ScienceDaily: Top Environment News

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• More, bigger wildfires burning western US over last 30 years
• Fish consumption advisories for expecting mothers fail to cover all types of contaminants
• Alternative identification methods for threatened species urged
• First structural insights into how plant immune receptors interact
• Connecting sleep deficits among young fruit flies to disruption in mating later in life
• There's something ancient in the icebox: Three-million-year-old landscape beneath Greenland Ice Sheet
• Re-emergence of Ebola focuses need for global surveillance strategies
• Proper stem cell function requires hydrogen sulfide
• Surprising material could play huge role in saving energy: Tin selenide is best at converting waste heat to electricity
• Fear of the cuckoo mafia: In fear of retaliation, birds accept and raise brood parasites' young
• Refining language for chromosomes
• Discovery could lead to novel therapies for Fragile X syndrome
• For resetting circadian rhythms, neural cooperation is key
• Fighting malaria drug resistance: Scientists find new way
• Some immune cells defend only one organ
• Biologists help solve fungal mysteries, inform studies on climate change
• Methane climate change risk suggested by proof of redox cycling of humic substances
• In sex-reversed cave insects, females have the penises
• Rapid, accurate mRNA detection in plant tissues
• Study shows lasting effects of drought in rainy Eastern U.S.
• The story of animal domestication retold: Scientists now think wild animals interbred with domesticated ones until quite recently
• Genetic study tackles mystery of slow plant domestications
• Suicide epidemic among India's 'marginalized' farmers
• HIV and schistosomiasis coinfection in African children: More research needed
• New city wall discovered at ancient Roman port
• New MRSA superbug emerges in Brazil
• Bacteria survive longer in contact lens cleaning solution than previously thought, study shows
• Declining catch rates in Caribbean Nicaragua green turtle fishery may be result of overfishing
• Family ties in the language jungle: Amazon language relationships revealed
• Surprising consequences of banning chocolate milk
• Earliest ancestor of land herbivores discovered: 300-million-year-old predator showed way to modern terrestrial ecosystem
• Chimpanzees prefer firm, stable beds
• World's first successful visualization of key coenzyme
• Residing in high altitude military facilities protects service members from obesity
• Immune system research may help predict who gets long-term complications from Lyme Disease
• Tracking down cause of eye mobility disorder
• Mutant protein in muscle linked to neuromuscular disorder
• How intestinal cells build nutrient-absorbing surface
• A greener source of polyester: Cork trees
• Researchers question emergency water treatment guidelines

More, bigger wildfires burning western US over last 30 years Posted: 17 Apr 2014 12:12 PM PDT Wildfires across the western United States have been getting bigger and more frequent over the last 30 years. The total area these fires burned increased at a rate of nearly 90,000 acres a year -- an area the size of Las Vegas, according to the study. Individually, the largest wildfires grew at a rate of 350 acres a year, the new research says.

Fish consumption advisories for expecting mothers fail to cover all types of contaminants Posted: 17 Apr 2014 11:19 AM PDT Fish consumption advisories for expecting mothers are ineffective in reducing infant exposure to contaminants like persistent organic pollutants. The researchers' model estimates that women who stop eating fish shortly before or during their pregnancy may only lower their child's exposure to POPs by 10 to 15 per cent.

Alternative identification methods for threatened species urged Posted: 17 Apr 2014 11:19 AM PDT With global climate change and rapidly disappearing habitat critical to the survival of endangered species, there is a sense of urgency to confirm the return of animals thought to be extinct, or to confirm the presence of newly discovered species. Researchers want to change how biologists think about collecting 'voucher' specimens for species identification, suggesting current specimen collection practices pose a risk to vulnerable animal populations nearing extinction.

First structural insights into how plant immune receptors interact Posted: 17 Apr 2014 11:19 AM PDT The first structural definition of how plant immune receptors interact has broad implications for understanding their function. "Before, we knew that proteins called RRS1 and RPS4 are required to recognize specific molecules from pathogenic bacteria, and then use this recognition as a cue to activate defense. However, we had no idea how they did it" said a co-corresponding author.

