ScienceDaily: Top Environment News

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• First semiaquatic dinosaur, spinosaurus
• BP Deepwater Horizon disaster: Researchers continue working to safeguard shoreline
• New genetic targets discovered in fight against muscle-wasting disease
• Diverse gut bacteria associated with favorable ratio of estrogen metabolites
• Secrets of animal weapons revealed
• Increased access to nature trails could decrease youth obesity rates, study finds
• Ticks that vector Lyme disease move west into North Dakota
• Two new species of carabid beetles found in Ethiopia
• New defense mechanism against viruses discovered
• How salt causes buildings to crumble
• Cells put off protein production during times of stress
• Intestinal bacteria needed for strong flu vaccine responses in mice
• Atmosphere in northern hemisphere has lower self-cleaning capacity than previously thought
• Impact on gut microbiota of fermented milk product containing probiotics revealed by new technology
• Our microbes are a rich source of drugs
• Owls Provides Clues on How Humans Focus Attention
• How bacteria battle fluoride
• World's largest DNA origami created
• Graphene paints a corrosion-free future: Keep food fresh longer?
• Steroid hormone to fight age-related diseases
• Pesticides more toxic for soil organisms in dry soil, at enhanced temperatures
• Last decade's slow-down in global warming enhanced by an unusual climate anomaly
• Cat bites dog: In India's human dominated landscapes, top prey for leopards is dogs
• Chemical detection: A purer solution
• Chemists discover the way nose perceives common class of odors
• 'Green wave' explains migratory bird routes
• Using plants to produce enzyme may provide treatment for high blood pressure in lungs
• Earth's ozone layer on track to recovery, scientists report
• Major earthquake may occur off coast of Istanbul, seismic shifts suggest
• Groundwater tied to human evolution
• New 3-D imaging techniques may improve understanding of biofuel plant material: Never-before-seen details
• Impact of movies on dog breed popularity
• Gulf killifishes' biological responses to oil spills similar in field, laboratory studies
• Sharks more abundant on healthy coral reefs
• 'Immortal' flatworms: Weapon against bacteria
• Fish, fatty acid consumption associated with lower risk of hearing loss in women
• Ocean warming affecting Florida reefs
• Nerve impulses can collide, continue unaffected
• Malaria medications from waste

First semiaquatic dinosaur, spinosaurus Posted: 11 Sep 2014 11:27 AM PDT Scientists today unveiled what appears to be the first truly semiaquatic dinosaur, Spinosaurus aegyptiacus. New fossils of the massive Cretaceous-era predator reveal it adapted to life in the water some 95 million years ago, providing the most compelling evidence to date of a dinosaur able to live and hunt in an aquatic environment. The fossils also indicate that Spinosaurus was the largest known predatory dinosaur to roam the Earth, measuring more than nine feet longer than the world's largest Tyrannosaurus rex specimen.

BP Deepwater Horizon disaster: Researchers continue working to safeguard shoreline Posted: 11 Sep 2014 10:55 AM PDT A research team has estimated the total mass of oil that reached the Gulf of Mexico shore in the wake of the BP Deepwater Horizon blowout. It's the first time such an estimate was reported.

New genetic targets discovered in fight against muscle-wasting disease Posted: 11 Sep 2014 10:54 AM PDT Findings of a new study offer the possibility of developing new ways of tackling an incurable condition known as muscle-wasting disease. To date, only six genes have been linked to the illness. Despite rigorous screening, at least 50% of patients have no detectable mutation in the 6 known genes. Now a breakthrough study has discovered two more genes linked to the disease.

Diverse gut bacteria associated with favorable ratio of estrogen metabolites Posted: 11 Sep 2014 10:53 AM PDT Postmenopausal women with diverse gut bacteria exhibit a more favorable ratio of estrogen metabolites, which is associated with reduced risk for breast cancer, compared to women with less microbial variation, according to a new study.

Secrets of animal weapons revealed Posted: 11 Sep 2014 09:59 AM PDT From antlers to horns, humans have long been fascinated by animals' ability to defend themselves with their natural-born weapons. But until now, no studies have directly tested whether those weapons perform better at the animals' own style of fighting than they would using the fighting style of another species. Researchers recently discovered each species' weapons are structurally adapted to meet their own functional demands of fighting.

Increased access to nature trails could decrease youth obesity rates, study finds Posted: 11 Sep 2014 09:59 AM PDT Local governments can help reduce youth obesity levels by increasing the amount and type of public lands available for recreation, researchers say. "More non-motorized nature trails available for use by youth in a particular county lead to an increase in the physical activity rates as well as lower youth obesity rates," one researcher said.

Ticks that vector Lyme disease move west into North Dakota Posted: 11 Sep 2014 09:59 AM PDT Ixodes scapularis, also known as the blacklegged tick or deer tick -- is moving westward, and for the first time has been found to be established in North Dakota.

Two new species of carabid beetles found in Ethiopia Posted: 11 Sep 2014 09:59 AM PDT Scientists have found two new beetles in the genus Calathus -- Calathus juan and Calathus carballalae -- in Ehtiopia. There are more than 150 species of beetles in the genus Calathus, 17 of which have only been found in the mountains of the Ethiopian Highlands.

