your broccoli: Another mechanism discovered by which sulforaphane prevents cancer (February 28, 2012) -- Researchers have discovered yet another reason why the "sulforaphane" compound in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables is so good for you -- it provides not just one, but two ways to prevent cancer through the complex mechanism of epigenetics. ... > full story

Lake Chad: Inhabitants adapt to lower water levels (February 28, 2012) -- Lake Chad used to be one of the biggest lakes in the world, but its volume has been reduced to a tenth of what it was in the 1960s. The way this lake has dried up has become a symbol of climate change in action. It’s true that the lake’s water level has always changed, but this hasn’t diminished the major changes to the lifestyle of the inhabitants of the lake’s shoreline. ... > full story

Nowhere to hide: Tigers threatened by human destruction of groundcover (February 28, 2012) -- A new study is the first of its kind to systematically investigate the use of different land cover types for tiger habitat. ... > full story

Developing sustainable power (February 28, 2012) -- Scientists suggest that renewable energy is a viable option for electrical power in developing and emerging nations. Researchers point out that in most of these nations, the demand for energy far exceeds the generating capacity. ... > full story

Overfishing threatens the survival of seabirds (February 28, 2012) -- From gannets to seagulls, puffins to penguins, all seabirds suffer the same drop in birth rates when the supply of fish drops to less than a third of maximum capacity. Below the critical level of one third of the fish biomass, the birds — and the stability of the entire ecosystem —- come under threat. ... > full story

The Brazilian rainforest : Caught between biodiversity and business (February 28, 2012) -- Brazil is exporting more and more agricultural produce: soya beans and beef in particular, but also corn, rice and sugar. Taken together, these exports represent half of Brazil’s total today. The increase in the export of commodities brings both a higher degree of economic dependency and a threat to the Amazon rainforest. ... > full story

Initial genetic analysis reveals Iceman Ötzi predisposed to cardiovascular disease (February 28, 2012) -- The famous Iceman mummy known as Ötzi was genetically predisposed to cardiovascular diseases, according to recent studies. Not only was this genetic predisposition demonstrable in the 5,000-year-old ice mummy, there was also already a symptom in the form of arteriosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. ... > full story

Newly emerging staph strain transits more easily among humans (February 28, 2012) -- Using genome sequencing and household surveillance, scientists have pieced together how a newly emerging type of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria has adapted to transmit more easily among humans. Their new study underscores the need for vigilance in surveillance of S. aureus. ... > full story

Cannabis: The good, the evil, the ugly (February 28, 2012) -- Cannabis-like substances that are produced by the body have both therapeutic and harmful properties, besides their well-known intoxicating effects, and the body’s cannabinoid system may be a target for new strategies in cancer treatment, new research suggests. ... > full story

Tomb exploration reveals first archaeological evidence of Christianity from the time of Jesus (February 28, 2012) -- An examination via robotic camera of an Herodian era tomb near Jerusalem has yielded ossuary engravings that strongly imply Christian culture, including an icon that seems to invoke the Jonah story, the most popular icon in third century CE Roman tomb -- previously the earliest Christian images. The tomb is in close proximity to the controversial "Jesus Tomb," which contained an ossuary engraved "Jesus son of Joseph." ... > full story

How cells make the most of limited resources (February 28, 2012) -- The bacterium that causes atypical pneumonia is helping scientists uncover how cells make the most of limited resources. By measuring all the proteins this bacterium produces, scientists have found that the secret is fine-tuning. ... > full story

Sperm cannot detect smells: End of 'Lily of the Valley phenomenon' in sperm research? (February 28, 2012) -- Scientists have now discovered that sperm do not function like olfactory cells -- a finding that casts doubt on the assumption that scents play a role in fertilization. ... > full story

New measuring techniques can improve efficiency, safety of nanoparticles (February 28, 2012) -- Using high-precision microscopy and X-ray scattering techniques, researchers have gained eye-opening insights into the process of applying green chemistry to nanotechnology that results in high yields, improves efficiency and dramatically reduces waste and potential negative exposure to human health or the environment. ... > full story

Land-ocean connections: How tree trunks, leaves and kukui nuts indirectly feed bottom fish in submarine canyons off Moloka'i, Hawaii (February 27, 2012) -- Scientists recently discovered that land-based plant material, such as tree trunks, leaves, and kukui nuts; and coastal macroalgae indirectly support the increased abundances of bottom fish in submarine canyons, like those off the north shore of Moloka'i. ... > full story

Modified bone drug kills malaria parasite in mice (February 27, 2012) -- A chemically altered osteoporosis drug may be useful in fighting malaria, researchers report in a new study. Unlike similar compounds tested against many other parasitic protozoa, the drug readily crosses into the red blood cells of malaria-infected mice and kills the malaria parasite. The drug works at very low concentrations with no observed toxicity to the mouse. ... > full story

Salty soil can suck water out of atmosphere: Could it happen on Mars? (February 27, 2012) -- The frigid McMurdo Dry Valleys in Antarctica are a cold, polar desert, yet the sandy soils there are frequently dotted with moist patches in the spring despite a lack of snowmelt and no possibility of rain. A new study has found that that the salty soils in the region actually suck moisture out of the atmosphere, raising the possibility that such a process could take place on Mars or on other planets. ... > full story

