I ❤ Cross-Species Genetics

the year 2013 will bring many things. But I believe that the most impressive and drastic will be cross-species genetics. With sciences excelling in the world i think that it is just out of reach. I don't have much faith in the perfection of it, but at least it will be successfully done on a microscopic level. The creation of super humans with incredible capabilities is definitely a stretch, but I do hope that we can help with pressing matters. And if not cross species genetics, then at least cloning, or the recreation of cells, limbs, and organs. Even regeneration breakthroughs would save many lives and reduce the price and rarity of vitals organs.

I ❤ Poachers

Last Tuesday Malaysian authority uncovered over 1,000 smuggled elephant tusks hidden within 2 loads of mahogany that was being shipped. This find is said to be the greatest in history. Ivory has become a serious problem recently. The constant demand from Asia, and especially China has led the price of ivory to just more than 1,000 dollars a pound. As a result of this demand thousands and thousands of elephants are being slaughtered for their tusks. Malaysia is known as a prime smuggling area for ivory. This find in particular uncovered a total of 24 tons hidden in stacks of wood cut neatly around the compartments. If this surplus of slaughters continues to occur elephants are surely in for a lot of trouble, endangerment, and possibly extinction.




http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/12/world/asia/huge-ivory-stash-is-discovered-in-malaysia.html?_r=0&adxnnl=1&ref=science&adxnnlx=1355328100-omAZCo2DKYfrAKKIu3/LzQ

I ❤ Malaria

Around a million people die from malaria every year. It is caused by parasites that can be obtained from the Anopheles mosquito. Now that scientists have figured out how to detect the most dangerous strains the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have begun to piece together a path to cure malaria. Once the parasite enters into the blood stream it continues to grow and multiply inside of the red blood cells.They are well on their way to stopping the parasites from entering the cells by combining bioinformatic and genetic methods they feel that if they change the DNA sequence in the proteins in the blood cells they can stop the parasite from hiding within the blood stream so well.







http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/12/121203082056.htm

I ❤ Tortoises

After the death of Lonesome George the world felt an empty place in their heart as one of the greatest tortoises passed away along with the fact he was the last of a long lineage of tortoises. Luckily scientists have found 17 new Galapagos tortoises and have found that they have similar genetic traits to George and may also have the same genus. Yale scientist have found 9 females, 3 males, and 5 young hatch-lings. Before George died they thought about resuscitating  the species, but Georges old body wasn't quite up to the challenge. Before humans came there were believed to be around 300,000 tortoises, but hunting, and invasive species made their numbers fall drastically. They still hope to incorporate the turtles into research, and are happy to think that the species can be saved.



http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/11/26/last_giant_tortoise_not_last/

I ❤ Pandas

Yesterday a fossil was found in Spain. This fossil is believed to have belonged to an ancient breed of bear who are believed to be the oldest ancestors of the modern day panda. The paleontologists believe that the two jaws (with teeth) are 11.6 million years old and represent a new genus that were members of the giant panda family. The fossils are very bear-like, but have adapted to eat tough plant material instead of meat. Author Juan Abella says that the genus is not only the first bear recorded in the Iberian Peninsula, but the first lineage of the giant panda.





http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/11/121114172831.htm

I ❤ Fossils

           A fossil has recently been found containing a spider jumping onto it's prey. This detailed fossil holds these creatures from Hukawng Valley of Myanmar. From about 97 to 110 million years ago there were undoubtedly dinosaurs present in this Cretaceous era. The young spider is seen attacking a parasitic wasp that was caught in it's web.Scientists have found that there is a third spider in the fossil as well, and have also declared all of the specie to be extinct. They have also declared that the spider web is still intact and with the three bugs in the positions they are in, we can also see social behavior behavior patterns of them.

I ❤ Fish

 It has recently been found that global warming is causing fish to shrink. . Information has been founding saying that fish will be up to 24% smaller by 2050. What happens is this, when the water warm up so do the bodies of the fish, which directly influence their metabolisms to work much faster therefore needing more oxygen. This spike in demand for oxygen rich water cannot be met by the ocean, therefore depriving the fish of their necessities, and causing them not to grow as large. Research has found that the fish will continue to move toward the poles of the earth about 36 km per decade. This will undoubtedly have a large impact of the consumption of fish, and the cash flow that they provide.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-19758440

Go Go Gadget Limb

      

                 The African spiny mouse has “shed” a little light on the science of regeneration. This unique animal has the ability to shed patches of its skin for a quick get away in a tight situation. Because of this defensive technique these mice also have the power to regenerate their skin at a much higher rate than the rest of their species. Upon further investigation it was found that the skin of these mice is actually 70% thinner than an average mouse, and it was also found that they could grow back the thin layers about 2 times faster than an average mouse, and that they are able to grow back cartilage and all of their skin with almost no scarring. Could this be the beginning of a limb regeneration era in the human race? It sounds a little flaky to me…………

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/49186761/ns/technology_and_science-science/#.UGO84rJlQmw

I ❤ Dolphins

Fishing the majestic pink (Amazon River) Dolphin has been outlawed. Bolivian president Evo Morales has helped to pass a law which prohibits fishing of all sorts of this animal. This "National Treasure" has been put into the hands of the National Guard whose new job is to protect them in their habitats at all costs. This species is dying because of pollution, and soil erosion in the rivers. Although fishing has affected them, the biggest threats are the high levels of Mercury in the rivers they live in. Currently this mercury is coming from illegal gold mines that run their ruble into the rivers.These creatures need to be preserved. Their lives are essential to the survival of this planet.


http://frenchtribune.com/teneur/1213490-bolivian-president-bans-fishing-pink-dolphins
http://www.latinospost.com/articles/4292/20120918/bolivian-pink-dolphin-declared-national-treasure-president.htm




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=755hNR7vsH4&feature=player_embedded

The Pygmy Three toed Sloth and Microsoft together once again

Microsoft and the International Union For the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) have teamed up to protect the most endangered species in the world. How would Microsoft help? As a matter of fact they have guaranteed  software that will help to track, and trace the worlds most endangered species. Each year a "Red list" is presented to the world of the top 100 endangered species which contain wonderful  life like the pygmy sloth, and a welsh fungus. To save these organisms Microsoft's program will collect data of geography and lifestyle fit to that organism and will allow scientists to further their knowledge on these animals therefore broadening their abilities to stabilize the dwindling numbers.

http://www.iucnredlist.org

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/09/11/microsoft_endangered_animals/

Everyone wants a piece of the sweet Senkaku Islands

The Senkaku Islands are located in the East China Sea, and have been claimed by Japan, China, Taiwan and the United States since the 14th century. The ownership of these islands has been fought for because of their location on an important shipping route, and  suddenly became a very important possession when surveyors found large deposits of hydrocarbon beneath them. Japan has recently made a deal with the Kurihara family to purchase three of the five islands. To date there has been no finished sale, but sources say that the islands are going for 2.05 billion yen. Japan plan to have their deal made, and own these islands by the end of the month.








http://en.ria.ru/world/20120905/175775918.html