Clipmarks | Voles Clips

Hunters angered by the disappearance of dogs

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:27:00 GMT

clipped by: martinlowe

Clip Source: translate.googleusercontent.com

The President and the office of the Municipal Association of licensed hunting (ACCA) Saint-Laurent-de-Cerdans protest against the disappearances of too many dogs found recently on the common border villages. Ces disparitions inhabituelles et réitérées laissent à penser que ces animaux ont été probablement volés. These unusual and repeated disappearances suggest that these animals were probably stolen. L'ACCA invite fermement les auteurs de ces faits à restituer les chiens en les relâchant à proximité des lieux où ils les ont subtilisés. ACCA urges the perpetrators of these acts to return the dogs by releasing close to places where they were stolen. Des investigations sont cependant en cours et la mobilisation des chasseurs est importante face à Investigations are underway, however, and the mobilization of hunters is important in the face

des actes qu'ils qualifient d'insupportable. acts they say are unbearable.

Rare bumblebee coming back to UK

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 11:32:12 GMT

clipped by: valann 47

Clip Source: news.bbc.co.uk

A bumblebee which is extinct in the UK, is to be reintroduced from New Zealand under plans being announced.

The short-haired bumblebee was exported from the UK to New Zealand on the first refrigerated lamb boats in the late 19th Century to pollinate clover crops.

It was last seen in the UK in 1988, but populations on the other side of the world have survived.

Now Natural England and several other conservation groups have launched a scheme to bring the species home.

They will be flown back on planes in cool boxes, and will not be disturbed, according to Natural England, as they will be in hibernation during transit.

The scheme's project officer Nikki Gammans said the bumblebee was a "keystone species" which was key to pollinating around 80% of important crops.

"By creating the right habitat for these bumblebees, we are recreating wildflower habitat that has been lost, which will be good for butterflies, water voles and nesting birds."

Tags: bee, nature, conservation, uk

Love Vaccine

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 08:59:04 GMT

clipped by: balthazarus
clipper's remarks: "mouselike creatures are among the small minority of mammals — less than 5 percent — who share humans’ propensity for monogamy. When a female prairie vole’s brain is artificially infused with oxytocin, a hormone that produces some of the same neural rewards as nicotine and cocaine, she’ll quickly become attached to the nearest male. A related hormone, vasopressin, creates urges for bonding and nesting when it is injected in male voles (or naturally activated by sex). After Dr. Young found that male voles with a genetically limited vasopressin response were less likely to find mates, Swedish researchers reported that men with a similar genetic tendency were less likely to get married"

so after all it is all in the chemistry...

Clip Source: www.nytimes.com

Anti-Love Drug May Be Ticket to Bliss

After analyzing the brain chemistry of mammalian pair bonding — and, not incidentally, explaining humans’ peculiar erotic fascination with breasts

Clip Source: www.nature.com

Being Human: Love: Neuroscience reveals all

Poetry it is not. Nor is it particularly romantic. But reducing love to its component parts helps us to understand human sexuality, and may lead to drugs that enhance or diminish our love for another

Clip Source: www.nytimes.com

we might reverse-engineer an anti-love potion, a vaccine

human love is set off by a “biochemical chain of events” that originally evolved in ancient brain circuits involving mother-child bonding

Some of our sexuality has evolved to stimulate that same oxytocin system to create female-male bonds

explain a couple of differences between humans and less monogamous mammals: females’ desire to have sex even when they are not fertile, and males’ erotic fascination with breasts

could help build long-term bonds through a “cocktail of ancient neuropeptides

WANT LOVE ? TAKE A PILL OR GIVE A PILL

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 21:34:36 GMT

clipped by: klippety
clipper's remarks: Mimicking is the name of the game. Find your love and peace in all, no need for pills.

Clip Source: www.reuters.com

Could we reduce love to a pill? Maybe, says expert

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Could a pill or a squirt up your nose save your marriage? Maybe, according to a researcher who is studying the chemical basis of that most elusive of emotions -- love.

His study of prairie voles has shown that a quick dose of the right hormone can drastically alter relationships.

The cute rodents are a good model for human relationships, Young said. Unlike many other animals, they form lifelong pairs and raise their young together.

But this behavior is easy to change, Young says.

"It's a chemical reaction. At least in voles we know that if you take a female and place her with a male and infuse her brain with oxytocin, she will quickly bond with that male," he said in a telephone interview.

Young sees a potential role in fixing damaged marriages.

