(Press-News.org) Scientists studying endangered southern resident killer whales have observed a strong increase in the prevalence of skin disease in this population.
In a study published today, June 29, in PLOS ONE, researchers document a steady increase in the occurrence of highly correlated gray patches and gray targets on the whales’ skin from 2004 to 2016. Despite not knowing the underlying cause, the study’s authors are concerned.
After ruling out potential environmental factors, such as changes in water temperature or salinity, the authors hypothesize that the most plausible explanation is an infectious agent, and that increased occurrence of lesions may reflect a decrease in the ability of the whales’ immune systems ability to combat disease.
This could pose yet another significant threat to the health of a southern resident killer whale population already facing a litany of challenges.
Thousands of photos, invaluable data
The research is led by wildlife veterinarian Joseph K. Gaydos, science director for the SeaDoc Society, a program of the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of California, Davis.
Gaydos and a team of collaborators analyzed a vast collection of digital photographs spanning over a decade. The photographs, obtained by the Center for Whale Research for identification purposes, included nearly 20,000 individual whale sightings in the Salish Sea, providing invaluable data for remotely assessing health in these endangered animals.
Since 1976, the Center for Whale Research has been conducting photographic identification surveys of southern resident killer whales in the Salish Sea, capturing clear images of each individual. During the evaluation of these images, biologists noticed transient and occasionally persistent abnormal skin changes in the whales. However, these skin changes had never been systematically characterized or tracked over time for these purposes.
The photos revealed six different skin disease syndromes. While none were associated with mortality, the steady increase in the two most common lesions was unexpected.
Understanding the occurrence and significance of skin changes in southern resident killer whales is crucial for assessing their overall health and potential impact on population recovery.
This small, endangered population of fish-eating salmon specialists roams coastal and inland waters from southeastern Alaska to California and are structured socially into three pods: J, K, and L.
The population is endangered, with fewer than 75 individuals remaining. Previous studies have focused on causes of mortality and body condition scoring, but little is known about the role of health in the lack of population recovery.
“Before we looked at the data, we had no idea that the prevalence of these skin lesions were increasing so dramatically,” said Gaydos. “It’s worrisome. Now we need to try and isolate the potential infectious agent.”
Insight for an endangered species
While photographic identification provides a noninvasive approach for studying skin disorders and their epidemiology, it does not enable the identification of specific causes. Nonetheless, it offers valuable insights into the overall health of the animals, particularly when capture-release health assessments are not feasible.
This research represents a significant step forward in understanding the epidemiology of skin changes in southern resident killer whales. The findings emphasize the need for continued monitoring and research to unravel the causes and health implications of these skin changes, with the ultimate goal of contributing to the conservation and recovery of this endangered population.
In addition to the SeaDoc Society, the collaborative effort involved researchers from numerous institutions, including the Center for Whale Research, British Columbia’s Animal Health Center, NOAA’s Northwest Fisheries Science Center, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment, the Vancouver Aquarium, Wild Orca, and others.
For more information, read the study, “Epidemiology of skin changes in endangered Southern Resident killer whales (Orcinus orca)” in PLOS ONE.
END
Skin disease in endangered killer whales concerns scientists
Lesions may reflect decreases in southern resident killer whales’ ability to fight disease
2023-06-28
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
An unexpected doorway into the ear opens new possibilities for hearing restoration
2023-06-28
An international team of researchers has developed a new method to deliver drugs into the inner ear. The discovery was possible by harnessing the natural flow of fluids in the brain and employing a little understood backdoor into the cochlea. When combined to deliver a gene therapy that repairs inner ear hair cells, the researchers were able to restore hearing in deaf mice.
“These findings demonstrate that cerebrospinal fluid transport comprises an accessible route for gene delivery to the adult inner ear and may represent an important step towards using gene therapy to restore hearing in humans,” ...
Benzodiazepine use associated with brain injury, job loss and suicide
2023-06-28
Benzodiazepine use and discontinuation is associated with nervous system injury and negative life effects that continue after discontinuation, according to a new study from researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.
The study was published today in the journal PLOS One.
“Despite the fact that benzodiazepines have been widely prescribed for decades, this survey presents significant new evidence that a subset of patients experience long-term neurological complications,” said Alexis Ritvo, M.D, M.P.H., an assistant professor in psychiatry at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and medical director of the nonprofit ...
Antibody treatment prevents graft versus host disease, a major bone marrow transplant complication, in advanced preclinical tests
2023-06-28
PHILADELPHIA – An experimental antibody treatment largely prevented a bone marrow transplant complication called graft versus host disease (GVHD) in the intestines, without causing broad immune suppression, in a preclinical study led by researchers from Penn Medicine and Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center and published today in Science Translational Medicine.
Even when a bone marrow transplant cures leukemia or lymphoma, GVHD—in which T cells in the donor graft attack the recipient’s own tissues—can still be fatal. The condition ...
GPT-3 informs and disinforms us better
2023-06-28
A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Zurich delved into the capabilities of AI models, specifically focusing on OpenAI’s GPT-3, to determine their potential risks and benefits in generating and disseminating (dis)information. Led by postdoctoral researchers Giovanni Spitale and Federico Germani, alongside Nikola Biller-Andorno, director of the Institute of Biomedical Ethics and History of Medicine (IBME), University of Zurich, the study involving 697 participants sought to evaluate whether individuals could differentiate between disinformation and accurate ...
