Sunday, 8 March 2020

Urban Rats

There is an interesting study on the changes apparent in the genetics of the rats of New York compared to beasts from the presumed Chinese birthplace of the species (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/08/new-york-rats-evolve-to-mirror-human-habits). The results appear to show parallels between the changes in the rats and changes in humans, adapting to the challenges of life in a major city. The rats have modified their dietary preferences and their behaviours to cope with the stresses of an urban existence.
-

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

Flowers of Oahu 64. Wikstoemia uva-ursi or Akia

The bark, roots and leaves of this plant release a narcotic that was used to stun fish.

  • Stepping On the Gas?
      It should hardly be called a study. A  Which comparison looked at levels of nitrogen dioxide and small particulates (PM 2.5s) in 5  Londo...
  • Gridlock in European Cities
      Europe has a city congestion problem. In 2023, London was the most gridlocked location, closely followed by Paris and Dublin. In that year...
  • Charging Electric Vehicles (For Road Use)
    It's necessary, where possible, to replace diesel and petrol-fueled vehicles by electrical equivalents. Electric vehicles (EVs) don...