The EDGE: ScienceDaily Environment Headlines -- for Wednesday, September 5, 2012

ScienceDaily Environment Headlines

for Wednesday, September 5, 2012

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Biofuel waste product recycled for electricity (September 4, 2012) -- A by-product of biofuel manufacture can power microbial fuel cells to generate electricity cheaply and efficiently, according to scientists. The work could help develop self-powered devices that would depollute waste water and be used to survey weather in extreme environments. ... > full story

NASA's SDO sees massive filament erupt on sun (September 4, 2012) -- On August 31, 2012 a long filament of solar material that had been hovering in the sun's atmosphere, the corona, erupted out into space at 4:36 p.m. EDT. The coronal mass ejection, or CME, traveled at over 900 miles per second. The CME did not travel directly toward Earth, but did connect with Earth's magnetic environment, or magnetosphere, with a glancing blow. causing aurora to appear on the night of Monday, September 3. ... > full story

'Benign' malaria key driver of human evolution in Asia-Pacific (September 4, 2012) -- The malaria species rampant in the Asia-Pacific region has been a significant driver of evolution of the human genome, a new study has shown. An international team of researchers has shown that Plasmodium vivax malaria, the most prevalent malaria species in the Asia-Pacific, is a significant cause of genetic evolution that provides protection against malaria. ... > full story

With no West Nile vaccine in sight, self-protection is key (September 4, 2012) -- As this year's threat from the West Nile virus continues, one infectious diseases expert says a vaccine is not in our near future, so people need to protect themselves. ... > full story

Antimicrobials alter intestinal bacteria composition in swine, researchers find (September 4, 2012) -- Researchers, concerned about the use of antibiotics in animal production, have found that antimicrobial growth promoters administered to swine can alter the kind of bacteria present in the animal's intestinal track, resulting in an accelerated rate of growth and development in the animals. ... > full story

Human impact felt on Black Sea long before industrial era (September 4, 2012) -- Researchers have pieced together a unique history of the Danube River delta and watershed that ultimately provides evidence for a transformative impact of humans on the Black Sea over hundreds, if not thousands of years. ... > full story

Realizing the promise of RNA nanotechnology for new drug development (September 4, 2012) -- The use of RNA in nanotechnology applications is highly promising for many applications, including the development of new therapeutic compounds. Key technical challenges remain, though, and the challenges and opportunities associated with the use of RNA molecules in nanotechnology approaches are presented in a review article. ... > full story

Gardener's delight offers glimpse into the evolution of flowering plants (September 4, 2012) -- Double flowers -- though beautiful -- are mutants. Biologists have found the class of genes responsible in a plant lineage more ancient than the one previously studied, offering a glimpse even further back into the evolutionary development of flowers. ... > full story

Syrian obsidian discovery opens new chapter in Middle Eastern studies (September 4, 2012) -- An archaeologist has revealed the origin and trading routes of razor-sharp stone tools 4,200 years ago in Syria. ... > full story

New Danish fungal species discovered (September 4, 2012) -- A new fungal species, called "Hebelomagriseopruinatum," has now officially been included in the list of species. The fungus, whose name can be translated into "the gray-dewy tear leaf," was discovered on Zealand in Denmark during a mushroom-hunting tour. ... > full story

Hormone therapy for fruit flies means better pest control (September 4, 2012) -- Released en masse, sterile Mexican fruit flies can undermine a wild population of the fruit-damaging pests so that fewer applications of insecticide are needed. But the irradiation used to sterilize the flies weakens them, hindering their ability to outcompete wild-type males for female mates. Now, scientists have devised a hormone therapy for making sterile flies "more macho," improving their chances of mating with female flies before their wild rivals do. ... > full story

Shark rules need teeth, groups tell IUCN (September 4, 2012) -- The Wildlife Conservation Society and over 35 government agency and NGO partners participating in IUCN's World Conservation Congress this week are urging the world's governments to take urgent steps to save the world’s sharks and rays from the relentless pressure of over-fishing for international trade. ... > full story

Spinach power gets a big boost: Reseachers combine spinach protein with silicon to make biohybrid solar cell (September 4, 2012) -- Spinach power has just gotten a big boost. Researchers have combined the photosynthetic protein that converts light into electrochemical energy in spinach with silicon, the material used in solar cells, in a fashion that produces substantially more electrical current than has been reported by previous "biohybrid" solar cells. ... > full story

Bees, fruits and money: Decline of pollinators will have severe impact on nature and humankind (September 4, 2012) -- Globally we are witnessing a decline in pollinators, such as wild bees, honeybees and hover flies, caused by the destruction and fragmentation of habitats, agricultural intensification and use of pesticides, introduction of novel diseases and competing alien species, and climate change. The combined impacts of these drivers will accelerate the loss of pollinator diversity and potentially disrupt plant-pollinator interactions. ... > full story

Australian shipping emissions identified (September 4, 2012) -- Ship engine exhaust emissions make up more than a quarter of nitrogen oxide emissions generated in the Australian region according to a recently published study. Nitrogen oxide is a non-greenhouse gas, unlike similarly named nitrous oxide. ... > full story