Connecting sleep deficits among young fruit flies to disruption in mating later in life Posted: 17 Apr 2014 11:19 AM PDT Mom always said you need your sleep, and it turns out, she was right. According to a new study, the lack of sleep in young fruit flies profoundly diminishes their ability to do one thing they do really, really well -- make more flies. To address whether sleep loss in young flies affects development of courtship circuits, the team investigated a group of neurons implicated in courtship. One particular subset of those neurons was smaller in sleep-deprived animals than normal flies, suggesting a possible mechanism for how sleep deprivation can lead to altered courting behavior.

There's something ancient in the icebox: Three-million-year-old landscape beneath Greenland Ice Sheet Posted: 17 Apr 2014 11:18 AM PDT Scientists were greatly surprised to discover an ancient tundra landscape preserved under the Greenland Ice Sheet, below two miles of ice. This finding provides strong evidence that the ice sheet has persisted much longer than previously known, enduring through many past periods of global warming.

Re-emergence of Ebola focuses need for global surveillance strategies Posted: 17 Apr 2014 10:35 AM PDT A review calls for improved global surveillance strategies to combat the emergence of infectious diseases such as the recent outbreak of Ebola in West Africa that has claimed the lives of 122 people in the countries of Guinea and Liberia. The deadly Ebola virus can cause mortality rates up to 90 percent of those individuals who contract the disease. No cure or vaccine exists for Ebola hemorrhagic fever and public health officials are concerned about further spread of the virus in the region.

Proper stem cell function requires hydrogen sulfide Posted: 17 Apr 2014 09:47 AM PDT Stem cells in bone marrow need to produce hydrogen sulfide in order to properly multiply and form bone tissue, according to a new study. Researchers demonstrated that mice's osteoporosis-like condition could be rescued by administering small molecules that release hydrogen sulfide inside the body. The results indicate that a similar treatment may have potential to help human patients.

Surprising material could play huge role in saving energy: Tin selenide is best at converting waste heat to electricity Posted: 17 Apr 2014 09:45 AM PDT One strategy for addressing the world's energy crisis is to stop wasting so much energy when producing and using it, such as in coal-fired power plants or transportation. Nearly two-thirds of energy input is lost as waste heat. Now scientists have discovered a surprising material that is the best in the world at converting waste heat to useful electricity. This outstanding property could be exploited in solid-state thermoelectric devices, with potentially enormous energy savings.

Fear of the cuckoo mafia: In fear of retaliation, birds accept and raise brood parasites' young Posted: 17 Apr 2014 09:45 AM PDT If a restaurant owner fails to pay the 'protection money' demanded of him by the mob, he can expect his premises to be trashed. Warnings like these are seldom required, however, as fear of the consequences is enough to make restaurant owners pay up. Similarly, mafia-like behavior is observed in parasitic birds, which lay their eggs in other birds' nests. If the host birds throw the cuckoo's egg out, the brood parasites take their revenge by destroying the entire nest. Consequently, it is beneficial for hosts to be capable of learning and to cooperate. Previously seen only in field observations, scientists have now modeled this behavior mathematically to confirm it as an effective strategy.

Refining language for chromosomes Posted: 17 Apr 2014 09:44 AM PDT A new classification system that may standardize how structural chromosomal rearrangements are described has been proposed by a team of researchers. Known as Next-Gen Cytogenetic Nomenclature, it is a major contribution to the classification system to potentially revolutionize how cytogeneticists worldwide translate and communicate chromosomal abnormalities.

Discovery could lead to novel therapies for Fragile X syndrome Posted: 17 Apr 2014 09:43 AM PDT Scientists studying the most common form of inherited mental disability -- a genetic disease called 'Fragile X syndrome' -- have uncovered new details about the cellular processes responsible for the condition that could lead to the development of therapies to restore some of the capabilities lost in affected individuals.

For resetting circadian rhythms, neural cooperation is key Posted: 17 Apr 2014 09:43 AM PDT Fruit flies are pretty predictable when it comes to scheduling their days, with peaks of activity at dawn and dusk and rest times in between. Now, researchers have found that the clusters of brain cells responsible for each of those activity peaks -- known as the morning and evening oscillators, respectively -- don't work alone. For flies' internal clocks to follow the sun, cooperation is key.

