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☆ A miraculous little plant proves life persists after deforestation
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-13 | by ( Amanda Schupak | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —On the western slopes of the Andes in Ecuador, John L. Clark, a research botanist at Florida’s Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, happened upon what he calls a miracle. That he could see it at all, nestled there on a moss-covered rock in a remnant patch of untouched land, was impressive. Back in the lab, Clark and his team confirmed that the little plant was a species new to science, and he and his team named it Amalophyllon miraculum. That’s why we decided to call it miraculum,” research botanist John L. Clark said. To an untrained eye, it’s nearly impossible to see the plant about which he’s so excited.)

Persons: John L, Clark, ”, they’re, Clark “, Laurence Skog, Martin Schaefer, ” Schaefer, E.O, Wilson, “, ‘, ” Clark, Schaefer, Amanda Schupak Organizations: CNN, Marie, Marie Selby Botanical, Smithsonian Institution’s National, of, Jocotoco Conservation Foundation Locations: Ecuador, Marie Selby, Centinela, Washington , DC, Western Ecuador, New York City

☆ The largest genome ever discovered belongs to a humble fern
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-07 | by ( Amanda Schupak | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

New research has identified the largest known genome of any living organism in an unassuming fern found in New Caledonia, an island chain in the South Pacific Ocean. After analyzing related samples from New Zealand and Tasmania, Pellicer homed in on the New Caledonian fork fern as a potentially interesting target for study. Genome gigantism, or genome obesity, is extremely inefficient, the experts explain. Pol Fernández I MatóPellicer and his colleagues believe that genome size may influence a plant’s chances of extinction. Could there be a plant with an even bigger genome than the fork fern?

Persons: ”, Jaume Pellicer, Pellicer, Tmesipteris, that’s, ” Pellicer, “, Oriane Hidalgo, polyploidy, Eric Schuettpelz, Fernández, “ it’s, ” Schuettpelz, It’s, David Baum, Pol Fernández, “ I’m, Amanda Schupak Organizations: CNN, Botanical Institute of Barcelona, Cell, Smithsonian, “, Genome, University of Wisconsin, Madison, International Union for Conservation of Locations: New Caledonia, Paris, Grande Terre, Oriane Hidalgo Ferns, New Zealand, Tasmania, New York City

☆ Unusual ‘salty licorice’ cats share a newly discovered genetic mutation
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-31 | by ( Amanda Schupak | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

“Our research approach is community science,” Lohi, who was corresponding author on the study, told CNN. Researchers dubbed the cats' unusual coat coloring as salmiak, or “salty licorice,” after a popular Finnish candy. Now that salty licorice cats are officially a thing, could they become the next designer breed? “It is possible that breeders will choose to develop a population of salty licorice cats,” Lohi said. “However, the health of the salty licorice cats should be followed in more detail to confirm the absence of any color-related health issues.” Tailored genetic testing could be used to ensure the cats are bred without passing on dangerous genes.

Persons: Hannes Lohi, ” Lohi, Lohi, ”, Greg Barsh, ” Barsh, ” Amanda Schupak Organizations: CNN, University of Helsinki, Genetics, Stanford University Locations: Petäjävesi, Finland, Finnish, New York City

☆ German cockroaches’ unexpected origins revealed by genomic analysis
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-27 | by ( Amanda Schupak | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The nocturnal critter was most likely a German cockroach, and its ancestors were pestering people more than 2,000 years ago in southern Asia, a new study found. German cockroaches, scientifically known as Blattella germanica, are ubiquitous in cities in the United States and around the world. The research team received 281 German cockroach samples from 57 sites in 17 countries and studied their DNA to trace their evolution. And we know that transatlantic trade routes probably were the culprit for the spread of German cockroaches. “For example, the German cockroach has insecticide resistance that is not detected in many other pests,” he said.

Persons: Qian Tang, ”, Tang, Carl Linnaeus, Matt Bertone, Jessica Ware, ” Ware, Amanda Schupak Organizations: CNN, National Academy of Sciences, Harvard University, American Museum of Locations: Asia, United States, Europe, India, Myanmar, Swedish, North America, Americas, New York City

☆ How long will your dog live? Measure its nose
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-03 | by ( Amanda Schupak | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Is your dog a small male with a long nose? If so, your furry companion is more likely to be at your side for a long time, according to new research. Small and medium dogs with pronounced schnozes lived over 12 years on average, while flat-faced dogs of all sizes fell short of that mark. The study includes millions of data points, but it doesn’t necessarily represent the full spectrum of companion dog life, McMillan said. “The ethical and welfare concerns surrounding dog breeding have become one of the most important issues — if not the most important issue — within canine welfare,” McMillan said.

Persons: ”, Kirsten McMillan, ” McMillan, expectancies, Shiba Inus, schnozes, Dan O’Neill, ” Esme Wheeler, “, Wheeler, Silvan, ” Urfer, “ I’m, McMillan Organizations: CNN, Dogs Trust, bulldogs, French bulldogs, Italian greyhounds, Royal Veterinary College, Royal Society for, “, University of Washington, Dogs Locations: United Kingdom, Italian, Lhasa, Frenchies, London, United States

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