ScienceDaily: Top Environment News

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• Antennae help flies 'cruise' in gusty winds
• Forever clean? Metal–organic 'micromushrooms' repel all
• World ranking tracks evoluntionary distinctness of birds
• 'Dinosaurs of the turtle world' at risk in Southeast U.S. rivers
• Tumor-suppressor connects with histone protein to hinder gene expression
• Yeast provides genetic clues on drug response
• Plants evolve ways to control embryo growth
• Fruit flies, fighter jets use similar nimble tactics when under attack
• Finding the target: How timing is critical in establishing an olfactory wiring map
• Rare fossilized embryos more than 500 million years old found
• Health of ecosystems on U.S. golf courses better than predicted, researchers find
• Enzyme 'wrench' could be key to stronger, more effective antibiotics
• Nature: Poor mimics can succeed as long as they mimic the right trait
• Mechanism that regulates lung function in disease Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome found
• Ancient 'spider' images reveal eye-opening secrets
• Iconic boreal bird species declining in the Adirondacks
• How mechanical forces affect T-cell recognition, signaling
• Microgravity research helping to understand the fungi within
• Planaria deploy an ancient gene expression program in the course of organ regeneration
• Name of new weakly electric fish species reflects hope for peace in Central Africa
• Creating new bone tissue generation technique
• Reef fish arrived in two waves, before and after mass extinction 66 million years ago
• Fruit flies have latent bioluminescence, study shows
• Brainy courage of the rainbowfish
• Identified epigenetic factors associated with increased risk of developing cancer
• Experts disagree on horses with incoordination
• Lettuce rejoice! Scientists grow longer lasting salad
• Camels emit less methane than cows or sheep
• Epstein Barr: How the 'kissing disease' virus hijacks human cells
• New climate pragmatism framework prioritizes energy access to drive innovation and development
• Growth factor receptors may prompt metastatic spread of lung cancer
• Parasitic butterfly larvae mimic queen ant to avoid detection
• Water users can reduce risk of spreading invasive species
• Rare leafcutter bee fossils reveal Ice Age environment at the La Brea Tar Pits
• Extinct carnivorous marsupial may have hunted prey larger than itself
• Consuming high-fat diet associated with increased risk of certain types of breast cancer
• Conventional theories about Titanic disaster put on ice: Risk of icebergs higher now than in 1912
• Skull malformations in lions: Keeping up the pressure
• Scientists firm up origin of cold-adapted yeasts that make cold beer
• Chips with olestra cause body toxins to dip, study finds
• Novel approach to accelerate metabolism could lead to new obesity treatment

Antennae help flies 'cruise' in gusty winds Posted: 10 Apr 2014 01:03 PM PDT Researchers combined bursts of air, digital video cameras, and a variety of software and sensors to explain a mechanism for a fruit fly's 'cruise control' in flight -- revealing a relationship between a fly's vision and its wind-sensing antennae.

Forever clean? Metal–organic 'micromushrooms' repel all Posted: 10 Apr 2014 01:02 PM PDT A clever chemical transformation yields surface-bound microstructures that efficiently drive away oil- and water-based contaminants. Natural surfaces that repel water, such as lotus leaves or butterfly wings, often have a rough, microscale texture that traps air beneath the liquid droplet. By mimicking these biological structures, researchers have developed 'superhydrophobic' coatings that are highly resistant to wetting. One trick unknown to nature, however, is the ability to repel hydrocarbon-based oils that have much lower surface tension than water and tend to spread out rather than bead up.

World ranking tracks evoluntionary distinctness of birds Posted: 10 Apr 2014 11:19 AM PDT The world's first ranking of evolutionary distinct birds under threat of extinction has been published by a team of international scientists. These birds include a cave-dwelling bird that is so oily it can be used as a lamp and a bird that has claws on its wings and a stomach like a cow. The new rankings will be used in a major conservation initiative called the Edge of Existence program at the London Zoo. The zoo has already identified several species like the huge monkey-eating Philippine eagle that are at once distinct, endangered, and suffer from lack of attention.

