Thirty-Something Killer Whales Still Benefit From Mom.

Even when they have reached 30 years of age, male killer whales that still have a menopausal mother nearby have a greatly increased chance of survival compared to those without mothers. Some scientists believe that longevity in post-reproductive whale mothers is a genetic advantage that increases the odds that the longer living female will pass her genes onto more grandchildren. A similar theory supports the evolution of menopause in human females and other primates. Why young males need mom’s attention more than daughters is answered by whale social dynamics. Females giving birth are supported by their own family’s group, so that it makes more sense for a grandmother whale to invest her protective resources into her son.

More at Discovery.

Colorful Monkey New to Science.

Image by Flickr user teresehart via Creative Commons

In the central region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, villagers are familiar with a colorful monkey that is new to science. Locally called a “lesula,” the monkey has a strikingly blond beard, dark limbs, reddish colored tail and back and brilliantly blue buttocks. It also has an eerily human face. DNA tests confirm that it is a genetically distinct species. Since it lives in mostly inaccessible jungle areas, it is not presently at risk to human hunting, but the increasing incursions of bush-meat hunters in the area could mean an uncertain future.

More at New York Times.

To Bee or Not to Bee: Epigenetics Involved in Beehive Roles.

It was not long ago that DNA was considered the sole determinant of behavior in animals. Today, the emerging field of epigenetics is discovering many ways in which environmental chemicals influence DNA through a process called DNA methylation. At the Institute for Basic Biomedical Sciences Center for Epigenetics, Andy Feinberg and colleagues tested the chemical changes that occur in the DNA of bees that switch roles from nurses to foragers. These job changes occur within a hive when there is shortage of one or the other. Suspecting that an epigenetic chemical message directs the bees to their new assignment, the DNA methylation of bees before and after the switch was compared. As suspected, many DNA regions believed to be involved in hive job assignments showed distinct methylation changes in bees that made the job transition.

More at Red Orbit.

Encounter With a Giant Jellyfish.

Jellyfish are no friends of swimmers and their painful stings are no laughing matter. However, in Russia’s White Sea, there exists a giant among jellyfish — the lion’s mane jellyfish. As described by New Scientist reporter Douglas Heaven, the lion’s mane can measure 70 centimeters in width and have tentacles that are 15 meters long—making it difficult for swimmers to keep their distance. Fortunately, although the lion’s mane sting is extremely painful, it usually is not lethal.

Eucalypt Tree Preserve May Be Largest in the World.

Dr. Dean Nicolle grew up in Australia with an unusual childhood passion: eucalypt trees. But unlike most childhood interests, Dr. Nicolle followed his vision into adulthood. He became a botanist and travelled throughout the Australian continent collecting eucalypt specimens. The results is an arboretum with a collection of 7,000 trees representing 800 different species of eucalypt.

More at ABC News.

Elephant Slaughter in Africa Fueled By Religious Demand in Asia.

A black market in ivory religious carvings has set up the worst slaughter of African elephants in decades. In an article from National Geographic, it appears that just about every religion opens a market for ivory in some Asian country. Even worse, in some places, and again for religious reasons, “new ivory” is in greater demand than “old ivory.” And while the forces driving the commercial value of ivory already easily outmatch the efforts of conservationists, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, which is supposed to limit the trade of ivory, has implemented policies that have actually made the situation worse.

390 Million-Year-Old Mollusk Meets a 3-D Printer.

3-D printers allow scientists to recreate actual models from two dimensional images by “printing” multiple layers of a soft plastic material that then hardens. That technology was recently used to model the reconstructed fossil of a spiky mollusk that lived 390 million years ago. Using computer imaging software to reconstruct the likely original shape of the mollusk, the team then used the 3-D printer to create a working model that was 12 times the size of the original.

Animation showing how a CT scan was used to recreate the spines and plate structure of a 390 million year old fossil mollusk, a multiplacaphoran:

More at National Geographic.

Snake Origins Traced Through Genetics.

Researchers at the Department of Ecology and Evolution at Stony Brook University have used a “massive molecular dataset” derived from 44 genes and 161 species of lizards and snakes to trace these species back in time. One of the surprising results so far is the suggestion that all snakes evolved from an ancient line of subterranean snakes. Apparently, in the evolution of modern snakes, a transition was ultimately made from subterranean to surface life.

More at Science Daily.

Tabbys and Cheetahs Share Same Gene.