"If we could maybe use a drug in combination with marital therapy, that may be desirable," he said.

Encore Arsène LUPIN ?

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 09:38:38 GMT

clipped by: sousoon
clipper's remarks: 1 million contre 85 millions ?

Clip Source: www.latribune.fr

Bijoux volés : un million de dollars de récompense

La compagnie d'assurance britannique Lloyd's promet une récompense d'un million de dollars (780 000 euros) à qui permettra de retrouver les bijoux dérobés chez le joaillier Harry Winston à Paris, vendredi 5 décembre.

Nulle trace pour l’instant des bijoux volés chez Harry Winston, avenue Montaigne à Paris vendredi 5 décembre. L’assureur du bijoutier, Lloyd's, offre 700 000 euros (un million de dollars) de récompense à la "première personne qui permettra de retrouver" les 85 millions d'euros de bijoux.
Le montant de la récompense sera évalué au pro-rata des bijoux retrouvés.

Absence Makes The Heart Grow

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 11:41:58 GMT

clipped by: debbyski

Clip Source: www.latimes.com

Scientists have confirmed what poets have long known: Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

The scientists found that after four days away from their mates, male voles experienced changes in the emotional center of their brains, causing them to become unresponsive and lethargic. When given a drug that blocked the changes, however, lonely voles emerged from their funk.

The same chemical is found in human brains, and scientists said the research could provide insight into treating human grief and separation.

"Whenever you form a pair bond, it changes your neurochemistry," said Larry J. Young, a neuroscientist at Emory University in Atlanta and an author of the study. "If you lose that partner, it has a dramatic impact on the brain."

Experts noted that human relationships are more complex than animal bonds and involve culture, socialization and rational thought. Thus, there may be little to learn from the depressed voles.

Why Men Cheat

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 19:07:52 GMT

clipped by: A53GG4

Clip Source: sciencenow.sciencemag.org

Why Men Cheat

By Constance Holden
ScienceNOW Daily News
2 September 2008

Meadow vole? Based on new research, musician John Mayer seems like a likely host for two copies of the 334 allele.

Like meadow voles, some men just don't seem to be built for monogamy, whereas others, like swans, mate for life. New research hints that some of the difference might be due to a single genetic variation.

The gene in question, AVPR1a, governs a receptor that regulates the brain's production of vasopressin, a hormone that contributes to attachment behavior with mates and offspring. A few years ago, scientists found that when they added extra copies of the AVPR1a gene to the brains of promiscuous meadow voles, the animals began acting more like monogamous prairie voles, spending more time with partners and grooming offspring. A similar role for the AVPR1a gene has been observed in chimps and bonobos.

Might such a simple switch be found in humans?

Tags: science

Alien Species Invading The British Isles

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:19:04 GMT

clipped by: JohnWaterman

Clip Source: www.introduced-species.co.uk

Introduced species in the British Isles

mammals	birds	fish	plants	algae
reptiles	amphibians	trees	insects	fungi
molluscs	worms	spiders	crustaceans	others

Clip Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Some of Britain's best loved wildlife, including bluebells, red squirrels and water voles, are threatened by invasive species. The red squirrel has suffered since the introduction in the 19th century of the stronger, more adaptable, grey squirrel

Clip Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Red-eared terrapins, originally from the US, are foot-long former pets that can terrorise ducklings

Clip Source: ecoworldly.com

the American Signal Crayfish

described as a six inch long killing machine and voracious predator that has already annihilated the native White Claw species, and now threatens to completely overwhelm many fragile aquatic eco-systems

Clip Source: www.guardian.co.uk

British bluebells are threatened because they hybridise with Spanish bluebells

Clip Source: www.guardian.co.uk

American mink

blamed for the collapse in water vole numbers

Clip Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Some invaders pose a risk to human health, like this giant hogweed, whose sap causes blistering

Clip Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Azolla fern

Clip Source: www.guardian.co.uk

24 hours in pictures - May 21

Wed, 21 May 2008 19:16:14 GMT

clipped by: righthand

Clip Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Bhopal gas tragedy survivors and their children chain themselves together to protest against the government's lack of action against Union Carbide and Dow Chemicals, and to call for the proper rehabilitation of affected people. The 1984 leak from the Bhopal pesticide plant killed at least 10,000 people and affected about 550,000 others

Clip Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Obama

Clip Source: www.guardian.co.uk

urns filled with the remains

Clip Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Champions League

Clip Source: www.guardian.co.uk

South Africa: A mob runs on the main road near the Reiger Park informal settlement

