Latest news with #Potvin
Time of India
2 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
Male birds laying eggs? Australian study shows gender reversal is more common in wild birds than previously believed
Live Events A male kokaburra laid an egg Implications for bird research and conservation What causes sex reversal? (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel A new study of wild birds in Australia has revealed a surprising finding: a genetically male kookaburra was found to have laid an egg. The research suggests that sex reversal, where an animal's genetic sex does not match its physical characteristics, may be more common in birds than previously Professor Dominique Potvin from the University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC) in Queensland, Australia, co-authored a study that revealed sex reversal in wild Australian birds. The research was published in the journal Biology Letters on August 13, studied roughly 500 birds across five species: Australian magpie, laughing kookaburra, crested pigeon, rainbow lorikeet, and scaly-breasted birds had been treated for injuries or illnesses at wildlife hospitals in southeast Queensland and examined study found that up to six per cent of birds displayed a mismatch between genetic sex and physical features. Some were genetic males with female reproductive organs, while others were genetic females with male characteristics. A small number even showed both testicular and ovarian structures.'One of the key findings was that 92 per cent of sex-reversed birds were genetically female but had male reproductive organs,' said Dominique Potvin, behavioral ecologist and co-author of the study published in Biology study highlighted one remarkable case: a genetically male kookaburra had a distended oviduct and large follicles, indicating recent egg production.'This indicates that sex determination in wild birds is more fluid than we thought, and can persist into adulthood,' Potvin quoted by Popular birds can complicate population studies and conservation efforts. Misidentifying a bird's sex based on DNA, plumage, or behavior could be inaccurate up to six percent of the is particularly significant for threatened species, where skewed sex ratios could affect reproductive success and population causes of sex reversal in birds remain unclear. Scientists suspect environmental factors, such as stress hormones or endocrine-disrupting chemicals, may play a role. For instance, the study found the male kookaburra in a semi-urban area, where exposure to such chemicals could influence reproductive phenomena are well-documented in fish, reptiles, and amphibians. In birds, however, this is a rarely observed occurrence that challenges traditional sex determining methods.
The Star
5 days ago
- Science
- The Star
Scientists find surprising sex reversal in Australian birds
SYDNEY: Scientists have documented a surprising rate of sex reversal in wild Australian birds, a phenomenon that could be explained by rising pollution or other environmental triggers. A study of five common Australian species, including kookaburras, magpies and lorikeets, found around six per cent of birds had the chromosomes of one sex but the reproductive organs of another. The findings indicated a surprisingly high number of birds had reversed their sex after birth, said researchers from the University of the Sunshine Coast. "This indicates that sex determination in wild birds is more fluid than we thought, and can persist into adulthood," said study co-author Dominique Potvin. The study performed DNA tests on almost 500 birds. The overwhelming majority of sex reversals involved genetically female birds growing male gonads. "We also discovered a genetically male kookaburra who was reproductively active with large follicles and a distended oviduct, indicating recent egg production," said Potvin. Sex reversal is well known in certain species of reptile and fish but is thought to be rare in wild birds and mammals. Scientists have documented how pollutants and even warm temperatures can trigger sex reversal in frogs. The cause of sex reversal in wild birds was not clear, the University of the Sunshine Coast study said. But it could be due to environmental factors, such as hormone-disrupting chemicals building up in wild areas. "Understanding how and why sex reversal occurs is vital for conservation and for improving the accuracy of bird research," added Potvin. The study was published this week in peer-reviewed journal Biology Letters. - AFP
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Manchester's citywide 'Youth Service Movement' gaining momentum
With National Volunteer Month spotlighting opportunities for community service across the country, Manchester is taking center stage with a movement that sets a new standard for youth engagement. The Manchester Youth Service Movement, launched in partnership with Project Happy — a local nonprofit founded by recent University of New Hampshire (UNH) grads — is gaining momentum across the Greater Manchester area, with more than 650 students already engaged, 45-plus nonprofit partners, and a race to achieve 5,000 hours of logged youth service this spring. According to founder Jack Potvin, the Project Happy platform makes it easy for students to get involved locally — with personalized matching to local nonprofits, digital opportunity signups, and automated verified hour tracking that streamlines volunteering for college and job applications. 'We're essentially gamifying, Gen Z-ifying passion-aligned service and community involvement,' Potvin said. Endorsed by the Manchester School District, Mayor Jay Ruais, city school board members, and supported by principals at all six of Manchester's high schools, officials say the partnership is changing how students connect with their community. 'Our district is deeply connected to our community, and student volunteering at community-based organizations only deepens that connectivity,' Manchester Schools Superintendent Jennifer Chmiel said. 