Why are Some Wild Cats Black?
Black coloring is common in cats, from domestic kitties to leopards and jaguars. The persistence of this genetic trait in wild populations suggests it confers some advantage. But new research indicates it’s more of an evolutionary balancing act.
The occurrence of black coloring, also known as melanism, arises from a genetic mutation that regulates the production of the pigment melanin. These melanistic cats are the same species as their lighter-coated counterparts; it’s similar to the difference between brunettes and blondes.
Melanism has been documented in 14 out of the 40 wild species of cats. Scientists have suggested that melanism could be associated with factors such as camouflage, thermoregulation, and habitat use. Now, new research points to another factor: visual communication with other cats.
Read my latest Nat Geo news story: Is Being a Black Panther Beneficial? It Depends.
Turtle Recall
Despite a reputation for being slow, giant tortoises from the Galapagos and Seychelles Islands can demonstrate remarkable memory skills over time, according to the results of a new study. The massive reptiles are not only capable of learning new tasks quickly but can remember their training nearly a decade later, say researchers.
Read my post about the study on my Animal Minds blog: Turtle Recall.
Gene Therapy for Rare Disorders
After decades of promise tempered by setbacks, gene therapies are nowbringing new treatment options for a variety of inherited and acquireddiseases.
Recently, clinical trials at the NIH Clinical Center and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital have shown that gene therapy can safely correct the immune systems of children born without critical infection-fighting cells. These successes are the result of safety modifications and improvements in gene transfer efficiency and delivery fueled by basic science research. Now, as clinical progress in the field rapidly grows, gene therapies are beginning to benefit those with inherited immunodeficiencies, blood disorders, blindness, neuromuscular disease, and more.
Read my story at IEEE Pulse: Advances in Gene Therapy Offers Hope for Rare Disorders.
Empathy as a 'Danger Antenna' in Rats
Rats are social animals, exquisitely attuned to the emotions of the rats around them. In a new study published in PLoS Biology, researchers from the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience show that rats may use this sense of empathy as a way to gauge danger.
Read the whole story at my Animal Minds blog: Empathy as a 'Danger Antenna' in Rats.
A Major Milestone in Cystic Fibrosis Treatment
A Phase III clinical trial shows that elexacaftor added to ivacaftor and tezacaftor improves lung function and quality of life in cystic fibrosis patients with the most common genetic mutation, F508del. The triple therapy, known as Trikafta, could effectively treat 90 percent of people with cystic fibrosis.
Read the whole story at Pediatrics Nationwide: A Major Milestone in Cystic Fibrosis Treatment.