ScienceDaily Environment Headlines -- for Tuesday, March 20, 2012

ScienceDaily Environment Headlines

for Tuesday, March 20, 2012

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Scientists develop tools to make more complex biological machines from yeast (March 19, 2012) -- Scientists are one step closer to making more complex microscopic biological machines, following improvements in the way that they can "re-wire" DNA in yeast, according to new research. ... > full story

Novel therapy discovered for Crohn's disease (March 19, 2012) -- Medical researchers have discovered important new information on the efficacy of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in treating Crohn's disease, a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). CLA is a naturally occurring acid found in meat and dairy products known for its anti-cancer and immune modulatory properties. ... > full story

Warm weather puts trees on fast forward (March 19, 2012) -- Flowers are popping open and pollen is flying, driven by higher-than-normal temperatures across the eastern United States. ... > full story

One solution to global overfishing found (March 19, 2012) -- A new study indicates that "co-management" -- a collaborative arrangement between local communities, conservation groups, and governments -- provides one solution to a vexing global problem: overfishing. ... > full story

Discovery provides blueprint for new drugs that can inhibit hepatitis C virus (March 19, 2012) -- Chemists have produced the first high resolution structure of a molecule that when attached to the genetic material of the hepatitis C virus prevents it from reproducing. ... > full story

New antibiotic could make food safer and cows healthier (March 19, 2012) -- Food-borne diseases might soon have another warrior to contend with, thanks to a new molecule discovered by chemists. The new antibiotic, an analog of the widely used food preservative nisin, also has potential to be a boon to the dairy industry as a treatment for bovine mastitis. ... > full story

Beer and bling in Iron Age Europe (March 19, 2012) -- Celtic burial mounds in southwest Germany, offer a glimpse of how Iron Age people lived in a time before written records were kept. Using both old-school archaeology and new technology, the researchers were able to reconstruct elements of dress and ornamentation and also social behavior of those aspiring status. ... > full story

Cosmic rays alter chemistry of lunar ice, may create building blocks of life (March 19, 2012) -- Space scientists report they have quantified levels of radiation on the moon's surface from galactic cosmic ray (GCR) bombardment that over time causes chemical changes in water ice and can create complex carbon chains similar to those that help form the foundations of biological structures. In addition, the radiation process causes the lunar soil, or regolith, to darken over time, which is important in understanding the geologic history of the moon. ... > full story

Polycrystalline diamond drill bits open up options for geothermal energy (March 19, 2012) -- Nearly two-thirds of the oil we use comes from wells drilled using polycrystalline diamond compact bits, originally developed nearly 30 years ago to lower the cost of geothermal drilling. Scientists recently brought the technology full circle, showing how geothermal drillers might use the original PDC technology, incorporating decades of subsequent improvements by the oil and gas industry. ... > full story

Focus on technology overlooks human behavior when addressing climate change (March 19, 2012) -- Technology alone won't help the world turn away from fossil fuel-based energy sources, says a sociologist. A shift in political and economic policies to is needed to embrace the concept that continued growth in energy consumption is not sustainable, experts say. ... > full story

Genetic variation in human gut viruses could be raw material for inner evolution (March 19, 2012) -- A growing body of evidence underscores the importance of human gut bacteria in modulating human health, metabolism, and disease. Yet bacteria are only part of the story. Viruses that infect those bacteria also shape who we are. A new study sequenced the DNA of viruses -- the virome -- present in the gut of healthy people. ... > full story

How bacteria resist a 'Trojan horse' antibiotic (March 19, 2012) -- A new study describes how bacteria use a previously unknown means to defeat an antibiotic. The researchers found that the bacteria have modified a common "housekeeping" enzyme in a way that enables the enzyme to recognize and disarm the antibiotic. ... > full story

Global sea level likely to rise as much as 70 feet for future generations (March 19, 2012) -- Even if humankind manages to limit global warming to 2 degrees C (3.6 degrees F), as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change recommends, future generations will have to deal with sea levels 12 to 22 meters (40 to 70 feet) higher than at present, according to new research. ... > full story

A new tool to reveal structure of proteins (March 19, 2012) -- A new method to reveal the structure of proteins could help researchers understand biological molecules -- both those involved in causing disease and those performing critical functions in healthy cells. For roughly a decade, a technique called solid state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy has allowed researchers to detect the arrangements of atoms in proteins that defy study by traditional laboratory tools such as X-ray crystallography. ... > full story

How monarch butterflies recolonize northern breeding range (March 19, 2012) -- New research reveals how monarchs recolonize the northern reaches of their breeding grounds -- information that will help preserve this migratory species threatened by loss of critical food and habitat. ... > full story

Genetic research develops tools for studying diseases, improving regenerative treatment (March 19, 2012) -- Researchers may make it easier to recover after spinal cord injury or to study neurological disorders. His research can greatly improve animal and human health by developing technology to advance cellular therapy and regenerative medicine. ... > full story

Reintroducing the American chestnut tree (March 19, 2012) -- Reintroduction of the American chestnut tree after billions died due to blight could be accomplished more effectively thanks to a software tool. ... > full story

