For Friday, October 31, 2008

Uncia uncia image licensed under Creative Commons by rofanator

Polar warming 'caused by humans'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7700387.stm

Snow leopard wins top photo prize

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7696188.stm

Uncia uncia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snow_leopard

Hatched turtles go on sea journey

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7701277.stm

Mysterious Bat Disease Decimates Colonies

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081030144613.htm

‘Liger’ attack kills animal handler

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27469562/

Liger

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liger

Blinking Clock Made In Live Bacteria

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081029141041.htm

Pakistan's new menace: Wild boars

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7697485.stm

Do Dams Make A Difference? Similar Survival Rates For Pacific Salmon In Fraser And Columbia Rivers

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081028074430.htm

Prehistoric-age reptile found in New Zealand

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27471291/

Sphenodon

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuatara


Predicting Evolution’s Next Best Move With Simulator

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081030201857.htm

'Living Fossil' Tree Contains Genetic Imprints Of Rain Forests Under Climate Change

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081030192853.htm

Bacteria Manage Perfume Oil Production From Grass

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081031102053.htm

Cold Sore Virus Leads to Baby's Death

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/ColdandFluNews/story?id=6150484&page=1

Seasonal Clock-shifts Affect Heart Attack Risk

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081030075647.htm

Red Meat: Target For Disease-causing Bacteria?

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081029141035.htm

Pneumococcal Vaccine Could Prevent Numerous Deaths, Save Costs During A Flu Pandemic, Model Predicts

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081028184742.htm

Consumer group asks government to ban Avandia

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081030/ap_on_he_me/diabetes_drug;_ylt=AnDMXAxKxsjlW6cERkJHjyus0NUE

Avandia website

http://www.avandia.com/

For Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Poisonous Chilopoda Image licensed under Creative Commons by El Rabbit

Earth on course for eco 'crunch'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7696197.stm


Ice sheet secrets to be revealed

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/7693701.stm

New minerals point to wetter Mars

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7696669.stm

How Toxic Environmental Chemical DBT Affects The Immune System

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081028121021.htm



Pregnant Women Consuming Flaxseed Oil Have High Risk Of Premature Birth

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081027140817.htm

Common Cold Symptoms Caused By Immune System -- Not The Cold Virus

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081020120131.htm

High blood pressure? Eating grapes may help

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27435396/

Antibiotic may plug up Montezuma’s Revenge

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27424952/

Prulifloxacin

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prulifloxacin

Toward Non-invasive Disease Diagnosis With Wellness Cards

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081027112944.htm

Tennis call 'brain bias' found

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7693396.stm

Brain's 'Hate Circuit' Identified

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081028205658.htm

Brain's Code For 3-D Depth Perception

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081027140825.htm

Tags unlock young salmon secrets

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7694180.stm


Global Warming Is Killing Frogs And Salamanders In Yellowstone Park, Researchers Say

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081028184830.htm

Amphibians' Ability To Predict Changes In Biodiversity Confirmed By New Study

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081028184750.htm

Mexico, US, Canada to protect endangered porpoise

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081029/ap_on_sc/lt_mexico_endangered_porpoise;_ylt=Ap.VsDkGnUIEbCZIhp.LEVas0NUE

Dinosaur Smelling Skills Open New Angle On Bird Evolution

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081028205650.htm

Mapping The Boreal Forest

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081020120131.htm

Light Shortens The Life Of Supermarket Vegetables

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081024115342.htm

Cops: Centipedes are dangerous weapons

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27431459/

For Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Walden Pond image licensed under Creative Commons by robinpresta

Ivory auction opens amid concerns

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7693816.stm

Climate link to amphibian decline

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7693381.stm

Bumblebees Learn The Sweet Smell Of Foraging Success

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081024144101.htm

Increase in Leptospirosis Disease in Sea Lions

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081022135842.htm

Leptospirosis

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leptospirosis

Ants Prefer Salt over Sugar

http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20081028/sc_livescience/antsprefersaltoversugar;_ylt=Ag_VKcVkKlZbDKj6CNWHWwAPLBIF

Purple tomato 'may boost health'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7688310.stm

Arctic ice thickness 'plummets'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7692963.stm

