A Blog Around The Clock

More Genes Are Controlled By Biological Clocks Than Previously Thought:

The tick-tock of your biological clock may have just gotten a little louder. Researchers at the University of Georgia report that the number of genes under control of the biological clock in a much-studied model organism is dramatically higher than previously reported. The new study implies that the clock may be much more important in living things than suspected only a few years ago.

No More Big Stink: Scent Lures Mosquitoes, But Humans Can't Smell It:

Mosquito traps that reek like latrines may be no more. A University of California, Davis research team led by chemical ecologist Walter Leal has discovered a low-cost, easy-to-prepare attractant that lures blood-fed mosquitoes without making humans hold their noses.

Treatment For Hearing Loss? Scientists Grow Hair Cells Involved in Hearing:

Oregon Health & Science University scientists have successfully produced functional auditory hair cells in the cochlea of the mouse inner ear. The breakthrough suggests that a new therapy may be developed in the future to successfully treat hearing loss. The results of this research was recently published by the journal Nature.

Shot In The Arm For Sumatran Elephants And Tigers:

The Indonesian government is to double the size of a national park that is one of the last havens for endangered Sumatran elephants and tigers.

New Report Loosens Noose Around Albatross's Neck:

The survival chances of the albatross, now officially the most threatened seabird family in the world, have been improved following a new report released by WWF-South Africa.

'Fingerprinting' Helps Make Great Grapes:

At about this time next year, nearly all of the 2,800 wild, rare and domesticated grapes in a unique northern California genebank will have had their "genetic profile" or "fingerprint" taken. These fingerprints may help grape breeders pinpoint plants in the collection that have unusual traits--ones that might appeal to shoppers in tomorrow's supermarkets.

More Than 150,000 Species Of Flies, Gnats, Maggots, Midges, Mosquitoes Documented In Database:

Distinguishing between insect pests and partners starts with an ironclad identification. So Agricultural Research Service (ARS) entomologist Chris Thompson headed up efforts to accurately identify and name almost 157,000 flies, gnats, maggots, midges, mosquitoes and related species in the order Diptera.

Slowing Ships To Protect North Atlantic Right Whales:

NOAA's Fisheries Service is seeking comment on the final environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Ship Strike Reduction Rule. The EIS is one of the final steps in the process to implement a final rule. The ship strike reduction rule aims to reduce the number of endangered North Atlantic right whales injured or killed by collisions with large ships.