Fighting malaria drug resistance: Scientists find new way Posted: 17 Apr 2014 07:15 AM PDT An anti-malarial treatment that lost its status as the leading weapon against the deadly disease could be given a new lease of life, with new research indicating it simply needs to be administered differently. The findings could revive the use of the cheap anti-malarial drug chloroquine in treating and preventing the mosquito-bourne disease, which claims the lives of more than half a million people each year around the world.

Some immune cells defend only one organ Posted: 17 Apr 2014 07:14 AM PDT Some organs have the immunological equivalent of 'neighborhood police' -- specialized squads of defenders that patrol only one area, a single organ, instead of an entire city, the body, scientists have discovered. The liver, skin and uterus each has dedicated immune cells, which the researchers call tissue-resident natural killer cells. Other organs may have similar arrangements.

Biologists help solve fungal mysteries, inform studies on climate change Posted: 17 Apr 2014 07:14 AM PDT A new genetic analysis revealing the previously unknown biodiversity and distribution of thousands of fungi in North America might also reveal a previously underappreciated contributor to climate change. Huge populations of fungi are churning away in the soil in pine forests, decomposing organic matter and releasing carbon into the atmosphere.

Methane climate change risk suggested by proof of redox cycling of humic substances Posted: 17 Apr 2014 07:11 AM PDT Disruption of natural methane-binding process may worsen climate change, scientists have suggested, painting a stark warning on the possible effects of gases such as methane -- which has a greenhouse effect 32 times that of carbon dioxide. Researchers have shown that humic substances act as fully regenerable electron acceptors which helps explain why large amount of methane are held in wetlands instead of being released to the atmosphere.

In sex-reversed cave insects, females have the penises Posted: 17 Apr 2014 07:11 AM PDT Little-known cave insects with rather novel sex lives have been discovered by researchers. The Brazilian insects, which represent four distinct but related species in the genus Neotrogla, are the first example of an animal with sex-reversed genitalia.

Rapid, accurate mRNA detection in plant tissues Posted: 17 Apr 2014 06:08 AM PDT Messenger RNA (mRNA) plays an important role in gene expression, and examining the types and amounts of mRNA present in an organism allows researchers to answer key questions about gene expression and regulation. A recent study shows that RNAScope ISH (developed for studies in animal -- particularly human -- tissues) is faster and more sensitive than traditional ISH in detecting and quantifying mRNA in plants.

Study shows lasting effects of drought in rainy Eastern U.S. Posted: 17 Apr 2014 06:08 AM PDT This spring, more than 40 percent of the western U.S. is in a drought that the USDA deems "severe" or "exceptional." The same was true in 2013. In 2012, drought even spread to the humid east. But new research shows how short-lived but severe climatic events can trigger cascades of ecosystem change that last for centuries.

The story of animal domestication retold: Scientists now think wild animals interbred with domesticated ones until quite recently Posted: 17 Apr 2014 06:08 AM PDT A review of recent research on the domestication of large herbivores suggests that neither intentional breeding nor genetic isolation were as significant as traditionally thought. "Our findings show little control of breeding, particularly of domestic females, and indicate long-term gene flow, or interbreeding, between managed and wild animal populations," a co-author said.

Genetic study tackles mystery of slow plant domestications Posted: 17 Apr 2014 06:08 AM PDT Did domesticating a plant typically take a few hundred or many thousands of years? Genetic studies often indicate that domestication traits have a fairly simple genetic basis, which should facilitate their rapid evolution under selection. On the other hand, recent archeological studies of crop domestication have suggested a relatively slow spread and fixation of domestication traits. A new article tries to resolve the discrepancy.

Suicide epidemic among India's 'marginalized' farmers Posted: 17 Apr 2014 06:07 AM PDT A new study has found that India's shocking rates of suicide are highest in areas with the most debt-ridden farmers who are clinging to tiny smallholdings – less than one hectare – and trying to grow 'cash crops', such as cotton and coffee, that are highly susceptible to global price fluctuations.