China coal 'true cost' at $250bn

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7694014.stm

US claims rule changes don't threaten wildlife

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081027/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/bush_endangered_species;_ylt=AvHWPkSyXKAgoBIHYm3pErsPLBIF

Orange Peel Can Help Clean Up Dirty Water

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081020093500.htm

Models Help Assess Biofuels' Sustainability

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081013195322.htm

Climate change affecting Walden Pond plants

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081027/ap_on_sc/sci_walden_pond;_ylt=AosvYxAFtLGpvKkqZC2oI7cPLBIF

Bacteria Cause Old Buildings To Feel Off-color

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081027140819.htm

Masks, Hand Washing, Prevent Spread Of Flu-like Symptoms By Up To 50 Percent

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081027155907.htm

Cost of diabetes drugs skyrockets for Americans

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27405027/

Air travel helps exotic viruses find new homes

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27408079/

'Full' artificial heart implant

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7694663.stm

Revealing Secrets Of 'African Sleeping Sickness'

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081027113047.htm

WHO: Heart, infectious diseases, cancer kill most

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081027/ap_on_he_me/un_who_death_report;_ylt=AiYLYLiUDxo05hZr4QYV2ves0NUE

New Clue To Muscular Dystrophy Uncovered

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081022135807.htm

Screening hope for pre-eclampsia

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7692836.stm

Pre-eclampsia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pre-eclampsia

Jab hope for rheumatoid arthritis

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7692701.stm

Tocilizumab

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tocilizumab

Africa's Newest Killer Virus

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/ColdandFluNews/wireStory?id=6121630

Arenavirus

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arenavirus

Vitamin E A Flop In Prostate Cancer Trial

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/10/27/eveningnews/main4550717.shtml

Scientists Unwrap The Elements Of Life

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081022135429.htm

Role Of Slave Trade In Evolution Of American Wild Rice Species

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081027152539.htm

Oryza

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oryza

How Plants Know to Send Roots Down and Leaves Up

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081027115431.htm

Diversity Of Trees In Ecuador's Amazon Rainforest Defies Simple Explanation

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081023175133.htm

Teens Record Texas UFO Sighting

http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=6122436

For Sunday, October 26, 2008

"Remains of Karema" image from Virunga National Park licensed under Creative Commons by WildlifeDirect

Donate to WildlifeDirect

http://wildlifedirect.org/

Congo rebels seize gorilla park

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/africa/10/26/congo.gorillapark/index.html

Virunga National Park

http://www.gorilla.cd/

Seaweed farms 'could fuel future'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/7690973.stm

Toxic waste verdict disappoints

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7687612.stm

2006 Ivory Coast toxic waste spill

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7687612.stm

Premier says China to ensure safe food

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27380609/

Protein Compass Guides Amoebas Toward Prey

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081023144057.htm

Australia scientists say bees can count to four

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081026/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_australia_science;_ylt=AlViAg4RYRGe_FcMTgGzv6_tiBIF

Seabass And Chips: Harnessing Science To Predict Ocean Climate Change

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081023222558.htm

Dolphins Use Complex Coordination During Predation, High-tech Acoustics Study Finds

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081021093946.htm

Making Flies Sick Reveals New Role For Growth Factors In Immunity

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081023175137.htm

Hippocratic Oath What's in the famous medical promise and why?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7654432.stm

Hippocratic Oath

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippocratic_Oath

A guide to the Hippocratic Oath

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7654432.stm

Acupuncture Used For Animal Ailments

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081026100516.htm

'Cheshire Cat' Escape Strategy In Response To Marine Viruses

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081026094351.htm

Why Some Marine Algae Is Shaped Like Crumpled Paper

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081026094936.htm

WPBF: Bees attack home, kill dogs

http://www.wpbf.com/cnn-news/17802980/detail.html

Dog risks life for kittens

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/7691667.stm

"Green" Burial: From Ashes To Reef

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/10/23/tech/livinggreen/main4540779.shtml

U.K. Approves Animal-Human Embryo Testing

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/10/23/tech/main4540636.shtml

