Convergent in Biological News

Bolivian rainforest study suggests feeding behavior in monkeys and humans have ancient, shared roots

... far older than the Palaeolithic era. If we are not dealing with convergent evolution here in other words that spider monkeys and humans have evolved ... the same pattern of nutritional intake as human omnivores? Is this due to convergent evolution or is it a remaining trait from a common ancestor? "I am also ...

March GEOLOGY and GSA TODAY media highlights

... volcanic eruptions in geologically old continental regions. Volcanism in convergent margins is generally thought to be too shallow in origin to be a host for ... temperatures of ~1500 C. This result implies that mantle flow in convergent plate boundaries occurs on a larger scale that previously recognized. ...

Burrowing mammals dig for a living, but how do they do that?

... whole days moving soil. They make for a great case for understanding convergent evolution because in spite of how difficult it is to do this -- in spite ... to be worthwhile enough that many mammals have done it through time." convergent evolution is the development of similar characteristics, necessary for ...

Tentacles of venom: New study reveals all octopuses are venomous

... were added to the chemical arsenal. The origin of these genes also sheds light on the fundamentals of evolution, presenting a prime example of convergent evolution where species independently develop similar traits. The team will now work on understanding why very different types of venomous animals ...

Entomological Society of America names 2008 award winners

... and morphological analyses to determine the evolution of several behavioral and biogeographical characters within Libelluloidea. Jessica also studies convergent evolution, particularly in dragonfly wing venation patterns, which are influenced by flight behaviour. She is collaborating on several species level ...

International TGen-led team finds link between brain protein and Alzheimer's disease

... the current study, the effects of this allele were controlled for, yet similar observations were made. This suggests that KIBRA may play a role in a convergent biological risk pathway for the disease. ...

Molecular evolution is echoed in bat ears

... problems of inferring true evolutionary relationships from genes that may be involved in important functions and, therefore, could be shaped by convergent evolution. Dr Rossiter added: "If hearing were an Olympic event, echolocating bats would be strong medal contenders. Their ears are tuned to ...

August 2008 Geology and GSA Today media highlights

... Geological and Environmental Sciences, Stanford University, 450 Serra Mall, Building 320, Stanford, California 94301, USA. Pages 627-630. At convergent margins, silicic magma chambers help to stabilize the continents by adding low-density, high-silica material to the upper crust. Silicic calderas are ...

Clue to mystery crustacean in parasite form

... them and juveniles of the highly specialised parasitic rhizocephalan barnacles is, according to Glenner and colleagues, a remarkable example of convergent evolution. The great diversity of Facetotecta and the finding that they are most likely parasitic as adults hints at a major ecological role that ...

Harold Mooney wins prestigious Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement

... selection, the Tyler Prize committee cited several areas of his work as influencing their choice: "Mooney provided key evidence for the theory of convergent evolution, which holds that different species in widely separated ecosystems, but with similar climates, all tend to evolve toward similar ...

Winners of 2008 Tyler Environmental Prize announced

... the well-being of the planet than any other scientist alive." A noted researcher in his own right, Mooney provided key evidence for the theory of convergent evolution, which holds that different species in widely separated ecosystems, but with similar climates, all tend to evolve toward similar endpoints. ...

Like sweets? You're more like a fruit fly than you think...

... genes could be so divergent in sequence and so similar in physiology and function is truly striking, says Breslin. This is a wonderful example of convergent evolution in perceptual behavior, where evolution has taken two different routes to address pressures imposed by shared environment and nutrition. ...

Catcher Holdings Inc. Lands Contract for Initial Deployments at Nine Homeland Security and State Government Agencies

... our new product offering. We look forward to continuing to support our government's Homeland Security efforts." The CATCHER Rhino is an advanced convergent device, produced by Catcher Holdings, Inc. The product is a ruggedized mobile computer with integrated GPS, voice, data, biometric and a suite of ...

How does the opioid system control pain, reward and addictive behavior?

... of which acts at a different receptor are also strongly diminished in these mutant mice. The genetic approach therefore highlights mu-receptors as convergent molecular switches, which mediate reinforcement following direct (morphine) or indirect activation (non-opioid drugs of abuse; see Contet 2004). ...

Migrating squid drove evolution of sonar in whales and dolphins, researchers argue

... as bats partition the tree canopy and preferentially hunt insects at specific heights. Lindberg noted that whales and bats are strong examples of convergent evolution to take advantage of unexploited food resources: nocturnal insects, in the case of non-migrating insectivorous bats, and nocturnal ...

Man's best friend lends insight into human evolution

... indicating that it is an innate ability, not simply one they acquire through contact with their owners. What accounts for this piece of convergent evolution between humans and domestic dogs is nothing other than the process of domestication ?the breeding of dogs to tolerate, rather than fear, ...

Humpback whales have brain cells also found in humans

... brains may be considered as evolutionary alternatives in neurobiological complexity and as such, it would be compelling to investigate how many convergent cognitive and behavioral features result from largely dissimilar neocortical organization between the two orders." They also suggest that the current ...

Convergent evolution of molecules in electric fish

... in order to change the electrical discharge in the fish--changes that would be detrimental in a human muscle," says Zakon. Looking at the convergent evolution of sodium channels in these fish helps neurobiologists identify important parts of these proteins relevant to human health, adds Zakon. ...

Research updates 65-year-old genetic discovery

... of balancing selection, the researchers conclude that both humans and chimpanzees have gene variants but for different reasons--and is an example of convergent evolution. It was only a few years ago, in 2003, that sensitivity to a bitter compound known as phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) was mapped in human ...

Agilent Technologies introduces high-capacity human protein removal system for proteomics research

... is a great thing for the crocodilian record, too. Here's this totally unrecognized group of possibly herbivorous crocodilians," Parker said. "The convergent evolution of the teeth is what makes them look like herbivorous dinosaurs. That's the only thing similar in the entire skeleton. There are no other ...

Revueltosaurus skeleton unearthed at Petrified Forest upsets dinosaur tale

... is a great thing for the crocodilian record, too. Here's this totally unrecognized group of possibly herbivorous crocodilians," Parker said. "The convergent evolution of the teeth is what makes them look like herbivorous dinosaurs. That's the only thing similar in the entire skeleton. There are no other ...