HIV and schistosomiasis coinfection in African children: More research needed Posted: 17 Apr 2014 06:07 AM PDT More research is needed on HIV and schistosomiasis coinfection in children in sub-Saharan Africa, experts say. They looked at previous research into the joint burden of HIV/AIDS and schistosomiasis of children, and found that while disease-specific control interventions are continuing, potential synergies in the control efforts for the two diseases have not been investigated. The team focused on children with schistosomiasis and assessed the risk of increased HIV transmission and progression and impaired response to drugs when given alongside HIV interventions.

New city wall discovered at ancient Roman port Posted: 17 Apr 2014 06:05 AM PDT Researchers have discovered a new section of the boundary wall of the ancient Roman port of Ostia, proving the city was much larger than previously estimated.

New MRSA superbug emerges in Brazil Posted: 17 Apr 2014 05:55 AM PDT A new superbug that caused a bloodstream infection in a Brazilian patient has been identified by an international research team. The new superbug is part of a class of highly-resistant bacteria known as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA, which is a major cause of hospital and community-associated infections. The superbug has also acquired high levels of resistance to vancomycin, the most common and least expensive antibiotic used to treat severe MRSA infections worldwide.

Bacteria survive longer in contact lens cleaning solution than previously thought, study shows Posted: 16 Apr 2014 04:09 PM PDT Each year in the UK, bacterial infections cause around 6,000 cases of a severe eye condition known as microbial keratitis – an inflammation and ulceration of the cornea that can lead to loss of vision. The use of contact lenses has been identified as a particular risk factor for microbial keratitis. New research shows that a bacterial strain associated with more severe infections shows enhanced resistance to a common contact lens disinfectant solution.

Declining catch rates in Caribbean Nicaragua green turtle fishery may be result of overfishing Posted: 16 Apr 2014 04:09 PM PDT A 20-year assessment of Nicaragua's legal, artisanal green sea turtle fishery has uncovered a stark reality: greatly reduced overall catch rates of turtles in what may have become an unsustainable take, according to conservation scientists. Growing up to 400 pounds in weight, the green turtle is the second largest sea turtle species next to the leatherback turtle. In addition to the threat from overfishing, the green turtle is at risk from bycatch in various fisheries, poaching of eggs at nesting beaches, habitat deterioration and loss due to coastal development and climate change effects, and pollution.

Family ties in the language jungle: Amazon language relationships revealed Posted: 16 Apr 2014 02:22 PM PDT Relationships between rare languages in the Colombian Amazon have been revealed by researchers. The only linguistic data available for Carabayo, a language spoken by an indigenous group that lives in voluntary isolation, is a set of about 50 words. This list was compiled in 1969 during a brief encounter with one Carabayo family. Researchers have now analyzed this historical data set and compared it with various languages (once) spoken in the region. The analysis showed that Carabayo shares a number of similarities with the extinct language Yurí and with Tikuna, a language still spoken in the region nowadays.

Surprising consequences of banning chocolate milk Posted: 16 Apr 2014 02:22 PM PDT Eliminating chocolate milk from elementary schools decreased total milk sales by 10 percent, and increased milk waste by 29 percent, a study has shown. Additionally, the ban may have been a factor in a 7 percent decrease in Lunch Program participation. Nutritionally, after the milk substitution, students on average consumed less sugar and fewer calories, but also consumed less protein and calcium.

Earliest ancestor of land herbivores discovered: 300-million-year-old predator showed way to modern terrestrial ecosystem Posted: 16 Apr 2014 02:22 PM PDT New research demonstrates how carnivores transitioned into herbivores for the first time on land. Previously unknown, the 300-million-year old fossilized juvenile skeleton of Eocasea martini is less than 20 cm long. Found in Kansas, it consists of a partial skull, most of the vertebral column, the pelvis and a hind limb. By comparing the skeletal anatomy of related animals, scientists discovered that Eocasea martini belonged to the caseid branch of the group Synapsid. This group, which includes early terrestrial herbivores and large top predators, ultimately evolved into modern living mammals. Eocasea lived nearly 80 million years before the age of dinosaurs.

