ScienceDaily Environment Headlines
for Thursday, October 27, 2011
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Multiple malaria vaccine offers protection to people most at risk (October 27, 2011) -- A new malaria vaccine could be the first to tackle different forms of the disease and help those most vulnerable to infection, a study suggests. ... > full story
Can antivirulence drugs stop infections without causing resistance? (October 27, 2011) -- Antivirulence drugs disarm pathogens rather than kill them, and although they could be effective in theory, antivirulence drugs have never been tested in humans. A new study reveals these drugs have the potential to fight infection while avoiding the pitfalls of drug resistance. ... > full story
New tool clears the air on cloud simulations (October 27, 2011) -- Climate models have a hard time representing clouds accurately because they lack the spatial resolution necessary to accurately simulate the billowy air masses. But scientists have developed a new tool that will help scientists better represent the clouds observed in the sky in climate models. ... > full story
Face-to-face with an ancient human (October 27, 2011) -- A reconstruction based on the skull of Norway’s best-preserved Stone Age skeleton makes it possible to study the features of a boy who lived outside Stavanger 7,500 years ago. ... > full story
Dividing corn stover makes ethanol conversion more efficient (October 27, 2011) -- Not all parts of a corn stalk are equal, and they shouldn't be treated that way when creating cellulosic ethanol, say researchers. ... > full story
Plants feel the force: How plants sense touch, gravity and other physical forces (October 26, 2011) -- At the bottom of plants' ability to sense touch, gravity or a nearby trellis are mechanosensitive channels, pores through the cells' plasma membrane that are opened and closed by the deformation of the membrane. Biologists are studying the roles these channels play in Arabdopsis plants by growing mutant plants that lack one or more of the 10 possible channel proteins in this species. ... > full story
Environmental toxin bisphenol A (BPA) can affect newborn brain, mouse study shows (October 26, 2011) -- Newborn mice that are exposed to bisphenol A (BPA) develop changes in their spontaneous behavior and evince poorer adaptation to new environments, as well hyperactivity as young adults, according to researchers. Their study also revealed that one of the brain’s most important signal systems, the cholinergic signal system, is affected by bisphenol A and that the effect persisted into adulthood. ... > full story
Recycling thermal cash register receipts contaminates paper products with BPA (October 26, 2011) -- Bisphenol A (BPA) -- a substance that may have harmful health effects -- occurs in 94 percent of thermal cash register receipts, scientists are reporting. The recycling of those receipts, they add, is a source of BPA contamination of paper napkins, toilet paper, food packaging and other paper products. The report could have special implications for cashiers and other people who routinely handle thermal paper receipts. ... > full story
Controversy over reopening the 'Sistine Chapel' of Stone Age art (October 26, 2011) -- Plans to reopen Spain's Altamira caves are stirring controversy over the possibility that tourists' visits will further damage the 20,000-year old wall paintings that changed views about the intellectual ability of prehistoric people, according to a new article. The caves are the site of Stone Age paintings so magnificent that experts have called them the "Sistine Chapel of Paleolithic Art." ... > full story
Scary can be exciting when it comes to strange traditional foods (October 26, 2011) -- Sheep’s head: Until now very few of us have been tempted by this traditional Norwegian dish. Eating scary food is practice in overcoming fear, according to one researcher. In the tourism industry, a few entrepreneurs have commercialized this idea and thereby raised traditional food to new heights. ... > full story
Lab-made skin cells will aid transplantation, cancer, drug discovery research, say scientists (October 26, 2011) -- Researchers have found a way to create melanocytes from mouse tail cells using embryonic stem cell-like intermediates called inducible pluripotent (iPS) cells. They converted mouse tail-tip fibroblasts into iPS cells, producing pluripotent cells similar to embryonic stem cells, but without the concomitant ethical issues. ... > full story
Teenage girls and senior students suffered highest levels of PTSD after major earthquake, study finds (October 26, 2011) -- Researchers who spoke to nearly 2,000 teenagers three months after an 8.0 earthquake found high level of post-traumatic stress disorder, especially among girls and senior students. The findings underline the need for young people to receive prompt psychological support after major disasters to avoid them developing long-term mental health problems. The study may be of particular interest to journalists doing follow-up pieces on the aftermath of the Turkish earthquake. ... > full story
