New Marine Database Boosts Ocean Research
Biologists have launched a new database of marine animals' body sizes, which could aid in ocean biodiversity preservation by providing insights into animal behavior, physiology, and habitat preferences.
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"Bats Making a Comeback Thanks to Pennsylvania Biologists and Allies"
Biologists and conservationists in Pennsylvania are celebrating the successful recovery of some bat species that were once on the brink of extinction due to white-nose syndrome, a deadly fungal disease. Efforts to combat the disease and protect bat habitats have contributed to the gradual rebound of these important wildlife species, offering hope for their long-term survival.
Playful Mountain Lion Kittens Show Their Roaring Potential to Scientists in California
Biologists entered the den of two newborn mountain lions in the Santa Monica Mountains and were met with adorable purrs and growls instead of roars. The footage, shared by the Santa Monica Mountains National Park Service, shows the cubs attempting to intimidate the scientists. The video has gained popularity on social media and has been re-shared by The US Department of the Interior. The biologists assessed the cubs' health and tagged their ears with uniquely numbered tags while their mother was away hunting. The practice of studying mountain lions in the area has been ongoing since 2002 to understand their survival in an urbanized environment.
Cracking the Mystery of Whales' Cancer Resistance.
Bowhead whales have a unique ability to repair DNA damage with high efficiency and accuracy compared to other mammals, according to a study by researchers from the University of Rochester. The study offers a solution to Peto's paradox, which describes how large, long-lived animals, despite having trillions more cells than humans or tiny critters, don't develop more cancers. The researchers found that bowhead whale cells are better at repairing DNA damage than cells from humans, mice, and cows, and that they pump out a DNA repair protein called CIRBP at much higher levels than the other species studied.
The Surprising Ecosystem Thriving in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch
Biologists have found that the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, an 80,000-ton cloud of plastic and trash floating in the Pacific Ocean, is teeming with life. They discovered 484 marine invertebrates from 46 species, including gooseneck barnacles and sea anemones, clinging to the detritus. While the garbage patch is an environmental disaster, it is also a unique ecosystem that supports marine life.