Heya,
My review of Voyage of the Beagle can be found here.
And yes, I listened to it instead of reading it. Since it was in first-person, it was actually quite entertaining. :)
My new and hot for this week is in with the group from last week because I posted it on Thursday.
See you all tomorrow,
Kate
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Erika's New and Hot, Week 5
Coral is dying. Can it be reborn?
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/01/science/earth/01coral.html?pagewanted=3&ref=science
This article's about how several people, aware of all the problems coral is facing around the world, are trying to rehabilitate the species by setting up underwater nurseries. Besides increasing the population of coral in areas where global warming, pollution, and overfishing have severely harmed the indigenous coral, the scientists also are trying to determine what factors can be changed to improve the chances of coral surving for the next century.
Their project relates to Darwin in that the coral have been outcompeted- they're dying because they can't deal with the pollution and the changing temperatures, and they rely on other species that are dying. However, since it's mostly humanity's fault that they are no longer "fit," we're trying to reverse the process- with little success. We're trying to change the environment so that one favored species can survive again; we want to save an ecosystem that we recognize we're destroying.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/01/science/earth/01coral.html?pagewanted=3&ref=science
This article's about how several people, aware of all the problems coral is facing around the world, are trying to rehabilitate the species by setting up underwater nurseries. Besides increasing the population of coral in areas where global warming, pollution, and overfishing have severely harmed the indigenous coral, the scientists also are trying to determine what factors can be changed to improve the chances of coral surving for the next century.
Their project relates to Darwin in that the coral have been outcompeted- they're dying because they can't deal with the pollution and the changing temperatures, and they rely on other species that are dying. However, since it's mostly humanity's fault that they are no longer "fit," we're trying to reverse the process- with little success. We're trying to change the environment so that one favored species can survive again; we want to save an ecosystem that we recognize we're destroying.
Becca's New and Hot-- Week 5: more genome mapping!
My article comes from the LA Times by way of sfgate.com, and reports that researchers have mapped the rhesus macaque genome. This is very useful to the field of genetics beyond just being one more known genome because it allows us to compare humans, chimpanzees (genome mapped 2 years ago), and macaques to get a more complete picture of what and when certain genetic additions or changes to the primate line might have occurred. Chimpanzees split off from humans about 6 million years ago, and we share 99% of our DNA, whereas macaques split off 25 million years ago and we share 93%. But even within these shared genes, scientists found, there are changes in phenotype, which to me was the most interesting part of the article.
Scientists found several of the genes that, when mutated in humans, cause very harmful or even fatal genetic diseases-- this includes the mutations that cause phenylketonuria, cystic fibrosis, and genetic blood diseases-- in macaques. This is no great surprise. The more stunning fact was that the same mutations in macaques are not harmful! Phenylketonuria is a disease in which individuals cannot metabolize the amino acid phenylalanine, and as a result it builds up in the body and causes brain damage; if macaques can live normally with a mutated copy of the gene, they must either have evolved insensitivity to phenylalanine or avoid it completely in their diets (as humans with the disease are forced to). Cystic fibrosis is a recessive genetic disease in which chloride channels form incorrectly as a result of a mutation in the CFTR gene, which encodes these channels. It leads to a host of terrible symptoms, including trouble breathing, lung infections, and many, many more. The article did not mention whether scientists have any idea why mutated CFTR genes do not affect macaques, but it is certainly interesting.
Finally, the researchers found that macaques have about three times as many immune system genes as we do, which is significant given that macaques are a popular animal for vaccine testing. The article also mentions that several other primate species, including the marmoset, gorilla, orangutan, and gibbon, are being sequenced. It will be fascinating to see what details these genomes can provide about primate evolution.
The full article can be found at http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/04/13/MNGVGP7VEU1.DTL&hw=evolution&sn=004&sc=448. Sorry, my browser won't let me link to a single word to make it simpler and prettier to get to the URL...
Scientists found several of the genes that, when mutated in humans, cause very harmful or even fatal genetic diseases-- this includes the mutations that cause phenylketonuria, cystic fibrosis, and genetic blood diseases-- in macaques. This is no great surprise. The more stunning fact was that the same mutations in macaques are not harmful! Phenylketonuria is a disease in which individuals cannot metabolize the amino acid phenylalanine, and as a result it builds up in the body and causes brain damage; if macaques can live normally with a mutated copy of the gene, they must either have evolved insensitivity to phenylalanine or avoid it completely in their diets (as humans with the disease are forced to). Cystic fibrosis is a recessive genetic disease in which chloride channels form incorrectly as a result of a mutation in the CFTR gene, which encodes these channels. It leads to a host of terrible symptoms, including trouble breathing, lung infections, and many, many more. The article did not mention whether scientists have any idea why mutated CFTR genes do not affect macaques, but it is certainly interesting.
