ScienceDaily: Top Environment News

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• Sea-level rise threatens UNESCO World Heritage sites
• What bat brains might tell us about human brains
• Imprint of chemotherapy linked to inflammation in breast cancer survivors
• First look at how Staphylococcus cells adhere to nanostructures could help fight infections
• Silk-based surgical implants could offer a better way to repair broken bones
• Bright pulses of light could make space veggies more nutritious
• key protein identified that helps prevent lung cancer tumors from being destroyed
• Prequel outshines the original: Exceptional fossils of 160-million-year-old doahugou biota
• Muscle-controlling neurons know when they mess up, according to research
• Rats, frosting helping find genetic causes of binge-eating
• New genetic syndrome identified that includes allergy, immune deficiency, neurocognitive impairment
• New data confirms Arctic ice trends: Ice-free season getting longer by five days per decade
• An environmentally friendly chemical reaction that does not waste any atoms
• Meat and cheese may be as bad for you as smoking
• How apes and humans evolved side by side
• Insights into plate tectonics, the forces behind earthquakes, volcanoes
• Team models photosynthesis, finds room for improvement
• Solution to planet-clogging plastics? Fully compostable bioplastic made from shrimp shells used to make objects
• What makes flying snakes such gifted gliders?
• Fish bioluminescence: Distinctive flashing patterns might facilitate fish mating
• Solar power: Making it less expensive and more efficient
• Native American city on the Mississippi was America's first 'melting pot'
• Virtual bees help to unravel complex causes of colony decline
• Soils controls atmospheric hydrogen
• 30,000 year-old giant virus found in Siberia
• Not even freezing cold stops invasive species in high altitudes
• Hot on the trail of cellular metabolism, early detection of disease
• Complex plant behavior? In fight against parasites, Barberry sacrifices seeds depending on survival chance
• Gene transfer optimization for treating genetic disorders
• Unmasking the secrets of the extinct moa
• Oceanographer refutes claims that climate change is slowing pace of Gulf Stream
• We want to save water, but do we know how? Toilets have greatest impact
• Amazon's canopy a patchwork quilt of chemicals generated by plants
• Yeast model reveals alzheimer's drug candidate and its mechanism of action
• Researchers identify 'carbohydrates in a coal mine' for cancer detection
• Entomologists update definitions to tackle resistance to biotech crops, pesticides

Sea-level rise threatens UNESCO World Heritage sites Posted: 04 Mar 2014 06:56 PM PST Some of the world's most recognizable and important landmarks could be lost to rising sea-levels if current global warming trends are maintained over the next two millennia.

What bat brains might tell us about human brains Posted: 04 Mar 2014 01:20 PM PST Could a new finding in bats help unlock a mystery about the human brain? Likely so, say researchers who have shown that a small region within the amygdala, an almond-shaped structure in the brains of all mammals, is responsible for producing emotional calls and sounds. They say this discovery might be key to locating a similar center in human brains.

Imprint of chemotherapy linked to inflammation in breast cancer survivors Posted: 04 Mar 2014 12:46 PM PST Chemotherapy can leave a long-lasting epigenetic imprint in the DNA of breast cancer patients' blood cells. That imprint is associated with biological signs of inflammation up to six months after the completion of treatment, and many breast cancer survivors experience fatigue and other debilitating symptoms that persist months to years after their course of treatment has ended. Now researchers have found clues that may explain how these symptoms can linger.

First look at how Staphylococcus cells adhere to nanostructures could help fight infections Posted: 04 Mar 2014 11:19 AM PST A team of researchers has explored, for the first time, how individual Staphylococcus cells glom onto metallic nanostructures of various shapes and sizes that are not much bigger than the cells themselves. Their work could lead to a more nuanced understanding of what makes a surface less inviting to bacteria. A Staph infection can't start unless Staphylococcus cells first cling to a surface, which is why scientists are hard at work exploring bacteria-resistant materials as a line of defense.

Silk-based surgical implants could offer a better way to repair broken bones Posted: 04 Mar 2014 11:19 AM PST Using pure silk protein derived from silkworm cocoons, investigators have developed surgical plates and screws that offer improved remodeling following injury and can be absorbed by the body over time. When a person suffers a broken bone, current treatment calls for the surgeon to insert screws and plates to help bond the broken sections and enable the fracture to heal. These "fixation devices" are usually made of metal alloys. But metal devices may have disadvantages: Because they are stiff and unyielding, they can cause stress to underlying bone, among other problems.

