ScienceDaily: Environment - October 06, 2023
Top environment research news
Researchers propose radical change in how animal facial expressions are defined and studied
Researchers have developed a new method to analyze facial expressions, as part of efforts to better understand animal communication.
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Bumblebees drop to shake off Asian hornets
Bumblebees have a remarkably successful method for fighting off Asian hornets, new research shows.
Bewick's swans choose wintering areas based on the weather
Bewick’s swans fly less far during their autumn migration when the weather is warm. Climate change has therefore led to a shift in their common wintering areas. Now, for the first time, bird researchers have been able to use long-term GPS data to pinpoint the specific choices that individual swans make.
New open-source method to improve decoding of single-cell data
Researchers have developed a new open-source computational method, dubbed Spectra, which improves the analysis of single-cell transcriptomic data. By guiding data analysis in a unique way, Spectra can offer new insights into the complex interplay between cells — like the interactions between cancer cells and immune cells, which are critical to improving immunotherapy treatments.
Successful morphing of inorganic perovskites without damaging their functional properties
A research team has successfully morphed all-inorganic perovskites at room temperature without compromising their functional properties. Their findings demonstrate the potential of this class of semiconductors for manufacturing next-generation deformable electronics and energy systems in the future.
Fear of humans pervades the South African savanna
Mammals living in South Africa's Greater Kruger National Park, home to one of the world's largest remaining lion populations, are far more afraid of hearing human voices than lion vocalizations or hunting sounds such as dogs barking or gunshots.
For decades, scientists have assumed that mammals and their relatives that survived challenging times (like those during mass extinctions) made it because they were generalists that were able to eat just about anything and adapt to whatever life threw at them. A new study into the mammal family tree through multiple mass extinctions revealed that the species that survived aren't as generic as scientists had thought: instead, having new and different traits can be the key to succeeding in the aftermath of a catastrophe.
Climate intervention technologies may create winners and losers in world food supply
A technology being studied to curb climate change – one that could be put in place in one or two decades if work on the technology began now – would affect food productivity in parts of planet Earth in dramatically different ways, benefiting some areas, and adversely affecting others, according to new projections.
Ruffed grouse population more resilient than expected, genetic study finds
Despite decades of decline, a genetic analysis of ruffed grouse reveals that Pennsylvania's state bird harbors more genetic diversity and connectivity than expected. The findings suggest that the iconic game bird could be maintained in persistent numbers if appropriate protections are implemented.
Two-dimensional compounds can capture carbon from the air
Some of the thinnest materials known to humankind -- MXene and MBene compounds -- may provide solutions to scientists in their quest to curb the effects of global warming. These substances are only a few atoms thick, making them two-dimensional. Because of their large surface area, the materials have the potential to absorb carbon dioxide molecules from the atmosphere, which could help reduce the harmful effects of climate change by safely sequestering carbon dioxide, according to a review study.
Vaccine via the nasal passage could be the new line of defence against Strep A
As Streptococcus A cases continue to be prevalent, a new nasal vaccine could provide long-term protection from the deadly bacteria. The development of a Strep A vaccine which is currently in Phase 1 clinical trials in Canada and quickly advancing to Phase 2 efficacy trials.
Simultaneous large wildfires will increase in Western U.S.
Simultaneous outbreaks of large wildfires will become more frequent in the Western United States this century as the climate warms, putting major strains on efforts to fight fires, according to new research. The most severe wildfire seasons will become at least twice as frequent.
Study identifies jet-stream pattern that locks in extreme winter cold, wet spells
Winter is coming—eventually. And while the earth is warming, a new study suggests that the atmosphere is being pushed around in ways that cause long bouts of extreme winter cold or wet in some regions. The study’s authors say they have identified giant meanders in the global jet stream that bring polar air southward, locking in frigid or wet conditions concurrently over much of North America and Europe, often for weeks at a time. Such weather waves, they say, have doubled in frequency since the 1960s. In just the last few years, they have killed hundreds of people and paralyzed energy and transport systems.
Understanding greenhouse gases in oil palm plantations
The rapid spread of oil palm plantations and associated high use of fertilizer raises concerns about the emission of nitrous oxide, a powerful greenhouse gas. A new study shows that oil palms’ photosynthesis and their response to meteorological and soil conditions play an important but still widely unexplored role in the amount of nitrous oxide produced by oil palm plantations.
