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ScienceDaily Technology Headlines

for Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Welcome to another edition of ScienceDaily's email newsletter. You can change your subscription options or unsubscribe at any time.

New 'magnetic yeast' marks step toward harnessing Nature's magnetic capabilities (February 28, 2012) -- Researchers have developed a method for inducing magnetic sensitivity in an organism that is not naturally magnetic -- yeast. Their technology could potentially be used to magnetize a variety of different cell types in medical, industrial and research applications. ... > full story

Searching for the first stars (February 28, 2012) -- How did the first stars and galaxies bring the young universe out of its dark ages and into the light? Three prominent researchers discuss how new instruments and observational techniques may find the answer. ... > full story

Toppling Raman shift in supercritical carbon dioxide: Vibrational mix shines new light on carbon sequestration measurements (February 28, 2012) -- Just as a wine glass vibrates and sometimes breaks when a diva sings the right note, carbon dioxide vibrates when light or heat serenades it. When it does, carbon dioxide exhibits a vibrational puzzle known as Fermi resonance. Now, researchers studying geologic carbon storage have learned a bit more about the nature of carbon dioxide. ... > full story

Mysterious electron acceleration explained: Computer simulation identifies source of aurora-causing high-speed electrons in space (February 28, 2012) -- A mysterious phenomenon detected by space probes has finally been explained, thanks to a massive computer simulation that was able to precisely align with details of spacecraft observations. The simulation shows that an active region in Earth's magnetotail, where "reconnection" events take place in the magnetic field, is roughly 1,000 times larger than had been thought. ... > full story

Mutated plants may be better for biofuels (February 28, 2012) -- A new study says genetic mutations in plants could make it easier to break down plant cellulose to the sugars that are fermented into biofuels. ... > full story

Developing sustainable power (February 28, 2012) -- Scientists suggest that renewable energy is a viable option for electrical power in developing and emerging nations. Researchers point out that in most of these nations, the demand for energy far exceeds the generating capacity. ... > full story

Enhanced brain-computer interface promises unparalleled autonomy for disabled (February 28, 2012) -- In the 2009 film Surrogates, humans live vicariously through robots while safely remaining in their own homes. That sci-fi future is still a long way off, but recent advances in technology are bringing this technology a step closer to reality in order to give disabled people more autonomy and independence than ever before. ... > full story

Direct measurement of the formation length of photons (February 28, 2012) -- How long does it take an electron to form a photon? The answer would normally be: so short a time that it cannot be measured. However, the scientists responsible for experiment NA63 have now succeeded in dragging out the process, thereby making it measurable. ... > full story

New measuring techniques can improve efficiency, safety of nanoparticles (February 28, 2012) -- Using high-precision microscopy and X-ray scattering techniques, researchers have gained eye-opening insights into the process of applying green chemistry to nanotechnology that results in high yields, improves efficiency and dramatically reduces waste and potential negative exposure to human health or the environment. ... > full story

World's smallest radio stations: Two molecules communicate via single photons (February 28, 2012) -- We know since the dawn of modern physics that although events in our everyday life can be described by classical physics, the interaction of light and matter is down deep governed by the laws of quantum mechanics. Despite this century-old wisdom, accessing truly quantum mechanical situations remains nontrivial, fascinating and noteworthy even in the laboratory. Recently, interest in this area has been boosted beyond academic curiosity because of the potential for more efficient and novel forms of information processing. ... > full story

Optogenetic tool elucidated: Opening of the ion channel with light (February 28, 2012) -- Controlling nerve cells with the aid of light: this is made possible by optogenetics. It enables, for example, the investigation of neurobiological processes with unprecedented spatial and temporal precision. Biophysicists have now succeeded in explaining the switching mechanism. ... > full story

Future smart phones will project images on the wall (February 28, 2012) -- New laser light source has a global market in consumer electronics. Mobile phones currently on the market are capable of showing high quality images and video, but the phones' small size sets insurmountable limits on screen size, and thus the viewing experience. Scientists are now developing a better laser light source for projectors that will be integrated into mobile phones, which will enable accurate and efficient projection of, for example, photographs and movies on any surface. ... > full story

