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Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for January 11, 2013:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Step by step: Feature detection and combination in perceptual learning and object identification- New approach using nanoparticle alloys allows heat to be focused or reflected just like electromagnetic waves
- Tethercell battery could redefine smartphone control
- Astronomers discover the largest structure in the universe
- Breath test identifies bacteria's fingerprint
- Solar variability and terrestrial climate
- Tiny crystalline resonators produce mid-infrared frequency combs for fingerprinting of molecules
- Honey bees are more effective at pollinating almonds when other species of bees are present
- Cheating—and getting away with it: Gene allows amoebae to pass on more than their fair share of their genes
- How belly fat differs from thigh fat—and why it matters
- Discovery promises to improve drugs used to fight cancer, other diseases
- Nearby dwarf galaxy and possible protogalaxy discovered
- Clamorous city blackbirds
- 10-year study reveals incredible level of accuracy to estimate intrinsic magnetic properties of two subatomic particles
- Researchers use hydrogel to repair cartilage
Space & Earth news
Salinisation of rivers: A global environmental problem
The salinisation of rivers is a global problem with a high environmental and economic cost, and which poses a significant risk to human health. Climate change and increasing water consumption could create even greater issues in the future, according to an article published in the journal Environmental Pollution, based on the research of an international team led by the experts of the Department of Ecology of the UB Narcís Prat and Miguel Cañedo-Argüelles.
Six million people help global garbage clean-up
More than six million volunteers from 96 countries collected an unprecedented 100,000 tonnes of garbage last year as part of a global, web-driven clean-up campaign, cyber-environmentalists said Friday.
Red-dust sunset as west Australia braces for cyclone
Western Australians were bracing for a cyclone with residents warned to batten down for storms and destructive winds gusting up to 140 kilometres per hour (90 mph).
Pollution turns Hong Kong harbour from 'fragrant' to foul
Hong Kong's name may mean "fragrant harbour", but cargo ships burning dirty fuel in what is one of the world's busiest ports add to a foul layer of pollution that kills more than 3,000 people a year.
Study calls for flexible, multi-step approach to deal with flood risk
(Phys.org)—Recurrent coastal flooding—think Isabel, Ernesto, Irene, Sandy, the "Son of Ida," and numerous other unnamed nor'easters—is a significant and growing threat to the people and places of Tidewater Virginia.
Idaho Geological Survey and U-Idaho explore for geothermal energy
(Phys.org)—In an effort to provide the most accurate assessment of high-temperature geothermal energy potential in the region, the Idaho Geological Survey recently drilled new wells in southeastern Idaho.
NRL's SECCHI captures super-elastic collision of coronal mass ejections
(Phys.org)—Scientists at the Naval Research Laboratory and the University of Science and Technology in Hefei, China have captured the super-elastic collision of two coronal mass ejections in the heliosphere. They recorded the surprising event, which occurred in November 2008, using the Space Science Division (SSD)-led Sun-Earth Connection Coronal and Heliospheric Investigation (SECCHI) suite onboard NASA's twin Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO). NRL Space Science Division's Dr. Angelos Vourlidas, the SECCHI project scientist and co-author of this study, reported this research in the journal Nature Physics on October 7, 2012. The research contributes to improving scientists' ability to understand and forecast Sun-Earth System space weather that can affect military and civilian space and communication systems.
The saline hiding places for bacteria in Río Tinto could be like those on Mars
Researchers at the Centre of Astrobiology have identified microorganisms that live inside salt deposits in the acidic and ferrous environment of the Tinto River in Huelva, Spain. The extreme conditions of these microniches appear to be similar to those of the salt deposits on Mars and Jupiter's moon, Europa. This possibility should be borne in mind on missions operating in these places, such as Curiosity.
NASA gets an eyeful from major Cyclone Narelle affecting Western Australia
Tropical Cyclone Narelle "opened" its eye while moving along the coast of Western Australia and NASA's Terra satellite captured a clear image of the well-formed storm center. Narelle is now a major cyclone on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.
Can a collapse of global civilization be avoided?
Throughout our history environmental problems have contributed to collapses of civilizations. A new paper published yesterday in Proceedings of the Royal Society B addresses the likelihood that we are facing a global collapse now. The paper concludes that global society can avoid this and recommends that social and natural scientists collaborate on research to develop ways to stimulate a significant increase in popular support for decisive and immediate action on our predicament.