Bright pulses of light could make space veggies more nutritious Posted: 04 Mar 2014 11:18 AM PST Exposing leafy vegetables grown during spaceflight to a few bright pulses of light daily could increase the amount of eye-protecting nutrients produced by the plants, according to a new study.

key protein identified that helps prevent lung cancer tumors from being destroyed Posted: 04 Mar 2014 11:18 AM PST A protein, Mcl-1, has been discovered that helps enable one of the most common and deadly types of cancer to survive radiation and drug treatments. In a new laboratory study, investigators found that the protein helps enable TWEAK-Fn14, which in turn helps protect NSCLC tumors from being destroyed by radiation and drugs.

Prequel outshines the original: Exceptional fossils of 160-million-year-old doahugou biota Posted: 04 Mar 2014 11:17 AM PST A new article shows that several Jurassic sites are linked together by shared species and can be recognized as representing a single fossil fauna and flora, containing superbly preserved specimens of a diverse group of amphibian, mammal, and reptile species.

Muscle-controlling neurons know when they mess up, according to research Posted: 04 Mar 2014 10:00 AM PST Whether it is playing a piano sonata or acing a tennis serve, the brain needs to orchestrate precise, coordinated control over the body's many muscles. Moreover, there needs to be some kind of feedback from the senses should any of those movements go wrong. A team of researchers has now begun to unravel the decades-spanning paradox concerning how this feedback system works.

Rats, frosting helping find genetic causes of binge-eating Posted: 04 Mar 2014 10:00 AM PST Two strains of rats, cans of vanilla frosting and a theory have brought science a step closer to finding the genetic causes of binge eating and eventually a treatment. Females are primarily effected by eating disorders with a ratio of only one male for every ten women. These disorders can last for years. During this timeframe, effective treatment is critical since eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric disorder. And if it doesn't kill, the damage it wreaks can be irreversible. By using different types of female rats, the scientists have effectively reduced the high number of genes that could be implicated in a binge eating disorder, and dramatically narrowed the areas for further research.

New genetic syndrome identified that includes allergy, immune deficiency, neurocognitive impairment Posted: 04 Mar 2014 10:00 AM PST A new genetic syndrome has been identified, characterized by a constellation of health problems, including severe allergy, immune deficiency, autoimmunity and motor and neurocognitive impairment. The researchers observed that the syndrome's diverse symptoms are the result of mutations in a single gene associated with sugar metabolism.

New data confirms Arctic ice trends: Ice-free season getting longer by five days per decade Posted: 04 Mar 2014 09:59 AM PST The ice-free season across the Arctic is getting longer by five days per decade, according to new research from a team including Prof Julienne Stroeve (UCL Earth Sciences). New analysis of satellite data shows the Arctic Ocean absorbing ever more of the sun's energy in summer, leading to a later appearance of sea ice in the autumn. In some regions, autumn freeze-up is occurring up to 11 days per decade later than it used to.

An environmentally friendly chemical reaction that does not waste any atoms Posted: 04 Mar 2014 09:58 AM PST A new chemical synthesis for alpha-arylated Carbonyl derivatives was developed. Members of this class of substances typically possess interesting biological and pharmacological properties and often find applications as medicines. The new technique allows such carbonyl derivatives to be generated easily and in an environmentally friendly manner.

Meat and cheese may be as bad for you as smoking Posted: 04 Mar 2014 09:56 AM PST A high-protein diet during middle age makes you nearly twice as likely to die and four times more likely to die of cancer, but moderate protein intake is good for you after 65. But how much protein we should eat has long been a controversial topic -- muddled by the popularity of protein-heavy diets such as Paleo and Atkins. Before this study, researchers had never shown a definitive correlation between high protein consumption and mortality risk.

How apes and humans evolved side by side Posted: 04 Mar 2014 09:54 AM PST In a new book, a paleoanthropologist incorporates his research with a synthesis of a vast amount of research from other scientists who study primate evolution and behavior. The book explains how apes and humans evolved in relation to one another, and why humans became a bipedal, tool-making, culture-inventing species.

Insights into plate tectonics, the forces behind earthquakes, volcanoes Posted: 04 Mar 2014 08:35 AM PST The Earth's outer layer is made up of a series of moving, interacting plates whose motion at the surface generates earthquakes, creates volcanoes and builds mountains. Geoscientists have long sought to understand the plates' fundamental properties and the mechanisms that cause them to move and drift, and the questions have become the subjects of lively debate. A new study is a significant step toward answering those questions.