'Dinosaurs of the turtle world' at risk in Southeast U.S. rivers Posted: 10 Apr 2014 11:19 AM PDT Conservation of coastal rivers of the northern Gulf of Mexico is vital to the survival of the alligator snapping turtle, including two recently discovered species, scientists say. A new study shows the alligator snapping turtle, the largest freshwater turtle in the Western Hemisphere and previously believed to be one species, is actually three separate species.

Tumor-suppressor connects with histone protein to hinder gene expression Posted: 10 Apr 2014 11:19 AM PDT A tumor-suppressing protein acts as a dimmer switch to dial down gene expression. It does this by reading a chemical message attached to another protein that's tightly intertwined with DNA, a team of scientists have learned. The findings of this study provide evidence in support of the "histone code" hypothesis. The theory holds that histone proteins, which combine with DNA to form chromosomes, are more intimately involved in gene expression than their general role of facilitating or hindering gene activation suggests.

Yeast provides genetic clues on drug response Posted: 10 Apr 2014 11:19 AM PDT Why do people respond differently to the same drug? For the first time, researchers have untangled genetic and environmental factors related to drug reactions, bringing us a step closer to predicting how a drug will affect us. Researchers exposed 6,000 strains of yeast to 3,000 drugs and found that the yeast cells have about 50 main ways in which they react to any drug.

Plants evolve ways to control embryo growth Posted: 10 Apr 2014 11:19 AM PDT A new generation of high yield plants could be created following a fundamental change in our understanding of how plants develop, experts say. The research provides the first evidence that plants have evolved ways to control embryo growth and development by emitting information from surrounding cells.

Fruit flies, fighter jets use similar nimble tactics when under attack Posted: 10 Apr 2014 11:17 AM PDT When startled by predators, tiny fruit flies respond like fighter jets, employing screaming-fast banked turns to evade attacks. In the midst of a banked turn, the flies can roll on their sides 90 degrees or more, almost flying upside down at times. Researchers used an array of high-speed video cameras operating at 7,500 frames a second to capture the wing and body motion of flies after they encountered a looming image of an approaching predator.

Finding the target: How timing is critical in establishing an olfactory wiring map Posted: 10 Apr 2014 11:17 AM PDT A developmental window during which olfactory neurons of newborn mice can form a proper wiring map has been identified by researchers. They show that if incorrect neuronal connections are maintained after this period, renewing cells will also be mis-wired. The human nose expresses nearly 400 odorant receptors, which allow us to distinguish a large number of scents. In mice the number of odor receptors is closer to 1000. Each olfactory neuron displays only a single type of receptor and all neurons with the same receptors are connected to the same spot, a glomerulus, in the brain.

Rare fossilized embryos more than 500 million years old found Posted: 10 Apr 2014 09:22 AM PDT The Cambrian Period is a time when most phyla of marine invertebrates first appeared. Also dubbed the 'Cambrian explosion,' fossilized records from this time provide glimpses into evolutionary biology. Most fossils show the organisms' skeletal structure, which may give researchers accurate pictures of these prehistoric organisms. Now, researchers have found rare, fossilized embryos they believe were undiscovered previously. Their methods of study may help with future interpretation of evolutionary history.

Health of ecosystems on U.S. golf courses better than predicted, researchers find Posted: 10 Apr 2014 09:22 AM PDT Currently, there are more than 18,300 golf courses in the US covering over 2.7 million acres. The ecological impacts of golf courses are not always straightforward with popular opinion suggesting that environmentally, golf courses have a negative impact on ecosystems. Now, researchers have determined that golf courses can offer a viable habitat for stream salamanders, and enhanced management practices may be beneficial to ecosystems within golf courses.

Enzyme 'wrench' could be key to stronger, more effective antibiotics Posted: 10 Apr 2014 09:21 AM PDT Builders and factory workers know that getting a job done right requires precision and specialized tools. The same is true when you're building antibiotic compounds at the molecular level. New findings may turn an enzyme that acts as a specialized 'wrench' in antibiotic assembly into a set of wrenches that will allow for greater customization.

