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Categories: Biology: Developmental, Ecology: Endangered Species
Published Ancient giant dolphin discovered in the Amazon
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Measuring between 3 to 3.5 meters, 16 million years old: Paleontologists have announced the discovery of a new species of freshwater dolphin in the Peruvian Amazon region. Surprisingly, its closest living relatives can be found in the river dolphins of South Asia.
Published Decoding the Easter Bunny -- an eastern Finnish brown hare to represent the standard for the species' genome
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Biologists have published a chromosomally assembled reference genome for the European brown hare. The genome consists of 2.9 billion base pairs, which form 23 autosomal chromosomes, and X and Y sex chromosomes. The timing of the genome release is very appropriate as the brown hare also represents the original Easter Bunny familiar from European folklore.
Published Genes identified that allow bacteria to thrive despite toxic heavy metal in soil
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Some soil bacteria can acquire sets of genes that enable them to pump the heavy metal nickel out of their systems, a study has found. This enables the bacteria to not only thrive in otherwise toxic soils but help plants grow there as well. A research team pinpointed a set of genes in wild soil bacteria that allows them to do this in serpentine soils which have naturally high concentrations of toxic nickel. The genetic discovery could help inform future bioremediation efforts that seek to return plants to polluted soils.
Published How cells are ahead of the curve
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source The curvature of a surface determines the migration behavior of biological cells. They preferentially move along valleys or grooves while avoiding ridges. These findings gave rise to a model predicting cellular behavior. Such universal principles now allow a better understanding of the migration of immune and cancer cells, paving the way for new treatment options.
Published Cacao plants' defense against toxic cadmium unveiled
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers used bright X-rays to unveil how cacao trees protect themselves from toxic metal cadmium.
Published Machine learning classifier accelerates the development of cellular immunotherapies
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Making a personalized T cell therapy for cancer patients currently takes at least six months. Scientists have shown that the laborious first step of identifying tumor-reactive T cell receptors for patients can be replaced with a machine learning classifier that halves this time.
Published Shark-bitten orcas in the Northeastern Pacific could be a new population of killer whale
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers believe a group of killer whales observed hunting marine mammals including sperm whales, as well as a sea turtle, in the open ocean off California and Oregon could be a new population. Based on available evidence, the researchers posit that the 49 orcas could belong to a subpopulation of transient killer whales or a unique oceanic population found in waters off the coast of California and Oregon.
Published Groundbreaking study reveals extensive leatherback turtle activity along U.S. coastline
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source A new study provides groundbreaking findings that offer insights on the migration and foraging patterns of leatherback sea turtles along the Northwest Atlantic shelf.
Published New study on mating behaviors offers clues into the evolution of attraction
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source In examining the mating rituals of roundworms, researchers uncovered a unique approach to reproduction that maximizes genetic fitness.
Published New discovery reveals how the egg controls sperm entry
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source After the egg has been fertilized by a sperm, the surrounding egg coat tightens, mechanically preventing the entry of additional sperm and the ensuing death of the embryo, a new study finds. The work also explains how mutations in egg coat proteins can cause female infertility and may eventually lead to new contraceptive methods.
Published Rope entanglement cause of low breeding rates in right whales, analysis finds
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source New findings show the severe impact of fishing gear entanglements on the survival of critically endangered North Atlantic right whales, with every injury from entanglements impacting population recovery.
Published Simple trick could improve accuracy of plant genetics research
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers have published a simple trick that improves the accuracy of techniques that help us understand how external variables -- such as temperature -- affect gene activity in plants.
Published Milk to the rescue for diabetics? Cow produces human insulin in milk
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source An unassuming brown bovine from the south of Brazil has made history as the first transgenic cow capable of producing human insulin in her milk. The advancement could herald a new era in insulin production, one day eliminating drug scarcity and high costs for people living with diabetes.
Published Study brings scientists a step closer to successfully growing plants in space
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source New, highly stretchable sensors can monitor and transmit plant growth information without human intervention. The polymer sensors are resilient to humidity and temperature, can stretch over 400% while remaining attached to a plant as it grows and send a wireless signal to a remote monitoring location, said a chemical and biomolecular engineering professor.
Published Exploring arctic plants and lichens: An important conservation baseline for Nunavut's newest and largest territorial park
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source A comprehensive study of the floristic diversity of Agguttinni Territorial Park, Nunavut's newest and largest Territorial Park, has documented 141 vascular plant, 69 bryophyte, and 93 lichen species from this unique protected area on northern Baffin Island. Through a combination of extensive fieldwork in 2021 and examination of hundreds of existing herbarium specimens, the authors have documented species newly reported for Baffin Island and have crafted a biodiversity baseline important for park management and conservation.
Published How a natural compound from sea squirts combats cancer
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Trabectedin, a promising drug derived from the sea squirt Ecteinascidia turbinata, has shown potential in combating cancers resistant to conventional treatments. However, its precise mechanism of action has remained elusive -- until now.
Published Range-shifting fishes are climate-change losers, according to new research
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Fish populations that experience rapid-range shift decline noticeably, up to 50 per cent over a decade. The populations affected most are those living on the northern poleward edges of their species' range. Researchers combined data from two large databases to examine the population numbers of range-shifting species. Their analysis revealed that extremely fast poleward shifting species, defined as upward of 17 kilometers per year, show marked declines in population, compared to negligible increases in populations that did not shift.
Published Pronghorn population declining due to human development
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source A new article looked at 40 years of data collected on 40 pronghorn herds residing in the Wyoming Basin Shrub Steppe. Overall, 80% of the herds saw a decrease in productivity, and nearly 43% saw a significant decrease. After looking at a number of variables that could potentially contribute to the decline, the researchers identified the two most strongly associated: development of oil and gas resources and woody encroachment.
Published Researchers uncover protein responsible for cold sensation
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers have identified the protein that enables mammals to sense cold, filling a long-standing knowledge gap in the field of sensory biology.
Published Halloween toy among plastics swallowed by sea turtles
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source A Halloween toy was among hundreds of plastic items found in the guts of dead sea turtles in the Mediterranean, a new study reveals.