Being a vegetarian may be partly in your genes
A person's genetic makeup plays a role in determining whether they can stick to a strict vegetarian diet, a new study has found. The findings open the door to further studies that could have important implications regarding dietary recommendations and the production of meat substitutes.
Use-wear analysis of grinding tools from the site of Jebel Oraf shows that the artifacts were used during the Neolithic, shedding new light on the subsistence and lifestyle of ancient peoples in the region.
Early human migrants followed lush corridor-route out of Africa
Scientists have found early human migrants left Africa for Eurasia, across the Sinai peninsula and on through Jordan, over 80-thousand years ago. Researchers have proved there was a 'well-watered corridor' which funneled hunter-gatherers through The Levant towards western Asia and northern Arabia via Jordan.
Proteins roll the dice to determine bee sex
To date it has been unclear exactly how the sex of a bee is determined. A research team comprising biologists and chemists has now identified a key gene and the molecular mechanism linked with it. They describe how this process is similar to a game involving two dice.
Meadow Spittlebug's record-breaking diet also makes it top disease carrier for plants
New research fueled in part by citizen scientists reveals that the meadow spittlebug—known for the foamy, spit-like urine released by its nymphs—can feed on at least 1,300 species of host plants, more than twice the number of any other insect.
Staying dry for months underwater
Researchers have developed a superhydrophobic surface with a stable plastron that can last for months under water. The team’s general strategy to create long-lasting underwater superhydrophobic surfaces, which repel blood and drastically reduce or prevent the adhesion of bacterial and marine organisms such as barnacles and mussels, opens a range of applications in biomedicine and industry.
Hospital superbugs: Could one vaccine rule them all?
A new study shows that a single dose of the vaccine, administered in mouse models, put immune cells into 'Incredible Hulk' mode, providing rapid protection against nine different bacteria and fungi species that lurk in healthcare settings.
Ancient carbon in rocks releases as much carbon dioxide as the world's volcanoes
New research has overturned the traditional view that natural rock weathering acts as a carbon sink that removes CO2 from the atmosphere. Instead, this can also act as a large CO2 source, rivaling that of volcanoes.
Invertebrate biodiversity is improving in England's rivers, long-term trends show
Rivers across England have seen a significant improvement in river invertebrate biodiversity since 1989, shows a new study.
Volcanic ash effects on Earth systems
To bridge the knowledge gap between volcanologists and atmospheric scientists working on climate change and observing global systems, researchers have characterized volcanic ash samples from many explosive eruptions of a broad compositional range.
Bird species changing faster than expected in protected areas
A recent study has found that bird communities inside and outside protected areas are beginning to resemble each other as a result of climate change. In both areas, southern species increase in abundance, while northern species decrease.
Birders and AI push bird conservation to the next level
Big data and artificial intelligence (AI) are being used to model hidden patterns in nature, not just for one bird species, but for entire ecological communities across continents. And the models follow each species’ full annual life cycle, from breeding to fall migration to non-breeding grounds, and back north again during spring migration.
These robots helped explain how insects evolved two distinct strategies for flight
Robots helped achieve a major breakthrough in our understanding of how insect flight evolved. The study is a result of a six-year long collaboration between roboticists and biophysicists.
Avatars to help tailor glioblastoma therapies
Scientists have created a new zebrafish xenograft platform to screen for novel treatments for an aggressive brain tumor called glioblastoma, according to a new study.
Researchers working to image New Zealand's Hikurangi earthquake fault have uncovered a sea's worth of water buried in the Earth's crust. The water was carried down by eroding volcanic rocks and is believed to be dampening the earthquake fault, allowing it to release most of the pent-up tectonic stress through harmless slow slip earthquakes.
Wastewater detects signs of antimicrobial resistance in aged care facilities
A new study analyzing wastewater samples from several aged care facilities and retirement homes, has uncovered worrying signs of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a concerning trend in aged care facilities.