Salty soil can suck water out of atmosphere: Could it happen on Mars? (February 27, 2012) -- The frigid McMurdo Dry Valleys in Antarctica are a cold, polar desert, yet the sandy soils there are frequently dotted with moist patches in the spring despite a lack of snowmelt and no possibility of rain. A new study has found that that the salty soils in the region actually suck moisture out of the atmosphere, raising the possibility that such a process could take place on Mars or on other planets. ... > full story

Ultra-fast outflows help monster black holes shape their galaxies (February 27, 2012) -- A curious correlation between the mass of a galaxy's central black hole and the velocity of stars in a vast, roughly spherical structure known as its bulge has puzzled astronomers for years. Astronomers have now identified a new type of black-hole-driven outflow that appears to be both powerful enough and common enough to explain this link. ... > full story

Solving a spintronic mystery: Researchers resolve controversy over gallium manganese arsenide that could boost spintronic performance (February 27, 2012) -- Scientists appear to have resolved a long-standing controversy regarding the semiconductor gallium manganese arsenide, one of the most promising materials for spintronic technology. They've determined the source of the ferromagnetic properties that make gallium manganese arsenide such a hot commodity for the smaller, faster and much cheaper data storage and processing of spintronic devices. ... > full story

Video games depict religion as violent, problematized, study shows (February 27, 2012) -- Many newer-generation video games equate religion with violence in the game narratives, new research shows. ... > full story

Record-speed wireless data bridge demonstrated: Takes high-speed communications the 'last mile' (February 27, 2012) -- Scientists have created a new way to overcome many of the issues associated with bringing high-speed digital communications across challenging terrain and into remote areas, commonly referred to as the "last mile" problem. The researchers developed a record-speed wireless data bridge that transmits digital information much faster than today's state-of-the-art systems. ... > full story

Dwarf galaxy questions current galaxy formation models (February 27, 2012) -- Researcher observed the dwarf galaxy I Zw 18, and found that much of what is known about galaxy formation and evolution might need substantial revision. ... > full story

Reduction in U.S. carbon emissions attributed to cheaper natural gas (February 27, 2012) -- Lower emission from power plants in 2009 was driven by competitive pricing of natural gas versus coal, researchers say. ... > full story

60-year-old definition of surface tension on solids revised (February 27, 2012) -- Researchers have shown that surface tension on a solid material is unconnected to the energy required to create a new surface. Consequently, surface tension on a solid does not exist in its conventional meaning. ... > full story

RNA interference cancer treatment? Delivering RNA with tiny sponge-like spheres (February 27, 2012) -- For the past decade, scientists have been pursuing cancer treatments based on RNA interference -- a phenomenon that offers a way to shut off malfunctioning genes with short snippets of RNA. However, one huge challenge remains: finding a way to efficiently deliver the RNA. Scientists have now come up with a novel delivery vehicle in which RNA is packed into microspheres so dense that they withstand degradation until they reach their destinations. The new system knocks down expression of specific genes as effectively as existing delivery methods, but with a much smaller dose of particles. ... > full story

Quantum microphone captures extremely weak sound (February 27, 2012) -- Scientists have demonstrated a new kind of detector for sound at the level of quietness of quantum mechanics. The result offers prospects of a new class of quantum hybrid circuits that mix acoustic elements with electrical ones, and may help illuminate new phenomena of quantum physics. ... > full story

Finding explosives with laser beams: New method detects chemicals -- even if enclosed in containers -- over long distances (February 27, 2012) -- People like to keep a safe distance from explosive substances, but in order to analyze them, close contact is usually inevitable. A new method has now been developed to detect chemicals inside a container over a distance of more than a hundred meters. Laser light is scattered in a very specific way by different substances. Using this light, the contents of a nontransparent container can be analyzed without opening it. ... > full story

Squeezing what hasn't been squeezed before: Another victory over uncertainty in quantum physics measurements (February 26, 2012) -- Uncertainty affects the accuracy with which measurements can be made in quantum physics. To reduce this uncertainty, physicists have learned to "squeeze" certain measurements. Researchers are now reporting a new type of measurement that can be squeezed to improve precision. ... > full story

