PRESS-NEWS.org - Press Release Distribution
PRESS RELEASES DISTRIBUTION

Saddling up against the threat to our National Parks

The growing threat to our National Parks from horse dung

2013-11-07
(Press-News.org) Contact information: Helen Wright
helen.wright@griffith.edu.au
047-840-6565
Griffith University
Saddling up against the threat to our National Parks The growing threat to our National Parks from horse dung Research team leader, Associate Professor Catherine Pickering, said the Griffith study looked at the number and types of weed seeds which can be dispersed through horse manure. The findings have been published in the journal Ecological Management and Restoration.

"We reviewed 15 studies on seed germination from horse dung; six from Europe, four from North America, three from Australia and one study each from Africa and Central America," Associate Professor Pickering said.

"Of the 2739 non-native plants that are naturalised in Australia, 156 have been shown to germinate in horse dung. What is very concerning is this includes 16 of the 429 listed noxious weeds in Australia and two weeds of national significance."

The study found a similar threat is emerging overseas with seeds from 105 of the 1596 invasive/noxious plant species in North America also germinating in horse dung.

"Not only are the seeds dispersed through dung but the manure provides the means by which the introduced plant to take hold," Associate Professor Pickering said.

"Habitat disturbance from trampling has been demonstrated to further facilitate the germination of seedlings from dung in both natural and experimental studies."

The study highlights the range of plant species which have the potential to be dispersed over long distances but the extent to which this dispersal is harmful depends on the individual plant species.

Some plants germinate from dung and go on to reach maturity and flower, while others germinate but don't survive.

But there are other factors to consider.

"Additional threats come in the form of trampled soils and vegetation, nutrient addition via dung and urine, and changing hydrology via damage to riverine systems," Associate Professor Pickering said.

"To maintain the conservation value of protected areas, it is vitally important to understand and manage the different potential weed dispersal vectors, including horses.

"Legislators everywhere should take these into consideration before opening parks to this recreational activity."

### END


ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

BPA in dialysis machine components may be toxic to patients' cells

2013-11-07
BPA in dialysis machine components may be toxic to patients' cells Atlanta, GA (November 7, 2013)—Levels of bisphenol A (BPA) in components of dialysis machines may be toxic to the immune cells circulating in kidney failure patients' blood, according ...

Consuming more vegetable protein may help kidney disease patients live longer

2013-11-07
Consuming more vegetable protein may help kidney disease patients live longer Atlanta, GA (November 7, 2013)—Increased consumption of vegetable protein was linked with prolonged survival among kidney disease patients in a new a study. The findings will ...

Fountain-of-youth gene repairs tissue damage in adults

2013-11-07
Fountain-of-youth gene repairs tissue damage in adults Young animals recover from tissue damage better than adults, and from Charles Darwin's time until now, scientists have puzzled over why this is the case. A study published by Cell Press November 7th in the journal Cell ...

Social symptoms in autistic children may be caused by hyper-connected neurons

2013-11-07
Social symptoms in autistic children may be caused by hyper-connected neurons The brains of children with autism show more connections than the brains of typically developing children do. What's more, the brains of individuals with the most severe social symptoms are also ...

Kidney Week 2013: New approaches to assessing and protecting kidney health

2013-11-07
Kidney Week 2013: New approaches to assessing and protecting kidney health Atlanta, GA (November 7, 2013)—A variety of recent studies highlight new approaches to assessing and protecting kidney health. Below are the findings of some of these studies, ...

USC study identifies mechanism that makes ordinary stem cells create tumors

2013-11-07
USC study identifies mechanism that makes ordinary stem cells create tumors Epigenetic effects on cell signaling leads healthy stem cells to create benign fibromas in the jaw, according to a study led by Songtao Shi and published in the journal Cell Stem Cell A ...

Tricking algae's biological clock boosts production of drugs, biofuels

2013-11-07
Tricking algae's biological clock boosts production of drugs, biofuels Tricking algae's biological clock to remain in its daytime setting can dramatically boost the amount of valuable compounds that these simple marine plants can produce when they ...

Mayo Clinic researchers identify role of Cul4 molecule in genome instability and cancer

2013-11-07
Mayo Clinic researchers identify role of Cul4 molecule in genome instability and cancer ROCHESTER, Minn. -- Mayo Clinic researchers have shown that a molecule called Cul4 helps to deposit DNA-packaging histone proteins onto DNA, an integral step in cramming yards of genetic ...

Breakthrough discoveries on cellular regeneration seek to turn back the body's clock

2013-11-07
Breakthrough discoveries on cellular regeneration seek to turn back the body's clock Researchers reactivate gene to rejuvenate tissue repair, identify gene that promotes stem cell self-renewal DALLAS – Nov. 7, 2013 – Two groups of scientists at ...

Study finds that Americans want doctors' guidance on genetic test results

2013-11-07
Study finds that Americans want doctors' guidance on genetic test results In an era of commercialized medicine, direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic testing has been on a steady rise. Consumers can purchase a DNA sample kit, also known as a "spit kit," mail it to a testing ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

Long-term exposure to outdoor air pollution linked to increased risk of dementia

Accelerating science with AI

New research uncovers gene impacts of PFAS exposure in firefighters

Unlocking the brain’s filing cabinet

A brain-inspired approach for resilient AI processing

‘Powerful new approach’: New drug combination strategy shows promise against hard-to-treat cancers

Understanding the epigenetic mechanisms behind premature aging of the brain

New study reveals critical link between neighborhood violence, youth fighting, and perceived firearm availability

AI platform designs molecular missiles to attack cancer cells

Could metasurfaces be the next quantum information processors?

Precision drug delivery with magnetic steering and light-triggered release

A century of data reveals declining forest diversity

Duke University men’s basketball and football teams learn how to save a life with CPR

Obesity shapes COVID-19’s long-term damage

New research: Satellite imagery detects illegal fishing activity, shows strict protections work

One billion-year-old rules of protein stability revealed

Satellites show that strictly protected marine areas exclude industrial fishing

Scientists call for urgent policy reform to accelerate cross-border coral restoration efforts

Two studies reveal global patterns of industrial fishing across marine protected areas

Can proactive assisted gene flow save Caribbean and Floridian corals?

2023 marine heatwaves unprecedented and potentially signal a climate tipping point

Researchers document first images of the atomic fingerprint of heat in quantum materials

Integrating sulfur into crystalline nanostructures fuels catalytic activity

Astronomers discover star-shredding black holes hiding in dusty galaxies

Math model sheds light on Alzheimer’s spread

Older adults with serious illness before surgery use far more health care resources after surgery

Answer ALS Launches AI drug development collaboration with Tulane, Pennington Biomedical Research Center and GATC Health to advance ALS treatment discovery

Study paves path to improved diagnosis, treatment of NUT carcinoma

Scientists discover how correlated disorder boosts superconductivity

BASILISK partners with The Planetary Society and CalTech’s IQIM to recruit the global esports audience in the movement to save science

[Press-News.org] Saddling up against the threat to our National Parks
The growing threat to our National Parks from horse dung