ScienceDaily: Top Environment News

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• More at-risk bird species in Brazilian forest than previously thought
• Thermal limit for animal life redefined by first lab study of deep-sea vent worms
• Apes get emotional over games of chance
• Organic polymers show sunny potential: Groundwork laid for block copolymer solar cells
• Gene that helps honey bees find flowers (and get back home) discovered
• Improving 'crop per drop' could boost global food security and water sustainability
• Recovery of Hawaiian green sea turtles still short of historic levels
• Arctic current flowed under deep freeze of last ice age, study says
• Big brothers and sisters pay off for nature's social spiders
• Genetic engineering alters mosquitoes' sense of smell
• Pigeons peck for computerized treat
• Despite safety and other concerns, nuclear power saves lives, greenhouse gas emissions, experts say
• Re-creating the original colors of treasured ivory carvings from the ancient past
• The US shale-gas revolution and European renewables: Divergence and cooperation in alternative energy
• Microplastic pollution prevalent in lakes, too
• Malaria protection in chimpanzees
• Subfossil forest discovered at building site in Zurich
• Simplified solutions to deforestation ineffective in long run
• KISS ME DEADLY proteins may help improve crop yields

More at-risk bird species in Brazilian forest than previously thought Posted: 29 May 2013 04:09 PM PDT In a new study, a team of researchers has applied a novel method for linking large-scale habitat fragmentation to population sustainability.

Thermal limit for animal life redefined by first lab study of deep-sea vent worms Posted: 29 May 2013 04:09 PM PDT Forty-two may or may not be the answer to everything, but it likely defines the temperature limit where animal life thrives, according to the first laboratory study of heat-loving Pompeii worms from deep-sea vents.

Apes get emotional over games of chance Posted: 29 May 2013 04:09 PM PDT Like some humans, chimpanzees and bonobos exhibit emotional responses to outcomes of their decisions by pouting or throwing angry tantrums when a risk-taking strategy fails to pay off, according to new research.

Organic polymers show sunny potential: Groundwork laid for block copolymer solar cells Posted: 29 May 2013 12:46 PM PDT A new version of solar cells could open the door to research on a new class of solar energy devices. The photovoltaic devices are based on block copolymers, self-assembling organic materials that arrange themselves into distinct layers. They easily outperform other cells with polymer compounds as active elements.

Gene that helps honey bees find flowers (and get back home) discovered Posted: 29 May 2013 11:43 AM PDT Honey bees don't start out knowing how to find flowers or even how to get around outside the hive. Before they can forage, they must learn to navigate a changing landscape and orient themselves to the sun. In a new study, researchers report that a regulatory gene known to be involved in the detection of novelty in vertebrates also kicks into high gear in the brains of honey bees when they are learning how to find food and bring it home.

Improving 'crop per drop' could boost global food security and water sustainability Posted: 29 May 2013 11:43 AM PDT Improvements in crop water productivity -- the amount of food produced per unit of water consumed -- have the potential to improve both food security and water sustainability in many parts of the world, according to a new study.

Recovery of Hawaiian green sea turtles still short of historic levels Posted: 29 May 2013 10:35 AM PDT Hawaiian green sea turtle populations have increased in recent years, but their numbers still fall far short of historic levels. A new report suggests that calls to lift protection for this species may be premature.

Arctic current flowed under deep freeze of last ice age, study says Posted: 29 May 2013 10:34 AM PDT During the last ice age, when thick ice covered the Arctic, many scientists assumed that the deep currents below that feed the North Atlantic Ocean and help drive global ocean currents slowed or even stopped. But in a researchers have now shown that the deep Arctic Ocean has been churning briskly for the last 35,000 years, through the chill of the last ice age and warmth of modern times.

Big brothers and sisters pay off for nature's social spiders Posted: 29 May 2013 10:32 AM PDT The behavior of social spiders may settle debates over the benefits of older siblings. Researchers studying Australian social huntsman spiders discovered that younger siblings thrive when raised in nests with older siblings. Bigger brothers and sisters capture bigger, juicier prey, which they share with their younger siblings.

Genetic engineering alters mosquitoes' sense of smell Posted: 29 May 2013 10:31 AM PDT In one of the first successful attempts at genetically engineering mosquitoes, researchers have altered the way the insects respond to odors, including the smell of humans and the insect repellant DEET. The research not only demonstrates that mosquitoes can be genetically altered using the latest research techniques, but paves the way to understanding why the insect is so attracted to humans, and how to block that attraction.

Pigeons peck for computerized treat Posted: 29 May 2013 09:11 AM PDT New research show pigeons can make informed choices, and use a computerized touch-screen as well.