Diagnostic tool: Polymer film loaded with antibodies can capture tumor cells (February 24, 2012) -- The development of polymer film loaded with antibodies that can capture tumor cells shows promise as a diagnostic tool. Cancer cells that break free from a tumor and circulate through the bloodstream spread cancer to other parts of the body. But this process, called metastasis, is extremely difficult to monitor because the circulating tumor cells (CTCs) can account for as few as one in every billion blood cells. ... > full story

The Many Moods of Titan (February 24, 2012) -- A set of recent papers, many of which draw on data from NASA's Cassini spacecraft, reveal new details in the emerging picture of how Saturn's moon Titan shifts with the seasons and even throughout the day. The papers show how this largest moon of Saturn is a cousin -- though a very peculiar cousin -- of Earth. ... > full story

Erosional origin of linear dunes on Earth and Saturn's moon Titan (February 24, 2012) -- Linear dunes, widespread on Earth and Saturn's moon, Titan, are generally considered to have been formed by deposits of windblown sand. It has been speculated for some time that some linear dunes may have formed by "wind-rift" erosion, but this model has commonly been rejected due to lack of sufficient evidence. Now, new research indicates that erosional origin models should not be ruled out. ... > full story

Light-emitting nanocrystal diodes go ultraviolet (February 24, 2012) -- Scientists have developed a process for creating glass-based, inorganic light-emitting diodes that produce light in the ultraviolet range. The work is a step toward biomedical devices with active components made from nanostructured systems. ... > full story

Neither birth nor death stops a flock, new theory shows (February 24, 2012) -- Neither births nor deaths stop the flocking of organisms. They just keep moving, says a theoretical physicist. The notion, he says, has implications in biology and eventually could point to new cancer therapies. ... > full story

Liquid water diffusion at molecular level (February 24, 2012) -- Researchers have described for the first time the diffusion of liquid water through nanochannels in molecular terms; nanochannels are extremely tiny channels with a diameter of 1-100 nanometers that scientists use to study the behavior of molecules. This study might have an important impact on water desalinization and filtration methods. The introduction of graphene membranes and carbon nanolayers will revolutionize water desalinization and filtration processes, as water diffuses rapidly through these materials when their pores are 1nm in diameter. ... > full story

Robot obeys to commands and gestures (February 24, 2012) -- A robot helping in the household no longer is a dream of the future. ARMAR, the humanoid robot, can understand commands and execute them independently. For instance, it gets the milk out of the fridge. Thanks to cameras and sensors, it orients itself in the room, recognizes objects, and grasps them with the necessary sensitivity. Additionally, it reacts to gestures and learns by watching a human colleague how to empty a dishwasher or clean the counter. Thus, it adapts naturally to our environment. ... > full story

Novel method to make nanomaterials discovered (February 24, 2012) -- Researchers have discovered a novel way to make nanomaterials. Using computer simulations, the researchers have been able to predict that long and narrow graphene nanoribbons can be rolled into carbon nanotubes by means of twisting. ... > full story

Wireless bicycle brake, a prototype on an exciting mission (February 24, 2012) -- At this time, wireless networks are able to brake just one bike, but in the future, the technical elements will be further developed to regulate entire trains as they travel over the lines. In view of this, computer scientists are designing mathematical calculations to check such systems automatically. ... > full story

Metal nanoparticles shine with customizable color (February 23, 2012) -- Engineers have demonstrated a new kind of tunable color filter that uses optical nanoantennas to obtain precise control of color output. ... > full story

Engineers create a rainbow-colored polymer that could open the door to portable, handheld multispectral imaging devices (February 23, 2012) -- Engineers have developed a one-step, low-cost method to fabricate a polymer that is rainbow-colored, reflecting many different wavelengths of light when viewed from a single perspective. The colors won't fade with time because they are produced by surface geometry, and not pigment -- the same principle that gives color to the wings of butterflies and feather of peacocks. ... > full story

Replacing electricity with light: First physical 'metatronic' circuit created (February 23, 2012) -- The technological world of the 21st century owes a tremendous amount to advances in electrical engineering, specifically, the ability to finely control the flow of electrical charges using increasingly small and complicated circuits. And while those electrical advances continue to race ahead, researchers are pushing circuitry forward in a different way, by replacing electricity with light. ... > full story

