Neanderthals gave us disease genes

Gene types that influence disease in people today were picked up through interbreeding with Neanderthals, a major study in Nature journal suggests.

They passed on variants involved in type 2 diabetes, Crohn's disease and - curiously - smoking addiction.

Genome studies reveal that our species (Homo sapiens) mated with Neanderthals after leaving Africa.

But it was previously unclear what this Neanderthal DNA did and whether there were any implications for human health.

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When Neanderthals and modern humans met and mixed, they were at the very edge of being biological compatible”

Prof David ReichHarvard Medical School

Between 2% and 4% of the genetic blueprint of present-day non-Africans came from Neanderthals.

By screening the genomes of 1,004 modern humans, Sriram Sankararaman and his colleagues identified regions bearing the Neanderthal versions of different genes.

That a gene variant associated with a difficulty in stopping smoking should be found to have a Neanderthal origin is a surprise.

It goes without saying that there is no suggestion our evolutionary cousins were puffing away in their caves.read more

Climate change is 'killing Argentina's Magellanic penguin chicks'

Penguin chicks in Argentina are dying as a direct consequence of climate change, according to new research.

Drenching rainstorms and extreme heat are killing the young birds in significant numbers.

The study, conducted over 27 years, looked at climate impacts on the world's biggest colony of Magellanic penguins, which live on the arid Punta Tombo peninsula.

The research has been published in the journal Plos One.

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They are turning their nests into swimming pools and they really don't like to be wet”

Prof Dee BoersmaUniversity of Washington

About 200,000 pairs of these penguins make their nests on the peninsula every year.

They reside there, in desert-like conditions, from September until February to hatch their young.

However, the life of a newborn chick is perilous, to say the least.read more

Project targets 2016 for Asian vultures release

After the devastation wrought by a drug on Asian vulture populations, a project hopes to begin releasing captive-bred birds into the wild by 2016.

The Saving Asia's Vultures from Extinction (Save) programme says it plans to release up to 25 birds into a 30,000-sq-km drug-free "safe zone".

Diclofenac - used by vets on cattle - was identified as causing a crash in vulture numbers and banned by India.

But, says Save, the version for human use is still given illegally to cattle.

Diclofenac was banned for use by vets and farmers in 2006 because of its effect on vultures that feed on livestock carcasses.

The link between the anti-inflammatory drug, used to reduce swelling in injured or diseased animals, and the devastating demise of Asia's vulture populations was firmly established in 2004.

Until the breeding programme, the threatened species of vulture had not been bred in captivity

Tests on captive vultures fed carcass flesh traced with the drug produced symptoms that were strikingly similar to those witnessed in sick birds in the wild.read more

BARN OWLS -AFECTS OF RAT POISON

MYSTERY DOG VIRUS

THE PARANORMAL CALLS

DEVON AND CORWALL POLICE recieved 7 calls relating to paranormal or extraterrestial activity since 2010.IN 2013 -3 CALLS -CALLER reporting a spiked stick which they said could only decribe as witchcraft-ILFARCOMBE.IN HOLSWORTHY AREA AUGUEST 2013 A 999 call reported being burggled by a paranormal beings,the caller assumed witches.A large white globe in the sky emanating light down over nearby forest in  BIDEFORD ,possible rave rather than u.f.o.APRIL 2012 - HOLSWORTHY the caller said a man was using witchcraft Lon her ,JULY 2012 HOLSWORTHY A caller said neighbours were witches  coven ,running around outside screaming in tongues. NORTHDEVONGAZETTE -PAGE 3 -22.01.2014

BAT FIRST RECORDED CROSSING MAINLAND

A NATHUSIUS PIPISETTE BAT  found in the NETHERLANDS flew from BLAGDON NEAR BRISTOL to a farm building in FRIESLAND-370 MILES.-part of resarch into the ecology of BRITISH BATS led by  DR FIANA MATHEWS,UNIVERISITY OF EXETER.Sadly the bat died but the discoverery is proof that thier successfully migrate across NORTH SEA-WESTERNMORNINGNEWS -PAGE 14 .

BOOK REVIEW

IN SEARCH FOR MYTHS AND MONSTERS -ALAN LANDSBURG -A COGI BOOK-0 552 10539 2.This book contains eye witness accounts of mysterious monsters,sea monsters ,giant half humans,vampires and a chapter on future monsters.The writer is entertaining and his passion comes through in reading the book,even has a forword by LEONARD NIMOY,a good starter book in CRYPTOZOOLOGY.

