ScienceDaily: Top Environment News

---

• Safeguarding Belize's barrier reef with conservation drones
• Vulnerability of sharks as collateral damage in commercial fishing shown by study
• Therapeutic bacteria prevent obesity in mice, study finds
• Enhanced instrument enables high-speed chemical imaging of tissues
• African elephant genome suggests they are superior smellers
• How children categorize living things
• Radio frequency ID tags on honey bees reveal hive dynamics
• Communication between nostril/skin microbiome bacteria can influence pathogen behavior
• Report on viruses looks beyond disease
• NASA's HS3 mission spotlight: The HIRAD instrument
• Freezing blueberries improves antioxidant availability
• New water balance calculation for Dead Sea
• Bats use polarized light to navigate: First mammal known to use polarization patterns in the sky to navigate
• Dangers of desert dust: New diagnostic tool for valley fever
• Asian genes in European pigs result in more piglets
• Fly-inspired sound detector: New device based on a fly's freakishly acute hearing for futuristic hearing aids
• Meerkats' sinister side is secret to their success, study shows
• Jeju Island, Korea is a live volcano
• Mixed genes mix up the migrations of hybrid birds
• Self-cooling solar cells boost power, last longer
• Global temperature reaches record high in June following record warmth in May
• HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis: Success of the Millennium shown in most comprehensive study to date
• Viral therapy could boost limb-saving cancer treatment
• Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) coronavirus detected in air of Saudi Arabian camel barn
• First total synthesis of madangamine D, a molecule of biomedical interest
• Is Antarctic sea ice cover really setting record highs? Processing errors may be confusing the matter
• Mammoth and mastodon behavior was less roam, more stay at home
• Eating probiotics regularly may improve your blood pressure
• Global warming 'pause' since 1998 reflects natural fluctuation
• New research links bad diet to loss of smell
• 'Simulated' human heart used to screen drugs

Safeguarding Belize's barrier reef with conservation drones Posted: 22 Jul 2014 12:24 PM PDT Seeking to gain a high-tech edge over illegal fishers, the Government of Belize will use "eyes in the sky" to enforce fishing regulations in the biodiverse Glover's Reef Marine Reserve and other reef systems in what is the first use of conservation drones to monitor marine protected areas.

Vulnerability of sharks as collateral damage in commercial fishing shown by study Posted: 22 Jul 2014 11:27 AM PDT A new study that examined the survival rates of 12 different shark species when captured as unintentional bycatch in commercial longline fishing operations found large differences in survival rates across the 12 species, with bigeye thresher, dusky, and scalloped hammerhead being the most vulnerable.

Therapeutic bacteria prevent obesity in mice, study finds Posted: 22 Jul 2014 11:25 AM PDT A probiotic that prevents obesity could be on the horizon. Bacteria that produce a therapeutic compound in the gut inhibit weight gain, insulin resistance and other adverse effects of a high-fat diet in mice, investigators have discovered. Regulatory issues must be addressed before moving to human studies, but the findings suggest that it may be possible to manipulate the bacterial residents of the gut -- the gut microbiota -- to treat obesity and other chronic diseases.

Enhanced instrument enables high-speed chemical imaging of tissues Posted: 22 Jul 2014 11:25 AM PDT A research team has demonstrated a dramatically improved technique for analyzing biological cells and tissues based on characteristic molecular vibrations. The new technique is an advanced form of Raman spectroscopy that is fast and accurate enough to create high-resolution images of biological specimens, with detailed spatial information on specific biomolecules, at speeds fast enough to observe changes in living cells.

African elephant genome suggests they are superior smellers Posted: 22 Jul 2014 11:25 AM PDT Sense of smell is critical for survival in many mammals. In a new study, researchers examined the olfactory receptor repertoire encoded in 13 mammalian species and found that African elephants have the largest number of OR genes ever characterized; more than twice that found in dogs, and five times more than in humans.

How children categorize living things Posted: 22 Jul 2014 10:06 AM PDT "Name everything you can think of that is alive." How would a child respond to this question? Would his or her list be full of relatives, animals from movies and books, or perhaps neighborhood pets? Would the poppies blooming on the front steps make the list or the oak tree towering over the backyard? The children's responses in a recent study revealed clear convergences among distinct communities but also illuminated differences among them.

Radio frequency ID tags on honey bees reveal hive dynamics Posted: 22 Jul 2014 10:06 AM PDT Scientists attached radio-frequency identification tags to hundreds of individual honey bees and tracked them for several weeks. The effort yielded two discoveries: Some foraging bees are much busier than others; and if those busy bees disappear, others will take their place.

Communication between nostril/skin microbiome bacteria can influence pathogen behavior Posted: 22 Jul 2014 10:06 AM PDT Scientists have made an important discovery about the molecular interactions that occur between generally benign species of Propionibacterium bacteria and the pathogenic bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, the cause of most 'staph' infections.

