ScienceDaily Environment Headlines -- for Thursday, March 15, 2012

ScienceDaily Environment Headlines

for Thursday, March 15, 2012

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Killer silk: Making silk fibers that kill anthrax and other microbes in minutes (March 14, 2012) -- A simple, inexpensive dip-and-dry treatment can convert ordinary silk into a fabric that kills disease-causing bacteria -- even the armor-coated spores of microbes like anthrax -- in minutes. Researchers describe a range of potential uses for this new killer silk, including make-shift curtains and other protective coatings that protect homes and other buildings in the event of a terrorist attack with anthrax. ... > full story

Evolutionary surprise: Developmental 'scaffold' for vertebrate brain found in brainless marine worm (March 14, 2012) -- Scientists report finding some of the genetic processes that regulate vertebrate brain development in the acorn worm, a brainless, burrowing marine invertebrate. ... > full story

New study lowers estimate of ancient sea-level rise (March 14, 2012) -- The seas are creeping higher as the planet warms. But how high will they go? In Bermuda and the Bahamas, researchers have gone looking for answers; By pinpointing where shorelines stood during a warm period 400,000 years ago, they hope to narrow the range of projections. After correcting for apparent sinking of the islands, the authors of a new study estimate the seas rose 20 to 43 feet higher than today -- far less than previous estimates, but still drastic. ... > full story

Researchers identify unexpected player in intestinal immunity (March 14, 2012) -- With every meal, immune cells in the intestine stand like sentries at a citadel, turning away harmful bacteria but allowing vitamins and nutrients to pass. Now, researchers have identified the cells that chaperone food antigens, or proteins, in the intestine so that the immune system doesn’t mount an attack. Their discovery provides scientists with a potential target for therapies against inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease and food allergies. ... > full story

Some mammals used highly complex teeth to compete with dinosaurs (March 14, 2012) -- New research shows that at least one group of small mammals, the multituberculates, actually flourished in the last 20 million years of dinosaurs’ reign and survived their extinction. ... > full story

How salmonella avoids the body's immune response (March 14, 2012) -- Researchers have discovered how salmonella, a bacterium found in contaminated raw foods that causes major gastrointestinal distress in humans, thrives in the digestive tract despite the immune system's best efforts to destroy it. ... > full story

Tiny teeth of long-extinct vertebrate – with tips only two micrometers across -- are sharpest dental structures ever (March 14, 2012) -- The tiny teeth of a long-extinct vertebrate -- with tips only two micrometers across: one twentieth the width of a human hair -- are the sharpest dental structures ever measured, new research has found. ... > full story

H. pylori bacteria linked to blood sugar control in adult type II diabetes (March 14, 2012) -- A new study reveals that the presence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria is associated with elevated levels of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), an important biomarker for blood glucose levels and diabetes. The association was even stronger in obese individuals with a higher Body Mass Index (BMI). The results suggest the bacteria may play a role in the development of diabetes in adults. ... > full story

Health and ecosystem issues found with popular pavement sealcoat (March 14, 2012) -- A parking lot at the edge of the University of New Hampshire campus has contributed important research to an emerging concern for the environment and human health. The research has found that one type of pavement sealcoat, common on driveways and parking lots throughout the nation, has significant health and ecosystem implications. ... > full story

Hiding in plain sight, a new frog species with a 'weird' croak is identified in New York City (March 14, 2012) -- In New York City -- in the midst of some of the world's tallest skyscrapers -- and within view of the Statue of Liberty, scientists have found a new frog species. While the discovery of new species are regularly made in remote rainforests, finding this one in the ponds and marshes of Staten Island, mainland New York, and New Jersey was a big surprise to scientists. ... > full story

Mystery human fossils put spotlight on China (March 14, 2012) -- Fossils from two caves in southwest China have revealed a previously unknown Stone Age people and give a rare glimpse of a recent stage of human evolution with startling implications for the early peopling of Asia. ... > full story

