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A research team has discovered a primate in Vietnam that hibernates. Hibernation is when energy is saved within an animal by decreasing body temperature and lowering metabolism. Hibernation has to be longer than 24 to be considered hibernation, otherwise the action is only daily torpor. Primate hibernation is a rare occurrence, with only three primates, all dwelling in Madagascar, being the only primates with this behavior (not anymore!). The pygmy slow loris is the new edition to the hibernating-primate family. They typically reach a body length of 20 centimeters and a mass of about 400 grams. They live in Southeast Asia and are nocturnal. The species was found to hibernate in episodes up to 63 hours in length between December and February. The reason that these primates do this is probably due to the cold weather that comes in and drops the temperature by 5 degrees Celsius. The drop in temperature indicates a drop in food abundance and results in the lorises' hibernation patterns. This new discovery may indicate a change in our understanding of the evolution of hibernation in primates. I find this issue of particular importance because the hibernating patterns of this species of loris may lead to a better understanding of sleep and how it has evolved to be a necessity. What I happen to wonder is whether the lemurs of Madagascar and the loris of Southeast Asia both derive from a common ancestor that had hibernation, or if perhaps the two species evolved to have the same behavior but in different environments. I think that maybe the two species obviously share a common ancestor (each being mammals) and thus have partaken in divergent evolution, but that the similar environments of their habitats and the presence of cold seasons have resulted in a type of convergent evolution, where the two species just happened to develop the same trait because of a similarity in environment. It seems a little sad that hibernation appears to have been lost as a trait in (most) primates in Asia, Africa, and the Americas - the idea of hibernation sounds somewhat pleasing, especially during a tiring end of the semester. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/12/151203111221.htm
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A litter of puppies was born using in vitro fertilization, a first in history. Nineteen embryos were given to the mother host dog, who gave birth to seven puppies. For success with in vitro fertilization, an embryo must be produced by fertilizing a mature egg with sperm. The egg must then be returned to the host mother at the right time of her reproductive cycle. What was difficult was trying to collect mature eggs from a female's oviduct. Dogs' reproductive cycles differ from other mammals, so trying to use eggs from other animals did not work since the eggs failed to fertilize. The researcher found out that leaving the egg in the oviduct an extra increased their odds of fertilization. Researchers had to simulate the conditions of the female tract, as the tract is what prepares the sperm for fertilization. Magnesium in the cell culture worked for this. Fertilization rates are now 80-90 percent. Researchers had to freeze the embryos and wait to insert them in the oviduct of the dog too, since a female dog only goes through the right stage of her reproductive cycle once or twice a year. In vitro fertilization allows conservationists to freeze and store semen and eggs so that the genetic diversity of a species may survive. I find this issue of particular importance because I like puppies. Well, that is not the only reason: this type of research and discovered technique may be used to help endangered species not go completely extinct. Also, this may preserve certain rare breeds of dogs. As long as there is an available host and available sperm and eggs, there should be a possibility to preserve a species or breed. Also, this technique, combined with genetic editing procedures, may be used to prevent certain diseases that certain breeds of dogs are known to have, as inbreeding has developed a lack of genetic diversity within breeds. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/12/151209183500.htm In 2014, carbon emissions increased only by 0.6 percent, with a flattening or decrease in the rate of output of such chemicals expected to occur this year. What is surprising, however, is that though carbon emissions may be on the decline, we have experienced economic growth. This would be the first time in history where a this has happened. The decrease in carbon emissions is largely credible to China, which, after years of industrial expansion, has slowed down its emission rate by 1.9 percent in 2014 and an expected 3.9 percent in 2015. Whether or not this decrease in emissions is sustained depends on the use of coal in major consumers of the substance, such as the United States and China. What is also important is where new energy sources are available: China met over half of its energy needs in 2014 with non-fossil fuels. Even if we meet global peak emission levels, we will still be throwing vast amounts of carbon into the atmosphere. The only way to actually achieve climate stabilization is to cut emissions to near zero. I find this issue of particular importance because this is actually some good news when it comes to us and the environment. Though we are still destroying the planet because of our large amounts of pollution, we are at least on the right track toward reducing our emissions. Perhaps the leaders at the Paris Conference on Climate Change can come up with a solution that may help to reduce our emissions and allow us to live a bit longer as a species on Earth. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/12/151207113733.htm Climate change is expected to have great impacts on food security, especially for those living in poorer conditions or in tropical areas. The report focuses on the effects of climate change on food through 2100. Climate change will affect tropical and subtropical areas more so than in other areas, though there will be regional differences. Higher latitudes would experience more agricultural productivity at first, since the warming of the climate would actually make the area habitable for crops and their would probably be an increase in precipitation. But even these regions will suffer if carbon emissions continue to increase. Countries could expect a change in available diet and the price that must be payed to purchase food. The demand of exports would increase since countries that are experiencing more hardship and lack of agricultural activity would need food. Higher temperatures can impact food storage and pose a health risk. The rising oceans and other bodies of water would likely mess with transportation routes for the food. In a worst case scenario, one in which there is high population growth and low economic growth, there could be an increase of 175 million more undernourished people by 2080, resulting in a grand total of 980 million undernourished people around the world. This article is of particular importance because people have difficulty believing in the real consequences of global warming. Climate change can drastically change the planet, and by the time that it does and people begin to care about the subject, it will have been too late. Only then, in a time of great suffering and regret, will people realize all the harm that they've caused to the world. The article reminds me of the "Lorax" video we watched in class, where the Once-ler ruined his environment and could do nothing about it afterward. We are potentially Once-lers who are destroying the planet beyond repair. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/12/151202142319.htm |
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April 2016
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