Worldfocus » science http://worldfocus.org International News, Videos and Blogs Fri, 19 Mar 2010 21:04:56 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 en Africa turns to science for help combatting ivory trade http://worldfocus.org/blog/2009/07/02/africa-turns-to-science-for-help-combatting-ivory-trade/6109/ http://worldfocus.org/blog/2009/07/02/africa-turns-to-science-for-help-combatting-ivory-trade/6109/#comments Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:58:15 +0000 Worldfocus http://worldfocus.org/?p=6109 Despite a long ban, poachers in Africa continue to kill thousands of elephants each year for the money they can make from the tusks. But now, scientists are using a sophisticated dating method to fight back — a technique based in part on the nuclear bomb tests of the 1950s.

Michael Novacek, provost of science at the American Museum of Natural History, joins Martin Savidge to discuss scientific methods used to fight the ivory trade and animals that are at risk.

(View full post to see video) Despite a long ban, poachers in Africa continue to kill thousands of elephants each year for the money they can make from the tusks. But now, says Michael Novacek of the American Museum of Natural History, scientists are using a sophisticated dating method to fight back. http://worldfocus.org/files/2009/07/th_africa_novacek.jpg http://worldfocus.org/files/2009/07/th_africa_novacek.jpg ]]> http://worldfocus.org/blog/2009/07/02/africa-turns-to-science-for-help-combatting-ivory-trade/6109/feed/ Fossilized skeleton could be key link in evolution puzzle http://worldfocus.org/blog/2009/05/20/fossilized-skeleton-could-be-key-link-in-evolution-puzzle/5464/ http://worldfocus.org/blog/2009/05/20/fossilized-skeleton-could-be-key-link-in-evolution-puzzle/5464/#comments Wed, 20 May 2009 18:45:55 +0000 Worldfocus http://worldfocus.org/?p=5464 On Tuesday, a 47 million-year-old fossilized skeleton from Germany was unveiled in New York. Scientists say the nearly-complete skeleton — which has four legs and a tail — is not thought to be a direct ancestor of human beings, but does offer a new piece of the puzzle of how primates evolved.

Michael Novacek, the provost of science at the American Museum of Natural History, joins Martin Savidge to discuss the significance of the fossil in understanding evolution.

Scientists say a 47 million-year-old fossilized skeleton from Germany may offer a new piece of the evolution puzzle. Michael Novacek, the provost of science at the American Museum of Natural History, discusses the significance of the fossil in understanding evolution. http://worldfocus.org/files/2009/05/th_fossils_novacek.jpg http://worldfocus.org/files/2009/05/th_fossils_novacek.jpg ]]> http://worldfocus.org/blog/2009/05/20/fossilized-skeleton-could-be-key-link-in-evolution-puzzle/5464/feed/ Africans more genetically diverse than rest of world http://worldfocus.org/blog/2009/05/06/africans-more-genetically-diverse-than-rest-of-world/5292/ http://worldfocus.org/blog/2009/05/06/africans-more-genetically-diverse-than-rest-of-world/5292/#comments Wed, 06 May 2009 18:50:44 +0000 Worldfocus http://worldfocus.org/?p=5292 Africans are more genetically diverse than the inhabitants of the rest of the world combined, according to a study published in the journal Science Express.

Michael Novacek, the provost of science at the American Museum of Natural History, joins Martin Savidge to discuss the implications of the study, how it was conducted and Africa’s importance to genetic research.

Africans are more genetically diverse than the inhabitants of the rest of the world combined, according to a recent study. Michael Novacek of the American Museum of Natural History discusses the implications of the findings. http://worldfocus.org/files/2009/05/th_africa_novacek.jpg http://worldfocus.org/files/2009/05/th_africa_novacek.jpg ]]> http://worldfocus.org/blog/2009/05/06/africans-more-genetically-diverse-than-rest-of-world/5292/feed/