Solar variability and terrestrial climate
(Phys.org)—In the galactic scheme of things, the Sun is a remarkably constant star. While some stars exhibit dramatic pulsations, wildly yo-yoing in size and brightness, and sometimes even exploding, the luminosity of our own sun varies a measly 0.1% over the course of the 11-year solar cycle.
Nearby dwarf galaxy and possible protogalaxy discovered
(Phys.org)—Peering deep into the dim edges of a distorted pinwheel galaxy in the constellation Ursa Major (the Great Bear), astronomers at Case Western Reserve University and their colleagues have discovered a faint dwarf galaxy and another possible young dwarf caught before it had a chance to form any stars.
Astronomers discover the largest structure in the universe
(Phys.org)—An international team of astronomers, led by academics from the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), has found the largest known structure in the universe. The large quasar group (LQG) is so large that it would take a vehicle travelling at the speed of light some 4 billion years to cross it. The team publish their results in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.
Technology news
Thief posts own picture on victim's Facebook page
A suspected thief appears to have mistakenly posted his own picture on his victim's Facebook page using a stolen tablet computer, South African media reported Friday.
Producing high-tech steel cheaply and efficiently
A new plant for desulfurizing pig iron is reducing the costs of steel production. Developed by Siemens, this innovative process makes it possible to more precisely dose the various desulfurizing agents that are injected into the molten metal and do so more economically. The technology is based on the patented Simetal Feldhaus process, which has been adopted and further developed by Siemens. A plant of this type is currently under construction in Brazil at steel producer ArcelorMittal Monlevade S.A.
French-language Belgian papers back on Google after 6 years
French-language Belgian newspapers were back on Google Friday after a six-year absence sparked by a bitter dispute over copywright with the US Internet search giant.
Softbank offers staff one mn yen to learn good English
Japanese mobile carrier Softbank, which made headlines over a $20 billion takeover of US-based Sprint Nextel, is offering employees an incentive to master English—one million yen.
EU raps Daimler over new coolant rules
The EU cautioned German auto giant Daimler Friday it must upgrade the air conditioning coolant used in its new models to meet greenhouse gas emission targets if they are to be cleared for sale.
Biden voices interest in new technology for guns
Vice President Joe Biden says he's interested in technology that would keep a gun from being fired by anyone other than the person who bought it. He says evidence shows such technology may have curtailed what happened last month in Connecticut when 20 youngsters and six teachers were gunned down inside their elementary school.
Intel calls for end to online gender gap
Women and girls are being left behind as the Internet spreads across the globe, with almost a third of all humanity now online, said a study released Thursday by hi-tech giant Intel Corporation.
Apple sees China becoming biggest market
Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook, on his second visit to China in a year, said he expects the country to surpass the United States as the technology giant's largest market, state media reported.
Personal computer sales slip during holiday season
Personal computer sales slipped at the end of last year, despite the holiday shopping season and the release of new Windows operating software for machines, a leading industry tracker reported.
Shares in Indian outsourcer Infosys soar on outlook
Indian IT outsourcer Infosys on Friday reported a stronger-than-expected quarterly profit and gave an improved outlook for annual revenues, sending its shares soaring.
Iran denies behind cyber attacks on US banks
Iran has denied US media reports it carried out cyber attacks on US banks, the official IRNA news agency said Friday, quoting a statement from Tehran's UN mission.
Sharp shares soar in Tokyo on profit report
Sharp shares jumped nearly 13 percent in Tokyo trading on Friday after a Japanese media report said the embattled electronics giant logged an operating profit in the last quarter of 2012.
First car ferry powered by electric drive system
Together with the Norwegian shipyard Fjellstrand, Siemens has developed the world's first electrically powered car ferry. The 80-meter vessel can carry 120 cars and 360 passengers. From 2015 onward, it will serve the route between Lavik and Oppedal, across the Sognefjord. The ship's batteries will be recharged in the breaks between crossings, a procedure which only takes 10 minutes. The vessel currently serving this route uses on average one million liters of diesel a year and emits 570 metric tons of carbon dioxide and 15 metric tons of nitrogen oxides. The electrically powered ferry was developed for submission to a competition organized by Norway's Ministry of Transport. As a reward for winning the competition, the shipping company Norled has been granted the license to operate the route until 2025.
Creating smarter infrastructure
A team from the Centre for Smart Infrastructure and Construction have developed a mechanical amplifier to convert ambient vibrations into electricity more effectively, which could be used to power wireless sensors for monitoring the structural health of roads, bridges and tunnels.
EU police agency opens unit to tackle cybercrime
The European Union's police coordination agency opened a new cybercrime unit Friday to combat online offenses from banking fraud to peddling images of child sex abuse.