Despite safety and other concerns, nuclear power saves lives, greenhouse gas emissions, experts say Posted: 29 May 2013 08:13 AM PDT Global use of nuclear power has prevented about 1.84 million air pollution-related deaths and release of 64 billion tons of greenhouse gases that would have resulted from burning coal and other fossil fuels, a new study concludes.

Re-creating the original colors of treasured ivory carvings from the ancient past Posted: 29 May 2013 08:13 AM PDT The fabled ivory carvings from the ancient Phoenician city of Arslan Tash -- literally meaning "Stone Lion" -- may appear a dull monochrome in museums today, but they glittered with brilliant blue, red, gold and other colors 2,800 years ago, a new study has confirmed after decades of speculation.

The US shale-gas revolution and European renewables: Divergence and cooperation in alternative energy Posted: 29 May 2013 07:15 AM PDT That the United States and Europe have been following different energy policies over the past few decades won't come as a surprise. However, according to one researcher, their divergence – with the US leading 'the shale gas revolution' and Europe investing heavily in modern renewables – is a good thing for the development of both alternative-energy sources.

Microplastic pollution prevalent in lakes, too Posted: 29 May 2013 06:29 AM PDT Researchers have detected microplastic pollution in one of Western Europe's largest lakes, Lake Geneva, in large enough quantities to raise concern.

Malaria protection in chimpanzees Posted: 29 May 2013 06:27 AM PDT In malaria regions the parasite prevalence in the human body as well as malaria-related morbidity and mortality decrease with age. This reflects the progressive mounting of a protective immunity. Researchers now present a study which addresses the age distribution of malaria parasite infection in a group of wild chimpanzees.

Subfossil forest discovered at building site in Zurich Posted: 29 May 2013 06:27 AM PDT The fact that many finds have happened by chance was demonstrated again recently in Zurich. A dendrochronologist was just having a look at a building site when he noticed a few tree stumps on the edge of the loamy building pit that had been discarded by the construction workers as waste timber. Analysis showed the timber he discovered was dated between 12,846 BP** and 13,782 BP. With the support of the building-site management researchers have managed to salvage some 200 ancient pine-tree stumps.

Simplified solutions to deforestation ineffective in long run Posted: 29 May 2013 06:21 AM PDT Deforestation is the second largest source of CO2 emissions after consumption of fossil fuels. So-called PES programs, where landowners are paid to replant or protect forests, have been promoted as a way to reduce deforestation. However, the effectiveness of the programs has been questioned, and new research points to potential negative long-term effects and a need for broader guidelines and policies.

KISS ME DEADLY proteins may help improve crop yields Posted: 27 May 2013 12:36 PM PDT Researchers have identified a new regulator for plant hormone signaling -- the KISS ME DEADLY family of proteins (KMDs) -- that may help to improve production of fruits, vegetables and grains.

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ScienceDaily: Strange Science News

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• Anorexic individuals' disturbed body image influences unconscious movements
• Apes get emotional over games of chance
• Neuroscientists discover new phase of synaptic development
• Weightlessness of space used to design better materials for Earth
• 'Low sodium diet' key to old age for stars: New observations challenge current stellar theories
• Genetic engineering alters mosquitoes' sense of smell
• Pigeons peck for computerized treat
• 3-D microelectrodes? Charred micro-bunny sculpture shows promise of new material for 3-D shaping
• Subfossil forest discovered at building site in Zurich
• Paper could be basis for inexpensive diagnostic devices
• KISS ME DEADLY proteins may help improve crop yields
• Sea anemone venom-derived compound effective in anti-obesity studies

Anorexic individuals' disturbed body image influences unconscious movements Posted: 29 May 2013 04:09 PM PDT Individuals suffering from anorexia nervosa perceive their bodies as being larger than they are and this disturbed body representation affects their movements, according to new research.

Apes get emotional over games of chance Posted: 29 May 2013 04:09 PM PDT Like some humans, chimpanzees and bonobos exhibit emotional responses to outcomes of their decisions by pouting or throwing angry tantrums when a risk-taking strategy fails to pay off, according to new research.

Neuroscientists discover new phase of synaptic development Posted: 29 May 2013 11:43 AM PDT Students preparing for final exams might want to wait before pulling an all-night cram session -- at least as far as their neurons are concerned. Neuroscientists have discovered a new intermediate phase in neuronal development during which repeated exposure to a stimulus shrinks synapses.

Weightlessness of space used to design better materials for Earth Posted: 29 May 2013 10:35 AM PDT Scientists are using the weightlessness of space to design stronger materials here on Earth.

'Low sodium diet' key to old age for stars: New observations challenge current stellar theories Posted: 29 May 2013 10:32 AM PDT Astronomers expect that stars like the Sun will blow off much of their atmospheres into space near the ends of their lives. But new observations of a huge star cluster made using ESO's Very Large Telescope have shown -- against all expectations -- that a majority of the stars studied simply did not get to this stage in their lives at all. The international team found that the amount of sodium in the stars was a very strong predictor of how they ended their lives.