Millions of Americans at risk of flooding as sea levels rise (March 14, 2012) -- Nearly four million Americans, occupying a combined area larger than the state of Maryland, find themselves at risk of severe flooding as sea levels rise in the coming century, new research suggests. Researchers say that with so many communities concentrated on US coasts, the odds for major storm damage get bigger every year. ... > full story

Fragrant new biofuel: Researchers develop a new candidate for a cleaner, greener and renewable diesel fuel (March 14, 2012) -- Researchers have identified methyl ketones, chemical compounds known for their fragrance and flavor, as strong biofuel candidates. Methyl ketones produced from glucose by engineered E. coli yielded high cetane numbers -- a diesel fuel rating comparable to the octane number for gasoline. ... > full story

Capturing chromosomes during cell division (March 14, 2012) -- Scientists have been successful in elucidating a new mechanism for the error-free segregation of the human genome during cell division. They have been able to show that the enzyme Aurora B and the protein complex Ska play a central role in flawless chromosome segregation. ... > full story

Research reveals carbon footprint caused by China's irrigation system (March 13, 2012) -- China’s groundwater irrigation system is responsible for polluting the atmosphere with more than 30 million tonnes of CO2 per year – according to research from the University of East Anglia. ... > full story

Rats match humans in decision-making that involves combining different sensory cues (March 13, 2012) -- The next time you set a trap for that rat running around in your basement, here's something to consider: you are going up against an opponent whose ability to assess the situation and make decisions is statistically just as good as yours. A new study has found that just like humans, rodents also combine multisensory information and exploit it in a "statistically optimal" way -- or the most efficient and unbiased way possible. ... > full story

Dietary patterns exist among US adults based on demographics (March 13, 2012) -- Scientists say they have identified five eating patterns for US adults that are strongly influenced by age, race, region, gender, income and education. ... > full story

Treating intestinal E. coli infection with antibiotic may reduce duration of bacterial carriage (March 13, 2012) -- In the E. coli outbreak in Germany in May 2011, treatment with azithromycin was associated with a lower frequency of long-term carriage of the bacteria and shorter duration of shedding of the bacteria in stool specimens, according to a new study. ... > full story

Investigation of Earth catastrophes from the International Space Station: Uragan Program (March 13, 2012) -- The Uragan program aboard the Russian segment of the International Space Station uses digital photography to study Earth's natural resources by monitoring catastrophes, both natural and human made. Uragan, which means "hurricane" in Russian, began during the first days of habitation on the station and continues to be an important Earth observation program, with the primary goal of defining requirements for a ground-space system for disaster warning and damage mitigation. The program is a logical continuation of the Earth Visual-Instrumental Observations Program (in other words, a crew Earth observation program) started in the Soviet Union/Russia in the early 1970s as part of the Salyut series of space stations and followed by the Mir orbiting complex. ... > full story

Flying through a geomagnetic storm (March 13, 2012) -- Glowing green and red, shimmering hypnotically across the night sky, the aurora borealis is a wonder to behold. Longtime sky watchers say it is the greatest show on Earth. It might be the greatest show in Earth orbit, too. High above our planet, astronauts onboard the International Space Station (ISS) have been enjoying an up-close view of auroras outside their windows as the ISS flys through geomagnetic storms. ... > full story

Multiple sclerosis study documents negative effect of warmer weather on cognition (March 13, 2012) -- Scientists have shown that outdoor temperature significantly impacts cognitive functioning in multiple sclerosis (MS). In cross-sectional and longitudinal samples, patients performed worse on processing speed and memory tasks during warmer outdoor temperatures. Previous research documented increased disease activity during warmer months; this study is the first to show that cognition also fluctuates. This is the first study to support the subjective impression of patients with MS that warm weather negatively affects their cognition. ... > full story

Input of iron linked to biological productivity in ancient Pacific Ocean (March 13, 2012) -- Scientists have found compelling evidence from marine sediment that supports the theory that iron in the Earth’s oceans has a direct impact on biological productivity, potentially affecting the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and, in turn, atmospheric temperature. ... > full story