Hackers sentenced for Michael Jackson music theft (Update)
A British court sentenced two hackers to 100 hours of community service on Friday for stealing a treasure trove of unreleased music—including Michael Jackson tracks—from the U.S. servers of Sony Music Entertainment.
Java software said to put computers in peril
The US Department of Homeland Security warned Thursday that a flaw in Java software is so dangerous that people should stop using it.
Facebook tests $100 charge to message Zuckerberg
Would you pay $100 to message Mark Zuckerberg? Facebook says it's testing some "extreme price points" to let users pay to have their messages seen by people who are not their friends.
Tethercell battery could redefine smartphone control
(Phys.org)—An Indiegogo project by Tetherboard drew interest at CES in Las Vegas this week where a novel concept of phone battery was demonstrated. The prototype on show was Tethercell, an adapter which the user can control from a smartphone or tablet, The adapter, powered by a AAA-battery, embeds Bluetooth into a traditional AA battery form. A Tethercell holds an AAA battery inside its little case.
Medicine & Health news
HRT for postmenopausal symptoms can be recommended as an alternative to hormone replacement therapy
Herbal and complementary medicines could be recommended as an alternative to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for treating postmenopausal symptoms says a new review published today in The Obstetrician and Gynaecologist (TOG).
France at odds with European medicines agency over Pill
France insisted Friday on restricting the prescription of newer-generation birth control pills even as Europe's medicines watchdog declared there was no evidence to merit a health warning.
Innovative rehabilitation for stroke victims
A pioneering rehabilitation system has been developed, with the aim of improving the quality of life of those suffering from brain damage.
Amniotic sac membrane could be source for human eggs
Researchers at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology say cells from the amniotic membrane part of the placenta normally discarded after a woman gives birth could one day be a source for human eggs. The first-of-its-kind discovery was published online last month in Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology (2012, 10:108).
UCI study reveals why Down syndrome boosts susceptibility to other conditions
A study led by UC Irvine researchers has revealed some of the underlying neural factors that explain why people with Down syndrome are more susceptible to Alzheimer's disease, diabetes and autistic spectrum disorders.
Project to capture and interrogate single cancer cells wins innovator award
From a single cell gone bad, cancer evolves into an increasingly complex tumor built of a variety of normal cells and diverse malignant cells, some of which escape to create dangerous colonies in other organs, further jumbling the treatment picture.
Research reveals landing first job can be harder for nurses from ethnic minorities
Student nurses from ethnic minorities can find it harder to secure work by the time they qualify and feel less confident about getting a job than their white British counterparts, according to new research conducted by leading healthcare academics.
Cannabis use and the increased risk of psychosis: The debate continues
The scientific community have long debated the causal relationship between cannabis use and the risk factor for psychotic illnesses such as schizophrenia. Both sides of this controversial subject are put forward in two articles published today in F1000 Medicine Reports. To give rise to the debate, the authors of each article were given the opportunity to read the opposing side's article drafts and consider their arguments when structuring their own article.
American Cancer Society recommends informed decision making in lung cancer screening
New guidelines from the American Cancer Society say evidence is sufficient to recommend screening high risk patients for lung cancer with low-dose computed tomography (CT) provided that certain conditions exist:
Kidneys sometimes removed unnecessarily due to misdiagnosis of genetic disorder
Thousands of individuals have had kidneys removed unnecessarily because doctors misdiagnosed their disease.
Women should wait at least 12 months before trying for a baby following weight loss surgery
Women should wait at least 12 months before trying for a baby following weight loss surgery and need further advice and information on reproductive issues, suggests a new evidence-based literature review published today in The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist (TOG).
Women with pre-eclampsia are at higher risk of complications following childbirth
Women with pre-eclampsia are at a higher risk of complications following delivery and should continue to be monitored for up to 72 hours, suggests a new review published today in The Obstetrician and Gynaecologist (TOG).
Massive US flu outbreak claims at least 18 lives
The United States was in the grip Thursday of a deadly influenza outbreak that has hit harder and earlier than in previous years, and has claimed the lives of at least 18 children.
Study of congenital, acquired blindness reveals new understanding of brain's early spatial development
(Medical Xpress)—Researchers at the University of Bath have uncovered a new understanding of how the brain develops its sense of space by working with blind people.
Too hot to sleep? Here's why
Bushfires are quite appropriately dominating our nation's concerns during the current Australian heatwave. But for many, the struggle to sleep through soaring temperatures is a personal inferno that dominates conversation around offices and homes across the country.
