Sea urchins genetically close to humans - 10 November
SCIENTISTS have sequenced the genome of the sea urchin, an invertebrate surprisingly similar to humans, a step that could help develop new treatment for human disease such as cancer, a new study says.
After identifying the 23,300 genes of the Strongylocentrotus purpuratus (California purple sea urchin) genome, researchers found humans shared 7077 of their genes with the arguably different-looking brainless and limbless invertebrate.
The genetic ties were far closer than scientists expected and make the sea urchin a closer genetic cousin of man than the worm or fruit fly, the study in the November 10 issue of Science found.
More at http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,20733535-1702,00.html
Contributed by Tim Hochgrebe added 2006-11-12
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Pelagian Dive Yacht
Feel like you're on a private yacht charter with just ten guests. Pelagian cruises the outer reaches of the exquisite Wakatobi region.
Articles
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A Turtle Nursery At Wakatobi
by KarenS
- Sea Turtles can live to be 100 years old, but most don’t survive their first few days. In the wild, the tiny hatchlings typically encounter a gauntlet of predators as they hatch and make their way from beachside nests to open water, and they remain especially vulnerable those first few months of life. When nature is in balance, this attrition is a normal part of the circle of life. But when turtles become threatened by factors such as habitat loss, or predators like fish and birds, they may need a little extra help to maintain a normal population. This is where Wakatobi Dive Resort has stepped in.
