ScienceDaily: Top Environment News

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• Citizen scientists saving lives around deadly 'Throat of Fire' volcano
• Creating pomegranate drug to stem Alzheimer's, Parkinson's
• Study Identifies Challenges Faced by NYU Langone Nurses in the Aftermath of Hurricane Sandy
• Canola genome sequence reveals evolutionary 'love triangle'
• Despite significant reduction in smog-producing toxins, the Greater Toronto Area still violates Canada's standards for ozone air pollution
• Fungus deadly to AIDS patients found to grow on trees
• Fossil arthropod went on the hunt for its prey
• Plants: Calcium and reproduction go together like the birds and the bees
• Water splitter runs on an ordinary AAA battery
• Climate change could see dengue fever come to Europe
• Forensics research to make cadaver dogs more efficient
• Why major cow milk allergen is actually allergenic
• Songbirds: Juveniles delay departure, make frequent stopovers during first migration

Citizen scientists saving lives around deadly 'Throat of Fire' volcano Posted: 22 Aug 2014 06:41 AM PDT Citizen scientists are saving the lives of people living in the shadow of deadly volcanoes according to research. A report reveals the success of a volunteer group set up to safeguard communities around the 'Throat of Fire' Tungurahua volcano in the Ecuadorian Andes. The research shows that living safely in dangerous areas can depend on effective communication and collaboration between volcanologists, risk managers and vulnerable communities.

Creating pomegranate drug to stem Alzheimer's, Parkinson's Posted: 22 Aug 2014 06:41 AM PDT Research will look to produce compound derivatives of punicalagin for a drug that would treat neuro-inflammation and slow down the progression of Alzheimer's disease, scientists report. The onset of Alzheimer's disease can be slowed and some of its symptoms curbed by a natural compound that is found in pomegranate. Also, the painful inflammation that accompanies illnesses such as rheumatoid arthritis and Parkinson's disease could be reduced, according to the findings of the two-year project.

Study Identifies Challenges Faced by NYU Langone Nurses in the Aftermath of Hurricane Sandy Posted: 22 Aug 2014 06:40 AM PDT The post-Sandy deployment of nurses to help address patient surge in eight local hospitals and health facilities had an impact that has not been well studied since the storm. A new research study is one of only a few to evaluate the psychological toll on nurses working in such rapidly changing, uncontrolled, and potentially dangerous circumstances.

Canola genome sequence reveals evolutionary 'love triangle' Posted: 22 Aug 2014 05:42 AM PDT Scientists recently published the genome of Brassica napus -- commonly known as canola -- in the journal Science. Their discovery paves the way for improved versions of the plant, which is used widely in farming and industry.

Despite significant reduction in smog-producing toxins, the Greater Toronto Area still violates Canada's standards for ozone air pollution Posted: 22 Aug 2014 05:42 AM PDT While the Greater Toronto Area has significantly reduced some of the toxins that contribute to smog, the city continues to violate the Canada-wide standards for ozone air pollution, a study shows. Smog, which can cause or aggravate health problems such as asthma, emphysema and chronic bronchitis, is produced by a set of complex photochemical reactions involving volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrogen oxides and sunlight, which form ground-level ozone.

Fungus deadly to AIDS patients found to grow on trees Posted: 22 Aug 2014 05:40 AM PDT Researchers have pinpointed the environmental source of fungal infections that have been sickening HIV/AIDS patients in Southern California for decades. It literally grows on trees. The discovery is based on the science project of a 13-year-old girl, who spent the summer gathering soil and tree samples from areas around Los Angeles hardest hit by infections of the fungus named Cryptococcus gattii (CRIP-to-cock-us GAT-ee-eye).

Fossil arthropod went on the hunt for its prey Posted: 22 Aug 2014 05:40 AM PDT A new species of carnivorous crustacean has been identified, which roamed the seas 435 million years ago, grasping its prey with spiny limbs before devouring it.

Plants: Calcium and reproduction go together like the birds and the bees Posted: 22 Aug 2014 05:40 AM PDT Everyone's heard of the birds and the bees. But that old expression leaves out the flowers that are being fertilized. The fertilization process for flowering plants is particularly complex and requires extensive communication between the male and female reproductive cells. New research reports discoveries in the chemical signaling process that guides flowering plant fertilization.

Water splitter runs on an ordinary AAA battery Posted: 22 Aug 2014 05:40 AM PDT Although touted as zero-emissions vehicles, most fuel cell vehicle run on hydrogen made from natural gas. Now scientists have developed a low-cost, emissions-free device that uses an ordinary AAA battery to produce hydrogen by water electrolysis. Unlike other water splitters that use precious-metal catalysts, the electrodes in this device are made of inexpensive and abundant nickel and iron.

Climate change could see dengue fever come to Europe Posted: 22 Aug 2014 05:39 AM PDT Dengue fever could make headway in popular European holiday destinations if climate change continues on its predicted trajectory, according to research. The study used current data from Mexico, where dengue fever is present, and information about EU countries to model the likelihood of the disease spreading in Europe. They found that coastal regions around the Mediterranean and Adriatic seas, the Po Valley and North East Italy were most at risk.

Forensics research to make cadaver dogs more efficient Posted: 22 Aug 2014 05:39 AM PDT Specially-trained victim recovery dogs can perform phenomenal feats in sniffing out the whereabouts of bodies and body parts, even beneath mounds of rubble or deep below water. But now a researcher is investigating ways in which they can carry out their grim but vital tasks even more efficiently.

Why major cow milk allergen is actually allergenic Posted: 22 Aug 2014 05:39 AM PDT Cow milk allergy occurs in children and in adults. Scientists have investigated what actually makes the milk allergenic. A specific protein in milk known as beta-lactoglobulin is able to initiate an allergy only when being devoid of iron. Loaded with iron, the protein is harmless. The scientists discovered the same mechanism recently with regard to birch pollen allergy.

Songbirds: Juveniles delay departure, make frequent stopovers during first migration Posted: 20 Aug 2014 01:47 PM PDT Juvenile songbirds on spring migration travel from overwintering sites in the tropics to breeding destinations thousands of kilometres away with no prior experience to guide them. Now, a new study has tracked these 'student pilots' on their first long-haul flight and found significant differences between the timing of juvenile migration and that of experienced adults.

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