CURRENT HEADLINES



Blanding's turtles at risk of extinction in Kanata in next few years, study finds


New research suggests an Ottawa-area freshwater turtle is under threat of extinction within the next few years due to the mass urban growth near its habitat in Kanata's South March Highlands.

From the CBC News-2023-9-28:8:5:1




Nature crisis: One in six species at risk of extinction in Great Britain


The loss of Britain's wildlife is outpacing efforts to conserve and protect nature, a major report reveals.

From the BBC News-2023-9-27:20:6:1




Google DeepMind AI speeds up search for disease genes


Google DeepMind has used its technology to identify parts of human DNA that might cause diseases.

From the BBC News-2023-9-19:14:6:1




How scientists are trying to save Canada's canola crops


Persistent drought is killing canola crops in southern Alberta, but a scientist at the University of Calgary thinks he's found a solution. CBC's Nick Purdon goes to the prairies to learn more about the gene-editing breakthrough and what it could mean for the future of farming.

From the CBC News-2023-9-11:14:6:3




Dolly the sheep creator Ian Wilmut dies aged 79


Creating the world's first cloned mammal was arguably one of the 20th Century's top scientific feats.

From the BBC News-2023-9-11:14:6:2




Dolly the sheep creator Ian Wilmut dies aged 79


Creating the world's first cloned mammal was arguably one of the 20th Century's top scientific feats.

From the BBC News-2023-9-11:14:6:1




Invasive species are costing us dearly, both in terms of dollars and biodiversity


In this week's issue of our environment newsletter, we look at the financial and ecological costs of invasive species and why Vancouver's architecture is poorly suited to a warming planet.

From the CBC News-2023-9-8:8:5:1




Claws and effect: Birds talented with their talons share common ancient ancestor


A study from the University of Alberta, which relied on images gathered from birders on the internet, examines the evolution of more than 1,000 bird species - namely their feet.

From the CBC News-2023-8-30:8:5:1




Researchers discover thousands of dinosaur footprints in Alaska


Dustin Stewart has been obsessed with dinosaurs since he was nine years old. But he never dreamed he'd grow up to study 70-million-year-old footprints in Alaska.

From the CBC News-2023-8-23:20:6:1




New test could speed up child illness diagnosis


Looking at gene patterns in blood could reduce the overuse of antibiotics, say researchers.

From the BBC News-2023-8-21:8:5:1




Canadian dairy cows among first in world bred to belch less methane


The arrival of commercially available genetics to produce dairy cattle that emit less methane could help reduce one of the biggest sources of the potent greenhouse gas, scientists and cattle industry experts say.

From the CBC News-2023-8-8:14:6:1




Marine reptile skeleton dating back to age of dinosaurs discovered in southern Manitoba


Researchers in southern Manitoba have made a rare discovery of a fossilized skeleton belonging to a roughly 83-million-year-old mosasaur, a type of marine reptile.

From the CBC News-2023-8-4:8:5:1




World's oldest jellyfish? Fossils found in Canada are 1st of their kind


When did jellies start swimming through the sea as jellyfish? Scientists say fossils found in Canada's Burgess Shale are the oldest jellyfish of their kind ever found.

From the CBC News-2023-8-2:8:5:1




Investigators doing DNA testing on human remains recovered from Titan submersible


Investigators in the United States are trying to figure out whose remains they have in their possession, as part of the massive investigation into the Titan submersible implosion.

From the CBC News-2023-7-25:8:5:1




Fierce mammal and its dinosaur prey fossilized in volcanic eruption


A badger-like mammal died while chomping into the ribs of a hapless horned plant-eating dinosaur struggling to escape more than 100 million years ago. The pair were perfectly preserved, still locked in combat, in 'China's dinosaur Pompeii,' researchers report.

From the CBC News-2023-7-18:14:6:1




Testing begins in Orkney for breast cancer gene variant


Islanders on Westray were told of a genetic variant linked to an increased risk of breast cancer.

From the BBC News-2023-7-3:8:5:1




Humans hundreds of times 'deadlier' than sharks


We exploit around a third of wild animals for own own uses, putting almost half at risk of extinction.

From the BBC News-2023-6-30:8:5:1




The quest to grow the perfect strawberry


Gene editing is being introduced which could improve the flavour and growing time for British strawberries.

From the BBC News-2023-6-30:8:5:2




Isle of Wight: New dinosaur species discovered


The giant armoured creature, named Vectipelta barretti, dates back between 66 and 145 million years.

From the BBC News-2023-6-16:8:5:1




Genome that includes more ethnicities could lead to better diagnosis, treatment


Scientists last year finished the momentous task of completely mapping the human genome. But that map was based on just a few individuals and didn't capture the diversity of the human population. Now, scientists have released a more diverse reference genome.