Forgotten Fossil Bed Found Again After 150 Years

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,443964,00.html

More lights seen in sky at UFO hotspot

Post-cardiac Arrest Care Key To Survival

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081023100850.htm

Alternative Medicine And Heavy Metal Poisoning

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081023101226.htm

Heavy Metal

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavy_metal_poisoning

Vaccine slashes diarrheal illness in kids

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081026/ap_on_he_me/med_childhood_vaccines;_ylt=AljCr_dpLudapcdwLbdNUXGs0NUE

Rotavirus

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotavirus

Cleaning Infected Blood

http://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/2008/0602-cleaning_infected_blood.htm

Atmospheric Scientists And Engineers Demonstrate Amount Of Pollution In U.S. Originating Overseas

http://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/2008/0710-overseas_pollution_hitting_the_us.htm

Climate Change, Acid Rain Could Be Good For Forests

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081021214850.htm

For Saturday, October 25, 2008

Orcinus orca image licensed under Creative Commons by Sleepless in Somerset

Japan recalls noodles over scare

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7690591.stm

Rashes prompt warning over baby clothing

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27366694/

Many moms risk SIDS by sharing bed with baby

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27363259/

Action call over maternal deaths

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7690434.stm

Potent Greenhouse Gas More Prevalent

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081023120230.htm

Nitrogen trifluoride

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrogen_trifluoride

Seven orcas missing from Puget Sound, researchers say

http://www.yahoo.com/s/976392

Orcinus orca

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orcinus_orca

Polar bears dying out in Russian region: expert

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20081024/sc_afp/russiaenvironmentclimatewarminganimal;_ylt=Ap3SChxJEkbTAvEHBGS3k9sPLBIF

High deer population may benefit forest critters

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27366401/

Lightning strikes only once — but kills 52 cows

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081024/ap_on_fe_st/lt_odd_uruguay_zapped_cows;_ylt=ApkEdnzr69wDoweeeZyGPa7tiBIF

Hawaiian Cave Reveals Ancient Secrets

http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20081025/sc_livescience/hawaiiancaverevealsancientsecrets;_ylt=ApFri0DZe7mybt2fbqAgvXUPLBIF


Study Shows How Antibiotic Sets Up Road Block To Kill Bacteria

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081022135615.htm

Caste In Ant Colonies: How Fate Is Determined Between Workers And Queens

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081021093944.htm

Origin Of Root Offshoots Revealed; Possible Basis For New Ecological Agricultural Applications

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081023144046.htm

Development Puts An End To Evolution Of Endless Forms

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081023222252.htm

For Friday, October 24, 2008

Heterodontosaurus image licensed under Creative Commons by ideonexus

UN: Over 12,000 cholera cases in Guinea Bissau

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081024/ap_on_he_me/un_un_guinea_bissau_cholera;_ylt=Aig7aLReRQf5hnv_lqZ2cI.s0NUE

Guinea-Bissau

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guinea_(Bissau)

Conscientiousness is the secret to a long life

http://www.newscientist.com/channel/health/mg20026794.800-conscientiousness-is-the-secret-to-a-long-life.html

114 hep C cases linked to 2 Las Vegas clinics

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27348140/

Cold viruses activate killer genes, study finds

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27359579/

'One-stop' embryo test unveiled

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7688299.stm

'New prostate' grown inside mouse


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7685105.stm

Tiny Juvenile Dinosaur Fossil Identified

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081023222248.htm

Heterodontosaurus

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heterodontosaurus

Worms, Deprived Of Smell Sense, Live Longer

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081023222254.htm

Digesting The Termite Digestome: A Way To Make Biofuels?

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081021190648.htm

Genomic Changes Found In Brains Of People Who Commit Suicide

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081023100543.htm

Female Plant 'Communicates' Rejection Or Acceptance Of Male

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081023113107.htm

Modern Genetics Versus Ancient Frog-killing Fungus

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081014111403.htm

Cause Of Weakness In Marine Animal Hybrids Discovered

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081013132625.htm

Mercury Pollution Causes Immune Damage To Harbor Seals

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081020191532.htm

Methylmercury

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methylmercury

Fisheries Management And Environmental Conditions: Win-win For Baltic Cod

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081020095843.htm

Gadus

http://www.fishbase.org/ComNames/CommonNameSearchList.php

Birth Of White Rhino After Artificial Insemination With Frozen Sperm

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081024103856.htm

Ceratotherium simum

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_rhino

Extinction Risks High For Social Species Such As The African Wild Dog

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081020191536.htm

Lycaon pictus

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_Wild_Dog

Rare Russian Boar Becomes Mass. Road Kill

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/10/24/national/main4543288.shtml

Mistaken Identity? Reunion Dodo?