Image by Flickr user Ullisan via Creative Commons.

Whether its a tabby domestic cat and cheetahs share a common gene that gives them their respective spotted or striped coat. Actually, there are at least two genes that control whether the feline will have spots or stripes and whether they will be blotched or distinct. This new field of discovery is possible because scientists now have a complete feline genome available. The DNA samples used in the study were of feral domestic cats in California and both wild and captive cheetahs from South Africa and Namibia.

More at New York Times.

Our Reptile Hearts.

The human heart has a complex system for inducing the electrical current that causes it to rhythmically beat. A very similar system is present in the hearts of birds. Spongy tissue is responsible for this function in mammals and birds, and there has been research to determine whether or not its forerunners appeared in genetically-distant reptiles. Now, new research has finally located that same spongy tissue hidden behind a thin wall of tissue in the hearts of reptiles. The finding squares with our understanding of the evolution of the heart from reptile to birds and mammals. The research also may have an important practical application. The human fetal heart relates in some ways to the same spongy tissue present in adult reptiles and understanding it better could be important in treating prenatal heart disorders.

More at Science Daily.

Artificial Intelligence Scans for Mutations.

Tiny organisms, such as C. elegans, form the backbone of much biological research. Until now, scientists interested in spotting mutations among these tiny creatures had to resort to microscopic examination, which is time consuming and inaccurate. Now a new artificial intelligence programs pioneered by scientists at Georgia Tech uses sophisticated imaging to scan thousands of minute organisms. The program is able to detect minute differences in an organism’s physical form that indicates a mutation. In fact, the AI is so sophisticated that once running, it can predict mutant forms by itself.

More at Red Orbit.

Targeting Tumors with Nanoparticles.

New research from the National Cancer Institute has developed a test tube proof of concept prototype for fitting nanoparticles with virus-like targeted chemotherapy. Just as a virus can attack a cell by using a chemical key to unlock its surface receptors, these artificially created nanoparticles use a similar system — they can self-assemble and then enter a tumor cell by means of a specially engineered chemical key. Once inside, they can deliver a chemotherapeutic payload to kill the cell. The next step in this groundbreaking research is to set loose the charged nanoparticles into animal tumor cells.

More at Nature News Blog.

Finally: Why Dogs Chase Their Tails.

Researchers from the University of Helsinki may be on the trail to the answer to an age-old question: why do dogs chase their tails? It turns out that the answer is more depressing than charming. Tail chasing is the dog equivalent of human obsessive compulsive disorder. Just as some people cannot stop obsessively washing their hands, dogs who exhibit high levels of tail chasing are not able to refrain from this activity. The disorder is to some extent breed specific, with german shepherds and bull terriers among the most afflicted breeds. On a somewhat brighter note, vitamin supplements seem to be associated with a diminishment of the behavior.

More at Red Orbit.

Detective Blood Cells.

An astonishingly ingenious idea might soon turn red blood cells into non-invasive chemical detectors. The process involves filling red blood cell with a fluorescent chemical by allowing the red blood cells to swell up, opening their pores to receive the fluorescent additive. The blood cells would then be resealed and reintroduced into the patient. Next, the researchers take advantage of the fact that near-infrared light can penetrate the skin and in doing so, will cause the fluorescent material in the blood cells to glow. That glow can be picked up by a special monitor and can be used to interpret what chemical changes have occurred in the blood cells since they were reintroduced into the patient.

More at Nature News Blog.

An Insect with Plant-like Traits.

Sopping up and using the sun’s radiated energy through photosynthesis is a skill that most plants share. Why can’t animals do the same thing? Well, in fact some do. Some years ago the green sea slug was discovered to produce chlorophyll and put it to the same use as plants. Now, another member of the animal kingdom, the pea aphid, appears to have adopted the same ability. When exposed to sunlight, the pea aphid produces a critical chemical (adenosine triphosphate or ATP) which is used for cell energy, just like green plants. They can also produce an antioxidant pigment, just like plants do. Scientists believe that the aphids acquired the necessary genes to accomplish these feats by swapping genes with fungi, with which they have had a long association.

More at Live Science.

House Cats Cleared of Human Cancer Risk.

