ActionBioscience tag:www.actionbioscience.org,2008://1 2008-05-08T14:38:14Z Movable Type 3.36 Polar Bears and Climate Change tag:staging.actionbioscience.org,2008://1.54003 2008-05-07T20:33:27Z 2008-05-08T14:38:14Z A warming climate is altering sea ice conditions, which affects polar bears in many ways, including:

  • more difficulty in getting to and hunting prey
  • fewer den areas and lower cub survival
  • increased interactions between bears and humans
  • lower survival rate of the species in general
]]> Andrew E. Derocher A warming climate is altering sea ice conditions, which affects polar bears in many ways, including:

  • more difficulty in getting to and hunting prey
  • fewer den areas and lower cub survival
  • increased interactions between bears and humans
  • lower survival rate of the species in general
]]> The Global Decline of Mollusks tag:staging.actionbioscience.org,2008://1.54002 2008-04-27T19:32:57Z 2008-05-08T13:07:25Z Mollusk species, such as snails and clams, are disappearing, but you may not know it since they do not typically stir up strong feelings. However, certain species

  • have commercial value as food and medical research
  • provide important nourishment and shelter (discarded shells) for other animal life
  • keep the water clean by recycling nutrients through their systems
]]> Christine E. Parent Mollusk species, such as snails and clams, are disappearing, but you may not know it since they do not typically stir up strong feelings. However, certain species

  • have commercial value as food and medical research
  • provide important nourishment and shelter (discarded shells) for other animal life
  • keep the water clean by recycling nutrients through their systems
]]> Scientific Literacy in the Classroom tag:staging.actionbioscience.org,2008://1.54000 2008-03-18T16:43:06Z 2008-05-01T17:27:28Z Fostering scientific literacy empowers students to:

  • understand the basic concepts in the media and civic policy
  • improve inquiry and critical thinking skills
  • make connections about our interaction with the natural world
]]> Carol Brewer Fostering scientific literacy empowers students to:

  • understand the basic concepts in the media and civic policy
  • improve inquiry and critical thinking skills
  • make connections about our interaction with the natural world
]]> The Evolution of Emerging Viruses tag:staging.actionbioscience.org,2008://1.53999 2008-03-18T16:04:17Z 2008-03-18T17:19:32Z Viruses will continue to be a big threat because human ecology has changed. Did you know?

  • RNA viruses evolve six times faster than human DNA.
  • Viruses are parasites. They cannot exist by themselves.
  • A virus is not picky about its host—as long as the host has the right cells for it to survive. That is why it can jump to humans from other species.
]]> Eddie Holmes Viruses will continue to be a big threat because human ecology has changed. Did you know?

  • RNA viruses evolve six times faster than human DNA.
  • Viruses are parasites. They cannot exist by themselves.
  • A virus is not picky about its host—as long as the host has the right cells for it to survive. That is why it can jump to humans from other species.
]]> Mitochondria and Aging tag:staging.actionbioscience.org,2008://1.53997 2008-03-05T04:54:56Z 2008-03-05T16:01:25Z Aging has lately been linked to mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage.

  • Mitochondrial DNA provides energy to the cells; when damaged, they do not provide the energy they need to help you function properly and you get sick.
  • Damaged mitochondrial DNA in genetic diseases is similar to damaged mitochondrial DNA seen in older humans, only the damage presents itself much sooner.
  • Humans are programmed to overeat—to “store up for winter,” but by overeating, mtDNA produces oxygen radicals that damage our bodies.
]]> Douglas C. Wallace Aging has lately been linked to mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage.