Tracking Lake Erie water snake in fight against invasive fish (March 19, 2012) -- Researchers have used a surgically implanted device to record the habits of snakes in their natural environment for the first time. This particular study holds promise in "keeping score" as Ohio's Lake Erie water snake defends its native habitat against an invasive fish species. ... > full story

Marine Protected Areas are keeping turtles safe (March 19, 2012) -- Marine Protected Areas are providing sea turtles with an ideal habitat for foraging and may be keeping them safe from the threats of fishing. A new study shows that 35 percent of the world's green turtles are found within MPAs. This is much higher that would be expected as only a small proportion of shallow oceans are designated as MPAs. ... > full story

First complete full genetic map of promising energy crop (March 19, 2012) -- The first high-resolution, comprehensive genetic map of a promising energy crop called miscanthus has been completed. ... > full story

The Viking journey of mice and men (March 19, 2012) -- House mice happily live wherever there are humans. When populations of humans migrate the mice often travel with them. New research has used evolutionary techniques on modern day and ancestral mouse mitochondrial DNA to show that the timeline of mouse colonization matches that of Viking invasion. During the Viking age (late 8th to mid 10th century) Vikings from Norway established colonies across Scotland, the Scottish islands, Ireland, and Isle of Man. They also explored the north Atlantic, settling in the Faroe Islands, Iceland, Newfoundland and Greenland. While they intentionally took with them domestic animals such as horses, sheep, goats and chickens they also inadvertently carried pest species, including mice. ... > full story

Antibiotic treatment increases the severity of asthma in young mice (March 19, 2012) -- Treatment with the antibiotic vancomycin increases the severity of allergic asthma in young mice, researchers in Canada have revealed. The results are consistent with the “hygiene hypothesis” that links the loss of beneficial bacteria in the community of microorganisms in the gut, collectively known as the microbiota, to the onset of asthma.   ... > full story

Lifestyle study highlights key differences in relapsing and progressive onset multiple sclerosis (March 19, 2012) -- Patients with relapsing onset Multiple Sclerosis (MS) who consumed alcohol, wine, coffee and fish on a regular basis took four to seven years longer to reach the point where they needed a walking aid than people who never consumed them. However the study did not observe the same patterns in patients with progressive onset MS. ... > full story

No fear of the 'big bad wolf:' Feeding habits of German wolves investigated (March 19, 2012) -- Scientists have been investigating the feeding habits of wolves in the first eight years since their appearance in Germany. The results are reassuring: The proportion of livestock on the menu lies at less than one percent. ... > full story

Need for speed: Molecular ticket determines RNA’s destination and speed inside egg cell (March 18, 2012) -- Like any law-abiding train passenger, a molecule called oskar RNA carries a stamped ticket detailing its destination and form of transport, scientists have found. They show that for this molecule, moving in the right direction isn’t enough: speed is of the essence. Their study also provides clues as to how a single molecule could receive tickets for different destinations, depending on what type of cell it is in. ... > full story

Hazy shades of life on early Earth (March 18, 2012) -- When microbes ruled the world -- new research provides evidence of the key role played by microorganisms in the creation of our atmosphere and the development of complex life on Earth. ... > full story

Surprise: Protons bypass hydrogen bonds but still change molecules (March 18, 2012) -- Common wisdom has it that protons only travel between molecules via hydrogen bonds: no hydrogen bonds, no proton transfer. Scientists investigating molecular components of RNA were surprised to find that protons can find ways to transfer even when hydrogen bonds are blocked. The discovery may open new opportunities for research in biology, environmental science, and green chemistry. ... > full story

T. rex's killer smile revealed (March 18, 2012) -- One of the most prominent features of life-size models of Tyrannosaurus rex is its fearsome array of flesh-ripping, bone-crushing teeth. New research shows that the T. rex’s front teeth gripped and pulled, while the teeth along the side of the jaw punctured and tore flesh. ... > full story

'Gravity is climate': 10 years of climate research satellites GRACE (March 16, 2012) -- For the first time, the melting of glaciers in Greenland can now be measured with high accuracy from space. A new sharp image also renders the spatial distribution of the glacial melt more precisely. ... > full story

Fundamental steps needed now in global redesign of Earth system governance, experts say (March 16, 2012) -- Some 32 social scientists and researchers from around the world have concluded that fundamental reforms of global environmental governance are needed to avoid dangerous changes in the Earth system. The scientists argued in the journal Science that the time is now for a “constitutional moment” in world politics. ... > full story

NASA sees cyclone Lua strengthening for March 17 landfall (March 16, 2012) -- Northern Australia's Pilbara coast is under warnings, alerts and watches as powerful Cyclone Lua nears for a landfall. NASA's Aqua satellite has been providing infrared, visible and microwave data on Lua that have shown forecasters the storm is strengthening on its approach to land. ... > full story

Past in monsoon changes linked to major shifts in Indian civilizations (March 16, 2012) -- A fundamental shift in the Indian monsoon has occurred over the last few millennia, from a steady humid monsoon that favored lush vegetation to extended periods of drought, researchers report. Their study has implications for our understanding of the monsoon's response to climate change. ... > full story

