98 posts · 54,411 views
GrrlScientist is the blog pseudonym for an evolutionary biologist/ornithologist who writes about E3: Evolution, Ecology and Ethology, and the subtle relationships between these phenomena, especially in birds.
This Scientific Life
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- August 5, 2010
- 08:24 AM
- 79 views
Foldit: Innovative Biology for Gamers
by GrrlScientist in This Scientific Life
Guessing how a protein will fold up based on its DNA sequence is often too difficult for even the most advanced computer programs. Now biochemists and computer scientists at my alma mater, the University of Washington, have collaborated to create Foldit, an online computer game where computer players do the work. ... Read more »
Cooper, S., Khatib, F., Treuille, A., Barbero, J., Lee, J., Beenen, M., Leaver-Fay, A., Baker, D., Popović, Z., & players, F. (2010) Predicting protein structures with a multiplayer online game. Nature, 466(7307), 756-760. DOI: 10.1038/nature09304
- August 4, 2010
- 05:12 PM
- 116 views
The Palin Effect
by GrrlScientist in This Scientific Life
As attentive readers of the New York Times are aware, science bloggers are all about being noisy and shouting at people we don’t like. As most of us have liberal leanings, that means we can be obnoxious towards people on the political right. And this week we’ve got great fodder, in the shape of a [...]... Read more »
Elis, R., Hillygus, D., & Nie, N. (2010) The dynamics of candidate evaluations and vote choice in 2008: looking to the past or future?. Electoral Studies. DOI: 10.1016/j.electstud.2010.04.005
- July 16, 2010
- 08:59 AM
- 119 views
Parrots, People and Pedagogies: A Look at Teaching and Education
by GrrlScientist in Living the Scientific Life (Scientist, Interrupted)
tags: psychology, behavior, pedagogy, education, learning, teaching methods, model/rival technique, Avian Learning EXperiment, Avian Language EXperiment, ALEX, bpr3.org/?p=52,peer-reviewed research, journal club
ALEX the African Grey Parrot and Dr Irene Pepperberg.
Image: The ALEX Foundation.
Like anyone who has taught science courses, and probably like anyone who has ever taught anything to a classroom in the history of mankind, I've wondered how to motivate my students to really car........ Read more »
McCallum, M. (2010) A Method for Encouraging Classroom Discussion of Scientific Papers. Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America, 91(3), 363-366. DOI: 10.1890/0012-9623-91.3.363
- July 1, 2010
- 02:32 PM
- 168 views
Are Zombie Vultures In Our Future?
by GrrlScientist in Living the Scientific Life (Scientist, Interrupted)
tags: vultures, Gyps species, conservation biology, endangered species, veterinary medicine, toxicology, physiology, evolutionary biology, pharmaceutical chemistry, epidemiology, mathematical modeling, bpr3.org/?p=52,peer-reviewed research, journal club
Only thirty years ago, tens of millions of White-rumped Vultures, Gyps bengalensis,
were flying the skies of Asia. They are now classified as Critically Endangered.
Image: Marek Jobda / rarebirdsyearbook.com [larger view]
A zombie is ano........ Read more »
Shultz, S., Baral, H., Charman, S., Cunningham, A., Das, D., Ghalsasi, G., Goudar, M., Green, R., Jones, A., Nighot, P.... (2004) Diclofenac poisoning is widespread in declining vulture populations across the Indian subcontinent. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 271(Suppl_6). DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2004.0223
Lemus, J., & Blanco, G. (2009) Cellular and humoral immunodepression in vultures feeding upon medicated livestock carrion. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 276(1665), 2307-2313. DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2009.0071
Naidoo, V., Wolter, K., Cromarty, D., Diekmann, M., Duncan, N., Meharg, A., Taggart, M., Venter, L., & Cuthbert, R. (2009) Toxicity of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to Gyps vultures: a new threat from ketoprofen. Biology Letters, 6(3), 339-341. DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2009.0818
Jackson, A., Ruxton, G., & Houston, D. (2008) The effect of social facilitation on foraging success in vultures: a modelling study. Biology Letters, 4(3), 311-313. DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2008.0038
Swan, G., Cuthbert, R., Quevedo, M., Green, R., Pain, D., Bartels, P., Cunningham, A., Duncan, N., Meharg, A., Lindsay Oaks, J.... (2006) Toxicity of diclofenac to Gyps vultures. Biology Letters, 2(2), 279-282. DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2005.0425
Cuthbert, R., Parry-Jones, J., Green, R., & Pain, D. (2007) NSAIDs and scavenging birds: potential impacts beyond Asia's critically endangered vultures. Biology Letters, 3(1), 90-93. DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2006.0554
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Health
- Medicine
- Phenylbutazone
- Ecology
- Immunology
- Carprofen
- Physiology
- Toxicology
- Flunixin
- Ornithology
- Behavioral Biology
- Vultures
- Conservation Biology
- Veterinary Medicine
- Endangered Species
- Epidemiology
- Applied Mathematics
- Biological Chemistry
- Diclofenac
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry
- NSAID
- Gyps species
- Birds
- Evolutionary Biology
- Zoology
- Ibuprofen
- Agriculture
- June 30, 2010
- 11:15 AM
- 98 views
Distressed Ravens Show That Consolation Is For The Birds, Too
by GrrlScientist in Living the Scientific Life (Scientist, Interrupted)
tags: birds, ornithology, Common Raven, Northern Raven, Corvus corax, animal behavior, animal culture, aggression, dominance hierarchy, social groups, social conflict, post-conflict behavior, consolation, empathy, bpr3.org/?p=52,peer-reviewed research, journal club
Common Raven, Corvus corax, at Bryce Canyon National Park, USA.