Nature: Poor mimics can succeed as long as they mimic the right trait Posted: 10 Apr 2014 09:21 AM PDT There are both perfect and imperfect mimics in nature. An imperfect mimic might have a different body shape, size or color pattern arrangement compared to the species it mimics. Researchers have long been puzzled by the way poor mimicry can still be effective in fooling predators not to attack. Researchers now present a novel solution to the question of imperfect mimicry.

Mechanism that regulates lung function in disease Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome found Posted: 10 Apr 2014 09:21 AM PDT The tumor suppressor gene folliculin is essential to normal lung function in patients with the rare disease Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome, a genetic disorder that affects the lungs, skin and kidneys, researchers have found. Folliculin's absence or mutated state has a cascading effect that leads to deteriorated lung integrity and an impairment of lung function, they report.

Ancient 'spider' images reveal eye-opening secrets Posted: 10 Apr 2014 09:21 AM PDT Stunning images of a 305-million-year-old harvestman fossil reveal ancestors of the modern-day arachnids had two sets of eyes rather than one. The researchers say their findings add significant detail to the evolutionary story of this diverse and highly successful group of arthropods, which are found on every continent except Antarctica.

Iconic boreal bird species declining in the Adirondacks Posted: 10 Apr 2014 09:20 AM PDT Several iconic Adirondack birds are in trouble, with declines driven by the size of their wetland habitats, how connected these wetlands are to one another, and how near they are to human infrastructure, research finds. A new report presents an evaluation of the potential influence of climate change and habitat alteration on species occurrence patterns over time.

How mechanical forces affect T-cell recognition, signaling Posted: 10 Apr 2014 09:19 AM PDT A new understanding of the T-cell recognition process has been revealed by describing how T-cell receptors use mechanical contact – the forces involved in their binding to antigens – to make decisions about whether or not the cells they encounter are threats. "This is the first systematic study of how T-cell recognition is affected by mechanical force, and it shows that forces play an important role in the functions of T-cells," said a co-author. "We think that mechanical force plays a role in almost every step of T-cell biology."

Microgravity research helping to understand the fungi within Posted: 10 Apr 2014 07:39 AM PDT You may not recognize it by name, but if you have ever had a child with a diaper rash, that child was likely a host to Candida albicans (C. albicans). This unwelcome "guest" can be hard to control, as it can potentially lead to serious illness in humans with weakened immune systems. During an investigation dubbed "Microbe," using the unique microgravity environment aboard space shuttle Atlantis on an International Space Station mission, researchers gained a better understanding of these prevalent fungi. Their tendency to become more aggressive in microgravity helps scientists see what mechanisms control the behavior of these types of organisms, with the potential to develop ways to influence their behavior both in space and on Earth.

Planaria deploy an ancient gene expression program in the course of organ regeneration Posted: 10 Apr 2014 07:30 AM PDT Many planaria species regenerate in wondrous ways -- namely, when quartered they reconstruct themselves from the pieces. Sliced through the "waist," they regenerate the missing tail or head; bisected lengthwise, worms duplicate their mirror image. This capacity is not what's surprising, as biologists know that 30% of their body cells are stem cells. The question is, how do stem cells in a planaria fragment know how to generate what's missing?

Name of new weakly electric fish species reflects hope for peace in Central Africa Posted: 10 Apr 2014 07:30 AM PDT Two new species of weakly electric fishes from the Congo River basin have been discovered. One of them, known from only a single specimen, is named 'Petrocephalus boboto.' 'Boboto' is the word for peace in the Lingala language, the lingua franca of the Congo River, reflecting the authors' hope for peace in troubled Central Africa.

Creating new bone tissue generation technique Posted: 10 Apr 2014 06:56 AM PDT Researchers are investigating whether bone grown from the body's own stem cells can replace traditional types of bone grafting. The process, which has been successful in previous lab experiments, uses biodegradable polymer scaffolding material and bone morphogenetic protein, or BMP, which was inserted into the abdomen of mice to attract stem cells that in turn produced bone. BMPs are proteins known to promote bone growth.

Reef fish arrived in two waves, before and after mass extinction 66 million years ago Posted: 10 Apr 2014 06:56 AM PDT The world's reefs are hotbeds of biological diversity, including over 4,500 species of fish. A new study shows that the ancestors of these fish colonized reefs in two distinct waves, before and after the mass extinction event about 66 million years ago that wiped out the dinosaurs.