Team models photosynthesis, finds room for improvement Posted: 04 Mar 2014 08:35 AM PST Teaching crop plants to concentrate carbon dioxide in their leaves could increase photosynthetic efficiency by 60 percent and yields by as much as 40 percent, researchers report in a new study. The team used a computer model to simulate how adding genes from algae known as cyanobacteria might influence photosynthetic efficiency in plants.

Solution to planet-clogging plastics? Fully compostable bioplastic made from shrimp shells used to make objects Posted: 04 Mar 2014 08:35 AM PST Researchers have developed a method to carry out large-scale manufacturing of everyday objects using a fully degradable bioplastic isolated from shrimp shells. The objects exhibit many of the same properties as those created with synthetic plastics, but without the environmental threat. It also trumps most bioplastics on the market today in posing absolutely no threat to trees or competition with the food supply.

What makes flying snakes such gifted gliders? Posted: 04 Mar 2014 08:31 AM PST They slither, they hiss, they… fly? Don't let their wingless bodies fool you —- some snakes can glide as far as 100 feet through the air, jumping off tree branches and rotating their ribs to flatten their bodies and move from side to side. New research investigates the workings behind the flight and whether they can be applied to mechanical issues.

Fish bioluminescence: Distinctive flashing patterns might facilitate fish mating Posted: 04 Mar 2014 06:51 AM PST Scientists have shown for the first time that deep-sea fishes that use bioluminescence for communication are diversifying into different species faster than other glowing fishes that use light for camouflage. The new research indicates that bioluminescence -- a phenomenon in which animals generate visible light through a chemical reaction -- could promote communication and mating in the open ocean, an environment with few barriers to reproduction.

Solar power: Making it less expensive and more efficient Posted: 04 Mar 2014 06:50 AM PST Researchers are reporting early results on a way to make solar-powered panels in lights, calculators and roofs lighter, less expensive, more flexible (therefore less breakable) and more efficient.

Native American city on the Mississippi was America's first 'melting pot' Posted: 04 Mar 2014 06:50 AM PST New evidence establishes for the first time that Cahokia, a sprawling, pre-Columbian city situated at the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers, hosted a sizable population of immigrants. Cahokia was an early experiment in urban life, researchers say.

Virtual bees help to unravel complex causes of colony decline Posted: 04 Mar 2014 06:48 AM PST Scientists have created an ingenious computer model that simulates a honey bee colony over the course of several years. The model was created to investigate the losses of honeybee colonies that have been reported in recent years and to identify the best course of action for improving honeybee health.

Soils controls atmospheric hydrogen Posted: 04 Mar 2014 06:48 AM PST Researchers are helping to clear up an enduring mystery regarding the composition of the Earth's atmosphere. In recent decades it was found that around four-fifths of all hydrogen released into the air is rapidly removed through soil activity, but exactly what is recycling it, and how, has remained unclear. Now researchers have discovered the microbial soil processes that help ensure that the explosive gas hydrogen remains at trace levels.

30,000 year-old giant virus found in Siberia Posted: 04 Mar 2014 04:14 AM PST A new type of giant virus called "Pithovirus" has been discovered in the frozen ground of extreme north-eastern Siberia. Buried underground, this giant virus, which is harmless to humans and animals, has survived being frozen for more than 30,000 years. Although its size and amphora shape are reminiscent of Pandoravirus, analysis of its genome and replication mechanism proves that Pithovirus is very different. This work brings to three the number of distinct families of giant viruses.

Not even freezing cold stops invasive species in high altitudes Posted: 04 Mar 2014 04:14 AM PST They hitchhike with us under the soles of our shoes and muddy car tires. Harsh and cold climates don't seem to stop alien plants from establishing themselves in high altitudes, where they now successfully penetrate the alpine vegetation. Mountains have so far been seen as the last natural ports of refuge, where alien species should have difficulties to establish themselves due to the harsh climate. They have been thought to be outnumbered by alpine plants adapted to survive cold, wind and short summers.

Hot on the trail of cellular metabolism, early detection of disease Posted: 04 Mar 2014 04:12 AM PST Cells have a metabolism that can be altered according to its function and requirements. If cellular metabolism is disturbed, it can lead to disease of the entire organism. Researchers have discovered that the uncoupling proteins UCP2 and UPC4 are involved in different types of cellular metabolism. The proteins provide information about the condition of cells. As a result, cell alterations can now be detected much earlier than was thus far possible.