More powerful electric cars: Mechanism behind capacitor's high-speed energy storage discovered (February 23, 2012) -- Researchers have discovered the means by which a polymer known as PVDF enables capacitors to store and release large amounts of energy quickly. Their findings could lead to much more powerful and efficient electric cars. ... > full story

Nanoscale magnetic resonance imaging, quantum computer get nudge from new research (February 23, 2012) -- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on the nanoscale and the ever-elusive quantum computer are among the advancements edging closer toward the realm of possibility, and a new study may give both an extra nudge. ... > full story

Aircraft of the future could capture and re-use some of their own power (February 23, 2012) -- Tomorrow's aircraft could contribute to their power needs by harnessing energy from the wheel rotation of their landing gear to generate electricity. They could use this to power their taxiing to and from airport buildings, reducing the need to use their jet engines. This would save on aviation fuel, cut emissions and reduce noise pollution at airports. ... > full story

Less is more: Study of tiny droplets could have big impact on industrial applications (February 23, 2012) -- Researchers have discovered rules that govern how liquid spreads along flexible fibers and have found that when it comes to the size of liquid droplets, sometimes less is more. ... > full story

Investigation links deaths to paint-stripping chemical (February 23, 2012) -- The deaths of at least 13 workers who were refinishing bathtubs have been linked to a chemical used in products to strip surfaces of paint and other finishes. An investigation started by researchers in 2011 has found that 13 deaths since 2000 involved the use of paint-stripping products containing methylene chloride, a toxic chemical widely used as a de-greaser and paint stripper. ... > full story

Girls' verbal skills make them better at arithmetic, study finds (February 23, 2012) -- While boys generally do better than girls in science and math, some studies have found that girls do better in arithmetic. A new study finds that the advantage comes from girls' superior verbal skills. ... > full story

Chemical clues on formation of planetary systems: Earth 'siblings' can be different (February 23, 2012) -- Astronomers have discovered that the chemical structure of Earth-like planets can be very different from the bulk composition of Earth. This may have a dramatic effect on the existence and formation of the biospheres and life on Earth-like planets. ... > full story

Impulsive kids play more video games, and kids who play more video games may become more impulsive (February 23, 2012) -- Impulsive children with attention problems tend to play more video games, while kids in general who spend lots of time video gaming may also develop impulsiveness and attention difficulties, according to new research. ... > full story

Making droplets drop faster: New nanopatterned surfaces could improve the efficiency of powerplants and desalination systems (February 23, 2012) -- New research offers important new insights into how water droplets form, and ways to pattern the collecting surfaces at the nanoscale to encourage droplets to form more rapidly. These insights could enable a new generation of significantly more efficient power plants and desalination plants, the researchers say. ... > full story

First ultraluminous source in Andromeda galaxy unmasked as 'normal' stellar mass black hole (February 23, 2012) -- Detailed observations show that the first ultraluminous X-ray source detected in our neighboring Andromeda galaxy is due to a stellar mass black hole swallowing material at very high rates. The emission of the ultraluminous source probably originates from a system similar to X-ray binaries in our galaxy with matter accreting onto a black hole, which is at least 13 times more massive than our Sun. Unlike X-ray binaries in our own Milky Way, however, this source is much less obscured by interstellar gas and dust, allowing detailed investigations also at low X-ray energies. ... > full story

OPERA experiment reports anomaly in flight time of neutrinos from CERN to Gran Sasso (February 23, 2012) -- The OPERA collaboration has informed its funding agencies and host laboratories that it has identified two possible effects that could have an influence on its neutrino timing measurement. These both require further tests with a short pulsed beam. If confirmed, one would increase the size of the measured effect, the other would diminish it. ... > full story

Oil sands pollution comparable to a large power plant (February 22, 2012) -- In the first look at the overall effect of air pollution from the excavation of oil sands, also called tar sands, in Alberta, Canada, scientists used satellites to measure nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide emitted from the industry. ... > full story

ScienceDaily Environment Headlines

for Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Welcome to another edition of ScienceDaily's email newsletter. You can change your subscription options or unsubscribe at any time.

