ScienceDaily Environment Headlines
for Friday, October 3, 2008
Arctic Sea Ice Hits Second-lowest Recorded Extent, Likely Lowest Volume (October 3, 2008) -- Arctic sea ice extent during the 2008 melt season dropped to the second-lowest level Sept. 14 since satellite measurements began in 1979 and may represent the lowest volume of sea ice on record, according to researchers. ... > full story
Similarity Of Urban Flora: Plants In Towns And Cities Are More Closely Related Than Those In The Countryside (October 3, 2008) -- More plant species grow in German towns and cities than in the countryside, but those in towns and cities are more closely related and are often functionally similar. This makes urban ecosystems more susceptible to environmental impacts. ... > full story
Captain Birdseye's Robotic Nose (October 3, 2008) -- The captain can't freeze smelly fish that's past its best -- and Icelandic scientists can now help him out by detecting the levels of stench-making bacteria faster than ever before. A new method to detect bacteria that break down dead fish and produce the distasteful smell of rotting fish has been developed. ... > full story
Compact Fluorescent Lighting: Are We Trading Energy Conservation For Toxic Mercury Emissions? (October 3, 2008) -- New research shows certain countries and some US states stand to benefit from the use of compact fluorescent lighting more than others, and some places may even produce more mercury emissions by switching from incandescent light bulbs to CFLs. ... > full story
Simple Twists Of Fate (October 3, 2008) -- A novel study in PLoS Biology reports on some of the molecular gymnastics performed by a protein involved in regulating DNA transcription. Using state-of-the art tools, researchers observed the shape and behavior of individual DNA molecules bent into tight loops by Lac repressor, a protein from the bacterium E.coli that switches on and off individual genes. ... > full story
Chernobyl Fallout? Plutonium Found In Swedish Soil (October 2, 2008) -- More than 20 years later, researchers from Case Western Reserve University traveled to Sweden and Poland to gain insight into the downward migration of Chernobyl-derived radionuclides in the soil. Among the team's findings was the fact that much more plutonium was found in the Swedish soil at a depth that corresponded with the nuclear explosion than that of Poland. ... > full story
New Fish Species May Emerge Because Of How Females See Males (October 2, 2008) -- Eye color and hair color play a role in human partner choice, but visual stimuli can also determine mating preferences in the animal kingdom. In many species, the male's fortunes in the mating stakes are decided by a conspicuous breeding dress. A study of brightly colored fish has now demonstrated that this has less to do with aesthetics than with the sensitivity of female eyes, which varies as a result of adaptation to the environment. ... > full story
When Cells Go Bad: Cells That Avoid Suicide May Become Cancerous (October 2, 2008) -- When a cell's chromosomes lose their ends, the cell usually kills itself to stem the genetic damage. But now biologists have discovered how those cells can evade suicide and start down the path to cancer. The new study of fruit flies is the first to show in animals that losing just one telomere -- the end of a chromosome -- can lead to many abnormalities in a cell's chromosomes. ... > full story
New Dinosaur Species, Pachyrhinosaur Lakustai, Had Bony Frill And Horns (October 2, 2008) -- Newly found fossils revealed a herd of dinosaurs that perished in a catastrophic event 72.5 million years ago. Scientists describe the animals as having a bony frill on the back of the skull ornamented with smaller horns. They also had large bony structures above their nose and eyes which lends them their name: Pachyrhinosaurus (thick-nosed lizard). These structures probably supported horns of keratin. ... > full story
Cells Coordinate Gene Activity With FM Bursts, Scientists Find (October 2, 2008) -- How a cell achieves the coordinated control of a number of genes at the same time has long puzzled scientists. Researchers have discovered a surprising answer. Just as human engineers control devices ranging from dimmer switches to retrorockets using frequency modulated signals, cells tune the expression of groups of genes using discrete bursts of activation. ... > full story
Short RNAs Show A Long History: MicroRNAs Found In Animals That Appeared A Billion Years Ago (October 2, 2008) -- MicroRNAs, the tiny molecules that fine-tune gene expression, were first discovered in 1993. But it turns out they've been around for a billion years. MicroRNAs and piRNAs, two classes of small RNAs that regulate genes, have been discovered within diverse animal lineages, implying that they have been present since the ancestor of all animals (about a billion years ago).They may have been shaping gene expression throughout the evolution of animals, contributing to the emergence of new species and perhaps even the emergence of multicellular animal life. ... > full story
