The EDGE: ScienceDaily Environment Headlines -- for Wednesday, September 28, 2011

ScienceDaily Environment Headlines

for Wednesday, September 28, 2011

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Jumping gene enabled key step in corn domestication (September 28, 2011) -- In seeking to better understand how teosinte gave rise to corn, a scientific team has pinpointed one of the key genetic changes that paved the way for corn's domestication. ... > full story

New advanced biofuel identified as an alternative to diesel fuel (September 28, 2011) -- Researchers have identified a terpene called bisabolane as a potential biofuel for replacing diesel fuel. The researchers have also engineered two strains of microbes -- a bacteria and a yeast -- that can be used in the biosynthetic production of this clean, green, renewable and domestic alternative to diesel fuel. ... > full story

Successful rainwater harvesting systems should combine new technology with old social habits (September 28, 2011) -- A combination of modern engineering and ancient social principles makes large-scale rainwater harvesting feasible in a time of drought, and could reduce deadly flash flooding common to parts of Texas, a new article argues. ... > full story

Pigeon 'milk' contains antioxidants and immune-enhancing proteins (September 28, 2011) -- Production of crop milk, a secretion from the crops of parent birds, is rare among birds and, apart from pigeons, is only found in flamingos and male emperor penguins. Essential for the growth and development of the young pigeon squab, pigeon 'milk' is produced by both parents from fluid-filled cells lining the crop that are rich in fat and protein. Researchers have now used new technology to study the genes and proteins involved in pigeon 'milk' production and shows that pigeon 'milk' contains antioxidants and immune-enhancing proteins. ... > full story

Insight into the architecture of life: Researchers discover supporting pillars of the structure of cellular power plants (September 28, 2011) -- Scientists have discovered a new mechanism that is of central significance for the architecture and functioning of mitochondria, known as the power plants of the cell. With the help of chemical reactions that take place on their inner membranes, these organelles convert food into energy for the metabolism and growth of the cell. The inner mitochondrial membrane features a characteristic architecture that is essential for its role as an energy transducer. Errors in the structure of the mitochondria can lead to serious illnesses in humans, particularly illnesses affecting the muscles and nerves. ... > full story

Do long-lived crops differ from annual crops in their genetic response to human domestication? (September 27, 2011) -- Most of what we have come to think of as our daily fruits, vegetables, and grains were domesticated from wild ancestors. Over hundreds and thousands of years, humans have selected and bred plants for traits that benefit us -- traits such as bigger, juicier, and easier-to-harvest fruits, stems, tubers, or flowers. But how do long-lived species respond to short-term selection processes, and will this information be helpful in predicting responses to rapid climate changes? ... > full story

Researchers use carbon nanotubes to make solar cells affordable, flexible (September 27, 2011) -- Researchers have found that metallic carbon nanotubes are 50 times more effective than semiconducting ones when used as transparent conductors in organic solar cells. ... > full story

Central Asia's hidden burden of neglected tropical diseases: High rates of parasitic infection nearly 20 years after Soviet collapse (September 27, 2011) -- Central Asia continues to suffer from a post-Soviet economic breakdown that may have contributed to a re-emergence of several neglected tropical diseases in the area, especially among its most economically disadvantaged groups, according to a new article. ... > full story

Increasing dosage of saw palmetto does not appear to reduce urinary symptoms from enlarged prostate (September 27, 2011) -- Men with urinary problems related to an enlarged prostate who received increasing doses of the fruit extract saw palmetto did not experience a reduction in these symptoms compared to men who received placebo, according to a new study. ... > full story

Biochemists identify new genetic code repair tool (September 27, 2011) -- Researchers recently reported finding a new class of DNA repair-makers. To ensure the integrity of the genetic material, cells are equipped with a "molecular toolkit" for repairing DNA damage. The toolkit is composed of a variety of different molecules -- called enzymes -- that have evolved to repair different types of DNA damage. Researchers have now discovered a new class of enzymes in that superfamily that lack the ability to repair uracil. ... > full story

