Raptor Resource Project Forum

Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length
Advanced search  

News:

Author Topic: New developments in the field of science  (Read 474943 times)

T40cfr403

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 14605
Re: New developments in the field of science
« Reply #45 on: May 24, 2015, 07:32:08 AM »

Vaccines developed for H5N1, H7N9 avian influenza strains.  This is important because these are the strains that can be transmitted to humans.  Unfortunately, the current poultry outbreak in the U.S., especially Iowa and other midwest states, is primarily from the H5N2 strain.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/05/150522152354.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Fplants_animals%2Fbirds+%28Birds+News+--+ScienceDaily%29
Only within the moment of time represented by the present century has one species -- man -- acquired significant power to alter the nature of the world.
― Rachel Carson, Silent Spring

T40cfr403

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 14605
Re: New developments in the field of science
« Reply #46 on: May 26, 2015, 06:32:15 AM »

Brood parasites and egg rejection research using 3-D printed eggs.

http://phys.org/news/2015-05-ovoid-d-birds-eggs-greater.html
Only within the moment of time represented by the present century has one species -- man -- acquired significant power to alter the nature of the world.
― Rachel Carson, Silent Spring

T40cfr403

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 14605
Re: New developments in the field of science
« Reply #47 on: May 28, 2015, 08:32:44 AM »

Over the past 145 years, some birds have grown bigger beaks to keep cool in response to climate change. The highly vascularized beak acts like a heat exchanger and a bigger beak equals more surface area to get rid of excess heat.

http://phys.org/news/2015-05-bird-beaks-climate-scientists.html
Only within the moment of time represented by the present century has one species -- man -- acquired significant power to alter the nature of the world.
― Rachel Carson, Silent Spring

T40cfr403

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 14605
Only within the moment of time represented by the present century has one species -- man -- acquired significant power to alter the nature of the world.
― Rachel Carson, Silent Spring

T40cfr403

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 14605
Only within the moment of time represented by the present century has one species -- man -- acquired significant power to alter the nature of the world.
― Rachel Carson, Silent Spring

T40cfr403

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 14605
Re: New developments in the field of science
« Reply #50 on: June 03, 2015, 05:40:57 AM »

If you've ever watched the Sydney, Australia, WBSE nest, you know what a pest the currawong is. This clever bird has developed a defense to currawongs that's unique and evidently works.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/06/150602200429.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily+%28Latest+Science+News+--+ScienceDaily%29
Only within the moment of time represented by the present century has one species -- man -- acquired significant power to alter the nature of the world.
― Rachel Carson, Silent Spring

T40cfr403

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 14605
Re: New developments in the field of science
« Reply #51 on: June 03, 2015, 10:04:06 AM »

Here's the current theory on the evolution of the American bald eagle:

scaly reptiles >> feathered dinosaurs  >> kites >> sea eagles (66 million years ago) >> bald eagle (1st fossils found were 1 million years old)

This research is trying to fill the huge gap between reptiles with scales and dinosaurs with feathers.

http://phys.org/news/2015-06-feathered-dinosaurs-complex-thought.html
Only within the moment of time represented by the present century has one species -- man -- acquired significant power to alter the nature of the world.
― Rachel Carson, Silent Spring

baziunc

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1356
  • Queen of Decorah - April 10, 2016
Re: New developments in the field of science
« Reply #52 on: June 03, 2015, 07:54:20 PM »

Here's the current theory on the evolution of the American bald eagle:

scaly reptiles >> feathered dinosaurs  >> kites >> sea eagles (66 million years ago) >> bald eagle (1st fossils found were 1 million years old)

This research is trying to fill the huge gap between reptiles with scales and dinosaurs with feathers.

http://phys.org/news/2015-06-feathered-dinosaurs-complex-thought.html

T40, thanks.  I have been learning about the evolutionary slot filled by kites and how that has related to some other raptors, such as BEs.  My first knowledge and awareness of kites was in the 70s as I was driving across the southern Florida peninsula from the Atlantic to the Gulf on the Tamiami Trail through the then-undeveloped and still natural and wild land area we know as the Everglades.  There were informational signs about Snail Kites and their protected and endangered status (in the U.S.) along that road.

