ScienceDaily: Top Environment News

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• Bee biodiversity boosts crop yields
• Gene behind highly prevalent facial anomaly found
• Burning issue of hydrocarbons, impacts on human health
• New type of heredity described in Paramecia, linked to epigenetics

Bee biodiversity boosts crop yields Posted: 09 May 2014 02:29 PM PDT Blueberries produce more seeds and larger berries if they are visited by more diverse bee species, allowing farmers to harvest significantly more pounds of fruit per acre. The researchers looked at blueberries in North Carolina because it is an economically important and well understood crop that relies on insect pollination.

Gene behind highly prevalent facial anomaly found Posted: 09 May 2014 02:25 PM PDT A genetic cause of a facial disorder known as hemifacial microsomia (HFM) has been discovered by scientists. The researchers find that duplication of the gene OTX2 induces HFM, the second-most common facial anomaly after cleft lip and palate. HFM affects approximately one in 3,500 births. While some cases appear to run in families, no gene had been found to be causative -- until now.

Burning issue of hydrocarbons, impacts on human health Posted: 09 May 2014 10:15 AM PDT Methods to identify metabolites of PAHs and NPAHs, found in hydrocarbons, in urine and blood are being developed by researchers. Researchers are also seeking the most sensitive method for measuring PAHs and NPAHs, showing that motorcycle engines released more particulate matter than automobiles.

New type of heredity described in Paramecia, linked to epigenetics Posted: 09 May 2014 09:59 AM PDT Considered as an obsolete theory for many years, the transmission of acquired traits has returned to the forefront of debate thanks to the development of epigenetic research. In this context, a team of researchers has described how in Paramecia, mating types are transmitted from generation to generation through an unexpected mechanism. A Paramecium can acquire a new mating type that will be inherited by its progeny without any genetic modification being involved.

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