Sneaking up on the glassy transition of water (September 27, 2011) -- Researchers claim to have settled a long-standing debate over the exact temperature at which water transforms into an exotic glass-like substance believed to be present in comets and other icy objects in the outer solar system, as well as in the coldest regions of the Earth's atmosphere. ... > full story

Tracing an elusive killer parasite in Peru (September 27, 2011) -- Despite what Hollywood would have you believe, not all epidemics involve people suffering from zombie-like symptoms -- some can only be uncovered through door-to-door epidemiology and advanced mathematics. Researchers are now in the trenches combining tried-and-true epidemiological approaches with new statistical methods to learn more about the course of a dangerous, contagious disease epidemic. ... > full story

Dust makes light work of vehicle emissions (September 27, 2011) -- Researchers have identified a silver lining in the cloud of red dust that enveloped much of eastern Australia two years ago. Data from what is believed to be the first air quality test undertaken during an Australian dust storm shows that large dust particles swept up the smaller, potentially fatal ultrafine particles caused by everyday vehicle emissions. ... > full story

Feathered friends help wild birds innovate (September 27, 2011) -- Larger groups of great and blue tits are better at solving problems than smaller ones, scientists have found. The researchers believe that this is probably because the larger the group, the more chance there is of it including a 'bright' or 'experienced' bird that can solve a particular new problem: in this case operating lever-pulling devices to receive a food reward. ... > full story

Musical weather shows climate influence (September 27, 2011) -- Scientists have cataloged and analyzed depictions of weather in classical music from the 17th Century to the present day to help understand how climate affects how people think. ... > full story

'Heat-proof' eggs help turtles cope with hot beaches (September 27, 2011) -- Research shows that some turtles are naturally heat-tolerant. The study focused on green turtles nesting on Ascension Island, a UK overseas territory in the South Atlantic Ocean. Scientists have found that eggs laid by turtles nesting on a naturally hot beach withstand high temperatures better than eggs from turtles nesting on a cooler beach just a few kilometers away. ... > full story

Climate change set to increase ozone-related deaths over next 60 years, scientists warn (September 27, 2011) -- Scientists are warning that death rates linked to climate change will increase in several European countries over the next 60 years. ... > full story

'Illusion of plenty' masking collapse of two key Southern California fisheries (September 27, 2011) -- A new study has found that overfishing of spawning areas and environmental conditions are behind the collapse of two bass species. ... > full story

New method cleans up textile industry’s most dangerous chemicals (September 27, 2011) -- Textile dying is one of the most environmentally hazardous aspects of the textile industry. During dying, harmful chemicals that are difficult to break down are released, all too often into rivers and agricultural land. However, a researcher in Sweden has developed a new, environmentally friendly purification process which leaves only clean water. ... > full story

Wind power: Long-term wind speed changes estimated (September 27, 2011) -- Scientists are taking the first steps to improve estimates of long-term wind speed changes for the fast-growing wind energy sector. The research is intended to identify the risks for generators in a changing climate. ... > full story

Fossil of an armored dinosaur hatchling: Youngest nodosaur ever discovered (September 27, 2011) -- Researchers with help from an amateur fossil hunter have described the fossil of an armored dinosaur hatchling. It is the youngest nodosaur ever discovered, and a founder of a new genus and species that lived approximately 110 million years ago during the Early Cretaceous Era. Nodosaurs have been found in diverse locations worldwide, but they've rarely been found in the United States. ... > full story

Plant 'body clock' observed in tropical rainforest; Research to aid ozone pollution predictions (September 27, 2011) -- Predictions of the ground-level pollutant ozone may be more accurate in the future, thanks to new research into plant circadian rhythms. Ozone is formed in the atmosphere when volatile organic compounds like isoprene -- which is emitted by some plants - react with nitrogen oxides from car engines or industry. Ozone at ground level is very harmful to human health, may decrease crop yields, and is a greenhouse gas. Researchers have now found that the rate at which plants emit isoprene is influenced by their body clock or circadian rhythm. ... > full story

Saw palmetto no more effective than placebo for urinary symptoms; Study finds dietary supplement does not alleviate BPH (September 27, 2011) -- Saw palmetto, a widely used herbal dietary supplement, does not reduce urinary problems associated with prostate enlargement any better than a placebo, according to new research. ... > full story