Specialized messages increase likelihood of male hand washing
The CDC reports that 77% of males wash their hands when leaving the restroom. Recent research, published in the journal Human Communication Research, found that this figure increased to 86% among men who were primed with messages in bathrooms.
Study of brain activity in monkeys shows how the brain processes mistakes made by others
Humans and other animals learn by making mistakes. They can also learn from observing the mistakes of others. The brain processes self-generated errors in a region called the medial frontal cortex (MFC) but little is known about how it processes the observed errors of others. A Japanese research team led by Masaki Isoda and Atsushi Iriki of the RIKEN Brain Science Institute has now demonstrated that the MFC is also involved in processing observed errors.
Computer model helps researchers hunt out cancer-causing mutational signatures in the genome
(Medical Xpress)—Researchers from the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute's cancer genome project have developed a computer model to identify the fingerprints of DNA-damaging processes that drive cancer development. Armed with these signatures, scientists will be able to search for the chemicals, biological pathways and environmental agents responsible.
New technique comprehensively generates three-dimensional maps of gene expression in the brain
A research team led by Yuko Okamura-Oho and Hideo Yokota of the RIKEN Advanced Science Institute, Wako, has developed a novel technique for three-dimensional (3D) mapping of gene expression patterns onto brain structures. The technique, known as transcriptome tomography, combines tissue sectioning with microarray technology and produces comprehensive maps of the density and location of gene expression, which have a higher resolution than the maps produced by existing methods.
What is deja vu and why does it happen?
Have you ever experienced a sudden feeling of familiarity while in a completely new place? Or the feeling you've had the exact same conversation with someone before?
Predicting mortality amongst older care home residents
The number of medications prescribed to a care home resident and the frequency of their contact with their GP are strong predictors of mortality in care homes shows research published today in Age & Ageing, the scientific journal of the British Geriatrics Society.
Blacks missing out on critical early treatment for strokes
Getting to the emergency room within the first few hours of recognizing stroke symptoms can help prevent permanent brain damage, but a recent study in Ethnicity & Disease finds that Blacks are only half as likely as Whites to get timely treatment.
More than one of every three Hoosiers who drink alcohol admits to bingeing, study finds
More than a third of the adult population in Indiana who consume alcohol admit to regular binge drinking, a habit that may cause severe neurological and physiological damage, says a new report from Ball State University.
Noted neurologists reveal new insights into glia cell role in brain function
(Medical Xpress)—Adriano Aguzzi, Ben Barres and Mariko Bennett, noted American neurologists for their research into the role glia cells play in brain function, have written a review paper for the journal Science. In it, they assert that it is their belief that glia cells play a far more important role in brain function than is commonly believed.
Flu vaccine rates in children remain lower than expected
This year's flu season is in full swing with 41 states now reporting widespread illness.
Merck warns doctors to stop prescribing Tredaptive
Drugmaker Merck says it is suspending its sale of the cholesterol drug Tredaptive and is telling doctors to quit prescribing the medicine.
When the diagnostic thresholds are lowered, being 'normal' becomes unachievable
In Norway, the diagnostic manual for mental disorders (ICD-10) is strongly influenced by the DSM system developed by the American Psychiatric Association. The DSM editions are criticised for constantly lowering the thresholds for qualifying for a psychiatric diagnosis.
Safe ways to relieve your young child's flu symptoms
(HealthDay)—Flu season is especially bad in the United States this year, and young children with the flu tend to suffer more than others because they can't take over-the-counter medications to help relieve their symptoms.
Etanercept seems beneficial in partial spinal cord injury
(HealthDay)—Treatment of rabbits with a partial spinal cord injury (SCI) with the intramuscularly-administered tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) inhibitor etanercept is associated with improved clinical and electrophysiological recovery processes, according to research published in the December issue of the European Spine Journal.
Post-op mortality up for elderly with pre-heart op anxiety
(HealthDay)—Few elderly patients about to undergo cardiac surgery experience high levels of anxiety, but for those who do, there is a five-fold higher risk of postoperative major morbidity or mortality, according to research published in the Jan. 1 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
Bayer receives FDA approval for long-term contraceptive
(HealthDay)—Bayer HealthCare has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its new low-dose levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (IUS) called Skyla, according a Jan. 10 news release issued by the company.
Depressed stroke survivors may face triple the risk of death
People who are depressed after a stroke may have a tripled risk of dying early and four times the risk of death from stroke than people who have not experienced a stroke or depression, according to a study released today that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 65th Annual Meeting in San Diego, March 16 to 23, 2013.