Image: United States National Park Service (Public Domain) [larger view]
Humans have long tried to separate themselves from other animals on the basis of charac........ Read more »
Fraser, O., & Bugnyar, T. (2010) Do Ravens Show Consolation? Responses to Distressed Others. PLoS ONE, 5(5). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0010605
- June 9, 2010
- 05:59 PM
- 122 views
Gulf Oil Spill Disaster: Spawn of the Living Dead for Atlantic Bluefin Tuna?
by GrrlScientist in Living the Scientific Life (Scientist, Interrupted)
tags: ecology, marine biology, conservation biology, endangered species, habitat preferences, Northern Bluefin Tuna, Atlantic Bluefin Tuna, Thunnus thynnus, Yellowfin Tuna, Thunnus albacares, fisheries, PLoS ONE, bpr3.org/?p=52,peer-reviewed research, journal club
An adult Atlantic (Northern) Bluefin Tuna, Thunnus thynnus.
A recently published study, intended to provide data to commercial fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico so they maximize their catch of Yellowfin Tuna, Thunnus albacares, ........ Read more »
Steven L. H. Teo, & Barbara A. Block. (2010) Comparative Influence of Ocean Conditions on Yellowfin and Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Catch from Longlines in the Gulf of Mexico. PLoS ONE, 5(5). info:/10.1371/journal.pone.0010756
- June 5, 2010
- 08:41 AM
- 172 views
Oiled SeaBirds: To Kill Or Not To Kill?
by GrrlScientist in Living the Scientific Life (Scientist, Interrupted)
tags: ecology, marine biology, conservation biology, endangered species, environmental toxicology, seabirds, marine mammals, bpr3.org/?p=52,peer-reviewed research, journal club
Bird rescue personnel Danene Birtell (L) and Heather Nevill (R) hold an oiled brown pelican, found on Storm Island in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Louisiana, that will be washed at the treatment facility at Fort Jackson, Louisiana, USA. BP has contracted bird rescue groups to rehabilitate wildlife affected by........ Read more »
TSENG, F. (1999) Considerations in care for birds affected by oil spills. Seminars in Avian and Exotic Pet Medicine, 8(1), 21-31. DOI: 10.1016/S1055-937X(99)80032-2
David A. Jessup, & Jonna A. K. Mazet. (1999) Rehabilitation of Oiled Wildlife: Why Do It?. 1999 International Oil Spill Conference. info:/
Stowe, T. (1982) An oil spillage at a Guillemot colony. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 13(7), 237-239. DOI: 10.1016/0025-326X(82)90346-0
- April 20, 2010
- 01:11 PM
- 444 views
(How) Are Birds Affected by Volcanic Ash?
by GrrlScientist in Living the Scientific Life (Scientist, Interrupted)
tags: Eyjafjallajökull, volcanic particulate material, ash clouds, airborne-particle deposition, respiratory physiology, respiratory toxicology, medicine, veterinary medicine, birds, avian health, bioassay, anatomy, bpr3.org/?p=52,peer-reviewed research, journal club
Figure 1: The eruption of Eyjafjallajökull, photographed by an unidentified farmer in Iceland. This eruption sent massive billowing clouds of volcanic ash several miles into the atmosphere.