Popular supplement has no effect on prostate health, clinical study shows (September 27, 2011) -- The most widely used over-the-counter supplement for prostate health is no more effective than a placebo in treating men's lower urinary tract symptoms, according to new findings. ... > full story

Saw palmetto no benefit as prostate remedy (September 27, 2011) -- The fruit of the saw palmetto tree does not relieve symptoms of an enlarged prostate, even when men take the herbal supplement in very high doses, a new study shows. ... > full story

Saw palmetto no better than placebo in relieving prostate symptoms, even at high doses (September 27, 2011) -- Long-term adminstration of the dietary supplement saw palmetto, even at three times the usual dose, did not reduce symptoms of prostate enlargement significantly better than placebo in a large group of middle-aged men. ... > full story

Eating balanced meals, farm-fresh produce benefits families, communities, nutrition researchers say (September 27, 2011) -- Leaders at the recent United Nations meeting emphasized nutrition as critical to producing thriving children, families, and communities. Nutrition experts say getting back to basics by eating balanced meals and farm-fresh produce benefits families and communities in many ways. ... > full story

Rethinking animal and plant disease for the 21st century and beyond (September 27, 2011) -- The UK Research Councils’ Rural Economy and Land Use Programme calls for a radical rethink of our approach to animal and plant disease, in the light of groundbreaking interdisciplinary research. ... > full story

European experts follow satellite reentry (September 27, 2011) -- The European Space Agency closely monitored the Sept. 24, 2011 reentry of the UARS observation satellite. The Agency’s Space Debris Office worked with NASA and international partners in a coordinated prediction and risk-assessment exercise. ... > full story

Bimetallic nanoantenna separates colors of light (September 26, 2011) -- Researchers have built a very simple nanoantenna that directs red and blue colors in opposite directions, even though the antenna is smaller than the wavelength of light. The findings can lead to optical nanosensors being able to detect very low concentrations of gases or biomolecules. ... > full story

Salty water and gas sucked into Earth's interior helps unravel planetary evolution (September 26, 2011) -- An international team of scientists has provided new insights into the processes behind the evolution of the planet by demonstrating how salty water and gases transfer from the atmosphere into the Earth's interior. ... > full story

Glow-in-the-dark millipede says 'stay away' (September 26, 2011) -- Entomologists have unraveled the mystery of the world's only millipedes that glow in the dark. Using a clever field study approach, the research team was able to show that emitting a greenish glow helps the multi-legged, nocturnal arthropods fend off natural enemies. ... > full story

Poisonous effect of intestinal bacteria explained: Researchers identify site of action of cytotoxin produced by 'hypervirulent' intestinal flora (September 26, 2011) -- Researchers have discovered the cell receptor for the toxin CDT of the bacterium Clostridium difficile. These germs often cause an inflammation of the colon in patients who have recently received a treatment with antibiotics. ... > full story

Cheap and efficient solar cell made possible by linked nanoparticles (September 26, 2011) -- Researchers have demonstrated that electrons can move freely in layers of linked semiconductor nanoparticles under the influence of light. This new knowledge will be very useful for the development of cheap and efficient quantum dot solar cells. ... > full story

Climatic fluctuations drove key events in human evolution, researchers find (September 26, 2011) -- Researchers have found that periods of rapid fluctuation in temperature coincided with the emergence of the first distant relatives of human beings and the appearance and spread of stone tools. ... > full story

Structure of a molecular copy machine: How mitochondrial genes are transcribed (September 26, 2011) -- Mitochondria are compartments within cells and have their own DNA. The key protein required for the expression of the genetic information in this DNA is the mitochondrial RNA polymerase enzyme. Its three-dimensional structure has now been determined in atomic detail. ... > full story

Feathered friends are far from bird-brained when building nests (September 26, 2011) -- Nest-building is not just instinctive but is a skill that birds learn from experience, research suggests. Scientists filmed male Southern Masked Weaver birds in Botswana as they built multiple nests out of grass during a breeding season. Their findings contrast with the commonly-held assumption among scientists that nest-building is an innate ability. ... > full story

