ScienceDaily: Top Environment News

Changing climate impacts biodiversity in protected areas globally

Posted: 30 Apr 2022 08:37 AM PDT

A recent study provides insights for developing climate-smart conservation strategies by looking at the global network of protected areas, evaluating potential for shifts in where plants and animals occur due to climate change. Findings point to the need for strategic conservation plans that transcend international borders to protect at-risk species.

How a soil microbe could rev up artificial photosynthesis

Posted: 29 Apr 2022 03:57 PM PDT

When it comes to fixing carbon, plants have nothing on soil bacteria that can do it 20 times faster. The secret is an enzyme that 'juggles' reaction ingredients. Scientists hope to optimize this process for producing fuels, antibiotics and other products from CO2.

Study reveals Stonehenge landscape before the world-famous monument

Posted: 29 Apr 2022 12:16 PM PDT

Four thousand years before Stonehenge was constructed, land within the World Heritage Site was covered by open woodland, with meadow-like clearings, inhabited by grazing animals and hunter-gatherers, according to new research.

Better residents' health after switch to electric buses

Posted: 29 Apr 2022 11:56 AM PDT

The health of residents living alongside a bus route in Gothenburg, Sweden, became considerably better when hybrid buses were replaced by buses fully powered by electricity. Along with the noise levels there was a reduction of fatigue, day time sleepiness and low mood, a new study shows.

Research discovers new bacteria that stick to plastic in the deep sea to travel around the ocean

Posted: 29 Apr 2022 11:50 AM PDT

Scientists have found new types of plastic loving bacteria that stick to plastic in the deep sea that may enable them to 'hitchhike' across the ocean.

A single course of antibiotics affects the gut microbiota of infants

Posted: 29 Apr 2022 11:50 AM PDT

A study indicates that antibiotics, which kill bacteria, boost the abundance of gut fungal microbiota. The phenomenon can be a contributing factor in the long-term adverse effects of antibiotics, such as inflammatory bowel diseases.

How genome organization influences cell fate

Posted: 29 Apr 2022 11:50 AM PDT

Research shows how a protein complex, called chromatin assembly factor-1, controls genome organization to maintain lineage fidelity.

Research finally answers what Bronze Age daggers were used for

Posted: 29 Apr 2022 11:49 AM PDT

Analysis of Bronze Age daggers has shown that they were used for processing animal carcasses and not as non-functional symbols of identity and status, as previously thought. A revolutionary new method has enabled the world's first extraction of organic residues from ten copper-alloy daggers.

New model for antibacterial mechanism

Posted: 29 Apr 2022 11:48 AM PDT

Biologists have discovered an aberrant protein that's deadly to bacteria. This erroneously built protein mimics the action of aminoglycosides, a class of antibiotics. The newly discovered protein could serve as a model to help scientists unravel details of those drugs' lethal effects on bacteria -- and potentially point the way to future antibiotics.

Anatomical study confirms: Harbor seals are good at learning calls

Posted: 29 Apr 2022 11:45 AM PDT

Harbor seals may sound different than expected from their body size. Is this ability related to their vocal talents or is it the result of an anatomical adaptation? An international team has now investigated the vocal tracts of harbor seals, which matched their body size. This means that harbor seals are capable of learning new sounds thanks to their brains rather than their anatomy.

Dolphin bycatch from fishing practices unsustainable, study finds

Posted: 28 Apr 2022 01:14 PM PDT

An international team of researchers have developed a method to assess sustainable levels of human-caused wildlife mortality, which when applied to a trawl fishery shows that dolphin capture is not sustainable.

Gut microbiome may alter response to cancer therapy

Posted: 28 Apr 2022 09:54 AM PDT

A new study captures the current understanding of the connection between the gut microbiome and therapeutic response to immunotherapy, chemotherapy, cancer surgery and more, pointing to ways that the microbiome could be targeted to improve treatment.

Reducing agricultural greenhouse gas emissions

Posted: 28 Apr 2022 07:40 AM PDT

Researchers have significantly improved the performance of numerical predictions for agricultural nitrous oxide emissions that could significantly reduce greenhouse gases from agriculture.

New details behind the body's response to tuberculosis could lead to a more effective vaccine

Posted: 27 Apr 2022 02:14 PM PDT

In a person with active tuberculosis, immune activity can promote bacterial clearance, but in some situations, bacteria persist and grow. New research in an animal model of tuberculosis reveals which cellular and molecular features are associated with these different scenarios. Developing a vaccine that targets one or more of these features may effectively combat tuberculosis, which remains a major global health threat.

An epigenetic cause of miscarriages is identified and cured in mice

Posted: 27 Apr 2022 02:14 PM PDT

Researchers have discovered a gene responsible for prenatal death when critical epigenetic instructions are missing from egg cells. The study shows that in mice, failed epigenetic suppression of an X-chromosome gene called Xist leads to miscarriage and developmental abnormalities. Forced suppression of maternal Xist rescued the failed miscarriages.

Climate change will more than double the risk of intense tropical cyclones by 2050

Posted: 27 Apr 2022 11:06 AM PDT

Human-caused climate change will make strong tropical cyclones twice as frequent by the middle of the century, putting large parts of the world at risk, according to a new study. The analysis also projects that maximum wind speeds associated with these cyclones could increase around 20%.

Origin of complex cells started without oxygen

Posted: 27 Apr 2022 07:06 AM PDT

The origin of complex cells started without oxygen, new research suggests.

Climate resilient microalgae could help restore coral reefs

Posted: 27 Apr 2022 07:04 AM PDT

Coral species exhibit different temperature tolerances. This is in part due to the composition of their microalgae symbionts. With a new method, researchers were able to predict how individual microalgae might behave under future temperature stress and identify more tolerant coral symbionts. In combination with forthcoming single cell selection and growth experiments, the identification of climate resilient cells provides opportunity to help mitigate the effects of coral bleaching.