Seeing the Changes 152

More fungi in Loughor and another victim of the cold snap? A dead Common shrew (Sorex araneus) on the cycle path near Bynea.

A Copper-Bottomed Wine Case?

Tests have revealed that many table wines (both white and red) contain potentially dangerous quantities of metal ions (notably copper and manganese) that have been linked to conditions such as Parkingson's disease and rheumatoid arthritis (http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2008/oct/30/wine-foodanddrink). The worst offenders were wines from Hungary and Slovakia whereas tipple from Argentina and Brazil had the lowest concentrations. The authors of the study published in Chemistry Central Journal suggest that wine labels should carry information on metal ion concentrations as well as alcohol content (they suggest that the very combination of ions and alcohol can be problematic). I suspect that the metals could be relatively easily removed during 'manufacture' but wonder whether comparable studies have been carried out on vintage wines. The timing of this paper is of interest with respect to another recently released study (http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2008/oct/31/women-pregnancy-alchohol-birth-defects) suggesting that an occasional drink (this is likely to be 1-2 glasses of wine per week) during pregnancy does not have any negative impact on the cognitive abilities or behavioural attributes of the child at 3 years of age (although it was admitted that the women who occasional drank during their term were more likely to come from a 'professional background', suggesting the potential influence of social advantage). Apparently, baby boys (in particular) benefit from an occasional drink in the womb!

Seeing the Changes 151

The first local heavy frost of the year! Unseasonal snow in other areas of north and mid Wales. The first snow at this time of the year in the London area since 1934! In Loughor,a Red admiral (Vanessa atalanta) appeared 'chopped down' by the cold snap.

Deep Purple?

There is a another GM story (http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn15040-purple-tomatoes-could-ward-off-cancer.html) about UK scientists (at the John Innes Centre) inserting a gene from a Snapdragon flower to create purple tomatos, high in anthocyanin antioxidants. The scientists involved found that mice that were prone to a cancer lived longer when fed with this fruit and hope for similar beneficial anti-cancer effects in our own species. Having said that, the evidence for a protective effect of antioxidants in 'super foods' (like Blueberries), although apparently convincing in theory, is not good. It will be interesting to see how this mixture of Super versus Frankenstein food/Nutritional hope versus Science fact pans out.

Thinking About Coral

The Carnegie Institution at Stanford University has predicted that the increased acidity of seawater generated by human carbon dioxide-releasing activities is likely to result in the loss of 90% of coral reefs (http://www.ciw.edu/news/coral_reefs_unlikely_survive_acid_oceans). The reduced pH makes it impossible for the coral organisms to generate and maintain their impressive exoskeletons. Many other animals are dependent on the habitats created in the reef systems. Destruction of coral would occur even if the targets of reducing carbon dioxide emissions to levels thought appropriate to limit climate change (as currently advocated by the UK) were achieved. Losses of the reefs would have some quite devastating consequences on the viability of oceanic islands (in terms of food and protection from wave action).

Red Menace?

There is a great deal of varied postal debate (http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/oct/26/wildlife-red-squirrel) in response to an article by Tim Adams about the proposed cull of the Grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) to benefit the indigenous Red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris), allegedly directly endangered by the introduction of its American cousin. Amongst the 'factoids' thrown into the equation by the very diversely-motivated writers are that all species have at one time introduced themselves to the UK, that the reds were at one time culled because of their perceived damage to trees and bird's eggs and the claim that the reds are developing immunity to the 'deadly' parapox virus (blamed in the greys). I predict a riot.

Seeing the Changes 150

The Autumn orange-red fungus (a Hygrocybe) and lots of cyanobacteria colonies (probably Nostoc) were evident in Bynea. There were also remnants of many flowers including Bramble, Meadow buttercup, Ragwort, Scentless mayweed, Daisy, Ox-eye daisy, Red clover, Yarrow, Gorse, Creeping thistle, Slender thistle, Red campion, Ribbed melilot and a yellow crucifer.