ScienceDaily: Top Environment News

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• Legal harvest of marine turtles tops 42,000 each year
• Saving lemurs: Action plan devised to save Madagascar's 101 lemur species
• Extreme weather caused by climate change decides distribution of insects, study shows
• Eleven new genes affecting blood pressure discovered
• Zebrafish discovery may shed light on human kidney function
• Previous rapid thinning of Pine Island Glacier sheds light on future Antarctic ice loss
• Climate change: Unstable Atlantic deep ocean circulation may hasten 'tipping point'
• Study in fruitflies strengthens connection among protein misfolding, sleep loss, and age
• Enhancement of chemotherapy by prevention of tumor cell repair
• Compound improves cardiac function in mice with genetic heart defect, study finds
• Roots to shoots: Hormone transport in plants deciphered
• Sustainable manufacturing system to better consider the human component
• Molecular 'cocktail' transforms skin cells into beating heart cells
• Sound-sensing cells regenerated in ears of mice with hearing damage
• Human and dog brains both have dedicated 'voice areas'
• The way a room is lit can affect the way you make decisions
• Evidence mixed on the usefulness of echinacea for colds
• Crop species may be more vulnerable to climate change than we thought
• High cost of fruits, vegetables linked to higher body fat in young children
• Cell behavior mapped in low oxygen conditions, may lead to cancer treatment
• What is El Niño Taimasa? Strong El Niño events leading to lower local sea levels
• Forest model predicts canopy competition: Airborne lasers help researchers understand tree growth
• Sustainable use of available energy wood resources in North-West Russia promises significant social, economic opportunities
• Malagasy fishers support fishing regulations despite economic challenges
• Genetics linked to children viewing high amounts of violent media
• Probiotic treatment for vaginal thrush on the way
• Antibiotics don't prevent complications of kids' respiratory infections

Legal harvest of marine turtles tops 42,000 each year Posted: 20 Feb 2014 04:35 PM PST A new study has found that 42 countries or territories around the world permit the harvest of marine turtles -- and estimates that more than 42,000 turtles are caught each year by these fisheries. All seven marine turtle species are currently listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The direct take of turtles has continued legally in many regions and countries, often for traditional coastal communities to support themselves or small-scale fisheries supplying local markets with meat, and sometimes shell. The fisheries are an important source of finance, protein and cultural identity, but information can be scarce on their status -- despite often being listed as one of the major threats to turtle populations.

Saving lemurs: Action plan devised to save Madagascar's 101 lemur species Posted: 20 Feb 2014 01:56 PM PST An Canadian primatologist has teamed with 18 lemur conservationists and researchers, many of whom are from Madagascar or have been working there for decades, to devise an action plan to save Madagascar's 101 lemur species. The action plan contains strategies for 30 different priority sites for lemur conservation and aims to help raise funds for individual projects. Lemurs, the most endangered mammal group on Earth, represent more than 20 per cent of the world's primates. Native only to Madagascar, more than 90 percent of the species are threatened with extinction.

Extreme weather caused by climate change decides distribution of insects, study shows Posted: 20 Feb 2014 01:13 PM PST Extreme weather caused by climate change in the coming decades is likely to have profound implications for distributions of insects and other invertebrates. This is suggested by a new study of insects in tropical and temperate regions of Australia. "Our predictions are that some species would disappear entirely in the next few decades, even when they have a fairly wide distribution that currently covers hundreds of kilometers", the researchers conclude.

Eleven new genes affecting blood pressure discovered Posted: 20 Feb 2014 11:18 AM PST 11 new DNA sequence variants in genes influencing high blood pressure and heart disease have been discovered. Identifying the new genes contributes to our growing understanding of the biology of blood pressure and, researchers believe, will eventually influence the development of new treatments. More immediately the study highlights opportunities to investigate the use of existing drugs for cardiovascular diseases.

Zebrafish discovery may shed light on human kidney function Posted: 20 Feb 2014 11:17 AM PST Researchers say the discovery of how sodium ions pass through the gill of a zebrafish may be a clue to understanding a key function in the human kidney. In this research, the protein allows the sodium ions to be absorbed from the forming urine while at the same time discarding waste from normally functioning cells, thus keeping the body in balance and serving as an energy saving system. The researchers say the same NHE3 protein performs a similar function in the intestine, pancreas, liver, lungs and reproductive system.

Previous rapid thinning of Pine Island Glacier sheds light on future Antarctic ice loss Posted: 20 Feb 2014 11:17 AM PST The largest single contributor to global sea level rise, a glacier of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, may continue thinning for decades to come, new research suggests. Geologists found that Pine Island Glacier, which is rapidly accelerating, thinning and retreating, has thinned rapidly before. The team say their findings demonstrate the potential for current ice loss to continue for several decades yet.

