ScienceDaily: Top Environment News

---

• Diversity aided mammals’ survival over deep time
• Leeches are DNA bloodhounds in the jungle
• Mechanism that gives plants 'balance' discovered
• Gut organisms could be clue in controlling obesity risk
• Fish larvae find the reef by orienting: The earlier the better
• Birds cultivate decorative plants to attract mates
• New yeast prion helps cells survive
• Unusual protein helps regulate key cell communication pathway
• Bioenergy production may reduce biological diversity, but ecological risks can be minimized
• Bacteria evolved way to safeguard crucial genetic material
• First fertile, then futile: Ammonites change in reproductive strategy helped them survive three mass extinctions
• Compressed sensing allows imaging of live cell structures
• Climate change may create price volatility in the corn market
• Hebrew inscription appears to confirm 'sign of Jonah' and Christian reference on ancient artifact

Diversity aided mammals’ survival over deep time Posted: 23 Apr 2012 03:41 PM PDT The first study of how mammals in North America adapted to climate change in "deep time" found that families with greater diversity were more stable and maintained larger ranges than less diverse families.

Leeches are DNA bloodhounds in the jungle Posted: 23 Apr 2012 01:24 PM PDT A new and revolutionary, yet simple and cheap, method for tracking mammals in the rainforests of Southeast Asia has been developed. Biologists collect leeches from tropical jungles, which have been sucking blood from mammals, and subsequently analyze the blood for mammal DNA. By using this method, the researchers can get an overview of the biodiversity of the mammals without having to find them.

Mechanism that gives plants 'balance' discovered Posted: 23 Apr 2012 01:24 PM PDT Researchers have figured out how plants are able to make the "decision" between growth and defense, a finding that could help them strike a balance -- keep safe from harm while continuing to grow.

Gut organisms could be clue in controlling obesity risk Posted: 23 Apr 2012 01:22 PM PDT The international obesity epidemic is widespread, nondiscriminatory, and deadly. But do we really understand all of the factors underlying this alarming trend? Excessive calorie intake and plummeting levels of physical activity are largely to blame for our ever-expanding waistlines. But there are other factors. Intestinal microbiota, may play a far greater role in human health than previously imagined.

Fish larvae find the reef by orienting: The earlier the better Posted: 23 Apr 2012 10:20 AM PDT For the first time, a numerical study incorporates horizontal larval fish navigation skills into realistic 3D flow fields, creating a powerful tool that spells out how larvae use environmental cues to find their way back to the reef after being out on the open ocean. This model can be used for a wide variety of marine species.

Birds cultivate decorative plants to attract mates Posted: 23 Apr 2012 10:18 AM PDT Scientists have uncovered the first evidence of a non-human species cultivating plants for use other than as food. Instead, bowerbirds propagate fruits used as decorations in their sexual displays. The researchers discovered male bowerbirds had unusually high numbers of fruit-bearing plants growing around their bowers, and used these fruits in order to attract females.

New yeast prion helps cells survive Posted: 23 Apr 2012 07:50 AM PDT One of the greatest mysterious in cellular biology has been given a new twist. Researchers now show that prions, proteins that transmit heritable information without DNA or RNA, can contribute to drug resistance and cellular adaptation. Their discovery of a yeast prion with these properties demonstrates the active role of the prion conversion in cellular fitness adaptation, providing new insights into the potentially broader function of prions in living organisms.

Unusual protein helps regulate key cell communication pathway Posted: 23 Apr 2012 07:49 AM PDT Charged atoms, or ions, move through tiny pores, or channels, embedded in cell membranes, generating the electrical signals that allow cells to communicate with one another. In new research, scientists have shown how an unusual protein plays a key role in temporarily blocking the movement of ions through these channels. Preventing ions from moving through the channel gives cells time to recharge so that they can continue firing.

Bioenergy production may reduce biological diversity, but ecological risks can be minimized Posted: 23 Apr 2012 07:47 AM PDT For years experts have discussed the ecological impact of the extended cultivation of energy crops. Scientists have now developed a computer model that allows assessing the impacts and comparing the effectiveness of strategies for the reduction of risks for biological diversity. Conclusion: The extension of bioenergy leads to problems with biological diversity in agrarian regions.

Bacteria evolved way to safeguard crucial genetic material Posted: 23 Apr 2012 07:45 AM PDT Just as banks store away only the most valuable possessions in the most secure safes, cells prioritize which genes they guard most closely, researchers have found. The study shows that bacteria have evolved a mechanism that protects important genes from random mutation, effectively reducing the risk of self-destruction. The findings answer a question that has been under debate for half a century and provide insights into how disease-causing mutations arise and pathogens evolve.

First fertile, then futile: Ammonites change in reproductive strategy helped them survive three mass extinctions Posted: 23 Apr 2012 07:45 AM PDT Ammonites changed their reproductive strategy from initially few and large offspring to numerous and small hatchlings. Thanks to their many offspring, they survived three mass extinctions, a research team has discovered.

Compressed sensing allows imaging of live cell structures Posted: 23 Apr 2012 07:40 AM PDT Researchers have advanced the ability to view a clear picture of a single cellular structure in motion. By identifying molecules using compressed sensing, this new method provides needed spatial resolution plus a faster temporal resolution.

Climate change may create price volatility in the corn market Posted: 22 Apr 2012 10:49 AM PDT Corn, America's No. 1 crop, could see its prime growing region shift to the Canadian border or its price volatility increase sharply within 30 years. A new study points to climate change as the cause.

Hebrew inscription appears to confirm 'sign of Jonah' and Christian reference on ancient artifact Posted: 19 Apr 2012 07:24 AM PDT An analysis by prominent biblical epigraphers of a textual inscription within the controversial "sign of Jonah" engraving discovered in a first century CE Jerusalem tomb appears to strongly support the disputed interpretation of the artwork as early Christian. Epigraphers say the previously overlooked text says "YONAH" in Herodian-era Hebrew script.

You are subscribed to email updates from ScienceDaily: Top Environment News To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610