Sleep May Retrieve Lost Memories

An experiment conducted with fruit flies found that sleeping can help retrieve old memories. For a series of experiments, researchers altered the genes of fruit flies. While this caused various types of problems with memory, the researchers found that the flies could get their memories back. An example of this was a test in short term memory. The flies remembered to avoid an area treated with a nasty chemical (quinine). The article remarks that, “Insects and people are different. That means the fly research doesn’t necessarily apply to us. Still, dozing fruit flies act a lot like people. Sleeping flies hold very still. Snoozing flies are hard to wake up.” This experiment leaves the researchers hopeful to connect this find to potential treatments for diseases like Alzheimer's.

This article was interesting to find that people are trying to find connections between sleeping fruit flies to curing Alzheimer’s. The article comments that people think this, “is a stretch” but at least people are taking different approaches to find a treatment for the disease. Perhaps, small experiments with fruit flies could lead other researchers into the right path for a cure. Nevertheless, this article is informative as it demonstrates that people are taking a variety of approaches to find a cure as well as reporting a unique, unpredicted response from the flies in the experiment.

Sanders, Laura. "Catching ZZZs May Retrieve Lost Memories." Science News for Students. Society for Science and the Public, 29 Jan. 2017. Web. 15 June 2017.

https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/catching-zzzs-may-retrieve-lost-memories

Coelomocytes and post-traumatic response in the common sea star

Scientists are using sea stars in a experiment to test what their nervous systems capability is and which species have a developed immune system when amputations take place. Coelomocytes are recognized as the main cellular component of the echinoderm immune system. They are the first line of defense and their number and type can vary dramatically during infections or following injury. Sea stars have been used as a model system to study the regeneration process after autotomy or predation. In terms of trauma and post- traumatic stress periods, the arm amputation and repair phase involved in the first 24 hours post- amputation, mimicked a natural predation period. There was a increase in the total umber of freely circulating coelomocytes was observed 6 hours post- amputation. I picked this article because I was interested in how the regeneration process of a sea stars limbs worked. I felt that the study presented was well thought out and organized. Also, that is clearly demonstrated how the regeneration process works in a sea stars body.  

Citation

Pinsino, Annalisa, Michael C. Thorndyke, and Valeria Matranga. "Coelomocytes and Post-traumatic          Response in the Common Sea Star Asterias Rubens." Cell Stress & Chaperones. Cell Stress  Society     International, Dec. 2007. Web. 15 June 2017.

First Ever Venomous Crustacean

Scattered throughout Mexico and Central America, there are caves and connecting networks throughout the deepest parts of the sea. Biologists have found these waters to be home to the first venomous crustacean known to science. The crustacean in question, Speleonectes tulumensis, belongs to the remipedes, a group first described in 1981. They live in labyrinth like cave networks. These creatures, also known as remipedes, were found having tossed empty shrimp exoskeletons to the water after having eaten them, presumably, and after poisoning them. Researchers found that reservoirs attached to the needle structures are surrounded by muscles that can pump fluid through the needles. Moreover, they found glands in the centre of the remipede body that manufacture venom and are connected to the reservoirs.

Von Reumont and Jenner also found that the crustaceans’ venom is made predominantly of peptidases, enzymes that have roles in digestion and are also found in rattlesnake venom. It contains a toxin that is nearly identical to a paralysis-inducing toxin first described in spiders. Though toxin is common in spiders, scorpions, and centipedes, it was never before found in any of the 70,000 crustacean spieces. And, although the crustacean is venomous, it has a much more varied diet than most venomous creatures. Whether its venom affects humans is still unknown.

Kaplan, Matt. "First Venomous Crustacean Discovered." Nature News. Nature Publishing Group, 22 Oct. 2013. Web. 15 June 2017.