Ecologists Allay Fears For Farmland Birds From Wind Turbines (October 2, 2008) -- Wind farms pose less of a threat to farmland birds than previously feared, new research has found. The study helps resolve a potentially major environmental conflict: how to meet renewable energy targets at the same time as reversing dramatic declines in biodiversity on European farmland. ... > full story
Extinct May Not Be Forever For Some Species Of Galapagos Tortoises (October 2, 2008) -- Yale scientists report that genetic traces of extinct species of Galapagos tortoises exist in descendants now living in the wild, a finding that could spur breeding programs to restore the species. ... > full story
HIV Drug Maraviroc Effective For Drug-resistant Patients (October 2, 2008) -- As many as one quarter of HIV patients have drug resistance, limiting their treatment options and raising their risk for AIDS and death. Now, maraviroc, the first of a new class of HIV drugs called CCR5 receptor antagonists, has been shown to be effective over 48 weeks for drug-resistant patients with R5 HIV-1, a variation of the virus found in more than half of HIV-infected patients. ... > full story
DNA Tests Could Help Predict, Prevent Harmful Algal Blooms (October 2, 2008) -- DNA test could be used to detect harmful algal blooms across the globe, an article the International Journal of Environment and Pollution. ... > full story
From Mothballs To Mobilization: Taking The Salt Out Of Sea Water (October 2, 2008) -- The United Nations estimates that 1.1 billion people across the globe lack access to sustainable, clean drinking water. How can science help provide more drinkable water for a growing population on an Earth with limited fresh surface-water and groundwater resources? One researcher shows that desalinization -- removing salt from ocean water to create fresh water -- is a practical way to meet the growing human need. ... > full story
Canada's Shores Saved Animals From Devastating Climate Change 252 Million Years Ago (October 2, 2008) -- Scientists have solved part of the mystery of where marine organisms that recovered from the biggest extinction on earth were housed. The researchers discovered that the shorelines of ancient Canada provided a refuge for marine organisms that escaped annihilation during the Permian-Triassic extinction event. ... > full story
Vegetation Hardly Affected By Extreme Flood Events: Impacts On Flora And Fauna Of The Elbe Flood Of 2002 (October 2, 2008) -- Extreme flood events in floodplain grasslands affect carabid beetles and molluscs more than plants. Biologists did several years of observations before and after the Elbe floods of August 2002 in this study. Flow variations are known to be most important drivers in structuring riverine communities. However, until now, the effects of extreme flood events on the flora and fauna of floodplains have been largely unknown, despite the fact that such events are likely to become more frequent as a result of climate change. ... > full story
New Way To Make Malaria Medicine Also First Step In Finding New Antibiotics (October 1, 2008) -- Microbiologists have developed a way to mass-produce an antimalarial compound, potentially making the treatment of malaria less expensive. ... > full story
Commercial Aquatic Plants Offer Cost-effective Method For Treating Wastewater (October 1, 2008) -- Constructed wetlands (CWs) have been promoted as inexpensive, low-technology approaches to treating agricultural, industrial and municipal wastewater to comply with increasingly stringent environmental regulations. CWs, or marshes built to treat contaminated water, incorporate soil and drainage materials, water, plants and microorganisms. "Surface-flow" constructed wetlands resemble shallow freshwater marshes and generally require a large land area for wastewater treatment. More effective for greenhouse and nursery operations with limited production space and expensive land are a type of constructed wetland called "subsurface flow." ... > full story
Disease Diagnosis In Just 15 Minutes? Biosensor Technology Uses Antibodies To Detect Biomarkers Much Faster (October 1, 2008) -- Testing for diseases such as cancer and multiple sclerosis could soon be as simple as using a pregnancy testing kit. Scientists have developed a biosensor technology that uses antibodies to detect biomarkers -- molecules in the human body which are often a marker for disease -- much faster than current testing methods. ... > full story
Reversible 3D Cell Culture Gel Invented (October 1, 2008) -- A unique user-friendly gel that can liquefy on demand, with the potential to revolutionize three-dimensional cell culture for medical research, has been invented. ... > full story
Honey Effective In Killing Bacteria That Cause Chronic Sinusitis (October 1, 2008) -- Honey is very effective in killing bacteria in all its forms, especially the drug-resistant biofilms that make treating chronic rhinosinusitis difficult, according to new research. ... > full story
Scientists Go Green With Gold, Distribute Environmentally Friendly Nanoparticles (October 1, 2008) -- Until recently, scientists couldn't create gold nanoparticles without producing synthetic chemicals that had negative impacts on the environment. A new method not only eliminates any negative environmental impact, but also has resulted in national and international recognition for the lead scientist. ... > full story
