Chips Off the Old Blocks?

Topical news at Christmas (with its link to a claimed 'virgin birth') that scientists at Cambridge University have had some success stimulating skin cells with growth factors to convert to early stage eggs and sperm (http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/dec/24/science-skin-cells-create-artificial-sperm-eggs). Apparently female skin samples can only generate eggs but male material can produce eggs or sperm, a factor related to the presence of the X and Y chromosomes. The intention (if there is a change in the UK Law) is that, eventually, the processes may be used to treat infertility in humans.

Going to the Dogs?

An Italian circus has apparently got into trouble for getting people to pay money to have their pictures taken with 'pandas' (http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/dec/23/chow-down-italian-circus-trouble-disguising-dogs-show-pandas). The only trouble was that the 'pandas' were actually cosmetic-treated dogs. The dogs were reportedly healthy but their eyes were irritated (it was thought that this was caused by being repeatedly subjected to camera flashes). Amazing what people try to get away with and it's cheaper than having to feed them fresh bamboo!

Seeing the Changes 926

Just before Christmas, in Loughor, the Winter heliotrope (Petasites fragrans) came into flower.

Humans are Not the Only Meat-Eaters in Europe

There is interesting news that the European populations of bear, lynx,wolf and wolverine are apparently increasing that limited area of the continent outside Belarus, Russia and Ukraine in spite of the fears that such persecuted animals would inevitably be driven to extinction by the burgeoning human population there (http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/dec/18/brown-bears-wolves-and-lynx-numbers-rising-in-europe). Even more remarkably, the majority of these animals live outside nature reserves. All these large Mammalian predators have extremely large home ranges, which makes these findings even more remarkable. It seems that changing human attitudes have played a role. 

Seeing the Changes 925

Things still seem to be running late this year with a carpet moth at the window.

Rainforest, What Rainforest?

Disturbing news from Amazonia were ethnic tribes living by the Xingu river are being displaced by the massive Belo Monte hydroelectric dam (http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/dec/16/belo-monte-brazil-tribes-living-in-shadow-megadam). This is, apparently only one of more than 400 dams planned for the region. Quite apart from their impact on the environment and local societies, many of these schemes often fail to deliver 'green electricity'. Even when they work, one has to factor in the environmental costs of the carbon dioxide generated by the concrete and steel used in construction. Getting the electricity to areas where it is utilised often causes further damage to the locations.

Enemies of the State?

I am somewhat disturbed that police reportedly requested a list of expert participants for an invited to discuss fracking at Canterbury Christ Church University (http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/dec/15/police-university-list-fracking-debate). The meeting apparently was intended to consider the pros and cons of the process and was, in no sense, an attempt to generate a campaign against the activity. If this is the way that new anti-terror requirements for universities are to be carried out, it must be an area of real concern for environmentalists.