ScienceDaily Environment Headlines -- for Friday, October 28, 2011

ScienceDaily Environment Headlines

for Friday, October 28, 2011

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Building better HIV antibodies: Biologists create neutralizing antibody that shows increased potency (October 28, 2011) -- Using highly potent antibodies isolated from HIV-positive people, researchers have recently begun to identify ways to broadly neutralize the many possible subtypes of HIV. Now, a team of biologists has built upon one of these naturally occurring antibodies to create a stronger version they believe is a better candidate for clinical applications. ... > full story

Glaciers in southwest China feel the brunt of climate change (October 28, 2011) -- Significant increases in annual temperatures are having a devastating effect on glaciers in the mountainous regions of southwestern China, potentially affecting natural habitats, tourism and wider economic development. ... > full story

Additional investments in youth needed as world population tops 7 billion, states United Nations report (October 28, 2011) -- In five days, world population is projected to reach 7 billion. How we respond now will determine whether we have a healthy, sustainable and prosperous future or one that is marked by inequalities, environmental decline and economic setbacks, according to The State of World Population 2011 report, published Oct. 26, 2011 by the United Nations Population Fund. ... > full story

Progeria: Promising results from new gene therapy on animals (October 28, 2011) -- Huge progress has been made over the last few years in scientific research into progeria, a disease that leads to premature aging in children. In 2003, a team directed by Nicolas Lévy discovered the gene, and, in 2008, 12 children were able to begin clinical trials in which two molecules were combined to slow down the characteristic effects of the disease: premature aging. Researchers are continuing their efforts in an attempt to counter the consequences of the genetic defect that causes progeria. ... > full story

Researchers complete mollusk evolutionary tree (October 27, 2011) -- Researchers have compiled the most comprehensive evolutionary tree for mollusks to date. Their analysis surprisingly places two enigmatic groups, cephalopods and monoplacophorans, as sister clades. The team has also shown that there was a single origin for shelled mollusks. ... > full story

Exercise eases arthritis in obese mice even without weight loss (October 27, 2011) -- Adding another incentive to exercise, scientists have found that physical activity improves arthritis symptoms even among obese mice that continue to chow down on a high-fat diet. ... > full story

Quantum dots cast light on biomedical processes (October 27, 2011) -- The light emitted by quantum dots is both more intense and longer lasting than that produced by the fluorescent markers commonly used in medical and biological applications. Yet these nano-scale light sources still suffer from one major drawback: they do not dissolve in water. Researchers in the Netherlands and Singapore have found a way to remedy this. They have developed a coating which allows quantum dots to be used inside the human body, even inside living cells. ... > full story

Antarctic killer whales may seek spa-like relief in the tropics (October 27, 2011) -- In a new study, researchers offer a novel explanation for why a type of Antarctic killer whale performs a rapid migration to warmer tropical waters. One tagged Antarctic killer whale monitored by satellite traveled over 5,000 miles to visit the warm waters off southern Brazil before returning immediately to Antarctica just 42 days later. This was the first long distance migration ever reported for killer whales. ... > full story

Testing geoengineering: Models help determine type of testing that might be effective (October 27, 2011) -- Solar radiation management is a class of theoretical concepts for manipulating the climate in order to reduce the risks of global warming. But its potential effectiveness and risks are uncertain, and it is unclear whether tests could help narrow these uncertainties. Researchers used modeling to determine the type of testing that might be effective in the future. ... > full story

Natural intestinal flora involved in the emergence of multiple sclerosis, study finds (October 27, 2011) -- Multiple sclerosis is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. For a long time, pathogens were believed to be such external influences. According to scientists from Germany, however, it is apparently not harmful bacteria that trigger multiple sclerosis, but beneficial ones -- specifically, the natural intestinal flora, which every human being needs for digestion. The researchers discovered that genetically modified mice develop an inflammation in the brain similar to the human disease if they have normal bacterial intestinal flora. The microorganisms begin by activating the immune system's T cells and, in a further step, the B immune cells. ... > full story

Bio-engineered protein shows promise as new hemophilia therapy (October 27, 2011) -- A genetically engineered clotting factor that controlled hemophilia in an animal study offers a novel potential treatment for human hemophilia and a broad range of other bleeding problems. A research team took the naturally occurring coagulation factor Xa and engineered it into a variant that safely controlled bleeding in mouse models of hemophilia. ... > full story