Game-based economics research explains why we roll the dice on flu shots
With 41 states having reported widespread and severe outbreaks of flu this season, timely new research sheds light on why less than half of the American population has gotten a flu shot.
Researchers use iPSCs to define optimal treatment for managing life-threatening arrhythmias
Researchers used induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from a young patient with Long QT syndrome (LQTS), a congenital heart disorder, to determine a course of treatment that helped manage the patient's life-threatening arrhythmias. The results, which appear in The Journal of General Physiology, could lead to improved treatments for LQTS and other channelopathies, diseases caused by disturbed ion channel function.
Flu more widespread in US; eases off in some areas
Health officials say flu is more widespread across the nation, but the number of hard-hit states has declined.
Experts aim to redefine healthcare and research ethics
In what they acknowledge as a seismic shift in the ethical foundation of medical research, practice and policy, a prominent group of interdisciplinary healthcare experts, led by bioethicists at Johns Hopkins, rejects an ethical paradigm that has guided the American system since the 1970s and calls for morally obligatory participation in a "learning healthcare system" more in step with the digital age. The group has authored a pair of articles outlining their arguments and proposal for a new ethical framework, which appear in a special report from The Hastings Center Report, along with seven commentaries from other experts responding to their ideas.
To protect against injuries, young athletes may need to play more just for fun
One way to avoid injuries in young athletes may be for them to simply spend more time in unorganized free play such as pick-up games, a Loyola University Medical Study has found.
Physical therapy in the intensive care unit benefits hospital's bottom line
In a study evaluating the financial impact of providing early physical therapy for intensive care patients, researchers at Johns Hopkins found that the up-front costs are outweighed by the financial savings generated by earlier discharges from the intensive care unit and shorter hospital stays overall. An article describing the findings, "ICU Early Physical Rehabilitation Programs: Financial Modeling of Cost Savings," is published online today ahead of print in the March issue of Critical Care Medicine.
Bullying harms kids with autism, parents say
(HealthDay)—Nearly 70 percent of children with autism suffer emotional trauma as a result of bullying, according to a new study.
Malaria drug association with hemolytic anemia unclear
(HealthDay)—Artesunate, a drug used in the treatment of severe malaria, may or may not be associated with hemolytic anemia, so the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends close monitoring of patients treated with the drug for four weeks after administration of the agent, according to a report published in the Jan. 11 issue of the CDC's Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report.
New laser resurfacing therapy promising for actinic keratoses
(HealthDay)—For patients with facial photodamage and actinic keratoses (AK), treatment with a new fractional resurfacing technique that uses a 1927-nm nonablative thulium laser reduces the number of facial AK and produces noticeable improvement in overall photodamage, according to a study published in the January issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Treating eye diseases with anti-VEGF therapies may have side effects
A new Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science (IOVS) article reveals that increasingly aggressive therapies that block VEGF could cause damage in treating eye diseases. Scientists discovered inhibiting anti-VEGF might have a harmful effect on the tissue responsible for producing the fluid that bathes the eye, medically termed the ciliary body.
Revolutionary treatment for psoriasis
Three per cent of the world's population suffer from the skin condition known as psoriasis. A Norwegian research-based company is close to developing a treatment that could help millions. The research may also prove beneficial in the treatment of other illnesses.
The pilot and autopilot within our mind-brain connection: Conscious vs. unconscious, habit vs. non-habit examined
(Medical Xpress)—Have you ever driven to work so deep in thought that you arrive safely yet can't recall the drive itself? And if so, what part of "you" was detecting cars and pedestrians, making appropriate stops and turns? Although when you get to work you can't remember the driving experience, you are likely to have exquisite memory about having planned your day.
Epigenetic processes orchestrate neuronal migration
(Medical Xpress)—Neurobiologists at the Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research (FMI) are the first to show that directional migration of neurons during brain development is controlled through epigenetic processes. In an elaborate study bridging epigenetics and neurobiology, the scientists found that the migratory pattern is orchestrated through epigenetic regulation of genes within neurons and spatial signals in the environment. Their study has been published in Science.
Multiple sclerosis study reveals how killer T cells learn to recognize nerve fiber insulators
(Medical Xpress)—Misguided killer T cells may be the missing link in sustained tissue damage in the brains and spines of people with multiple sclerosis, findings from the University of Washington reveal. Cytoxic T cells, also known as CD8+ T cells, are white blood cells that normally are in the body's arsenal to fight disease.