Invasion of genomic parasites triggered modern mammalian pregnancy, study finds (September 26, 2011) -- Genetic parasites invaded the mammalian genome more than 100 million years ago and dramatically changed the way mammals reproduce -- transforming the uterus in the ancestors of humans and other mammals from the production of eggs to a nurturing home for developing young, a new study has found. ... > full story

Asia was settled in multiple waves of migration, DNA study suggests (September 26, 2011) -- Researchers studying DNA patterns from modern and archaic humans has found that the Denisovans, a recently discovered hominin group, contributed genes to several populations in Asia and that modern humans settled Asia in more than one migration. ... > full story

Scientists find H1N1 flu virus prevalent in animals in Africa (September 26, 2011) -- Life scientists have discovered the first evidence of the H1N1 virus in animals in Africa. In one village in northern Cameroon, a staggering 89 percent of the pigs studied had been exposed to the H1N1 virus, also known as the swine flu. ... > full story

Nitrate levels rising in northwestern Pacific Ocean (September 26, 2011) -- Changes in the ratio of nitrate to phosphorus in the oceans off the coasts of Korea and Japan caused by atmospheric and riverine pollutants may influence the makeup of marine plants and influence marine ecology, according to researchers from Korea and the US. ... > full story

Hog waste producing electricity and carbon offsets (September 26, 2011) -- A pilot waste-to-energy system constructed by Duke University and Duke Energy this week garnered the endorsement of Google Inc., which invests in high-quality carbon offsets from across the nation to fulfill its own carbon neutrality goals. The system, on a hog finishing facility 25 miles west of Winston-Salem, converts hog waste into electricity and creates carbon offset credits. ... > full story

Targeting HIV's sugar coating: New microbicide may block AIDS virus from infecting cells (September 26, 2011) -- Researchers have discovered a new class of compounds that stick to the sugary coating of the AIDS virus and inhibit it from infecting cells -- an early step toward a new treatment to prevent sexual transmission of the virus. ... > full story

Dead Sea researchers discover freshwater springs and numerous micro-organisms (September 26, 2011) -- Using highly skilled divers and high-tech equipment, BGU sent the team to study the springs they had previously detected. The study reveals complex springs hundreds of feet long and as deep as 90 feet (30 meters). The springs appear from the sea floor through craters as large as 45 feet (15 meters) in diameter and 60 feet (20 meters) deep -- with steep, finely laminated walls and alternating layers of sediment and minerals. ... > full story

Strong solar storm reaching Earth (September 26, 2011) -- NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center -- the nation's official source of warnings and alerts about space weather and its impacts on Earth -- issued a warning for a strong, G3 geomagnetic storm on Earth resulting from a significant explosion from the sun's corona Saturday morning (Sept. 24, 2011). G-scale solar storms range from G1 (minor) to G5 (extreme). ... > full story

Sunspot 1302 continues to turn toward Earth (September 26, 2011) -- A strong-to-severe (Kp=8) geomagnetic storm is in progress following the impact of a coronal mass ejection (CME) at approximately 8:15a.m. EDT (12:15 UT) on Sept. 26. The Goddard Space Weather Lab reported a strong compression of Earth's magnetosphere. Simulations indicate that solar wind plasma has penetrated close to geosynchronous orbit starting at 9am. Geosynchronous satellites could therefore be directly exposed to solar wind plasma and magnetic fields. High-latitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras after nightfall. ... > full story

Complete map of mouse genetic variation (September 26, 2011) -- The laboratory mouse has been widely used for research on a variety of diseases and genetic studies to understand which genes are involved in various illnesses. However, actual variations in past sequences of genes were unknown. Researchers have now sequenced a nearly complete map of mouse genetic variation. Cataloging the full set of variants is a first step in identifying the actual variants affecting disease. ... > full story

Amphibians beware: Beware young beetles' deadly 'siren call' (September 26, 2011) -- Biologists say that beetle larvae "trick" toads into believing that they're really a delicious snack. More than an explanation for an evolutionary quirk, an understanding of this biological survival mechanism will have a significant impact on environmental risk assessments. ... > full story