ScienceDaily Environment Headlines
for Tuesday, July 3, 2012
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Six natural wonders declared World Heritage Sites (July 3, 2012) -- Sangha Trinational -- shared between Cameroon, the Central African Republic and the Republic of Congo; Lakes of Ounianga in Chad and Chengjiang fossil site in China have been inscribed on the World Heritage List, following the recommendations of IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature). Lena Pillars Nature Park in Russia and Western Ghats in India were also added to the prestigious list by the World Heritage Committee. ... > full story
Malaysian: Worldview of the Batek tribe (July 3, 2012) -- How do individuals conceive their world and their place in it? In an attempt to identify the worldview of the Batek tribe, a team of researchers have embarked on a comprehensive study to document the characteristics and elements found in Batek folklore. ... > full story
DNA sequenced for parrot's ability to parrot (July 2, 2012) -- Scientists say they have assembled more completely the string of genetic letters that could control how well parrots learn to imitate their owners and other sounds. ... > full story
Newly discovered dinosaur implies greater prevalence of feathers; Megalosaur fossil represents first feathered dinosaur not closely related to birds (July 2, 2012) -- A new species of feathered dinosaur discovered in southern Germany is further changing the perception of how predatory dinosaurs looked. The fossil of Sciurumimus albersdoerferi, which lived about 150 million years ago, provides the first evidence of feathered theropod dinosaurs that are not closely related to birds. ... > full story
'Next-generation digital Earth' charted (July 2, 2012) -- The world has gotten smaller and more accessible since applications like Google Earth became mainstream, says an expert. However, there is still a long way to go, and there are important steps to take to get there. ... > full story
Women infected with common parasite have increased risk of attempting suicide, study finds (July 2, 2012) -- Women infected with the Toxoplasma gondii parasite, which is spread through contact with cat feces or eating undercooked meat or unwashed vegetables, are at increased risk of attempting suicide, according to a new study of more than 45,000 women. ... > full story
Tapping into genetic reservoir of heat-loving bacteria (July 2, 2012) -- The identification of key proteins in a group of heat-loving bacteria could help light a fire under next-generation biofuel production. ... > full story
Pinpointing history of droughts through exploration of tree rings: Unexpected complexity in U. S. West's patterns of drought (July 2, 2012) -- Through an exploration of tree rings and oxygen isotopes, researchers are now able to better pinpoint the history of droughts in the arid and semiarid areas of the American West. ... > full story
How clouds are formed: Rate of condensation much slower than thought (July 2, 2012) -- Researchers have shown that the rate of condensation of water on organic aerosol particles in the atmosphere can be very slow, taking many hours for a particle to change in size. This could have significant consequences for understanding how clouds are formed, affecting climate. ... > full story
Breaking the skin barrier: Drugs topically deliver gene therapy via commercial moisturizers for skin disease treatment (July 2, 2012) -- "Getting under your skin" takes on new meaning thanks to research that could transform gene therapy. A team from the fields of dermatology and nanotechnology is the first to demonstrate the use of commercial moisturizers to deliver gene therapy with great potential for life-saving therapies for skin cancers. The drug -- consisting of novel spherical arrangements of nucleic acids -- penetrates the skin's layers and can selectively target disease-causing genes while sparing normal genes. ... > full story
Scientists Unlock Some Key Secrets of Photosynthesis (July 2, 2012) -- New research is seeking to detail the individual steps of highly efficient reactions that convert sunlight into chemical energy within plants and bacteria. ... > full story
War-related climate change would reduce substantially reduce crop yields (July 2, 2012) -- Though worries about “nuclear winter” have faded since the end of the Cold War, existing stockpiles of nuclear weapons still hold the potential for devastating global impacts. Experts say that the climate effects of a hypothetical nuclear war between India and Pakistan would greatly reduce yields of staple crops, even in distant countries. ... > full story
