Global mass extinction 250 million years ago triggered fungus explosionOctober 5th, 2009 SYDNEY - A new study has determined that the world's worst mass extinction 250 million years ago was the trigger for a fungus explosion, which puts to rest the idea that an asteroid impact may have had a hand in the massive destruction. When the worldwide extinction took place, lush forests lay in ruins all across the supercontinent Pangea.
Earthworms pip humans, dinos in Most Successful 100 Species On Earth tableOctober 3rd, 2009 LONDON - Earthworms have pipped mankind and dinosaurs to emerge as the most successful 100 species on Earth in a new league table. Christopher Lloyd, the author of 'What on Earth Evolved?', examined the entire history of the planet and its life forms to determine the most successful ones.
One in five species of Australian mammals at risk of extinctionSeptember 29th, 2009 SYDNEY - A report has found that one in five species of Australian mammals are at risk of extinction. According to www.news.co.au, of the 388 species of mammals found naturally in Australia, 78 are listed as vulnerable, endangered or extinct in the wild.
Google's web page ranking algorithm can detect critical species in ecosystemsSeptember 4th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Google has developed an algorithm for ranking web-pages, which can be used to determine which species are critical for sustaining ecosystems. The algorithm, known as "PageRank", can be applied to the study of food webs, the complex networks describing who eats whom in an ecosystem, according to Drs.
World's largest bats on the verge of extinction in Peninsular Malaysia due to huntingAugust 26th, 2009 WASHINGTON - The world's largest species of fruit bat, Pteropus vampyrus, could be driven to extinction in Peninsular Malaysia at the current hunting rate, scientists have warned. They say that around 22,000 of these bats, also known as "large flying fox", are legally hunted each year in Peninsular Malaysia, a level that is unsustainable based on their estimates of the number of bats in the country.
Parasites' quirky trick to persuade immune cells to invite them in for dinnerAugust 21st, 2009 WASHINGTON - Scientists from Imperial College London have found that parasite leishmania tricks immune system to let it enter the body and cause skin infection. Leishmaniasis is an infection caused by Leishmania parasites that cause disfiguring and painful skin ulcers, and in severe cases the infection can also spread to the internal organs.
New species emerge just as often as they die outAugust 1st, 2009 WASHINGTON - A new study by paleontologists has statistically proven that new species emerge just as often as they die out, with most evolution occurring in small bursts. The study, by Luke Harmon, professor of biological sciences at the University of Idaho, who worked with a research team led by Michael Alfaro, UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles) assistant professor of ecology and evolution biology, analyzed the evolution of the 60,000 species of jawed vertebrates using genetic data.
Australia and Pacific becoming 'extinction hotspots' for animals and plantsJuly 29th, 2009 LONDON - A new study has found that the Earth is in the throes of its "sixth great extinction event" and Australia and the Pacific are becoming the worst regions for the destruction of animals and plants. According to a report in the Telegraph, the study, published in the journal Conservation Biology, said that since records began, Australian agriculture had changed or destroyed half the woodlands and forests of the country.
Sex evolved as a defence against parasites, suggests articleJuly 7th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Sex may have evolved in part as a defence against parasites, suggests a research article. Published in the journal American Naturalist, the article highlights the fact that when an asexual creature reproduces, it makes clones-exact genetic copies of itself.
Birds learn from neighbours how to defend nestsJune 5th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A new study by scientists at the University of Cambridge has shown that inexperienced reed warblers learn how to stop cuckoos from laying eggs in their nests by watching how other members of their species deal with the parasitic birds. Reed warblers live with the threat that a cuckoo will infiltrate their nest, remove one of their eggs, replace it with a cuckoo egg, and leave cuckoo chicks to be raised by the unsuspecting reed warblers.
Where do parasites go when their hosts become extinct?June 2nd, 2009 WASHINGTON - The loss of endangered species sends alarm bells ringing among conservationists, but what happens to the parasites they host?
Although most people would side with the panda over the parasite, which group should we worry about more?
North Carolina State University (NCSU) biologist Rob Dunn and colleagues examined the concept of co-extinction, the loss of one species upon the extinction of another. "Decline in host species could drive parasite species to switch onto alternative hosts, which could escalate the rate of emerging pathogens and parasites both for humans and our domesticated animals and plants," Dunn said.
Obama administration revokes last-minute action by Bush to limit endangered species protectionApril 28th, 2009 Rule limiting species protections revokedWASHINGTON — The Obama administration will again require federal agencies to consult with the government's wildlife experts before taking any actions that could impact threatened or endangered species. The Interior and Commerce departments said Tuesday they have revoked a last-minute rule change by the Bush administration that ended the consultation requirement.
Asteroid hit didn't cause dinosaurs' extinction: StudyApril 27th, 2009 WASHINGTON - An asteroid hit which caused the vast Chicxulub crater 65 million years ago, might not have actually wiped out the dinosaurs, along with 65 percent of all species, according to a new study. The crater, discovered in 1978 in northern Yucatan in Mexico, measuring about 180 kilometres in diameter, recorded a massive extra-terrestrial impact.
Meteor impact didn't kill dinos 65 mln yrs ago, claim scientistsApril 27th, 2009 WASHINGTON - In a new research, scientists have challenged the theory that a meteor impact 65 million years back killed off the dinosaurs in a mass extinction event. The crater, caused by the meteor, was discovered in 1978 in northern Yucutan and measured about 180 kilometers (112 miles) in diameter, proof of a massive extra-terrestrial impact.
Ashley Judd, TV host Jeff Corwin call on Congress to help wildlife survive global warmingApril 23rd, 2009 Ashley Judd urges Congress to fight global warmingWASHINGTON — Actress Ashley Judd and TV personality Jeff Corwin are urging Congress to spend $7 billion a year to help safeguard America's wildlife from the impact of global warming. Judd is a longtime environmental activist.
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