http://www.grindtv.com/outdoor/nature/post/conjoined-gray-whale-calves-discovered-in-baja-california-lagoon-find-could-be-a-first/
I've seen pictures of two-headed turtles and snakes, and occasionally a conjoined cat or furry mammal, but wasn't expecting to see it in a large creature like a whale. These twin gray whales were found conjoined in Baja California, but it's unclear if they were born stillborn or may have survived a few hours. They are pretty crazy to look at. I bet this happens more in nature than we think, but humans just never encounter the developed animals like they did in this case. http://www.grindtv.com/outdoor/nature/post/conjoined-gray-whale-calves-discovered-in-baja-california-lagoon-find-could-be-a-first/ Photo credit: Jesus Gomez
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We all know about the appendix and wisdom teeth, but did you know that humans still have remnants of a third eyelid to sweep debris out of our eyes? Or parts on our ears that used to let them swivel in the direction of sound? Most of our body hair and muscles that cause goosebumps are unnecessary now, too.
http://msnvideo.msn.com/?channelindex=1&from=en-us_msnhp#/video/854973c6-a904-4b8f-ad4b-6c9e19e3727f This link provides short summaries of the accomplishments of 10 female scientists that died in 2013. I had not heard of almost any of them before, but they were in charge of some scientific breakthroughs. For example, Brigitte Askonas studied T-lymphocytes' role in viral infections, Ruth Benerito invented easy-care cotton fabric that wouldn't wrinkle (it was said she saved the cotton industry), Yvonne Brill helped discover how thrust can keep satellites in their orbits, and Janet Rowley discovered how cancer can have a genetic basis due to chromosomal slip-ups.
http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/guest-blog/2013/12/30/gone-in-2013-a-tribute-to-10-remarkable-women-in-science/ I try not to let my fondness for adorable animals take over my science blog, but in this case, this link is perfect: it has cute panda pictures AND science! (Also, it's not just me: check this link out for why humans think some animals, including pandas, are irresistibly cute). It used to be very difficult for pandas to successfully breed and raise their young in captivity, but recently captive breeding programs have improved their techniques (49 pandas were born in captivity last year, and 42 survived). Zookeepers have found success in alternating the time a mother panda spends with twin cubs, because if both twins stayed with her, she would abandon one. To preserve genetic diversity, zookeepers are now moving away from breeding previously successful males and breeding wild pandas that are rescued to be new "founders" to introduce new genes into captive pandas. This is so there is more chance that some captive pandas will be less vulnerable to disease and hardier overall. http://www.npr.org/2013/12/24/255743840/beyond-cuteness-scientists-deliver-a-panda-baby-boom Photo credits: (Clockwise, from left) Xinhua/Landov; Courtesy of Zoo Atlanta; Animal Press/Barcroft Media/Landov; Courtesy of Zoo Atlanta; EPA/Sergio Barrenechea/Landov; Abby Wood/UPI/Landov
Can you believe it? Japan has a new island that is less than 2 months old! It is named Niijima, and has already grown to 13.8 acres, and its top is 82 feet above sea level. It's about 80 miles from the nearest inhabited islands. Earth Science is so cool. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/12/131223-niijima-japan-new-island-volcanoes-science The new island on Nov. 21 (above) and Dec. 20, 2013. Photo credit: Kyodo, AP
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AuthorI'm an ecologist in Michigan, but I'm interested in lots of other types of science, too. I'll share what I find interesting in this blog. Categories
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