I read an article about chytridiomycosis.
Research shows that the fungus killing frogs around the world has almost certainly been distributed by trade in amphibians for zoos or private collections . Its origins are believed to lie in southern Africa. Chytrid is now found thoroughout the world and has exterminated a lot of species. The fungus kills amphibians by blocking cutaneous respiration. Rhys Farrer said "And it's obviously important, as chytrid is one one of the most devastating wildlife diseases with the largest host range of any, and responsible for dozens of species extinctions and many more extirpations of local populations."
In days of old, no-one knew there were any different lineages. However, scientists found three distinct lineages of the chytrid fungus in various nations. The major type has a truly global spread and was named BdGPL. Swiss sample was named BdCH. A third clade which turned up in the Cape Province of South Africa and the Mediterranean island of Mallorca was named BdCAPE. Their tests showed that BdCAPE was substantially less damaging to amphibians than BdGPL.
The genetic differences that make BdGPL more lethal have not been revealed. They think they are seeing unique evidence of recombination within BdGPL. It is not clear whether it's a hybridisation event but it's the most likely explanation. So they think it arose in the 20th Century, and that's in the realm of time for the trade in amphibians.
The team thinks that it is also worth investigating whether the less virulent forms can be used to save amphibians. In the same way, they may prepare viccines.
Some years ago, the fungus were discovered for the first time in Japan. It was a big news so I remember it. However, nevertheless it was regarded as a big problem, I don't know what happened in consequence.
I have studied about chytridiomycosis in Japan. In 2006, chytrid was regarded as a catastrophic diseases. However, it has been discovered that most of amphibians in Japan have a tolerance to chytrid.
Knowing about it, I had peace of mind for a while. However, chytridiomycosis is a big problem all over the world. I think it is the one of the problem of alien species.
Black, Richard. "Killer frog fungus 'spread by trade'." BBC Online. 8 November 2011. Web. 15 November 2011. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-15624254>
2011年11月16日水曜日
2011年11月7日月曜日
Doctor trials laser treatment to change eye colour
I read an article about a laser treatment that changes patients' eye colour.
Dr Gregg Homer claims 20 seconds of laser light can remove pigment in brown eyes and turn them blue. The process involves a computerised system. Dr Homer said "We use two frequencies that are absorbed by dark pigment, and it is fully absorbed so there is no danger of damage to the rest of the eye." The pigment called melanin does not regenerate, so the treatment is irreversible.
However, other eye experts urge caution. They think that the pigment is there for a reason. Therefore, destroying eye pigment can cause sight problems if too much light is allowed to enter the pupil.
But Dr Homer said that the treatment is safe. The treatment removes the pigment from only the eye's surface, and most of it will be left untouched. Patients would be less sensitive to light. Moreover, Dr Homer said "We run tests for 15 different safety examination procedures. We run the tests before and after the treatment, and the following day, and the following weeks, and the following months and the following three months. Thus far we have no evidence of any injury."
Stroma Medical believes the treatment will be popular. 17% of Americans would want it if they knew it was completely safe.Growing demand for cosmetic contact lenses is also evidence of a growing desire to alter eye colour.
I don't want get the treatment because the treatment is irreversible. I don't think that I want change my eye color at this time. If I want change my eye color as fashion, I will use color contact lenses.
In Japan, many people change their hair color as fashion. However, it is not irreversible. Their hair grows gradually and new hair has original color. We can change our hair color any number of times easily. Changing eye color is different from changing hair color.
Futhermore, cosmetic surgery is regarded as not good in Japan. We think our natural physical feature is a present from our parents, so we should not change it. Also in this point, I want change my eye color by the irreversible treatment.
"Doctor trials laser treatment to change eye colour." BBC Online. 5 November 2011. Web. 7 November 2011.<http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-15596885>
Dr Gregg Homer claims 20 seconds of laser light can remove pigment in brown eyes and turn them blue. The process involves a computerised system. Dr Homer said "We use two frequencies that are absorbed by dark pigment, and it is fully absorbed so there is no danger of damage to the rest of the eye." The pigment called melanin does not regenerate, so the treatment is irreversible.
However, other eye experts urge caution. They think that the pigment is there for a reason. Therefore, destroying eye pigment can cause sight problems if too much light is allowed to enter the pupil.
But Dr Homer said that the treatment is safe. The treatment removes the pigment from only the eye's surface, and most of it will be left untouched. Patients would be less sensitive to light. Moreover, Dr Homer said "We run tests for 15 different safety examination procedures. We run the tests before and after the treatment, and the following day, and the following weeks, and the following months and the following three months. Thus far we have no evidence of any injury."
Stroma Medical believes the treatment will be popular. 17% of Americans would want it if they knew it was completely safe.Growing demand for cosmetic contact lenses is also evidence of a growing desire to alter eye colour.
I don't want get the treatment because the treatment is irreversible. I don't think that I want change my eye color at this time. If I want change my eye color as fashion, I will use color contact lenses.