Increase in respiratory symptoms following volcanic eruption (September 4, 2012) -- Exposure to volcanic ash can increase respiratory symptoms such as an extreme cough, or phlegm, according to a new study. ... > full story

Smoking and natural disasters: Christchurch residents increase tobacco consumption post-earthquake (September 4, 2012) -- The prevalence of smoking in Christchurch, New Zealand, increased following the 2010 earthquake, according to a new study. ... > full story

Coastline erosion due to rise in sea level greater than previously thought, new model finds (September 4, 2012) -- A new model is allowing researchers to predict coastline erosion due to rising sea levels much more accurately. It would appear that the effects of coastline erosion as a result of rising sea-level rise in the vicinity of inlets, such as river estuaries, have until now been dramatically underestimated. ... > full story

Finicky young wrasse want shrimp (September 4, 2012) -- Ballan wrasse are picky eaters when young. As adults, they eat sea lice off the skin of salmon – which makes them valuable to fish farmers. But as juveniles, wrasse want to be served shrimp. ... > full story

For the rooster, size matters: How size of hen's comb is linked to ability to lay more eggs (September 4, 2012) -- A lone rooster sees a lot of all the hens in the flock, but the hen with the largest comb gets a bigger dose of sperm -- and thus more chicks. Researchers in Sweden have now shown how the size of a hen's comb is bound up with the ability to lay more eggs. ... > full story

Using RNA nanotechnology to treat cancers and viral infections: New study shows promise (September 4, 2012) -- A new study shows promise for developing ultrastable RNA nanoparticles that may help treat cancer and viral infections by regulating cell function and binding to cancers without harming surrounding tissue. ... > full story

Water water everywhere: Productive aquifers in hard rock on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia suggests greater water supply (September 4, 2012) -- A report on productive aquifers in hard rock on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia suggests greater water supply than has previously been recognised. The work suggests which factors should be taken into account before drilling for industrial and residential water supplies, as groundwater becomes a more important resource worldwide. ... > full story

Possible association between cardiovascular disease, chemical exposure, study suggests (September 3, 2012) -- Exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid, a manmade chemical used in the manufacture of some common household products, appears to be associated with cardiovascular disease and peripheral arterial disease in a study of 1,216 individuals. ... > full story

Little evidence of health benefits from organic foods, study finds (September 3, 2012) -- Researchers have carried out the most comprehensive meta-analysis to date of existing studies comparing organic and conventional foods. They did not find strong evidence that organic foods are more nutritious or carry fewer health risks than conventional alternatives, though consumption of organic foods can reduce the risk of pesticide exposure. ... > full story

Major world interests at stake in Canada's vast Mackenzie River Basin (September 3, 2012) -- The governance of Canada's massive Mackenzie River Basin holds enormous national but also global importance due to the watershed's impact on the Arctic Ocean, international migratory birds and climate stability, say experts convening a special forum on the topic. ... > full story

New long-term antimicrobial catheter developed (September 3, 2012) -- A novel antimicrobial catheter that remains infection-free for up to twelve weeks could dramatically improve the lives of long-term catheter users. ... > full story

TB outbreaks could be 'solved' by DNA tracking, scientists say (September 3, 2012) -- Reconstructing the spread of killer diseases such as tuberculosis (TB) from person to person using DNA sequencing quickly identifies the origin and movement of pathogens. This approach is directly informing public health strategies to control infectious disease outbreaks, scientists say. ... > full story

Less ferocious Tasmanian devils could help save species from extinction (September 3, 2012) -- Evolving to become less aggressive could be key to saving the Tasmanian devil -- famed for its ferocity -- from extinction, research suggests. The species is being wiped out by Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD), a fatal infectious cancer spread by biting. The new study found the less often a devil gets bitten, the more likely it is to become infected with the cancer. ... > full story

Tracking fish through a coral reef seascape: Ear-bone 'tree rings' provide evidence of connectivity (September 3, 2012) -- Ocean scientists have long known that juvenile coral reef fishes use coastal seagrass and mangrove habitats as nurseries, later moving as adults onto coral reefs. But the fishes' movements, and the connections between different tropical habitats, are much more complex than previously realized, according to a new study. The findings have important implications for management and protection of coral reefs and other marine environments. ... > full story

Reciprocity an important component of prosocial behavior: Scorekeeping of past favors isn't, however, a factor (September 3, 2012) -- While exchanging favors with others, humans tend to think in terms of tit-for-tat, an assumption easily extended to other animals. As a result, reciprocity is often viewed as a cognitive feat requiring memory, perhaps even calculation. But what if the process is simpler, not only in other animals but in humans as well? Researchers have determined monkeys may gain the advantages of reciprocal exchange of favors without necessarily keeping precise track of past favors. ... > full story

Tigers take the night shift to coexist with people (September 3, 2012) -- Tigers don't have a reputation for being accommodating, but a new study indicates that the feared and revered carnivores in and around a park in Nepal are taking the night shift to better coexist with their human neighbors. The revelation that tigers and people are sharing the same space flies in the face of long-held convictions in conservation circles. It also underscores how successful conservation efforts need sciences that takes into account both nature and humans. ... > full story

