ScienceDaily Environment Headlines -- for Thursday, September 15, 2011 ~ Technology

ScienceDaily Environment Headlines

for Thursday, September 15, 2011

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Hitchhiking snails fly from ocean to ocean (September 15, 2011) -- Scientists report that snails successfully crossed Central America, long considered an impenetrable barrier to marine organisms, twice in the past million years -- both times probably by flying across Mexico, stuck to the legs or riding on the bellies of shorebirds and introducing new genes that contribute to the marine biodiversity on each coast. ... > full story

Researchers develop mouse genetic blueprint; Mouse study drives forward understanding of human biology (September 15, 2011) -- An international team of researchers has decoded and compared the genome sequence of 17 mouse strains, developing a valuable mouse genetic blueprint that will accelerate future research and understanding of human genetics. The team found an astonishing 56.7 million SNPs among the strains, in addition to other more complex differences, and used these sequence differences to uncover genetic associations with more than 700 biological differences, including markers for diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. ... > full story

Water evaporated from trees cools global climate, researchers find (September 15, 2011) -- Scientists have long debated about the impact on global climate of water evaporated from vegetation. New research concludes that evaporated water helps cool the earth as a whole, not just the local area of evaporation, demonstrating that evaporation of water from trees and lakes could have a cooling effect on the entire atmosphere. These findings have major implications for land-use decision making. ... > full story

Strange vent-fellows: Chemosynthetic shrimp, tubeworms together for first time at hydrothermal vent (September 14, 2011) -- Ocean explorers observed two species of marine life scientists believe have never before been seen together at a hydrothermal vent -- chemosynthetic shrimp and tubeworms. They also observed the first known live tubeworms ever seen at a hydrothermal vent in Atlantic waters. ... > full story

Accidental sea turtle deaths drop 90 percent in U.S. fisheries; Improvements in fishing equipment seem to be preventing lethal 'bycatch' (September 14, 2011) -- The number of sea turtles accidentally caught and killed in fishing gear in United States coastal waters has declined by an estimated 90 percent since 1990, according to a new study by researchers at Duke University Project GloBAL and Conservation International. ... > full story

Air pollution caused by ships plummets when vessels shift to cleaner, low-sulfur fuels, study finds (September 14, 2011) -- New clean fuel regulations in California and voluntary slowdowns by shipping companies substantially reduce air pollution caused by near-shore ships, according to a new study. ... > full story

Breakthrough opens new avenues for hep C vaccine (September 14, 2011) -- Hopes for an effective vaccine and treatment against the potentially fatal hepatitis C virus (HCV) have received a major boost following the discovery of two 'Achilles' heels' within the virus. ... > full story

'Synthetic biology' could replace oil for chemical industry (September 14, 2011) -- Vats of blue-green algae could one day replace oil wells in producing raw materials for the chemical industry, a chemist predicts. ... > full story

New invention unravels mystery of protein folding (September 14, 2011) -- A new invention able to quickly predict three-dimensional structure of protein could have huge implications for drug discovery and human health. ... > full story

Arctic sea ice nears minimum extent (September 14, 2011) -- In the last few days, the decline in Arctic sea ice extent has slowed. New data show Arctic sea ice extent currently at the second-lowest levels in the satellite record. ... > full story

Novel software used in first global camera trap mammal study (September 14, 2011) -- A novel software system has been used in the first global camera trap study of mammals. The research emphasizes the importance of protected areas to ensure the diversity and survival of a wide range of animal populations. ... > full story

Study of metabolites reveals health implications from small molecules (September 14, 2011) -- Researchers have discovered 37 new genetic variants associated with concentrations of metabolites in the blood: many of these match variants associated with diseases such as kidney disease and type 2 diabetes. The team looked for genetic influences on levels of more than 250 compounds in blood, including lipids, sugars, and amino acids. The effects of variants discovered in genome-wide association analyses can be modest and biological understanding poor: this new approach can overcome these problems. ... > full story