Naked mole rat may hold the secret to long life (July 2, 2012) -- The naked mole rat's brain contains unusually high levels of NRG-1, a neuroprotecting protein, which preserves high activity, bone health, and cognitive ability throughout its lifespan, new research shows. And because the rodent has an 85 percent genetic similarity to humans, continuing investigation could lead to a longer and healthier life for us. ... > full story
Cell biology: New insights into the life of microtubules (July 2, 2012) -- Every second, around 25 million cell divisions take place in our bodies. This process is driven by microtubule filaments which continually grow and shrink. A new study shows how so-called motor proteins in the cytosol can control their dynamics. ... > full story
Physical activity needed to reap benefits of dietary restriction (July 2, 2012) -- Dietary restriction alone does not extend lifespan – at least in fruit flies. Flies, which share many genetic similarities with humans, need physical activity in order to live longer on a Spartan diet. If the same axiom holds true in humans, those practicing caloric restriction in hopes of living longer need to make sure they eat enough to avoid fatigue. ... > full story
Mosquitoes: How we smell is why they bite (July 2, 2012) -- A mosquito biologist is studying the olfactory behavior of mosquitoes as a means of developing more effective methods of disease control. ... > full story
Innate immune system protein provides a new target in war against bacterial infections (July 2, 2012) -- Scientists have identified a possible new approach to defeating bacterial infections by targeting an innate immune system component in a bid to invigorate the immune response. ... > full story
Natural intestinal flora strengthen immune system (July 2, 2012) -- Signals from natural intestinal bacteria are necessary for an effective immune response to various viral or bacterial germs, new research suggests. ... > full story
You can't keep a good cell down: Vast majority of cells close to death after toxin exposure can survive and thrive (July 2, 2012) -- The vast majority of cells that appear to be on a one-way track to death after exposure to toxins can bounce back completely after those toxins are removed, scientists report in a new study. The finding is not only a testament to the indomitable cellular spirit, but could also offer some practical insight on how to save dying tissues after heart attacks or strokes as well as prevent cancer in cells transiently exposed to toxins. ... > full story
Native plant restoration not enough to maintain tropical dry forests in Hawaii (July 2, 2012) -- Protecting Hawaiian dry forests from invasive species and the risk of wildfire is an ongoing challenge for land managers and scientists conducting research on the Island of Hawaii. It is commonly thought that removing the invasive species and planting native species will restore the land to its original state. However, a recent article found that it is not quite that simple. ... > full story
Mass extinctions reset the long-term pace of evolution (July 2, 2012) -- A new study indicates that mass extinctions affect the pace of evolution, not just in the immediate aftermath of catastrophe, but for millions of years to follow. ... > full story
Acid-wielding worms drill through bones at the bottom of the sea (July 2, 2012) -- Tiny "bone-devouring worms," known to both eat and inhabit dead whale skeletons and other bones on the sea floor, have a unique ability to release bone-melting acid, scientists at have recently discovered. ... > full story
New light shed on explosive solar activity (July 2, 2012) -- The first images of an upward surge of the sun's gases into quiescent coronal loops have been identified by an international team of scientists. The discovery is one more step towards understanding the origins of extreme space storms, which can destroy satellite communications and damage power grids on Earth. ... > full story
Diving seabirds: Working hard and living long (July 2, 2012) -- Scientists have found that diving birds reach their 30s and then die quickly and suddenly, showing few signs of aging prior to death. Their findings could help us understand the aging process, providing critical insights for our aging population. ... > full story
Seasonal changes in outpatient antibiotic use significantly alter seasonal patterns of drug resistance (July 2, 2012) -- A new study shows how seasonal changes in outpatient antibiotic use -- retail sales of antibiotics typically get a boost during the winter -- can significantly alter seasonal patterns of drug resistance. The findings suggest that hospital campaigns to reduce inappropriate antibiotic use should be coordinated with efforts in the broader community if they are to be most effective. ... > full story
