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Public Release: 23-May-2013
 Lab on a ChipCradle turns smartphone into handheld biosensor Researchers and physicians in the field could soon run on-the-spot tests for environmental toxins, medical diagnostics, food safety and more with their smartphones. University of Illinois researchers have developed a cradle and app for the iPhone that uses the phone's built-in camera and processing power as a biosensor to detect toxins, proteins, bacteria, viruses and other molecules. Although the cradle holds only about $200 of optical components, it performs as accurately as a large $50,000 spectrophotometer in the laboratory. Contact: Liz Ahlberg
Public Release: 23-May-2013
Proceedings of the National Academy of SciencesReforestation study shows trade-offs between water, carbon and timber More than 13,000 ships per year transit the Panama Canal each year. Each time a ship passes through, more than 55 million gallons of water are used. The advent of large "super" cargo ships has demanded expansion of the canal, leaving the authority to consider how meet increased demand for water. One proposed measure is the reforestation of the watershed, which has been studied by ASU scientists Silvio Simonit and Charles Perrings to aid planners. 
National Science Foundation, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
Contact: Margaret Coulombe
Public Release: 22-May-2013
ScienceUAF researchers contribute to global glacier study Alaska's melting glaciers remain one of the largest contributors to the world's rising sea levels, say two University of Alaska Fairbanks scientists. Contact: Diana Campbell
Public Release: 22-May-2013
Journal of Cleaner ProductionFootwear's (carbon) footprint Study finds the bulk of shoes' carbon footprint comes from manufacturing processes. Contact: Sarah McDonnell
Public Release: 22-May-2013
Environmental Science & TechnologyMore emphasis needed on recycling and reuse of Li-ion batteries The discovery of potential environmental and human health effects from disposal of millions of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries each year has led scientists to recommend stronger government policies to encourage recovery, recycling and reuse of lithium-ion battery materials. That's the conclusion of a new paper in the ACS journal Environmental Science & Technology. Contact: Michael Bernstein
Public Release: 22-May-2013
Molecular EcologyDrought makes Borneo's trees flower at the same time A drought period causes the trees in Borneo's tropical forests to flower at the same time. Evolutionary biologists from the University of Zurich have identified two genes that indicate when the plants are about to flower. By monitoring these genes specifically, scientists are better able to predict when mass flowering will occur. This means that plant seeds can be collected in a targeted manner and used for reforestation. Contact: Kentaro K. Shimizu
Public Release: 22-May-2013
Atmospheric Chemistry and PhysicsVolcanoes cause climate gas concentrations to vary Trace gases and aerosols are major factors influencing the climate. With the help of highly complex installations, such as MIPAS on board of the ENVISAT satellite, researchers try to better understand the processes in the upper atmosphere. Now, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology presents the most comprehensive overview of sulfur dioxide measurements in the journal of Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics. Contact: Monika Landgraf
Public Release: 22-May-2013
NatureThe tropical upper atmosphere 'fingerprint' of global warming The winds of the quasibiennial oscillation in the tropical upper atmosphere have greatly weakened at some altitudes over the last six decades, according to a new study by scientists at the International Pacific Research Center, University of Hawaii at Manoa, and the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology. The finding is consistent with computer model projections of how the upper atmosphere responds to global warming induced by increased greenhouse gas concentrations and is published in the May 23, 2013, issue of Nature. Contact: Gisela E. Speidel
Public Release: 21-May-2013
Journal of Animal EcologyUCLA life scientists present new insights on climate change and species interactions UCLA scientists provide important new details of how climate change will affect species interactions.
National Science Foundation
Contact: Stuart Wolpert
Public Release: 21-May-2013
Satellites see storm system that created Moore, Okla., tornado On May 20, 2013, NASA and NOAA satellites observed the system that generated severe weather in the south central United States and spawned the Moore, Okla., tornado.