Messy better than neat: Tangled coat of nanowires increases solar cell efficiency by absorbing more light (September 14, 2011) -- Sometimes neatness may not be necessary. Researchers have demonstrated that a tangled coating of randomly positioned nanowires can increase solar cell efficiency by absorbing more light. ... > full story

Crashes common among helicopters used in oil and gas operations, study finds (September 14, 2011) -- A new study finds that helicopters that service the drilling platforms and vessels in the Gulf of Mexico crash on average more than six times per year resulting in an average of five deaths per year. ... > full story

Double jeopardy: Building codes may underestimate risks due to multiple hazards (September 14, 2011) -- As large parts of the United States recover from nature's one-two punch -- an earthquake followed by Hurricane Irene -- building researchers warn that a double whammy of seismic and wind hazards can increase the risk of structural damage to as much as twice the level implied in building codes. ... > full story

High-fat diet and lack of enzyme can lead to heart disease in mice (September 14, 2011) -- It's no secret that a high-fat diet isn't healthy. Now researchers have discovered a molecular clue as to precisely why that is. Mice lacking a gene-expression-controlling enzyme fed a high-fat diet experience rapid thickening of the heart muscle and heart failure. This link -- at least in mice -- has implications for people on so-called Western diets and combating heart disease. Modulating the enzyme's activity could be a new pharmaceutical target. ... > full story

Primary component in curry spice kicks off cancer-killing mechanisms in human saliva (September 14, 2011) -- Curcumin, the main component in the spice turmeric used in curry, suppresses a cell signaling pathway that drives the growth of head and neck cancer, according to a pilot study using human saliva. ... > full story

In immune cells, super-resolution imaging reveals natural killers' M.O. (September 14, 2011) -- Making use of a new "super resolution" microscope that provides sharp images at extremely small scales, scientists have achieved unprecedented views of the immune system in action. The new tool, a stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscope, shows how granules from natural killer cells pass through openings in dynamic cell structures to destroy their targets: tumor cells and cells infected by viruses. ... > full story

Team finds stable RNA nano-scaffold within virus core (September 14, 2011) -- With the discovery of a RNA nano-scaffold that remains unusually stable in the body, researchers have overcome another barrier to the development of therapeutic RNA nanotechnology. The nanoparticle, constructed from a three-way junction (3WJ) motif of packaging RNA (pRNA) molecules, can serve as a platform for building larger, multifunctional nanoparticles -- which can then be injected into the body to deliver therapeutics to targeted cells. ... > full story

Our future will be shaped by fire (September 14, 2011) -- Wildfires are often viewed as major disasters, and there is concern that climate change will increase their incidence. However, it is difficult to consider the true impact of past or future wildfires without understanding their place in natural and human history. A team of international researchers has identified ways of helping others distinguish between the fires that should be considered natural disasters and those that are beneficial. ... > full story

In the early life of an embryo, a monster lurks: Newly fertilized cells only narrowly avoid degenerating into fatal chaos (September 13, 2011) -- Research has revealed that newly fertilized cells only narrowly avoid degenerating into fatal chaos. At the same time, scientists have discovered that embryos have acquired a mechanism to contain this dangerous instability, a finding that could help biologists unravel other mysteries about the first hours of life. ... > full story

More evidence that spicing up broccoli boosts its cancer-fighting power (September 13, 2011) -- Teaming fresh broccoli with a spicy food that contains the enzyme myrosinase significantly enhances each food's individual cancer-fighting power and ensures that absorption takes place in the upper part of the digestive system where you'll get the maximum health benefit, suggests a new study. ... > full story

Bats adjust their 'field-of-view': Use of biosonar is more advanced than thought (September 13, 2011) -- A new study reveals that the way bats use biosonar to "see" their surroundings is significantly more advanced than first thought. The study examines Egyptian fruit bats, whose high-frequency clicks form a sonar beam that spreads across a fan-shaped area; the returning echoes allowing them to locate objects in that region. As these bats were considered to have little control over their vocalizations, scientists had puzzled over how they're able to navigate through complex environments. ... > full story

