ScienceDaily Environment Headlines
for Saturday, April 9, 2011
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Dopamine controls formation of new brain cells, salamander study shows (April 8, 2011) -- A study of the salamander brain has led researchers to discover a hitherto unknown function of the neurotransmitter dopamine. In a new study, they show how in acting as a kind of switch for stem cells, dopamine controls the formation of new neurons in the adult brain. Their findings may one day contribute to new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's. ... > full story
Japan earthquake caused a displacement of about two meters (April 8, 2011) -- Researchers have estimated the ground deformation suffered in the area of Sendai, Japan, as a consequence of the earthquake of March 11 and its aftershocks, based on radar observations acquired by the Envisat satellite of the European Space Agency. According to this estimate, obtained over an area of approximately 300 x 100 km around the city of Sendai, the terrain has suffered a co-seismic deformation -- permanent deformation of Earth's surface -- associated with the earthquake of up to 1.69 m. ... > full story
Entomologists propose pesticide-free method to increase egg production (April 8, 2011) -- With the Easter holiday season coming up soon, egg consumption is expected to rise temporarily. But parasites such as fowl mites that commonly infest hens can reduce egg production by five percent or more. Entomologists argue that the chicken body louse, also a poultry parasite, can be used to effectively eradicate the mites if egg-producing commercial farms follow a simple, green strategy involving an odd twist on biological control. ... > full story
For NASA's Aquarius, quest for salt a global endeavor (April 8, 2011) -- With more than a few stamps on its passport, NASA's Aquarius instrument on the Argentinian Satélite de Aplicaciones Científicas (SAC)-D spacecraft will soon embark on its space mission to "taste" Earth's salty ocean. ... > full story
Nature helps to solve a sticky problem: Beetle foot pads may inspire novel artificial adhesives (April 8, 2011) -- The arrays of fine adhesive hairs or 'setae' on the foot pads of many insects, lizards and spiders give them the ability to climb almost any natural surface. Researchers have found that the different forces required to peel away these adhesive hairs from surfaces are what allows beetles to adhere to diverse surfaces, thereby reducing the risk of detachment. Their study provides the first adhesive force measurements from single microscopic setae in a live animal. ... > full story
Atherosclerotic plaques form during a late and limited time period in life, atom bomb residues reveal (April 8, 2011) -- In a new study performed in humans, researchers from Sweden have determined the age of atherosclerotic plaques by taking advantage of carbon-14 residues in the atmosphere, prevailing after the extensive atomic bomb tests in the 1950s and 60s. The findings suggest that in most people plaque formation occurs during a relatively short and late time period in life of 3-5 years. ... > full story
Simple chemical cocktail shows first promise for limb re-growth in mammals (April 8, 2011) -- Move over, newts and salamanders. The mouse may join you as the only animal that can re-grow their own severed limbs. Researchers are reporting that a simple chemical cocktail can coax mouse muscle fibers to become the kinds of cells found in the first stages of a regenerating limb. Their study is the first demonstration that mammal muscle can be turned into the biological raw material for a new limb. ... > full story
Caffeine and diabetes: Helpful or harmful? (April 8, 2011) -- A growing body of research suggests that caffeine disrupts glucose metabolism and may contribute to the development and poor control of type 2 diabetes, a major public health problem. A review article examines the latest evidence, contradicting earlier studies suggesting a protective effect of caffeine. ... > full story
Mussel adhesive inspires tough coating for living cells (April 8, 2011) -- Inspired by Mother Nature, scientists are reporting development of a protective coating with the potential to enable living cells to survive in a dormant condition for long periods despite intense heat, dryness and other hostile conditions. They liken the coating to the armor that encloses the spores that protect anthrax and certain other bacterial cells, making those microbes difficult to kill. ... > full story
Fish oil boosts responses to breast cancer drug tamoxifen, researchers find (April 8, 2011) -- Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women. Being exposed to estrogen over a long period of time is one factor that can increase a woman's risk of developing the disease. One way a woman can combat this risk factor is by taking the breast cancer drug tamoxifen. Now, researchers have found that omega-3 fatty acids could be a safe and beneficial booster for tamoxifen therapy. ... > full story
Instant evolution in whiteflies: Just add bacteria (April 8, 2011) -- In a case of rapid evolution, bacteria have been found to give whiteflies -- crop-damaging insects of global importance -- an edge over their uninfected peers, new research suggests. In just 6 years, bacteria of the genus Rickettsia spread through a population of the sweet potato whitefly (Bemisia tabaci), an invasive pest of global importance. Infected insects lay more eggs, develop faster and are more likely to survive to adulthood compared to their uninfected peers. ... > full story
Monkeys provide malaria reservoir for human disease in Southeast Asia (April 8, 2011) -- Monkeys infected with an emerging malaria strain are providing a reservoir for human disease in Southeast Asia, according to new research. The study confirms that the species has not yet adapted to humans and that monkeys are the main source of infection. ... > full story
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