ScienceDaily: Top Environment News

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• Dogs respond to goal-directed behavior at similar level to infants
• Asian Americans lower insulin resistance on traditional diet
• Nemo can travel great distances to connect populations: Baby clownfish travel hundreds of kilometers across open ocean
• The future of global agriculture may include new land, fewer harvests
• Nature of war: Chimps inherently violent; Study disproves theory that 'chimpanzee wars' are sparked by human influence
• New explanation for origin of plate tectonics: What set Earth's plates in motion?
• New branch added to European family tree: Europeans descended from at least 3, not 2, groups of ancient humans
• Reduced energy density in foods can create healthier food environment, may help to reduce obesity
• Certain gut bacteria may induce metabolic changes following exposure to artificial sweeteners
• Counting fish teeth reveals regulatory DNA changes behind rapid evolution, adaptation
• Effect of ocean acidification: Coral growth rate on Great Barrier Reef plummets in 30-year comparison
• Abnormal properties of cancer protein revealed in fly eyes
• Parts of genome without a known function may play a key role in the birth of new proteins
• Iberian pig genome remains unchanged after five centuries
• Nanoscience makes your wine better
• Cape Cod saltmarsh recovery looks good, falls short
• Global change: Trees in Central Europe continue to grow at a faster rate, long-term study finds
• Consumers will pay more for eco-friendly plants, study shows
• Global shift away from cars would save US$100 trillion, eliminate 1,700 megatons of carbon dioxide pollution
• Sharks' skin has teeth in the fight against hospital superbugs
• Recruiting bacteria as technology innovation partners: New self-healing materials and bioprocessing technologies
• Phthalates heighten risk for childhood asthma
• Modern forensic techniques identify most likely cause of King Richard III’s death
• Phylum vertebrata: New concepts based on advances in animal systematics
• Flying robots will go where humans can't
• Great Barrier Reef is an effective wave absorber
• Conquering the world at a snail's pace: Expansion of invasive Mediterranean Tramp Slug
• Sepsis: New, novel therapy proposed by researchers

Dogs respond to goal-directed behavior at similar level to infants Posted: 17 Sep 2014 12:46 PM PDT Dogs look at a person interacting with a new object longer than a person interacting with a familiar object moved to a different location, suggesting perception of goal-directed behavior, according to a new study.

Asian Americans lower insulin resistance on traditional diet Posted: 17 Sep 2014 12:19 PM PDT Asian Americans have been shown to lower insulin resistance on a traditional diet, researchers report. One part of this puzzle may lie in the transition from traditional high-fiber, low-fat Asian diets to current westernized diets, which may pose extra risks for those of Asian heritage, says the senior author of the study.

Nemo can travel great distances to connect populations: Baby clownfish travel hundreds of kilometers across open ocean Posted: 17 Sep 2014 11:14 AM PDT Clownfish spend their entire lives nestling in the protective tentacles of host anemones, but new research shows that as babies they sometimes travel hundreds of kilometres across the open ocean. Although the process of long-distance dispersal by reef fish has been predicted, this is the first time that the high level exchange of offspring between distant populations has been observed.

The future of global agriculture may include new land, fewer harvests Posted: 17 Sep 2014 11:14 AM PDT Climate change may expand suitable cropland, particularly in the Northern high latitudes, but tropical regions may becoming decreasingly suitable.

Nature of war: Chimps inherently violent; Study disproves theory that 'chimpanzee wars' are sparked by human influence Posted: 17 Sep 2014 10:18 AM PDT Of all of the world's species, humans and chimpanzees are some of the only species to coordinate attacks on their own members. Since Jane Goodall introduced lethal inter-community killings, primatologists have debated the concept of warfare in this genus. New research from an international coalition of ape researchers has shed new light on the subject, suggesting that human encroachment and interference is not, as previous researchers have claimed, an influential predictor of chimp-on-chimp aggression.

New explanation for origin of plate tectonics: What set Earth's plates in motion? Posted: 17 Sep 2014 10:18 AM PDT Geologists have a new explanation for the origin of plate tectonics. Researchers suggest it was triggered by the spreading of early continents then it eventually became a self-sustaining process.

