ScienceDaily Environment Headlines
for Sunday, July 4, 2010
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Excess nitrogen favors plants that respond poorly to rising CO<sub>2</sub> (July 3, 2010) -- As atmospheric carbon dioxide levels rise, so does the pressure on the plant kingdom. The hope among policymakers, scientists and concerned citizens is that plants will absorb some of the extra CO2 and mitigate the impacts of climate change. For a few decades now, researchers have hypothesized about one major roadblock: nitrogen. ... > full story
Volcanic ash research shows how plumes end up in the jet stream (July 3, 2010) -- A volcanologist has shown how the jet stream -- the area in the atmosphere that pilots prefer to fly in -- also seems to be the area most likely to be impacted by plumes from volcanic ash. ... > full story
Scientists find direct line from development to growth (July 3, 2010) -- It may seem intuitive that growth and development somehow go together so that plants and animals end up with the right number of cells in all the right places. But it is only now that scientists have gotten some of the first insights into how this critical coordination actually works in a plant. ... > full story
Molecular prosthesis against gout (July 3, 2010) -- Researchers in Switzerland have devised a new method for preventing and permanently eradicating the cause of gout. It involves implanting a biological network that regulates the uric acid levels autonomously. ... > full story
Feathered friends: Ostriches provide clues to dinosaur movement (July 2, 2010) -- The flightless ostrich uses its wings as sophisticated air-rudders and braking aids when running at high speed and may provide valuable information about how its dinosaur ancestors used their feathered forelimbs to move more efficiently. A small leg muscle, if also present in dinosaurs may have reduced the energetic cost of carrying a heavy body. ... > full story
Discovery of a hepatitis C-related virus in bats may reduce outbreaks in humans (July 2, 2010) -- Viral hepatitis affects more than 500 million people worldwide and while vaccines are available for hepatitis A and B, this is not the case for hepatitis C, which affects as much as two percent of the population in the US. Now, scientists are reporting discovery of a virus related to hepatitis C in Asian bats, which may provide insights into the origins of the hepatitis C virus. ... > full story
Warmer is better: Invasive cane toads set to thrive under global warming (July 2, 2010) -- As global warming threatens many animal species with extinction, the cane toad is set to flourish with increasing temperature. This is a major cause for concern as the cane toad, once introduced to Australia as agricultural pest-control of the cane beetle, is an already highly invasive species and considered a pest in Australia. ... > full story
Tibetan adaptation to high altitude occurred in less than 3,000 years (July 2, 2010) -- Scientists have compared the genomes of 50 Tibetans living above 14,000 feet to 40 Han Chinese living at essentially sea level. They found that within the last 3,000 years, Tibetans evolved genetic mutations in a number of genes having to do with how the body deals with oxygen, making it possible for Tibetans to thrive at high altitudes while their Han relatives cannot. ... > full story
Three-legged dogs boost robot research (July 2, 2010) -- Scientists in Germany are examining how three-legged dogs move to help design and develop robots that can adapt in the event of an "injury." The new research looked at walking and running techniques in dogs with fore-limb or hind-limb amputations, using a treadmill and a set of high-tech infra-red cameras. ... > full story
Scrubbing CO<sub>2</sub> from atmosphere could be a long-term commitment (July 2, 2010) -- With carbon dioxide in the atmosphere approaching alarming levels, even halting emissions altogether may not be enough to avert catastrophic climate change. Could scrubbing carbon dioxide from the air be a viable solution? A new study suggests that while removing excess carbon dioxide would cool the planet, keeping carbon dioxide at low levels would require a long-term commitment spanning decades or even centuries. ... > full story
Killer whales and the mystery of human menopause (July 2, 2010) -- The evolutionary mystery of menopause is a step closer to being solved thanks to research on killer whales. A new study has found a link between killer whales, pilot whales and humans -- the only three known species where females stop breeding relatively early in their lifespan. ... > full story
Researchers identify what makes MRSA lethal (July 2, 2010) -- Scientists studying the so-called “superbug” MRSA have identified one of the components responsible for making it so deadly. Scientists have proven for the first time that a protein called FnBP is central to the bacteria's ability to invade the body's organs. ... > full story
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