New defense mechanism against viruses discovered Posted: 11 Sep 2014 09:59 AM PDT A known quality control mechanism in human, animal and plant cells is active against viruses, researchers have discovered. They think it might represent one of the oldest defense mechanisms against viruses in evolutionary history.

How salt causes buildings to crumble Posted: 11 Sep 2014 09:59 AM PDT Salt crystals are often responsible when buildings start to show signs of aging. Researchers have studied salt damage in greater depth and can now predict weathering processes more accurately.

Cells put off protein production during times of stress Posted: 11 Sep 2014 09:58 AM PDT When a stressed cell recognizes the buildup of misfolded proteins, it responds by reshuffling its workload, much like a stressed out employee might temporarily move papers from an overflowing inbox into a junk drawer. The study could lend insight into misfolded protein diseases such as Alzheimer's, ALS, Huntington's, Parkinson's, and type 2 diabetes.

Intestinal bacteria needed for strong flu vaccine responses in mice Posted: 11 Sep 2014 09:58 AM PDT Mice treated with antibiotics to remove most of their intestinal bacteria or raised under sterile conditions have impaired antibody responses to seasonal influenza vaccination, researchers have found. The findings suggest that antibiotic treatment before or during vaccination may impair responses to certain vaccines in humans. The results may also help to explain why immunity induced by some vaccines varies in different parts of the world.

Atmosphere in northern hemisphere has lower self-cleaning capacity than previously thought Posted: 11 Sep 2014 09:50 AM PDT Pollution is being removed more slowly from the atmosphere in the northern hemisphere than previously assumed. An international research team established that the atmospheric cleaning agent hydroxyl (OH) is found in the same concentrations in the southern and the northern hemisphere. Until now, scientists had assumed that there would be more OH in the atmosphere in the more polluted northern hemisphere as the cleaning agent is produced where there is pollution.

Impact on gut microbiota of fermented milk product containing probiotics revealed by new technology Posted: 11 Sep 2014 09:50 AM PDT The effect of a fermented milk product containing probiotics on the gut microbiota has been demonstrated by researchers using a novel high resolution bioinformatics tool. The product affected certain gut bacteria without changing the global composition of the microbial community. These findings open new perspectives to understand the effects of probiotics on our health.

Our microbes are a rich source of drugs Posted: 11 Sep 2014 09:42 AM PDT Bacteria that normally live in and upon us have genetic blueprints that enable them to make thousands of molecules that act like drugs, and some of these molecules might serve as the basis for new human therapeutics, according to new research.

Owls Provides Clues on How Humans Focus Attention Posted: 11 Sep 2014 09:42 AM PDT Research with barn owls reveals how the brain decides what it should pay attention to among competing external events.

How bacteria battle fluoride Posted: 11 Sep 2014 07:19 AM PDT Two studies provide new insights into the mechanisms that allow bacteria to resist fluoride toxicity, information that could eventually help inform new strategies for treating harmful bacterial diseases.

World's largest DNA origami created Posted: 11 Sep 2014 06:47 AM PDT Researchers have created the world's largest DNA origami, which are nanoscale constructions with applications ranging from biomedical research to nanoelectronics. DNA origami are self-assembling biochemical structures that are made up of two types of DNA.

Graphene paints a corrosion-free future: Keep food fresh longer? Posted: 11 Sep 2014 06:47 AM PDT A thin layer of graphene paint can make impermeable and chemically resistant coatings which could be used for packaging to keep food fresh for longer and protect metal structures against corrosion, new findings show.

Steroid hormone to fight age-related diseases Posted: 11 Sep 2014 06:29 AM PDT Through the study of the roundworm, Caenorhabditis elegans, a research team has discovered a hormone that enhances longevity and reduces fertility, thus reproducing the effects of an extreme diet. The scientists now intend to explore its mode of action in the hope of finding new ways to combat age-related diseases.

Pesticides more toxic for soil organisms in dry soil, at enhanced temperatures Posted: 11 Sep 2014 06:29 AM PDT Soil organisms react more sensitive to marketable pesticides when exposed in dry soil and at enhanced temperatures. Both conditions may occur more often in the future due to climate change. Singularly and combined these factors lower the toxicity threshold of fungicides for springtails.

Last decade's slow-down in global warming enhanced by an unusual climate anomaly Posted: 11 Sep 2014 06:29 AM PDT A hiatus in global warming ongoing since 2001 is due to a combination of a natural cooling phase, known as multidecadal variability (MDV) and a downturn of the secular warming trend. The exact causes of the latter, unique in the entire observational record going back to 1850, are still to be identified, according to a new article.

Cat bites dog: In India's human dominated landscapes, top prey for leopards is dogs Posted: 11 Sep 2014 06:23 AM PDT In India's human dominated agricultural landscapes, where leopards prowl at night, it's not livestock that's primarily on the menu – it is man's best friend.