AI drones to help farmers optimize vegetable yields
For reasons of food security and economic incentive, farmers continuously seek to maximize their marketable crop yields. As plants grow inconsistently, at the time of harvesting, there will inevitably be variations in quality and size of individual crops. Finding the optimal time to harvest is therefore a priority for farmers. A new approach making heavy use of drones and artificial intelligence demonstrably improves this estimation by carefully and accurately analyzing individual crops to assess their likely growth characteristics.
Extreme fires and heavy rainfall driving platypuses from their homes
Australia's emerging pattern of severe mega bushfires and heavy rainfall may be driving platypuses from their homes, a new study has shown. Analysis of platypus DNA in rivers and creek water samples collected before and after the Black Summer 2019-2020 megafires suggest Australia's beloved semi-aquatic monotremes might be abandoning severely bushfire-affected areas for up to 18 months after a fire, especially if heavy rainfall has followed the fire.
Women living in more walkable neighborhoods have lower rates of obesity-related cancers
Residing in a more walkable neighborhood protects against the risk of overall obesity-related cancers in women, specifically postmenopausal breast cancer, but also ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, and multiple myeloma, according to a new study. Obesity has been linked to increased risk for 13 types of cancer in women, and physical activity, independent of body size, lowers risk for some of these cancers. Until now long-term studies of neighborhood walkability and risk for obesity-related cancer were limited.
Honeybees are more selective in their choices for nutrition than previously thought
An international research group examined which plants honeybees favor when collecting nectar and pollen. The choices honeybees make have an impact on their health and also on humans, as honeybees pollinate important crop plants.
Cats purr differently than previously thought
A recent investigation delivers novel insights into how cats produce their purring sounds. A special 'pad' embedded in the vocal folds might explain how cats can produce these low-frequency sounds.Â
Ancient technology turns plant-based cheese into 'something we want to eat'
To produce plant-based cheeses that feel and taste like dairy cheese, scientists have their sights set on fermentation. In a new research result, scientists demonstrate the potential of fermentation for producing climate-friendly cheeses that people want to eat.
Scientists develop 3D printing method that shows promise for repairing brain injuries
Researchers have produced an engineered tissue representing a simplified cerebral cortex by 3D printing human stem cells. When implanted into mouse brain slices, the structures became integrated with the host tissue. The technique may ultimately be developed into tailored repairs to treat brain injuries.
Tracking the bacteria behind life-threatening sepsis in premature babies
A new study into sepsis in neonatal babies has uncovered the secrets of the bacteria’s success in causing this life-threatening condition. Using genomic sequencing, they have found how certain strains of bacteria that usually live harmlessly on the skin can evade control measures by colonizing babies’ guts. This will provide new ways to control this threat to babies’ health.
Insect cyborgs: Towards precision movement
Insect cyborgs may sound like something straight out of the movies, but hybrid insect computer robots, as they are scientifically called, could pioneer a new future for robotics. It involves using electrical stimuli to control an insect’s movement. Now, an international research group has conducted a study on the relationship between electrical stimulation in stick insects' leg muscles and the resulting torque (the twisting force that causes the leg to move).Â
Hot weather hits productivity -- even in air-conditioned factories
Hot weather reduces workers’ productivity – even if their workplace is air conditioned.
Individual voice could help birds be recognized in a flock, no matter what they say.
New pipeline makes valuable organic acid from plants -- saving money and emissions
In a breakthrough for environmentally friendly chemical production, researchers have developed an economical way to make succinic acid, an important industrial chemical, from sugarcane. The team has created a cost-effective, end-to-end pipeline for this valuable organic acid by engineering a tough, acid-tolerant yeast as the fermenting agent, avoiding costly steps in downstream processing. Succinic acid is a widely used additive for food and beverages and has diverse applications in agricultural and pharmaceutical products. This same pipeline can be used to produce other industrially important organic acids from crops rather than petroleum-based processes, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
A prehistoric cosmic airburst preceded the advent of agriculture in the Levant
Agriculture in Syria started with a bang 12,800 years ago as a fragmented comet slammed into the Earth’s atmosphere. The explosion and subsequent environmental changes forced hunter-gatherers in the prehistoric settlement of Abu Hureyra to adopt agricultural practices to boost their chances for survival.
