Ageing hard or hardly ageing?

Article Abstract:

New research indicates that at least some of the physiological changes associated with ageing could be the result of telomere erosion. It has been established that reducing the capacity of mouse cells to divide causes the function of division-competent tissues to be compromised in later life. The continual loss of telomeric sequence leads in the long term to a reduction in the production of viable cells. This is probably why genomic instability arises if chromosomal ends are no longer protected by telomeres.

Aging, Causes of, Telomeres

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Did dinosaurs come up to scratch?

Article Abstract:

Following the discovery of dinosaurs with feathers it is suggested that birds could have inherited ectoparasites from feathered theropod dinosaurs. Microscopic egg-like structures on a fossil feather surface of around 120 million years old have been found with close similarities to the eggs of ectoparasitic feather mites. The specimens suggest that feather-borne parasites have an origin of at least Lower Cretaceous, possibly even older.

Fossils, Feathers, Bird pests

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Biodiversity supported: funding for a new programme, with only $1.5 million for grants, is hardly enough to scratch the surface

Article Abstract:

The International Cooperative Biodiversity Groups Program is a new initiative for the conservation of species funded by the Agency for International Development, the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health. However, with a paltry budget of only $1.5 million in grant funds the new effort is unlikely to accomplish much. Private industry may offer the world more hope toward preserving biodiversity.

Editorial, International aspects, Biological diversity conservation, Biodiversity conservation

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