ScienceDaily: Top Environment News

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• Where DNA's copy machine pauses, cancer could be next
• Getting to the root of enamel evolution
• Groovy turtles' genes to aid in their rescue
• A symbiotic way of life: 'Simple and elegant mechanism' regulates relationships between insects and bacteria
• Immune cells outsmart bacterial infection by dying, study shows
• Monitoring RNA levels in blood yields dynamic picture of fetal development, disease
• Mysterious 150-year-old writing in rare copy of Homer's 'Odyssey' identified
• Paleontologists unveil online showcase of 3-D fossil remains
• Evolution in species may reverse predator-prey population cycles
• Wines' fruity flavors fade first, science finds
• Carbon emissions: Energy-subsidy reform can be achieved with proper preparation, outside pressure
• Climate change threatens to worsen U.S. ozone pollution
• Caring for horses eases symptoms of dementia
• Is self-fumigation for the birds? Save threatened species by giving them treated cotton for nests
• Tomato turf wars: Benign bug beats salmonella; tomato eaters win
• History to blame for slow crop taming, study shows
• Soy sauce molecule may unlock drug therapy for HIV patients
• When wine hits the right nerve: Mechanism for appreciation of the barrique character decoded
• Uncontrollable ice-melt? Uncorking East Antarctica could yield unstoppable sea-level rise, simulations show
• Bone marrow-on-a-chip unveiled
• Middle school students introduced to arboriculture topic
• Animal hoarding: Lesser-known problem for public health, welfare
• New cause of high blood pressure, heart disease discovered: Phosphate-rich foods
• Fluorescent sensor developed for detecting nitric oxide, a molecule related to many diseases
• Light-sensitive 'eyes' in plants: How phytochrome proteins tell plants whether it's day or night
• Journey between XX, XY: Getting closer to unravelling mystery of sexual ambiguity
• Environmental hormones: Tiny amounts, big effects on fish
• Analyzing living cells quickly, accurately
• What frog courtship can tell us about human small talk
• Tracking proteins in single HIV particle

Where DNA's copy machine pauses, cancer could be next Posted: 05 May 2014 06:14 PM PDT A comprehensive mapping of the 'fragile sites' where chromosomes are more likely to experience breakage shows the damage appears in specific areas of the genome where the DNA copying machinery is slowed or stalled during replication, either by certain sequences of DNA or by structural elements. The study could give insight into the origins of many of the genetic abnormalities seen in solid tumors.

Getting to the root of enamel evolution Posted: 05 May 2014 12:53 PM PDT Thick tooth enamel is one of the features that distinguishes our genus, Homo, from our primate relatives and forebears. A new study offers insight into exactly how evolution shaped our teeth, one gene at a time. By comparing the human genome with those of five other primate species, a team of geneticists and evolutionary anthropologists has identified two segments of DNA where natural selection acted to give modern humans their thick enamel.

Groovy turtles' genes to aid in their rescue Posted: 05 May 2014 12:53 PM PDT The diverse patterns on the diamondback terrapins' intricately grooved shell may be their claim to fame, but a newly published study of the genetic variation underneath their shell holds one key to rescuing these coastal turtles. Listed as an endangered species in Rhode Island and deemed threatened in Massachusetts, the terrapin is the only turtle in North America that spends its entire life in coastal marshes and mangroves.

A symbiotic way of life: 'Simple and elegant mechanism' regulates relationships between insects and bacteria Posted: 05 May 2014 12:53 PM PDT Scientists reveal how, at the cellular level, an animal and its symbiotic bacteria work together to make up a single organismal system.

Immune cells outsmart bacterial infection by dying, study shows Posted: 05 May 2014 12:53 PM PDT A clearer picture of the delicate arms race between the human immune system and a pathogen that seeks to infect and kill human cells has been painted through new research. The research explores the strategies by which the bacterial pathogen Yersinia, responsible for causing plague and gastrointestinal infections, tries to outsmart immune cell responses and looks at the tactics used by the immune system to fight back.

Monitoring RNA levels in blood yields dynamic picture of fetal development, disease Posted: 05 May 2014 12:53 PM PDT Researchers have moved beyond relying on the static information delivered by DNA sequences in the blood. Instead, they've generated a much more dynamic picture by monitoring changing levels of another genetic material -- RNA -- in the blood. It's the biological difference between a still photo and a video when it comes to figuring out what the body is doing, and why.

Mysterious 150-year-old writing in rare copy of Homer's 'Odyssey' identified Posted: 05 May 2014 12:51 PM PDT An Italian computer engineer has solved a 150-year-old literary mystery found in a rare edition of Homer's Odyssey at the University of Chicago Library. The 1504 Venetian edition contains handwritten annotations in a previously unknown script.

Paleontologists unveil online showcase of 3-D fossil remains Posted: 05 May 2014 12:51 PM PDT More than two decades ago, a paleontologist began the laborious task of digitally scanning the bones of mastodons, mammoths and other prehistoric creatures so the images could be displayed on computers. Several recent technical advances have enabled the museum to place hundreds of the scanned images on a new website.

