Space Season: ScienceDaily Environment Headlines -- for Monday, April 18, 2011

ScienceDaily Environment Headlines

for Monday, April 18, 2011

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Ocean front is energetic contributor to mixing, data shows (April 18, 2011) -- Wind blowing on the ocean is a crucial factor mixing carbon dioxide into the ocean depths and keeping it from going back into the atmosphere. For more than two decades scientists have suspected there's another -- possibly substantial -- source of energy for mixing that's generated where cold, heavy water collides with warm, light water. However, there's never been a way to get enough measurements of such a "front" to prove this -- until now. ... > full story

Safer treatment for millions suffering from trypanosome parasite infection (April 18, 2011) -- A safer and more effective treatment for 10 million people in developing countries who suffer from infections caused by trypanosome parasites could become a reality, thanks to new research. ... > full story

Miniature sensors to measure the ocean (April 18, 2011) -- The first miniature sensors designed to measure saltiness and temperature across the world's oceans are being put in use on an ambitious expedition. ... > full story

Hydrocarbons deep within Earth: New computational study reveals how (April 17, 2011) -- A new computational study reveals how hydrocarbons may be formed from methane in deep Earth at extreme pressures and temperatures. The thermodynamic and kinetic properties of hydrocarbons at high pressures and temperature are important for understanding carbon reservoirs and fluxes in Earth. ... > full story

Invasive mussels causing massive ecological changes in Great Lake (April 17, 2011) -- The ongoing spread of non-native mussels in the Great Lakes has caused "massive, ecosystem-wide changes" throughout lakes Michigan and Huron, two of the planet's largest freshwater lakes, according to a new study. ... > full story

Biochemist uses computer models to study protein involved with cancer, aging and chronic disease (April 17, 2011) -- Biochemists took a combined computational and experimental approach to understand how protein p21 functions as a versatile regulator of cell division. ... > full story

Earth's dust and plankton from space: New views from Envisat satellite (April 17, 2011) -- Europe's Envisat satellite has captured a new view of dust and sand from the Algerian Sahara Desert, located in northern Africa, blowing west across the Atlantic Ocean. ... > full story

Long-sought fossil mammal with transitional middle ear (April 17, 2011) -- A new, complete fossil turns what's known about the evolution of early mammals on its ear. The specimen shows the bones associated with hearing in mammals -- the malleus, incus and ectotympanic -- decoupled from the lower jaw, as had been predicted, but were held in place by an ossified cartilage that rested in a groove on the lower jaw. ... > full story

GPS data used to model effects of tidal loads on Earth's surface (April 17, 2011) -- Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite technology is helping researchers find their way to a more complete understanding of Earth's interior structure. ... > full story

Successful blueprints are recycled by evolution, study suggests (April 17, 2011) -- A new study finds evidence that the different cell types that make up organs have arisen only once during the course of evolution. The programs to develop these cells have been passed on ever since. ... > full story

Vegetarians may be at lower risk of heart disease, diabetes and stroke (April 17, 2011) -- Vegetarians experience a 36 percent lower prevalence of metabolic syndrome than non-vegetarians, suggests new research. Because metabolic syndrome can be a precursor to heart disease, diabetes, and stroke, the findings indicate vegetarians may be at lower risk of developing these conditions. ... > full story

Recipe for radioactive compounds aids nuclear waste and fuel storage pools studies (April 17, 2011) -- Easy-to-follow recipes for radioactive compounds like those found in nuclear fuel storage pools, liquid waste containment areas and other contaminated aqueous environments have been developed by researchers. ... > full story

Toward a 'green grid' for delivering solar and wind-based electricity (April 17, 2011) -- After years of neglect, scientists and policy makers are focusing more attention on developing technologies needed to make the so-called "green grid" possible, according to a new article. That's the much-needed future electrical grid, an interconnected network for delivering solar and wind-based electricity from suppliers to consumers. ... > full story

