Source: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2012/10/big-tex-on-fire/
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Sunday, October 21, 2012
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Great apes, small numbers: Genetic study reveals recent decline in endangered orangutan population, but offers hope for the future
ScienceDaily (Oct. 16, 2012) ? Sumatran orangutans have undergone a substantial recent population decline, according to a new genetic study, but the same research revealed the existence of critical corridors for dispersal migrations that, if protected, can help maintain genetic diversity and aid in the species' conservation.
One of two species of orangutans, the Sumatran orangutan is classified as "critically endangered" by the IUCN Red List. Once widespread on the island of Sumatra, only an estimated 6,600 individuals remain, restricted to small forest patches on the northern tip of the island. Recent large-scale deforestation is among the most significant factors bringing about the range collapse of the apes.
A recent study published via Advance Access in the Journal of Heredity investigated population structure, movement patterns, and reproductive interchange in Sumatran orangutans using genetic techniques. The investigators isolated DNA from fecal and hair samples from wild apes throughout their Sumatran range, as well as blood samples from orangutans of known origin that had been kept privately as pets before being confiscated by authorities. The investigators used two different genetic markers to examine population structure and gene flow: mitochondrial DNA, which is inherited only from an individual's mother, and autosomal microsatellites, short, repeated DNA elements that are inherited from both parents.
A strong genetic signal revealed a striking population decline in Sumatran orangutans. "The orangutans from one of the study areas on the west coast of the island exhibited very high genetic diversity," explained Dr. Alexander Nater of the University of Zurich Anthropological Institute & Museum, lead author on the study. "This diversity is a clear indication of a large historical population size. However this area currently harbors only around 400 orangutans," leading the authors to conclude that the population has recently declined dramatically.
The data also showed that Sumatran orangutans have a pronounced population structure containing a number of subpopulations, resulting from geographical barriers including major rivers and a large volcanic caldera. These barriers isolate groups of orangutans, some of which contain only a few hundred individuals.
"Such isolated, small populations will inevitably suffer from a decline in genetic diversity and negative effects of inbreeding," said Nater. "This means that local orangutan populations are at substantial risk of extinction."
Extinction risk can be further exacerbated when the subpopulations adapt to specific local environmental factors such as food sources or disease. While these local adaptations may allow the subpopulation to thrive in the short run, if environmental conditions change quickly the group may be unable to adapt.
Despite the isolation of the subpopulations, the authors found genetic evidence for recent reproductive interchange, specifically by breeding males. "Our study revealed that some males can range widely over large distances and across natural barriers in search of females," Nater said.
The data pinpointed a specific inland high-elevation area as an important corridor for reproductive interchange across the island. The males appear to be using this passage to circumvent major rivers close to their headwaters high in the mountains, providing important genetic exchange among Sumatran populations.
But it is critical that these corridors remain forested to facilitate these migrations. Sumatran orangutans are the most arboreal of the great apes, spending nearly all of their time in the forest canopy.
"This result highlights the need to conserve these important dispersal corridors to uphold genetic exchange," Nater said, "and it also gives hope that it is not yet too late to preserve these unique Asian great apes."
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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by American Genetic Association / Journal of Heredity, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.
Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.
Journal Reference:
- Alexander Nater, Natasha Arora, Maja P. Greminger, Carel P. van Schaik, Ian Singleton, Serge A. Wich, Gabriella Fredriksson, Dyah Perwitasari-Farajallah, Joko Pamungkas, and Michael Kr?tzen. Marked population structure and recent migration in the critically endangered Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii). Journal of Heredity, October 16, 2012 DOI: 10.1093/jhered/ess065
Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.
Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.
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Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Sunday, September 23, 2012
CalvertCollins: The groom serenades the bride with Frank at @wtownley's wedding reception. #awesome http://t.co/yxLtP1KJ
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Source: http://twitter.com/CalvertCollins/statuses/249706187300433920
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Friday, August 10, 2012
Pre-Columbian America Enjoyed "Black Drink"
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Black Drink, a caffeinated brew of toasted leaves and twigs of the holly plant, was apparently popular far from any holly. Cynthia Graber reports
August 9, 2012?|
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Tea and coffee are drunk worldwide, far beyond their original ecological niches. Now it looks like another caffeinated beverage also gained popularity far from its home.
Archaeologists call it Black Drink?a caffeinated brew of toasted leaves and twigs of the holly plant. It was imbibed, often ceremonially, in many regions of the Americas. Researchers say they?ve found the earliest trace of Black Drink?in a region that doesn?t grow holly.
They investigated Cahokia, a large pre-Columbian political body. It encompassed floodplains and hills near today?s Saint Louis. It?s tough to find plant matter, so scientists searched for traces of theobromine, caffeine and ursolic acid in ceramics in the right proportion?a sort of chemical signature for holly. And they were able to date Black Drink back to about the year 1050, almost a thousand years ago. But the nearest holly grows hundreds of miles away.
The findings are in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. [Patricia L. Crown et al., Ritual Black Drink consumption at Cahokia]
The researchers say this is the earliest evidence of Black Drink consumption. And that Black Drink was traded for ritual consumption far from where it was grown. Much like our morning cup of joe.
?Cynthia Graber
[The above text is a transcript of this podcast.]
Source: http://rss.sciam.com/click.phdo?i=2e988d068b84629a2da7c34b1ad00bf6
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Thursday, August 9, 2012
Hit the rapids with Google's latest Olympic doodle
It's time to pound the arrow keys again for Mountain View's latest Olympic doodle game, a whitewater slalom canoe challenge. The idea is to speed through the course with the left/right keys in the best time while using up/down to avoid rocks and the riverbank. Our intrepid web paddlers managed a time of 18 seconds so far, and you can post your own time in the comments below -- if you dare.
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Hit the rapids with Google's latest Olympic doodle originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Aug 2012 05:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Microsoft, NYPD build new policing software, NYC takes 30 percent of the profit
Microsoft is releasing the Domain Awareness System, a software kit, designed with the NYPD, for law enforcement agencies. Pulling together data from CCTV Cameras, radiation detectors and license-plate readers, it uses a detailed database to give instant tracking when things take a turn for the worse. It's also taking some cues from the city's CompStat, using geographical patterns to help effectively deploy members of the 5-0 in areas statistically likely to suffer more crime. DAS is being marketed worldwide, with the city of New York taking a cut of 30 percent of the profit and a copy of any useful tweaks that are made in the field. We're just sad that none of the NYPD:Blue fans at Redmond decided to call the system Sipowi...ndows (geddit?).
Continue reading Microsoft, NYPD build new policing software, NYC takes 30 percent of the profit
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Microsoft, NYPD build new policing software, NYC takes 30 percent of the profit originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Aug 2012 10:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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ZDNet | | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/09/microsoft-nypd-das/
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