Vehicle color recognition based on smooth modulation neural network with multi-scale feature fusion
2023-06-28
Vehicle Color Recognition (VCR) is vital in intelligent traffic management and criminal investigation assistance. However, the existing vehicle color datasets only cover 13 classes, which can not meet the current actual demand. Besides, although lots of efforts are devoted to VCR, they suffer from the problem of class imbalance in datasets.
To solve the problems, a research team led by Mingdi HU published their new research in Frontiers of Computer Science co-published by Higher Education Press and Springer·Nature.
The team propose a novel VCR method ...
Science Partner Journals achieve new milestones
2023-06-28
The Science Partner Journal (SPJ) program is pleased to announce the inclusion of five SPJs in the 2023 Journal Citation Reports (JCR) from Clarivate.
Research, launched in 2018, received its second Journal Impact Factor (JIF) this year, 11.0, ranking it #9 among 73 journals in the Multidisciplinary category in Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE).
Plant Phenomics also launched in 2018 and received its second JIF this year, 6.5, ranking it #5 among 88 journals in the Agronomy, #21 among ...
What makes multiple sclerosis worse, and how to make it better
2023-06-28
Scientists identify the first genetic marker for MS severity, opening the door to preventing long-term disability.
A study of more than 22,000 people with multiple sclerosis has discovered the first genetic variant associated with faster disease progression that can rob patients of their mobility and independence over time. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the result of the immune system mistakenly attacking the brain and the spinal cord, resulting in symptom flares known as relapses as well as longer-term degeneration known as progression. Despite the development of effective treatments for relapses, ...
Vague language impacts perceptions of vaping risks, study finds
2023-06-28
ITHACA, N.Y. -- When it comes to e-cigarette warning labels, respondents in focus groups organized by Cornell researchers were clear: Give it to me straight.
But approximately 20 years after they hit the market, electronic cigarettes’ precise health risks remain unclear. And for adults trying to quit smoking conventional cigarettes, ambiguity in messaging can skew perceptions of the health benefits of using these products as an alternative to combustible cigarettes.
A multidisciplinary team led by Jeff ...
An ingredient in toothpaste may make electric cars go farther
2023-06-28
An ingredient in many toothpastes is sodium fluoride, a compound of fluorine. It is added to protect teeth against decay. But compounds containing fluorine have other practical uses that might surprise you. Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory have discovered a fluoride electrolyte that could protect a next generation battery against performance decline.
“An exciting new generation of battery types for electric vehicles beyond lithium ion is on the horizon,” said Zhengcheng (John) Zhang, a group leader in Argonne’s Chemical Sciences and Engineering division.
The ...
Songbird study shows one hit wonder has to change his tune to attract a mate
2023-06-28
Male birds that are able to repeat song notes precisely stand the best chance of attracting a female mate, according to a new study published in Nature Communications.
However, the males need to ensure they have a selection of different songs in their repertoire if they are to hold a female’s attention and prevent her from getting bored.
The findings from the study, by scientists from Lancaster University and Manchester Metropolitan University, sheds new light on the evolution of bird song.
Over ...
LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:
Cambridge study shows stem cell grafts can restore myelin in MS lesions in mice
Mediterranean bacteria may harbor new mosquito solution
New study maps four key pathways to Alzheimer’s disease
Voracious honey bees threaten the food supply of native pollinators
Despite dwindling resources, report of successful arts education models worldwide paints bright picture
How does body mass index affect breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women with and without cardiovascular disease?
Where the feral buffalo roam in Hong Kong
Dark Dwarfs lurking at the center of our Galaxy might hint at the nature of dark matter
From position to meaning: how AI learns to read
AI revives classic microscopy for on-farm soil health testing
Fig trees convert atmospheric CO2 to stone
Intra-arterial tenecteplase for acute stroke after successful endovascular therapy
Study reveals beneficial microbes that can sustain yields in unfertilized fields
Robotic probe quickly measures key properties of new materials
Climate change cuts milk production, even when farmers cool their cows
Frozen, but not sealed: Arctic Ocean remained open to life during ice ages
Some like it cold: Cryorhodopsins
Demystifying gut bacteria with AI
Human wellbeing on a finite planet towards 2100: new study shows humanity at a crossroads
Unlocking the hidden biodiversity of Europe’s villages
Planned hydrogen refuelling stations may lead to millions of euros in yearly losses
Planned C-sections increase the risk of certain childhood cancers
Adults who have survived childhood cancer are at increased risk of severe COVID-19
Drones reveal extreme coral mortality after bleaching
New genetic finding uncovers hidden cause of arsenic resistance in acute promyelocytic leukemia
Native habitats hold the key to the much-loved smashed avocado’s future
Using lightning to make ammonia out of thin air
Machine learning potential-driven insights into pH-dependent CO₂ reduction
Physician associates provide safe care for diagnosed patients when directly supervised by a doctor
How game-play with robots can bring out their human side
[Press-News.org] Skin disease in endangered killer whales concerns scientistsLesions may reflect decreases in southern resident killer whales’ ability to fight disease