ScienceDaily Environment Headlines -- for Monday, November 21, 2011

ScienceDaily Environment Headlines

for Monday, November 21, 2011

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What bacteria don't know can hurt them (November 20, 2011) -- Bacteria enter a self-protective mode when they sense nutrients are low. Starving bacteria resist killing by nearly every antibiotic, even ones they have never been exposed to before. By keeping bacteria that have congregated into a biofilm from warning each other of nutrient shortages, scientists increased the infection-fighting effectiveness of currently available antibiotics. ... > full story

Nano-technoloogy makes medicine greener (November 20, 2011) -- Scientists in Denmark are working on a new method that will make it possible to develop drugs faster and greener. Their research promises cheaper medicine for consumers. ... > full story

Mechanics behind new cell cycle that fuels growth described (November 20, 2011) -- Researchers have shed light on the inner workings of the endocycle, a common cell cycle that fuels growth in plants, animals and some human tissues and is responsible for generating up to half of the Earth's biomass. ... > full story

Protection from severe malaria explained (November 19, 2011) -- Why do people with a hereditary mutation of the red blood pigment hemoglobin (as is the case with sickle-cell anemia prevalent in Africa) not contract severe malaria? Scientists have now solved this mystery. ... > full story

Great Plains river basins threatened by pumping of aquifers (November 19, 2011) -- Suitable habitat for native fishes in many Great Plains streams has been significantly reduced by the pumping of groundwater from the High Plains aquifer – and scientists analyzing the water loss say ecological futures for these fishes are "bleak." ... > full story

Corn gene boosts biofuels from switchgrass (November 19, 2011) -- Introducing a special corn gene into switchgrass was found to significantly boost the viability of the switchgrass biomass as a feedstock crop for advanced biofuels. The gene, a variant of the Corngrass1 gene, holds the switchgrass in a perpetual juvenile state, more than doubling its starch content and making it easier to convert its polysaccharides into fermentable sugars. ... > full story

Nanoparticles used as additives in diesel fuels can travel from lungs to liver (November 18, 2011) -- Recent studies have demonstrated that nanoparticles of cerium oxide -- common diesel fuel additives used to increase the fuel efficiency of automobile engines -- can travel from the lungs to the liver and that this process is associated with liver damage. ... > full story

New 'smart' material could help tap medical potential of tissue-penetrating light (November 18, 2011) -- Scientists are reporting development and successful initial testing of the first practical "smart" material that may supply the missing link in efforts to use in medicine a form of light that can penetrate four inches into the human body. The new polymer or plastic-like material has potential for use in diagnosing diseases and engineer new human tissues in the lab. ... > full story

How Legionnaires' bacteria proliferate, cause disease (November 18, 2011) -- Scientist have determined for the first time how the bacterium that causes Legionnaires' disease manipulates our cells to generate the amino acids it needs to grow and cause infection and inflammation in the lungs. ... > full story

Squid mystery in Mexican waters unraveled by biologist and a class of students (November 18, 2011) -- Marine biologists are studying Humboldt squid in Mexico's Sea of Cortez, where the creatures have been spawning at a much younger age and a far smaller size than normal. El Niño is apparently to blame. ... > full story

Rehabilitating vacant lots improves urban health and safety (November 18, 2011) -- Greening of vacant urban land may affect the health and safety of nearby residents. In a decade-long comparison of vacant lots and improved vacant lots, greening was linked to significant reductions in gun assaults across most of Philadelphia and significant reductions in vandalism in one section of the city. Vacant lot greening was also associated with residents in certain sections of the city reporting significantly less stress and more exercise. ... > full story

Date and rate of Earth's most extreme extinction pinpointed: Results stem from largest ever examination of fossil marine species (November 18, 2011) -- Through the analysis of various types of dating techniques on well-preserved sedimentary sections from South China to Tibet, researchers determined that the mass extinction peaked about 252.28 million years ago and lasted less than 200,000 years, with most of the extinction lasting about 20,000 years. The conclusion of this study says extinctions of most marine and terrestrial life took place at the same time. ... > full story

Soybean adoption came early by many cultures, archaeologists say (November 18, 2011) -- Human domestication of soybeans is thought to have first occurred in central China some 3,000 years ago, but archaeologists now suggest that cultures in even earlier times and in other locations adopted the legume. ... > full story