Climate change: Unstable Atlantic deep ocean circulation may hasten 'tipping point' Posted: 20 Feb 2014 11:16 AM PST A new study looking at past climate change asks if these changes in the future will be spasmodic and abrupt rather than a more gradual increase in the temperature. Today, deep waters formed in the northern North Atlantic fill approximately half of the deep ocean globally. In the process, this helps moderate the effects of global warming. Changes in this circulation mode are considered a potential tipping point in future climate change that could have widespread and long-lasting impacts. Until now, this pattern of circulation has been considered relatively stable during warm climate states such as those projected for the end of the century. A new study suggests that Atlantic deep water formation may be much more fragile than previously realized.

Study in fruitflies strengthens connection among protein misfolding, sleep loss, and age Posted: 20 Feb 2014 10:25 AM PST Pulling an "all-nighter" before a big test is practically a rite of passage in college. Usually, it's no problem: You stay up all night, take the test, and then crash, rapidly catching up on lost sleep. But as we age, sleep patterns change, and our ability to recoup lost sleep diminishes. New research demonstrates that pathways of aging and sleep intersect at the circuitry of a cellular stress response pathway, and by tinkering with those connections, it may be possible to alter sleep patterns in the aged for the better -- at least in fruit flies.

Enhancement of chemotherapy by prevention of tumor cell repair Posted: 20 Feb 2014 10:25 AM PST The body naturally tries to repair lesions in the DNA of tumor cells, and thus reduces the efficacy of chemotherapy. Blocking the mechanisms for DNA repair would help to potentiate chemotherapy by reducing the resistance of cells to treatment. A team of scientists has discovered a new drug that inhibits repair: spironolactone, which seems likely to be used in the very short term as an adjuvant to chemotherapy.

Compound improves cardiac function in mice with genetic heart defect, study finds Posted: 20 Feb 2014 10:25 AM PST Congenital heart disease is the most common form of birth defect. Researchers recently found success using a drug to treat laboratory mice with one form of congenital heart disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy -- a weakening of the heart caused by abnormally thick muscle. By suppressing a faulty protein, the researchers reduced the thickness of the mice's heart muscles and improved their cardiac functioning. Because of the role the protein plays in signaling heart growth, the authors believe the research could be translated in the future into improved treatments for other types of heart disease, such as damage caused by heart attack.

Roots to shoots: Hormone transport in plants deciphered Posted: 20 Feb 2014 10:25 AM PST The protein essential for relocating cytokinins from roots to shoots has now been identified. The regulating hormone distribution mechanisms in plants have been identified before, but there was a poor understanding of how they worked. This new research could lead to sustainable bioenergy crops with increased growth and reduced needs for fertilizer.

Sustainable manufacturing system to better consider the human component Posted: 20 Feb 2014 10:24 AM PST Engineers have developed a new approach toward 'sustainable manufacturing' that begins on the factory floor and tries to encompass the totality of manufacturing issues -- including economic, environmental, and social impacts. It may help meet demands for higher corporate social responsibility.

Molecular 'cocktail' transforms skin cells into beating heart cells Posted: 20 Feb 2014 10:22 AM PST A new method has been devised that allows for the more efficient -- and, importantly, more complete -- reprogramming of skin cells into cells that are virtually indistinguishable from heart muscle cells. These findings, based on animal models, offer new-found optimism in the hunt for a way to regenerate muscle lost in a heart attack. Heart disease is the world's leading cause of death, but recent advances in science and medicine have improved the chances of surviving a heart attack. In the United States alone, nearly 1 million people have survived an attack, but are living with heart failure—a chronic condition in which the heart, having lost muscle during the attack, does not beat at full capacity. So, scientists have begun to look toward cellular reprogramming as a way to regenerate this damaged heart muscle.

Sound-sensing cells regenerated in ears of mice with hearing damage Posted: 20 Feb 2014 10:21 AM PST For years, scientists have thought that sound-sensing hair cells in the inner ear are not replaced once they're lost, but new research reveals that supporting cells in the ear can turn into hair cells in newborn mice. If the findings can be applied to older animals, they may lead to ways to help stimulate cell replacement in adults and to the design of treatment strategies for people suffering from deafness due to hair cell loss.

Human and dog brains both have dedicated 'voice areas' Posted: 20 Feb 2014 10:21 AM PST The first study to compare brain function between humans and any non-primate animal shows that dogs have dedicated voice areas in their brains, just as people do. Dog brains, like those of people, are also sensitive to acoustic cues of emotion, according to a new study.

The way a room is lit can affect the way you make decisions Posted: 20 Feb 2014 10:20 AM PST The next time you want to turn down the emotional intensity before making an important decision, you may want to dim the lights first. A new study shows that human emotion, whether positive or negative, is felt more intensely under bright light. under bright lights emotions are felt more intensely. In the brighter room participants wanted spicier chicken wing sauce, thought the fictional character was more aggressive, found the women more attractive, felt better about positive words and worse about negative words, and drank more of the "favorable" juice and less of the "unfavorable" juice.