Carbon-capture tree plantations threaten tropical biodiversity for little gain, ecologists say
The increasingly urgent climate crisis has led to a boom in commercial tree plantations in an attempt to offset excess carbon emissions. However, authors argue that these carbon-offset plantations might come with costs for biodiversity and other ecosystem functions. Instead, the authors say we should prioritize conserving and restoring intact ecosystems.
Carbon capture method plucks CO2 straight from the air
Even as the world slowly begins to decarbonize industrial processes, achieving lower concentrations of atmospheric carbon requires technologies that remove existing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere — rather than just prevent the creation of it.
Controlled burns help prevent wildfires; Climate change is limiting their use
Climate change means the American West will have 17% fewer safe days to light prescribed fires for wildfire management, according to new research. Winter, however, will see a net 4% increase in the number of favorable days. Implementing controlled burns in the West will require changes to policy and the availability of firefighters.
Disaster-proofing sustainable neighborhoods requires thorough long-term planning
Engineers and scientists look at how thoughtful design can reduce a sustainably-designed neighborhood’s energy vulnerability during power disruptions, as well as which design characteristics are needed if and when local populations need to move to shelters. Researchers analyzed the design and energy characteristics of particular kinds of buildings and neighborhoods to assess their vulnerabilities and their access to alternative and renewable energy sources. The authors use several scenarios involving different lengths of power disruption to see which kind of response is most beneficial to the populations affected.
Improved mangrove conservation could yield cash, carbon, coastal benefits
A shift in the way we think about the benefits mangroves provide to coastal regions could yield significant economic and biodiversity gains and protect millions from flooding, research has revealed.
Gut bacteria found in wild wolves may be key to improving domestic dogs' health
Gut microbes found in wild wolves may be the key to alleviating a debilitating gastrointestinal condition common to domestic dogs.
When cells go boom: Study reveals inflammation-causing gene carried by millions
Researchers have found that a genetic change that increases the risk of inflammation, through a process described as ‘explosive’ cell death, is carried by up to 3% of the global population.
Metal-loving microbes could replace chemical processing of rare earths
Scientists have characterized the genome of a metal-loving bacteria with an affinity for rare earth elements. The research paves the way towards replacing the harsh chemical processing of these elements with a benign practice called biosorption.
Fair and sustainable futures beyond mining
Mining brings huge social and environmental change to communities: landscapes, livelihoods and the social fabric evolve alongside the industry. But what happens when the mines close? What problems face communities that lose their main employer and the very core of their identity and social networks?
Viruses dynamic and changing after dry soils are watered
Viruses in soil may not be as destructive to bacteria as once thought and could instead act like lawnmowers, culling older cells and giving space for new growth, according to research.
Scientists investigate Grand Canyon's ancient past to predict future climate impacts
A team explores relationship between warming post-Ice Age temperatures and intensifying summer monsoon rains on groundwater reserves.
Scientists identify evolutionary gateway helping pneumonia bacteria become resistant to antibiotics
An evolutionary gateway which helps pneumonia cells become resistant to antibiotics has been discovered.
How new plant cell walls change their mechanical properties after cell division
Scientists reveal new plant cell walls can have significantly different mechanical properties compared to surrounding parental cell walls, enabling cells to change their local shape and influence the growth of plant organs.
DNA from discarded whale bones suggests loss of genetic diversity due to commercial whaling
Commercial whaling in the 20th century decimated populations of large whales but also appears to have had a lasting impact on the genetic diversity of today’s surviving whales, new research shows.
Preventing spread of parasitic DNA in our genomes
Researchers have identified a new enzyme called PUCH, which plays a key role in preventing the spread of parasitic DNA in our genomes. These findings may reveal new insights into how our bodies detect and fight bacteria and viruses to prevent infections.
Swap red meat for Quorn protein to improve heart health and reduce waist circumference, study finds
People looking to reduce their cholesterol and trim fat from around their waist could try swapping meat for Quorn protein, according to the findings from a new study, which saw positive effects in both areas in just two weeks.
Pheromones influence death feigning behavior in beetles
In the natural world, predators play a significant role in shaping how animals defend themselves. A previously documented tactic called 'death feigning' involves prey insects faking death when targeted by predators. However, the impact of chemical substances called pheromones on death-feigning remains largely unexplored. A team of researchers recently found out how the aggregation pheromone 4,8-dimethyldecanal affects the death-feigning behavior of the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum.