Origin of Tasmanian Devil Cancer Uncovered
Jan/100
Male Tasmanian Devil
A relatively rare form of transmissible cancer–known as Devil Facial Tumor Disease (DFTD)–has been decimating Tasmanian Devil (Sarcophilus harisii) populations in Northeast Tasmania over the past 23 or more years. First identified in 1996, the spread of this cancer has gotten so pervasive that the animal–the world’s largest carnivorous marsupial–has now become one more of the world’s most endangered species.
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Origin of Tasmanian Devil Cancer Uncovered
Record Number of Endangered Panthers Killed by Vehicles
Jan/100
According to Defenders of Wildlife, 2009 was a very bad year for the Florida panther, Puma concolor coryi. Nearly 20 percent of the Florida panther population was killed by vehicles last year. Years ago, these magnificent cats roamed free in eight states. Today, less than 100 of the endangered panthers are believed to exist in the wild.
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Record Number of Endangered Panthers Killed by Vehicles
Koalas are Disappearing from Australia
Nov/090
Australia’s koalas are in trouble. Scientists from the Australian Koala Foundation (AKF) have evidence of a drastic decline in Australia’s wild koala population and are requesting protection from the government.
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Koalas are Disappearing from Australia
Bioengineers Speed Up Evolution to Make Better Bacteria
Oct/090
E. coli bacterial evolution can be accelerated with the MAZE technique to produce favorable mutations
Bacteria are prolific replicators, and some species can replicate into the millions in number in just a few hours. Bacteria, in the functioning of their cellular and biochemical machinery, also just happen to manufacture some very useful chemicals and bio-active molecules. The microbes also have a relatively high rate of mutation which can confer adaptive features, over time, onto the newer, variant population.
These attributes of bacterial life forms have been exploited in the lab (and in other industries) for some time, but generating genomic diversity in the lab has been challenging; inserting genes or entire genetic sequences into a cell’s nucleus (and DNA) can be done readily, but controlling or directing how exactly these hybrids mutate, is quite another thing. Further, new phenotypes (the main physical traits or properties) don’t usually happen fast or frequently enough for practical uses. But with a new technique called MAGE (Multiplex Automated Genome Engineering), bacteria are now being engineered (and “directed”) to perform these functions much faster and much more efficiently.
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Bioengineers Speed Up Evolution to Make Better Bacteria
Elephants! 12 Things You Didn’t Know, Plus Photo Gallery
Oct/090
Today’s elephants are under increasing pressure from habitat loss (due to explosive human population growth), poaching for ivory, and illegal trafficking.
Asian elephants are classified as endangered, and their population is declining. African elephants are considered near threatened, but a resurgence in elephant poaching is taking its toll.
To help raise awareness for these magnificent mammals, here are 12 things you didn’t know about elephants – and a compilation of beautiful photos (with baby elephants who will steal your heart)! Enjoy!
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Elephants! 12 Things You Didn’t Know, Plus Photo Gallery
Study Planned For Javan Rhino Subspecies In Vietnam
Oct/090
A comprehensive survey to gather genetic data about the last Javan rhino population in Vietnam kicks off in November 2009.
WWF announced today that a comprehensive survey of Cat Tien’s Javan rhino population will begin next month and continue until April 2010. The purpose of the study is to gather urgently needed genetic data in order to develop a local conservation management strategy for these critically endangered mammals.
It is estimated that there no more than five individuals of this rare Javan rhino subspecies (Rhinoceros sondaicus annamiticus) still surviving in Vietnam’s Cat Tien National Park.
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Study Planned For Javan Rhino Subspecies In Vietnam
Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Population Decreases to 321: New NOAA Survey
Oct/090
The most recent NOAA Fisheries Service’s population survey reveals a decline in Cook Inlet beluga whale numbers.
Alaska’s small population of critically endangered Cook Inlet beluga whales is continuing to decline even further, according to the new survey by NOAA scientists.
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Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Population Decreases to 321: New NOAA Survey
Rhino Calf Born in Dudhwa National Park
Sep/090
Dudhwa National Park’s most prolific rhino has become a father again.
Thanks to Banke – an old male rhino who still loves the ladies – Dudhwa National Park’s greater one-horned rhino population has increased to 29.
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Rhino Calf Born in Dudhwa National Park
NPD: Households with kids still the biggest game purchasers
Sep/090
Though the median age of video gamers has increased dramatically over the past decade, a recent report from the NPD Group shows that youngsters still possess a great deal of market dominance — according to the study, households with children ages 12 and under constitute 45 percent of the gaming industry’s total sales. Considering these tweens only make up 17 percent of the U.S. population, that’s a fairly large chunk of selling power.
Still, it’s tough to completely trust these numbers — as we all know, 13-year-olds are vile, fraudulent creatures who are quick to shave a few years off their age in the pursuit of pure vanity. Just be yourself, 13-year-olds. You’ve got plenty of good years ahead of you.
NPD: Households with kids still the biggest game purchasers originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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NPD: Households with kids still the biggest game purchasers
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PC, PS2 Phantasy Star Universe servers closing March 31
Jan/100
Following the January 29 “Maximum Attack G+” event, Sega will convert everyone’s account to a free account, and allow the players to enjoy what time they can before the servers shut off on March 31. This won’t affect the Xbox 360 version in any way other than the flood of refugees from other platforms.
It may not be much of a flood, however: GM Edward@Sega said that the shutdown is taking place because “[t]he population is simply too low for us to be able to continue to support this platform.”
[Via Massively]
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PC, PS2 Phantasy Star Universe servers closing March 31