Clip Source: www.guardian.co.uk

newborn baby at a field hospital

Sichuan

Clip Source: www.guardian.co.uk

fire in the home of the Philharmonic orchestra

Berlin

Clip Source: www.guardian.co.uk

asylum seeker stands inside the Beguinage church

Clip Source: www.guardian.co.uk

to mark Buddha's 2,552nd birthday

Kathmandu

Clip Source: www.guardian.co.uk

broken tooth of anaesthetised male Bornean orang-utan Jago

Budapest

Clip Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Indian child does a somersault

Arabian Sea

Clip Source: www.guardian.co.uk

UK: A pro-choice campaigner

MPs voted to keep the time limit for abortion at 24 weeks and made far-reaching changes to fertility laws

Clip Source: www.guardian.co.uk

captivity-bred water voles

Clip Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Cannes

Angelina Jolie

Clip Source: www.guardian.co.uk

USA: Major Alan Brown

Clip Source: www.guardian.co.uk

UK: Gannets

food

Tags: world, photos

Generosity May Be Genetically Programmed

Fri, 07 Dec 2007 21:10:37 GMT

clipped by: Fast T friend
clipper's remarks: "The experiment provided the first evidence, to my knowledge, for a relationship between DNA variability and real human altruism," said Knafo, who conducted the research along with other researchers, including Prof. R. P. Ebstein, Prof. Gary Bornstein, and Salomon Israel of the Psychology Department at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
The findings could help biologists sort out altruism's evolutionary history, according to the scientists. They noted that a version of AVPR1a also exists in rodents called voles, where it also promotes social bonding. This suggests that altruism has a long rooted genetic history, which may have taken on a new role during human evolution.

Clip Source: www.sciencedaily.com

Are those inclined towards generosity genetically programmed to behave that way? A team of researchers, including Dr. Ariel Knafo of the Psychology Department at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, believes that this could very well be the case.

Through an online task involving making a choice whether or not to give away money, the researchers found that those who chose to give away some or all of their money differed genetically from those involved in the exercise who chose not to give their money away.

The scientists conducted the experiment with 203 online "players". Each player could choose to keep the equivalent of $12 he was allocated, or to give all or part of it to an anonymous other player.

Those involved also provided DNA samples which were analyzed and compared to their reactions. It was found that those who had certain variants of a gene called AVPR1a gave on average nearly 50 percent more money than those not displaying that variant.

Tags: gentics, genrosity, avpr1a

The beaver: destructive pest or climate saviour?

Fri, 24 Aug 2007 11:28:18 GMT

clipped by: JICWyllie

Clip Source: www.newscientist.com

The beaver's penchant for hydrological engineering has brought it into conflict with people across Europe and North America for centuries, so it's no small irony that experts are now realising that this is exactly why we need beavers in our countrysides.

"They are the quintessential ecosystem engineers," says ecologist James Byers at the University of New Hampshire. "And they'll do this work for free." Beaver-built waterworks not only create habitats for wildlife, they also boost water quality and reduce the twin threats of drought and flooding. In fact, the beaver could even be an invaluable ally in battling the effects of climate change.

Now re-established in 26 European countries, beavers are missing from only a handful including Italy, Greece, Albania, Macedonia and mainland Britain (there is no evidence that beavers have ever lived in Ireland).

I'm sold on the ecological benefits, and the benefits to biodiversity, not least to water voles and otters,"

UK's Environment Agency

Tags: environment, water, forests, i-opportunities, i-biodiversity

Spain Burns Fields to Kill Voles

Thu, 09 Aug 2007 17:17:03 GMT

clipped by: mirzania
clipper's remarks: Whatever you think about the rights and wrongs of this, it's not the best time to burn fields here at the moment, with temperatures in the high 90s

Clip Source: news.bbc.co.uk

Spain burns fields to kill voles

A plague of field voles in central Spain has led the authorities to resort to controlled burning of fields

The measure is only permitted by the European Union in exceptional cases.

The fires were started on Wednesday in the Valladolid area of Castilla-Leon region, to prevent the rodents devastating beet and potato crops.

Agricultural officials say they are not sure what caused the surge in vole numbers. Fields will also be burnt soon in Avila, Palencia and Segovia.

Castilla-Leon's Agriculture Minister, Silvia Clemente, said agronomists, veterinarians and biologists had been asked to explain the plague but nobody really knew, she told Spain's Cadena Ser radio.

