The lifespan of several model organisms (worms, mice,…) has become somewhat malleable lately. In the past decade or so, methods to extend healthy lifespan have been under investigation, ranging from the identification of relevant genes, to understanding metabolic pathways, to caloric restriction. A new study uses an engineering approach, as the authors call it. Basically, […]
Monthly Archives: June 2012
Remember that mysterious cosmic event, hinted at in tree rings? Brief recap: Upon studying the tree rings in Japanese cedar trees, researchers found evidence for a sudden increase in 14C in the atmosphere. What, oh what, could have caused this? Supernova? Solar flare? Nope, said the authors. There’s no evidence for either. However, a new […]
Yesterday, Lonesome George passed away. George was a Pinta Island tortoise (or Chelonoidis nigra abingdoni). Lonesome George was a well-known, powerful international symbol for conservation. But now, with the passing of George, his subspecies has gone extinct. So, farewell to Lonesome George, the last of his kind. Or was he? In 2007, DNA analysis of […]
A little while ago, one of the two mutant flu studies was published. If you recall, these studies lay at the heart of a serious debate concerning biosecurity and the publishing or not publishing of potentially dangerous results. In short, what did these studies do to cause such a stir? Well, they showed how the […]
DNA sequencing is becoming cheaper and faster. In fact, full genome sequencing is possible. It seems reasonable to assume that this increase in speed and decrease in cost will persist. As such, genomic medicine, where the patient’s genomic information is used, is poised to become ever more prevalent. Some of you may have heard about […]
Global change is real. And, as I’ve written earlier, it affects many organisms (including us human beings). Mostly in a negative way. The rapid and often severe changes in environment represent a potential extinction risk for a wide variety of life-forms on earth. But wait, maybe evolution can help here? Evolutionary rescue is the idea […]
A little while ago, I wrote about living fossils. An obvious example I referred to were coelacanths. One thing I said then, was that evolutionary change needn’t always be visible externally. Look beyond the cover, is how I phrased it. Now, a new study has found indeed that these fish show genetic divergence between populations, […]
Jurassic Park. There, with that obvious reference out of the way, we can get started. Can we actually revive organisms (focusing on animals here) that have gone extinct? How? And how far away is it? These are the questions that form the backbone of a recent review article. After a brief historical introduction, some new […]
From June 20th to June 22nd, the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, or Rio+20, will take place. Let’s hope that political short-sightedness will not put overly large constraints on things that need to be done. Indeed, need to be done. One of the key factors in matters concerning sustainable development, is biodiversity. Biodiversity matters. […]
Over at the mighty Pharyngula, the Carnival of Evolution number 48 has been posted. Beast, Bard and Bot alike have let me know that they are absolutely honored, flattered and yes, even humbled, to be standing among so many wonderful posts about evolution, each of which deserves your undivided attention. Thus, darling dames and gentle […]