Fruit flies have latent bioluminescence, study shows Posted: 10 Apr 2014 06:56 AM PDT A synthetic luciferin developed by scientists shows that fruit flies are secretly harboring the biochemistry needed to glow in the dark -- otherwise known as bioluminescence. This discovery expands the scope of bioluminescence imaging for research, and adds new tools for the noninvasive studying of ongoing biological processes.

Brainy courage of the rainbowfish Posted: 10 Apr 2014 06:55 AM PDT The boldest black-lined rainbowfish are those that are born in the wild. Also more fearless are those that analyze information with both sides of their brains. The preference to analyze and react to information with either the left or right hemisphere of the brain is called cerebral lateralization, and is widespread among vertebrates. Lateralization is seen in the preference of humans or parrots to use one hand or claw over the other or to always turn to the same side when moving around objects.

Identified epigenetic factors associated with increased risk of developing cancer Posted: 10 Apr 2014 06:55 AM PDT One in four human tumor presents genetic polymorphisms associated with increased risk of cancer that cause an epigenetic change that modifies the expression of neighboring genes. "This work represents a Herculean effort to analyze by bioinformatics a lot of biological information. To be exact, we have studied a million genetic changes in relation to half a million epigenetic changes in 3,500 tumors representing the thirteen most common cancers, including breast, lung and colon," says the lead researcher.

Experts disagree on horses with incoordination Posted: 10 Apr 2014 06:55 AM PDT At least one in 100 horses at some point in its life will lose the ability to control its gait as a result of developing the neurological disorder ataxia. Once found to be ataxic, the horse is often put down, or undergoes an expensive operation with dubious results. But now researchers have shown that there is marked disagreement among veterinary surgeons about whether or not a horse is ataxic.

Lettuce rejoice! Scientists grow longer lasting salad Posted: 10 Apr 2014 05:33 AM PDT A new study reviewed the science behind keeping salad leaves fresh for longer. Their results are now being used in breeding programs to produce salads with a longer shelf life. Before they reach our supermarkets, baby salad leaves undergo rigorous processing that includes harvesting, transportation, washing, sanitization, removal of excess water, and packaging. Currently, only the most robust leaves can survive this process without being bruised and damaged.

Camels emit less methane than cows or sheep Posted: 10 Apr 2014 05:33 AM PDT When digesting ruminants exhale methane. Their contribution to this global greenhouse gas is considerable. So far the assumption had been that camels with similar digestion produce the same amount of the climate-damaging gas. However, researchers have now shown camels release less methane than ruminants.

Epstein Barr: How the 'kissing disease' virus hijacks human cells Posted: 10 Apr 2014 05:33 AM PDT A component of the Epstein Barr (EBV) virus takes over our cells gene regulating machinery, allowing the virus to replicate itself, researchers have discovered. The EBV virus causes a variety of diseases such as Hodgkin's lymphoma and Burkitt's lymphoma, with the most prevalent disease being infectious mononucleosis commonly known as "kissing disease" because of its mode of transmission between humans. It turns out that the diseases begin with kiss of a molecular sort; a viral protein contacting the molecules that control our genes.

New climate pragmatism framework prioritizes energy access to drive innovation and development Posted: 09 Apr 2014 05:45 PM PDT Expanding access to reliable energy offers better route to address global challenges, climate and energy scholars say in new report. "Climate change can't be solved on the backs of the world's poorest people," said a report co-author. "The key to solving for both climate and poverty is helping nations build innovative energy systems that can deliver cheap, clean and reliable power."

Growth factor receptors may prompt metastatic spread of lung cancer Posted: 09 Apr 2014 05:45 PM PDT Two cell surface receptors might be responsible for the most common form of lung cancer spreading to other parts of the body, according to a study. The hepatocyte growth factor receptor and fibroblast growth factor-inducible 14 are proteins associated with the potential spread of non-small cell lung cancer, this research shows.

