Daniel Salzler No. 1157
EnviroInsight.org Six Items July 8, 2022
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1, Ice Age Wolf DNA Reveals Dogs Trace Ancestry To Two Separate Wolf Populations. Dogs are known to have originated from the gray wolf, with this domestication occurring during the Ice Age, at least 15,000 years ago.
But where this happened, and if it occurred in one single location or in multiple places, is still unknown. Previous studies using the archaeological record and comparing the DNA of dogs and modern wolves have not found the answer.
In their study, published in Nature today (29 June), the researchers turned to ancient wolf genomes to further understanding of where the first dogs evolved from wolves. They analyzed 72 ancient wolf genomes, spanning the last 100,000 years, from Europe, Siberia and North America.
The remains came from previously excavated ancient wolves, with archaeologists from 38 institutions in 16 different countries contributing to the study. The remains included a full, perfectly preserved head from a Siberian wolf that lived 32,000 years ago. Nine different ancient DNA labs then collaborated on generating DNA sequence data from the wolves.
By analyzing the genomes, the researchers found that both early and modern dogs are more genetically similar to ancient wolves in Asia than those in Europe, suggesting a domestication somewhere in the east.
However, they also found evidence that two separate populations of wolves contributed DNA to dogs. Early dogs from north-eastern Europe, Siberia and the Americas appear to have a single, shared origin from the eastern source. But early dogs from the Middle East, Africa and southern Europe appear to have some ancestry from another source related to wolves in the Middle East, in addition to the eastern source.
One possible explanation for this dual ancestry is that wolves underwent domestication more than once, with the different populations then mixing together. Another possibility is that domestication happened only once, and that the dual ancestry is due to these early dogs then mixing with wild wolves. It is not currently possible to determine which of these two scenarios occurred.
“By trying to place the dog piece into this picture, we found that dogs derive ancestry from at least two separate wolf populations — an eastern source that contributed to all dogs and a separate more westerly source, that contributed to some dogs.”
The team are continuing the hunt for a close ancient wolf ancestor of dogs, which could reveal more precisely where domestication most likely took place. They are now focusing on genomes from other locations not included in this study, including more southerly regions.
As the 72 ancient wolf genomes spanned around 30,000 generations, it was possible to look back and build a timeline of how wolf DNA has changed, tracing natural selection in action.
For example, they observed that over a period of around 10,000 years, one gene variant went from being very rare to being present in every wolf, and is still present in all wolves and dogs today. The variant affects a gene, IFT88, which is involved in the development of bones in the skull and jaw. It is possible that the spread of this variant could have been driven by a change in the types of prey available during the Ice Age, giving an advantage is perhaps a reason why wolves managed to survive the Ice Age while many other large carnivores vanished.” Source: The Francis Crick Institute June 29, 2022
2. Nine of 15 Counties In Arizona At Level HIGH. This dashboard shows the current COVID-19 Community Level for Maricopa County, as well as Coconino, Yavapai, Navajo, Pinal, Mohave, Gila, Apache and La Paz counties. You should use a mask anytime entering a building or when in a group of people, especially if the gathering is inside.
The current county community level is HIGH. Masks should be worn every timer you enter a building or when in a crowd of people. More than 16,500 cases have been confirmed in Arizona in the last week.
Source: https://www.maricopa.gov/5786/COVID-19-Data
3.Understanding Asbestos In Your Home And In Your Business. Occupational asbestos exposure impacts more than a million Americans each year. Once hailed as a “wonder material,” asbestos served a central role in American commercial product manufacturing and construction throughout the 20th century because of its electrical insulating and heat resistant properties. Today, it is recognized as a carcinogen and hazardous substance.
Asbestosis used because it is abundant, fibrous, durable resistant to heat, fire, mold, water, electrical exposure, and more. But it is a carcinogenic.
Where Asbestos Is Found (Partial List)
Automotive parts
Resilient/pliable roofing, flooring, packing and gasket material not likely to become friable, are NOT regulated (Category 1 Non-Friable – cannot be crushed by your hand).