Elephant behavior and conservation issues (February 28, 2012) -- Researchers are using fieldwork and genetics research to uncover insights into elephant population genetics and social behavior as well as how human activities alter elephants' social and genetic structures. ... > full story

New 'magnetic yeast' marks step toward harnessing Nature's magnetic capabilities (February 28, 2012) -- Researchers have developed a method for inducing magnetic sensitivity in an organism that is not naturally magnetic -- yeast. Their technology could potentially be used to magnetize a variety of different cell types in medical, industrial and research applications. ... > full story

Mysterious electron acceleration explained: Computer simulation identifies source of aurora-causing high-speed electrons in space (February 28, 2012) -- A mysterious phenomenon detected by space probes has finally been explained, thanks to a massive computer simulation that was able to precisely align with details of spacecraft observations. The simulation shows that an active region in Earth's magnetotail, where "reconnection" events take place in the magnetic field, is roughly 1,000 times larger than had been thought. ... > full story

Mutated plants may be better for biofuels (February 28, 2012) -- A new study says genetic mutations in plants could make it easier to break down plant cellulose to the sugars that are fermented into biofuels. ... > full story

Eat your broccoli: Another mechanism discovered by which sulforaphane prevents cancer (February 28, 2012) -- Researchers have discovered yet another reason why the "sulforaphane" compound in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables is so good for you -- it provides not just one, but two ways to prevent cancer through the complex mechanism of epigenetics. ... > full story

Lake Chad: Inhabitants adapt to lower water levels (February 28, 2012) -- Lake Chad used to be one of the biggest lakes in the world, but its volume has been reduced to a tenth of what it was in the 1960s. The way this lake has dried up has become a symbol of climate change in action. It’s true that the lake’s water level has always changed, but this hasn’t diminished the major changes to the lifestyle of the inhabitants of the lake’s shoreline. ... > full story

Nowhere to hide: Tigers threatened by human destruction of groundcover (February 28, 2012) -- A new study is the first of its kind to systematically investigate the use of different land cover types for tiger habitat. ... > full story

Developing sustainable power (February 28, 2012) -- Scientists suggest that renewable energy is a viable option for electrical power in developing and emerging nations. Researchers point out that in most of these nations, the demand for energy far exceeds the generating capacity. ... > full story

Overfishing threatens the survival of seabirds (February 28, 2012) -- From gannets to seagulls, puffins to penguins, all seabirds suffer the same drop in birth rates when the supply of fish drops to less than a third of maximum capacity. Below the critical level of one third of the fish biomass, the birds — and the stability of the entire ecosystem —- come under threat. ... > full story

The Brazilian rainforest : Caught between biodiversity and business (February 28, 2012) -- Brazil is exporting more and more agricultural produce: soya beans and beef in particular, but also corn, rice and sugar. Taken together, these exports represent half of Brazil’s total today. The increase in the export of commodities brings both a higher degree of economic dependency and a threat to the Amazon rainforest. ... > full story

Initial genetic analysis reveals Iceman Ötzi predisposed to cardiovascular disease (February 28, 2012) -- The famous Iceman mummy known as Ötzi was genetically predisposed to cardiovascular diseases, according to recent studies. Not only was this genetic predisposition demonstrable in the 5,000-year-old ice mummy, there was also already a symptom in the form of arteriosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. ... > full story

Newly emerging staph strain transits more easily among humans (February 28, 2012) -- Using genome sequencing and household surveillance, scientists have pieced together how a newly emerging type of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria has adapted to transmit more easily among humans. Their new study underscores the need for vigilance in surveillance of S. aureus. ... > full story

Cannabis: The good, the evil, the ugly (February 28, 2012) -- Cannabis-like substances that are produced by the body have both therapeutic and harmful properties, besides their well-known intoxicating effects, and the body’s cannabinoid system may be a target for new strategies in cancer treatment, new research suggests. ... > full story