Using lasers to vaporize tissue at multiple points simultaneously (September 13, 2011) -- Researchers have developed a new technique that uses a single UV laser pulse to zap away biological tissue at multiple points simultaneously. The new method could help scientists study the mechanical forces at work as organisms grow and change shape. ... > full story

Observations of climate change from indigenous Alaskans (September 13, 2011) -- Personal interviews with Alaska Natives in the Yukon River Basin provide unique insights on climate change and its impacts, helping develop adaptation strategies for these local communities. ... > full story

Major threats foreseen due to Europe's changing marine environments (September 13, 2011) -- Europeans face greater risk of illness, property damage and job losses because of the impacts of climate change on the seas around them, a new report suggests. ... > full story

Sea level rise may take economic toll on California coast, study predicts (September 13, 2011) -- California beach towns could face hefty economic losses caused by sea level rise in the next century, according to a new state-commissioned study conducted by economists. The study forecasts the economic impact of sea level rise on five communities: Ocean Beach in San Francisco; Venice Beach and Malibu in Los Angeles; Carpinteria in Santa Barbara County; and Torrey Pines State Reserve in San Diego County. ... > full story

Can scientists look at next year's climate? (September 13, 2011) -- Is it possible to make valid climate predictions that go beyond weeks, months, even a year? Atmospheric scientists report among the best long-term climate forecasts that have ever been made -- up to 16 months in advance -- about twice the length of time that other climate scientists have achieved. ... > full story

'White-coat effect' elevates greyhounds' blood pressure (September 13, 2011) -- The "white-coat effect" is not reserved for only the human patients who see their blood pressure rise in response to the stress of a doctor visit. In a new study, researchers have determined that anxiety associated with being in a veterinary hospital elevates the blood pressure in retired racing greyhounds -- a breed known for having higher-than-average blood pressure in the first place. ... > full story

The breathtaking dance of plants: How plants space out the pores through which they breathe (September 13, 2011) -- The way in which plants space out the pores through which they breathe depends on keeping a protein active during stem cell growth, according to new research. The research could help scientists to tailor the number and arrangement of stomata to different environments. This could regulate the efficiency at which plants absorb carbon dioxide or diffuse water vapor. ... > full story

Recycling fat might help worms live longer (September 13, 2011) -- Scientists found that two cellular processes -- lipid metabolism and autophagy -- work together to influence lifespan in C. elegans worms. Autophagy, a mechanism cells use to recycle their own contents, has been implicated in many human diseases, including cancer. This study provides a more detailed understanding of the roles autophagy and lipid metabolism play in aging. ... > full story

Newly hatched chicks of African honeyguide birds bite to death their foster siblings to eliminate competition (September 13, 2011) -- Only a few days old and still blind and naked, chicks of the African greater honeyguide kill their newly hatched foster siblings in order to eliminate competition for parental care, new research has found. ... > full story

Blood vessels from your printer? (September 13, 2011) -- Researchers have been working on growing tissue and organs in the laboratory for a long time. Today, tissue engineering enables us to build up artificial tissue, although science still hasn't been successful with larger organs. ... > full story

Methodology applied to historical walls may explain why moss gathers and how paint blackens (September 13, 2011) -- For the correct restoration of deteriorated works of cultural heritage, it helps to know what causes the degradation in the first place. There are studies that characterize these types of damage in detail, but that rarely touch on the origin and development of the deterioration. A chemist has now come up with an analytical methodology with the intention of filling this need. ... > full story

Endangered horse has ancient origins and high genetic diversity, new study finds (September 12, 2011) -- An endangered species, Przewalski's horse, is much more distantly related to the domestic horse and has a much more diverse gene pool than researchers previously had hypothesized, researchers report. The new study's findings could be used to inform conservation efforts to save the endangered species, of which only 2,000 individuals remain in parts of China and Mongolia, and in wildlife reserves in California and the Ukraine. ... > full story

