Science and Tech | Sunstone Online

Mother Chimp Mourns Death of Infant in Sadly Similar Way to Humans

In a heartbreaking discovery about the emotional life of chimpanzees, researchers have discovered what appears to be a mourning process in those primates which parallels a similar experience which humans go through when a loved one dies.

Experts on chimpanzee behavior have known for a while that chimp mothers develop a close bond with their infants; carrying them for two full years and nursing them for six. What was not apparent before was the reaction these mothers have when their infant dies.

In a video which seems to show a mother chimp mourning the death of her 16 month old baby, evidence points to a heartbreakingly similar emotional experience to what human mothers feel when their infant dies.

Chevy Volt Harbinger of More Plug-Ins to Come

Chief executive of General Motors, Daniel F. Akerson said on Tuesday that his company is planning to introduce two more plug-in hybrid cars whose design will be based on the Chevrolet Volt, their first offering of this new technology, which was introduced at the end of last year.

According to comments made by Mr. Akerson at an industry conference not far from the Detroit auto show, G.M. is ready to build a minimum of 25,000 Volts this coming year, which is more than twice the original goal.

Mr. Akerman expects that the Volt will become profitable within three years, as it moves into its second generation design which is being developed now. The Volt went to the market this past December and was designated as the North American Car of the Year at the Auto show’s media preview.

“The Volt is not the ultimate solution,” Mr. Akerson said at the Automotive News World Congress. “It’s a glimpse at what is possible.”

Over-Fishing Thing of the Past as Fishermen Prepare to Reap Good Times

According to top scientists there is no longer a threat of overfishing in the United States. Steve Murawski, who retired last year as the chief scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, said that we have finally, after 100 years, reached fishing levels in which not one species will be removed from the sea in a way that is non-sustainable.

The news means more than just a happy benchmark, as Murawski explained. It is a sign that we can expect healthier stocks and much better days for fishermen who have suffered monetarily from the overfishing of the past.

Three Poachers Caught in Kenya

A special team of rangers from the Kenya Wildlife Service recently recovered $30,830 worth of elephant tusks and rhino horns. Three people were arrested, and six rounds of ammunition, two pairs of night vision binoculars, two jungle rangers uniforms and a rifle scope were recovered as well. Senior Warden Aggrey Maumo, who was involved in the operation, said that nine rhinos have been killed in the region over the past year. “At least twenty rhinos were killed across the country since early last year. Northern Kenya reported the highest incidents because poachers killed nine rhinos and a huge number of elephant herds over the past year but we had a breakthrough yesterday and managed to recover this consignment,” he said.

The government has been reinforcing security officers and rangers in the Mountain Marsabit region, in efforts to protect Kenya’s wildlife. The animals have suffered greatly from poachers, drought and floods over the past few years.

Robot Explores 2,000 Year Old Tunnel in Mexico

Robots have been used to help industries and consumers perform tasks more efficiently, more reliably, and in many cases performing in ways that humans simply cannot compete. Recently a robot was used to explore an underground tunnel at the ruins of Teotihuacan in Mexico.

The robot, a 12-inch-wide vehicle equipped with a video camera, was able to travel into a 2,000 year old cavern which was found in early 2010 under the ruins of the temples of Teotihuacan. The exploration took place this past November.

Teotihuacan is the “City of The Gods” located 30 miles northeast of Mexico City. It is considered by many to be Mexico’s most important archeological site. The ancient city was a booming metropolis for 600 years between 100 and 700 AD. Much mystery still surrounds the city and the civilization that built it. Tools such as the robot explorer will help to reveal some of those secrets to archeologists.

Stem Cell Research Project Approved by Obama Administration

Advanced Cell Technology, a U.S. bio-tech company, announced on Monday that the Obama administration has given its approval for the company to begin its second round of trials using human embryonic stem cells to treat blindness in older patients.

The study will follow the progress of patients who are treated with this therapy for a condition called dry age-related macular degeneration. This disease is the most common cause of blindness in those over the age of 60.

At the moment there is no cure for this condition, which effects between 10 and 15 million people in the United States and an additional 10 million in Europe.