  • Mitochondrial DNA provides energy to the cells; when damaged, they do not provide the energy they need to help you function properly and you get sick.
  • Damaged mitochondrial DNA in genetic diseases is similar to damaged mitochondrial DNA seen in older humans, only the damage presents itself much sooner.
  • Humans are programmed to overeat—to “store up for winter,” but by overeating, mtDNA produces oxygen radicals that damage our bodies.
]]> Pygmy Rabbits in Peril in the U.S.A. tag:staging.actionbioscience.org,2008://1.53995 2008-02-28T18:45:43Z 2008-03-05T20:03:26Z The decline of pygmy rabbits in the Columbia Basin in Washington State indicate trouble for groups of these animals elsewhere in the U.S. Using the ideas presented here, other organizations can

  • discover what types of diseases and predators afflict the species;
  • gather information about preserving habitat; and
  • learn how to initiate repopulation in threatened areas.
]]> Lisa Shipley The decline of pygmy rabbits in the Columbia Basin in Washington State indicate trouble for groups of these animals elsewhere in the U.S. Using the ideas presented here, other organizations can

  • discover what types of diseases and predators afflict the species;
  • gather information about preserving habitat; and
  • learn how to initiate repopulation in threatened areas.
]]> Genetic Testing to Predict Disease: Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI) tag:dev.actionbioscience.com,2007://1.53969 2007-12-06T16:11:57Z 2008-03-21T14:08:26Z Genetic testing to predict disease can be helpful to individuals and some families but poses ethical, legal, and social questions. For example:

  • Do you know your privacy rights when it comes to genetic testing?
  • Does a doctor have a right to share your information with family?
  • Would you allow a child to have genetic testing?
  • Would you use genetic testing to choose the “right” embryo?
]]> Linda MacDonald Glenn Genetic testing to predict disease can be helpful to individuals and some families but poses ethical, legal, and social questions. For example:

  • Do you know your privacy rights when it comes to genetic testing?
  • Does a doctor have a right to share your information with family?
  • Would you allow a child to have genetic testing?
  • Would you use genetic testing to choose the “right” embryo?
]]> Talking Past Each Other: Genetic Testing and Indigenous Populations tag:dev.actionbioscience.com,2007://1.53968 2007-09-17T18:25:46Z 2008-04-30T03:35:22Z An ethical approach to genetic testing of indigenous populations requires:

  • protection from racial discrimination
  • preservation of human rights
  • prior informed consent of individuals
  • retention of a population’s cultural self-determination
]]> By Ikechi Mgbeoji An ethical approach to genetic testing of indigenous populations requires:

  • protection from racial discrimination
  • preservation of human rights
  • prior informed consent of individuals
  • retention of a population’s cultural self-determination
]]> Looking for Ms or Mr Gene Right: Premarital Genetic Screening tag:basil.apperceptio.com,2007:/aibs//1.52820 2007-06-01T16:28:36Z 2008-04-30T03:44:38Z Now that it’s possible to identify the cause or susceptibility to some diseases, should couples:

  • Undertake premarital genetic testing?
  • Inform prospective spouses about they are susceptible to a disease that may be transmitted to their children?
  • If there is a risk, take a genetically responsible decision with regard to their future spouse or about having children?
]]> Gil Siegal Now that it’s possible to identify the cause or susceptibility to some diseases, should couples:

  • Undertake premarital genetic testing?
  • Inform prospective spouses about they are susceptible to a disease that may be transmitted to their children?
  • If there is a risk, take a genetically responsible decision with regard to their future spouse or about having children?
]]> Why Do We Need an Amphibian Ark? tag:basil.apperceptio.com,2007:/aibs//1.52738 2007-05-01T16:27:13Z 2008-04-30T01:20:46Z In response to the crisis of amphibian declines, the Amphibian Ark (AArk) would

  • coordinate conservation activities
  • assess amphibian species that may go extinct
  • keep endangered species in captivity in suitable locations, such as zoos
  • release animals into the wild when their survival can be assured
]]> Kevin Zippel In response to the crisis of amphibian declines, the Amphibian Ark (AArk) would