Fluffy has reason to rejoice if University of Oxford epidemiologist Vicky Benson is correct. Her recent analysis of a huge pool of data contradicts earlier suggestions that a particular parasite found in mice, T. gondii, which is known to contribute to brain cancer in humans, might be transmissible to people by their house cats. T. gondi reproduces inside a cat’s gut. Remarkably, its chances of getting inside a cat’s gut are increased if it alters mice neurochemistry in such a way as to decrease their normal fear of the scent of cats. However, despite premature newspaper speculation, the cancer-causing parasite is not easily transmissible from cats to people. Indeed, several food sources pose a much higher risk of infection for people than do their cats.

More at Live Science.

Elephants’ Low Frequency Vocalizations Resemble Singing More than Purring.

An elephant’s vocal “folds” are eight times as long as those of humans. That means they produce sound frequencies too low for humans to hear. These ultra-low frequency sounds can travel as far as 10 kilometers — over six miles. It also turns out that elephants produce these sounds not by quick muscle contractions similar to a cat’s purring, but by blowing air through their vocal tracts in the same manner that people sing or hum.

More at Science News.

Tigers “Protected” from Tourism?

In the Indian town of Sawai Madhopur, tigers are not just an attraction, they are its primary industry. However, a temporary ban on tiger tourism by India’s supreme court has put that industry on hold. The court has found that unregulated tiger tourism is a threat to the tigers. But locals and many tiger experts disagree. They contend that it is tourism and the people who depend upon it who protect the tigers and deter poachers. Of course, economic realities can cloud judgments and it can only be hoped that ultimately the prevailing argument will end up protecting India’s tigers, which represent one half of the world-wide tiger population.

More at Global Animal.

U.S. Corn and Kenyan Maize Face Different But Serious Troubles.

Much has been said about the disastrous mid-western drought that has crushed the yield of corn in the United States this year. But Kenya is facing a different but equally serious problem with its maize crops. Two viruses are causing what is known as maize lethal necrosis. The result is that up to 80% of the maize crops in some parts of Kenya have wilted and died. Kenya has encouraged farmers to destroy what is left of their infected fields and plant alternative crops. Combined with the U.S. corn losses, a drastic increase in grain prices is the one thing that will be certain.

More at Scientific American.

Butterfly Club’s Records a Scientific Resource.

The Massachusetts Butterfly Club’s members have taken pains to document butterfly sightings in Massachusetts on over 20,000 sighting expeditions over the past 19 years. It turns out that those amatuer records are an invaluable resource for scientists studying climate change. By analyzing the club’s meticulous sightings, scientists have uncovered a pattern of movement among certain species of butterflies, each of which require especially narrow climate conditions. The results of the analysis confirm that the climate has been steadily warming and that this is reflected in the species of butterflies that have migrated to and from Massachusetts.

More at Smithsonian.com.

Endangered Elephants vs. Desperate Villagers.

Another unfortunate confrontation between an endangered species and humans is being reported in Indonesia. There are fewer than 3,000 Sumatran elephants left in the wild, and about 200 of those live in Indonesia’s Way Kambas National Park, which is near a village called Braja Indah. The elephants, driven by hunger, have invaded the village and are eating farm crops and causing general damage. In December, a villager was trampled to death and in April, five of the elephants were poisoned. Unless the authorities intervene, villagers are threatening to kill the elephants rather than suffer any further property loses.

More at Global Animal.

In the Future Olympic Equestrian Breeders Might Bring in the Clones.

In July, the body governing Olympic equestrian competition, the Féderation Equestre Internationale (FEI), decided to lift a ban on pedigree horses that have been cloned. This means that horse breeders will be free to enter cloned prize horses to win Olympic gold. If this becomes an accepted trend, future Olympic equestrian competitions might include cloned versions of past stars. However, even if clones are introduced in the future, the strategy is costly and does not guarantee success. Clones are only 98% identical to the original and the effects of breeding and training are variables that cannot be cloned.

More at National Geographic.

Looking to African Tribes for Rare Genetic Variants.

We will never know how many human genetic variants have been lost over time. In order to preserve the remaining vestiges of rare variants, scientists have focused on some remote tribes in Africa: the Hadza and Sandawe from Tanzania and the Pygmies from Cameroon. After completing genetic analysis of five individuals from these tribes, scientists have identified millions of genetic variants, including about 3 million that have never before been recorded. It is hoped that these genetic variants will offer clues on how the tribes cope with their environment, which will in turn inform scientists on what these genes do. The possibility of genetic clues to medical treatments also lies within these variants. And, as a bonus, scientists believe that these tribes demonstrate signs of interbreeding with the African equivalent of an ancient human cousin (analogous to Neanderthals in Europe).