From the CBC News-2023-6-13:8:5:1




Kenya sickle cell: Fighting to dispel the myths around the disease


Kenyan Lea Kilenga Bey campaigns for better treatment for those who have the genetic disease.

From the BBC News-2023-6-12:8:5:1




New cat contraception method using gene therapy could help manage feral populations


Controlling feral cat populations is controversial and often involves capturing, surgically sterilizing and releasing the animals, which is complex and expensive. U.S. scientists have developed a new method for cat contraception that involves a single injection of a gene that prevents cat eggs from maturing.

From the CBC News-2023-6-9:20:6:1




How do you track biodiversity loss? Check air filters, say scientists


A new study shows air filtering systems across the world have been collecting DNA from wildlife for decades, which could be used to help researchers identify and quantify biodiversity.

From the CBC News-2023-6-5:14:6:1




Conservationists tackle decline of Scottish coastal species


A £6.5m scheme to help prevent the extinction of priority species in Scotland has been launched.

From the BBC News-2023-6-3:20:6:1




Researchers find oldest evidence of the plague in Britain


Scientists discover 4,000-year-old plague DNA - the oldest evidence of the disease in Britain.

From the BBC News-2023-5-31:8:5:1




B.C. initiative aims to expand genetic screening for Ashkenazi Jewish people at risk of hereditary cancers


An imminent pilot project will study the prevalence of the BRCA mutations among Ashkenazi Jewish peoples in B.C. and aims to offer free, voluntary genetic testing to everyone with that heritage.

From the CBC News-2023-5-28:20:6:1




A new DNA tool helped crack a Montreal cold case. It could help solve others


From the CBC News-2023-5-27:20:6:1




This Dubai lab clones prized camels


Camel cloning is emerging as a big business in Dubai, where the animals are cherished and can earn huge sums in beauty and racing contests. The Reproductive Biotechnology Centre in Dubai replicates a few dozen camels a year - but the process is time-consuming with low success rates.

From the CBC News-2023-5-26:8:5:1




How a family's persistence and new DNA testing solved a Quebec cold case after nearly 50 years


From the CBC News-2023-5-24:8:5:1




Biodiversity: Almost half of animals in decline, research shows


A study led by Queen's University Belfast finds 48% of species are undergoing population declines.

From the BBC News-2023-5-23:14:6:1




Offer gene test to stroke patients, NHS told


A DNA test can show who would benefit from a drug to prevent future brain-clot damage, new guidelines say.

From the BBC News-2023-5-19:8:5:1




Updated DNA map better reflects human diversity


Researchers produce a new version of the human genome that could improve medical treatments.

From the BBC News-2023-5-10:14:6:1




You may soon be eating more gene-edited food with Canada's updated seed rules


Organic farmers say Canada's relaxed guidelines welcome genetically modified seeds and leave them no room to opt out, while biotech developers applaud the change, saying it will help farmers increase crop yields in the face of food insecurity and climate change.

From the CBC News-2023-5-10:8:5:1




Baby born from three people's DNA in UK first


Most of the baby's DNA comes from their two parents, with a small percentage from a donor.

From the BBC News-2023-5-9:20:6:2




Baby born from three people's DNA in UK first


Most of the baby's DNA comes from their two parents, with a small percentage from a donor.

From the BBC News-2023-5-9:20:6:1




Woman's DNA discovered in 20,000 year old deer-tooth pendant


Scientists think the amulet absorbed DNA from contact with the skin of the person who wore it. That DNA tells them it was a woman related to people who lived across northern Eurasia.

From the CBC News-2023-5-8:8:5:1




Is coffee good or bad for you? That may depend on your genes


Coffee - more specifically, caffeine - can be a great way to feel more alert and awake. But what else is that cup of coffee doing to our health?

From the CBC News-2023-5-6:8:5:1




Scotland's wildcat on brink of extinction - research


NatureScot warned there are likely too few pure-bred Scottish wildcats for the population to be viable.

From the BBC News-2023-5-4:8:5:1




Meet the 'previvors': Women who have an increased risk for cancer


What would you do if you found out you had a hereditary gene that increased your risk for cancer? For some individuals, it's a difficult decision. For others, preventative surgeries are the only option.

From the CBC News-2023-4-22:14:6:1




Genetic testing for Alzheimer's is on the rise. But what happens when the results are dire?


Millions of people are expected to test for Alzheimer's in the coming years, yet few support services are available to help people deal with the implications of at-home genetic testing.

From the CBC News-2023-4-21:14:6:1




Biodiversity targets may be slipping out of reach - study


Ambitious targets to halt the decline in nature may already be slipping out of reach, research suggests.