Charcoal studied for landfill methane containment (March 13, 2012) -- Methane, a potent greenhouse gas that's more than 20 times more effective at trapping atmospheric heat than carbon dioxide, slowly leaks from old, abandoned landfills and town dumps. Researchers are now testing inexpensive biochar as a landfill cover ingredient to keep escaping methane in check. ... > full story

More trans fat consumption linked to greater aggression, researchers find (March 13, 2012) -- Researchers have shown -- by each of a range of measures, in men and women of all ages, in Caucasians and minorities -- that consumption of dietary trans fatty acids is associated with irritability and aggression. ... > full story

Data support theory on location of lost Leonardo da Vinci painting (March 13, 2012) -- Evidence uncovered during research conducted in Florence's Palazzo Vecchio late last year appears to support the theory that a lost Leonardo da Vinci painting existed on the east wall of the Hall of the 500, behind Giorgio Vasari's mural "The Battle of Marciano." ... > full story

Global warming skepticism climbs during tough economic times (March 13, 2012) -- The American public's growing skepticism in recent years about the existence of human-made global warming is rooted in apprehension about the troubled economy, a new study suggests. ... > full story

Potential drug for speeding up cellular recycling (March 13, 2012) -- Cell biologists have identified a potential drug that speeds up trash removal from the cell's recycling center, the lysosome. ... > full story

Hydrogen power in real life: Clean and energy efficient (March 13, 2012) -- Since 2009, a hydrogen powered street cleaning vehicle has been undergoing testing on the streets of Basel. The project is intended to take hydrogen drives out of the laboratory and onto the streets in order to gain experience on using them under practical conditions. The result of the pilot trial: hydrogen as a fuel for municipal utility vehicles saves energy, is environmentally friendly and is technically feasible. In order to make it cost-effective, however, the prices of fuel cells, pressurized storage tanks and electric drives must all drop significantly. ... > full story

Fertilization by invasive species threatens nutrient-poor ecosystems (March 13, 2012) -- Biologists have developed a new method for quantifying the effect of non-native species on ecosystem functioning. ... > full story

Santorini: The ground is moving again in paradise (March 13, 2012) -- The Santorini caldera, which sits underneath a famous tourist destination, is awake again and rapidly deforming at levels never seen before. ... > full story

Detecting clouds from both sides now (March 13, 2012) -- Researchers have developed a more precise method to detect the boundary between clouds and clear air, by exploiting the swinging motions of a weather balloon and its payload. ... > full story

Two new species of horned dinosaur named (March 12, 2012) -- Two new horned dinosaurs have been named based on fossils collected from Alberta, Canada. The new species, Unescopceratops koppelhusae and Gryphoceratops morrisoni, are from the Leptoceratopsidae family of horned dinosaurs. The herbivores lived during the Late Cretaceous period between 75 to 83 million years ago. ... > full story

Early evolution of life: Study of ribosome evolution challenges 'RNA World' hypothesis (March 12, 2012) -- In the beginning -- of the ribosome, the cell's protein-building workbench -- there were ribonucleic acids, the molecules we call RNA that today perform a host of vital functions in cells. And according to a new analysis, even before the ribosome's many working parts were recruited for protein synthesis, proteins also were on the scene and interacting with RNA. This finding challenges a long-held hypothesis about the early evolution of life. ... > full story

Increased honey bee diversity means fewer pathogens, more helpful bacteria (March 12, 2012) -- A novel study of honey bee genetic diversity has for the first time found that greater diversity in worker bees leads to colonies with fewer pathogens and more abundant helpful bacteria like probiotic species. ... > full story

Red meat consumption linked to increased risk of total, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality (March 12, 2012) -- A new study has found that red meat consumption is associated with an increased risk of total, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality. ... > full story

Mathematical methods predicts movement of oil and ash following environmental disasters (March 12, 2012) -- For those involved in managing the fallout from environmental disasters like the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, it is essential to have tools that predict how the oil will move, so that they make the best possible use of resources to control the spill. Such tools now appear to be within reach. ... > full story

