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Science News for September 5, 2016


Helpers for energy acquisition from plants

Scientists at Universität Bonn have discovered a lipid transfer process crucial for plant cell survival. This process enables the exchange of galactolipids between chloroplast membrane envelopes, facilitating photosynthesis and plant growth.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 5, 2016

Grassland tuned to present suffers in a warmer future

The Jasper Ridge Global Change Experiment found that warming had negative effects on plant growth, while elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide showed no consistent response. Plant growth peaked when precipitation was close to historic averages, highlighting the need for ambitious climate action to stabilize warming and protect ecosystems.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 5, 2016

Study: Earth's carbon points to planetary smashup

A study by Rice University researchers proposes that the origin of Earth's volatile elements, including carbon, can be explained by a massive collision between Earth and an embryonic planet similar to Mercury. This collision may have led to the exclusion of carbon from Earth's core and its incorporation into the silicate mantle.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Geoscience·DateSep 5, 2016

From DNA to disease, study describes rare, new brain disorder

Researchers have identified a rare neurological disorder caused by GPT2 gene mutations, replicating the disease in lab cultures and mouse models. The study reveals insights into brain development, neurotransmitter function, and metabolic pathways, providing new opportunities for diagnosis and treatment.

SourceBrown University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 5, 2016

Biobank storage time as important as age

A new study from Uppsala University found that biobank storage time is a crucial factor in medical research, rivalling the importance of blood donor age. The researchers analyzed 380 samples from 106 women, isolating the impact of storage time to show its significant influence on test results.

SourceUppsala University·JournalEBioMedicine·DateSep 5, 2016

Lizard study finds global warming data not enough to predict animal extinction

A new study found that current climate models may be too simplistic in their predictions, as the spatial distribution of shade plays a crucial role in an animal's ability to regulate its body temperature. The research uses lizards as test subjects and found that smaller patches of shade allowed for more efficient thermoregulation.

SourceClemson University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 5, 2016

An exceptional palaeontological site going back 100,000 years is unearthed in Arrasate

The Artazu VII site contains at least 40 species of micro- and macro-vertebrates, including extinct species like cave lion and steppe bison, preserved in anatomical connection. The site reflects the fauna in the area during the Upper Pleistocene epoch, providing high-resolution palaeoecological and palaeoenvironmental insights.

SourceUniversity of the Basque Country·JournalComptes Rendus Palevol·DateSep 5, 2016

Obesity linked to improved survival in kidney

Researchers found that overweight patients with metastatic kidney cancer had significantly longer survival and decreased risk of death compared to normal-weight counterparts. FASN gene expression was also found to be decreased in obese patients, which could explain their better treatment outcomes.

SourceDana-Farber Cancer Institute·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateSep 5, 2016

Browsing antelope turned ancient African forests into grassy savanna ecosystems

A recent study suggests that the arrival of browsing medium-sized antelopes in Africa was a key factor in replacing ancient forests with open savannas. The researchers found that thorn trees evolved around the same time as antelope, coinciding with the diversification of spiny plants and the opening up of forests to grass invaders.

SourceUniversity of the Witwatersrand·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 5, 2016

Warmer, wetter climate would impair California grasslands

A new study reveals that warmer, wetter climate conditions in California would impair grassland productivity. The research found that average conditions from the past 40 years are near optimal for grass production, and any significant deviation toward warmer or wetter conditions will cause land to be less productive.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 5, 2016