Evolution: Charles Darwin was wrong about the tree of life | Science | guardian.co.uk

Given Darwin dreamt this up before genetics was developed he did very well. Basically the tree of life is a 2d simplification of a multi dimensional reality - that there are alternative pathways to transfer genetic material. But if trying to explain biology to the young or otherwise uneducated a tree is a hell of a lot more use than a thicket. A thicket suggests impenetrability and will tend to lead people to lose interest because they would assess, probably correctly, that their chances of being able to invest the time and effort to understand biology will likely be in vain. Considering how many people reject biology for religion this would not be helpful. Also, while there are alternative pathways, the alternative pathways are much less common than 'standard' reproduction - so the tree is representative of what mostly goes on. Maybe alternative biological pathways should be taught at University like when student who thought they know about the Ancient Greeks are confronted with Aristophanes, priapism and farting contests.

Source: Evolution: Charles Darwin was wrong about the tree of life | Science | guardian.co.uk

'Scissor-handed' creepy-crawly named after Johnny Depp - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Why?

Oh.

Source: 'Scissor-handed' creepy-crawly named after Johnny Depp - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Watch 62 Years of Global Warming in 13 Seconds | Climate Central

This sort of data graphic makes it really quite difficult to NOT get the picture. Do climate denialists have 13 seconds to spare? And there is always the 131 year version.

Source: Watch 62 Years of Global Warming in 13 Seconds | Climate Central

Meet the epigenome: the next genomic frontier

Just when you thought you had a handle on genetics, enter the epigenome! Thinking that the genome (sequence of genes) explains an organism is like thinking a parts listing explains how a device like a car operates under varying conditions through its life cycle. Importantly "...the epigenome is fluid and dynamic; changing in different tissues, at different stages in development and in response to environmental exposures and lifestyle habits. It can be modified by what we eat and drink, smoking, ageing, stress, pollution, sun exposure and countless other environmental factors." So for any philosophers out there, this is why the supposed nature OR nurture dichotomy is a crock. It's nature AND nurture.

Source:Meet the epigenome: the next genomic frontier

Neonicotinoid ban eases the stress on bees

Goodish news for the EU - the industrial lobby that flogs insect neurotoxins hasn't won for a change. Yet. This is only a restricted two year ban. But "Neonicotinoids are widely-used in Australia, and as yet there is no mention of restrictions on their use. ... So far, the focus of this review appears to be on honey bees. As many of Australia’s native pollinators are still understudied and undervalued, the impact of neonicotinoids on native insects is unclear." That is, we have no idea what effect this stuff has on our native bees and the native plants they pollinate, all of which are under severe stress. Doesn't anyone remember Silent Spring?

Source: Neonicotinoid ban eases the stress on bees