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Thursday, March 22, 2012

ScienceDaily: Top Environment News

ScienceDaily: Top Environment News


Monarch butterflies down again this year as decline continues

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 02:22 PM PDT

Unlike their colorful wings, the future of monarch butterflies may not be too bright and their numbers are expected to be alarmingly down again this year, says a researcher.

Venice hasn't stopped sinking after all

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 02:22 PM PDT

The water flowing through Venice's famous canals laps at buildings a little higher every year -- and not only because of a rising sea level. Although previous studies had found that Venice has stabilized, new measurements indicate that the historic city continues to slowly sink, and even to tilt slightly to the east.

Far higher potential for wind energy in India than previously estimated

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 11:30 AM PDT

A new assessment of wind energy in India has found that the potential for on-shore wind energy deployment is far higher than the official estimates -- about 20 times and up to 30 times greater than the current government estimate of 102 gigawatts. This landmark finding may have significant impact on India's renewable energy strategy as it attempts to cope with a massive and chronic shortage of electricity.

Structure of ‘salvia’ receptor solved

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 11:20 AM PDT

A research team has determined the structure of the kappa-opioid receptor—site of action of the widely abused hallucinogen Salvia divinorum – solving longstanding scientific mysteries and offering new insights for treating drug addiction, chronic pain and depression.

Warming Antarctic brings changes to penguin breeding cycles

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 09:37 AM PDT

Three penguin species that share the Western Antarctic Peninsula for breeding grounds have been affected in different ways by the higher temperatures brought on by global warming, according to new research.

Trees may play role in electrifying the atmosphere, study suggests

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 07:55 AM PDT

Plants have long been known as the lungs of the Earth, but a new finding has found they may also play a role in electrifying the atmosphere. Scientists have long-suspected an association between trees and electricity, but researchers in Australia think they may have finally discovered the link. The scientists ran experiments in six locations around Brisbane. They found the positive and negative ion concentrations in the air were twice as high in heavily wooded areas than in open grassy areas, such as parks.

Energy requirements make Antarctic fur seal pups vulnerable to climate change

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 07:55 AM PDT

A new study has found that changing weather conditions can impact the metabolic rates of fur seal pups. Climate models predict windier and wetter conditions in Antarctica in the coming years, and that could cause young seals to assign more energy to thermoregulation, leaving less available for growth and development.

Contact with 'rivals' changes male behavior

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 06:41 AM PDT

Males consistently change their mating behavior depending on whether they have spent time with other males before mating, according to new findings.

Colourful river crabs: Newly discovered and already threatened by mining project

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 06:32 AM PDT

Scientists have discovered four new species of the colorful Insulamon freshwater crab. But various mining projects on the island of Palawan pose a huge threat to these creatures.

Speed of single-molecule measurements greatly increased

Posted: 18 Mar 2012 11:39 AM PDT

Engineers have devised a way to measure nanopores -- tiny holes in a thin membrane that can detect single biological molecules such as DNA and proteins -- with less error than can be achieved with commercial instruments. They've miniaturized the measurement by designing a custom integrated circuit using commercial semiconductor technology.

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