Extreme melting on greenland ice sheet, team reports; Glacial melt cycle could become self-amplifying (October 26, 2011) -- The Greenland ice sheet can experience extreme melting even when temperatures don't hit record highs, according to a new analysis by Dr. Marco Tedesco, assistant professor in the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at the City College of New York. His findings suggest that glaciers could undergo a self-amplifying cycle of melting and warming that would be difficult to halt. ... > full story
Morning UV exposure may be less damaging to the skin (October 26, 2011) -- New research suggests that the timing of exposure to UV rays -- early in the morning or later in the afternoon -- can influence the onset of skin cancer. ... > full story
Birthplace for primitive life on Earth? Researchers identify mud volcanoes in Greenland as niche for early life (October 26, 2011) -- The mud volcanoes at Isua, in south-west Greenland, have been identified as a possible birthplace for life on Earth by an international team headed by researchers. Almost four billion years ago, these volcanoes released chemical elements indispensable to the formation of the first biomolecules, under conditions favorable to life. It is the first time that such an environment, meeting all the requirements for the emergence of life, has been identified by scientists in 3.8-billion-year-old formations. ... > full story
New test can precisely pinpoint food pathogens (October 26, 2011) -- A new test developed by a team led of scientists will enable government agencies and food companies to pinpoint the exact nature and origin of food-borne bacteria with unprecedented accuracy. ... > full story
Production of biofuel from forests will increase greenhouse gas emissions, study finds (October 26, 2011) -- The largest and most comprehensive study yet done on the effect of biofuel production from West Coast forests has concluded that an emphasis on bioenergy would increase carbon dioxide emissions from these forests at least 14 percent. The findings are contrary to assumptions and some previous studies that suggest biofuels from this source would be carbon-neutral or even reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In this research, that wasn't true in any scenario. ... > full story
You are what you eat: Low fat diet with fish oil slows growth of human prostate cancer cells, study suggests (October 26, 2011) -- A low-fat diet with fish oil supplements eaten for four to six weeks prior to prostate removal slowed down the growth of prostate cancer cells -- the number of rapidly dividing cells -- in human prostate cancer tissue compared to a traditional, high-fat Western diet, according to a new study. ... > full story
Biologists unravel how plants synthesize their growth hormone (October 26, 2011) -- Biologists have succeeded in unraveling, for the first time, the complete chain of biochemical reactions that controls the synthesis of auxin, the hormone that regulates nearly all aspects of plant growth and development. ... > full story
Electromobility: New components going for a test run (October 26, 2011) -- The future belongs to electrical cars -- that's what most experts think. In the future, it will be whisper-quiet on road because in the long run electric cars will replace the internal combustion engine. But there are still some unanswered questions. For instance, how do you store the electricity in cars? Or what power networks do you need? ... > full story
Culture in humans and apes has the same evolutionary roots, researchers show (October 26, 2011) -- Culture is not a trait that is unique to humans. By studying orangutan populations, researchers have demonstrated that great apes also have the ability to learn socially and pass them down through a great many generations. ... > full story
Literary detectives unravel famous Ben Jonson mystery (October 26, 2011) -- The amazing chance discovery of a manuscript hidden among papers in an ancient family archive is shedding new light on the legendary career of William Shakespeare’s biggest rival, the poet and playwright, Ben Jonson. ... > full story
Perinatal antidepressant stunts brain development in rats; Miswired brain circuitry traced to early exposure (October 25, 2011) -- Rats exposed to an antidepressant just before and after birth showed substantial brain abnormalities and behaviors, according to a new study. After receiving citalopram, a serotonin-selective reuptake inhibitor, during this critical period, long-distance connections between the two hemispheres of the brain showed stunted growth and degeneration. The animals also became excessively fearful when faced with new situations and failed to play normally with peers. ... > full story
Mental time-travel in birds (October 25, 2011) -- Some tropical birds collect their prey at army ant raids, where massive swarms of ants sweep through the forest and drive out insects. The behavior of interest is called bivouac checking; it allows these birds to track the cyclical raid activity of army ant colonies. ... > full story