Online calculator allows households to track carbon footprint (April 16, 2011) -- A new analysis of the carbon footprints of households around the U.S. shows that consumers need different strategies in different cities to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. An online "carbon calculator" helps consumers decide how to change their lifestyles for the maximum reduction in their footprints. ... > full story

Non-lethal way of switching off essential genes in mice perfected (April 16, 2011) -- Switching off an essential gene to study its function is problematic because shutting off its activity permanently will kill the organism before the gene's function can be determined. Researchers have overcome this problem by using RNAi technology to temporarily turn off any essential gene in adult mice and then turn it back on before the change kills the animals. ... > full story

Dietary yeast extracts tested as alternative to antibiotics in poultry (April 16, 2011) -- A dietary yeast extract could be an effective alternative to antibiotics for poultry producers, according to a new study. Microbiologists have been studying the effects of yeast extract as an immune stimulant and alternative to antibiotics in conventional turkeys. Non-pharmaceutical remedies and preventatives are particularly needed for organic poultry production. ... > full story

Africa the birthplace of human language, analysis suggests (April 15, 2011) -- A new study by a New Zealand researcher provides strong evidence for Africa as the birthplace of human language. An analysis of languages from around the world suggests that, like our genes, human speech originated -- just once -- in sub-Saharan Africa. The research studied the phonemes, or the perceptually distinct units of sound that differentiate words, used in 504 human languages today and found that the number of phonemes is highest in Africa and decreases with increasing distance from Africa. ... > full story

Childhood eczema and hay fever leads to adult allergic asthma, study finds (April 15, 2011) -- Children who have eczema, particularly when occurring with hay fever, are nine times more likely to develop allergic asthma in their 40s, a new study reveals. ... > full story

US meat and poultry is widely contaminated with drug-resistant Staph bacteria, study finds (April 15, 2011) -- Drug-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria linked to a wide range of human diseases, are present in meat and poultry from US grocery stores at unexpectedly high rates, according to a new study. ... > full story

Forest byproducts, shells may be key to removing radioactive contaminants from drinking water (April 15, 2011) -- A combination of forest byproducts and crustacean shells may be the key to removing radioactive materials from drinking water, researchers have found. ... > full story

The eyes have it: Dinosaurs hunted by night (April 15, 2011) -- The movie Jurassic Park got one thing right: those velociraptors hunted by night while the big plant-eaters browsed around the clock, according to a new study of the eyes of fossil animals. ... > full story

Humpback whale songs spread eastward like the latest pop tune (April 15, 2011) -- Humpback whales have their own version of the hit single, according to a new study. At any given time within a population, male humpbacks all sing the same mating tune. But the pattern of the song changes over time, with the new and apparently catchy versions of the song spreading repeatedly across the ocean, almost always traveling from west to east. ... > full story

Studies of marine animals aim to help prevent rejection of transplanted organs (April 15, 2011) -- Studies of the small sea squirt may ultimately help solve the problem of rejection of organ and bone marrow transplants in humans, according to scientists. ... > full story

Sensor determines if packaged meat has spoiled (April 15, 2011) -- When it comes to packaged fish or meat, it is nearly impossible to distinguish between fresh goods and their inedible counterparts. Researchers have now developed a sensor film that can be integrated into the package itself, where it takes over the role of quality control. And if the food has spoiled, it changes color to announce the fact. ... > full story

Pig stem cell transplants: The key to future research into retina treatment (April 15, 2011) -- Scientists studying the role of stem cells in repairing damaged retina tissue have found that pigs represent an effective proxy species to research treatments for humans. The study demonstrates how stem cells can be isolated and transplanted between pigs, overcoming a key barrier to the research. ... > full story

Changes in 'good' fatty acid concentration of inner organs might be largely independent of diet (April 15, 2011) -- We are all encouraged to eat polyunsaturated fatty acids, as these are "good for us". The (relative) levels of particular classes of polyunsaturated fatty acids have been associated with a plethora of human illnesses. New research suggests that changes in fatty acid concentration of inner organs might be largely independent from diet composition. ... > full story

