Current Events 7: Pheromone That Could Save Pine Forests

In the last 15 years, the number of bark beetles has grown exponentially, leaving a devastating amount of pines stripped of their bark in the beetles' wake. These beetles have the ability to wipe out entire forests and have done so at an unprecedented pace; in 2010, 9.2 million acres of forest in the western United States were destroyed by bark beetles. In the last few years, scientists have come up with a way to combat bark beetles by confusing their sense of smell via pheromones. One pheromone they release, called verbenone, acts as a warning sign to other beetles to avoid certain trees. Verbenone is secreted from the beetles at the end of their reproductive cycle, after adults have carved out tunnels, or galleries, into the bark so females could lay eggs. The larvae emerge and feed on the tree's phloem tissues, disrupting the transfer of its nutrients, and at this point, verbenone is secreted to signify that the tree is already taken and other beetles must find another one. The pheromone acts as a safe, natural repellent of the beetles, as opposed to the failed approaches previously taken, such as chopping down the infected trees and spraying large amounts of harmful pesticides. Older, dense forests were most susceptible to infestation, and adverse effects of climate change have enabled the beetles to survive longer seasons, not helping the problem. However, with the invention of a pheromone releasing plastic an opportunity to fix the problem has been presented. The flake consists of plastic parts at the top and bottom with verbenone in the middle, which is secreted along the edges. The flakes have been able to cut tree mortality rates by up to 90%, however they do still have a few setbacks. They must be placed on trees or in forests before adult beetles start their reproductive cycles and young larvae emerge, but it is impossible to determine when exactly this occurs. Additionally, the dispersal of the flakes is expensive; the cost of treatment is about $150 an acre and even more expensive if done by helicopter. Because costs are so high, scientists are looking into an alternative way or distributing the pheromone by genetically engineering microbes that could secrete it, and this avenue of dispersal would be significantly cheaper.

http://discovermagazine.com/2012/jul-aug/06-pheromone-save-pine-forests-oblivion/article_view?b_start:int=1&-C=

Current Events 6: New Way to Store Carbon in Deep Ocean

In a recent field test, 14 metric tons of iron were dumped into the ocean and resulted in an explosion of microorganisms with the ability to pull carbon out of the atmosphere and store it in the the depths of the ocean. This mass deposition of iron stimulated the growth of a certain type of algae called diatoms, creating a large bloom in the patch of ocean exposed to the iron. They removed carbon from the atmosphere to be used for photosynthesis, and after about 24 days, the microscopic organisms began to die off. The majority of their carcasses sank more than 1,000 meters below the ocean's surface, carrying a large amount of carbon they absorbed from the atmosphere and depositing it at the bottom of the ocean. It was measured that one atom of iron removed 13,000 atoms of carbon, which were settled on the seafloor and are unlikely to resurface, at least not for many years if at all. However, the amount of carbon removed was still minuscule compared to the amount released into the atmosphere every year and a few other problems arise with iron fertilization. The extremely high iron levels required for this process could limit the metabolic activity in the ocean, in addition to potentially increasing the amount of toxins in the water which may poison other organisms. Iron fertilization in not yet a viable strategy for combating climate change without more research being conducted to discover the extent of adverse effects that may result from it.

http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/342377/description/Field_test_stashes_climate-warming_carbon_in_deep_ocean

Current Events 5: Climate Change Leads to Longer Growing Seasons

Scientists have predicted that the global temperature will rise in the near future and, consequently, the growing season in most countries will increase considerably. In Norway, for example, it may increase by two months, and in more northern countries the extension may be as drastic as three months. This change will allow farmers to have multiple harvest each season, and in addition to the longer growing season, climate change may also result in increased forest growth. The tree line is expected to spread further north, and forest growth will concurrently result in greater carbon dioxide absorption. Adversely, the growing season will also begin earlier, raising the risk for frost damage to crops, and it is not guaranteed that crops will survive the entire lengthened season since daylight becomes weaker towards the close. However, the benefits of a longer growing season may still outweigh the negatives.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/10/121010084156.htm

Current Events 1: Microbe With the Ability to Make Fuel

When stressed, the bacteria Ralstonia eutropha, commonly found in soil, has the ability to stop growing and focus its energy into complex carbon synthesizing processes. Scientists at MIT have manipulated the bacterium's genes to make an alcohol, isobutanol, which can be substituted for or mixed with gasoline and used as a fuel source. Normally, when deprived of essential nutrients, the bacterium stores what few nutrients it does have. In this case the nutrient is carbon, which is stored in polymers with similar properties to plastics. By removing and inserting various genes, scientists were able to get the bacterium to produce fuel instead of plastics, and they are currently focusing on switching the carbon source from fructose to carbon dioxide. Potentially, the microbe may be able to use any source of carbon, such as agricultural and municipal waste, in its conversion to fuel. Their efforts are also focused on increasing the rate of production, and fortunately, isobutanol is naturally created by the bacterium, so it can continuously be filtered out without interrupting the creation process.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/08/120820143904.htm

Current Events 2: Chemical in Plastic Linked to Health Threats

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a synthetic chemical commonly found in plastic products and is released as the products degrade, and is then taken in by humans. Research from the University of California shows that 90% of Americans show BPA levels, and associations have been reported between the presence of BPA and adverse health effects, such as cancer, neurological disorders, physiological defects, and possibly child obesity. Once in the body, BPA is metabolized, and the metabolites created from the process bond to estrogen receptors.  This disruption of estrogen in the body can lead to development of health defects.


http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/10/121004200905.htm

Current Events 3: Reducing Carbon Dioxide Emissions

Since the 1800s, people have been intervening in the carbon, and this disruption has been resulting in increased levels of carbon, which causes the temperature of the earth to rise. We have been disrupting by adding large amounts of nitric oxide by burning fuel, releasing nitrous oxide and contaminating groundwater through the use of commercial inorganic fertilizers, and the destruction of forests, grasslands, and wetlands has resulted in increased levels of atmospheric nitrogen. However, it is proposed that 15% of carbon emissions could be reduced through the implementation of water treatment plants that increase the ocean's ability to absorb carbon dioxide. The treatment plants will utilize the process of electrolysis to remove and neutralize hydrochloric acid from the ocean using silicate minerals and rocks. This will increase the alkalinity of the ocean, in addition enhancing its absorption of carbon dioxide. The power treatment plants have the ability to greatly cut down carbon emissions and, in turn, reduce global warming.


http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071119112231.htm

Current Events 4: Labeling Genetically Modified Foods

On November 6, 2012 Californians will participate in a vote determining whether or not foods containing GMOs (genetically modified organisms) must clearly state that they do on the packaging. They will be voting on this, Proposition 37, in order to provide consumers with the right to know what their foods contain, not to ban foods with GMOs. When asked, an overwhelming 65% of people were for Prop 37.  The goal of the action is to enable people to be aware of where their food is coming from, especially with much controversy and concerns regarding genetically engineered food. Many people view genetic engineering as an unpredictable process that may have unknown consequences and are wary of it despite its potential for improving human conditions. The process involves inserting new genes into foods, and it is unpredictable how it will be incorporated into the organism or if it will cause mutations. Many people are still not sold on genetic engineering and dislike such human intervention in nature because of the unintended consequences it may result in.



http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9500E4DE1031F935A2575AC0A9649D8B63&ref=geneticengineering