ScienceDaily: Top Environment News

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• Global warming threat seen in fertile soil of northeastern U.S. forests
• Untangling knots, slipknots in species separated by a billion years of evolution
• The downstream consequences of depleting groundwater
• Humans are primary cause of global ocean warming over past 50 years
• Wing bling: For female butterflies, flashier is better
• Lessons from epigenome evolution
• Forgotten Annapolis immigration conflict uncovered
• Recreational fishing causes Cape Cod salt marsh die-off
• More people, more environmental stress
• Scientists correct Amazon water level gauges from space
• Nanoparticles in polluted air, smoke & nanotechnology products have serious impact on health
• Global investment in renewable energy powers to record $257 billion
• Scientists reveal structure of bacterial chainmail
• Wiring the brain, through experience

Global warming threat seen in fertile soil of northeastern U.S. forests Posted: 11 Jun 2012 04:37 PM PDT Vast stores of carbon in U.S. forest soils could be released by rising global temperatures, according to a new study. Scientists found that heating soil in Wisconsin and North Carolina woodlands by 10 and 20 degrees increased the release of carbon dioxide by up to eight times. They showed for the first time that most carbon in topsoil is vulnerable to this warming effect.

Untangling knots, slipknots in species separated by a billion years of evolution Posted: 11 Jun 2012 12:32 PM PDT A new study examines structures of proteins that not only twist and turn themselves into knots, but also form slipknots that, if anybody could actually see them, might look like shoelaces for cells.

The downstream consequences of depleting groundwater Posted: 11 Jun 2012 12:32 PM PDT A new report identifies improvements to groundwater management from the Western United States to Australia.

Humans are primary cause of global ocean warming over past 50 years Posted: 11 Jun 2012 12:32 PM PDT Scientists have shown that the observed ocean warming over the last 50 years is consistent with climate models only if the models include the impacts of observed increases in greenhouse gas during the 20th century.

Wing bling: For female butterflies, flashier is better Posted: 11 Jun 2012 12:31 PM PDT If female butterflies are programmed to identify males of their species by the patterns of spots on their wings, how can new wing patterns evolve in males? The answer is that while females are predisposed to prefer a specific pattern, they learn to like flashier ones more, according to a new study.

Lessons from epigenome evolution Posted: 11 Jun 2012 09:26 AM PDT The sequencing of the human genome has provided a wealth of genetic information, yet the goal of understanding the function of every gene remains outstanding. New research suggests determining the purpose of genes through a new method they call "comparative epigenomics."

Forgotten Annapolis immigration conflict uncovered Posted: 11 Jun 2012 09:26 AM PDT Archaeologists are uncovering a forgotten period of racial tension in Annapolis pitting Filipino immigrants against African-Americans. The surprisingly complex relations between the groups go back a century, occasionally marked by violence, but also by considerable social mixing and even intermarriage, the researchers say -- all propelled by changing racial practices at the Naval Academy.

Recreational fishing causes Cape Cod salt marsh die-off Posted: 11 Jun 2012 09:25 AM PDT As recreational fishing activity has reduced predators in many of Cape Cod's salt marsh ecosystems, Sesarma crabs have feasted on grasses, causing dramatic die-offs of the marshes, according to a new study. The researchers assessed the "trophic cascade" in several experiments that also ruled out alternative explanations for the problem.

More people, more environmental stress Posted: 11 Jun 2012 09:25 AM PDT Scientists have taken a critical look at the various factors that have long been prime climate-change suspects. One in particular: the role of population growth.

Scientists correct Amazon water level gauges from space Posted: 11 Jun 2012 09:25 AM PDT NASA's laser satellite, ICESat, has been used to make corrections to water level gauges that are critical in monitoring water flow in the Amazon, the world's largest river. The new study will improve our understanding of water flows and floodplain processes.

Nanoparticles in polluted air, smoke & nanotechnology products have serious impact on health Posted: 11 Jun 2012 07:53 AM PDT New groundbreaking research has found that exposure to nanoparticles can have a serious impact on health, linking it to rheumatoid arthritis and the development of other serious autoimmune diseases. The findings have health and safety implications for the manufacture, use and ultimate disposal of nanotechnology products and materials. They also identified new cellular targets for the development of potential drug therapies in combating the development of autoimmune diseases.

Global investment in renewable energy powers to record $257 billion Posted: 11 Jun 2012 06:23 AM PDT Solar generation surged past wind power to become the renewable energy technology of choice for global investors in 2011. Solar attracted nearly twice as much investment as wind, driving the renewable energy sector to yet another record-breaking year, albeit one beset with challenges for the industry, according to two new reports.

Scientists reveal structure of bacterial chainmail Posted: 10 Jun 2012 12:15 PM PDT Scientists have uncovered the structure of the protective protein coat which surrounds many bacteria like a miniature suit of armor. The research has far ranging consequences in helping us understand how some pathogenic bacteria infect humans and animals, and could help us develop new vaccines.

Wiring the brain, through experience Posted: 06 Jun 2012 10:23 AM PDT Researchers have found that just days before birth mice undergo an explosion of neuromuscular branching. At birth, the research showed, some muscle fibers are contacted by as many as ten nerve cells. Within days, however, all but one of those connections had been pruned away.

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