Diabetes risk gene 'from Neanderthals'

A gene variant that seems to increase the risk of diabetes in Latin Americans appears to have been inherited from Neanderthals, a study suggests.

We now know that modern humans interbred with a population of Neanderthals shortly after leaving Africa 60,000-70,000 years ago.
This means that Neanderthal genes are now scattered across the genomes of all non-Africans living today.
Details of the study appear in the journal Nature.
The gene variant was detected in a large genome-wide association study (GWAS) of more than 8,000 Mexicans and other Latin Americans. The GWAS approach looks at many genes in different individuals, to see whether they are linked with a particular trait.READ MORE

Wildlife 'thrived' in 2013 after hot summer

TREAD MOREhehot summer in the UK provided a much-needed boost for wildlife with butterflies, moths and grasshoppers all thriving, the National Trust says.
The warm weather also led to an explosion of berries, nuts and seeds.
The trust's Matthew Oates said 2013 was "one of the most remarkable wildlife years in living memory".
But it said a cold, late spring meant badgers and hedgehogs did not have their usual quantity of worms, and some seabirds died from starvation.
'Real cracker' Bees and crickets were among other winners.
The distinctive tree bumblebee - which only began to colonise in the UK 12 years ago - was seen north of Hadrian's Wall for the first time.
Many insects had been scarce last year because of poor weather.
The cool spring also provided a long flowering season for snowdrops, primrose and bluebells.
And in some places, there was an explosion of orchids.

New analysis of ocean currents may solve eel mystery

A new analysis of wind-driven Atlantic currents may help scientists solve a mysterious decline in eel numbers.

These secretive creatures are born in the Sargasso sea but migrate to Europe where they spend most of their lives.
But unexplained fluctuations in the numbers of those traversing the ocean have thwarted efforts to save the species.
Now researchers believe they have built a computer model that will accurately predict the level of migration.READ MORE

Ups and downs for UK's nocturnal species

Barn owl
67% increase in their range since the late 1980s according to the British Trust for Ornithology's (BTO) recently published Bird Atlas 2007-11
Experts are still investigating why populations have been increasing but point to the provision of nest boxes and environmental schemes on farms as possible factors.
Paul Stancliffe from the BTO describes 2013 as a "lean year" for the birds due to a cold start but remains hopeful for next year's breeding season.
Nightjars
Populations have increased by 128% since 1981.
Restoration of heathland habitats has helped the birds to recover from dramatic declines in the late 20th Century.read more

Migrating birds lured into traps

UK sovereign base areas (SBAs) in Cyprus have become illegal bird-trapping "hot spots", according to research.
The RSPB and BirdLife Cyprus have been monitoring songbird-trapping operations on the island since 2002.
BirdLife Cyprus told BBC News that, in that time, the scale of bird-trapping had increased by 54%. read more

Royal pardon for codebreaker Alan Turing

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Computer pioneer and codebreaker Alan Turing has been given a posthumous royal pardon.

It addresses his 1952 conviction for homosexuality for which he was punished by being chemically castrated.
The conviction meant he lost his security clearance and had to stop the code-cracking work that had proved vital to the Allies in World War Two.
The pardon was granted under the Royal Prerogative of Mercy after a request by Justice Minister Chris Grayling.
'Appalling' treatment "Dr Alan Turing was an exceptional man with a brilliant mind," said Mr Grayling.
He said the research Turing carried out during the war at Bletchley Park undoubtedly shortened the conflict and saved thousands of lives.

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