Dear all,
Please have a scroll down and click on any links that you find interesting. Now that term has started I’m expecting a lot of links to be sent in! It doesn’t have to be articles, you can send in links to interesting websites or you-tube clips.
Reminder – Date for your diary
For the last 2 years recent SBS graduates have been involved in collaborative projects with Southampton City Council and Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. The findings from this year’s projects will be presented onWednesday 9th February from 2pm in Building 32/1015. The projects being presented are:
– the effect of lighting on Southampton Common on bats
– monitoring the great-crested newts on Southampton Common
– comparison of methods to enhance bumblebee diversity in agricultural environments
– comparison of artificial reptile refugia
– the extent and management of invasive non-native plants in the New Forest.
Involvement in the scheme has greatly enhanced the career prospects of previous researchers. Third years, please attend as we will be looking for researchers to continue the monitoring projects from June.
First and second years, you should also attend to find out more about volunteering, work experience, work placements and third year project opportunities with local organisations. Although graduation may seem a long way off employers will be interested to see what experiences you have gained at university, apart from your degree. It may also help you to decide on a career path after graduation.
In the news
- Mairead McGuirk has posted lots of interesting links on the bio research feed on facebookhttp://www.facebook.com/pages/Bio-Research-Feed/270395445011?ref=ts
- What would happen if we eradicated mosquitoes? http://www.nature.com/news/2010/100721/full/466432a.html
First pictures of Plasmodium invading a host cell
http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2011/01/scienceshot-parasite-invasion.html?ref=hp – review + pictures, link to original article
Could disruption of the circadian rhythm of the Plasmodium parasite be the first steps towards the elimination of malaria without having to eliminate all mosquitoes?http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/early/2011/01/05/rspb.2010.2457.short?rss=1
- A Slime mould that is a farmer – slime moulds are amazing social amoebae which take on different forms (no one really knows how this is controlled). One type has been found to harvest bacteria rather than hunt it.
http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2011/01/the-worlds-smallest-farmers.html?ref=hp – another review + video
- Pterosaurs – You may remember hearing, or reading, about the discovery of a missing link pterosaur fossil, which was intermediate between the 2 previously known types of pterosaurs, it was named Darwinopterusbecause it was found in 2009, the year of Darwin’s 200th birthday (http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2009/10/14-02.html?ref=hp – review). Analysis of anotherDarwinopterus fossil suggests that it was a female (Mrs T) and a nearby structure is her egg, but is it? Read more here: http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2011/01/mama-pterosaur-discovered-in-china.html?ref=ra(review with link to original article)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-12242596 – BBC review + radio interview with lead author
- Corals are moving north in response to climate change “good for corals but bad for ecosystems”http://www.nature.com/news/2011/110121/full/news.2011.33.html
Cuckoos are also responding to climate change by changing the species of bird they egg-dump in.
Avian brood parasitism involves many traits, so switching host is only selected for when there is an adaptive advantage.
This study does not look at climate change but shows just how good cuckoos are at manipulating their hosts
You can read a quick guide to vocal mimicry in Current Biology here: http://download.cell.com/current-biology/pdf/PIIS096098221001451X.pdf
- Parasites with lifecycles that involve several hosts have been documented to manipulate their host to aid transmission from one host to the next (Dawkins terms this an extended phenotype), often by making the host more susceptible to predation. But what would we expect if the parasite only has one host? Answer: a reduction in that host’s predation, and this is exactly what has been found in nematodes which infect maggots and cause them to be less enticing to blue tits http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6W9W-51PR0K9-3&_user=126770&_coverDate=02%2F28%2F2011&_rdoc=9&_fmt=high&_orig=browse&_origin=browse&_zone=rslt_list_item&_srch=doc-info(%23toc%236693%232011%23999189997%232872769%23FLA%23display%23Volume)&_cdi=6693&_sort=d&_docanchor=&_ct=21&_acct=C000010399&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=126770&md5=e1ec84b566b5ef4a6c0c1edda2a5fc7c&searchtype=a– original article
In another study on parasites, gut microbes have been found to influence the behaviour of mice. The proposed mechanism is that the microbes alter the expression of a gene which is involved in the production of serotonin, whose site of action is the brain, therefore having neurological and resultant behavioural effects.
http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2011/01/26/1010529108 – original article
- From Lex, a mutualistic relationship between bats and pitcher plants – it seems the pitcher plant isn’t as carnivorous as originally thought as it feeds on bat faeces in return for providing a roost for tiny bats
http://rsbl.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/early/2011/01/21/rsbl.2010.1141.full – original article
http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2011/01/carnivorous-plant-feasts-on-bat-.html?ref=hp – another review
- We hear quite a lot about the trade in exotic wild animals (go to the CITES website to find out more). However, there is also a trade in rare plants. These plants are rare in their natural environment but may no longer be rare elsewhere due to horticulture. The production of hybrids may also threaten rare plants in their natural environment. Read more about the state of things in the US here:http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v469/n7331/full/469465a.html
- Studying deforestation – in Malaysia the upcoming replacement of forest with an palm oil plantation is being studied every step of the way. All aspects of the ecosystem will be studied, to see whether palm oil is a “green” way to boost the economy. What do you thin? There are comments for and against at the bottom. http://www.nature.com/news/2011/110128/full/news.2011.56.html
- Breaking evolutionary law – a study published in Evolution suggests that traits once lost may evolve once again, breaking Dollo’s law.
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1558-5646.2011.01221.x/abstract – original article
- Orangutan genome reveals details about human divergence from other great apes, and the evolution of the chimpanzee
Careers
- Lex emailed 2nd year students with a project opportunity:
Dear 2nd year biologists and zoologists,
I’ve been made aware of an opportunity to do your 3rd year research project on butterflies on Alderney. This might be the perfect opportunity for an ecologically-minded student who would like to do field work, but for whatever reason has decided not to go to the tropics.
If interested, please contact Mel Broadhurst (ecologist for the Alderney Wildlife Trust) directly:
Cheers, Lex
- There is funding available for Biology-related travel from the Society of Biology: The Society of Biology is offering generous student fellowships for overseas travel connected to biology. The £500 awards are open to Student Associate and Associate AMSB member of the Society, non-members can apply providing they have submitted a fully paid application. Student membership costs just £23 and members receive a number of benefits including access to journals, events and networking opportunities. The fellowships provide an excellent opportunity for students to pursue biological study, teaching or research overseas. Full details are available on their website – http://www.societyofbiology.org/education/careers/travellingfellowship
- Institute for Ecology & Environment Management – membership will not only look good on your CV but will also give you a discount on workshops. Student membership is only £20http://www.ieem.net/studentresourcesmembership.asp
- Working for a wildlife charity http://careers.guardian.co.uk/live-q-and-a/forum/dfd0a1ea-60fe-41e9-9f84-38e552df4449
Species of the week
For Joel, the army ant Eciton burchellii. It’s estimated that around 300 species actually *depend* on E. burchellihttp://www.springerlink.com/content/73352r3v38605u6g/fulltext.html
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Judith
Posted By : Judith Lock