In the excellent book review by Storrs L. Olson "ECOLOGY: Biohistory of the Mascarenes ", Science, 15 AUGUST 2008, Vol 321, No. 5891, pp. 913 - 914, reveals that the Reunion dodo (not Raphus solitarius) was not so much a dodo but actually an ibis (Threskiornis solitarius) based on the evidence available. And may have actually been derived from the sacred ibis, T. aethiopicus.

See Pieter Holsteyn's image (pictured on the right) and Pieter Withoo's image (on the left) "White Dodo's" above in our new title and description box. Olson goes on to say that there might have been a "dodolike bird" on Reunion Island, but obviously does not have the time nor space to discuss further. Was there ever a real Reunion Dodo? We may never know. But, the two very similar images by Withoos and Holsteyn rendered in approximately the same time frame do not remind us of an ibis, even though we are "laypersons". They definitely look like white Dodos, maybe not albino but leucistic.

The book in the review is "Lost Land of the Dodo" by Anthony Cheke and Julian Hume. (Yale University Press, New Haven, CT, 2008. 480 pp. $ 55. ISBN 9780300141863. T & AD Poyser (A & C Black), London. 45 pounds. ISBN 978071366544. So, if you care to pick up further on this mystery, this is probably the book for you - or not. Olson does give an uneven, but qualified, review of the book. We haven't found our copy yet, either, and we are loathe to shell out $ 55 for the item at this time. But, it is a book we would love to have in our collection, anyway.

For Thursday, October 23, 2008

Limosa lapponica image licensed under Creative Commons by Changhua Coast Conservaction Action's photos

China Arrests 6 Over Tainted Milk Scandal

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/10/23/world/main4540906.shtml

'Magnetic Death Star' Fossils: Earlier Global Warming Produced A Whole New Form Of Life

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081022135844.htm

Gigantism in unique biogenic magnetite at the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, October 20, 2008 DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0803634105

Building A Better Bee

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081021185217.htm

Beetle invasion threatens New England trees

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081023/ap_on_re_us/beetle_battle;_ylt=AuLez_A.MJE6rSWuE.bndyKs0NUE

Anoplophora glabripennis

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asian_long-horned_beetle



Bird sets record with 7,257-mile nonstop flight

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27322698/

Limosa lapponica

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bar-tailed_godwit



Rare Corals Breed Their Way Out Of Trouble

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081021094006.htm

Sugar Plays Key Role In How Cells Work

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081020171442.htm

Which Grass Is Greener? Study To Select Northeast Grasses That Can Power The Bioenergy Era

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081022135630.htm

Ecosystem-level Consequences Of Frog Extinctions

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081016124252.htm

Biologists Discover Gene Behind 'Plant Sex Mystery'

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081022135427.htm

Baby hedgehog sanctuary

javascript:vPlayer('27338384','2b8d3809-b5b3-4191-a320-aa5a85dae7b3')

Soil health 'threatens farming'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7685643.stm

Transplanted cornea still sees after 123 years

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27339516/

Drug may reverse MS brain damage

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7680641.stm

Leukemia drug gives hopes to MS sufferers

http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/10/23/ms.treatment/index.html

Alemtuzumab

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alemtuzumab

Anti-obesity drug use suspended

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7687311.stm

Unique Properties Of Boron Harnessed To Develop New Drugs And Diagnostics

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081021094210.htm

Boron

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boron

Sick economy has patients skimping on meds

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27325050/

Crossing Blood-Brain Barrier: New Drug Delivery

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081022073724.htm

Fluorescent feline a scientific breakthrough?

javascript:vPlayer('27329174','f16d2295-ca3c-4888-8aed-cae17300731f')

Me-yow! This cat glows in the dark

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27338236/