ScienceDaily: Top Environment News

---

• Water molecules control inactivation and recovery of potassium channels
• New knowledge about permafrost improving climate models
• A new coral reef species from the Gambier Islands, French Polynesia

Water molecules control inactivation and recovery of potassium channels Posted: 28 Jul 2013 10:40 AM PDT Just 12 molecules of water cause the long post-activation recovery period required by potassium ion channels before they can function again. Using molecular simulations that modeled a potassium channel and its immediate cellular environment, atom for atom, scientists have revealed this new mechanism in the function of a nearly universal biological structure, with implications ranging from fundamental biology to the design of pharmaceuticals.

New knowledge about permafrost improving climate models Posted: 28 Jul 2013 10:40 AM PDT New research findings document that permafrost during thawing may result in a substantial release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and that the future water content in the soil is crucial to predict the effect of permafrost thawing. The findings may lead to more accurate climate models in the future.

A new coral reef species from the Gambier Islands, French Polynesia Posted: 26 Jul 2013 07:33 AM PDT A new shallow water coral species, Echinophyllia tarae sp. n., is described from the Gambier Islands, French Polynesia. Scleractinia, also called stony corals, are exclusively marine animals; they are very similar to sea anemones but generate a hard skeleton. This coral was observed in muddy environments where several colonies showed partial mortality and re-growth.

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