DOLPHINS Yuh

Dolphins are mammals of the sea.  Their main diet mainly consists of small fish, squid, and crustaceans. They use echolocation to find their prey and when they are in large groups they circle their prey. It is hard to know what the actual number of dolphins in the world is because there are so many different species that live in different places in the world.  Dolphins are also known for their playful behavior and their agility.  Dolphins are known to live with either a small group of other dolphins or they live with over a hundred other dolphins. Dolphins don't have a specific mating season, they mate year round.  They are also the only other mammals that have sex for fun.  Dolphins usually only have one calf, but they can sometimes have twins but it is very rare.
This article showed me some new facts about dolphins.  I didn't know that dolphins used echolocation and that they lived in such large groups.  I found it interesting how this website showed all these cool facts about dolphins.


"Basic Facts About Dolphins." Defenders of Wildlife. Defenders of Wildlife, 26 Apr. 2012. Web. 15 June 2017.

The Secret to Immortality

A small Jellyfish found back in the 1880's is getting another inspection.
Scientists have identified this jelly as Turritopsis dohrnii, also known as the "Immortal Jellyfish."

This jellyfish utilizes a process known as transdifferentiation, which, when injured, can return to a previous stage in its life and regenerate cells. It can also repurpose cells, taking adult cells which are specialized for one task and giving them a new job. Seeing how this can go on indefinitely, this is one of the few, if only organism that is declared essentially "biologically immortal."
AMNH. "The Immortal Jellyfish." American Museum of Natural History. AMNH, 5 Apr. 2015. Web. 15 June 2017. <http://www.amnh.org/explore/news-blogs/on-exhibit-posts/the-immortal-jellyfish/>.

Truth About White Tigers

White Tigers are a beautiful animal to behold. Unfortunately, not many people know the harsh truth about these tigers.
White Tigers are the result of inbreeding, and quite a bit of it. As one would expect, inbreeding causes many issues in the tigers besides having their beautiful white coat. Many have club feet and crossed eyes, even if they seem completely normal. Some other issues they could potentially have are defective organs and spinal deformaties.
Why then, are they still bred? The unfortunate truth is that they make money. People love to see White Tigers because they are generally accepted as being better looking and beautiful.
Awesome as they may be, they are almost inhumane to breed.
"All White Tigers Are Inbred and Are Not Purebred." Big Cat Rescue. Big Cat Rescue, n.d. Web. 15 June 2017. <https://bigcatrescue.org/abuse-issues/issues/white-tigers/>.

Two-Headed Porpoise Found

The first documented two-headed dolphin was accidentally caught last month by a Dutch fisherman within the North Sea. The fisherman had unexpectedly caught the porpoise as bycatch in a beamtrawl net. They decided to release the animal back into the ocean because they feared it would be against the law to keep it, despite it already being deceased. However, they took plenty of photos of their bizarre discovery and alerted researchers in the process. Unfortunately, researchers were only able to gain details from the fisherman's photos but successfully determined that the porpoise was both a newborn and a male. They also believe that the dolphin would not have lasted long in the wild because the tail had not stiffened. This is a necessary development that these animal's need in order to swim. They also determined that the dolphin had died shortly after birth because the dorsal fins were not yet erect and the top of the heads still contained hairs. Additionally, the porpoise still contained an umbilical opening. The article reflects on studies of conjoined twins that have been evaluated in a variety of different species, such as humans, reptiles, and domesticated animals. Researchers point out that conjoined twins are rarely seen in wild animals. In fact, there were only nine other discoveries of two-headed cetaceans that had ever been reliably documented. Symmetrical conjoined twins are thought to result when two separate embryos fuse together or when a zygote only partially splits. However, a full understanding of what causes conjoined twins remains unknown.

After reading the article, I was surprised to find out that there was such a low discovery of conjoined twins. Initially, I never thought about how this could also affect wildlife outside of domestic situations. I always thought conjoined twins and other odd deformities were a result of corrupt breeding or inbreeding, but to have it occur in the wild is a new discovery to me. I think that it is incredibly interesting to learn about the rarity of this occurrence and how it has received such a large reaction from different researchers.