'Magnetic tongue' ready to help produce tastier processed foods (October 27, 2011) -- The "electronic nose," which detects odors, has a companion among emerging futuristic "e-sensing" devices intended to replace abilities that once were strictly human-and-animal-only. It is a "magnetic tongue" -- a method used to "taste" food and identify ingredients that people describe as sweet, bitter, sour, etc. Scientists report on use of the method to taste canned tomatoes. ... > full story

Strawberries protect the stomach from alcohol, rat experiments suggest (October 27, 2011) -- In an experiment on rats, European researchers have proved that eating strawberries reduces the harm that alcohol can cause to the stomach mucous membrane. The study may contribute to improving the treatment of stomach ulcers. ... > full story

Land animals, ecosystems walloped after Permian dieoff (October 27, 2011) -- Researchers have concluded the mass extinction that ended the Permian Period was disastrous for land-based animals. In a specimen-by-specimen analysis, the scientists say species were reduced to a handful of forms, called disaster taxa. The low diversity of vertebrates meant that terrestrial ecosystems endured boom-and-bust cycles for up to eight million years before finally stabilizing. ... > full story

Heart disease linked to evolutionary changes that may have protected early mammals from trauma (October 27, 2011) -- Can a bird have a heart attack? A new study suggests that cardiovascular disease may be an unfortunate consequence of mammalian evolution. The study demonstrates that the same features of blood platelets that may have provided an evolutionary advantage to early mammals now predispose humans to cardiovascular disease. ... > full story

Improved characterization of nanoparticle clusters for environmental and biosensors research (October 27, 2011) -- Researchers have demonstrated a method to measure accurately both the distribution of clusters of nanoparticles in solution and how their light absorption spectrum changes with size. The measurements are important to both medical and environmental research on nanoparticles. ... > full story

Multiple malaria vaccine offers protection to people most at risk (October 27, 2011) -- A new malaria vaccine could be the first to tackle different forms of the disease and help those most vulnerable to infection, a study suggests. ... > full story

Can antivirulence drugs stop infections without causing resistance? (October 27, 2011) -- Antivirulence drugs disarm pathogens rather than kill them, and although they could be effective in theory, antivirulence drugs have never been tested in humans. A new study reveals these drugs have the potential to fight infection while avoiding the pitfalls of drug resistance. ... > full story

New tool clears the air on cloud simulations (October 27, 2011) -- Climate models have a hard time representing clouds accurately because they lack the spatial resolution necessary to accurately simulate the billowy air masses. But scientists have developed a new tool that will help scientists better represent the clouds observed in the sky in climate models. ... > full story

Face-to-face with an ancient human (October 27, 2011) -- A reconstruction based on the skull of Norway’s best-preserved Stone Age skeleton makes it possible to study the features of a boy who lived outside Stavanger 7,500 years ago. ... > full story

Dividing corn stover makes ethanol conversion more efficient (October 27, 2011) -- Not all parts of a corn stalk are equal, and they shouldn't be treated that way when creating cellulosic ethanol, say researchers. ... > full story

Novel research seeks to locate Scotland's next gold mine; Geologists apply new scientific methods to gold prospecting (October 27, 2011) -- There really is gold in those hills – enough for a king’s ransom. Scotgold Resources Ltd has just been given planning permission to open Scotland’s first gold mine since gold was mined 500 years ago at Leadhills to make the Scottish crown jewels. Now the University of Leicester is involved in the search for the next natural treasure trove. ... > full story

Plants feel the force: How plants sense touch, gravity and other physical forces (October 26, 2011) -- At the bottom of plants' ability to sense touch, gravity or a nearby trellis are mechanosensitive channels, pores through the cells' plasma membrane that are opened and closed by the deformation of the membrane. Biologists are studying the roles these channels play in Arabdopsis plants by growing mutant plants that lack one or more of the 10 possible channel proteins in this species. ... > full story

Environmental toxin bisphenol A (BPA) can affect newborn brain, mouse study shows (October 26, 2011) -- Newborn mice that are exposed to bisphenol A (BPA) develop changes in their spontaneous behavior and evince poorer adaptation to new environments, as well hyperactivity as young adults, according to researchers. Their study also revealed that one of the brain’s most important signal systems, the cholinergic signal system, is affected by bisphenol A and that the effect persisted into adulthood. ... > full story