Report on viruses looks beyond disease Posted: 22 Jul 2014 10:06 AM PDT In contrast to their negative reputation as disease causing agents, some viruses can perform crucial biological and evolutionary functions that help to shape the world we live in today, according to a new report. "Viruses participate in essential Earth processes and influence all life forms on the planet, from contributing to biogeochemical cycles, shaping the atmospheric composition, and driving major speciation events," states one researcher.

NASA's HS3 mission spotlight: The HIRAD instrument Posted: 22 Jul 2014 09:53 AM PDT The Hurricane Imaging Radiometer, known as HIRAD, will fly aboard one of two unmanned Global Hawk aircraft during NASA's Hurricane Severe Storm Sentinel or HS3 mission from Wallops beginning August 26 through September 29. One of the NASA Global Hawks will cover the storm environment and the other will analyze inner-storm conditions. HIRAD will fly aboard the inner-storm Global Hawk and will be positioned at the bottom, rear section of the aircraft.

Freezing blueberries improves antioxidant availability Posted: 22 Jul 2014 09:48 AM PDT Blueberries pack a powerful antioxidant punch, whether eaten fresh or from the freezer, according to a researcher. Anthocyanins, a group of antioxidant compounds, are responsible for the color in blueberries, and since most of the color is in the skin, freezing the blueberries actually improves the availability of the antioxidants.

New water balance calculation for Dead Sea Posted: 22 Jul 2014 08:18 AM PDT The drinking water resources on the eastern, Jordanian side of the Dead Sea could decline more severely as a result of climate change than those on the western, Israeli and Palestinian side. This is the conclusion reached by an international team of researchers that calculated the water flows around the Dead Sea. The natural replenishment rate of groundwater will reduce dramatically in the future if precipitation lowers as predicted.

Bats use polarized light to navigate: First mammal known to use polarization patterns in the sky to navigate Posted: 22 Jul 2014 08:18 AM PDT The bats use the way the sun's light is scattered in the atmosphere at sunset to calibrate their internal magnetic compass, which helps them to fly in the right direction, a new study has shown.

Dangers of desert dust: New diagnostic tool for valley fever Posted: 22 Jul 2014 08:18 AM PDT Valley fever has been the focus of new research that describes a promising strategy known as immunosignaturing, which can provide clinicians with an accurate identification of valley fever, a potentially serious affliction that is often misdiagnosed. Valley fever is a fungal respiratory infection. It can be acquired when microscopic spores of the soil-dwelling fungus are inhaled. Two forms of the fungus exist, Coccidioides immitis and Coccidioides posadasii. They are endemic to regions of Arizona, New Mexico, California, Nevada, Utah, Texas and northern Mexico.

Asian genes in European pigs result in more piglets Posted: 22 Jul 2014 08:17 AM PDT Pigs that are bred commercially in Europe are found to have a highly varied mosaic of different European and Asian gene variants. The Asian genes in particular result in a large number of piglets in European pig breeds. Researchers now explain that a number of important characteristics of European pigs have Asian origins. They previously demonstrated that the genetic diversity among commercial pigs is greater than within the existing populations of wild boar.

Fly-inspired sound detector: New device based on a fly's freakishly acute hearing for futuristic hearing aids Posted: 22 Jul 2014 08:14 AM PDT The fly can pinpoint the location of a chirping cricket with remarkable accuracy because of its freakishly acute hearing, which relies upon a sophisticated sound processing mechanism that really sets it apart from all other known insects. Researchers have now developed a tiny prototype device that mimics the parasitic fly's hearing mechanism, which may be useful for a new generation of hypersensitive hearing aids.

Meerkats' sinister side is secret to their success, study shows Posted: 22 Jul 2014 07:23 AM PDT The darker side of meerkats -- which sees them prevent their daughters from breeding, and kill their grandchildren -- is explained in a new study. Research into the desert creatures -- which live in groups with a dominant breeding pair and many adult helpers -- shows that the alpha female can flourish when it maintains the sole right to breed. The study shows how this way of life, also found in many animals such as ants and bees, can prove effective despite its sinister side.

Jeju Island, Korea is a live volcano Posted: 22 Jul 2014 07:22 AM PDT In Jeju, Korea, a place emerging as a world-famous vacation spot with natural tourism resources, a recent study revealed a volcanic eruption occurred on the island as recently as 5,000 years ago. Judging from the findings, Jeju Island is not an extinct volcano, but seems to a potentially live volcano; volcano that has erupted within 10,000 years is defined to be a live volcano on a geological basis.

Mixed genes mix up the migrations of hybrid birds Posted: 22 Jul 2014 07:22 AM PDT Mixed genes appear to drive hybrid birds to select more difficult routes than their parent species, according to new research. "Instead of taking well-trodden paths through fertile areas, these birds choose to scale mountains and cross deserts," says one of the researchers.

Self-cooling solar cells boost power, last longer Posted: 22 Jul 2014 07:22 AM PDT Scientists may have overcome one of the major hurdles in developing high-efficiency, long-lasting solar cells -- keeping them cool, even in the blistering heat of the noonday sun. By adding a specially patterned layer of silica glass to the surface of ordinary solar cells, a team of researchers has found a way to let solar cells cool themselves by shepherding away unwanted thermal radiation.