Beaver filmed in the wild on Devon farm

A wild beaver has been caught on film at a farm in Devon.

Images of the rare animal were taken near the River Otter on Knightstone Farm in Ottery St Mary.

Farmer David Lawrence became suspicious after he spotted damage to trees, including one trunk about 1ft (30cm) in diameter bearing teeth marks.

The mammal was captured on film by retired environmental scientist Tom Buckley who said he was "very surprised" at the discovery.

'It's fantastic'

Mr Lawrence said he "nudged" Mr Buckley into examining damage to trees after some had been found knocked over on his land last autumn.

He said: "I thought at first it was someone messing about with an axe, but I contacted Tom who had his suspicions. He set up trail cameras and - hey presto - we saw what it was."

Mr Lawrence said where the beaver came from was a mystery.

He said the beaver may be roaming through three or four fields on his farm and its traces sometimes disappeared for a week at a time, meaning it "could be because he is operating in a bigger stretch [of river]".

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If that's what he can do to a tree, what about your ankles?”

David Lawrence

He said: "He's been doing a bit of damage, but nothing major.

"I don't want to mess about with him. If that's what he can do to a tree, what about your ankles?"read more

CHECKED HISTORY-PERSONNAL ACCOUNT

Sometimes people label you and its differcult to break free,i myself have had a few labels in my brief life on planet earth.You may have read some on my ghostman blog-how people thought i was gay,spending 2 years in the same class have others which i look back make me feel sad and bad and its mainly to with when i broke up with my first girlfriend - only 2 woman in my life ,now married for last 20 plus years to 2 girlfriend,Anyway i did not take break up  to frist girlfriend very well ,lost the plot,went on a rampage of criminnal damage times 2 ,fines ,1 year probation which sometimes did not go to as rather go to gym to weight Also had a mental health issue that lead to me ending in hospital on 2 occasions-found out first girlfriend already had someone else.This mental health issue ended uo being on top of my medical records now off due to complaining ,the issue i an talking about relates to a song used in the seris mash now just o.c.d,pariod,old ex essex failed biker who thinks he can write blogs and may have gypsys blood due to dads mohers side.

T.V ADVERT CHIMANEZEE -CHOMPERS NOW BROKEN

Like many people i remember the t.v ads for pg tips showing the CHIMANEZEEs in various comedy situations,when i was this article in the sun it made me feel sad,choppers a 42 year old chimp was ava in the ads and lives in TWYCROSS ZOO were she is believed to be damaged from being treated like human and has not learnt ape behaviour,pg tips have not supplied much money to her upkeep.Here are some more chtarzan films of early 1930s died aged 80 in 2011 and i also like to mention the chimps used in the space race and  the abuse tier suffered for the progress of man going to the moon and space.CHIMANEZEE 98% genetic blue print to ours,live in large communites of several dozen animals in wild,10;000-200,00 estimated in wild,can be taught basi sign lanuage and retain up to 100 words, in the wild rarely live pass 50 but in captivitybcan live past 60.

imps -OSCAR-starred in a Walt Disney documentary about a year of his life in IVORIAN JUNGLE,BUBBLES- Michael Jacksons chimp became disturbed and now lives in a sanctuary,CHEETAH-star of

STRANGE USE FOR COW URINE

HINDU  devotees in ATRA,INDIA  have drunk cow urine for 12 years and thier aim is to make movey by making soap,toothpaste,eyedrops and claim it can cure t.b,cancer,diabetes,baldness.Only  virgin cows wee works and the best fresh is in the morning ,cant wait to sse in local supermarket shelves.

SEAL LOST 50 MILES INLAND

A DAARMER RANG A LOCAL ANIMAL CHARITY AFTER SPOTTING A SKINNY LOKING EAS CREATURE CLOSE TO DWEATHIN WATER TAT RUS INTO THE RIVER EDEN NAER APPLBY,CUMBRIA THE  SEAL

WAS CHECKED AND RESCIED AND RELEASED AT WALNEY,BARROW -IN- FURNESS.