Chemical detection: A purer solution Posted: 10 Sep 2014 06:37 PM PDT A separation method that isolates protein-protected gold clusters enables improved sensing of toxic mercury compounds and pesticides. Fluorescence-based detection of pesticides and other environmentally harmful chemicals is limited by the ability of current methods to reliably and selectively sense specific chemical species. Researchers have now developed a co-precipitation process that removes excess reagents to improve the efficiency of fluorescent sensors.

Chemists discover the way nose perceives common class of odors Posted: 10 Sep 2014 04:02 PM PDT Biologists claim that humans can perceive and distinguish a trillion different odors, but little is known about the underlying chemical processes involved. Biochemists have found an unexpected chemical strategy employed by the mammalian nose to detect chemicals known as aldehydes.

'Green wave' explains migratory bird routes Posted: 10 Sep 2014 04:02 PM PDT Bird migrations follow areas of new plant growth -- a so-called 'green wave' of new leaves and numerous insects -- research shows. In fall, particularly in the western US, they stick to higher elevations and head directly southward, making fewer detours along the way for food.

Using plants to produce enzyme may provide treatment for high blood pressure in lungs Posted: 10 Sep 2014 04:01 PM PDT Using plant leaves to produce and deliver a key enzyme may someday improve treatment for life-threatening high blood pressure in the lungs. This plant-based therapy would be less expensive and easier to take than enzyme therapies delivered by injection, researchers report.

Earth's ozone layer on track to recovery, scientists report Posted: 10 Sep 2014 01:23 PM PDT Earth's protective ozone layer is well on track to recovery in the next few decades thanks to concerted international action against ozone depleting substances, according to a new assessment by 300 scientists.

Major earthquake may occur off coast of Istanbul, seismic shifts suggest Posted: 10 Sep 2014 12:25 PM PDT When a segment of a major fault line goes quiet, it can mean one of two things: The "seismic gap" may simply be inactive -- the result of two tectonic plates placidly gliding past each other -- or the segment may be a source of potential earthquakes, quietly building tension over decades until an inevitable seismic release. After tracking seismic shifts, researchers say a major quake may occur off the coast of Istanbul.

Groundwater tied to human evolution Posted: 10 Sep 2014 12:25 PM PDT Our ancient ancestors' ability to move around and find new sources of groundwater during extremely dry periods in Africa millions of years ago may have been key to their survival and the evolution of the human species, a new study shows.

New 3-D imaging techniques may improve understanding of biofuel plant material: Never-before-seen details Posted: 10 Sep 2014 12:25 PM PDT A comparison of 3-D transmission electron microscopy imaging techniques reveals never-seen-before details of plant cell walls.

Impact of movies on dog breed popularity Posted: 10 Sep 2014 12:25 PM PDT The effect of movies featuring dogs on the popularity of dog breeds can last up to 10 years and is correlated with the general success of the movies, according to new research.

Gulf killifishes' biological responses to oil spills similar in field, laboratory studies Posted: 10 Sep 2014 12:25 PM PDT Gulf killifish biological responses to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill detected by researchers in the field are similar to those in controlled laboratory studies.

Sharks more abundant on healthy coral reefs Posted: 10 Sep 2014 12:25 PM PDT Sharks in no-fishing zones in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park are more abundant when the coral is healthy.

'Immortal' flatworms: Weapon against bacteria Posted: 10 Sep 2014 11:09 AM PDT A novel mode of defense against bacteria, such as the causal agent of tuberculosis or Staphylococcus aureus, has been identified in humans by studying a small, aquatic flatworm, the planarian. This discovery highlights the importance of studying alternative model organisms, and opens the way towards new treatments against bacterial infections.

Fish, fatty acid consumption associated with lower risk of hearing loss in women Posted: 10 Sep 2014 10:25 AM PDT Consumption of 2 or more servings of fish per week was associated with a lower risk of hearing loss in women, researchers have found. "Acquired hearing loss is a highly prevalent and often disabling chronic health condition," stated one corresponding author. "Although a decline in hearing is often considered an inevitable aspect of aging, the identification of several potentially modifiable risk factors has provided new insight into possibilities for prevention or delay of acquired hearing loss."

Ocean warming affecting Florida reefs Posted: 10 Sep 2014 09:05 AM PDT Late-summer water temperatures near the Florida Keys were warmer by nearly 2 degrees Fahrenheit in the last several decades compared to a century earlier, according to a new study by the US Geological Survey.

Nerve impulses can collide, continue unaffected Posted: 10 Sep 2014 09:04 AM PDT According to the traditional theory of nerves, two nerve impulses sent from opposite ends of a nerve annihilate when they collide. New research now shows that two colliding nerve impulses simply pass through each other and continue unaffected. This supports the theory that nerves function as sound pulses.

Malaria medications from waste Posted: 10 Sep 2014 05:35 AM PDT All of the best currently available pharmaceuticals against malaria can now be produced in pure form using a single process, even from the waste of the plant-extraction. The method allows for the complete production of anti-malaria medicines, in a continuous fashion, utilizing one reactor at one location. The process can also utilize both artemisinin and the plant waste product to produce these medicines, allowing for more material to be used and medicines produced without having to increase the amount of material farmed.

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