Tomb exploration reveals first archaeological evidence of Christianity from the time of Jesus (February 28, 2012) -- An examination via robotic camera of an Herodian era tomb near Jerusalem has yielded ossuary engravings that strongly imply Christian culture, including an icon that seems to invoke the Jonah story, the most popular icon in third century CE Roman tomb -- previously the earliest Christian images. The tomb is in close proximity to the controversial "Jesus Tomb," which contained an ossuary engraved "Jesus son of Joseph." ... > full story

How cells make the most of limited resources (February 28, 2012) -- The bacterium that causes atypical pneumonia is helping scientists uncover how cells make the most of limited resources. By measuring all the proteins this bacterium produces, scientists have found that the secret is fine-tuning. ... > full story

Sperm cannot detect smells: End of 'Lily of the Valley phenomenon' in sperm research? (February 28, 2012) -- Scientists have now discovered that sperm do not function like olfactory cells -- a finding that casts doubt on the assumption that scents play a role in fertilization. ... > full story

New measuring techniques can improve efficiency, safety of nanoparticles (February 28, 2012) -- Using high-precision microscopy and X-ray scattering techniques, researchers have gained eye-opening insights into the process of applying green chemistry to nanotechnology that results in high yields, improves efficiency and dramatically reduces waste and potential negative exposure to human health or the environment. ... > full story

Land-ocean connections: How tree trunks, leaves and kukui nuts indirectly feed bottom fish in submarine canyons off Moloka'i, Hawaii (February 27, 2012) -- Scientists recently discovered that land-based plant material, such as tree trunks, leaves, and kukui nuts; and coastal macroalgae indirectly support the increased abundances of bottom fish in submarine canyons, like those off the north shore of Moloka'i. ... > full story

Modified bone drug kills malaria parasite in mice (February 27, 2012) -- A chemically altered osteoporosis drug may be useful in fighting malaria, researchers report in a new study. Unlike similar compounds tested against many other parasitic protozoa, the drug readily crosses into the red blood cells of malaria-infected mice and kills the malaria parasite. The drug works at very low concentrations with no observed toxicity to the mouse. ... > full story

Salty soil can suck water out of atmosphere: Could it happen on Mars? (February 27, 2012) -- The frigid McMurdo Dry Valleys in Antarctica are a cold, polar desert, yet the sandy soils there are frequently dotted with moist patches in the spring despite a lack of snowmelt and no possibility of rain. A new study has found that that the salty soils in the region actually suck moisture out of the atmosphere, raising the possibility that such a process could take place on Mars or on other planets. ... > full story

Deaths triple among football players, morning temperatures thought to play a role (February 27, 2012) -- Heat-related deaths among football players across the country tripled to nearly three per year between 1994 and 2009 after averaging about one per year the previous 15 years, according to an analysis of weather conditions and high school and college sports data. The study found for the eastern US, where most deaths occurred, morning heat index values were consistently higher in the latter half of the 30-year study period. ... > full story

Low levels of omega-3 fatty acids may cause memory problems (February 27, 2012) -- A diet lacking in omega-3 fatty acids, nutrients commonly found in fish, may cause your brain to age faster and lose some of its memory and thinking abilities, according to a new study. Omega-3 fatty acids include the nutrients called docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). ... > full story

Amoeba may offer key clue to photosynthetic evolution (February 27, 2012) -- The major difference between plant and animal cells is the photosynthetic process, which converts light energy into chemical energy. When light isn't available, energy is generated by breaking down carbohydrates and sugars, just as it is in animal and some bacterial cells. Two cellular organelles are responsible for these two processes: the chloroplasts for and the mitochondria. New research has opened a window into the early stages of chloroplast evolution. ... > full story

Research offers insight to how fructose causes obesity and other illness (February 27, 2012) -- Scientists have provided new insights into how fructose causes obesity and metabolic syndrome, more commonly known as diabetes. ... > full story

Ice Age coyotes were supersized compared to coyotes today, fossil study reveals (February 27, 2012) -- Coyotes today are pint-sized compared to their Ice Age counterparts, finds a new fossil study. Between 11,500 and 10,000 years ago -- a mere blink of an eye in geologic terms -- coyotes shrunk to their present size. The sudden shrinkage was most likely a response to dwindling food supply and changing interactions with competitors, rather than warming climate, researchers say. ... > full story