New branch added to European family tree: Europeans descended from at least 3, not 2, groups of ancient humans Posted: 17 Sep 2014 10:18 AM PDT Previous work suggested that Europeans descended from two ancestral groups: indigenous hunter-gatherers and early European farmers. This new study shows that there was also a third ancestral group, the Ancient North Eurasians, who contributed genetic material to almost all present-day Europeans. The research also reveals an even older lineage, the Basal Eurasians.

Reduced energy density in foods can create healthier food environment, may help to reduce obesity Posted: 17 Sep 2014 10:16 AM PDT An official position statement pointing to the pervasive availability of foods high in energy density as a contributing factor for weight gain and obesity has been released by the Obesity Society. As detailed in the position statement, a diet reduced in energy density can accommodate a wide range of eating patterns, and can support a lifestyle that includes a healthy, well-balanced diet for weight management.

Certain gut bacteria may induce metabolic changes following exposure to artificial sweeteners Posted: 17 Sep 2014 10:16 AM PDT Artificial sweeteners have long been promoted as diet and health aids. But breaking research shows that these products may be leading to the very diseases they were said to help prevent: scientists have discovered that, after exposure to artificial sweeteners, our gut bacteria may be triggering harmful metabolic changes.

Counting fish teeth reveals regulatory DNA changes behind rapid evolution, adaptation Posted: 17 Sep 2014 09:12 AM PDT Threespine sticklebacks, small fish found around the globe, undergo rapid evolutionary change when they move from the ocean to freshwater lakes, losing their armor and gaining more teeth in as little as 10 years. A biologist shows that this rapid change results not from mutations in functional genes, but changes in regulatory DNA. He pinpoints a gene that could be responsible for teeth, bone or jaw deformities in humans, including cleft palate.

Effect of ocean acidification: Coral growth rate on Great Barrier Reef plummets in 30-year comparison Posted: 17 Sep 2014 09:12 AM PDT Researchers working in Australia's Great Barrier Reef have documented that coral growth rates have plummeted 40 percent since the mid-1970s. The scientists suggest that ocean acidification may be playing an important role in this perilous slowdown.

Abnormal properties of cancer protein revealed in fly eyes Posted: 17 Sep 2014 09:10 AM PDT Mutations in the human retinoblastoma protein gene are a leading cause of eye cancer. Now, scientists have turned to fruit fly eyes to unlock the secrets of this important cancer gene. Since fruit flies are essentially tiny people with wings, in terms of genetics, these model organisms can play a key role in advancing human medicine.

Parts of genome without a known function may play a key role in the birth of new proteins Posted: 17 Sep 2014 09:07 AM PDT RNA called non-coding plays an important role in the evolution of new proteins, some of which could have important cell functions yet to be discovered, a study shows. The study analysed experiments carried out on six different species and identified almost 2,500 IncRNAs that were not in known databases.

Iberian pig genome remains unchanged after five centuries Posted: 17 Sep 2014 09:05 AM PDT A team of Spanish researchers have obtained the first partial genome sequence of an ancient pig. Extracted from a sixteenth century pig found at the site of the Montsoriu Castle in Girona, the data obtained indicates that this ancient pig is closely related to today's Iberian pig. Researchers also discard the hypothesis that Asian pigs were crossed with modern Iberian pigs.

Nanoscience makes your wine better Posted: 17 Sep 2014 06:29 AM PDT One sip of a perfectly poured glass of wine leads to an explosion of flavors in your mouth. Researchers have now developed a nanosensor that can mimic what happens in your mouth when you drink wine. The sensor measures how you experience the sensation of dryness in the wine.

Cape Cod saltmarsh recovery looks good, falls short Posted: 17 Sep 2014 06:29 AM PDT In some places Cape Cod's imperiled saltmarsh grasses have been making a comeback, but a new study reports that their ability to protect the coast has not returned nearly as fast as their healthy appearance would suggest.

Global change: Trees in Central Europe continue to grow at a faster rate, long-term study finds Posted: 17 Sep 2014 06:29 AM PDT Trees in Central Europe have been growing significantly faster since the 1960s. The typical development phases of trees and stands have barely changed, but they have accelerated -- by as much as 70 percent. This was the outcome of a study based on long-term data from experimental forest plots that have been continuously observed since 1870.