Materials including transit pipe ( concrete & asbestos – eg. water mains), and roofing material must be removed priorate demolition or renovation (Category 2)
Except for single family dwellings, duplex’s, triplex’s and quad-plex’s, asbestos is regulated when 260 linear feet of insulation is removed from pipe, or when there has been 160 square feet of asbestos containing material (wallboard) removed, or when there has been an accumulation of 35 cubic feet put into a waste pile .
Asbestos Found In The Home
Vinyl Tiles, Vinyl Sheeting, Flooring Adhesives, Popcorn Ceilings, Wallboard, Wallboard Texturing Material, Plaster Swimming Pool Walls & Floors. Example: If you remove the popcorn ceiling in your home and do the work yourself, you don’t have to worry about compliance with and regulatory company. You still have to use a wet method gut you can do the work. If you hire someone to do the work, you must comply with OSHA rules.
Asbestos Found In Commercial Buildings
Ceiling tiles, Wallboard, Sprayed On Fire Proofing Material, Boiler and Pipe Insulation, Flooring Materials and Associated Mastiks.
Possible Solutions To Deal With Asbestos
Removal
Encapsulation
Enclosure
Repair
Operations and Maintenance
Diseases you may develop after exposure ( single exposure to multiple years of exposure) include: Asbestosis (fibrotic scarring on the lungs- feels like paper cuts to the lungs when you breathe); Lung Cancer ( a cigarette smoker with asbestos exposure is 90+ times more likely to develop lung cancer.); and, Mesothelioma (cancer of the chest and/or abdominal cavity.
Talcum Powder And Asbestos
Asbestos contaminated talc has been found in cosmetics, personal hygiene and industrial products. Examples of asbestos contaminated talc are distributed or manufactured by the following company’s:
Chanel No 5 After Bath Powder
Whittaker, Clark, Daniels – makers of Old Spice After Shave Talc powder
Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder
Mennen Shave Talc
Yardley Invisible Talc and Black Label
Sources: O&H Magazine May 2022 and Editor’s OSHA Class
4. CAWCD Board Holds Special Meeting To Discuss Deteriorating Colorado River Conditions.
Earlier this month, Camille Touton, Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation, testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. In that testimony, she acknowledged that the challenges we’re seeing today are unlike anything we’ve seen in our history, stating that in addition to the actions that are already underway, between 2-4 million acre-feet of additional conservation is needed in 2023 just to protect critical levels in the major reservoirs (Lake Powell and Lake Mead) that allow for water delivery, power generation and infrastructure stability.
Touton said that although it is within Reclamation’s authorities to act unilaterally to protect the system, she first wants to pursue a path of partnership and collaboration, and gave Colorado River Basin States parties until the August 24-month study to agree on a course of action.
You can read a statement about this announcement from CAP General Manager Ted Cooke here.
As a result of these deteriorating conditions on the Colorado River system, the Central Arizona Water Conservation District (CAWCD) Board held a special meeting on Monday, June 27. CAP Assistant General Manager of Water Policy Patrick Dent made a presentation on the current hydrology and basin status.
Similar information was also shared at a June 23 CAP Water User’s Shortage Briefing. That presentation and video is posted on CAP’s website.
Source: https://knowyourwaternews.com/cawcd-board-holds-special-meeting-to-discuss-deteriorating/
5. Household Tip To Save Money. Don’t slam your washer or dryer lid (top load or side load) or door closed. Slamming the lid/door can break the door/lid switch which will cost you over $100. Gently close the door/lid to assure a long life for your washer or dryer.
Source: Experience
6. Eight Houses Burn In Glendale On 4th Of July. Two houses burned to the ground while other homes were seriously damaged. All a result of careless use of fireworks.
The Editor is reminded of an Albert Einstein quote that goes something like this:
The difference between intelligence and stupidity is that there is a limit on intelligence.
Think about that! Editor
Copyright: EnviroInsight.org 2022