Computer scientist cracks mysterious 'Copiale Cipher' (October 25, 2011) -- More than three centuries after it was devised, the 75,000-character "Copiale Cipher" has finally been broken. The mysterious cryptogram, bound in gold and green brocade paper, reveals the rituals and political leanings of a 18th-century secret society in Germany. ... > full story
First-of-a-kind tension wood study broadens biofuels research (October 25, 2011) -- Taking a cue from Mother Nature, researchers have undertaken a first-of-its-kind study of a naturally occurring phenomenon in trees to spur the development of more efficient bioenergy crops. Tension wood, which forms naturally in hardwood trees in response to bending stress, is known to possess unique features that render it desirable as a bioenergy feedstock. Although individual elements of tension wood have been studied previously, the team is the first to use a comprehensive suite of techniques to systematically characterize tension wood and link the wood's properties to sugar release. Plant sugars, known as cellulose, are fermented into alcohol for use as biofuel. ... > full story
New genetic evidence confirms coyote migration route to Virginia and hybridization with wolves (October 25, 2011) -- Changes in North American ecosystems over the past 150 years have caused coyotes to move from their native habitats in the plains and southwestern deserts of North America to habitats throughout the United States. In a new study, researchers used DNA from coyote scat (feces) to trace the route that led some of the animals to colonize in Northern Virginia. The researchers also confirmed that, along the way, the coyotes interbred with the native Great Lakes wolves. ... > full story
Simple compound with surprising antifreeze properties (October 25, 2011) -- A chemical compound used to stabilize particles in suspension has proved capable of controlling the growth of ice crystals, according to researchers in France. Surprisingly, the compound in question is a simple molecule, not at all like the macromolecules previously known for their antifreeze properties. It offers many advantages, including low production costs, stability and ease of use, which should open the way to industrial applications. The discovery also provides new leads for the development of synthetic equivalents of antifreeze proteins, different from those currently produced. ... > full story
Geothermal mapping report confirms vast coast-to-coast clean energy source in U.S. (October 25, 2011) -- New research documents significant geothermal resources across the United States capable of producing more than three million megawatts of green power -- 10 times the installed capacity of coal power plants today. ... > full story
'Junk DNA' defines differences between humans and chimps (October 25, 2011) -- DNA sequences for human and chimpanzees are nearly identical, despite vast phenotypical differences between the two species. Researchers have determined that the insertion and deletion of large pieces of DNA near genes are highly variable between humans and chimpanzees and may account for these major differences. ... > full story
Forest fires in Mediterranean basin are becoming larger and more frequent, study finds (October 25, 2011) -- New research analyzes the causes and characteristics of fires that have occurred in the Mediterranean basin in recent decades, and determines that rural exodus and changes in land use have increased the number and size of these fires. ... > full story
Blame backbone fractures on evolution, not osteoporosis: Adaptation to upright walking leaves humans susceptible (October 25, 2011) -- Osteoporosis is blamed for backbone fractures. The real culprit could well be our own vertebrae, which evolved to absorb the pounding of upright walking, researchers say. ... > full story
Public support for geoengineering research, survey finds (October 25, 2011) -- Research on geoengineering appears to have broad public support, as a new, internationally representative survey revealed that 72 percent of respondents approved research into the climate-manipulating technique. ... > full story
Researchers identify mysterious life forms in the extreme deep sea (October 25, 2011) -- A research expedition has led to the identification of gigantic amoebas at one of the deepest locations on Earth. During a voyage to the Pacific Ocean's Mariana Trench, the deepest region on the planet, researchers deployed untethered free-falling/ascending landers equipped with digital video and lights to search the largely unexplored region. The team documented the deepest known existence of xenophyophores, single-celled animals exclusively found in deep-sea environments. ... > full story
Coffee consumption associated with decreased risk for basal cell carcinoma (October 25, 2011) -- Caffeine could be related to an inverse association between basal cell carcinoma risk and consumption of coffee, a study found. ... > full story
Novel oral treatment for leishmaniasis has potential to save thousands of lives (October 25, 2011) -- A tropically stable liquid therapy for leishmaniasis, a disease known as the Baghdad boil, shows a significant decrease in infection after less than a week of treatment. ... > full story
