Seeing the Changes 546

The Goat willow (Salix caprea) was in catkin in Bynea.

Junking the Junk?

Something of an academic storm (read it carefully!) seems to be developing in relation to attempts to junk the claim that the previously regarded 'junk DNA' is, far from junk and is actually essential to life (http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2013/feb/24/scientists-attacked-over-junk-dna-claim?INTCMP=SRCH). The people, from the Encode Project, who advocated the view that junk DNA is actually important (largely in terms of providing information important to our understanding of disease susceptibility), were a much-cited and well-funded team. Their attackers, featuring Dan Grauer of Houston Texas, charge the Encode team with a lack of understanding of Evolutionary Biology and use of unconvincing statistics. Grauer reportedly goes so far as to state this is "not the work of scientists. This is the work of badly trained technicians". I think the basic bone of contention lies between theoretical biology and  technocrats. Weirdly, both groups are likely to increase their scientific standing (at least in the short to medium term) by having an acrimonious debate.

Seeing the Changes 545

It really seems to be springing! In Bynea, Meadow buttercup (Ranunculus acris) and Common field speedwell (Veronica persica) were both in flower. Profusions of Alder (Alnus glutinosa) waved in the breeze.

Seeing the Changes 544

Fungi were risking it in Penclacwydd and the first Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) of spring was trotted out in Bynea.

Natural Puns 4

This beets grass any day!

Trumped

It now appears that Mr Donald Trump (star of the US version of 'The Apprentice') would like to build another golf-course, in addition to the one he has just had created in the protected sand dunes of NE Scotland, near Aberdeen (http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/feb/16/trump-golf-links-coastline?INTCMP=SRCH). The creation of the first course appears to represent the triumph of  commerce over conservation and the proposal for another course to the south of that  is also linked to 'exclusive' housing developments. I must admit to being generally unenthusiastic about the creating of golf courses in relatively pristine natural locations (I support Mark Twain who described a game of golf as being 'a good walk spoiled'). The hoped for developments seem to be difficult to afford (given the amount of land space in the a crowded UK) 'gardenification' of the remaining 'natural' environment for the benefit of relatively few people. What's to stop rich folk converting the whole of Scotland into a theme park for other rich folk?

Musseling In

Another interesting use of a product produced in the natural world. Scientists have now found that the adhesive produced by the Edible mussel (Mytilis edulis) to form its firm connection to the rocks (the so-called byssal thread)  has properties that can be used medically (http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2013/feb/16/mussels-sticking-power-surgery?INTCMP=SRCH). The adhesive is produced by the mussel in seawater (i.e. 'the wet'), unlike virtually all the glues we currently use, and apparently can be used to repair holes in foetal membranes of surrounding the baby in the womb. This just emphasizes just how many products there remain to find (often before it's too late and the species has become extinct).