For the first time, scientists have discovered complex multicellular organisms living a mile and more underaising new possibilities about the spread of life on Earthwhich found new ways about the spread of life on earth and the potential of underground life on other planets and moons.
Nicknamed “worms from hell“, the nematodes, or roundworms, were in several gold mines in South Africa, where researchers have also made breakthrough discoveries about deep subterranean single-cell life.
(Courtesy of Gaetan Borgonie at University of Ghent/ ) – Head of a nematode “Halicephalobus Mephisto”. Worms From Hell (washingtonpost) Continue reading →
Scientists got a little weirder that have identified four new species of brain-controlling fungi that turn ants into zombies that do the parasite’s bidding before it kills them. Identified from samples at two locations in the tropical rain forest of Brazil, each of the four types is specialized in the control of another species of carpenter ant collected.
The original zombie ant fungus Ophiocordyceps Unilateralis, was first identified in 1865, and it seems to exist around the world. The earliest evidence of a fungus that the ants turn into zombies and makes them stagger to their death was discovered by scientists.
A zombie ant carcass clings to a vein on the underside of a leaf, just as its mind-controlling fungus intended.
CREDIT: David Hughes. (livescience.com) Continue reading →
Indonesia Komodo National Park is listed as one of 28 finalists the New Seven Wonders (N7W).
“One of the reasons for the election of the Komodo National Park is Komodo dragons have the privilege of ancient animals are still alive and exist only in Indonesia,” said activist dragons, Zeby Febrina, told reporters in Jakarta, Friday (22/10).
Komodo Dragon Indonesia
Indonesia Komodo National Park listed as finalists
Currently, Indonesia through the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Jakarta Provincial Government is doing deals to win the venue for the declaration which will be held on November 11, 2011.
Jakarta has been nominated for top positions against the United States with its superiority Grand Canyon, United Arab Emirates (UAE) with Bu Tinah, Vietnam with Halong Bay and the nine countries that favor the Amazon, led by Brazil.
Zeby said that the decision about which country will be selected as the organizer will set one year before the declaration is, on November 11, 2010. Indonesian people are encouraged to support the Komodo National Park to visit website in www.newsevenwonders.com.
Since October 20, 2010 President of the New Seven Wonders Bernard Weber, along with the board of directors, Jean Paul de la Fuente visit to Jakarta to get a picture and an atmosphere that is more real about Jakarta and Indonesia.
Zeby hope that through this support, the Komodo dragon can be known throughout the world and society are increasingly aware that not only dragons that must be protected but all the animals are nearly extinct in Indonesia.
Monarch butterfly, which became a legend, now face new threats such as severe storms which their habibat forest in Mexico.
The Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is a milkweed butterfly (subfamily Danainae), in the family Nymphalidae. It is perhaps the best known of all North American butterflies. Since the 19th century, it has been found in New Zealand, and in Australia since 1871 where it is called the Wanderer. In Europe it is resident in the Canary Islands, the Azores, and Madeira, and is found as an occasional migrant in Western Europe. Its wings feature an easily recognizable orange and black pattern, with a wingspan of 8.9–10.2 centimetres (3½–4 in). (The Viceroy butterfly has a similar size, color, and pattern, but can be distinguished by an extra black stripe across the hind wing.) Female Monarchs have darker veins on their wings, and the males have a spot called the “androconium” in the center of each hind wing from which pheromones are released. Males are also slightly larger.
The Monarch is famous for its southward migration and northward return in summer in the Americas which spans the life of three to four generations of the butterfly. (wikipedia)
The Nature Conservancy said Tuesday (17/08/2010), damaged by a storm on 13000 hectares of land habibat monarch butterflies in Mexico into a new blow to the fragile butterflies.
These beautiful animals come to Mexico at least in last season, after traveling as far as 2000 miles from various locations to the north of Canada.
Illegal logging also threatens the habitat of butterflies in western Mexico, where butterfly black wings black and orange become common sights during the winter.
“The forest area of 117 hectares damaged in the winter of this year due to heavy rain and high winds,” said Omar Vidal, the leader of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Mexico.
“Extreme climatic conditions are more common and more severe, could threaten the lives of these butterflies,” said Juan Bezaury, representative of The Nature Conservancy’s Mexico, told to reporters.
February is the driest month in Mexico, but the days of heavy rain, high winds and snowfall this year to destroy their perches.
Many scientists have pointed to the cause of extreme weather events are caused by climate change greenhouse gases, including carbon industry.
Mexico, which will host the next round of UN climate talks that began in late November, has promised to reduce its carbon waste as much as 50 million tons in 2012.
Mexico declared reforestation and sustainable forestry will be a key part of its strategy to prevent the waste of carbon.
Monarch Butterfly Images :
Monarch Butterfly Male (wikipedia)
Monarch Butterfly Female (wikipedia)
Monarch Butterfly Video :
Monarch Butterfly Pupation
Several species of African monkey like Sooty Mangebey (Cercocebus atys) is known to have a natural defense mechanism that prevents them from becoming infected with HIV. These primates infected with SIV can be reported without progressed to AIDS despite the amount of the virus very much.
The phenomenon commonly known as a natural host currently being examined by scientists to study the development of drugs of HIV / AIDS to humans.
Scientists have found the body of the monkeys are going regeneration of T cells, white blood cell types that make the immune system can fight germs or viral infections.
In particular note Sooty Mangabey monkeys infected by SIV (simian immunodeficiency virus) or HIV virus in primate relatives, is able to maintain levels of CD4 and T cells through the rapid regeneration of CD4 and plain T cells or have not been exposed to toxins and other compounds that stimulate antibody production.
The result of such research could explain why SIV and HIV can cause AIDS in primates, including humans. In this research, scientists from Yerkes National primates Research Center, Atlanta, compared Sooty Mangabey with the rhesus of monkeys was infected with SIV.
“Although the two species showed accretion CDH4 cells and T cells, but in rhesus monkeys appear regeneration naive CD4 T cells more slowly,” said Mirko Paiardini, one of the researchers.
