Here’s how early humans evaded immunodeficiency viruses
The cryoEM structure of a simian immunodeficiency virus protein bound to primate proteins shows how a mutation in early humans allowed our ancestors to escape infection while monkeys and apes did not. SIV’s Nef protein forms a solid link between two primate proteins, tetherin and AP-2, forcing the destruction of tetherin, which normally prevents new SIV virions from budding off. A mutation in human tetherin disrupted binding, thwarting SIV budding — until HIV evolved a work-around.
Spiders are becoming aggressive thanks to climate change
Hurricanes Katrina, Andrew and Harvey … Just the names can instill fear, anxiety and stress in humans. But what about spiders can powerful hurricanes or other extreme weather patterns associated with climate change alter their behavior patterns? Yes, in time it is possible, so says Alan Alexander Little at the University of California, Santa Barbara, who lead a team of researchers in Canada and the United States to explore 211 colonies of the Anelosimus studiosus spider reside. Related:…
Seafood company charged for mislabeling blue crab meat
Capt. Neill’s Seafood Inc. said its blue crab meat was American-grown, but it was imported from South America and Asia.
Tides of change: The global shift from single-use plastics
Sponsored: Manufacturers, brands and governments partner to eliminate plastics and close the loop on sustainable supply chains.
Study: Climate change could pose danger for Muslim pilgrimage
(Massachusetts Institute of Technology) According to a new study by researchers at MIT and in California, because of climate change there is an increasing risk that in coming years, conditions of heat and humidity in the areas of Saudi Arabia where the Hajj takes place could worsen, to the point that people face ‘extreme danger’ from harmful health effects.
‘100-year’ floods will happen every 1 to 30 years, according to new flood maps
(Princeton University, Engineering School) Princeton researchers have developed new maps that predict coastal flooding for every county on the Eastern and Gulf Coasts and find 100-year floods could become annual occurrences in New England; and happen every one to 30 years along the southeast Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico shorelines.
Spaceflight consistently affects the gut
A new study discovered that spaceflight — both aboard a space shuttle or the International Space Station (ISS) — has a consistent effect on the gut microbiome.
Explainer: The high-emissions ‘RCP8.5’ global warming scenario – Carbon Brief
A sizeable portion of recent studies on future climate impacts have focused on a warming scenario called “RCP8.5”. This high-emissions scenario is frequently referred to as “business as usual”, suggesting that is a likely outcome if society does not make…
When it comes to coal, Australia has transitioned away from economics and common sense | Richard Denniss
Australia isn’t transitioning away from extracting fossil fuels, it is doubling down on them. That’s right – even though Australia is already the third largest fossil fuel exporter in the world, the federal government still wants to double our coal…
Get ready for the onslaught of “smart plastic incineration”
You are going to hear a lot about this, it makes everybody’s problems go poof. Just don’t mention the CO2.
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