In Costa Rica, a female crocodile who had been living alone in captivity for 18 years gave birth to a cluster of eggs. Although this is not uncommon, one of the eggs looked perfectly normal and 
was able to produce a baby crocodile. The egg did eventually produce a perfectly formed but stillborn baby. Parthenogen is the term given to a virgin birth in which the newborn will only contain DNA material from the mother. This has been seen in other species such as cobras, and California Condors but never in crocodiles. Since Crocodiles are from a particular branch of the tree of life, this may have also been true for pterosaurs and dinosaurs. Although animals born in this way are not genetically strong, they are able to mate with others of the same species. What is the reasoning behind this? It is possible that animals will reproduce in this manner when they feel the survival of their species is threatened when there is no mate available.
Category: Science
Trees and cooling the world…
Living Carbon, located outside of San Francisco, is a biotechnology company that has produced genetically modified poplars. This genetically modified poplar can grow at an accelerated rate and in so doing consume more carbon dioxide from the air. To date this is all experimental and the company has only been successful in growing these plants in greenhouses. Over a five-month period indoors, these poplars grew 50% faster. Photosynthesis is the process in which enables plant life to thrive. The hope is that these genetically modified trees will use this process more efficiently in turn absorbing more carbon dioxide from the air. At present only a small field trial is under way to see how these trees grow outside the greenhouse. There is resistance from researchers who fear that these trees, since they are genetically modified, will cross pollinate with other trees. The positive side is that these trees can hopefully replace the problem we are facing with deforestation from the lumber industry.
https://www.livingcarbon.com/post/photosynthesis-enhanced-trees-grow-faster-and-capture-more-carbon
Bovine Colostrum and Humans…
Colostrum is the milk-like substance produced by cows within the first five days or so after giving birth. It provides 
antibodies and important microbes to the newborn along with an abundance of proteins, fats, glycans, minerals and vitamins. Colostrum can be taken in pill or power form. Research is concentrating on what benefits it can have on gut health. In a trial involving 160 children with severe diarrhea, after two weeks of taking colostrum, their symptoms were relieved. Some positive results are being shown for people with colitis, and those with H.I.V./AIDS. Some speculation is that it can make the gut less permeable helping with digestive issues. In another study of 445 participants, colostrum reduced upper respiratory infections which might suggest regeneration of mucus membranes. Although there have been some positive results in children, it is not certain what colostrum will do to the immune system of adults. Most of these studies has been done by researchers connected to colostrum supplement companies so more unbiased research has to be conducted. There is also the question of-if colostrum is collected after 3 days and then put through a purification process are some benefits lost? However, hope is that it will provide help with children with digestive issues and even possibly autism.
https://academic.oup.com/tropej/article/66/1/46/5511643
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1756464622003863
46,000-Year-Old Roundworms…
A pair of roundworms was encased in the Siberian permafrost about the time when the Wooly Mammoth roamed freely. After 46,000 years these worms were defrosted in warm water and began to wiggle. This was an indication that life can be paused almost indefinitely. 
The results were published in “PLOS Genetics”. According to researchers at the Institute of Physiochemical and Biological Problems In Soli Science in Russia, these nematodes (roundworms) were buried approximately 130 feet deep. The findings were verified in Germany where the worms were then shipped. They have a lifespan of a few days and were able to produce new generations while in the lab. The timeframe of when they lived was established by a process called radiocarbon dating. The roundworms were able to achieve cryptobiosis (dormant state) because of a special gene which is also present in contemporary roundworms. The hope is that we may learn to adapt more easily to the extreme effects of climate change and in so doing protect ecosystems from collapsing. Since the permafrost is melting there may yet be many more discoveries of our distant past.
https://journals.plos.org/plosgenetics/article?id=10.1371/journal.pgen.1010798https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/46-000-year-old-worm-possibly-revived-from-siberian-permafrost/