ScienceDaily: Top Environment News

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• Flores bones show features of Down syndrome, not a new 'Hobbit' human
• The evolution of migration: Ancestral songbirds headed south for the winter
• Newly discovered juvenile whale shark aggregation in Red Sea
• Enhancing biofuel yields from biomass with novel new method
• Evolutionary explanation for why some lessons more easily learned than others
• Eating baked, broiled fish weekly boosts brain health, study says
• Average but large Gulf dead zone found by scientists
• Shark attacks on Atlantic spotted dolphins near the Bahamas
• Humane strategy reduces shark attacks, keeps swimmers safe
• How amphibians crossed continents: DNA helps piece together 300-million-year journey
• Food safety social media guide developed by researchers
• New tools advance bio-logic
• Students cope well with healthier snacks
• Horses communicate with eyes and mobile ears
• Camelina used to build better biofuel
• Daylight is best medicine for nurses
• Melt ponds shine in NASA laser altimeter images
• Researchers see violent era in ancient Southwest
• Eating resistant starch may help reduce red meat-related colorectal cancer risk
• How 'biological spark plug' in biomolecular motors works
• Why adolescents carry meningitis-causing bacteria
• Eating less meat: Solution to reduce water use?
• More crop per drop: Reducing water footprint of cultivated herbs
• Analysis of African plant reveals possible treatment for aging brain
• How science sizzles in the modern kitchen
• Key adjustment enables parasite shape-shifting
• Should you add enzyme supplements to your shopping list? Expert explains pros, cons
• Climate change is fueling forest disturbances, study shows
• Kangaroos win when aborigines hunt with fire: Co-evolution benefits Australia's martu people and wildlife
• Making sense of scents: Mice can identify specific odors amid complex olfactory environments
• Knowing what to keep and what to trash: How an enzyme distinguishes cellular messages
• Atlantic warming turbocharges Pacific trade winds

Flores bones show features of Down syndrome, not a new 'Hobbit' human Posted: 04 Aug 2014 12:15 PM PDT In October 2004, excavation of fragmentary skeletal remains from the island of Flores in Indonesia yielded what was called 'the most important find in human evolution for 100 years.' Its discoverers dubbed the find Homo floresiensis, a name suggesting a previously unknown species of human.

The evolution of migration: Ancestral songbirds headed south for the winter Posted: 04 Aug 2014 12:14 PM PDT To scientists, long distance migration still holds many mysteries, one of which is: Where did migration begin and how did it evolve? This question has long been a debated topic among scientists, but thanks to new research, we may have an answer for one of the largest groups of migratory birds.

Newly discovered juvenile whale shark aggregation in Red Sea Posted: 04 Aug 2014 10:43 AM PDT Whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) -- which grow more than 30 feet long -- are the largest fish in the world's ocean, but little is known about their movements on a daily basis or over years. A newly discovered juvenile whale shark aggregation off Saudi Arabia is giving researchers a rare glimpse into the lives of these gentle giants.

Enhancing biofuel yields from biomass with novel new method Posted: 04 Aug 2014 10:43 AM PDT A versatile, relatively non-toxic, and efficient way to convert raw agricultural and forestry residues and other plant matter -- known as lignocellulosic biomass, into biofuels and chemicals -- has been developed by researchers. The method brings researchers closer to solving the long elusive goal of producing fuels and chemicals from biomass at high enough yields and low enough costs to become a viable alternative or replacement for petroleum-based fuels and chemicals.

Evolutionary explanation for why some lessons more easily learned than others Posted: 04 Aug 2014 09:34 AM PDT It's easy to guess why it doesn't take long to learn to avoid certain behaviors and embrace others. But how do we know what drives these predilections? A new study offers insight into the evolutionary underpinning of animals' innate ability to quickly absorb critical life lessons.

Eating baked, broiled fish weekly boosts brain health, study says Posted: 04 Aug 2014 09:33 AM PDT Eating baked or broiled fish once a week is good for the brain, regardless of how much omega-3 fatty acid it contains, according to researchers. The findings add to growing evidence that lifestyle factors contribute to brain health later in life. Scientists estimate that more than 80 million people will have dementia by 2040, which could become a substantial burden to families and drive up health care costs.

Average but large Gulf dead zone found by scientists Posted: 04 Aug 2014 09:33 AM PDT The Gulf of Mexico dead zone has been mapped by researchers. This is an area with low oxygen water, measuring 5,052 square miles this summer -- approximately the size of the state of Connecticut. The measurements were taken during the 30th annual hypoxia survey cruise from July 27 to August 2.

Shark attacks on Atlantic spotted dolphins near the Bahamas Posted: 04 Aug 2014 09:32 AM PDT A new analysis on failed shark attacks on the approximately 120 Atlantic spotted dolphins that are residents of the waters near Bimini, The Bahamas, has found that a total of 14 dolphins (15 percent of 92 cataloged animals) showed some sign of shark attack, and a further 15 (16 percent) exhibited scars that could not conclusively be classified as shark induced or not.