NASA's TRMM satellite sees deadly tornadic thunderstorms in southeastern U.S. (November 18, 2011) -- Tornadoes are expected to accompany severe storms in the springtime in the US, but this time of year they also usually happen. When a line of severe thunderstorms associated with a cold front swept through the US southeast on Nov. 16, TRMM collected rainfall data on the dangerous storms from space. ... > full story

A new technique makes it possible to reduce by half the amount of salt in already desalted cod (November 18, 2011) -- Researchers have achieved a 50% reduction in the amount of salt in already desalted cod, thus obtaining a final product that preserves all its sensory properties and is particularly suitable for persons with hypertension. ... > full story

New class of antimalarial compounds discovered (November 17, 2011) -- Scientists have discovered a family of chemical compounds that could lead to a new generation of antimalarial drugs capable of not only alleviating symptoms but also preventing the deadly disease. ... > full story

Chemists develop compounds capable of forming heath-resistant, economic and biocompatible gels (November 17, 2011) -- Eating a yogurt or a jelly, using a pharmaceutical or cosmetic cream or shampoo are just some of the numerous everyday actions in which we use gels developed through a process of gelation. Researchers have now developed a new family of compounds that enables to develop gels more resistant to high temperatures with a higher level of biocompatibility and able to work with a variety of organic solvents, and all this with an easy synthesis, scalable and low cost. This family of compounds has significant applications in industries such as pharmaceuticals and cosmetics or food industry, among others. ... > full story

Research cracks puzzle of enzyme critical to food supply (November 17, 2011) -- Researchers used the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory to identify a key atom inside the part of the nitrogenase enzyme where atmospheric nitrogen is converted into a form that living things can use. ... > full story

Frogs' amazing leaps due to springy tendons (November 17, 2011) -- The secret to frogs' superlative jumping lies in their tendons. Researchers, filming frogs jumping at 500 frames per second with special X-ray technology, show that the frog's tendon stretches as it readies its leap and then recoils, much like a spring, when the frog jumps. The finding could explain how other animals are exceptional leapers. ... > full story

Biodiversity can promote survival on a warming planet, mathematical model shows (November 17, 2011) -- Whether a species can evolve to survive climate change may depend on the biodiversity of its ecological community, according to a new mathematical model that simulates the effect of climate change on plants and pollinators. ... > full story

Massive volcanoes, meteorite impacts delivered one-two death punch to dinosaurs (November 17, 2011) -- A cosmic one-two punch of colossal volcanic eruptions and meteorite strikes likely caused the mass-extinction event at the end of the Cretaceous period that is famous for killing the dinosaurs 65 million years ago, according to two reports that reject the prevailing theory that the extinction was caused by a single large meteorite. ... > full story

Dramatic diversity of columbine flowers explained by a simple change in cell shape (November 17, 2011) -- Columbine flowers are recognizable by the long, trailing nectar spurs that extend from the bases of their petals, tempting the taste buds of their insect pollinators. New research helps to explain how columbines have achieved a rapid radiation of approximately 70 species, with flowers apparently tailored to the length of their pollinators' tongues. ... > full story

The secret of the best foie gras (November 17, 2011) -- Defying common sense, ducks that plump up less produce the finest foie gras -- that rich, buttery French delicacy made from goose or duck livers and sometimes eaten as slices atop lightly toasted bread -- scientists are reporting. ... > full story

Chimps play like humans: Playful behavior of young chimps develops like that of children (November 17, 2011) -- Playful behavior is widespread in mammals, and has important developmental consequences. A recent study of young chimpanzees shows that these animals play and develop much the same way as human children. The work can therefore also shed light on the role of human play behavior. ... > full story

Fleas collected from Norway rats in downtown Los Angeles carry human pathogen (November 17, 2011) -- Most fleas collected from rats trapped in downtown Los Angeles, California carried microbes from the genus Bartonella, many of which are human pathogens, according to a new study. ... > full story