Research reveals contrasting consequences of a warmer Earth (September 3, 2012) -- A new study involving analysis of fossil and geological records going back 540 million years suggests that biodiversity on Earth generally increases as the planet warms. But the research says that the increase in biodiversity depends on the evolution of new species over millions of years, and is normally accompanied by extinctions of existing species. ... > full story

Peek-a-blue Moon (September 3, 2012) -- Europe's latest weather satellite got a glimpse of the Moon before our celestial neighbour disappeared from view behind Earth on Friday. Since its launch two months ago, MSG-3 has been working well and is on its way to entering service. ... > full story

Molecular signature of hantavirus infection in humans decoded (September 3, 2012) -- Scientists have succeeded in clarifying the molecular signature of the viruses that lead to an increasing size and number of hantavirus outbreaks in Germany. ... > full story

High levels of DDT in breast milk in mothers living in malaria-stricken villages in South Africa (September 3, 2012) -- The highest levels ever of DDT in breast milk have been measured in mothers living in malaria-stricken villages in South Africa. The values lie well over the limits set by the World Health Organization. DDT has been used for many years in South Africa, sprayed indoors to fight malaria. ... > full story

Israeli cave explorers return from record-breaking expedition in Abkhazia of ‘Everest of the caves’ (September 3, 2012) -- Cavers have just returned from exploring the deepest cave in the world. The cave, known as Krubera-Voronya, is considered the “Everest of the caves” and is in Abkhazia in the south of Russia near the Black Sea. ... > full story

Waste cooking oil makes bioplastics cheaper (September 2, 2012) -- 'Bioplastics' that are naturally synthesized by microbes could be made commercially viable by using waste cooking oil as a starting material. This would reduce environmental contamination and also give high-quality plastics suitable for medical implants, according to scientists. ... > full story

Coconut oil could combat tooth decay (September 2, 2012) -- Digested coconut oil is able to attack the bacteria that cause tooth decay. It is a natural antibiotic that could be incorporated into commercial dental care products, say scientists. ... > full story

Ancient enzymes function like nanopistons to unwind RNA (September 2, 2012) -- DEAD-box proteins, which are ancient enzymes found in all forms of life, function as recycling "nanopistons." They use chemical energy to clamp down and pry open RNA strands, thereby enabling the formation of new structures. ... > full story

A new light shed on genetic regulation's role in the predisposition to common diseases (September 2, 2012) -- Scientists have discovered several thousands new genetic variants impacting gene expression some of which are responsible for predisposition to common diseases, bringing closer to the biological interpretation of personal genomes. ... > full story

Small male fish use high aggression strategy (September 1, 2012) -- In the deserts of central Australia lives a tough little fish known as the desert goby, and a new study is shedding light on the aggressive mating behaviour of smaller nest-holding males. ... > full story

Chilling methods could change meat tenderness (August 31, 2012) -- Contrary to previous studies, new research shows that a method called blast chilling can affect pork tenderness. This discovery could change pork production and consumer choices at the grocery store. ... > full story

Exposure to common toxic substances could increase asthma symptoms (August 31, 2012) -- Children who are exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which were commonly used in a range of industrial products, could be at risk of an increase in asthma symptoms, according to new research. ... > full story

Earthquake hazards map study finds deadly flaws (August 31, 2012) -- Three of the largest and deadliest earthquakes in recent history occurred where earthquake hazard maps didn't predict massive quakes. Scientists have recently studied the reasons for the maps' failure to forecast these quakes. They also explored ways to improve the maps. Developing better hazard maps and alerting people to their limitations could potentially save lives and money in areas such as the New Madrid, Missouri fault zone. ... > full story

Danish scientists solve old blood mystery: New intriguing knowledge on blood hemoglobin (August 31, 2012) -- Scientists in Denmark have solved an old puzzle, which since the 1960s from many sides has been regarded as impossible to complete. The challenge was to solve the structure of the protecting protein complex that forms when hemoglobin is released from red cells and becomes toxic. This toxic release of hemoglobin occurs in many diseases affecting red cell stability, e.g. malaria. ... > full story

New 'Rust-Tracker' to monitor deadly wheat fungus in 27 nations (August 31, 2012) -- The world's top wheat experts have reported a breakthrough in their ability to track Ug99 and related strains of a deadly and rapidly mutating wheat pathogen called stem rust that threatens wheat fields from East Africa to South Asia. The creators of the "Rust-Tracker" say they now can monitor an unprecedented 42 million hectares of wheat in 27 developing countries. ... > full story

No more sneezing: Allergen-free house plants (August 31, 2012) -- New research shows how targeting two bacterial genes into an ornamental plant Pelargonium, can produce long-lived and pollen-free plants. Pelargoniums (‘Geraniums’ and ‘Storkbills’) have been cultivated in Europe since the17th century and are now one of the most popular garden and house plants around the world. ... > full story

Domestic coal use linked to substantial lifetime risk of lung cancer in Xuanwei, China (August 30, 2012) -- The use of "smoky coal" for household cooking and heating is associated with a substantial increase in the lifetime risk of developing lung cancer, finds a study from China. ... > full story

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