Evolution in species may reverse predator-prey population cycles Posted: 05 May 2014 12:51 PM PDT Populations of predators and their prey usually follow predictable cycles. When the number of prey increases -- perhaps as their food supply becomes more abundant -- predator populations also grow. When the predator population becomes too large, however, the prey population often plummets, leaving too little food for the predators, whose population also then crashes. Co-evolutionary changes in species may reverse traditional predator-prey population cycles, creating the appearance that prey are eating the predators, according to a new study.

Wines' fruity flavors fade first, science finds Posted: 05 May 2014 11:20 AM PDT Testing conventional wisdom with science, recently published research reveals how different flavors 'finish,' or linger, on the palate following a sip of wine. The study is one of the first to look at how different flavor components finish when standing alone or interacting with other compounds in white wines.

Carbon emissions: Energy-subsidy reform can be achieved with proper preparation, outside pressure Posted: 05 May 2014 10:05 AM PDT Reform of energy subsidies in oil-exporting countries can reduce carbon emissions and add years to oil exports, according to a new article. Whether sold as bulk crude oil and natural gas or as retail electricity, gasoline or diesel, the major exporters of OPEC, Russia and others harbor some of the lowest domestic energy prices in the world. These fossil-fuel subsidies have allowed these countries to distribute resource revenue, bolstering legitimacy for governments, many of which are not democratically elected.

Climate change threatens to worsen U.S. ozone pollution Posted: 05 May 2014 10:05 AM PDT Ozone pollution across the continental United States will become far more difficult to keep in check as temperatures rise, according to new research. The detailed study shows that Americans face the risk of a 70 percent increase in unhealthy summertime ozone levels by 2050. This is because warmer temperatures and other changes in the atmosphere related to a changing climate, including higher atmospheric levels of methane, spur chemical reactions that lead to ozone.

Caring for horses eases symptoms of dementia Posted: 05 May 2014 10:01 AM PDT In the first study of its kind, researchers have determined that spending time with horses eases symptoms of Alzheimer's dementia. The small pilot study suggests that equine therapy -- a treatment used today for children and teens who have emotional and developmental disorders -- could work for adults, too, and could supplement more common forms of animal therapy involving dogs or cats and provide a unique way to ease the symptoms of dementia without drugs.

Is self-fumigation for the birds? Save threatened species by giving them treated cotton for nests Posted: 05 May 2014 10:01 AM PDT When biologists set out cotton balls treated with a mild pesticide, wild finches in the Galapagos used the cotton to help build their nests, killing parasitic fly maggots to protect baby birds. The self-fumigation method may help endangered birds and even some mammals.

Tomato turf wars: Benign bug beats salmonella; tomato eaters win Posted: 05 May 2014 08:25 AM PDT A benign bacterium shows promise in blocking Salmonella from colonizing raw tomatoes, research shows. When applied to Salmonella-contaminated tomato plants in a field study, the bacterium, known as Paenibacillus alvei, significantly reduced the concentration of the pathogen compared to controls. "This bacterium also has no known history of human pathology, making it a great candidate as a biological control agent," says a corresponding author.

History to blame for slow crop taming, study shows Posted: 05 May 2014 08:25 AM PDT It's been about 10,000 years since our ancestors began farming, but crop domestication has taken much longer than expected -- a delay caused less by genetics and more by culture and history, according to a new study. The new paper digs at the roots not just of crop domestication but of civilization itself: How did humans get food? Without domestication -- without food -- it's hard for populations to settle down," the lead researcher said. "Domestication was the key for all subsequent human civilization."

Soy sauce molecule may unlock drug therapy for HIV patients Posted: 05 May 2014 08:25 AM PDT For HIV patients being treated with anti-AIDS medications, resistance to drug therapy regimens is commonplace. Often, patients develop resistance to first-line drug therapies, such as Tenofovir, and are forced to adopt more potent medications. Virologists now are testing the next generation of medications that stop HIV from spreading, and are using a molecule related to flavor enhancers found in soy sauce, to develop compounds that are more potent than Tenofovir.

When wine hits the right nerve: Mechanism for appreciation of the barrique character decoded Posted: 05 May 2014 08:23 AM PDT If wine leaves a bitter, cotton-like coating on the tongue, neither the sense of taste nor the sense of smell is responsible. The traditional oak barrel character, also called barrique character, is perceived via the trigeminal nerve, which is responsible for, among other things, pain and temperature perception, researchers report.

Uncontrollable ice-melt? Uncorking East Antarctica could yield unstoppable sea-level rise, simulations show Posted: 05 May 2014 07:44 AM PDT The melting of a rather small ice volume on East Antarctica's shore could trigger a persistent ice discharge into the ocean, resulting in unstoppable sea-level rise for thousands of years to come. These findings are based on computer simulations of the Antarctic ice flow using improved data of the ground profile underneath the ice sheet.