Image: Newscom/Zuma [larger view........ Read more »
Brown, R., Brain, J., & Wang, N. (1997) The Avian Respiratory System: A Unique Model for Studies of Respiratory Toxicosis and for Monitoring Air Quality. Environmental Health Perspectives, 105(2), 188. DOI: 10.2307/3433242
Llacuna S, Gorriz A, Riera M, & Nadal J. (1996) Effects of air pollution on hematological parameters in passerine birds. Archives of environmental contamination and toxicology, 31(1), 148-52. PMID: 8688002
McArn GE, Boardman ML, Munn R, & Wellings SR. (1974) Relationship of pulmonary particulates in English sparrows to gross air pollution. Journal of wildlife diseases, 10(4), 335-40. PMID: 4373586
Clark, L. (1998) Contribution of particulates and pH on cowbirds' (Molothrus ater) avoidance of grain treated with agricultural lime. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 57(1-2), 133-144. DOI: 10.1016/S0168-1591(97)00121-4
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Geosciences
- Health
- Bioassay
- Public Health
- physiology
- Epidemiology
- Ornithology
- Environmental Health
- Zoology
- Toxicology
- Environmental Chemistry
- Physiology
- Immunology
- Respiration
- Behavioral Biology
- Birds
- Agriculture
- Gas Uptake
- Repellents
- Particle Deposition
- Anatomy
- Air Quality
- Biophysics
- April 19, 2010
- 10:00 AM
- 214 views
Is That A T. rex Up Your Nose? New Species of Nose-dwelling Leech Discovered
by GrrlScientist in Living the Scientific Life (Scientist, Interrupted)
tags: evolutionary biology, evolutionary biogeography, molecular biology, medicine, ectoparasite, orificial hirudiniasis, mucosal leech infestation, hirudinoids, leech, Tyrannobdella rex, public health, zoology, PLoS ONE, anatomy, phylogenetic analysis, taxonomy, bpr3.org/?p=52,peer-reviewed research, journal club
Figure 1. Mucosally invasive hirudinoid leeches. Known from a wide variety of anatomical sites including eyes (A) as in this case involving Dinobdella ferox (B), mucosal leech sp........ Read more »
Phillips, A., Arauco-Brown, R., Oceguera-Figueroa, A., Gomez, G., Beltrán, M., Lai, Y., & Siddall, M. (2010) Tyrannobdella rex N. Gen. N. Sp. and the Evolutionary Origins of Mucosal Leech Infestations. PLoS ONE, 5(4). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0010057
- April 8, 2010
- 12:26 PM
- 269 views
What do Great Tits Reveal about the Genetics of Personality?
by GrrlScientist in Living the Scientific Life (Scientist, Interrupted)
tags: evolutionary biology, behavioral ecology, molecular ecology, personality, novelty seeking, exploratory behavior, dopamine receptor, dopamine receptor D4 gene, DRD4 gene polymorphism, ornithology, birds, Great Tit, Parus major, bpr3.org/?p=52,peer-reviewed research, peer-reviewed paper
Bold or cautious? Individuals with a particular gene variant are very curious --
but only in some populations.
Image: Henk Dikkers.