Highly exposed to phthalates as fetuses, female mice have altered reproductive lives (March 16, 2012) -- Many environmental and public health officials are concerned about the potential health effects of phthalates, which are common chemicals used to make plastics softer and more pliable. In the first study to examine what effect in utero doses of phthalates have on the reproductive system of mice, toxicologists found that extremely high doses were associated with significant changes, such as a shortened reproductive lifespan and abnormal cell growth in mammary glands. ... > full story

Live cells 'printed' using standard inkjet printer (March 16, 2012) -- Researchers have found a way to create temporary holes in the membranes of live cells using a standard inkjet printer. Creating temporary pores allow researchers to put molecules inside of cells that wouldn't otherwise fit, and study how the cells react. ... > full story

Glacier-fed river systems threatened by climate change (March 16, 2012) -- As glaciers vanish due to global warming, so will those species dependent upon the icy runoff. ... > full story

Molecular pathway through which common yeast becomes fungal pathogen determined (March 16, 2012) -- Scientists have found a molecular mechanism that plays a key role in the transition of Candida albicans yeast into disease-causing fungus -- one of the leading causes of hospital-acquired infection. The finding highlights the importance of heat in fungal growth, and provides a new target for drug therapies to counter Candida albicans infection. In an additional study, the researchers identified 224 new genetic interactors for central protein in Candida albicans. ... > full story

Increase in Arctic shipping is risk to marine mammals (March 16, 2012) -- A rapid increase in shipping in the formerly ice-choked waterways of the Arctic poses a significant increase in risk to the region’s marine mammals and the local communities that rely on them for food security and cultural identity, according to experts. ... > full story

Early spring drives butterfly population declines: 'Ahead-of-time' snowmelt triggers chains of events in the Mormon Fritillary butterfly (March 16, 2012) -- Early snowmelt caused by climate change in the Colorado Rocky Mountains snowballs into two chains of events: a decrease in the number of flowers, which, in turn, decreases available nectar. The result is decline in a population of the Mormon Fritillary butterfly, Speyeria mormonia. ... > full story

Nano rescues skin: Shrimp shell nanotech for wound healing and anti-aging face cream (March 16, 2012) -- Nanoparticles containing chitosan have been shown to have effective antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus saprophyticus and Escherichia coli. The materials could be used as a protective wound-healing material to avoid opportunistic infection as well as working to facilitate wound healing. ... > full story

Lyme disease surge predicted for Northeastern US: Due to acorns and mice, not mild winter (March 16, 2012) -- The northeastern US should prepare for a surge in Lyme disease this spring. And we can blame fluctuations in acorns and mouse populations, not the mild winter. ... > full story

Invasive plants: Climate is a determining factor (March 16, 2012) -- Most invasive plants colonize regions with climates similar to the one from their native areas. With the analysis of fifty invasive plant species introduced worldwide, this study confirms that it is possible, for the most part, to predict the regions of potential invasibility based on the principle of climatic niche conservation. ... > full story

Australian saltwater crocodiles are world’s most powerful biters (March 16, 2012) -- Marine biologists have been pondering a particularly painful-sounding question: How hard do alligators and crocodiles bite? The answer is a bite force value of 3,700 pounds for a 17-foot saltwater crocodile (as well as tooth pressures of 350,000 pounds per square inch). That’s the highest bite force ever recorded. ... > full story

White rice increases risk of Type 2 diabetes, study claims (March 15, 2012) -- The risk of Type 2 diabetes is significantly increased if white rice is eaten regularly, claims a new study. ... > full story

European grasslands challenge rainforests as the most species-rich spaces on Earth (March 15, 2012) -- The city of Manila holds the human world record for the most densely populated space and now an international team of ecologists are seeking the natural equivalent, the most species rich area on earth. The team's findings reveal the record is contested between South America's tropical rainforests and Central European meadows. ... > full story

Wild orangutans stressed by eco-tourists, but not for long, study out of North Borneo finds (March 15, 2012) -- Wild orangutans that have come into contact with eco-tourists over a period of years show an immediate stress response but no signs of chronic stress, unlike other species in which permanent alterations in stress responses have been documented, new research from an Indiana University anthropologist has found. ... > full story

Was human evolution caused by climate change? (March 15, 2012) -- Models of how animal and plant distributions are affected by climate change may also explain aspects of human evolution. ... > full story

Scientists map hotspots for genetic exchange in chimpanzees (March 15, 2012) -- Scientists have constructed the world's first genetic map in chimpanzees of recombination -- the exchange of genetic material within a chromosome that makes us all unique. The study shows surprising differences compared to how the process occurs in the human genome. ... > full story

Implanted Biofuel Cell Operating in Living Snail (March 15, 2012) -- Researchers have implanted a biofuel cell in a living snail. This is the first incidence of an implanted biofuel cell continuously operating in a snail and producing electrical power over a long period of time using the snail's physiologically produced glucose as a fuel. ... > full story