NASA, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Contact: Rob Gutro
Public Release: 21-May-2013
Comprehensive analysis of impact spherules supports theory of cosmic impact 12,800 years ago About 12,800 years ago when the Earth was warming and emerging from the last ice age, a dramatic and anomalous event occurred that abruptly reversed climatic conditions back to near-glacial state. According to James Kennett, UC Santa Barbara emeritus professor in earth sciences, this climate switch fundamentally -- and remarkably -- occurred in only one year, heralding the onset of the Younger Dryas cool episode. Contact: Sonia Fernandez
Public Release: 21-May-2013
Nature CommunicationsStudy led by GW professor provides better understanding of water's freezing behavior at nanoscale The results of a new study led by George Washington University professor Tianshu Li provide direct computational evidence that nucleation of ice in small droplets is strongly size-dependent, an important conclusion in understanding water's behavior at the nanoscale. Contact: Joanne Welsh
Public Release: 21-May-2013
Forest Ecology and ManagementClimate change and wildfire Concerns continue to grow about the effects of climate change on fire. Wildfires are expected to increase 50 percent across the United States under a changing climate, over 100 percent in areas of the West by 2050 as projected by some studies. Of equal concern to scientists and policymakers alike are the atmospheric effects of wildfire emissions on climate. Contact: Yongqiang Liu
Public Release: 21-May-2013
American Society for Microbiology 2013 General MeetingBacterial spare parts filter antibiotic residue from groundwater Researchers at University of Cincinnati have developed and tested a solar-powered nano filter that is able to remove harmful carcinogens and antibiotics from water sources -- lakes and rivers -- at a significantly higher rate than the currently used filtering technology made of activated carbon. They report their results today at the 113th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology. Contact: Jim Sliwa
Public Release: 20-May-2013
Proceedings of the National Academy of SciencesThe mammoth's lament: UC research shows how cosmic impact sparked devastating climate change Research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences finds evidence of a major cosmic event near the end of the Ice Age. The ensuing climate change forced many species to adapt or die. Contact: Tom Robinette
Public Release: 20-May-2013
Nature GeoscienceAmazon River exhales virtually all carbon taken up by rain forest A study published this week in Nature Geoscience shows that woody plant matter is almost completely digested by bacteria living in the Amazon River, and that this tough stuff plays a major part in fueling the river's breath.
Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, National Science Foundation, Research Council for the State of Sao Paolo
Contact: Hannah Hickey
Public Release: 20-May-2013
American Thoracic Society 2013 International ConferenceCombined wood and tobacco smoke exposure increases risk and symptoms of COPD People who are consistently exposed to both wood smoke and tobacco smoke are at a greater risk for developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and for experiencing more frequent and severe symptoms of the disease, as well as more severe airflow obstruction, than those who are exposed to only one type of smoke, according to the results of a new population-based study conducted by researchers in Colombia. Contact: Nathaniel Dunford
Public Release: 20-May-2013
American Thoracic Society 2013 International ConferencePrenatal exposure to traffic is associated with respiratory infection in young children Living near a major roadway during the prenatal period is associated with an increased risk of respiratory infection developing in children by the age of 3, according to a new study from researchers in Boston. Contact: Nathaniel Dunford
Public Release: 20-May-2013
American Thoracic Society 2013 International ConferenceStudy finds air pollution and noise pollution increase cardiovascular risk Both fine-particle air pollution and noise pollution may increase a person's risk of developing cardiovascular disease, according to German researchers who have conducted a large population study, in which both factors were considered simultaneously. Contact: Nathaniel Dunford
Public Release: 20-May-2013
American Thoracic Society 2013 International ConferenceExposure to traffic pollution increases asthma severity in pregnant women Air pollutants from traffic are associated with increased asthma severity levels in pregnant asthmatic women, according to a new study. Contact: Nathaniel Dunford
Public Release: 19-May-2013
Nature GeoscienceScientists explore roots of future tropical rainfall How will rainfall patterns across the tropical Indian and Pacific regions change in a future warming world? Climate models generally suggest that the tropics as a whole will get wetter, but the models don't always agree on where rainfall patterns will shift in particular regions within the tropics. Contact: Media Relations Office
Public Release: 19-May-2013
Nature Climate ChangeHeat-related deaths in Manhattan projected to rise Researchers say deaths in Manhattan linked to warming climate may rise some 20 percent by the 2020s, and, in some worst-case scenarios, 90 percent or more by the 2080s. Higher winter temperatures may partially offset heat-related deaths by cutting cold-related mortality -- but even so, annual net temperature-related deaths might go up a third. Contact: Kevin Krajick
Public Release: 19-May-2013
Nature GeoscienceSea level influenced tropical climate during the last ice age The Indo-Pacific warm pool was much dryer during the last ice age than today, because lower sea level exposed the Sunda Shelf. The large landmass, in place of the warm ocean, altered the atmospheric circulation, shifting convection further west into the Indian Ocean. These findings by scientists at the International Pacific Research Center, University of Hawaii at Manoa, and Woods Hole Institute of Oceanography, appear in the May 19, online edition of Nature Geoscience.
National Science Foundation, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Contact: Gisela Speidel
Public Release: 19-May-2013
Shifts in global water systems -- markers of a new geological epoch: The Anthropocene A suite of disquieting global phenomena have given rise to the "Anthropocene," a term coined for a new geologic epoch characterized by humanity's growing dominance of the Earth's environment and a planetary transformation as profound as the last epoch-defining event -- the retreat of the glaciers 11,500 years ago. In Germany May 21-24, experts will focus on how to mitigate key factors contributing to extreme damage to the global water system being caused while adapting to the new reality. Contact: Terry Collins
Public Release: 17-May-2013
NASA sees Cyclone Mahasen hit Bangladesh NASA's Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission satellite known as TRMM measured Cyclone Mahasen's rainfall rates from space as it made landfall on May 16. Mahasen has since dissipated over eastern India.
NASA
Contact: Rob Gutro
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