Finally, the researchers found that macaques have about three times as many immune system genes as we do, which is significant given that macaques are a popular animal for vaccine testing. The article also mentions that several other primate species, including the marmoset, gorilla, orangutan, and gibbon, are being sequenced. It will be fascinating to see what details these genomes can provide about primate evolution.
The full article can be found at http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/04/13/MNGVGP7VEU1.DTL&hw=evolution&sn=004&sc=448. Sorry, my browser won't let me link to a single word to make it simpler and prettier to get to the URL...
Monday, April 30, 2007
Lauren's New and Hot (Week 5)
Scientists seek Lonesome George's tortoise kin
Lonesome George is a Galapagos tortoise from the island of Pinta, and for years researchers thought that he was the last of his species. Found in 1972, he lives on a research station on Santa Cruz (another island in the Galapagos). Researchers have attempted to convince him to mate with females of a similar species from the island Isabela, but so far have had no luck. They have gone so far as to bring in younger male tortoises of the same species as the females to demonstrate, but George did not take the hint. At 70 years of age, he is still young enough that there is hope, provided that researchers come up with an idea that actually works.
Things are looking up for George, however, because a tortoise has been found whose father belongs to George's species. This means that unless he has died, there is another male tortoise of George's species on Isabela. Since this male exists (or existed), researchers now hope that there may be others that simply have yet to be found.
On a tangential note, I was amused to find that my BIOSCI 43 (third quarter of BIO core) lecture last Friday seemed to be an extremely abbreviated version of this course. For the introductory lecture on evolution, we learned about Darwin's voyage and how Wallace inadvertently pushed him to publish The Origin of Species.
Lonesome George is a Galapagos tortoise from the island of Pinta, and for years researchers thought that he was the last of his species. Found in 1972, he lives on a research station on Santa Cruz (another island in the Galapagos). Researchers have attempted to convince him to mate with females of a similar species from the island Isabela, but so far have had no luck. They have gone so far as to bring in younger male tortoises of the same species as the females to demonstrate, but George did not take the hint. At 70 years of age, he is still young enough that there is hope, provided that researchers come up with an idea that actually works.
Things are looking up for George, however, because a tortoise has been found whose father belongs to George's species. This means that unless he has died, there is another male tortoise of George's species on Isabela. Since this male exists (or existed), researchers now hope that there may be others that simply have yet to be found.
On a tangential note, I was amused to find that my BIOSCI 43 (third quarter of BIO core) lecture last Friday seemed to be an extremely abbreviated version of this course. For the introductory lecture on evolution, we learned about Darwin's voyage and how Wallace inadvertently pushed him to publish The Origin of Species.
Roarke's New and Hot (Week 5)
Ducks and the Coevolution of Genitalia
In class, we've discussed some interesting examples of both sexual selection and coevolution. A recent study of the genitalia of a strange species of duck provides a fascinating example of sexual coevolution.
The duck in question - the Meller's Duck from Madagascar, is certainly a rare breed. While 97% of all bird species don't even have phalluses, the Meller's Duck has incredibly long phalluses, sometimes as long as the length of its entire body.
Previous scientists assumed this long phallus evolved as a result of competition between males who wanted to get their sperm in as far as possible during forced copulation to increase their chances of producing offspring. Dr. Brennan, however, points instead to the strong correlation between long male phalluses and elaborate female genital defenses in the same species, and argues that male and female Meller's Ducks are locked in a constant sexual arms race that has resulted in the development of such unusual structures. The females have evolved elaborate oviducts with pockets and spirals to limit the success of forced copulation, and the males have in response evolved longer phalluses that allow them to force copulation despite the females' defensive measures.
Dr. Brennan's study is the clearest example of genital coevolution in vertebrates uncovered so far, though Dr. Brennan believes that more subtle examples of coevolution are likely to be discovered in other species with further research.
Read the full New York Times article here, it's quite interesting!
