Back in the day, all humans had eyes that were a shade of brown. Recently it was discovered that a genetic mutation 6,000-10,000 years ago is responsible for all the blue eyes we see today. A single genetic mutation in the OCA2 gene literally acts like a light switch for melanin production in the eyes. The mutation makes it so those with the gene cannot produce the required melanin in the eye to get a brown color. They are left with an ugly blue that they must carry with them for the rest of their lives. Because of this single genetic mutation it is determined that all blue eyed humans on the planet are direct ancestors of this one individual.
This goes to show the grand scale that evolutionary time plays in the augmentation of a population. A single person just 6,000-10,000 years ago is now directly responsible for the lives of millions of individuals. Think of where we will be 10,000 years from now with our population of 7 billion.... Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080130170343.htm
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Wildfires caused by severe drought in the region of Gatlinburg, Tennessee have killed three and injured more than ten. These fires are some of the worst fires the region has ever seen, as they are not accustomed to wildfires. The drought in the area killed or dried out many of the vegetation which served as fuel for a rapidly increasing wildfire.
The lessons we learn from the events unfolding in Tennessee are especially useful to us in California. California is known as wildfire country so we are used to these events and we are in the position where we must be concerned about preventing or controlling wildfires to the best of our abilities. California is also dealing with an exceptional historic drought which has killed much of our vegetation casuing millions of plants to act as fuel for spreading wildfires. We must learn lessons from every wildfire to help control these events in the future. Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/1b5bd5219b072bb9ae3b8f7e2d058f63.htm |
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