Trees adapt to poor levels of sunlight to effectively process carbon, study shows (November 17, 2011) -- In Europe, forests appear evergreen even in the cloudiest conditions, while the lush interiors of Asian jungles are typically overshadowed by a dense canopy. The ability of trees to adapt to light conditions, and even increase their intake of carbon for photosynthesis in poor light, has been explored by Czech researchers. ... > full story

Predicting future threats for global amphibian biodiversity (November 17, 2011) -- Amphibian populations are declining worldwide, and their declines far exceed those of other animal groups: more than 30% of all species are listed as threatened according to experts. Multiple factors threaten global amphibian diversity but the spatial distribution of these threats and their interactions are poorly known. A new study indicates that areas of greatest amphibian species richness are the areas subject to the greatest threat. ... > full story

External capsule protects gum disease-causing bacteria from immune response (November 17, 2011) -- The capsule of Porphyromonas gingivalis, the bacterium that causes gum disease, provides stealth, boosting the bacterium's virulence, according to new study. Call it a sugar coating, if you will, for in fact, the capsule is made from sugar molecules, which do not ordinarily elicit immunity. Thus it hides the bacterium's proteins within, preventing immune response. ... > full story

Pristine reptile fossil holds new information about aquatic adaptations (November 17, 2011) -- Extinct animals hide their secrets well, but an exceptionally well-preserved fossil of an aquatic reptile, with traces of soft tissue present, is providing scientists a new window into the behavior of these ancient swimmers. ... > full story

Acid pollution in rain decreased with emissions, long-term study shows (November 17, 2011) -- Emissions regulations do have an environmental impact, according to a long-term study of acidic rainfall. A report detailing trends in acidic rainfall frequency and concentration over 25 years found that as sulfur and nitrogen emissions have dropped in response to the Clean Air Act, acid ions in rainwater have dropped by similar magnitudes. ... > full story

Five rare wild cat species caught on camera in Sumatra (November 17, 2011) -- After an amazing five of the seven wild cat species found on the Indonesian island of Sumatra were recently caught on camera in tract of forest being rapidly lost to deforestation, the World Wildlife Fund in Indonesia is urging companies and authorities to take immediate steps to save the valuable area. ... > full story

Deforestation causes cooling in Northern U.S., Canada, study finds (November 17, 2011) -- The impact of deforestation on global warming varies with latitude, according to new research from a team of scientists representing 20 institutions from around the world. The finding calls for new climate-monitoring strategies, researchers say. ... > full story

Genome sequence sheds new light on how plants evolved nitrogen-fixing symbioses (November 17, 2011) -- The genome of Medicago, a close relative of alfalfa and a long-established model for the study of legume biology, has been sequenced by an international team of scientists, capturing around 94 percent of its genes. The research gives new insights into the evolution of nitrogen fixing symbioses. The scientists also found more resistance genes than in any other plant genome to date. ... > full story

Even the cleanest wastewater contributes to more 'super bacteria', study finds (November 16, 2011) -- A new study reveals that the release of treated municipal wastewater -- even wastewater treated by the highest-quality treatment technology -- can have a significant effect on the quantities of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, often referred to as "superbacteria," in surface waters. ... > full story

Annual childhood flu vaccines may interfere with development of crossresistance (November 16, 2011) -- Vaccinating children annually against influenza virus interferes with their development of cross-reactive killer T cells to flu viruses generally, according to a new study. The research points up potentially conflicting policy outcomes. Annual flu vaccines are effective against seasonal flu, but could leave people more vulnerable to novel pandemics. ... > full story

Perfect micro rings woven from muscle fibers: Biological model system that dead-ends in an 'absorbing state' (November 16, 2011) -- Supplied with sufficient energy, a freight train would ride the rails as far as they go. But nature also knows systems whose dynamics suddenly turn into a kind of endless loop. Like in a hamster wheel, a train caught up in such a system would continue running, but without moving forward. Scientists in Germany have now succeeded in building a simple model system consisting of only three components to study the laws of such so-called absorbing states. ... > full story

Large differences in the climate impact of biofuels, Swedish research finds (November 16, 2011) -- When biomass is combusted the carbon that once was bound in the growing tree is released into the atmosphere. For this reason, bioenergy is often considered carbon dioxide neutral. Research from Sweden, however, shows that this is a simplification. The use of bioenergy may affect ecosystem carbon stocks, and it can take anything from 2 to 100 years for different biofuels to achieve carbon dioxide neutrality. ... > full story