Immortal worms defy aging (February 27, 2012) -- Researchers have demonstrated how a species of flatworm overcomes the aging process to be potentially immortal. The discovery may shed light on the possibilities of alleviating aging and age-related characteristics in human cells. Planarian worms have amazed scientists with their apparently limitless ability to regenerate. Researchers have been studying their ability to replace aged or damaged tissues and cells in a bid to understand the mechanisms underlying their longevity. ... > full story

New fossil penguin from New Zealand may be the biggest ever (February 27, 2012) -- After 35 years, a giant fossil penguin has finally been completely reconstructed, giving researchers new insights into prehistoric penguin diversity. ... > full story

Indigenous peoples at forefront of climate change offer lessons on plant biodiversity (February 27, 2012) -- Over the last 40 years, an ethnobotanist has worked with the Yanesha of the upper Peruvian Amazon and the Tibetans of the Himalayas, two groups of indigenous peoples carrying on traditional ways of life, even in the face of rapid environmental changes. She explains how their traditional knowledge and practices hold the key to conserving, managing and even creating new biodiversity. ... > full story

Traces of listeria found in Vancouver ready-to-eat fish products (February 27, 2012) -- A new study has found traces of the bacteria listeria in ready-to-eat fish products sold in metro Vancouver, Canada. ... > full story

Coral reef study traces indirect effects of overfishing (February 27, 2012) -- A study of the tropical coral reef system along the coastline of Kenya has found dramatic effects of overfishing that could threaten the long-term health of the reefs. ... > full story

'Universal' vaccines could finally allow for wide-scale flu prevention (February 27, 2012) -- Scientists have found that an emerging class of long-lasting flu vaccines called "universal" vaccines could for the first time allow for the effective, wide-scale prevention of flu by limiting the virus' ability to spread and mutate. A computational model showed that the vaccines could achieve unprecedented control of the flu virus both seasonally and during outbreaks of highly contagious new strains. ... > full story

Polysternon isonae, a new species of turtle that lived with dinosaurs in Isona (Spanish Pyrenees) (February 27, 2012) -- Researchers have discovered a turtle that lived near the end of the age of dinosaurs. Unlike other kinds of turtles, it seems that Polysternon did not survive the end of Cretaceous and went extinct with the dinosaurs. ... > full story

Reduction in U.S. carbon emissions attributed to cheaper natural gas (February 27, 2012) -- Lower emission from power plants in 2009 was driven by competitive pricing of natural gas versus coal, researchers say. ... > full story

Lethal effects of genetically modified Bt toxin confirmed on young ladybird larvae (February 27, 2012) -- Researchers confirm earlier findings that the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxin Cry1Ab produced for pesticidal purposes by genetically modified (GM) Bt maize increases mortality in the young ladybird larvae (Adalia bipunctata L., two-spotted ladybird) in laboratory tests. These ladybird larvae are typical ‘non-target’ environmental goods which are not supposed to be harmed by the GM maize. ... > full story

Unusual weather: Arctic sea ice decline may be driving snowy winters seen in recent years in N. Hemisphere (February 27, 2012) -- A new study provides further evidence of a relationship between melting ice in the Arctic regions and widespread cold outbreaks in the Northern Hemisphere. The study’s findings could improve seasonal forecasting of snow and temperature anomalies across northern continents. ... > full story

Study extends the 'ecology of fear' to fear of parasites (February 27, 2012) -- The ecology of fear, like other concepts from predator-prey theory, also extends to parasites, new research suggests. Raccoons and squirrels would give up food, the study demonstrated, if the area was infested with larval ticks. At some level, they are weighing the value of the abandoned food against the risk of being parasitized. ... > full story

Some bacteria attack using spring-loaded poison daggers (February 27, 2012) -- Bacteria have evolved different systems for secreting proteins. One, called a type VI secretion system, is found in about a quarter of all bacteria with two membranes. Despite being common, researchers have not understood how it works. Now scientists have figured out the structure of the type VI secretion system apparatus and proposed how it might work -- by shooting spring-loaded poison molecular daggers. ... > full story