Bone marrow-on-a-chip unveiled Posted: 05 May 2014 07:44 AM PDT The first method to reproduce the structure, functions and cellular make-up of bone marrow in the laboratory has been unveiled by researchers. The new device gives scientists a much-needed new method to test the effects on bone marrow of toxic agents and new drugs to prevent lethal radiation poisoning and dangerous side effects of cancer therapies, all without animal testing.

Middle school students introduced to arboriculture topic Posted: 05 May 2014 07:44 AM PDT Structural defect recognition in trees is an appropriate topic for sixth grade curriculum augmentation, researchers have determined. They explored two methods of teaching the topic, and found students were capable of recognizing and comprehending the implications of structural defects following short periods of instruction. Students exposed to the curriculum delivered via illustrated lecture style received significantly higher scores on the post-test than students exposed to the same material via a hands-on approach.

Animal hoarding: Lesser-known problem for public health, welfare Posted: 05 May 2014 07:43 AM PDT Animal hoarding is a psychiatric disorder that consists of accumulating large numbers of animals at home, usually cats and dogs, without providing them with a minimal standard of care. The first European study to provide data on this disorder has been published, outlining the disorder's largely unknown and negative effects on the health of both the people who suffer from it and the animals involved.

New cause of high blood pressure, heart disease discovered: Phosphate-rich foods Posted: 05 May 2014 07:42 AM PDT Phosphate-rich foods include processed cheese, Parmesan, cola, baking powder and most processed foods. Phosphates are widely used in the food industry as preservatives and pH stabilizers. When large quantities of phosphates are consumed, production of the FGF23 hormone is stimulated, which has a negative effect on the cardiovascular system.  One expert warns that "our phosphate consumption is relevant for our state of health."

Fluorescent sensor developed for detecting nitric oxide, a molecule related to many diseases Posted: 05 May 2014 07:42 AM PDT The detection of certain chemical compounds in our body is essential to prevent many diseases and set out their treatment. Thus, making advances in the development of compounds that can be easily detected is key for the development of medicine. This is the case of nitric oxide, which is a molecule involved in countless cardiovascular, neurological and immune system processes, among others. The detection of nitric oxide may be executed more efficiently and selectively thanks to a new compound recently developed.

Light-sensitive 'eyes' in plants: How phytochrome proteins tell plants whether it's day or night Posted: 05 May 2014 07:42 AM PDT Most plants try to turn towards the sun. Scientists now have a better understanding of how light-sensitive proteins in plant cells change when they are exposed to light. The family of proteins involved is known as the "phytochrome" family, and these proteins are found in all plant leaves. These proteins detect the presence of light and inform the cell whether it is day or night, or whether the plant is in the shade or the sun.

Journey between XX, XY: Getting closer to unravelling mystery of sexual ambiguity Posted: 05 May 2014 06:39 AM PDT In both humans and mammals, sexual development is a long process. In most cases, the genetic sex (XX or XY) results in the development of the corresponding gonadal sex (ovaries or testes), which in turn secretes hormones that will masculinize or feminize the fetus. But throughout gonadal development, various accidents may occur, giving rise to a wide range of alterations and ambiguities. Disorders of gonadal development represent a heterogeneous class of sexual ambiguities caused by defects in gonadal development or a failure of testis differentiation.

Environmental hormones: Tiny amounts, big effects on fish Posted: 05 May 2014 06:38 AM PDT Empty nets and few species – environmental hormones are believed responsible for the diminishing numbers of fish. How damaging are these substances really, though? Studies that depict a complete picture of the lives of fish provide clues. Environmental hormones can be found for example in colorants and dyes, pesticides, cosmetics, plastics, and in pharmaceuticals. They are molecules that behave like hormones, because they resemble them in their structure. It has been suspected that the substances getting into an organism via the air, the skin, through foodstuffs.

Analyzing living cells quickly, accurately Posted: 05 May 2014 06:38 AM PDT In order to investigate inflammation, tumors or stem cells, medical practitioners analyze living cells. Non-invasive optical procedures such as Raman spectroscopy accelerate this procedure. Researchers have now developed it to industrial scale, and the technology is being employed on a practical basis by industrial partners. Scientists are working at present on a rapid test for cancer diagnosis, among other endeavors.

What frog courtship can tell us about human small talk Posted: 05 May 2014 06:37 AM PDT If you've ever heard the boisterous courtship sounds being made at night by male frogs gathered around a pond or "watering hole" to attract mates, you may have noticed some communication similarities to those of humans enjoying a loud night out at a cocktail party or bar—that familiar cacophony with everyone essentially shouting over each other to be heard.

Tracking proteins in single HIV particle Posted: 04 May 2014 06:10 PM PDT A new technique to examine how proteins interact with each other at the level of a single HIV viral particle has been developed by an interdisciplinary team of scientists. The technique allows scientists to study the life-threatening virus in detail and makes screening potential anti-HIV drugs quicker and more efficient. The technique can also be used to study other diseases.

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