Design rules will enable scientists to use DNA to build nanomaterials with desired properties (October 25, 2011) -- Scientists have learned how to top nature by building crystalline materials from nanoparticles (the "atoms") and DNA (the "bonds"). The researchers have learned how to create crystals with the particles arranged in the same types of atomic lattice configurations as some found in nature, but they also have built completely new structures that have no naturally occurring mineral counterpart. Their design rules could help improve the efficiency of optics, electronics and energy storage technologies. ... > full story
Could additives in hot dogs affect incidence of colon cancer? (October 25, 2011) -- The addition of ascorbate (vitamin C) or its close relative, erythorbate, and the reduced amount of nitrite added in hot dogs, mandated in 1978, have been accompanied by a steep drop in the death rate from colon cancer, according to new research. ... > full story
Study confirms males and females have at least one thing in common: Upregulating X (October 25, 2011) -- In a new study, scientists present experiments supporting a longstanding hypothesis that explains how males can survive with only one copy of the X chromosome. The finding provides clarity to a hotly debated topic in science and provides biologists with more information to interpret experiments involving genetic measurements in males and females. ... > full story
Viking buried with axe, sword and spear found with fully intact Viking boat burial in UK (October 25, 2011) -- The UK mainland's first fully intact Viking boat burial site has been discovered by archaeologists working in the Scottish Highlands. The 5m-long grave contained the remains of a high status Viking, who was buried with an axe, a sword with a beautifully decorated hilt, a spear, shield boss and bronze ring-pin. ... > full story
Earthquakes generate big heat in super-small areas (October 25, 2011) -- In experiments mimicking the speed of earthquakes, geophysicists detail a phenomenon known as flash heating. They report that because fault surfaces touch only at microscopic, scattered spots, these contacts are subject to intense stress and extreme heating during earthquakes, lowering their friction and thus the friction of the fault. The localized, intense heating can occur even while the temperature of the rest of the fault remains largely unaffected. ... > full story
Unraveling the mysteries of the natural killer within us (October 25, 2011) -- Scientists in Australia have discovered more about the intricacies of the immune system in a breakthrough that may help combat viral infections such as HIV. The researchers have discovered more about the critical role Natural Killer cells play in the body's innate immune response. ... > full story
NASA satellite sees a more powerful Hurricane Rina, warnings up in Mexico (October 25, 2011) -- Hurricane warnings are in effect in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula and visible and infrared satellite imagery from NASA continues to show Hurricane Rina getting stronger. Rina is now a category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale. ... > full story
Fallout of a giant meteorite strike revealed in new model (October 24, 2011) -- Seeking to better understand the level of death and destruction that would result from a large meteorite striking Earth, researchers have developed a new model that can not only more accurately simulate the seismic fallout of such an impact, but also help reveal new information about the surface and interior of planets based on past collisions. ... > full story
Water disinfection byproducts linked to adverse health effects (October 24, 2011) -- Scientists report the first identification of a cellular mechanism linked to the toxicity of a major class of drinking water disinfection byproducts. This study suggests a possible connection to adverse health effects, including neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's. ... > full story
Hold your forces: Mechanical stress can help or hinder wound healing depending on time of application (October 24, 2011) -- A new study demonstrates that mechanical forces affect the growth and remodeling of blood vessels during tissue regeneration and wound healing. The forces diminish or enhance the vascularization process and tissue regeneration depending on when they are applied during the healing process. ... > full story
Gallium nitride is non-toxic, biocompatible; holds promise for implants, research finds (October 24, 2011) -- Researchers have shown that the semiconductor material gallium nitride is non-toxic and is compatible with human cells -- opening the door to the material's use in a variety of biomedical implant technologies. ... > full story
Studying depression: Researchers demonstrate rare animal model (October 24, 2011) -- Scientists have taken a promising step toward creating an animal model for decoding the specific brain circuits involved in depression. By electrically stimulating a brain region central to an animal's primary emotions, the researchers saw rats exhibit a variety of behaviors associated with a depressed, negative mood, or affect. ... > full story
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