Global temperature reaches record high in June following record warmth in May Posted: 22 Jul 2014 06:56 AM PDT According to NOAA scientists, the globally averaged temperature over land and ocean surfaces for June 2014 was the highest for June since record keeping began in 1880. It also marked the 38th consecutive June and 352nd consecutive month with a global temperature above the 20th century average. The last below-average global temperature for June was in 1976 and the last below-average global temperature for any month was February 1985.

HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis: Success of the Millennium shown in most comprehensive study to date Posted: 22 Jul 2014 06:16 AM PDT Accelerated progress against the global burden of HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis (TB) has been made since 2000 when governments worldwide adopted Millennium Development Goal 6 to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and TB. New estimates from a major new analysis show that worldwide, the number of people living with HIV has risen steadily to around 29 million people in 2012. The data also show that malaria is killing more people than previously estimated, although the number of deaths has fallen rapidly since 2004. Progress for TB looks promising.

Viral therapy could boost limb-saving cancer treatment Posted: 22 Jul 2014 06:15 AM PDT Viruses designed to target and kill cancer cells could boost the effectiveness of chemotherapy to the arms and legs and help avoid amputation, a new study reports. Researchers tested the effectiveness of a genetically engineered version of the virus used to vaccinate against smallpox. They found use of the virus alongside isolated limb perfusion chemotherapy -- given directly to blood vessels supplying the affected arm or leg as an alternative to amputation -- was more effective in rats than either treatment on its own.

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) coronavirus detected in air of Saudi Arabian camel barn Posted: 22 Jul 2014 06:15 AM PDT Saudi Arabian researchers have detected genetic fragments of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus in the air of a barn holding a camel infected with the virus. The work indicates that further studies are needed to see if the disease can be transmitted through the air. MERS, a serious viral respiratory illness caused by the coronavirus, has been identified in 699 people as of June 11, according to the World Health Organization; 209 people have died from the condition.

First total synthesis of madangamine D, a molecule of biomedical interest Posted: 22 Jul 2014 06:14 AM PDT Madangamines are a group of polycyclic alkaloids from marine sponges which have biomedical interest due to their cytotoxic activity. Chemists have now completed the first total synthesis of madangamine D, a scientific discovery in the field of organic chemistry.

Is Antarctic sea ice cover really setting record highs? Processing errors may be confusing the matter Posted: 22 Jul 2014 06:13 AM PDT Antarctic sea ice may not be expanding as fast as previously thought, new research suggests. A team of scientists say much of the increase measured for Southern Hemisphere sea ice could be due to a processing error in the satellite data. "This implies that the Antarctic sea ice trends reported in the 2007 and 2013 assessment reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change can't both be correct: our findings show that the data used in one of the reports contains a significant error. But we have not yet been able to identify which one contains the error," says the study's lead-author.

Mammoth and mastodon behavior was less roam, more stay at home Posted: 21 Jul 2014 03:19 PM PDT Their scruffy beards weren't ironic, but there are reasons mammoths and mastodons could have been the hipsters of the Ice Age. According to new research, the famously fuzzy relatives of elephants liked living in Greater Cincinnati long before it was trendy -- at the end of the last ice age. A new study shows the ancient proboscideans enjoyed the area so much they likely were year-round residents and not nomadic migrants as previously thought.

Eating probiotics regularly may improve your blood pressure Posted: 21 Jul 2014 03:19 PM PDT Probiotics -- a bacteria in yogurt and supplements -- appear to modestly lower blood pressure, according to a review of nine studies. The blood pressure-lowering effect from probiotics was greatest among people with elevated blood pressure. Additional studies are needed before doctors can confidently recommend probiotics for high blood pressure control and prevention.

Global warming 'pause' since 1998 reflects natural fluctuation Posted: 21 Jul 2014 03:18 PM PDT Statistical analysis of average global temperatures between 1998 and 2013 shows that the slowdown in global warming during this period is consistent with natural variations in temperature, according to research. The study concludes that a natural cooling fluctuation during this period largely masked the warming effects of a continued increase in human-made emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.

New research links bad diet to loss of smell Posted: 21 Jul 2014 09:39 AM PDT Could stuffing yourself full of high-fat foods cause you to lose your sense of smell? A new study by neuroscientists says so, and it has researchers taking a closer look at how our diets could impact a whole range of human functions that were not traditionally considered when examining the impact of obesity.

'Simulated' human heart used to screen drugs Posted: 21 Jul 2014 07:01 AM PDT A scientist has developed a pioneering new way -- using samples of beating heart tissue -- to test the effect of drugs on the heart without using human or animal trials. The breakthrough could lead to the lives of hundreds of future patients being saved and the quality of their treatments improved.

You are subscribed to email updates from Top Environment News -- ScienceDaily To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610