DNA nanoforms: Miniature architectural forms -- some no larger than viruses -- constructed through DNA origami (April 14, 2011) -- Miniature architectural forms -- some no larger than viruses -- have been constructed through a revolutionary technique known as DNA origami. Now, scientists have expanded the capability of this method to construct arbitrary, two and three-dimensional shapes, mimicking those commonly found in nature. ... > full story

Recent census in war-torn DR Congo finds gorillas have survived, even increased (April 14, 2011) -- A census team has announced some encouraging news from a region plagued by warfare and insecurity: a small population of Grauer's gorillas has not only survived, but also increased since the last census. ... > full story

Europe's wildlife under threat from nitrogen, study warns (April 14, 2011) -- A new international study warns that nitrogen pollution, resulting from industry and agriculture, is putting wildlife in Europe’s at risk. More than 60 per cent of the EU’s most important wildlife sites receive aerial nitrogen pollution inputs above sustainable levels. ... > full story

Weak evidence for word-order universals: Language not as 'innate' as thought? (April 14, 2011) -- About 6,000 languages are spoken today worldwide. How this wealth of expression developed, however, largely remains a mystery. A group of researchers in the Netherlands has now found that word-orders in languages from different language families evolve differently. This contradicts the common understanding that word-order develops in accordance with a set of universal rules, applicable to all languages. Researchers have concluded that languages do not primarily follow innate rules of language processing in the brain. Rather, sentence structure is determined by the historical context in which a language develops. ... > full story

First 3-D topographic map of early Maya city 'Head of Stone' delineates ancient buildings (April 14, 2011) -- Archaeologists have made the first three-dimensional topographic map of the early Maya city "Head of Stone" in Guatemala's Central Lakes region, adding new perspective to the site and its ancient buildings and architectural patterns. Called Holtun in Maya, the never-before-excavated city includes a triadic pyramid, astronomical observatory, ritual ball court, plazas and residential mounds for elites and commoners, say archaeologists. ... > full story

Climate change from black carbon depends on altitude (April 14, 2011) -- Scientists have known for decades that black carbon aerosols add to global warming. These airborne particles made of sooty carbon are believed to be among the largest human-made contributors to global warming because they absorb solar radiation and heat the atmosphere. New research quantifies how black carbon's impact on climate depends on its altitude in the atmosphere. ... > full story

Polluted air leads to disease by promoting widespread inflammation (April 14, 2011) -- Chronic inhalation of polluted air appears to activate a protein that triggers the release of white blood cells, setting off events that lead to widespread inflammation, according to new research in an animal model. This finding narrows the gap in researchers' understanding of how prolonged exposure to pollution can increase the risk for cardiovascular problems and other diseases. ... > full story

Algae could replace 17 percent of US oil imports, study finds (April 14, 2011) -- A new study shows that 17 percent of the United States' imported oil for transportation could be replaced by biofuel made from algae. Researchers also determined that the water needed to grow that algae could be substantially reduced by cultivating it in the nation's sunniest and most humid regions. ... > full story

Crystal 'eyes' let simple mollusks called chitons see predators (April 14, 2011) -- Using eyes made of a calcium carbonate crystal, a simple mollusk may have evolved enough vision to spot potential predators, scientists say. ... > full story

Filtering out pesticides with genetically modified bacteria (April 14, 2011) -- Genetically modified bacteria could be used in air filters to extract pesticide vapors from polluted air, new research shows. ... > full story

Keeping beer fresh longer (April 14, 2011) -- Researchers are reporting discovery of a scientific basis for extending the shelf life of beer so that it stays fresh and tastes good longer. For the first time, they identified the main substances that cause the bitter, harsh aftertaste of aged beer and suggest that preventing the formation of these substances could help extend its freshness. ... > full story

