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Wed, Nov 18, 2009
Jim Dietz's Work to Save Golden Lion Tamarins Featured in NatureNews
A special edition of NatureNews "Biodiversity in Crisis" features the story "Biodiversity's Bright Spot" about the strides that conservationists in Brazil have made towards saving the golden lion tamarin and its forest habitat from destruction. The article highlights the decades of work by Biology Professor Jim Dietz to study the behavioral ecology of golden and golden-headed lion tamarins in southeastern Brazil and to preserve their habitat. His research on the evolution of monogamy and helping behavior in this communally breeding primate forms an integral part of an international project targeting the conservation of this endangered species and the biodiversity in its ecosystem.
Tue, Nov 17, 2009
Researchers Team Up to Fight Alzheimer's Disease
Hey-Kyoung Lee,
Associate Professor of Biology, links her previous work in
neuroplasticity - the brain's ability to reorganize neural pathways -
with Johns Hopkins scientists who are studying innovative treatments
for Alzheimer's disease. The team is attempting to stem the disease by
preventing the action of an enzyme called BACE1, and eliminate
resulting side effects.
Tue, Nov 17, 2009
Where Have All the Frogs Gone?
Karen Lips,
Associate Professor of Biology, races against time to investigate
declining frog and amphibian populations. An unusual fungus, called Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis,
or Bd, is causing massive frog die-offs in locations as disparate as
Panama, Australia and the National Zoo in Washington, D.C.
Thu, Nov 12, 2009
Eric Haag Quoted in NatureNews article "Biologists turn against worm"
Associate Professor Eric Haag, Department of Biology, is quoted in a NatureNews story "Biologists turn against worm." Haag studies the developmental genetics of evolutionary change using the nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans as a model system. This worm has been one of the most important biological model systems for more than 30 years, but now Haag and others are using other species to gain insight into the origins of complex biological traits.
Mon, Nov 2, 2009
Researchers Hail Innovative Plan to Save Rainforest, Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
An innovative proposal by the Ecuadorian government to protect an
untouched, oil rich region of Amazon rainforest is a precedent-setting
and potentially economically viable approach, says a team of
environmental researchers from the University of Maryland, the World
Resources Institute and Save America's Forests.
"This is a really novel approach that could fund a lot of rainforest protection," said Clinton Jenkins,
a research scientist in the University of Maryland's department of
biology. "It's also an innovative way of dealing with greenhouse gas
emissions."
