Oldest Gecko Fossil Ever Found, Entombed In Amber:
Scientists from Oregon State University and the Natural History Museum in London have announced the discovery of the oldest known fossil of a gecko, with body parts that are forever preserved in life-like form after 100 million years of being entombed in amber.
Black-footed Ferrets Sired By Dead Males Via Frozen Sperm:
Two black-footed ferrets at the Smithsonian's National Zoo have each given birth to a kit that was sired by males who died in 1999 and 2000. These endangered ferrets--part of a multi-institutional breeding and reintroduction program--were artificially inseminated in May with frozen semen from the two deceased males, each giving birth to a kit on June 20 and 21 respectively.
Wolves Would Rather Eat Salmon:
Although most people imagine wolves chasing deer and other hoofed animals, new research suggests that, when they can, wolves actually prefer fishing to hunting. The study shows that when salmon is available, wolves will reduce deer hunting activity and instead focus on seafood.
Do 68 Molecules Hold The Key To Understanding Disease?:
Why is it that the origins of many serious diseases remain a mystery? In considering that question, a scientist at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine has come up with a unified molecular view of the indivisible unit of life, the cell, which may provide an answer.
New Giant Clam Species Offers Window Into Human Past:
Researchers report the discovery of the first new living species of giant clam in two decades, according to a report to be published online on August 28th in Current Biology. While fossil evidence reveals that the new species, called Tridacna costata, once accounted for more than 80 percent of giant clams in the Red Sea, it now represents less than one percent of giant clams living there.
Life Science
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