chimpanzee « SemiBeta

Study: Malaria Originated in Chimps

5
Aug/090

In a study published earlier this week, researchers from the United States reported that malaria originated in chimpanzees. The scientists discovered that the parasite that causes malaria is closely related to a parasite found in chimps.

Scientists Set to Study the Great Pacific Garbage Patch

5
Aug/090

About one thousand miles off the coast of California, in an isolated area of the north Pacific ocean known as the North Pacific Gyre, a slowly rotating whirlpool of water swirls in a giant clockwise spiral. At the center of the swirling mass of water sits a relatively still center, inviting the accumulation of whatever debris swirls into it.

Created by a high pressure system of trade and westerly winds, all the oceans of the world have massive, slow-moving gyres. While oceans across the globe have accumulated debris, the north Pacific Gyre is known to have amassed at its core the largest. This giant debris field, commonly known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, is estimated to be as large as the state of Texas (some sources say twice the size of Texas).

Scientists and researchers from the Scripps Institute of Oceanography have begun new research on the nature and origin of the Great Pacific Patch, as well as its effect on the local ecosystem and global food chain.