Chimpanzees prefer firm, stable beds Posted: 16 Apr 2014 02:22 PM PDT Chimpanzees may select a certain type of wood, Ugandan ironwood, over other options for its firm, stable, and resilient properties to make their bed. Chimpanzees use tree branches to build beds or nests in trees. They select certain tree species to sleep in more frequently than others, but the reason for selecting a particular tree was unclear.

World's first successful visualization of key coenzyme Posted: 16 Apr 2014 02:20 PM PDT Japanese researchers have successfully developed the world's first imaging method for visualizing the behavior of nicotine-adenine dinucleotide derivative (NAD(P)H), a key coenzyme, inside cells. This feat could ultimately facilitate the diagnosis of cancer and liver dysfunction and help to elucidate the mechanisms of neurological disorders.

Residing in high altitude military facilities protects service members from obesity Posted: 16 Apr 2014 02:19 PM PDT Overweight U.S. service members are 41 percent less likely to transition to clinical obesity when stationed at military facilities located at high altitude, according to a new study. The quasi-experimental, retrospective study assessed the health records and migration patterns of nearly 100,000 enlisted service members in the active component of the U.S. Army and Air Force with at least two years in the services from records in the Defense Medical Surveillance System.

Immune system research may help predict who gets long-term complications from Lyme Disease Posted: 16 Apr 2014 02:19 PM PDT The groundwork has been laid for understanding how variations in immune responses to Lyme disease can contribute to the many different outcomes of this bacterial infection seen in individual patients. "Physicians have recognized for many years that Lyme disease is not a uniform disease process and can vary in outcomes," says the senior author of the report. "Our experiments have linked such differences to specific immune pathways controlled by elements of the immune system, which in turn might help us understand both the good immune processes that clear up the infection and the bad ones that cause injury and prolong symptoms. This could be a big step forward in managing this disease."

Tracking down cause of eye mobility disorder Posted: 16 Apr 2014 01:26 PM PDT Imagine you cannot move your eyes up, and you cannot lift your upper eyelid. You walk through life with your head tilted upward so that your eyes look straight when they are rolled down in the eye socket. Obviously, such a condition should be corrected to allow people a normal position of their head. In order to correct this condition, one would need to understand why this happens. In a new paper, researchers describe how their studies on mutated mice mimic human mutations.

Mutant protein in muscle linked to neuromuscular disorder Posted: 16 Apr 2014 01:25 PM PDT Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) is a rare inherited neuromuscular disorder characterized by slowly progressive muscle weakness and atrophy. In a new study, a team of scientists say novel mouse studies indicate that mutant protein levels in muscle cells are fundamentally involved in SBMA, suggesting an alternative and promising new avenue of treatment.

How intestinal cells build nutrient-absorbing surface Posted: 16 Apr 2014 11:33 AM PDT The 'brush border' -- a densely packed array of finger-like projections called microvilli -- covers the surfaces of the cells that line our intestines. Researchers have now discovered how intestinal cells build this specialized structure, which is critical for absorbing nutrients and defending against pathogens. The findings reveal a role for adhesion molecules in brush border assembly and increase our understanding of intestinal pathologies associated with inherited and infectious diseases.

A greener source of polyester: Cork trees Posted: 16 Apr 2014 08:30 AM PDT On the scale of earth-friendly materials, you'd be hard pressed to find two that are farther apart than polyester (not at all) and cork (very). In an unexpected twist, however, scientists are figuring out how to extract a natural, waterproof, antibacterial version of the first material from the latter. Their new technique could have applications in medical devices.

Researchers question emergency water treatment guidelines Posted: 16 Apr 2014 08:29 AM PDT The Environmental Protection Agency's recommendations for treating water after a natural disaster or other emergencies call for more chlorine bleach than is necessary to kill disease-causing pathogens and are often impractical to carry out, a new study has found. The authors of the report suggest that the agency review and revise its guidelines.

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