Evidence mixed on the usefulness of echinacea for colds Posted: 20 Feb 2014 10:13 AM PST For people seeking a natural treatment for the common cold, some preparations containing the plant Echinacea work better than nothing, yet "evidence is weak," finds a new report.

Crop species may be more vulnerable to climate change than we thought Posted: 20 Feb 2014 08:24 AM PST Scientists have overturned a long-standing hypothesis about plant speciation (the formation of new and distinct species in the course of evolution), suggesting that agricultural crops could be more vulnerable to climate change than was previously thought.

High cost of fruits, vegetables linked to higher body fat in young children Posted: 20 Feb 2014 07:29 AM PST High prices for fresh fruits and vegetables are associated with higher Body Mass Index in young children in low- and middle-income households, according new research. Research showed that when the prices of fruits and vegetables go up, families may buy less of them and substitute cheaper foods that may not be as healthy and have more calories. The study also identified a small association between higher-priced soft drinks and a lower likelihood of obesity among young children.

Cell behavior mapped in low oxygen conditions, may lead to cancer treatment Posted: 20 Feb 2014 07:29 AM PST Research has explained how cells behave when placed in a low oxygen environment, a development that could have implications for cancer patients and other serious illnesses. The findings open up the possibility of controlling the signals that keep cells alive, preventing the damages caused by ischemia -- a restriction of blood supply to tissues. It could also work to help destroy cancer cells.

What is El Niño Taimasa? Strong El Niño events leading to lower local sea levels Posted: 20 Feb 2014 06:50 AM PST During a very strong El Niño, sea level can drop in the tropical western South Pacific and tides remain below normal for up to a year, especially around Samoa. Scientists are studying the climate effects of this variation of El Niño, naming it 'El Niño Taimasa' after the wet stench of coral die-offs, called 'taimasa' by Samoans.

Forest model predicts canopy competition: Airborne lasers help researchers understand tree growth Posted: 20 Feb 2014 05:33 AM PST Scientists use measurements from airborne lasers to gauge changes in the height of trees in the forest. Tree height tells them things like how much carbon is being stored. But what accounts for height changes over time -- vertical growth or overtopping by a taller tree? A new statistical model helps researchers figure out what's really happening on the ground.

Sustainable use of available energy wood resources in North-West Russia promises significant social, economic opportunities Posted: 20 Feb 2014 05:33 AM PST Nowadays, humanity faces many challenges; the most serious are poverty, the growing demand for resources and the deterioration of the environment. In order to satisfy the growing demand for wood, forestry in many countries has to be intensified. The forests of the Russian Federation are the world's largest reserve of wood for different purposes. Intensification of forestry in Russia will result in increasing availability of wood for material and energy uses.

Malagasy fishers support fishing regulations despite economic challenges Posted: 19 Feb 2014 09:47 AM PST The fishing villages of Madagascar -- a country with little history of natural resource regulation -- are generally supportive of fishing regulations, an encouraging finding that bodes well for sustainable strategies needed to reduce poverty in the island nation. Specifically, Malagasy fishers perceive restrictions on certain kinds of fishing gear as being beneficial for their livelihoods, according to the results of a survey conducted with fishers in 24 villages across the island. Conversely, fishers are less supportive of protected areas and restrictions on species; the results highlight both strengths as well as weaknesses to be addressed in future fisheries management plans.

Genetics linked to children viewing high amounts of violent media Posted: 19 Feb 2014 08:34 AM PST The lifelong debate of nature versus nurture continues -- this time in what your children watch. A recent study found that a specific variation of the serotonin-transporter gene was linked to children who engaged in increased viewing of violent television and playing of violent video games.

Probiotic treatment for vaginal thrush on the way Posted: 19 Feb 2014 04:57 AM PST Scientists are testing vaginal pessaries containing 'good' probiotic bacteria for the treatment of vaginal thrush. The research shows that this approach is likely to be a viable alternative to using precious antimicrobial drugs.

Antibiotics don't prevent complications of kids' respiratory infections Posted: 18 Feb 2014 12:37 PM PST Antibiotics are often prescribed for young children who have upper respiratory tract infections, however, a new evidence review found no evidence to support this practice. The researchers explained that children's immature immune systems leave them vulnerable to many infections. URIs, which are mostly caused by viruses and typically run their course in 2-14 days, usually manifest themselves as coughs, but may also be accompanied by infections of the ears, sinuses or lungs. With this in mind, the researchers suggest that there is no evidence to support the use of antibiotics to prevent bacterial complications from most upper respiratory infections.

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