'We see volunteering as a critical enrichment opportunity for students that can expand their world view, open new career pathways and provide a sense of accomplishment. 'This new partnership with Project Happy has the ability to pay dividends for our students and our entire community." Throughout the spring, Project Happy has already connected with more than 1,500 high school students across Manchester in assemblies highlighting the benefits of service and opportunities available through the platform. And the response has been immediate — students, clubs, and entire sports teams are getting involved, like the 15 Manchester West Football players who cleaned up Piscataquog Park together last weekend. 'The strong support from community leaders across the city has been very inspiring,' Potvin said. 'This Community Service Movement, through its ambitious 1,000-hour community service challenge, will empower our students to develop empathy, leadership, and a strong sense of civic responsibility,' said West High Principal Rick Dichard. 'This initiative will not only enrich the lives of our students but also strengthen the entire Manchester community by fostering a culture of service and collaboration among its youth.' In December, Potvin and the Project Happy team presented their vision to the school board 'to ignite a passion for community service among Manchester's youth,' said former Manchester mayor and longtime Principal Bob Baines. 'Their dedication to leveraging their platform for positive impact has resonated deeply with me and fellow city leaders,' Baines said. 'I am reminded of the FIRST Robotics program, now a global program, that was started right here in Manchester.' The Mayor's Youth Service Challenge is now underway — setting a goal of 5,000 total hours of student service by the end of the school year, with targets between 500–1,000 hours across the student population at each high school. This October, 4,000 Manchester students will gather for a Youth Service Movement rally at the SNHU Arena, with logistics like an exact date still being worked out. Learn more at
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
As stock market dips, metro Atlanta advisors say those near retirement should stay patient
The stock market dropped again Tuesday, continuing a reaction to tariffs implemented nearly worldwide by the U.S. And for some Atlanta retirees, the drop is hitting them hard. 'I know, personally, I've lost $100,000 in the stock market in the last week, which is devastating,' Chris Hester told Channel 2′s Michael Doudna. 'I just retired about eight months ago, and now I may have to go back to work.' [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Hester is not alone, as tariff concerns have created an uncertain future, costing trillions. 'I think anytime we have a sell-off like this, it's tough. Our human nature is to sort of run,' Wes Moss, chief investment strategist at Capital Investment Advisors, said. However, Moss preaches patience amidst the drop. 'These market draw downs are very real and unnerving for folks, but the reality is that this is the normal course of markets and markets do recover,' Moss said. For retirees, Moss says times like this are why it is important to have a balanced portfolio, and even with the recent drop, many people should have time to see the market recover their losses. 'Retirement should be 20, 30, God willing, 40 years. So even retirees have really long time horizons,' Moss said. RELATED STORIES: Stock market stress in metro Atlanta varies among different groups US stocks dive after another stunning reversal as uncertainty reigns about Trump's tariffs US stocks dip after careening through a manic day following Trump's latest tariff threat And for those running state pensions, the timeline is even longer. 'We look at investments, not on a day-to-day or week-to-week basis, but on a really long time horizon. Not really years, but more like decades,' Jim Potvin, Executive Director of the Employee's Retirement System of Georgia, said. The system handles the retirement of around 115,000 Georgians. He says the market did cost their portfolio about 7% of its value. However, Potvin says they've experienced bigger drops before, and the market has bounced back. 'With a time horizon like ours, we can be confident a long-term investment is the way to go,' Potvin said. And in a time of rapid change, Potvin and Moss preach patience, not panic. 'Balance is always our friend. Patience is our friend, and panic does not work when it comes to investment,' Moss said. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Sign in to access your portfolio
CBC
17-03-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Ford City businesses hosting St. Patrick's Day crawl
Ford City's heritage is more French than Irish, but that hasn't stopped a group of businesses in the Windsor neighbourhood from coming together to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. The event, featuring live music, food and drink specials and a DJ, is jointly presented by Sawyer's Craft BBQ, Cookie Bar and Chapter Two Brewery. "Last year, Sawyers – they hosted a St. Patrick's Day event where they shut down Whelpton Street, and it was … massive," said Shane Potivin, the chair of the Ford City Business Improvement Association, which is not organizing the event, but is helping to promote it. "It was crazy. There was like so many people. … So yeah, the Ford City Crawl – this was sort of birthed out of Sawyer's having their event last year." People can purchase five-dollar wristbands at any of the participating venues, then stroll from venue to venue, said Potvin, who is of Irish ancestry. While the crawl is a new addition to the Ford City event calendar, large events such as Dropped on Drouillard and flea markets in April and October are part of what make the community what it is, he added. "It's really … has a vibe, and there's lots of art," Potvin said.
