The article “Globalization, Migration, and Latin American Ecosystems” by T M Aide and H R Grau (Science 305: 1915-1916, 2004, 24 September) draws on our land use work to make the case that high-yield agriculture is contributing to abandonment of marginal lands and reforestation.
News
Big Green Energy Machines
Jesse’s Big Green Energy Machines, based on his June 2004 talk about ZEPPs and the Supergrid at the Millennium Technology Prize symposium in Finland, is the cover story in the October issue of The Industrial Physicist.
We also have a PDF copy on our servers: https://phe.rockefeller.edu/PDF_FILES/BigGreen.pdf
Birds paper published in PLoS Biology
“Identification of Birds Through DNA Barcodes” paper by Paul Hebert, Mark Stoeckle, Tyler Zemlak, and Charles Francis published online in PLoS Biology on September 28, 2004. This landmark paper demonstrates the effectiveness of DNA barcodes in distinguishing North American birds. In addition, several probable new species were found, suggesting that a global survey of birds utilizing museum specimens could rapidly (and inexpensively!) lead to the recognition of many new species. A synopsis accompanies the article in PLoS Biology and a Rockefeller University press release provides additional information.
Barcoding Birds Paper
Our paper “Identification of Birds Through DNA Barcodes” is published in PLoS Biology and is featured by Science and Nature online.
Links can be found on our
Barcode of Life website
New paper on DNA barcoding
The Rockefeller University issues a press release about our new paper with Paul Hebert & Co. on DNA barcoding of North American birds.
Tommy Gold, 1920-2004
Our endlessly creative and provocative Cornell colleague Thomas Gold passed away on 22 June at age 84. Tommy pioneered thinking about abiogenic methane and the deep hot biosphere. He opened our eyes in the late 1970s to the possibility that the popular beliefs about the origins of “fossil fuels”, and their abundance and distribution, might be ripe for scientific revolution. The 14 September New York Times reports a new PNAS article providing strong evidence for Tommy’s view. A memorial service is planned for Tommy in Ithaca on 13 October.
Welcome back, Iddo!
We are delighted to welcome back Iddo Wernick as a part time Research Investigator this Fall with PHE!
Updated ‘Top 10 Reasons’ brochure available
Mark Stoeckle, Paul Waggoner, and Jesse Ausubel have prepared a
2-page brochure about ten reasons for DNA barcoding of species. (Newly revised September 18, 2004)
28 Aug 2004 NYT article
An article in the Sunday 28 August 2004 New York Times Week in Review refers to our view that 2-3% annual rates of progress might restore nature. Support for our view is found in our ImPACT Identity studies.
Tony Barrett Leaves for Carnegie Mellon
After a productive stay, our Research Intern, Tony Barrett departed for Pittsburgh, PA to begin his doctorate in Engineering and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University. He can still be reached at the Program for the Human Environment at his Rockefeller University email (barrett@mail.rockefeller.edu) and will continue to collaborate with us on projects.