New Life Found In Ancient Tombs (October 1, 2008) -- Life has been discovered in the barren depths of Rome's ancient tombs, proving catacombs are not just a resting place for the dead. The two new species of bacteria found growing on the walls of the Roman tombs may help protect our cultural heritage monuments, according to research published in the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. ... > full story
Global Warming Will Have Significant Economic Impacts On Florida Coasts, Reports State (October 1, 2008) -- Scientists have released two new studies, including a report finding that climate change will cause significant impacts on Florida's coastlines and economy due to increased sea level rise and hurricane storm surge. Property damage is expected to increase. A second study recommends that the state of Florida adopt a series of policy programs aimed at adapting to these large coastal and other impacts as a result of climate change. ... > full story
'Artificial Nose' Progress: Engineers Mass-produce Smell Receptors (October 1, 2008) -- Biological engineers have found a way to mass-produce smell receptors in the laboratory, an advance that paves the way for "artificial noses" to be created and used in a variety of settings. ... > full story
Common Insecticide Can Decimate Tadpole Populations (October 1, 2008) -- New research suggests that routine use of the pesticide malathion -- the most popular insecticide in the United States -- can decimate tadpole populations by altering their food chain. ... > full story
Cloud Radar: Predicting The Weather More Accurately (October 1, 2008) -- The weather. It's the one topic of conversation that unites Britain -- umbrella or sun cream? Now scientists at the Science and Technology Facilities Council have developed a system that measures the individual layers of cloud above us which will make answering the all-important weather questions much easier in future. The Cloud Radar will not only allow forecasters to predict the weather more precisely, the information gathered will also enable aircraft pilots to judge more accurately whether it is safe to take off and land in diverse weather conditions, offering a powerful safety capability for civil airports and military air bases. ... > full story
Tiny Organisms Feast On Oil Thousands Of Feet Below Bottom Of Sea (October 1, 2008) -- Thousands of feet below the bottom of the sea, off the shores of Santa Barbara, single-celled organisms are busy feasting on oil. ... > full story
Hepatitis B Exposure May Increase Risk For Pancreatic Cancer (October 1, 2008) -- Researchers have discovered that exposure to the hepatitis B virus may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer. The study also suggests that patients with this lethal form of cancer treated with chemotherapy may face danger of reactivation of their HBV. ... > full story
Water Table Depth Tied To Droughts (October 1, 2008) -- Recent modeling results show that the depth of the water table, which results from lateral water flow at the surface and subsurface, determines the relative susceptibility of regions to changes in temperature and precipitation. ... > full story
Novel Mechanism For Regulation Of Gene Expression Identified (October 1, 2008) -- Scientists have demonstrated that an enzyme called Uch37 is kept in check when it is part of a human chromatin remodeling complex, INO80. The results were published in Molecular Cell. ... > full story
Discovering How Human-caused Sounds Affect Marine Mammals (October 1, 2008) -- Marine mammal specialists consider the research needed to assess the effects of anthropogenic sound upon marine mammals. Marine mammals are an important component in the food-chain of the marine biotope. They rely largely on sound for their communication and organization, but these mechanisms are not completely understood. ... > full story
Experiment Demonstrates 110 Years Of Sustainable Agriculture (October 1, 2008) -- Researchers have shown that a plot of land on the campus of Auburn University that has been maintained by a century old practice of sustainable farming can produce similar cotton crops to those using other methods. This 110 year old continuous field experiment, called "the Old Rotation," utilizes traditional crop rotation methods and includes winter legumes to protect the soil from winter erosion. ... > full story
Nanotechnology And Synthetic Biology: Americans Don't Know What's Coming (October 1, 2008) -- Almost half of US adults have heard nothing about nanotechnology, and nearly nine in 10 Americans say they have heard just a little or nothing at all about the emerging field of synthetic biology, according to a new report. Both technologies involve manipulating matter at an incredibly small scale to achieve something new. The poll found that about two-thirds of adults say they have heard nothing at all about synthetic biology, and only 2 percent say they have heard "a lot" about the new technology. Even with this very low level of awareness, a solid two-thirds of adults are willing to express an initial opinion on the potential benefits versus risks tradeoff of synthetic biology. ... > full story
