ScienceDaily: Plants & Animals News

Disease-carrying fleas abound on New York City's rats Posted: 02 Mar 2015 12:08 PM PST In the first study of its kind since the 1920s, rats in New York City were found to carry a flea species capable of transmitting plague pathogens. Among them: 500-plus Oriental rat fleas, notorious for their role in transmitting the bubonic plague, also known as the Black Death.

Colon + septic tank = unique, at times stinky, study Posted: 02 Mar 2015 10:08 AM PST What do a human colon, septic tank, copper nanoparticles and zebrafish have in common? They were the key components used by researchers to study the impact copper nanoparticles, which are found in everything from paint to cosmetics, have on organisms inadvertently exposed to them.

Reducing animal testing for skin allergies Posted: 02 Mar 2015 10:06 AM PST The JRC has validated and recommended a new method which is not based on animal testing, to identify chemicals that can trigger skin allergies, estimated to affect already 20% of the population in Europe.

Genetically speaking, mammals are more like their fathers Posted: 02 Mar 2015 09:32 AM PST You might resemble or act more like your mother, but a novel research study reveals that mammals are genetically more like their dads. Specifically, the research shows that although we inherit equal amounts of genetic mutations from our parents -- the mutations that make us who we are and not some other person -- we actually 'use' more of the DNA that we inherit from our dads.

Peanut consumption associated with decreased total mortality and mortality from cardiovascular diseases Posted: 02 Mar 2015 09:16 AM PST Researchers have examined the association of nut and peanut consumption with mortality among low-income and racially diverse populations and found that intake of peanuts was associated with fewer deaths, especially from heart disease.

Munching bugs thwart eager trees, reducing the carbon sink Posted: 02 Mar 2015 09:16 AM PST Hungry, plant-eating insects may limit the ability of forests to take up elevated levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, reducing their capacity to slow human-driven climate change, a new study suggests.

Lycopene may ward off kidney cancer in older women Posted: 02 Mar 2015 09:15 AM PST A higher intake by postmenopausal women of the natural antioxidant lycopene, found in foods like tomatoes, watermelon and papaya, may lower the risk of renal cell carcinoma, a type of kidney cancer, scientists report.

Infection control experts outline guidance for animal visitations in hospitals Posted: 02 Mar 2015 07:52 AM PST New expert guidance outlines recommendations for developing policies regarding the use of animals in healthcare facilities, including animal-assisted activities, service animals, research animals and personal pet visitation in acute care hospitals.

Environment may change, but microbiome of queen bees does not Posted: 02 Mar 2015 07:50 AM PST Researchers have characterized the gut microbiome of honey bee queens. This is the first thorough census of the gut microbiome -- which consists of all the microorganisms that live in the gut of the organism -- in queen bees.

Norwegian mammals and birds have many different methods of surviving long, intense winter nights Posted: 02 Mar 2015 05:11 AM PST Norwegian mammals and birds have many different methods of surviving long, intense winter nights. A biologist reveals their secrets for survival.

Looking for alternatives to antibiotics Posted: 02 Mar 2015 04:11 AM PST Bacteria that talk to one another and organize themselves into biofilms are more resistant to antibiotics. Consequently, researchers are now working to develop drugs that prevent bacteria from communicating.

How is the membrane protein folded? From molecular biology toward new medical care Posted: 02 Mar 2015 04:10 AM PST A key factor in the biosynthesis and stable expression of multi-pass transmembrane proteins has been discovered, and its loss is thought to cause retinal degeneration. The factor works especially for multi-pass membrane proteins, in the integration of polypeptides into the membrane and/or protein folding. Understanding the mechanisms underlying protein folding and trafficking may contribute to the large-scale, therapy-based production of target proteins.

Enhancing high-temperature tolerance in plants: Effective on rice and tomatoes Posted: 02 Mar 2015 04:10 AM PST Agricultural researchers have identified for the first time that theE-2-hexenal, a plant-derived chemical substance, can induce a plant's stress response to high temperatures.

Borrowing from whales to engineer a new fluid sensor Posted: 02 Mar 2015 04:08 AM PST Researchers have borrowed from biological structures called tubercles that humpback whales use to maneuver in the ocean to make a piezoelectric energy harvester for use as an airflow or fluid speed and direction-sensing device.