Complex plant behavior? In fight against parasites, Barberry sacrifices seeds depending on survival chance Posted: 04 Mar 2014 04:12 AM PST Plants appear to be able to make complex decisions. At least this is what scientists have concluded from their investigations on Barberry (Berberis vulgaris), which is able to abort its own seeds to prevent parasite infestation. The results are the first ecological evidence of complex behavior in plants. They indicate that this species has a structural memory, is able to differentiate between inner and outer conditions as well as anticipate future risks, scientists say.

Gene transfer optimization for treating genetic disorders Posted: 04 Mar 2014 04:12 AM PST Controlled gene transfer into different target cells by means of specific surface markers is significantly more efficient than gene transfer without this assistance. Gene therapies using lentiviral transfer of genetic information can thus be optimized. Lentiviruses, which belong to the family of retroviruses, are used as vectors to exchange genetic material in cells and can be used to replace a defective gene as defined by gene therapy. Increasing the efficiency of such a treatment poses a major medical challenge: the virus should specifically track the target cells, but the number of virus used should be as low as possible.

Unmasking the secrets of the extinct moa Posted: 03 Mar 2014 06:14 PM PST Researchers have used a DNA barcoding technique in an attempt to clarify the number of species which existed of the extinct New Zealand moa. The challenges of understanding extinct fauna can be formidable and particularly so when it comes to this ancient bird.

Oceanographer refutes claims that climate change is slowing pace of Gulf Stream Posted: 03 Mar 2014 06:12 PM PST Several recent studies have generated a great deal of publicity for their claims that the warming climate is slowing the pace of the Gulf Stream. But 20 years of measurements find no evidence that the Gulf Stream is decreasing in strength, researchers report.

We want to save water, but do we know how? Toilets have greatest impact Posted: 03 Mar 2014 12:41 PM PST Many Americans are confused about the best ways to conserve water and have a slippery grasp on how much water different activities use, according to a national online survey. Experts say the best strategy for conserving water is to focus on efficiency improvements such as replacing toilets and retrofitting washing machines. However, the largest group of the participants, nearly 43 percent, cited taking shorter showers, which does save water but may not be the most effective action. Very few participants cited replacing toilets or flushing less, even though toilets use the most volume of water daily.

Amazon's canopy a patchwork quilt of chemicals generated by plants Posted: 03 Mar 2014 12:41 PM PST In many ways, plants act as chemical factories, using energy from sunlight to produce carbon-based energy and taking nutrients from the soil. How much does the portfolio of chemicals generated by plants vary, depending on the surrounding environment, and what can this tell us about how we interact with forests? To answer, scientists climbed into the Amazonian canopy and discovered that the forest's chemical portfolios form a rich mosaic varying with elevation and soil content.

Yeast model reveals alzheimer's drug candidate and its mechanism of action Posted: 03 Mar 2014 12:39 PM PST A yeast cell-based drug screen has been used by researchers to identify a class of molecules that target the amyloid-beta (Abeta) peptide involved in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The U.S. National Institute on Aging estimates that 5.1 million Americans may have AD, the most common form of dementia, which progressively robs patients of their memories, thinking, and reasoning skills.

Researchers identify 'carbohydrates in a coal mine' for cancer detection Posted: 03 Mar 2014 12:39 PM PST Carbohydrates serve as identifiers for cancer cells, researchers have discovered. Their findings show how these molecules may serve as signals for cancer and explain what's going on inside these cells, pointing to new ways in which sugars function as a looking glass into the workings of their underlying structures. "Carbohydrates can tell us a lot about what's going on inside of a cell, so they are potentially good markers for disease," the lead author notes.

Entomologists update definitions to tackle resistance to biotech crops, pesticides Posted: 03 Mar 2014 05:44 AM PST The current jumble of terms about insects and weeds that are resistant to pesticides has fostered confusion among scientists. To address this, entomologists have updated definitions for 50 key terms related to pesticide resistance. The authors favor definitions that promote proactive detection and management of resistance, such as resistance defined as "a genetically based decrease in susceptibility to a pesticide." They contrast this with an alternative definition used by some industry scientists that requires "repeated failure of a product to achieve the expected level of control," which generally occurs only after it's too late to respond most effectively.

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