Deaths triple among football players, morning temperatures thought to play a role (February 27, 2012) -- Heat-related deaths among football players across the country tripled to nearly three per year between 1994 and 2009 after averaging about one per year the previous 15 years, according to an analysis of weather conditions and high school and college sports data. The study found for the eastern US, where most deaths occurred, morning heat index values were consistently higher in the latter half of the 30-year study period. ... > full story

Low levels of omega-3 fatty acids may cause memory problems (February 27, 2012) -- A diet lacking in omega-3 fatty acids, nutrients commonly found in fish, may cause your brain to age faster and lose some of its memory and thinking abilities, according to a new study. Omega-3 fatty acids include the nutrients called docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). ... > full story

Amoeba may offer key clue to photosynthetic evolution (February 27, 2012) -- The major difference between plant and animal cells is the photosynthetic process, which converts light energy into chemical energy. When light isn't available, energy is generated by breaking down carbohydrates and sugars, just as it is in animal and some bacterial cells. Two cellular organelles are responsible for these two processes: the chloroplasts for and the mitochondria. New research has opened a window into the early stages of chloroplast evolution. ... > full story

Research offers insight to how fructose causes obesity and other illness (February 27, 2012) -- Scientists have provided new insights into how fructose causes obesity and metabolic syndrome, more commonly known as diabetes. ... > full story

Ice Age coyotes were supersized compared to coyotes today, fossil study reveals (February 27, 2012) -- Coyotes today are pint-sized compared to their Ice Age counterparts, finds a new fossil study. Between 11,500 and 10,000 years ago -- a mere blink of an eye in geologic terms -- coyotes shrunk to their present size. The sudden shrinkage was most likely a response to dwindling food supply and changing interactions with competitors, rather than warming climate, researchers say. ... > full story

Immortal worms defy aging (February 27, 2012) -- Researchers have demonstrated how a species of flatworm overcomes the aging process to be potentially immortal. The discovery may shed light on the possibilities of alleviating aging and age-related characteristics in human cells. Planarian worms have amazed scientists with their apparently limitless ability to regenerate. Researchers have been studying their ability to replace aged or damaged tissues and cells in a bid to understand the mechanisms underlying their longevity. ... > full story

New fossil penguin from New Zealand may be the biggest ever (February 27, 2012) -- After 35 years, a giant fossil penguin has finally been completely reconstructed, giving researchers new insights into prehistoric penguin diversity. ... > full story

Indigenous peoples at forefront of climate change offer lessons on plant biodiversity (February 27, 2012) -- Over the last 40 years, an ethnobotanist has worked with the Yanesha of the upper Peruvian Amazon and the Tibetans of the Himalayas, two groups of indigenous peoples carrying on traditional ways of life, even in the face of rapid environmental changes. She explains how their traditional knowledge and practices hold the key to conserving, managing and even creating new biodiversity. ... > full story

Traces of listeria found in Vancouver ready-to-eat fish products (February 27, 2012) -- A new study has found traces of the bacteria listeria in ready-to-eat fish products sold in metro Vancouver, Canada. ... > full story

Coral reef study traces indirect effects of overfishing (February 27, 2012) -- A study of the tropical coral reef system along the coastline of Kenya has found dramatic effects of overfishing that could threaten the long-term health of the reefs. ... > full story

'Universal' vaccines could finally allow for wide-scale flu prevention (February 27, 2012) -- Scientists have found that an emerging class of long-lasting flu vaccines called "universal" vaccines could for the first time allow for the effective, wide-scale prevention of flu by limiting the virus' ability to spread and mutate. A computational model showed that the vaccines could achieve unprecedented control of the flu virus both seasonally and during outbreaks of highly contagious new strains. ... > full story

Polysternon isonae, a new species of turtle that lived with dinosaurs in Isona (Spanish Pyrenees) (February 27, 2012) -- Researchers have discovered a turtle that lived near the end of the age of dinosaurs. Unlike other kinds of turtles, it seems that Polysternon did not survive the end of Cretaceous and went extinct with the dinosaurs. ... > full story

Reduction in U.S. carbon emissions attributed to cheaper natural gas (February 27, 2012) -- Lower emission from power plants in 2009 was driven by competitive pricing of natural gas versus coal, researchers say. ... > full story

Lethal effects of genetically modified Bt toxin confirmed on young ladybird larvae (February 27, 2012) -- Researchers confirm earlier findings that the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxin Cry1Ab produced for pesticidal purposes by genetically modified (GM) Bt maize increases mortality in the young ladybird larvae (Adalia bipunctata L., two-spotted ladybird) in laboratory tests. These ladybird larvae are typical ‘non-target’ environmental goods which are not supposed to be harmed by the GM maize. ... > full story

Unusual weather: Arctic sea ice decline may be driving snowy winters seen in recent years in N. Hemisphere (February 27, 2012) -- A new study provides further evidence of a relationship between melting ice in the Arctic regions and widespread cold outbreaks in the Northern Hemisphere. The study’s findings could improve seasonal forecasting of snow and temperature anomalies across northern continents. ... > full story