Genetic engineering alters mosquitoes' sense of smell Posted: 29 May 2013 10:31 AM PDT In one of the first successful attempts at genetically engineering mosquitoes, researchers have altered the way the insects respond to odors, including the smell of humans and the insect repellant DEET. The research not only demonstrates that mosquitoes can be genetically altered using the latest research techniques, but paves the way to understanding why the insect is so attracted to humans, and how to block that attraction.

Pigeons peck for computerized treat Posted: 29 May 2013 09:11 AM PDT New research show pigeons can make informed choices, and use a computerized touch-screen as well.

3-D microelectrodes? Charred micro-bunny sculpture shows promise of new material for 3-D shaping Posted: 29 May 2013 08:13 AM PDT Researchers have used state-of-the-art micro-sculpting techniques on a new type of resin that can be molded into complex, highly conductive 3-D structures (in this case the famous "Stanford bunny") with features just a few micrometers across. The team says one of the most promising applications is 3-D microelectrodes that could interface with the brain.

Subfossil forest discovered at building site in Zurich Posted: 29 May 2013 06:27 AM PDT The fact that many finds have happened by chance was demonstrated again recently in Zurich. A dendrochronologist was just having a look at a building site when he noticed a few tree stumps on the edge of the loamy building pit that had been discarded by the construction workers as waste timber. Analysis showed the timber he discovered was dated between 12,846 BP** and 13,782 BP. With the support of the building-site management researchers have managed to salvage some 200 ancient pine-tree stumps.

Paper could be basis for inexpensive diagnostic devices Posted: 29 May 2013 06:20 AM PDT Paper is known for its ability to absorb liquids. But by modifying the underlying network of cellulose fibers, etching off surface "fluff" and applying a thin chemical coating, researchers have created a new type of paper that repels a wide variety of liquids.

KISS ME DEADLY proteins may help improve crop yields Posted: 27 May 2013 12:36 PM PDT Researchers have identified a new regulator for plant hormone signaling -- the KISS ME DEADLY family of proteins (KMDs) -- that may help to improve production of fruits, vegetables and grains.

Sea anemone venom-derived compound effective in anti-obesity studies Posted: 27 May 2013 12:36 PM PDT A synthetic compound ShK-186, originally derived from a sea anemone toxin, has been found to enhance metabolic activity and shows potential as a treatment for obesity and insulin resistance.

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Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610

ScienceDaily: Top Technology News

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• Cassini finds hints of activity at Saturn moon Dione
• NASA's WISE mission finds 'lost' asteroid family members
• More precision from less predictability: A new quantum trade-off
• Organic polymers show sunny potential: Groundwork laid for block copolymer solar cells
• High-efficiency zinc-air battery developed
• Weightlessness of space used to design better materials for Earth
• 'Low sodium diet' key to old age for stars: New observations challenge current stellar theories
• Cosmic glitch: Astronomers discover new phenomenon in neutron star
• NASA IRIS: Improving our view of the sun
• Discovery by physicists furthers understanding of superconductivity: Experiments show Zhang-Rice singlet state in different class of materials
• Despite safety and other concerns, nuclear power saves lives, greenhouse gas emissions, experts say
• 3-D microelectrodes? Charred micro-bunny sculpture shows promise of new material for 3-D shaping
• Flexible opals: 'Polymer opals' get color from internal structure alone
• Nanomedicines' impact on patients under the microscope
• Klein tunneling: Coupled particles cross energy wall
• Paper could be basis for inexpensive diagnostic devices
• Hybrid carbon nanotube yarn muscle

Cassini finds hints of activity at Saturn moon Dione Posted: 29 May 2013 06:51 PM PDT From a distance, most of the Saturnian moon Dione resembles a bland cueball. Thanks to close-up images of a 500-mile-long (800-kilometer-long) mountain on the moon from NASA's Cassini spacecraft, scientists have found more evidence for the idea that Dione was likely active in the past. It could still be active now.

NASA's WISE mission finds 'lost' asteroid family members Posted: 29 May 2013 06:49 PM PDT Data from NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) have led to a new and improved family tree for asteroids in the main belt between Mars and Jupiter. Astronomers used millions of infrared snapshots from the asteroid-hunting portion of the WISE all-sky survey, called NEOWISE, to identify 28 new asteroid families. The snapshots also helped place thousands of previously hidden and uncategorized asteroids into families for the first time. The findings are a critical step in understanding the origins of asteroid families, and the collisions thought to have created these rocky clans.