Humane strategy reduces shark attacks, keeps swimmers safe Posted: 04 Aug 2014 09:32 AM PDT A simple and humane technique may be an effective strategy to reduce human encounters with sharks without harming populations of threatened shark species. Instead of using advanced (and relatively untested) technology to attempt to repel sharks or nondiscriminatory nets that kill other threatened sea life as bycatch, researchers have simply caught sharks and moved them to where they would not pose a threat to swimmers.

How amphibians crossed continents: DNA helps piece together 300-million-year journey Posted: 04 Aug 2014 09:32 AM PDT A professor has succeeded in constructing a first-of-its-kind comprehensive diagram of the geographic distribution of amphibians, showing the movement of 3,309 species between 12 global ecoregions. Armed with DNA sequence data, he sought to accurately piece together the 300-million-year storyline of their journey.

Food safety social media guide developed by researchers Posted: 04 Aug 2014 09:30 AM PDT To help protect public health, researchers have developed guidelines on how to use social media to communicate effectively about food safety. "In a crisis context, the framework can be used by health officials, businesses or trade organizations affected by foodborne illness to help them reach key audiences with information that could be used to reduce the risk of foodborne illness," says the lead author of the paper. Key audiences may include consumers, the food service industry, and corporate or government decision makers, among others.

New tools advance bio-logic Posted: 04 Aug 2014 09:30 AM PDT Researchers are making modular genetic circuits that can perform more complex tasks by swapping protein building blocks. The modular genetic circuits engineered from parts of otherwise unrelated bacterial genomes can be set up to handle multiple chemical inputs simultaneously with a minimum of interference from their neighbors. The work gives scientists more options as they design synthetic cells for specific tasks, such as the production of biofuels, environmental remediation or the treatment of human diseases.

Students cope well with healthier snacks Posted: 04 Aug 2014 09:30 AM PDT Students do not mind buying healthier snacks from vending machines, according to research. The findings could have implications for campus health initiatives as well as vendor profits. The study compared college students' perceptions and self-reported behavior regarding the food in vending machines before and after replacing a portion of the conventional food items with healthier foods, defined as having fewer calories, limited added sugar, lower fat, healthier fats, no trans fats, no artificial colors or flavors, and lower sodium.

Horses communicate with eyes and mobile ears Posted: 04 Aug 2014 09:30 AM PDT Horses are sensitive to the facial expressions and attention of other horses, including the direction of the eyes and ears. The findings are a reminder for us humans to look beyond our own limitations and recognize that other species may communicate in ways that we can't, the researchers say. After all, human ears aren't mobile.

Camelina used to build better biofuel Posted: 04 Aug 2014 09:29 AM PDT A biochemist is improving biofuels with a promising crop: Camelina sativa. The research may help boost rural economies and provide farmers with a value-added product. "Camelina could give farmers an extra biofuel crop that wouldn't be competing with food production," one researcher said. "This research can add value to the local agricultural economy by creating an additional crop that could fit in with the crop rotation."

Daylight is best medicine for nurses Posted: 04 Aug 2014 09:28 AM PDT For the health and happiness of nurses – and for the best care of hospital patients – new research suggests exposure to natural light may be the best medicine. Letting natural light into the nurses' workstations offered improved alertness and mood restoration effects, as measured by the study. "The increase in positive sociability, as measured by the occurrence of frequent laughter, was … significant," noted authors.

Melt ponds shine in NASA laser altimeter images Posted: 04 Aug 2014 07:06 AM PDT Even from 65,000 feet above Earth, aquamarine melt ponds in the Arctic stand out against the white sea ice and ice sheets. These ponds form every summer, as snow that built up on the ice melts, creating crystal clear pools.

Researchers see violent era in ancient Southwest Posted: 04 Aug 2014 07:03 AM PDT In numbers terms, the 20th Century was the most violent in history, with civil war, purges and two World Wars killing as many as 200 million people. But on a per-capita basis, scientists have documented a particularly bloody period more than eight centuries ago. Between 1140 and 1180, in the central Mesa Verde of southwest Colorado, four relatively peaceful centuries of pueblo living devolved into several decades of violence.

Eating resistant starch may help reduce red meat-related colorectal cancer risk Posted: 04 Aug 2014 07:03 AM PDT Consumption of a type of starch that acts like fiber may help reduce colorectal cancer risk associated with a high red meat diet, according to a study. "Red meat and resistant starch have opposite effects on the colorectal cancer-promoting miRNAs, the miR-17-92 cluster," said one researcher. "This finding supports consumption of resistant starch as a means of reducing the risk associated with a high red meat diet."

How 'biological spark plug' in biomolecular motors works Posted: 04 Aug 2014 07:01 AM PDT Using high-performance computers and quantum mechanical methods, researchers have simulated processes that reveal how the "biological spark plug" works in the biomolecular motors of cells. The investigations focused on the myosin protein, which, among other things, is responsible for muscle movement. The researchers' extensive simulations show how the release of energy is initiated in this complex motor.