Parasitic butterfly larvae mimic queen ant to avoid detection Posted: 09 Apr 2014 05:45 PM PDT Parasitic butterfly larvae may mimic ants' acoustic signals to aid in the infiltration of their host colonies. Ants aggressively defend their colonies and nests, so successfully that these locations make a perfect shelter for another similar species to live in. However, ants have evolved a complex set of signals that allow colony members to distinguish between residents and intruders.

Water users can reduce risk of spreading invasive species Posted: 09 Apr 2014 05:44 PM PDT Foreign species that are devastating water ecosystems could be 'hitchhiking' around Britain on canoeists' and anglers' kit, according to a new study. Invaders like the killer shrimp, zebra mussel and American signal crayfish have already caused extensive environmental damage and millions of pounds of economic costs.

Rare leafcutter bee fossils reveal Ice Age environment at the La Brea Tar Pits Posted: 09 Apr 2014 05:44 PM PDT The La Brea Tar Pits are celebrated for saber-toothed cats and mastodons. The site's insect collection is also of great significance. Recent examination of fossil leafcutter bee nest cells exemplifies how fossil insects reveal insights into the habitat and climate at the La Brea Tar Pits toward the last Ice Age.

Extinct carnivorous marsupial may have hunted prey larger than itself Posted: 09 Apr 2014 05:44 PM PDT The reconstruction of an extinct meat-eating marsupial's skull, Nimbacinus dicksoni, suggests that it may have had the ability to hunt vertebrate prey exceeding its own body size.

Consuming high-fat diet associated with increased risk of certain types of breast cancer Posted: 09 Apr 2014 05:44 PM PDT High total and saturated fat intake were associated with greater risk of estrogen receptor- and progesterone receptor-positive breast cancer, and human epidermal growth factor 2 receptor-negative disease, according to a new study. The authors conclude, "a high-fat diet increases BC risk and, most conspicuously, that high saturated fat intake increases risk of receptor-positive disease, suggesting saturated fat involvement in the etiology of receptor-positive BC."

Conventional theories about Titanic disaster put on ice: Risk of icebergs higher now than in 1912 Posted: 09 Apr 2014 05:43 PM PDT Scientists have dispelled a long-held theory that the Titanic was unlucky for sailing in a year with an exceptional number of icebergs and say the risk of icebergs is actually higher now. Previously it had been suggested that the seas which sank the famous cruise ship -- which set off on its maiden voyage 102 years ago today (10 April 2014) -- had an exceptional number of icebergs caused by lunar or solar effects. But academics have shown that 1912 was a significant ice year but not extreme.

Skull malformations in lions: Keeping up the pressure Posted: 09 Apr 2014 05:43 PM PDT Scientists have examined the incidence of skull malformations in lions, a problem known to be responsible for causing neurological diseases and increased mortality. Their results suggest that the occurrence is a consequence of a combination of environmental and genetic factors.

Scientists firm up origin of cold-adapted yeasts that make cold beer Posted: 09 Apr 2014 05:42 PM PDT As one of the most widely consumed and commercially important beverages on the planet, one would expect the experts to know everything there is to know about lager beer. Now, however, scientists are beginning to color in the margins of yeast ecology and genetics, identifying new strains in new environments and using the tools of molecular biology to ferret out traits that could aid industrial fermentation technologies.

Chips with olestra cause body toxins to dip, study finds Posted: 09 Apr 2014 11:39 AM PDT A snack food ingredient called olestra has been found to speed up the removal of toxins in the body, according to a recent clinical trial. The trial demonstrated that olestra -- a zero-calorie fat substitute found in low-calorie snack foods such as Pringles -- could reduce the levels of serum polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in people who had been exposed to PCBs. High levels of PCBs in the body are associated with an increase in hypertension and diabetes.

Novel approach to accelerate metabolism could lead to new obesity treatment Posted: 09 Apr 2014 10:43 AM PDT By manipulating a biochemical process that underlies cells' energy-burning abilities, investigators have made a novel discovery that could lead to a new therapy to combat obesity and diabetes. The new findings show that reducing the amount of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) protein in fat and liver dramatically reduces the development of obesity and diabetes in mice.

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