Analiese’s Reading 3/19
Science edition: Footage of extremely rare rhinos, the hardwood industry held hostage by small rodents, enzyme critical for cancer metastasis found, chimps build a better “fishing rod,” and scientists’ favorite Darwin readings.
New footage shows rare rhinos in Indonesia: WWF
New infra-red footage released Thursday captures hitherto unseen images of elusive Javan rhinos, the most endangered mammal in the world with less than 60 individuals believed to remain alive.
Danger Lurks Underground For Oak Seedlings
Scientists trying to understand why oaks are starting to disappear from North American forests may need to look just below the surface to find some answers.
Purdue University researcher Robert Swihart found that pine voles, small rodents that live underground, prefer oak roots to those of other commonly growing seedlings. The study identifies the rodents as a possible factor leading to high oak mortality rates that are threatening the resource base of the hardwood industry.
Enzyme behind cancer spread found
Cancer metastasis, where the cancer spreads from its original location, is known to be responsible for 90% of cancer-related deaths.
Institute of Cancer Research scientists have found that an enzyme called LOX is crucial in promoting metastasis, Cancer Cell journal reports.
Chimps craft ultimate fishing rod
Scientists believe they have solved the mystery of why some chimpanzees are so good at catching termites.
A team working in the Republic of Congo discovered that the chimps are crafting brush-tipped “fishing rods” to scoop the insects out of their nests.
On Darwin’s ‘On the Origin of Species’
In addition to being the 200th anniversary of Darwin’s birth, 2009 is the 150th anniversary of the publication of his fundamental work, “On the Origin of Species.” As with many original sources, it is known mostly by reputation. Few people who are not biologists read Darwin in the original. But his writing can still offer surprises, insights and pleasures, and it can be sampled here, with selections by prominent scientists of their favorite passages and discussions of why these passages are important.
Tags: darwin, endangered species, primate tool use, rhinos
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