In the news
3rd year Natural Sciences student, Michael Hockey, sent it 2 links from the BBC website (thank you Michael!). Firstly, sponges are key to nutrient recycling in coral reefs
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-24398394
You can read the original article here http://www.sciencemag.org/content/342/6154/108
Secondly, Fatally strenuous exertions http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-24443104
This was a widely reported story about highly promiscuous marsupial species, where the males attempt to mate with as many females as possible, with fatal consequences.
More here http://www.ryot.org/small-male-marsupials-sex-themselves-to-death/411809; and here http://www.franchiseherald.com/articles/4084/20131008/sexual-suicide-male-marsupial-species-collapse-much-procreation.htm ; and here http://www.healthcanal.com/sexual-health/43687-dying-for-sex-%E2%80%93-extreme-mammal-habits.html
You can read the original article here http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2013/10/02/1310691110, with a link to a related commentary at the bottom of the page.
Following discussion of chapter 1 of “Almost like a whale” last week, Chris McGeehan sent in this link where you can see how dog breeds have changed as a result of the last 100 years of human-imposed selection (thank you Chris!) http://dogbehaviorscience.wordpress.com/2012/09/29/100-years-of-breed-improvement/
Sperm wars – males are still in competition after successful copulation, if the female copulates with more than one male, so their sperm are in competition. Read more about this and its importance for speciation here (including photos of Drosophlia sperm in competition http://io9.com/sperm-wars-can-create-new-species-1433767505
Original article the blog is based on http://www.cell.com/current-biology/abstract/S0960-9822(13)00975-5?switch=standard
A new UK nuclear power plant contract has been signed. Hinkley 3 (in Somerset) has been in construction for a while but a contract has now be signed with EDF energy. Lots of views about this on the Guardian website http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/oct/21/uk-nuclear-power-plant-contract-deal-no-deal
In our journal club last week PhD student Becks Spake introduced us to Entophagy – consuming insects. Why would we want to eat insects? Read more here http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/13/130514-edible-insects-entomophagy-science-food-bugs-beetles/
Plus a recipe you might want to try (you can buy mealworms specifically for human consumption) http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/22527249
Baby Hadrosaur fossil discovered by a US high school student http://www.nature.com/news/high-school-student-finds-trumpet-headed-dinosaur-1.13987
Cyborg cockroaches controlled by your iphone, what do you think? http://news.sciencemag.org/brain-behavior/2013/10/cyborg-cockroach-sparks-ethics-debate
Last week was Biology week https://www.societyofbiology.org/get-involved/biologyweek/events-planned. Any ideas for Biology week 2014?
Last week included Ada Lovelace Day, a celebration of women in science http://findingada.com/ ; http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/oct/15/nerd-cabaret-wikipedia-ada-lovelace-day-2013?CMP=twt_fd
Posted By : Judith Lock