Why adolescents carry meningitis-causing bacteria Posted: 04 Aug 2014 07:01 AM PDT Scientists have shed new light on why teenagers and young adults are particularly susceptible to meningitis and septicaemia. N. meningitidis is a major cause of meningitis and septicaemia, and a leading cause of infectious disease among teenagers and young adults. While it is well known that these bacteria are found in large numbers in the upper respiratory tract among adolescents, the reasons for this are unknown.

Eating less meat: Solution to reduce water use? Posted: 04 Aug 2014 07:01 AM PDT Eating less meat would protect water resources in dry areas around the world, researchers have found. Reducing the use of animal products can have a considerable impact on areas suffering scarce water resources, as meat production requires more water than other agricultural products, they say.

More crop per drop: Reducing water footprint of cultivated herbs Posted: 04 Aug 2014 07:01 AM PDT New research is aiming to reduce the water footprint and increase shelf life of potted and cut herb production in the UK. Focusing on a range of potted and cut herbs, including flat-leaved parsley, basil and coriander, the aim is to reduce the use of irrigation water during crop production, while improving the flavor and quality of the herbs. It has already been shown in other growing systems that substantial water savings can be made without detrimental impacts on crop quality.

Analysis of African plant reveals possible treatment for aging brain Posted: 04 Aug 2014 06:59 AM PDT A plant used for centuries by healers of São Tomé e Príncipe holds lessons for modern medicine, scientists report. A compound isolated from Voacanga africana protects cells from altered molecular pathways linked to Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and the neurodegeneration that often follows a stroke, they say.

How science sizzles in the modern kitchen Posted: 04 Aug 2014 06:57 AM PDT Some of the world's finest chemists don't wear lab coats. Instead, they don aprons and toques, and masterfully meld their passion for cooking with a growing awareness of the science behind the culinary arts. The results are driving an extraordinary expansion of our cuisine and transforming ordinary meals into fabulous feasts. That's according to a group of prominent chefs.

Key adjustment enables parasite shape-shifting Posted: 04 Aug 2014 06:57 AM PDT Crafty parasites undergo dramatic shape changes that enable them to adapt to different living conditions and thrive. Researchers show that these transformations might not be as difficult as they appear.

Should you add enzyme supplements to your shopping list? Expert explains pros, cons Posted: 04 Aug 2014 06:57 AM PDT Enzyme supplements available without a prescription are becoming increasingly popular, but should everyone add them to their shopping list? The author of a new paper explain the pros and cons of over-the-counter enzymes. "Fortunately, for most over-the-counter enzymes, unless you're taking super-high doses, the risks are pretty minimal," he explains.

Climate change is fueling forest disturbances, study shows Posted: 04 Aug 2014 03:59 AM PDT Climate change is already altering the environment, experts say. Long-lived ecosystems such as forests are particularly vulnerable to the comparatively rapid changes in the climate system. A new international study shows that damage from wind, bark beetles, and wildfires has increased drastically in Europe's forests in recent years.

Kangaroos win when aborigines hunt with fire: Co-evolution benefits Australia's martu people and wildlife Posted: 04 Aug 2014 03:57 AM PDT Australia's Martu people hunt kangaroos and set small fires to catch lizards, as they have for at least 2,000 years. A researcher found such human-made disruption boosts kangaroo populations – showing how co-evolution helped marsupials and made Aborigines into unintentional conservationists.

Making sense of scents: Mice can identify specific odors amid complex olfactory environments Posted: 03 Aug 2014 04:37 PM PDT Exactly how animals separate the smells of objects of interest, such as food sources or the scent of predators, from background information has remained largely unknown. Even the extent to which animals can make such distinctions, and how differences between scents might affect the process were largely a mystery -- until now. A new study shows that while mice can be trained to detect specific odorants embedded in random mixtures, their performance drops steadily with increasing background components.

Knowing what to keep and what to trash: How an enzyme distinguishes cellular messages Posted: 03 Aug 2014 04:36 PM PDT In the cell, proteins read through messages to distinguish what needs to be saved and what needs to be discarded. Messages that are marked for disposal can drastically alter the fate of a cell. Stem cells use this mechanism to maintain their identity. How does a protein detect the difference between two similar messages? A team of scientists has found that the protein Dis3l2 uses numerous recognition sites to capture messages for decay.

Atlantic warming turbocharges Pacific trade winds Posted: 03 Aug 2014 04:36 PM PDT Rapid warming of the Atlantic Ocean, likely caused by global warming, has turbocharged Pacific Equatorial trade winds. This has caused eastern tropical Pacific cooling, amplified the Californian drought, accelerated sea level rise three times faster than the global average in the Western Pacific and has slowed the rise of global average surface temperatures since 2001.

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