THE HUMBLE PIGEON

We look upon the pigeon as a pest but during ww1 -ww2 this bird was used to carry important meeages that in turn saved lives,the germans during ww1 even had a squaddon of hawks to intercept them.More than 100,00 pigeons served with the british services ,95 % suussess rate in delievering messages,212 singled oput for meritious service,in 1914 a law was pased that hurting a pigeon in anyway  lead to a fine or jail.ALSO  a mention of mules,donkeys-transport,supplies to the front ww1,circus elephants,camels -used to plough fields,ww2 dogs sniffed mines and cats wre polular mascots in ships during ww1-ww2and the most usual one  is glowworms  used in ww1 in trnchs to read ,shows how much man and animals help each othrr.

BIRTH OF BRITISH CIVILISATION?

At a caravan site MANOR PARK,HAPPPISBURGH,NORFOLK,Scentists on a archaeological site  dig have unearthed ancient community containing stone axes,fossilised   remains,butchered animakls belonging to HOMO ANTECESSOR- a predessor of modern man and  the earlest known species to make into europe shortly to go to on exhibition at NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM.HOMO ANTECESSOR HAD A SMALL BRAIN,MAY HAVE BEEN A CANNIBAL AS WELLAS A HUNTER,NO COMPLETE SKELETON HAS BEEN FOUND,FOSSILS REMAINS DISCOVERED IN SPAIN MAKE THEM ABOUT 5FT 6FT TALL ,WEIGH 9-14ST.

BOOK REVIEW

THE EMPIRE OF THINGS  SELECTED READINGS 2003 -2013-C.J.STONE -GONZO MUTIMEDIA MMXI-IBN -978-1-908728-36-4-WWW.CJSTONE.CO.UK.This book is unusual collection of various subjects from vlad the impaler to finding out what a ranter is and why the author thinks he is one.Part spiritual,some poltics this book when read will make you think and enjoy the journey of life.I give thanks to JONATHAN DOWNES  for giving me this book which if you read this blog i recommend to you my reader .

African tigerfish catch swallows in flight

African tigerfish have been filmed catching swallows in flight by scientists.

Some species of fish are known to feed on stationary birds but experts say this is the first evidence of one catching birds on the wing.

Tigerfish are a predatory freshwater species that are best known for their large, razor-sharp teeth.

The behaviour was filmed at Schroda Dam, a man-made lake in Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Researchers from the Water Research Group of North West University, South Africa, described their findings in the Journal of Fish Biology.

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Predators in the water

See a crocodile strike in super slow motion

Watch the immense power of a great white shark

Witness a feast for a freshwater fish

"The African tigerfish is one of the most amazing freshwater species in the world," said Prof Nico Smit, co-author of the study.

"It is a striking fish with beautiful markings on the body, bright red fins and vicious teeth."

The fish, Hydrocynus vittatus, is known as a voracious predator and according to Prof Smit, its characteristic jump makes it a favourite species for freshwater anglers.

It is a protected species in South Africa and Prof Smit and colleagues were conducting a study into how it uses different habitats in Schroda Dam.READ MORE

Black rhino hunt permit auctioned in US

A permit to hunt and kill an endangered Black Rhino in Namibia has been sold at a US auction for $350,000 (£212,000).

The Dallas Safari Club in Texas says the hunt will help protect the species by removing an old aggressive rhino, and funding future conservation.

However, the auction has been fiercely criticised by conservationists, and has even drawn death threats.

Namibia is home to about a third of the world's 5,000 black rhinos, and issues just three hunting permits a year.

It is the first time a permit has been auctioned outside the southern African nation.

'A sad joke'

The auction was held amid tight security at a Dallas convention centre, where dozens of protesters had gathered.

The winning bidder - who has not been named - will hunt an old, non-breeding male rhino.READ MORE

SEAL FOUND IN LOCAL POOL SEEKING SHELTER

Whilst out for a walk at WESTWARD HO ,DEVON a pair of walkers stumbled across a BABY GREY SEAL,it seemed friendly.Another  GREY SEAL  was spotted at CROW POINT blown ashore by the storms ,it was unttangled and set free from its debris and helped back into the sea-NORTHDEVOJOURNAL-PAGE 31-9/01/2014

CONTROLLED RESERVE VIA MILLIONARE

A  millionare is planning to complete a study on a controlled release of WOLVES,to gainpermission for the animals to roam across 50,000 arces behind a 10 foot fence .So far he has tried  wild boar,elk,bison ,red deer,highland cattle ,red squirrel,scottish wildcats on his esate in SUTHERLAND,35 MILES FROM INVERNERNESS.HE plans to fit tracking devicesand a team of 8 men to watch them but may not happen dueto the rite to roam the scottish highlands laws.