Researchers use hydrogel to repair cartilage
(Medical Xpress)—Researchers in the US have created a type of hydrogel that has proven to be effective in treating patients with damaged cartilage. The gel, the team writes, in their paper published in the journal Science Translational Medicine, thickens when exposed to light, providing a lattice platform for the development of new cell growth.
How belly fat differs from thigh fat—and why it matters
Men tend to store fat in the abdominal area, but don't usually have much in the way of hips or thighs. Women, on the other hand, are more often pear-shaped—storing more fat on their hips and thighs than in the belly. Why are women and men shaped differently? The answer still isn't clear, but it's an issue worth investigating, says Steven R. Smith, M.D., director of the Florida Hospital – Sanford-Burnham Translational Research Institute for Metabolism and Diabetes. That's because belly fat is associated with higher risks of heart disease and diabetes. On the other hand, hip and thigh fat don't seem to play a special role in these conditions.
Discovery promises to improve drugs used to fight cancer, other diseases
(Medical Xpress)—Even when at rest, the human body is a flurry of activity. Like a microscopic metropolis locked in a state of perpetual rush hour traffic, the trillions of cells that make us who we are work feverishly policing the streets, making repairs, building new structures and delivering important cargo throughout the bustling organic society.
Step by step: Feature detection and combination in perceptual learning and object identification
(Medical Xpress)—The ease and immediacy with which we recognize familiar objects escapes our notice. However, a novel, ambiguous, or highly complex object requires practice to achieve such perceptual facility. Past perceptual learning research found a wide range of rates at which these object recognition skills are acquired. Recently, however, scientists at Harvard University and New York University have devised a way to distinguish feature detection and feature combination, and moreover have determined the rate at which these two steps improve during perceptual learning. The researchers found that while detection is inefficient and learned slowly, combination is learned at a rate four to seven times greater. In addition, they show how this clarifies the diverse results obtained in previous perceptual learning studies.
Biology news
Bengali forests are fading away
Rapid deterioration in mangrove health is occurring in the Sundarbans, resulting in as much as 200m of coast disappearing in a single year.
Effect of season on the health of apes: A case study of wild chimpanzees and Western gorillas
(Phys.org)—Our closest relatives, the great apes, are all endangered and particularly sensitive to infectious diseases. Both chimpanzees and western gorillas experience seasonal variations in fruit availability but little is know about the effect on their health.
By using big brother style tracking technology, scientists have now resolved some of the mysteries of eel migration
Nobody knows the underlying biological mechanisms of the European eels migration. Thanks to an EU-funded research project called eeliad, now about toreach completion, biologists have revealed some of its secrets, including a better understanding of its biology and migration route.
Protein recognition and disorder: A debate
The extent to which three-dimensional structure is required for protein recognition and function is an area of vigorous debate with clear implications for protein engineering. Two differing viewpoints have been put forward in two articles published in F1000 Biology Reports today.
Lady beetle diet influences its effectiveness as biocontrol agent
By examining what lady beetles eat, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists are learning more about the movement of these beneficial insects in farm fields—and whether they'll actively feed on crop pests.
Cat survey reveals impact on birds
Some pet cats are killing a lot of birds around the UK, a new study shows. Most don't do much harm, but millions of marauding felines add up to what could be a serious problem for the nation's wildlife.
Honey bees are more effective at pollinating almonds when other species of bees are present
(Phys.org)—Honey bees are more effective at pollinating almonds when other species of bees are present, says an international research team in ground-breaking research just published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B. The research, which took place in California's almond orchards in Yolo, Colusa and Stanislaus counties, could prove invaluable in increasing the pollination effectiveness of honey bees, as demand for their pollination service grows.
Cheating—and getting away with it: Gene allows amoebae to pass on more than their fair share of their genes
We would all like to believe that there is a kind of karma in life that guarantees those who cheat eventually pay for their bad behavior, if not immediately, then somewhere down the line. But a study of a new gene in the amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum suggests that, at least for amoebae, it is possible to cheat and get away with it.
Clamorous city blackbirds
(Phys.org)—Animals have developed a variety of strategies for dealing with increasing noise pollution in their habitats. It is known, for example, that many urban birds sing at a high pitch to differentiate their song from the low-frequency sound of road traffic. However, as scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology discovered, this is just a useful side effect. The real reason for this behaviour is that songs at a higher pitch are also automatically louder. The birds can make themselves heard far better in city noise by increasing the volume of their song than by raising its frequency.
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