Origins of Antarctica's ice-covered mountains unraveled (November 16, 2011) -- Buried below more than a mile of ice, Antarctica's Gamburtsev Mountains have baffled scientists since their discovery in 1958. How did the mountains get there, and what role did they play in the spread of glaciers over the continent 30 million years ago? In the latest study on the mountains, scientists say they have pieced together the puzzle of the origins and evolution of this mysterious mountain chain. ... > full story

Probiotics appear to mitigate pancreatitis: Surprising hypothetical mechanism warrants further investigation (November 16, 2011) -- A probiotic treatment appears to mitigate pancreatitis in an animal model, leading to a new hypothesis of how probiotics may act, according to a new study. The bacterial species most closely associated with improvement in health was discovered for the first time in the course of this research. ... > full story

Creation of the largest human-designed protein boosts protein engineering efforts (November 16, 2011) -- Chemists have designed and successfully synthesized the largest artificial protein using a new approach that greatly expands scientists' ability to create proteins unknown in nature. ... > full story

Preliminary report on radiation levels in Fukushima reveals relative safety of residents (November 16, 2011) -- Researchers have released a preliminary report on the effects of the Fukushima nuclear disaster on the surrounding areas, following radiation levels for approximately three months following the event and surveying more than 5,000 people in the region. ... > full story

Evidence for 'great lake' on Europa and potential new habitat for life (November 16, 2011) -- In a significant finding in the search for life beyond Earth, scientists from the University of Texas at Austin and elsewhere have discovered what appears to be a body of liquid water the volume of the North American Great Lakes locked inside the icy shell of Jupiter's moon Europa. The water could represent a potential habitat for life. The authors speculate many more such lakes might exist throughout the shallow regions of Europa's shell. ... > full story

Probiotic protects intestine from radiation injury (November 16, 2011) -- Scientists have shown that taking a probiotic before radiation therapy can protect the intestine from damage -- at least in mice. Their study suggests that taking a probiotic also may help cancer patients avoid intestinal injury, a common problem in those receiving radiation therapy for abdominal cancers. ... > full story

Global warming’s impact may be detected in genes, suggests study of how seagrasses react to heat waves (November 16, 2011) -- Seagrass populations thrive in the shallow coastal regions and offer an ideal habitat for many fish, crustacean and microbes. The worldwide decline of seagrass populations in recent years is therefore of major concern. Researchers believe that climate change plays an important role as the increase in extreme events such as heat waves is a major challenge for the seagrass. How exactly the seagrass species are impacted by extreme events is examined in a new study. ... > full story

Terrestrial biodiversity recovered faster after Permo-Triassic extinction than previously believed (November 16, 2011) -- While the cause of the mass extinction that occurred between the Permian and Triassic periods is still uncertain, researchers collected data that show that terrestrial biodiversity recovered much faster than previously thought, potentially contradicting several theories for the cause of the extinction. ... > full story

Good preparation is key, even for plant cells and symbiotic fungi (November 16, 2011) -- Laser capture microdissection provides an insight into the symbiotic program of root cells. The most prevalent plant symbiosis is that between root cells and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, called AM fungi. AM fungi make sure that plants can grow on nutrient-depleted soil -- unnoticed by most people. ... > full story

Contrasting patterns of malaria drug resistance found between humans and mosquitoes (November 16, 2011) -- A study detected contrasting patterns of drug resistance in malaria-causing parasites taken from both humans and mosquitoes. Parasites found in human blood samples showed a high prevalence for pyrimethamine-resistance, which was consistent with the class of drugs widely used to treat malaria. However, parasites taken from mosquitoes themselves had very low prevalence of pyrimethamine-resistance and a high prevalence of cycloguanil-resistant mutants indicating resistance to a newer class of antimalaria drug not widely used in Zambia. ... > full story

No extraordinary effects from microwave and mobile phone heating: Study quantifies effects of electric field-induced versus conventional heating (November 16, 2011) -- The effect of microwave heating and cell phone radiation on sample material is no different than a temperature increase, according to scientists in a new study. ... > full story