How the human body controls viruses thought to cause a variety of cancers (March 12, 2012) -- New research addresses how the human body controls gamma-herpesviruses, a class of viruses thought to cause a variety of cancers. ... > full story

Extensive taste loss found in mammals: Feeding preferences shaped by taste receptors (March 12, 2012) -- Scientists report frequent loss of sweet taste in mammalian species that are exclusive meat eaters. Further, two sea-dwelling mammals that swallow their food whole have extensive taste loss. Many sweet-blind species eat only meat, demonstrating that a liking for sweets is frequently lost during the evolution of diet specialization. ... > full story

New theory on formation of oldest continents (March 12, 2012) -- Geologists have demonstrated new scientific results to support a new theory on the earliest phase of continental formation. ... > full story

First consumption of abundant life form, Archaea, discovered (March 12, 2012) -- Scientists have documented for the first time that animals can and do consume Archaea – a type of single-celled microorganism thought to be among the most abundant life forms on Earth. Archaea that consume the greenhouse gas methane were in turn eaten by worms living at deep-sea cold seeps off Costa Rica and the West Coast of the United States. ... > full story

Medical imaging technology used to better understand fish senses (March 12, 2012) -- A marine biologist gets an occasional strange look when she brings fish to Rhode Island Hospital. While the facility's microCT scanner is typically used to study bone density and diseases like osteoporosis, it is also providing new insights into the skull structure and sensory systems of fish. ... > full story

Epstein Barr-like virus infects and may cause cancer in dogs (March 12, 2012) -- Best known for causing mononucleosis, or "the kissing disease," the Epstein Barr virus has also been implicated in more serious conditions, including Hodgkin's, non-Hodgkin's and Burkitt's lymphomas. Now a team of researchers has the first evidence that an Epstein Barr-like virus can infect and may also be responsible for causing lymphomas in man's best friend. ... > full story

Statue, chapels and animal mummies found in Egypt (March 12, 2012) -- A wooden statue of a king, a private offering chapel, a monumental building and remains of over 80 animal mummies found in Abydos, Egypt, reveal intriguing information about ritual activity associated with the great gods. ... > full story

Scientists find insulin, nutrition prevent blood stem cell differentiation in fruit flies (March 12, 2012) -- Stem cell researchers have shown that insulin and nutrition keep blood stem cells from differentiating into mature blood cells in Drosophila, the common fruit fly. ... > full story

Ancestor of biggest dinosaurs: First dinosaur discovered in Spain dates back 15 million years earlier than thought (March 12, 2012) -- The dinosaur Aragosaurus ischiaticus, discovered 25 years ago in Teruel, is from 15 million years earlier than originally thought. Its new dating means that it was the ancestor of the Titanosauriforms, which includes the biggest dinosaurs. ... > full story

Nitrous oxide emissions are no laughing matter (March 12, 2012) -- While many are acquainted with the problems caused by CO­­2 emissions, the harmful effects of the release of nitrous oxide into the atmosphere have been far less well known. Only in recent years has the international scientific community begun to understand the scope of the threat posed by N­­2O emissions.   ... > full story

California's snow not disappearing despite drought (March 12, 2012) -- During some winters a significant amount of snow falls on parts of California. During other winters — like this one (so far) — there is much less snow. But more than 130 years of snow data show that over time snowfall in California is neither increasing nor decreasing. ... > full story

Sending out an SOS: How telomeres incriminate cells that can't divide (March 12, 2012) -- The well-being of living cells requires specialized squads of proteins that maintain order. Degraders chew up worn-out proteins, recyclers wrap up damaged organelles, and-most importantly-DNA repair crews restitch anything that resembles a broken chromosome. If repair is impossible, the crew foreman calls in executioners to annihilate a cell. As unsavory as this last bunch sounds, failure to summon them is one aspect of what makes a cancer cell a cancer cell. ... > full story