Do the world's smallest flies decapitate tiny ants? (July 2, 2012) -- The smallest fly ever discovered is just 0.40 millimeters in length, and is a member of a fly family that is known for "decapitating" ants. ... > full story
Are brown widows displacing black widow spiders around southern California homes? (July 2, 2012) -- Brown widow spiders are relatively new to North America, where they were first documented in Florida in 1935, and even newer to southern California, where they were only recently discovered in 2003. However, in the last decade they've been so successful that they may be displacing native black widow spiders. If so, the overall danger to homeowners may decrease because brown widow spider bites are less toxic than those of native western black widow spiders. ... > full story
Ants farm root aphid clones in subterranean rooms (July 2, 2012) -- The yellow meadow ant, Lasius flavus, farms root aphids for sugar (honeydew) and nitrogen (protein). In turn these species of aphids have developed distinctive traits never found in free living species such as the ‘trophobiotic organ’ to hold honey dew for the ants. New research shows that over half of ant mounds contained only one of the three most common species of aphid, and two thirds of these has a single aphid clone. Even in mounds which contained more than one species of aphid 95% of the aphid chambers contained individuals of a single clone. ... > full story
Inspired by nature: Paints and coatings containing bactericidal agent nanoparticles combat marine fouling (July 2, 2012) -- Scientists have discovered that tiny vanadium pentoxide nanoparticles can inhibit the growth of barnacles, bacteria, and algae on surfaces in contact with water, such as ship hulls, sea buoys, or offshore platforms. Their experiments showed that steel plates to which a coating containing dispersed vanadium pentoxide particles had been applied could be exposed to seawater for weeks without the formation of deposits of barnacles, bacteria, and algae. ... > full story
German wind farms can kill bats from near and far, research suggests (July 2, 2012) -- Wind turbines may have large-scale negative effects on distant ecosystems. New research demonstrates that bats killed at German wind turbines originate mostly from northeastern Europe. ... > full story
Cell research: Enzyme questions important principle of evolution (July 2, 2012) -- In evolutionary processes, it is the simple, economical solutions that prevail over the complex and laborious ones. Researchers have now investigated the key enzyme, “ribonuclease P”, which is found in every living organism. The surprising result is that the principle of evolutionary economy does not appear to apply to this enzyme. ... > full story
Drinking coffee may reduce risk of most common form of skin cancer (July 2, 2012) -- Increasing the number of cups of caffeinated coffee you drink could lower your risk of developing the most common form of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma, according to a new article. ... > full story
Falling lizards use tail for mid-air twist, inspiring lizard-like 'RightingBot' (July 1, 2012) -- Lizards, just like cats, have a knack for turning right side up and landing on their feet when they fall. But how do they do it? Unlike cats, which twist and bend their torsos to turn upright, lizards swing their large tails one way to rotate their body the other, according to new research. A lizard-inspired robot, called "RightingBot," replicates the feat. ... > full story
Want bigger plants? Get to the root of the matter (July 1, 2012) -- Plant scientists have imaged and analyzed, for the first time, how a potted plant's roots are arranged in the soil as the plant develops. In this study,biologists also found that doubling plant pot size makes plants grow over 40 percent larger. ... > full story
Printing living tissues: 3-D printed vascular networks made of sugar (July 1, 2012) -- New advances in tissue engineering could one day make a replacement liver from a patient's cells, or animal muscle tissue that could be cut into steaks. One problem with making 3-D tissue structures, however, is keeping the interior cells from suffocating. Now, researchers have developed an innovative solution: they've shown that 3-D printed templates of filament networks can be used to rapidly create vasculature and improve the function of engineered living tissues. ... > full story
An error-eliminating fix overcomes big problem in '3rd-gen' genome sequencing (July 1, 2012) -- A team has developed a software package that fixes a serious problem inherent in "3rd-gen" single-molecule genome sequencing: the fact that every fifth or sixth DNA "letter" it generates is incorrect. The high error rate is the flip side of the new method's chief virtue: it generates much longer genome "reads," providing a much more complete picture of genomes. ... > full story