Recycling thermal cash register receipts contaminates paper products with BPA (October 26, 2011) -- Bisphenol A (BPA) -- a substance that may have harmful health effects -- occurs in 94 percent of thermal cash register receipts, scientists are reporting. The recycling of those receipts, they add, is a source of BPA contamination of paper napkins, toilet paper, food packaging and other paper products. The report could have special implications for cashiers and other people who routinely handle thermal paper receipts. ... > full story

Controversy over reopening the 'Sistine Chapel' of Stone Age art (October 26, 2011) -- Plans to reopen Spain's Altamira caves are stirring controversy over the possibility that tourists' visits will further damage the 20,000-year old wall paintings that changed views about the intellectual ability of prehistoric people, according to a new article. The caves are the site of Stone Age paintings so magnificent that experts have called them the "Sistine Chapel of Paleolithic Art." ... > full story

Scary can be exciting when it comes to strange traditional foods (October 26, 2011) -- Sheep’s head: Until now very few of us have been tempted by this traditional Norwegian dish. Eating scary food is practice in overcoming fear, according to one researcher. In the tourism industry, a few entrepreneurs have commercialized this idea and thereby raised traditional food to new heights. ... > full story

Lab-made skin cells will aid transplantation, cancer, drug discovery research, say scientists (October 26, 2011) -- Researchers have found a way to create melanocytes from mouse tail cells using embryonic stem cell-like intermediates called inducible pluripotent (iPS) cells. They converted mouse tail-tip fibroblasts into iPS cells, producing pluripotent cells similar to embryonic stem cells, but without the concomitant ethical issues. ... > full story

Teenage girls and senior students suffered highest levels of PTSD after major earthquake, study finds (October 26, 2011) -- Researchers who spoke to nearly 2,000 teenagers three months after an 8.0 earthquake found high level of post-traumatic stress disorder, especially among girls and senior students. The findings underline the need for young people to receive prompt psychological support after major disasters to avoid them developing long-term mental health problems. The study may be of particular interest to journalists doing follow-up pieces on the aftermath of the Turkish earthquake. ... > full story

Extreme melting on greenland ice sheet, team reports; Glacial melt cycle could become self-amplifying (October 26, 2011) -- The Greenland ice sheet can experience extreme melting even when temperatures don't hit record highs, according to a new analysis by Dr. Marco Tedesco, assistant professor in the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at the City College of New York. His findings suggest that glaciers could undergo a self-amplifying cycle of melting and warming that would be difficult to halt. ... > full story

Morning UV exposure may be less damaging to the skin (October 26, 2011) -- New research suggests that the timing of exposure to UV rays -- early in the morning or later in the afternoon -- can influence the onset of skin cancer. ... > full story

Birthplace for primitive life on Earth? Researchers identify mud volcanoes in Greenland as niche for early life (October 26, 2011) -- The mud volcanoes at Isua, in south-west Greenland, have been identified as a possible birthplace for life on Earth by an international team headed by researchers. Almost four billion years ago, these volcanoes released chemical elements indispensable to the formation of the first biomolecules, under conditions favorable to life. It is the first time that such an environment, meeting all the requirements for the emergence of life, has been identified by scientists in 3.8-billion-year-old formations. ... > full story

New test can precisely pinpoint food pathogens (October 26, 2011) -- A new test developed by a team led of scientists will enable government agencies and food companies to pinpoint the exact nature and origin of food-borne bacteria with unprecedented accuracy. ... > full story

Production of biofuel from forests will increase greenhouse gas emissions, study finds (October 26, 2011) -- The largest and most comprehensive study yet done on the effect of biofuel production from West Coast forests has concluded that an emphasis on bioenergy would increase carbon dioxide emissions from these forests at least 14 percent. The findings are contrary to assumptions and some previous studies that suggest biofuels from this source would be carbon-neutral or even reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In this research, that wasn't true in any scenario. ... > full story

You are what you eat: Low fat diet with fish oil slows growth of human prostate cancer cells, study suggests (October 26, 2011) -- A low-fat diet with fish oil supplements eaten for four to six weeks prior to prostate removal slowed down the growth of prostate cancer cells -- the number of rapidly dividing cells -- in human prostate cancer tissue compared to a traditional, high-fat Western diet, according to a new study. ... > full story

Biologists unravel how plants synthesize their growth hormone (October 26, 2011) -- Biologists have succeeded in unraveling, for the first time, the complete chain of biochemical reactions that controls the synthesis of auxin, the hormone that regulates nearly all aspects of plant growth and development. ... > full story