In Japan, many people change their hair color as fashion. However, it is not irreversible. Their hair grows gradually and new hair has original color. We can change our hair color any number of times easily. Changing eye color is different from changing hair color.
Futhermore, cosmetic surgery is regarded as not good in Japan. We think our natural physical feature is a present from our parents, so we should not change it. Also in this point, I want change my eye color by the irreversible treatment.
"Doctor trials laser treatment to change eye colour." BBC Online. 5 November 2011. Web. 7 November 2011.<http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-15596885>
2011年11月1日火曜日
Travelwise: Halloween’s past and present
I read an article about Halloween’s past and present.
Samhain, the ancient Celt' s festival, widely considered to be the precursor of Halloween. On Samhain night, the spirits of people who had died in the past year would walk among our living world. So villagers put out food and sweets to pacify these spirits. This is a ritual that may have preceded trick-or-treating.
Halloween has pagan origins, but its name has Christian origins. It is derived from the Christian holiday “All Hallows Eve”, or the evening before All Saints’ Day (1 November). Halloween itself was adapted by Christians who hoped to stamp out paganism, and over the years, some of the darker aspects of Halloween have been replaced by more light-hearted, family-friendly festivities. But Halloween still has the scary and supernatural aspects today, in celebrations all over the world.
Ireland is arguably the holiday’s birthplace. Halloween is still greeted with excitement each year. Barnbrack is a fruitcake with different charms baked inside, for example, a ring, a coin, or the rag. In Mexico, Halloween became joined with Dia de los Muertos. It is The Day of the Dead and indigenous holiday in Mexico. In Romania, Halloween is a major draw for tourists seeking a Dracula themed scare. In the United States, Halloween is the day with both young and the old getting in on the fun.
I think about Halloween in Japan.
Recently, I think that Halloween has come to been celebrated in Japan. But it seems that very few people celebrate the day for religious reasons. We enjoy Halloween as one of the fun events. I think this is similar to Christmas in Japan. But many people in Japan knows Christmas is the holiday of Jesus Christ's birthday, on the other hand, they don't know what is Halloween.
I think that Halloween is utilized for increasing sales by some companies and theme parks in Japan. In the supermarket, they say " Let' s eat pumpkins for Halloween", and discount the pumpkins. Restaurant provides pumpkin-using dishes for a limited time. Some theme parks hold a Halloween parade. I think this is a point in common with St. Valentine's Day in Japan. In Japan, as St. Valentine's Day is " the chololate's day", so Halloween seems to be " the pumpkin's day".
Sood, Suemedha. "Travelwise: Halloween’s past and present." BBC Online. 28 October 2011. Web. 1 November 2011. <http://www.bbc.com/travel/blog/20111028-travelwise-halloweens-past-and-present>
Samhain, the ancient Celt' s festival, widely considered to be the precursor of Halloween. On Samhain night, the spirits of people who had died in the past year would walk among our living world. So villagers put out food and sweets to pacify these spirits. This is a ritual that may have preceded trick-or-treating.
Halloween has pagan origins, but its name has Christian origins. It is derived from the Christian holiday “All Hallows Eve”, or the evening before All Saints’ Day (1 November). Halloween itself was adapted by Christians who hoped to stamp out paganism, and over the years, some of the darker aspects of Halloween have been replaced by more light-hearted, family-friendly festivities. But Halloween still has the scary and supernatural aspects today, in celebrations all over the world.
Ireland is arguably the holiday’s birthplace. Halloween is still greeted with excitement each year. Barnbrack is a fruitcake with different charms baked inside, for example, a ring, a coin, or the rag. In Mexico, Halloween became joined with Dia de los Muertos. It is The Day of the Dead and indigenous holiday in Mexico. In Romania, Halloween is a major draw for tourists seeking a Dracula themed scare. In the United States, Halloween is the day with both young and the old getting in on the fun.
I think about Halloween in Japan.
Recently, I think that Halloween has come to been celebrated in Japan. But it seems that very few people celebrate the day for religious reasons. We enjoy Halloween as one of the fun events. I think this is similar to Christmas in Japan. But many people in Japan knows Christmas is the holiday of Jesus Christ's birthday, on the other hand, they don't know what is Halloween.
I think that Halloween is utilized for increasing sales by some companies and theme parks in Japan. In the supermarket, they say " Let' s eat pumpkins for Halloween", and discount the pumpkins. Restaurant provides pumpkin-using dishes for a limited time. Some theme parks hold a Halloween parade. I think this is a point in common with St. Valentine's Day in Japan. In Japan, as St. Valentine's Day is " the chololate's day", so Halloween seems to be " the pumpkin's day".
Sood, Suemedha. "Travelwise: Halloween’s past and present." BBC Online. 28 October 2011. Web. 1 November 2011. <http://www.bbc.com/travel/blog/20111028-travelwise-halloweens-past-and-present>
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