Gibbens, Sarah. "Two-Headed Porpoise Found For First Time." National Geographic. National Geographic Society, 14 June 2017. Web. 15 June 2017.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/06/two-headed-porpoise-found-first/

Hagfish and Their Amazing Abilities

Hagfish have a large sum of incredible qualities that make them so special, including their abilities to release thick slime from their skin, tie themselves in knots, and live inside dead bodies. As of today, researches have gained more knowledge about the long, eel-like fish that scavenge for small invertebrates and carcasses on the seafloor. Besides having sightless eyes and an additional three hearts, they are most primarily known for their ability to spew out slime when threatened or disturbed. Shockingly, these animals can release up to four cups in a fraction of a second. This slime consists of mucus and thin fibers which can clog the gills of predators when under attack. In rare instances where hagfish become trapped in their own slime, they are able to tie themselves in tight knots to escape. Additionally, hagfish have also been found to be incredibly flexible, fitting through small gaps as narrow as half of their body width. They are the only known animal to have a cranium but no spiral column, and a skeletal rod that most invertebrates lose in utero. This is what gives them such flexibility. Lastly, hagfish have also been recognized to live within dead bodies or carcasses that have been found at the bottom of the ocean. Researchers have discovered that these animals are the first to discover the remains before proceeding to burrow their entire bodies into the carcass. When buried too deep, they must escape by consuming the remainder of the body.

I personally think that hagfish have an abundance of marvelous abilities that they can use for offense and defense against other predators. Before reading this article, I only knew about the animal's ability to produce slime but as I continued to read, I realized that their other characteristics were really interesting to know about. However,  I'm also curious as to how the hagfish population is not overabundant due to their defensive mechanisms, and what types of animals are their biggest predators.

Dell'Amore, Christine. "7 Reasons Hagfish Are Amazing (#6: They Can Live in Dead Bodies)." National Geographic. National Geographic Society, 14 June 2017. Web. 15 June 2017.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/03/hagfish-oceans-slime-deep-weird/

Armored Slugs!

Slug, Armored Slug Reveals Ancestry of Mollusks

A new species of Mollusk has been discovered! This breakthrough in scientific research gives us a glimpse into the evolution of Mollusks. The armored slug seems to be the most primitive relative to Chitons, and dates back to the earliest of Molusks (around 485-470 million years ago). The new species, Calvapilosa Kroegeri, lived during the early Ordovician period. 

A pretty great discovery in my opinion! I find it absolutely fascinating that we can look back at the fossil record and connect the dots between then and now. What I would love to know more of, however, is how this fossil relates to other Molusks besides Chiton. I would especially love to see the oldest common ancestor shared between all Molusks. 

Here's food for thought: What do you think a common ancestor of all Molusks would look like?
Source:
University of Bristol. (2017, February 6). Spiny, armored slug reveals ancestry of molluscs. ScienceDaily. Retrieved June 8, 2017 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/02/170206111800.htm

Disco Clams!

Panic of the Disco Clam

In the article, Jenny Rood discusses how a team of scientists in Florida researched the Ctenoides ales, also known as the disco clam. The team proposed that one possible explanation for their blinking lights is to fend off predators. In fact, the clam's lights and sulfur tainted tentacles scared off attacking shrimp.

I find this really fascinating. The disco clam is very unique in its ability to produce an array of colors! Especially since those colors help fend off predators. And while these flashy colors may not be as exciting as a disco, they sure do help save the Mollusk. In fact, this creature has really caught my fascination. Not everyday do we hear of special clams with blinking anti-shrimp lights. I will definitely have to continue looking into the disco clam!

Now for the readers: think about all the features you could have to deter predators. What would you choose? Would it be disco lights?

Source

Rood, J. (2015, January 6). Panic of the Disco Clam. Retrieved June 14, 2017, from http://www.the-scientist.com/?articles.view/articleNo/41851/title/Panic-of-the-Disco-Clam/