Research shows that personality variations are heritable in hum........ Read more »
KORSTEN, P., MUELLER, J., HERMANNSTÄDTER, C., BOUWMAN, K., DINGEMANSE, N., DRENT, P., LIEDVOGEL, M., MATTHYSEN, E., van OERS, K., van OVERVELD, T.... (2010) Association between DRD4 gene polymorphism and personality variation in great tits: a test across four wild populations. Molecular Ecology, 19(4), 832-843. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-294X.2009.04518.x
- April 1, 2010
- 09:59 AM
- 301 views
Publish or Perish: A Brief Review of Unsuccessful Attempts to Treat Writer's Block
by GrrlScientist in Living the Scientific Life (Scientist, Interrupted)
tags: writer's block, psychology, abnormal psychology, cognitive psychology, writing, publishing, career, publish or perish, bpr3.org/?p=52,peer-reviewed research, peer-reviewed paper, journal club
Read the rest of this post... | Read the comments on this post...... Read more »
Didden, R., Sigafoos, J., O'Reilly, M., Lancioni, G., & Sturmey, P. (2007) A Multisite Cross-Cultural Replication of Upper's (1974) Unsuccessful Self-Treatment of Writer's Block. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 40(4), 773-773. DOI: 10.1901/jaba.2007.773
Upper, D. (1974) The unsuccessful self-treatment of a case of “writer's block”. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 7(3), 497-497. DOI: 10.1901/jaba.1974.7-497a
- March 30, 2010
- 02:51 PM
- 280 views
UV, You See? Black Light Reveals Secrets in Fossils
by GrrlScientist in Living the Scientific Life (Scientist, Interrupted)
tags: evolution, evolutionary biology, UV light, flight, dinosaur, dromaeosaur, theropods, Microraptor gui, paleontology, fossils, birds, bpr3.org/?p=52,peer-reviewed research, peer-reviewed paper, journal club
Figure 1. The holotype of Microraptor gui, IVPP V 13352 under normal light. This shows the preserved feathers (white arrow) and the 'halo' around the specimen where they appear to be absent (black arrows). Scale bar at 5 cm. [larger view]
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0009223
It has l........ Read more »
Hone, D., Tischlinger, H., Xu, X., & Zhang, F. (2010) The Extent of the Preserved Feathers on the Four-Winged Dinosaur Microraptor gui under Ultraviolet Light. PLoS ONE, 5(2). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0009223
- March 29, 2010
- 09:47 AM
- 223 views
Made for Each Other: Evolution of Monogamy in Poison Frogs
by GrrlScientist in Living the Scientific Life (Scientist, Interrupted)
tags: evolution, evolutionary biology, behavioral ecology, animal behavior, molecular ecology, parental care, mating systems, monogamy, sexual selection, frogs, poison dart frogs, Dendrobatidae, Ranitomeya, bpr3.org/?p=52,peer-reviewed research, peer-reviewed paper, journal club
Peruvian mimic poison frog, Ranitomeya imitator.
Image: Jason Brown [larger view]
To know the breeding system is to know the genetic architecture of a species.
To know the evolution of a breeding system is to kn........ Read more »
Brown JL, Morales V, & Summers K. (2010) A key ecological trait drove the evolution of biparental care and monogamy in an amphibian. The American Naturalist, 175(4), 436-46. PMID: 20180700
- March 19, 2010
- 11:00 AM
- 249 views
Size Matters -- Bigger is Better, Even for Male Pipefish
by GrrlScientist in Maniraptora (Tastes Like Chicken)
SUMMARY: New research shows evidence for cryptic mate choice in Gulf pipefish. This is supported by two observations. First, males that mate with larger ("more desirable") females raise broods that have a higher survivorship. Second, embryo success in consecutive broods...... Read more »
Paczolt, K., & Jones, A. (2010) Post-copulatory sexual selection and sexual conflict in the evolution of male pregnancy. Nature, 464(7287), 401-404. DOI: 10.1038/nature08861
- March 17, 2010
- 08:21 AM
- 241 views
Gender-Bending Chickens: Mixed, Not Scrambled
by GrrlScientist in Maniraptora (Tastes Like Chicken)
SUMMARY: Sexual identity is genetically imposed on male and female chicken cells at fertilization and is the major factor in determining the adult sexual phenotype -- gonads have limited effects on the avian sexual phenotype. This fascinating finding is prompting...... Read more »
Zhao, D., McBride, D., Nandi, S., McQueen, H., McGrew, M., Hocking, P., Lewis, P., Sang, H., & Clinton, M. (2010) Somatic sex identity is cell autonomous in the chicken. Nature, 464(7286), 237-242. DOI: 10.1038/nature08852
- March 12, 2010
- 12:59 PM
- 302 views
Gender-Bending Chickens: Mixed, Not Scrambled
by GrrlScientist in Living the Scientific Life (Scientist, Interrupted)
tags: evolution, evolutionary biology, gynandromorph, bilateral gynandromorph bird, half-sider, mixed-sex chimaera, sex determination, molecular biology, genetics, developmental biology, endocrinology, birds, chicken, Gallus gallus, ornithology, bpr3.org/?p=52,peer-reviewed research, peer-reviewed paper, journal club
Half-sider.