  • coordinate conservation activities
  • assess amphibian species that may go extinct
  • keep endangered species in captivity in suitable locations, such as zoos
  • release animals into the wild when their survival can be assured
]]> Rewilding Megafauna: Lions and Camels in North America? tag:basil.apperceptio.com,2007:/aibs//1.52831 2007-03-01T17:28:48Z 2008-02-26T20:46:24Z Some scientists have proposed a controversial idea for rewilding North America with megafauna that went extinct 13,000 years ago. They claim the idea would:

  • restore balance to North American ecosystems
  • create an ecological history park accessible to all
  • add to the economy of nearby rural areas
]]> Interview with Connie Barlow Some scientists have proposed a controversial idea for rewilding North America with megafauna that went extinct 13,000 years ago. They claim the idea would:

  • restore balance to North American ecosystems
  • create an ecological history park accessible to all
  • add to the economy of nearby rural areas
]]> Evidence and the Cambrian Explosion tag:basil.apperceptio.com,2007:/aibs//1.52813 2007-01-01T17:28:28Z 2008-04-30T03:24:39Z The Cambrian explosion is a pivotal time in the history of life on Earth.

  • Most major groups of animals that have bilateral symmetry first appear in the fossil record of the Cambrian period.
  • One hypothesis states that all these animal groups arose from a common ancestor at or near that time.
  • It is a strong example of macroevolution, or evolution on a grand time scale above the species level.
]]> Jeffrey S. Levinton The Cambrian explosion is a pivotal time in the history of life on Earth.

  • Most major groups of animals that have bilateral symmetry first appear in the fossil record of the Cambrian period.
  • One hypothesis states that all these animal groups arose from a common ancestor at or near that time.
  • It is a strong example of macroevolution, or evolution on a grand time scale above the species level.
]]> Animals: Tracing Their Heritage tag:basil.apperceptio.com,2007:/aibs//1.52811 2007-01-01T17:28:26Z 2008-02-20T15:43:14Z The earliest animals are absent from the fossil record, so scientists need to determine

  • the nature of the first animals by studying the basic characteristics shared among all animals
  • the origin of multicellularity, which is a pivotal event in animal evolution
  • how the closest living relative, the single-celled choanoflagellates, relates to multicellular animals
]]> Nicole King The earliest animals are absent from the fossil record, so scientists need to determine

  • the nature of the first animals by studying the basic characteristics shared among all animals
  • the origin of multicellularity, which is a pivotal event in animal evolution
  • how the closest living relative, the single-celled choanoflagellates, relates to multicellular animals
]]> The Foja Mountains of Indonesia: Exploring the Lost World tag:basil.apperceptio.com,2007:/aibs//1.52722 2007-01-01T17:26:57Z 2008-02-20T16:04:12Z Many species of the Foja Mountains have remained unknown until recently.

  • Over forty new species were found in one month alone in 2005.
  • The mountains these species inhabit are untouched by human activity.
  • The area needs a conservation plan to protect its uniqueness and its value to both science and the people of New Guinea.
]]> Bruce M. Beehler Many species of the Foja Mountains have remained unknown until recently.

  • Over forty new species were found in one month alone in 2005.
  • The mountains these species inhabit are untouched by human activity.
  • The area needs a conservation plan to protect its uniqueness and its value to both science and the people of New Guinea.
]]> Fossils and the Origin of Whales tag:basil.apperceptio.com,2007:/aibs//1.52807 2006-12-01T17:28:22Z 2008-02-14T21:25:01Z Whale fossils reveal fascinating information about their evolution:

  • “archaic” whales returned to the sea from land
  • early whales were semi-aquatic, spending part of their life on land
  • Eocene whales were foot-powered swimmers before they evolved to use their tail
  • today’s carnivorous whales evolved from plant eaters
]]> Philip Gingerich Whale fossils reveal fascinating information about their evolution:

  • “archaic” whales returned to the sea from land
  • early whales were semi-aquatic, spending part of their life on land
  • Eocene whales were foot-powered swimmers before they evolved to use their tail
  • today’s carnivorous whales evolved from plant eaters
]]>