Key step in immune system-fueled inflammation discovered (July 1, 2012) -- Like detectives seeking footprints and other clues on a television “whodunit,” science can also benefit from analyzing the tracks of important players in the body’s molecular landscape. Scientists have done just that and illuminated a key step in the journey of inflammation-producing immune cells. The finding provides powerful, previously unknown information about critical biological mechanisms underlying heart disease and many other disorders. ... > full story
Rising heat at the beach threatens largest sea turtles, climate change models show (July 1, 2012) -- Climate change could exacerbate existing threats to critically endangered leatherback sea turtles and nearly wipe out the population in the eastern Pacific. Deaths of turtle eggs and hatchlings in nests buried at hotter, drier beaches are the leading projected cause of the potential climate-related decline, according to a new study. ... > full story
Beyond base-pairs: Mapping the functional genome (July 1, 2012) -- Researchers have now mapped, for the first time, a significant portion of the functional sequences of the mouse genome, the most widely used mammalian model organism in biomedical research. ... > full story
Curvy mountain belts (June 29, 2012) -- Mountain belts on Earth are most commonly formed by collision of one or more tectonic plates. The process of collision, uplift, and subsequent erosion of long mountain belts often produces profound global effects, including changes in regional and global climates, as well as the formation of important economic resources, including oil and gas reservoirs and ore deposits. Understanding the formation of mountain belts is thus a very important element of earth science research. ... > full story
Easter Island drug raises cognition throughout life span in mice (June 29, 2012) -- Cognitive skills such as learning and memory diminish with age in everyone, and the drop-off is steepest in Alzheimer's disease. Texas scientists seeking a way to prevent this decline reported exciting results this week with a drug that has Polynesian roots. The researchers added rapamycin to the diet of healthy mice throughout the rodents' life span. Rapamycin, a bacterial product first isolated from soil on Easter Island, enhanced learning and memory in young mice and improved these faculties in old mice, the study showed. ... > full story
New fuel cell keeps going after the hydrogen runs out (June 29, 2012) -- Materials scientists have demonstrated a solid-oxide fuel cell that converts hydrogen into electricity but can also store electrochemical energy like a battery. This fuel cell can continue to produce power for a short time after its fuel has run out. ... > full story
Scientists urge new approaches to plant research (June 29, 2012) -- If humans are to survive as a species, we must turn more to plants for any number of valuable lessons, experts say. ... > full story
Bees shed light on human sweet perception and metabolic disorders (June 29, 2012) -- Scientists have discovered that honey bees may teach us about basic connections between taste perception and metabolic disorders in humans. By experimenting with honey bee genetics, researchers have identified connections between sugar sensitivity, diabetic physiology and carbohydrate metabolism. Bees and humans may partially share these connections. ... > full story
Stealthy microscopy method visualizes E. coli sub-cellular structure in 3-D (June 29, 2012) -- A sub-cellular world has been opened up for scientists to study E. coli and other tissues in new ways, thanks to a microscopy method that stealthily provides 3-D, high-quality images of the internal structure of cells without disturbing the specimen. ... > full story
Bangladeshi women prefer pollution-causing cookstoves (June 29, 2012) -- Women in rural Bangladesh prefer inexpensive, traditional stoves for cooking over modern ones despite significant health risks, according to a new study. ... > full story
Welsh reindeer is Britain's oldest rock art, U-series dating suggests (June 29, 2012) -- A reindeer engraved on the wall of a cave in South Wales has been found to date from at least 14,505 years ago -- making it the oldest known rock art in the British Isles. ... > full story
New technique could reduce number of animals needed to test chemical safety (June 29, 2012) -- A new way of testing the safety of natural and synthetic chemicals has been developed. The new research could reduce the number of fish needed to test the toxicity of a range of chemicals including pharmaceuticals and environmental pollutants. ... > full story
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