Study extends the 'ecology of fear' to fear of parasites (February 27, 2012) -- The ecology of fear, like other concepts from predator-prey theory, also extends to parasites, new research suggests. Raccoons and squirrels would give up food, the study demonstrated, if the area was infested with larval ticks. At some level, they are weighing the value of the abandoned food against the risk of being parasitized. ... > full story

Some bacteria attack using spring-loaded poison daggers (February 27, 2012) -- Bacteria have evolved different systems for secreting proteins. One, called a type VI secretion system, is found in about a quarter of all bacteria with two membranes. Despite being common, researchers have not understood how it works. Now scientists have figured out the structure of the type VI secretion system apparatus and proposed how it might work -- by shooting spring-loaded poison molecular daggers. ... > full story

RNA interference cancer treatment? Delivering RNA with tiny sponge-like spheres (February 27, 2012) -- For the past decade, scientists have been pursuing cancer treatments based on RNA interference -- a phenomenon that offers a way to shut off malfunctioning genes with short snippets of RNA. However, one huge challenge remains: finding a way to efficiently deliver the RNA. Scientists have now come up with a novel delivery vehicle in which RNA is packed into microspheres so dense that they withstand degradation until they reach their destinations. The new system knocks down expression of specific genes as effectively as existing delivery methods, but with a much smaller dose of particles. ... > full story

Frontal attack or stealth? How subverting the immune system shapes the arms race between bacteria and hosts (February 27, 2012) -- Why is it that Mycobacterium tuberculosis can cause tuberculosis with as little as 10 cells, whereas Vibrio cholerae requires the host to ingest up to tens of millions of cells to cause cholera? This is the question that scientists have just answered. ... > full story

In vino veritas: Promiscuous yeast hook up in wine-making vats (February 26, 2012) -- Humans aren't the only species that like to get busy with a glass of bubbly. Turns out, the common baker's yeast has indulged in a frenzy of amorous frolicking in the fermentation vats of winemakers for hundreds, possibly thousands, of years, with interesting results. ... > full story

Ancient Arabic writings help scientists piece together past climate (February 26, 2012) -- Ancient manuscripts written by Arabic scholars can provide valuable meteorological information to help modern scientists reconstruct the climate of the past, a new study has revealed. The research analyses the writings of scholars, historians and diarists in Iraq during the Islamic Golden Age between 816-1009 AD for evidence of abnormal weather patterns. ... > full story

Volcanoes deliver two flavors of water (February 26, 2012) -- By analyzing submarine volcanic glass from the Manus Basin, scientists found unexpected changes in hydrogen and boron isotopes from the deep mantle. They expected to see the "fingerprint" of seawater. But discovered evidence of seawater distilled from a more ancient plate descent, preserved for as long as one billion years. The data indicate that these ancient "slabs" can return to the upper mantle, and that rates of hydrogen exchange may not conform to experiments. ... > full story

Glow and be eaten: Marine bacteria use light to lure plankton and fish (February 26, 2012) -- Not all that glitters is gold. Sometimes it is just bacteria trying to get ahead in life. Many sea creatures glow with a biologically produced light. This phenomenon, known as bioluminescence, is observed, among others, in some marine bacteria which emit a steady light once they have reached a certain level of concentration (a phenomenon called "quorum sensing") on organic particles in ocean waters. Though this was a known occurrence, the benefits of producing light remained unclear. Now, researchers have unraveled the mystery of why the marine bacteria glow. It has to do with what might be called "the survival of the brightest." ... > full story

Promising new technique to rescue the immune system (February 26, 2012) -- Researchers report on a promising new technique that potentially could turn immune system killer T cells into more effective weapons against infections and possibly cancer. ... > full story

European Neanderthals were on the verge of extinction even before the arrival of modern humans (February 25, 2012) -- Most Neanderthals in Europe died off around 50,000 years ago, new research suggests. The previously held view of a Europe populated by a stable Neanderthal population for hundreds of thousands of years up until modern humans arrived must therefore be revised, researchers say. ... > full story

Could rosemary scent boost brain performance? (February 24, 2012) -- Hailed since ancient times for its medicinal properties, we still have a lot to learn about the effects of rosemary. Now researchers have shown for the first time that blood levels of a rosemary oil component correlate with improved cognitive performance. ... > full story

Bird brains follow the beat (February 24, 2012) -- By training birds to ‘get rhythm’, scientists uncover evidence that our capacity to move in time with music may be connected with our ability to learn speech. ... > full story

NASA pinning down where 'here' is better than ever (February 24, 2012) -- Before our Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation devices can tell us where we are, the satellites that make up the GPS need to know exactly where they are. For that, they rely on a network of sites that serve as "you are here" signs planted throughout the world. The catch is, the sites don't sit still because they're on a planet that isn't at rest, yet modern measurements require more and more accuracy in pinpointing where "here" is. To meet this need, NASA is helping to lead an international effort to upgrade the four systems that supply this crucial location information. ... > full story