Sustainability scientists suggest how countries can cooperate on climate (September 12, 2011) -- Experts suggest using game theory and a scalable method of rewards and punishments (called linear compensation) to help develop strategies that encourage all nations to participation fully in greenhouse gas mitigation programs. ... > full story

New species of ancient predatory fish discovered (September 12, 2011) -- Researchers have discovered a new species of large predatory fish that prowled ancient North American waterways during the Devonian Period, before backboned animals existed on land. ... > full story

Health fears over CO<sub>2</sub> storage are unfounded, study shows (September 12, 2011) -- Capturing carbon dioxide from power stations and storing it deep underground carries no significant threat to human health, despite recently voiced fears that it might, a new study shows. Researchers found that the risk of death from poisoning as a result of exposure to CO2 leaks from underground rocks is about one in 100 million -- far less than the chances of winning the lottery jackpot. ... > full story

'Trojan Horse' particle sneaks chemotherapy in to kill ovarian cancer cells (September 12, 2011) -- A common chemotherapy drug has been successfully delivered to cancer cells inside tiny microparticles using a method inspired by our knowledge of how the human immune system works. The drug, delivered in this way, reduced ovarian cancer tumors in an animal model by 65 times more than using the standard method. This approach is now being developed for clinical use. ... > full story

Physicist detects movement of macromolecules engineered into our food (September 12, 2011) -- Toxin proteins are genetically engineered into our food because they kill insects by perforating body cell walls, and now researchers studying membrane proteins have detected the molecular mechanism involved. ... > full story

Exposure to 'white' light LEDs appears to suppress body's production of melatonin more than certain other lights, research suggests (September 12, 2011) -- Exposure to the light of 'white' LED bulbs appears to suppress melatonin five times more than exposure to the light of high pressure sodium bulbs that give off an orange-yellow light, according to new research. ... > full story

Breath and sweat used to detect trapped humans (September 12, 2011) -- Molecules in their breath, sweat and skin have been used to detect humans in a simulation of a collapsed building, raising the prospect of portable sensors for use in real-life situations, such as the devastating aftermath of the 9/11 attacks and more recent disasters in New Zealand and Japan. ... > full story

Mitosis: New techniques expose surprises in cell division (September 12, 2011) -- Researchers have obtained the first high-resolution, three-dimensional images of a cell with a nucleus undergoing cell division. The observations, made using a powerful imaging technique in combination with a new method for slicing cell samples, indicate that one of the characteristic steps of mitosis is significantly different in some cells. ... > full story

Gypsy moth caterpillars hormonal slaves to virus gene (September 12, 2011) -- Gypsy moth caterpillars infected with baculovirus forfeit safety and stay in the treetops during the day because a virus gene manipulates their hormones to eat continuously and forgo molting, according to entomologists. The caterpillars die where they climb and infect other gypsy moth caterpillars. ... > full story

Scientists offer way to address 'age-old' questions (September 12, 2011) -- Scientists have devised a method to measure the impact of age on the growth rates of cellular populations, a development that offers new ways to understand and model the growth of bacteria, and could provide new insights into how genetic factors affect their life cycle. ... > full story

Sea urchins see with their whole body (September 12, 2011) -- Many animals have eyes that are incredibly complex -- others manage without. Researchers have now shown that sea urchins see with their entire body despite having no eyes at all. ... > full story

Genetic link to cattle diseases uncovered (September 12, 2011) -- The origin of three costly cattle diseases is genetically linked, according to new findings. Scientists have discovered a location on bovine chromosome 20 that is associated with the incidence of the most prevalent bacterial diseases -- pinkeye, foot rot and bovine respiratory disease (pneumonia) -- that affect feedlot cattle. ... > full story

Appalachian tiger swallowtail butterfly is a hybrid of two other swallowtails, scientists find (September 12, 2011) -- Flitting among the cool slopes of the Appalachian Mountains is a tiger swallowtail butterfly species that evolved when two other species of swallowtails hybridized long ago, a rarity in the animal world, biologists have found. ... > full story