From the BBC News-2023-4-18:20:6:1




Why plant native seeds in your backyard? This B.C. ethnobotanist explains


An ethnobotanist from Nelson, B.C., is encouraging more people to plant native seeds, saying native plants leads to better pollination, and increased genetic variability and resilience among local ecosystems.

From the CBC News-2023-4-17:8:5:2




Orkney cancer gene: My mum died not knowing she had it


Tanya Ellis was tested for the Orkney gene mutation after her mother was one of the first to have it identified.

From the BBC News-2023-4-17:8:5:1




Thousands receive diagnosis after 60 new diseases found


Study analysed the DNA of families with unexplained, severe development disorders.

From the BBC News-2023-4-15:20:6:1




Palm trees in Vancouver? Florida's climate in Burnaby? Plant fossils suggest region once had a warmer climate


Paleobotanists and climatologists have identified the plant fossils unearthed at Simon Fraser University's construction site in the late 1960s, which they say allude to a much hotter climate around the coastal B.C. area around 40 million years ago.

From the CBC News-2023-4-15:14:6:1




What fossil eggs found in Alberta reveal about how dinosaurs became birds


Fossilized egg shells found in Alberta from a bird-like dinosaur called the troodon offer new evidence about how dinosaurs lived, bred and evolved into birds, a new study reports.

From the CBC News-2023-4-9:14:43:2




The birds are back in town. Spring migration could fuel spread, evolution of avian flu, scientists warn


Across Canada, an estimated seven million birds and counting have been infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza during a devastating global outbreak that shows no signs of winding down. Now, as millions more migrate north, scientists warn it's yet another opportunity for this virus to spread and evolve.

From the CBC News-2023-4-9:14:43:3




Dire wolf found in Canada for 1st time


For the first time, a Canadian fossil has been confirmed as having come from the Ice Age predator featured in the TV series Game of Thrones, the dire wolf.

From the CBC News-2023-4-9:14:43:1




Have we found the 'animal origin' of Covid?


Genetic data released by China three years after it was gathered has provided 'the best evidence' of how the pandemic started, scientists say.

From the BBC News-2023-3-25:8:5:1




What is gene-edited food and is it safe to eat?


Gene-edited food can now be developed and sold in England, but not in the rest of the UK.

From the BBC News-2023-3-23:14:6:2




Commercial development of gene-edited food now legal in England


The law has changed to allow the commercial development and sale of gene-edited food in England.

From the BBC News-2023-3-23:14:6:1




China's new human gene-editing rules worry experts


Regulations were updated after an outcry over gene-edited babies but a leading expert says they don't go far enough.

From the BBC News-2023-3-6:14:6:1




King to host palace event backing action on biodiversity


King Charles will meet with global leaders as part of an effort to protect nature.

From the BBC News-2023-2-17:8:5:1




Biodiversity: Can we set aside a third of our planet for nature?


Will a plan to protect 30% of the planet for nature by 2030 be agreed and how will it work?

From the BBC News-2023-1-22:14:3:1




Gene-edited hens may stop billions of animals suffering


Israeli researchers claim to have developed a flock of gene-edited hens that lay eggs from which only female chicks hatch.

From the BBC News-2022-12-13:8:5:1




Biodiversity: What is a mass extinction and are we causing one?


While scientists agree on the dire state of life on Earth, they don't always agree on how we should describe it.

From the BBC News-2022-12-10:8:5:1




Biodiversity: 'Magical marine species' pushed toward extinction


A new extinction list reveals grave conservation concern for a 'sea cow' that inspired tales of mermaids.

From the BBC News-2022-12-9:14:6:1




Oldest DNA reveals two-million-year-old lost world


Genetic material extracted from soil has revealed the ancient plants and animals of North Greenland.

From the BBC News-2022-12-7:14:6:1




Bristol: Fossil shows lizards millions of years older than thought


A scientist says the fossil is "one of the most important found in the last few decades".

From the BBC News-2022-12-2:20:6:1




Why Kenya is turning to genetically modified crops to help with drought


The government sees them as a way to lessen the impact of a lack of rain but some farmers are wary.

From the BBC News-2022-11-9:8:5:1




Secret communication of sea animals discovered


A scientist says his recordings of 53 marine species changes what we know about the evolution of sounds.

From the BBC News-2022-10-25:14:6:1




Cop 27: Uganda-Tanzania oil pipeline sparks climate row


Uganda insists on exploiting its fossil-fuel riches, despite Europe's environmental concerns.

From the BBC News-2022-10-23:20:6:1




Scottish fossil revealed to be pterodactyl ancestor


X-ray scans of a tiny reptile fossil reveal the pterodactyls' ancestors scampered around on two legs.

From the BBC News-2022-10-6:8:5:1