"There has never been a plague like the one we have now," she said.

Tags: environment, wildlife, voles, spain

Lutte antiterroriste : le patron d'Interpol accuse Londres de ne pas coopérer

Tue, 10 Jul 2007 07:35:28 GMT

clipped by: iliasben
clipper's remarks: Et de déplorer que seuls 17 des 186 membres d'Interpol consultent systématiquement sa base de données.

Clip Source: www.lemonde.fr

Alors qu'il existe un "lien évident entre des passeports volés et des activités terroristes liées à Al-Qaida", précise-t-il. Il insiste régulièrement sur le fait que les pays qui ne répriment pas avec détermination les vols de passeports font le jeu des terroristes et des criminels. Et de déplorer que seuls 17 des 186 membres d'Interpol consultent systématiquement sa base de données.

"Le Royaume-Uni risque de laisser lui échapper une piste importante ; un pays consultant Interpol n'obtiendrait pas de renseignements, ou incomplets ; et les individus inscrits sur la liste de terroristes présumés du Royaume-Uni pourraient planifier et perpétrer d'autres attentats terroristes."

es méthodes adoptées par la Grande-Bretagne pour combattre le terrorisme "ne se situent pas dans le bon siècle", affirme le secrétaire général d'Interpol, Ronald Noble, dans une lettre ouverte diffusée lundi 9 juillet sur le site de son organisation.

Tags: terrorisme, lemonde, news, royaume-uni, uk, interpol

Water Voles making comeback .... HURRAH!

Mon, 11 Dec 2006 13:45:02 GMT

clipped by: Socratoad

Clip Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

The wildlife survey reports that kingfishers are thriving, otters have recently been reported in Leeds city centre

Water vole leads recovery of Britain's waterways

Lewis Smith

Kingfishers are thriving, water voles surviving and otters are returning to Britain’s canals, a survey shows.

Mallard ducks, moorhens and swans were the most visible animals on 2,200 miles of canal and navigable rivers, but there were encouraging numbers of rarer creatures spotted.

The number of water voles, Britain’s most endangered mammal, which has suffered a 95 per cent decline in the past decade, has particularly heartened ecologists.

The wildlife survey was carried out for British Waterways by 6,000 members of the public, who reported sightings during the summer and autumn. They recorded more than 200 water voles.

Improved water quality has enabled creatures such as the otter to return to haunts from which it was previously driven out. Otters have recently been reported in the centre of Leeds.

Mark Robinson, ecology manager for British Waterways, said: “The thing that stuck out for me was the kingfishers. They’re a good indicator of water quality.”

This was the second year that the survey has been carried out. It was not rigorous enough for trends to be identified, but serves as an indication of the health of the waterways.

Dr Robinson said that the water vole sightings provided some reassurance that the animal was clinging on despite the presence of mink, an introduced species and the vole’s most formidable predator.

“Over 200 were spotted, which is pretty good considering it’s one of the most enendangered animals in Britain,” he said.

British Waterways will use the survey to identify areas where protected creatures can be found so that conservation efforts can be targeted better.

The Environment Agency is publishing a guide today, the Water Vole Conservation Handbook, designed to advise developers and landowners on how best to protect the creatures on their land.

Tags: voles, england, conservation, environment, animals

A Shadowy Rodent Has Potential To Shed Light On Human Genetics And The Mysteries Of Evolution

Mon, 18 Sep 2006 18:49:58 GMT

clipped by: RecordSage

Clip Source: www.medicalnewstoday.com

A Shadowy Rodent Has Potential To Shed Light On Human Genetics And The Mysteries Of Evolution

Purdue University research has shown that the vole, a mouselike rodent, is not only the fastest evolving mammal, but also harbors a number of puzzling genetic traits that challenge current scientific understanding.

"Nobody has posters of voles on their wall," said J. Andrew DeWoody, associate professor of genetics in the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, whose study appears this month in the journal Genetica. "But when it comes down to it, voles deserve more attention."

The study focuses on 60 species within the vole genus Microtus, which has evolved in the last 500,000 to 2 million years. This means voles are evolving 60-100 times faster than the average vertebrate in terms of creating different species. Within the genus (the level of taxonomic classification above species), the number of chromosomes in voles ranges from 17-64. DeWoody said that this is an unusual finding, since species within a single genus often have the same chromosome number.

Tags: vole, evolution, genetics, rodent, bizarre, research, medical