More than three-quarters of marine mammal and sea turtle populations have significantly increased after listing of the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA), according to a study published January 16 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Abel Valdivia of the Center for Biological Diversity in California, and colleagues. The findings suggest that conservation measures such...
Urbanization may hold key to tiger survival
A new WCS-led study published in the journal Biological Conservation says the future of tigers in Asia is linked the path of demographic transition -- for humans. The study marks the first-of-its-kind analysis that overlays human population scenarios with the fate of these endangered big cats.
Prior to the 20th century, some experts estimate there were...
Vampire bat venom could hold key to new medical treatments
Vampire bats could hold the key to new treatments for a range of serious medical problems, but researchers have hit a snag accessing the specimens needed to advance their work.
An international team led by The University of Queensland has found a new class of blood pressure-regulating peptides in the venom of the common vampire bat...
Jellyfish map could be the future to protecting UK waters and fish
Scientists at the University of Southampton have developed maps of chemicals found in jellyfish which could offer a new tool for conservation in British waters and fisheries. The maps will also be able to check that seafood in the supermarket shelves and freezers comes from where the labelling claims it does.
The Southampton based research team...
Ocean giant gets a health check: Combination blood, tissue test reveals whale shark diets
Whale sharks, the world's largest fish, likely endure periods of starvation and may eat more plants than previously thought, according to the first results of a new health check developed at the University of Tokyo. Ocean scientists now have a powerful, simple tool to discover the diets, migrations, and conservation needs of this endangered species.
Whale...
Idled farmland presents habitat restoration opportunities in San Joaquin Desert
Most of the native habitat in California's San Joaquin Desert has been converted to row crops and orchards, leaving 35 threatened or endangered species confined to isolated patches of habitat. A significant portion of that farmland, however, is likely to be retired in the coming decades due to groundwater overdraft, soil salinity, and climate change.
A...