Urban Black Bears 'Live Fast, Die Young' (October 1, 2008) -- Black bears that live around urban areas weigh more, get pregnant at a younger age, and are more likely to die violent deaths, according to a study by the Wildlife Conservation Society. ... > full story
Alternative To Burning: Environmentally Sound Disposal For Wood Chips (October 1, 2008) -- Pecan and other hickory woods are the third most popular hardwood group in the United States, behind only black walnut and black cherry. he pruned wood of pecan, a byproduct of forested trees, is usually burned as an economical means of disposal. Increasingly though, pruned pecan is being chipped and incorporated into the soil as an environmentally viable method of handling the waste. Although more expensive than burning, chipping and soil incorporation avoid burning controls recently imposed by many states and the Environmental Protection Agency. ... > full story
Dominican Republic's Early Warning System For Hurricanes And Flooding Strengthened (October 1, 2008) -- Scientists have begun a project to strengthen the Early Warning System for Inundations in the Dominican Republic. ... > full story
Microbes 'Run The World': Metagenomics Increasingly Used To Characterize Them (September 30, 2008) -- Mostly hidden from the scrutiny of the naked eye, microbes have been said to run the world. The challenge is how best to characterize them given that less than one percent of the estimated hundreds of millions of microbial species can be cultured in the laboratory. The answer is metagenomics -- an increasingly popular approach for extracting the genomes of uncultured microorganisms and discerning their specific metabolic capabilities directly from environmental samples. Ten years after the term was coined, metagenomics is going mainstream and already paying provocative dividends in the areas of energy and environment. ... > full story
Potentially Toxic Substance Found In Chicago Air (September 30, 2008) -- Although the industrial compounds known as polychlorinated biphenols or PCBs have been found in previous air samples collected in the city of Chicago, a new study of Chicago air sampled between November 2006 and November 2007 found PCB11, a byproduct of the manufacture of paint pigments and a potentially toxic substance, present throughout the city. ... > full story
Campus Green Spaces Enhance Quality Of Life (September 30, 2008) -- The next time you see students playing an energized game of touch football or studying in the sunshine on a college quadrangle, consider this: campus green spaces can help students feel better about life and improve learning. ... > full story
Sounds Travel Farther Underwater As World's Oceans Become More Acidic (September 30, 2008) -- It is common knowledge that the world's oceans and atmosphere are warming as humans release more and more carbon dioxide into the Earth's atmosphere. However, fewer people realize that the chemistry of the oceans is also changing -- seawater is becoming more acidic as carbon dioxide from the atmosphere dissolves in the oceans. These changes in ocean temperature and chemistry will have an unexpected side effect -- sounds will travel farther underwater. ... > full story
Like An Arrow: Jumping Insects Use Archery Techniques (September 30, 2008) -- Froghoppers, also known as spittlebugs, are the champion insect jumpers, capable of reaching heights of 700mm -- more than 100 times their own body length. New research reveals that they achieve their prowess by flexing bow-like structures between their hind legs and wings and releasing the energy in one giant leap in a catapult-like action. ... > full story
Mass Extinctions And The Evolution Of Dinosaurs (September 30, 2008) -- Dinosaurs did not proliferate immediately after they originated, but that their rise was a slow and complicated event, and driven by two mass extinctions, according to new research. ... > full story
Is There More To Prion Protein Than Mad Cow Disease? (September 30, 2008) -- Prion protein, a form of protein that triggers BSE, is associated with other brain diseases in cattle, raising the possibility of a significant increase in the range of prion disease. Scientists have detected changes in the production and accumulation of the prion protein in the brains of cattle with a rare neurodegenerative disorder. ... > full story
Global Warming Fix? Carbon Dioxide Captured Directly From Air With Simple Machine (September 30, 2008) -- An energy and environmental system expert has shown it is possible to reduce carbon dioxide -- the main greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming -- using a relatively simple machine that can capture the trace amount of carbon dioxide present in the air at any place on the planet. The technology could dramatically reduce emissions from transportation. ... > full story
Stalagmites May Predict Next Big One Along The New Madrid Seismic Zone (September 30, 2008) -- Small white stalagmites lining caves in the Midwest may help scientists chronicle the history of the New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ) -- and even predict when the next big earthquake may strike, say researchers. ... > full story
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