Environmental

Recent Posts

More Studies are Focusing on the Types of Bacteria that are Part of all Humans
Posted on 20 Jun 2012 by Thomas H. Clarke, Jr.

Prior posts have noted that a) for every 1 human cell there are 10 bacteria in or on our bodies; b) these bacteria are key to the digestion of our food, production of necessary nutrients, and disease prevention; c) the nature of our diet influences the... Read More

Could DNA that is no longer present in the human genome have helped to make humans what we are? Very likely.
Posted on 24 May 2011 by Thomas H. Clarke, Jr.

Prior posts have looked at a variety of issues related to genes and what allegedly makes humans what we supposedly are. But, is it possible that DNA that is no longer present in the genome also helped to shape us? How would we know? Most research into... Read More

New genetic analysis split Killer Whales into 4+ species
Posted on 16 May 2010 by Thomas H. Clarke, Jr.

Turn on the Science Channel or Animal Planet, and until very recently Killer Whales (actually a type of oceanic dolphin) were described as a single unitary species. Now, genetic analysis indicates that in fact they are at least four species, perhaps... Read More

Although fire ants originated in the U.S. as the result of "imports" from South America, their spread to many other countries is from the U.S., new genetic assessment shows
Posted on 27 Feb 2011 by Thomas H. Clarke, Jr.

Fire ants are a royal pain (literally and figuratively). Chemical pesticides and many other brews have tried to wipe them out, unfortunately without success. They are now colonizing many other countries. But, what is the origin of these new invasions... Read More

More Studies are Focusing on the Types of Bacteria that are Part of all Humans
Posted on 20 Jun 2012 by Thomas H. Clarke, Jr.

Prior posts have noted that a) for every 1 human cell there are 10 bacteria in or on our bodies; b) these bacteria are key to the digestion of our food, production of necessary nutrients, and disease prevention; c) the nature of our diet influences the... Read More

Even toxics can act as a generic selection factor in the environment
Posted on 22 Feb 2011 by Thomas H. Clarke, Jr.

One of the themes of this blog has been that virtually anything present in the environment can act as a selection factor influencing the course of evolution. A recent study on fish and PCB's and dioxins illustrates this point. Unfortunately for humans... Read More

Will DNA analysis begin to substitute for actuarial tables in wrongful death and disability cases?
Posted on 2 Jul 2010 by Thomas H. Clarke, Jr.

In wrongful death cases and in cases involving permanent injuries that require a life-time to care, it is common for estimates to be made of the "value of the life" or "time needed for care" from actuarial tables that allegedly reflect... Read More

Evolution is a complex process, just ask the Transylvanian naked-neck chicken
Posted on 6 Apr 2011 by Thomas H. Clarke, Jr.

Prior posts have noted that selection factors that influence evolution can be highly variable, and sometimes surprising. It is not the simple "survival of the fitest" postulated by Darwin (who in fairness could not have known about many of the... Read More

Could DNA that is no longer present in the human genome have helped to make humans what we are? Very likely.
Posted on 24 May 2011 by Thomas H. Clarke, Jr.

Prior posts have looked at a variety of issues related to genes and what allegedly makes humans what we supposedly are. But, is it possible that DNA that is no longer present in the genome also helped to shape us? How would we know? Most research into... Read More

DNA analysis suggests polar bears evolved relatively recently
Posted on 6 Jun 2010 by Thomas H. Clarke, Jr.

Ursus maritimus , the polar bear, is a specialized predator that (ignoring those that forage for garbage in towns and villages along the Arctic coast) hunts solely on sea ice. Several studies have concurred that polar bears are closely related to brown... Read More