More at Science Magazine.

A Virtual Ocean Observatory.

Interested in sharks and ocean life in general? Brian Skerry hosts a web site for the New England Ocean Odyssey. The site allows even landlubbers to feast their eyes on some dramatic video of sharks and other sea life.

Elephants and South African Tree Loss.

Elephants are known to knock down trees, but the extent of their destruction has been a matter of speculation. Now, using a new aerial technique that produces accurate 3-D images of the South African savannah, scientists have a much better estimate of the damage done. In fact, elephants can destroy 20% of trees in their favored 15-30 foot height range. The new technique pinpoints the areas most preferred by elephants for tree toppling so that preventive measures, such as fences, can be considered. The head of the South African National Parks praised the new technology, “Knowing where increasing elephant impacts occur in sensitive landscapes allows park managers to take appropriate and focused action.”

More at Red Orbit.

Wasps As Vinters’ Helpers.

James Gorman writes for the New York Times that oenophiles and entomologists have a common friend. The wasp, whose appearance at a picnic causes reactions ranging from annoyance to panic, is an important link in the preservation and cultivation of baker’s yeast. Yeast, in turn, is what makes wine and beer brewing possible. Scientists in Italy and France wondered where baker’s yeast spends its winters before it magically reappears in the spring and summer on vineyard grapes. The answer turns out to be that it winters in the guts of Queen wasps who, during the summer, collect it from the worker wasps who toil in the vineyards. The cycle is completed when the Queens pass the yeast back to their progeny, which in the spring return the yeast to the vineyards and fields. The result is the wines and beers humanity has enjoyed for about 9,000 years.

More at New York Times.

The Terrible Truth about Garfield.

The University of Georgia and the National Geographic Society’s Crittercam program completed a study on exactly how lethal housecats are when they are allowed to roam outdoors. The results are chilling. No matter how cute and playful at home, when left outdoors even for only 5-6 hours per day, housecats are virtual killing machines. The study tracked cats fitted with videocams and the results produced estimates that “house cats kill far more than the previous estimate of a billion birds and other animals each year.” Using the study’s averages, if all the outdoor housecats are taken into consideration and the results extrapolated, the number is even more shocking: “cats are likely killing more than 4 billion animals per year, including at least 500 million birds.” In fact, housecats are the single biggest factor in the decline of many species of birds.

More at Global Animal.

What African Grey Parrots Can Infer from an Empty Box.

In an experiment to test whether the African grey parrot, already known for its cleverness, can deduce which of two boxes contains a treat, the feathered subjects performed as well as a three-year-old child. The experimenters presented two opaque boxes to the parrots and shook each of them. One made the noise of a treat shaking inside; the other sounded empty. The birds consistently chose the full box. The experimenters next varied the protocol by sometimes shaking only the full box, sometimes only the empty box, and sometimes both, but the parrots still deduced which box was probably full of treats. Perhaps the most impressive result of the experiment is that after only hearing an empty shaken box, the parrots avoided that box, deduced that the other box was probably full, and went for the unshaken full box.

More at Live Science.

Faced With A Steel Box, Hyenas Try to Think Outside It.

Michigan State University researchers conducted a test of the problem solving ability of spotted hyenas in Kenya. A steel trap with meat inside was presented to wild hyenas and the techniques and attitudes they displayed were carefully documented by the experimenters. The solution to the problem was to move a bolt on the steel box, which would open it. The traits that were associated with success for the hyenas that solved the problem and got their treat centered on “thinking outside the box” — in this case, trying anything and everything that might open the box. In addition to creative thinking, the successful hyenas had to be brave enough to approach the strange-looking device in the first place. Interestingly, pure persistence did not pay dividends since it often led to repeated attempts at the same wrong approach. The takeaway: giving up on a losing approach and trying another is sometimes the key to success.

More at Science Daily.

Monkeys and the Blame Game.

Since it’s political season and the blame game is a daily news event, it is interesting to note that monkeys, too, are exquisite masters of this sport. Experimenters believe that a particular area of the monkey’s brain “lights up” when it watches one of its brethren make an error. In fact, the process is an example of higher mental functioning since it requires the monkey to not only monitor the errors of other monkeys, but to also adopt the perspective of the monkey who messed up. Of course, the skill is also highly useful since it enhances learning, albeit at the expense of others.

More at Science News.