RNA interference cancer treatment? Delivering RNA with tiny sponge-like spheres (February 27, 2012) -- For the past decade, scientists have been pursuing cancer treatments based on RNA interference -- a phenomenon that offers a way to shut off malfunctioning genes with short snippets of RNA. However, one huge challenge remains: finding a way to efficiently deliver the RNA. Scientists have now come up with a novel delivery vehicle in which RNA is packed into microspheres so dense that they withstand degradation until they reach their destinations. The new system knocks down expression of specific genes as effectively as existing delivery methods, but with a much smaller dose of particles. ... > full story

Frontal attack or stealth? How subverting the immune system shapes the arms race between bacteria and hosts (February 27, 2012) -- Why is it that Mycobacterium tuberculosis can cause tuberculosis with as little as 10 cells, whereas Vibrio cholerae requires the host to ingest up to tens of millions of cells to cause cholera? This is the question that scientists have just answered. ... > full story

In vino veritas: Promiscuous yeast hook up in wine-making vats (February 26, 2012) -- Humans aren't the only species that like to get busy with a glass of bubbly. Turns out, the common baker's yeast has indulged in a frenzy of amorous frolicking in the fermentation vats of winemakers for hundreds, possibly thousands, of years, with interesting results. ... > full story

Ancient Arabic writings help scientists piece together past climate (February 26, 2012) -- Ancient manuscripts written by Arabic scholars can provide valuable meteorological information to help modern scientists reconstruct the climate of the past, a new study has revealed. The research analyses the writings of scholars, historians and diarists in Iraq during the Islamic Golden Age between 816-1009 AD for evidence of abnormal weather patterns. ... > full story

Volcanoes deliver two flavors of water (February 26, 2012) -- By analyzing submarine volcanic glass from the Manus Basin, scientists found unexpected changes in hydrogen and boron isotopes from the deep mantle. They expected to see the "fingerprint" of seawater. But discovered evidence of seawater distilled from a more ancient plate descent, preserved for as long as one billion years. The data indicate that these ancient "slabs" can return to the upper mantle, and that rates of hydrogen exchange may not conform to experiments. ... > full story

Glow and be eaten: Marine bacteria use light to lure plankton and fish (February 26, 2012) -- Not all that glitters is gold. Sometimes it is just bacteria trying to get ahead in life. Many sea creatures glow with a biologically produced light. This phenomenon, known as bioluminescence, is observed, among others, in some marine bacteria which emit a steady light once they have reached a certain level of concentration (a phenomenon called "quorum sensing") on organic particles in ocean waters. Though this was a known occurrence, the benefits of producing light remained unclear. Now, researchers have unraveled the mystery of why the marine bacteria glow. It has to do with what might be called "the survival of the brightest." ... > full story

Promising new technique to rescue the immune system (February 26, 2012) -- Researchers report on a promising new technique that potentially could turn immune system killer T cells into more effective weapons against infections and possibly cancer. ... > full story

European Neanderthals were on the verge of extinction even before the arrival of modern humans (February 25, 2012) -- Most Neanderthals in Europe died off around 50,000 years ago, new research suggests. The previously held view of a Europe populated by a stable Neanderthal population for hundreds of thousands of years up until modern humans arrived must therefore be revised, researchers say. ... > full story

Could rosemary scent boost brain performance? (February 24, 2012) -- Hailed since ancient times for its medicinal properties, we still have a lot to learn about the effects of rosemary. Now researchers have shown for the first time that blood levels of a rosemary oil component correlate with improved cognitive performance. ... > full story

Bird brains follow the beat (February 24, 2012) -- By training birds to ‘get rhythm’, scientists uncover evidence that our capacity to move in time with music may be connected with our ability to learn speech. ... > full story

NASA pinning down where 'here' is better than ever (February 24, 2012) -- Before our Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation devices can tell us where we are, the satellites that make up the GPS need to know exactly where they are. For that, they rely on a network of sites that serve as "you are here" signs planted throughout the world. The catch is, the sites don't sit still because they're on a planet that isn't at rest, yet modern measurements require more and more accuracy in pinpointing where "here" is. To meet this need, NASA is helping to lead an international effort to upgrade the four systems that supply this crucial location information. ... > full story