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/30/science/01duck.html?em&ex=1178078400&en=aebeaba1842cbc23&ei=5087%0A
In class, we've discussed some interesting examples of both sexual selection and coevolution. A recent study of the genitalia of a strange species of duck provides a fascinating example of sexual coevolution.
The duck in question - the Meller's Duck from Madagascar, is certainly a rare breed. While 97% of all bird species don't even have phalluses, the Meller's Duck has incredibly long phalluses, sometimes as long as the length of its entire body.
Previous scientists assumed this long phallus evolved as a result of competition between males who wanted to get their sperm in as far as possible during forced copulation to increase their chances of producing offspring. Dr. Brennan, however, points instead to the strong correlation between long male phalluses and elaborate female genital defenses in the same species, and argues that male and female Meller's Ducks are locked in a constant sexual arms race that has resulted in the development of such unusual structures. The females have evolved elaborate oviducts with pockets and spirals to limit the success of forced copulation, and the males have in response evolved longer phalluses that allow them to force copulation despite the females' defensive measures.
Dr. Brennan's study is the clearest example of genital coevolution in vertebrates uncovered so far, though Dr. Brennan believes that more subtle examples of coevolution are likely to be discovered in other species with further research.
Read the full New York Times article here, it's quite interesting!
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/30/science/01duck.html?em&ex=1178078400&en=aebeaba1842cbc23&ei=5087%0A
Sagar's New and Hot (Week 5)
Chimpanzees have recently been studied to find clues as to the origin of language. Researchers have found that chimpanzees rely more heavily on hand gestures than they do on vocalizations and facial expressions. Interestingly, researches have noticed that most chimpanzees use their right hands to communicate, which is controlled by the left brain, the same location where language is controlled in humans. A funny note: male chimps extend their arm with an open hand to beg for food, to urge a female to have sex, or to send a signal of reconciliation after a fight with another male.
The entire article can be found here . Check it out!
The entire article can be found here . Check it out!
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Alex's Week 5: New and Hot and Beagle preview.
Here is the updated version of my post:
Link here: http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2007/4/29/lifebookshelf/17157269&sec=lifebookshelf
So quite interestingly, Malaysia recently celebrated its 50th anniversary for national independence. This article was a book review written by some guy on the British Council last Sunday. Basically he wanted something Malay-themed, and he picked "The Malay Archipelago" Volumes 1 and 2 by Alfred Russell Wallace. It's a pretty interesting book review because it gives you a general background of what Wallace did in the frame of Darwin's world and you see how the two sort of fit together.
The next thing to note is that the book (from the sound of the review, at least) sounds just like a travel guide. What i mean is that this book apparently tells a lot of anecdotes and interesting stories about the places Wallace visited. And in that respect it's sort of like the Voyage of the Beagle, I think. How interesting that these two men wrote such similar books. Both arriving at the theory independently, whereas one came up with the theory in the South Pacific, the other did it near the indian ocean. From my impression though, The Malay Archipelago seems like a really fun read. Whereas unfortunately, The Voyage of the Beagle isn't particular compelling thus far. =[
However:
Who says Darwin doesn't have a sense of humor? I'm reading the voyage of the beagle right now and there this one passage that is HILARIOUS. It's near the beginning of the book. I will share in class.
Link here: http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2007/4/29/lifebookshelf/17157269&sec=lifebookshelf
So quite interestingly, Malaysia recently celebrated its 50th anniversary for national independence. This article was a book review written by some guy on the British Council last Sunday. Basically he wanted something Malay-themed, and he picked "The Malay Archipelago" Volumes 1 and 2 by Alfred Russell Wallace. It's a pretty interesting book review because it gives you a general background of what Wallace did in the frame of Darwin's world and you see how the two sort of fit together.
The next thing to note is that the book (from the sound of the review, at least) sounds just like a travel guide. What i mean is that this book apparently tells a lot of anecdotes and interesting stories about the places Wallace visited. And in that respect it's sort of like the Voyage of the Beagle, I think. How interesting that these two men wrote such similar books. Both arriving at the theory independently, whereas one came up with the theory in the South Pacific, the other did it near the indian ocean. From my impression though, The Malay Archipelago seems like a really fun read. Whereas unfortunately, The Voyage of the Beagle isn't particular compelling thus far. =[
However:
Who says Darwin doesn't have a sense of humor? I'm reading the voyage of the beagle right now and there this one passage that is HILARIOUS. It's near the beginning of the book. I will share in class.
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