Espresso makers: Coffee in capsules contains more furan than the rest (April 14, 2011) -- Coffee made in espresso makers, above all that made from capsules, contains more furan -- a toxic, carcinogenic compound -- than that made in traditional drip coffee makers, although the levels are still within safe health limits. ... > full story

Experimental treatment for COPD in development (April 14, 2011) -- Researchers have developed a non-steroid based strategy for improving the lung's innate immune defense and decreasing inflammation that can be a problem for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In a study, researchers targeted the Nrf2 pathway using sulforaphane, an ingredient that is present in broccoli in a precursor form, to enhance the Nrf2 pathway in the lung that mediates the uptake of bacteria. ... > full story

Loch fossils show life harnessed sun and sex early on (April 14, 2011) -- Remote lochs along the west coast of Scotland are turning up new evidence about the origins of life on land. A team of scientists exploring rocks around Loch Torridon have discovered the remarkably preserved remains of organisms that once lived on the bottom of ancient lake beds as long as a billion years ago. ... > full story

Ocean drilling deep into the Pacific crust (April 14, 2011) -- From April 13 to June 3, an international team is setting off for the East Pacific to carry out an ocean drilling campaign off the coast of Costa Rica. The expedition's goal is to drill down for the first time next to a superfast-spreading mid-ocean ridge, to reach the gabbro that lies around 2 km beneath the ocean floor. Obtaining samples of these magmatic rocks, which result from slower cooling than the basalts found on the ocean floor, will enable scientists to better understand the structure of the crust and test models for its formation in the specific context of fast-spreading ridges. ... > full story

Death -- not just life -- important link in marine ecosystems (April 13, 2011) -- Tiny crustaceans called copepods rule the world, at least when it comes to oceans and estuaries. The most numerous multi-cellular organisms in the seas, copepods are an important link between phytoplankton and fish in marine food webs. ... > full story

Giant fire-bellied toad's brain brims with powerful germ-fighters (April 13, 2011) -- Frog and toad skins already are renowned as cornucopias of hundreds of germ-fighting substances. Now a new report reveals that the toad brains also may contain an abundance of antibacterial and antiviral substances that could inspire a new generation of medicines. ... > full story

Birds inherited strong sense of smell from dinosaurs (April 13, 2011) -- Birds are known more for their senses of vision and hearing than smell, but new research suggests that millions of years ago, the winged critters also boasted a better sense for scents. ... > full story

Natural gas from shale contributes to global warming, researchers find (April 13, 2011) -- Natural gas extracted from shale formations has a greater greenhouse gas footprint -- in the form of methane emissions -- than conventional gas, oil and coal over a 20 year period. This calls into question the logic of its use as a climate-friendly alternative to fossil fuels, according to researchers. ... > full story

Device proves solar cell potential of high bandgap inorganic nanowire arrays (April 13, 2011) -- Proving a theoretical concept for improving the light absorption capabilities of a class of semiconductor materials long-considered impractical for solar energy collection, a team of researchers has successfully fabricated and tested an array of "quantum coaxial cables" -- nanowires structured from inorganic materials that can be fabricated cost-effectively to produce a durable and efficient solar cell. ... > full story

New species of dinosaur bridges gap in dinosaur family tree (April 13, 2011) -- Scientists have discovered a fossilized dinosaur skull and neck vertebrae that not only reveal a new species, but also an evolutionary link between two groups of dinosaurs. The new species, Daemonosaurus chauliodus, was discovered at Ghost Ranch, New Mexico. ... > full story

Eco-friendly treatment for blue jeans offers alternative to controversial 'sandblasting' (April 13, 2011) -- Blue denim jeans are one of the most popular and iconic fashion items in the world; now a study reveals a cheaper, more efficient and eco-friendly method for treating dyed denim. The process of 'surface activation' used to wash-down the denim following dyeing could also offer an alternative to the dangerous, and internationally banned, sandblasting technique. ... > full story