Consumers will pay more for eco-friendly plants, study shows Posted: 17 Sep 2014 06:27 AM PDT People make decisions all the time, and some have long-term consequences: Do I work out? Do I take the bus? Do I recycle? Researchers have found those who value long-term consequences of their decisions are more apt to buy eco-friendly plants.

Global shift away from cars would save US$100 trillion, eliminate 1,700 megatons of carbon dioxide pollution Posted: 17 Sep 2014 04:33 AM PDT More than $100 trillion in cumulative public and private spending, and 1,700 megatons of annual carbon dioxide -- a 40 percent reduction of urban passenger transport emissions -- could be eliminated by 2050 if the world expands public transportation, walking and cycling in cities, according to a new report.

Sharks' skin has teeth in the fight against hospital superbugs Posted: 17 Sep 2014 04:32 AM PDT Transmission of bacterial infections, including Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus could be curbed by coating hospital surfaces with microscopic bumps that mimic the scaly surface of shark skin, according to research.

Recruiting bacteria as technology innovation partners: New self-healing materials and bioprocessing technologies Posted: 17 Sep 2014 04:32 AM PDT For most people biofilms conjure up images of slippery stones in a streambed and dirty drains. While there are plenty of 'bad' biofilms around, a team of scientists see biofilms as a robust new platform for designer nanomaterials that could clean up polluted rivers, manufacture pharmaceutical products, fabricate new textiles, and more.

Phthalates heighten risk for childhood asthma Posted: 17 Sep 2014 04:32 AM PDT An association between childhood asthma and prenatal exposure to two phthalates used in a diverse array of household products has been discovered by researchers. Phthalates are used in everything from synthetic fragrances to plastic food containers, vinyl flooring, insect repellent, shower curtains, even steering wheels and dashboards ("new car smell" contains phthalates).

Modern forensic techniques identify most likely cause of King Richard III’s death Posted: 17 Sep 2014 04:31 AM PDT The remains of King Richard III -- the last English monarch to die in battle -- were found under a car park in Leicester by archaeologists. The forensic imaging team used whole body CT scans and micro-CT imaging of injured bones to analyze trauma to the 500-year-old skeleton carefully, and to determine which of the King's wounds might have proved fatal.

Phylum vertebrata: New concepts based on advances in animal systematics Posted: 17 Sep 2014 04:31 AM PDT The way in which most multicellular organisms have been classified has been the same for more than a century. Only recently have scientists developed the tools and knowledge to question the way we classify organisms. The data accumulated from these newly developed techniques has the potential to change how future generations of scientists classify organisms and understand the connections between them, experts say.

Flying robots will go where humans can't Posted: 17 Sep 2014 04:31 AM PDT There are many situations where it's impossible, complicated or too time-consuming for humans to enter and carry out operations. Think of contaminated areas following a nuclear accident, or the need to erect structures such as antennae on mountain tops. These are examples of where flying robots could be used.

Great Barrier Reef is an effective wave absorber Posted: 17 Sep 2014 04:31 AM PDT The Great Barrier Reef is a remarkably effective wave absorber, despite large gaps between the reefs, a study concludes. The Great Barrier Reef in Australia is the largest coral reef system in the world, extending 2,300 km alongshore. The reef matrix is a porous structure consisting of thousands of individual reefs.

Conquering the world at a snail's pace: Expansion of invasive Mediterranean Tramp Slug Posted: 17 Sep 2014 04:31 AM PDT The expansion of the invasive Mediterranean Tramp Slug has been the focus of recent research. This mollusk already inhabits large parts of Europe and Australia as well as North and South America. Among others, it was recorded for the first time in Mexico, Costa Rica and Ecuador. Regionally, this species can be a serious agricultural pest; however, it appears to reach its distributional limits in extremely cold or hot areas.

Sepsis: New, novel therapy proposed by researchers Posted: 16 Sep 2014 11:15 AM PDT Pentatraxin 3 (PTX3), a protein that helps the innate immune system target invaders such as bacteria and viruses, can reduce mortality of mice suffering from sepsis, researchers have discovered. This discovery may lead to a therapy for sepsis, a major cause of death in developed countries that is fatal in one in four cases.

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