Carp Invasion

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/20/science/20carp.html?ref=science

This article is about the very possible and likely invasion of the asian carp into the great lakes. These fish have been feared for years because they would have no natural predators in the lakes and would destroy the ecosystem. Millions of dollars were spent on a very elaborate blockade to stop the fish from getting in. Unfortunately just recently DNA evidence of the carp was found in one of the lakes. No live or dead fish were found, but it is very likely there is a live specimen in the lake. So far no action has been taken, as a conference held by some officials overruled any emergency action. Now the senators are looking to the Obama administration to save their 7 billion dollar fishing industry from total destruction. I think this was bound to happen eventually, no matter how horrible it sounds. Even with the blockade system, whether it be some idiot throwing away a live fish or one of the fish getting past the barrier, it was bound to happen. It will take a lot of work to get rid of the asian carp, if it is even possible.

Virus in the Genome

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/12/science/12paleo.html?pagewanted=1&ref=science

This article is about how scientists have been discovering retroviruses in the human genome. These viruses are no longer active obviously but some of them do play important roles in the human genome. This is really quite interesting because this is described as "fossil hunting" in the genome. It shows a history of how our genome developed through evolution. This happens not because the virus inserts itself into the genome, but rather the genome absorbs it. Scientists are not exactly sure why this happens, but it has helped the human body defend against some other viruses. A major way this helped is when earlier in history when one virus was absorbed it was used to make placentas. In a test scientists pulled this virus out from the genome from mice and found that the placenta ended up deformed and unable to do its job. I found this really interesting and I think they could use this for another type of vaccination possibly. If scientists could find a way to insert certain viruses, unharmfully, into the genome to prevent diseases like HIV that would be a huge scientific breakthrough.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/06/dining/06frozen.html?ref=science

This article is about a company that freezes developed embryos, semen and eggs from rare goats, cattle, and sheep. They are doing this for multiple reasons. One is to have all these reproductive tools just in case the animal happens to become extinct or on the verge of extinction. Another is in case these animals become needed for food purposes, for example the goat has become extremely popular. I think this is really interesting and a really good idea because in todays world animals can quickly and easily become extinct or endangered.