Electromobility: New components going for a test run (October 26, 2011) -- The future belongs to electrical cars -- that's what most experts think. In the future, it will be whisper-quiet on road because in the long run electric cars will replace the internal combustion engine. But there are still some unanswered questions. For instance, how do you store the electricity in cars? Or what power networks do you need? ... > full story

Culture in humans and apes has the same evolutionary roots, researchers show (October 26, 2011) -- Culture is not a trait that is unique to humans. By studying orangutan populations, researchers have demonstrated that great apes also have the ability to learn socially and pass them down through a great many generations. ... > full story

Literary detectives unravel famous Ben Jonson mystery (October 26, 2011) -- The amazing chance discovery of a manuscript hidden among papers in an ancient family archive is shedding new light on the legendary career of William Shakespeare’s biggest rival, the poet and playwright, Ben Jonson. ... > full story

Boaters' risk of illness on Chicago River similar to other waterways (October 26, 2011) -- According to a new study, canoeing, kayaking, rowing, boating and fishing on the Chicago River pose the same risk of gastrointestinal illness as performing these same activities on other local waters -- a risk that turns out to be higher than that intended for swimmers at Lake Michigan beaches. ... > full story

Perinatal antidepressant stunts brain development in rats; Miswired brain circuitry traced to early exposure (October 25, 2011) -- Rats exposed to an antidepressant just before and after birth showed substantial brain abnormalities and behaviors, according to a new study. After receiving citalopram, a serotonin-selective reuptake inhibitor, during this critical period, long-distance connections between the two hemispheres of the brain showed stunted growth and degeneration. The animals also became excessively fearful when faced with new situations and failed to play normally with peers. ... > full story

Mental time-travel in birds (October 25, 2011) -- Some tropical birds collect their prey at army ant raids, where massive swarms of ants sweep through the forest and drive out insects. The behavior of interest is called bivouac checking; it allows these birds to track the cyclical raid activity of army ant colonies. ... > full story

Computer scientist cracks mysterious 'Copiale Cipher' (October 25, 2011) -- More than three centuries after it was devised, the 75,000-character "Copiale Cipher" has finally been broken. The mysterious cryptogram, bound in gold and green brocade paper, reveals the rituals and political leanings of a 18th-century secret society in Germany. ... > full story

First-of-a-kind tension wood study broadens biofuels research (October 25, 2011) -- Taking a cue from Mother Nature, researchers have undertaken a first-of-its-kind study of a naturally occurring phenomenon in trees to spur the development of more efficient bioenergy crops. Tension wood, which forms naturally in hardwood trees in response to bending stress, is known to possess unique features that render it desirable as a bioenergy feedstock. Although individual elements of tension wood have been studied previously, the team is the first to use a comprehensive suite of techniques to systematically characterize tension wood and link the wood's properties to sugar release. Plant sugars, known as cellulose, are fermented into alcohol for use as biofuel. ... > full story

New genetic evidence confirms coyote migration route to Virginia and hybridization with wolves (October 25, 2011) -- Changes in North American ecosystems over the past 150 years have caused coyotes to move from their native habitats in the plains and southwestern deserts of North America to habitats throughout the United States. In a new study, researchers used DNA from coyote scat (feces) to trace the route that led some of the animals to colonize in Northern Virginia. The researchers also confirmed that, along the way, the coyotes interbred with the native Great Lakes wolves. ... > full story

Simple compound with surprising antifreeze properties (October 25, 2011) -- A chemical compound used to stabilize particles in suspension has proved capable of controlling the growth of ice crystals, according to researchers in France. Surprisingly, the compound in question is a simple molecule, not at all like the macromolecules previously known for their antifreeze properties. It offers many advantages, including low production costs, stability and ease of use, which should open the way to industrial applications. The discovery also provides new leads for the development of synthetic equivalents of antifreeze proteins, different from those currently produced. ... > full story

Geothermal mapping report confirms vast coast-to-coast clean energy source in U.S. (October 25, 2011) -- New research documents significant geothermal resources across the United States capable of producing more than three million megawatts of green power -- 10 times the installed capacity of coal power plants today. ... > full story

'Junk DNA' defines differences between humans and chimps (October 25, 2011) -- DNA sequences for human and chimpanzees are nearly identical, despite vast phenotypical differences between the two species. Researchers have determined that the insertion and deletion of large pieces of DNA near genes are highly variable between humans and chimpanzees and may account for these major differences. ... > full story