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Snail_Kite/lifehistory  - Snail Kite info via Cornell Lab of Ornithology (all about birds)
"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift, that is why it is called the present."   ― A.A. Milne

"Hope for the best and accept what comes." ― President Jimmy Carter, on Aug. 20, 2015, during press conference at The Carter Center

Ginger52

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1241
  • E Central IA
Re: New developments in the field of science
« Reply #53 on: June 04, 2015, 10:56:00 AM »

Invasive Earthworms Spread Mercury to Wildlife -- Article posted 5/28/2015

"Invasive earthworms are absorbing toxic metal pollutants released from human activities, such as burning coal and lead gasoline from soil, which might be contributing to birds? decline as well as the decline of amphibians and other mammals that feed on them, according to a new study published in the journal Soil Biology and Biochemistry..."

http://wildlife.org/invasive-earthworms-spread-mercury-to-wildlife/

T40cfr403

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 14605
Only within the moment of time represented by the present century has one species -- man -- acquired significant power to alter the nature of the world.
― Rachel Carson, Silent Spring

T40cfr403

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 14605
Re: New developments in the field of science
« Reply #55 on: June 05, 2015, 09:35:57 AM »

Even more ridiculous "research" says endangered species should be left to breed in the wild and not saved by captive breeding programs.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/06/150604203450.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Fplants_animals%2Fbirds+%28Birds+News+--+ScienceDaily%29
Only within the moment of time represented by the present century has one species -- man -- acquired significant power to alter the nature of the world.
― Rachel Carson, Silent Spring

T40cfr403

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 14605
Re: New developments in the field of science
« Reply #56 on: June 05, 2015, 11:26:49 AM »

Finally! Some good research to report. Ever heard of the alula feather? I never had, but it's important.

http://phys.org/news/2015-06-small-vortex-wing-elegance-birds.html
Only within the moment of time represented by the present century has one species -- man -- acquired significant power to alter the nature of the world.
― Rachel Carson, Silent Spring

T40cfr403

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 14605
Re: New developments in the field of science
« Reply #57 on: June 09, 2015, 10:12:43 AM »

Wisconsin National Park Service put out this very informative video of how they're using nestling eaglets as bio-sentinels for toxic pollutants. Cute, feisty bird!

http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/nesting-eaglets-serve-as-bio-sentinels-in-search-for-contaminants-b99512866z1-306439331.html
Only within the moment of time represented by the present century has one species -- man -- acquired significant power to alter the nature of the world.
― Rachel Carson, Silent Spring

glogdog

  • ChatMods
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 4069
  • And He will raise you up on Eagles' wings!
Re: New developments in the field of science
« Reply #58 on: June 09, 2015, 12:12:03 PM »

Finally! Some good research to report. Ever heard of the alula feather? I never had, but it's important.

http://phys.org/news/2015-06-small-vortex-wing-elegance-birds.html

Yes, T40 - the alula (allulae is plural) are three small, stiff feathers that control the flow of air over the wing during flight. Alulae feathers grow on the first digit or thumb of the bird's wing.  They provide a forward slot, smoothing the airflow over the wing. This enables the bird to fly more slowly without stalling.  To get into more detail, here is the Scientific Reports article, published May 7, 2015, that is referenced in yours:

http://www.nature.com/srep/2015/150507/srep09914/full/srep09914.html
glogdog

baziunc

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1356
  • Queen of Decorah - April 10, 2016
Re: New developments in the field of science
« Reply #59 on: June 11, 2015, 04:32:33 PM »

T40, and Glo, thanks for both of those scientific reports on the role of alula feathers in avian flght.  As both a pilot, and an avian enthusist, I very much enjoyed reading them.  :)
"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift, that is why it is called the present."   ― A.A. Milne

"Hope for the best and accept what comes." ― President Jimmy Carter, on Aug. 20, 2015, during press conference at The Carter Center