Almost exactly one year ago, hundreds of American birders
were thrilled by sightings and photographs of this remarkable
Northern Cardinal, or Redbird, Cardinali........ Read more »
Zhao, D., McBride, D., Nandi, S., McQueen, H., McGrew, M., Hocking, P., Lewis, P., Sang, H., & Clinton, M. (2010) Somatic sex identity is cell autonomous in the chicken. Nature, 464(7286), 237-242. DOI: 10.1038/nature08852
- March 10, 2010
- 03:50 PM
- 326 views
Ancient DNA Isolated from Fossil Eggshells May Provide Clues to Eggstinction of Giant Birds
by GrrlScientist in Living the Scientific Life (Scientist, Interrupted)
tags: evolution, evolutionary biology, ancient DNA, aDNA, molecular biology, molecular ecology, archaeology, paleontology, fossil eggshell, extinct birds, giant moa, Dinornis robustus, elephant birds, Aepyornis maximus, Mullerornis, Thunderbirds, Genyornis, bpr3.org/?p=52,peer-reviewed research, peer-reviewed paper, journal club
Elephant bird, Aepyornis maximus, egg
compared to a human hand with a hummingbird egg balanced on a fingertip.
To conduct my avian research, I've isolated and........ Read more »
Charlotte L. Oskam, James Haile, Emma McLay, Paul Rigby, Morten E. Allentoft, Maia E. Olsen, Camilla Bengtsson, Gifford H. Miller, Jean-Luc Schwenninger, Chris Jacomb, Richard Walter, Alexander Baynes, Joe Dortch, Michael Parker-Pearson, M. Thomas P. Gilb. (2010) Fossil avian eggshell preserves ancient DNA. Proc. R. Soc. B. info:/10.1098/rspb.2009.2019
- February 12, 2010
- 02:30 PM
- 395 views
Faith-Based Birding 201: Fraudulent Photos and Federal Funding
by GrrlScientist in Living the Scientific Life (Scientist, Interrupted)
tags: faith-based birding, mass hysteria, endangered species, extinct species, conservation, politics, Ivory-billed Woodpecker, Campephilus principalis, IBWO, ornithology, birds, bpr3.org/?p=52,peer-reviewed research, peer-reviewed paper
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology has posted a reward of $50,000
to be given to anyone who can provide "video, photographic, or
other compelling information and lead a project scientist to a
living wild Ivory-billed Woodpecker."
Mass hysteria is that........ Read more »
Dalton, R. (2010) Still looking for that woodpecker. Nature, 463(7282), 718-719. DOI: 10.1038/463718a
- February 8, 2010
- 03:10 PM
- 344 views
Racehorse Research Identifies Speed Gene
by GrrlScientist in Living the Scientific Life (Scientist, Interrupted)
tags: evolutionary biology, molecular biology, Thoroughbred race horses, horses, aerobic capacity, muscle development, myostatin, MSTN, myostatin-suppressing C variant, myostatin-suppressing T variant, Horse Genome Project, Equinome, bpr3.org/?p=52,peer-reviewed research, peer-reviewed paper
Emerging from the mist is Rachel Alexandra, a champion American Thoroughbred who excels at winning both long and short distance races.
Image: Rob Carr, 2009, Associated Press [larger view]
If you'........ Read more »
Hill, E., Gu, J., Eivers, S., Fonseca, R., McGivney, B., Govindarajan, P., Orr, N., Katz, L., & MacHugh, D. (2010) A Sequence Polymorphism in MSTN Predicts Sprinting Ability and Racing Stamina in Thoroughbred Horses. PLoS ONE, 5(1). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0008645
- February 5, 2010
- 10:10 AM
- 386 views
Fossil Feather Colors Really ARE Written In Stone
by GrrlScientist in Living the Scientific Life (Scientist, Interrupted)
tags: evolutionary biology, paleontology, taphonomy, plumage color, feathers, color, melanin, eumelanin, phaeomelanin, dinosaurs, theropod, paravian, avialae, fossils, Anchiornis huxleyi, ornithology, birds, bpr3.org/?p=52,peer-reviewed research, peer-reviewed paper
New research reveals that recently-described 155-million-year-old Anchiornis huxleyi,
a woodpecker-like dinosaur the size of a modern-day domesticated chicken,
had black-and-white spangled wings and a rusty red crown.
Image:........ Read more »
Li, Q., Gao, K., Vinther, J., Shawkey, M., Clarke, J., D'Alba, L., Meng, Q., Briggs, D., Miao, L., & Prum, R. (2010) Plumage Color Patterns of an Extinct Dinosaur. Science. DOI: 10.1126/science.1186290
Vinther, J., Briggs, D., Clarke, J., Mayr, G., & Prum, R. (2009) Structural coloration in a fossil feather. Biology Letters, 6(1), 128-131. DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2009.0524
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