More precision from less predictability: A new quantum trade-off Posted: 29 May 2013 04:10 PM PDT Researchers in Australia have demonstrated that, contrary to what the Heisenberg uncertainty relation may suggest, particle properties such as position and momentum can be measured simultaneously with high precision. But it comes at a cost.

Organic polymers show sunny potential: Groundwork laid for block copolymer solar cells Posted: 29 May 2013 12:46 PM PDT A new version of solar cells could open the door to research on a new class of solar energy devices. The photovoltaic devices are based on block copolymers, self-assembling organic materials that arrange themselves into distinct layers. They easily outperform other cells with polymer compounds as active elements.

High-efficiency zinc-air battery developed Posted: 29 May 2013 12:46 PM PDT Scientists have developed an advanced zinc-air battery with higher catalytic activity and durability than similar batteries made with costly platinum and iridium catalysts. The results could lead to the development of a low-cost alternative to conventional lithium-ion batteries widely used today, according to the researchers.

Weightlessness of space used to design better materials for Earth Posted: 29 May 2013 10:35 AM PDT Scientists are using the weightlessness of space to design stronger materials here on Earth.

'Low sodium diet' key to old age for stars: New observations challenge current stellar theories Posted: 29 May 2013 10:32 AM PDT Astronomers expect that stars like the Sun will blow off much of their atmospheres into space near the ends of their lives. But new observations of a huge star cluster made using ESO's Very Large Telescope have shown -- against all expectations -- that a majority of the stars studied simply did not get to this stage in their lives at all. The international team found that the amount of sodium in the stars was a very strong predictor of how they ended their lives.

Cosmic glitch: Astronomers discover new phenomenon in neutron star Posted: 29 May 2013 10:05 AM PDT The physics behind some of the most extraordinary stellar objects in the universe just became even more puzzling. A group of astronomers has discovered a new kind of glitch in the cosmos, specifically in the rotation of a neutron star.

NASA IRIS: Improving our view of the sun Posted: 29 May 2013 10:01 AM PDT In late June 2013, NASA will launch a new set of eyes to offer the most detailed look ever of the sun's lower atmosphere, called the interface region. This region is believed to play a crucial role in powering the sun's dynamic million-degree atmosphere, the corona. The Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph or IRIS mission will provide the best resolution so far of the widest range of temperatures for of the interface region, an area that has historically been difficult to study.

Discovery by physicists furthers understanding of superconductivity: Experiments show Zhang-Rice singlet state in different class of materials Posted: 29 May 2013 09:10 AM PDT Physicists have discovered that a crucial ingredient of high-temperature superconductivity could be found in an entirely different class of materials.

Despite safety and other concerns, nuclear power saves lives, greenhouse gas emissions, experts say Posted: 29 May 2013 08:13 AM PDT Global use of nuclear power has prevented about 1.84 million air pollution-related deaths and release of 64 billion tons of greenhouse gases that would have resulted from burning coal and other fossil fuels, a new study concludes.

3-D microelectrodes? Charred micro-bunny sculpture shows promise of new material for 3-D shaping Posted: 29 May 2013 08:13 AM PDT Researchers have used state-of-the-art micro-sculpting techniques on a new type of resin that can be molded into complex, highly conductive 3-D structures (in this case the famous "Stanford bunny") with features just a few micrometers across. The team says one of the most promising applications is 3-D microelectrodes that could interface with the brain.

Flexible opals: 'Polymer opals' get color from internal structure alone Posted: 29 May 2013 07:16 AM PDT A synthetic material which mimics the brightest and most vivid colors in nature, and changes color when twisted or stretched, has been developed. It could have important applications in the security, textile and sensing industries.

Nanomedicines' impact on patients under the microscope Posted: 29 May 2013 07:15 AM PDT A pioneering imaging technique to track the effects of next-generation nanomedicines on patients has now been harnessed.

Klein tunneling: Coupled particles cross energy wall Posted: 29 May 2013 06:22 AM PDT A new model demonstrates that it is possible for two particles to cross an energy barrier together, where a single particle could not. For the first time, a new kind of so-called Klein tunneling -- representing the quantum equivalent of crossing an energy wall -- has been presented in a model of two interacting particles.

Paper could be basis for inexpensive diagnostic devices Posted: 29 May 2013 06:20 AM PDT Paper is known for its ability to absorb liquids. But by modifying the underlying network of cellulose fibers, etching off surface "fluff" and applying a thin chemical coating, researchers have created a new type of paper that repels a wide variety of liquids.

Hybrid carbon nanotube yarn muscle Posted: 29 May 2013 06:20 AM PDT Scientists have created a high capacity yarn muscle that does not require electrolytes or special packaging. It will have a big impact in the motor, biological and robot industry.

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Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610