Biology

Almost 600 plant species have disappeared from the wild over the past 250 years. This shows a new study quoted by the BBC. The number of lost plants is based on genuinely extinct species, not assumptions, and is twice as large as all bird species, mammals and fish taken together.

Scientists say the plants are dying up to 500 times faster than what would be expected naturally.

Turkey has a lot to do if it wants to preserve its wide-range of biodiversity, according to an expert.

Human DNA has been notated and visualized by a computer program at a university in Turkey's capital.       

Monday's Google Doodle paid tribute to Georgios Papanikolaou, the Greek medic and researcher who invented the smear test to detect early signs of cervical and uterine cancer.

The doodle, an illustration of him inspecting cells under a microscope, was available in 12 countries around the world.

Turkey has been providing cutting-edge, free-of-cost stem cell treatment to otherwise dying refugees and underprivileged people at a time when most countries do not even allow them to cross their borders.

Turkey has launched its first "ancient DNA laboratory" which will conduct scientific research on mummified remains of Anatolian civilizations dating back 10,000-15,000 years.
The molecular anthropology laboratory at Hacettepe University (HU) in Turkey's capital Ankara will examine hereditary and bacterial diseases of ancient humans and animals.

The amendments to the Biodiversity Act are in connection with the Natura 2000 network, Minister of Environment and Water Neno Dimov said during the presentation of the draft, Focus News Agency reports. After more than three years of preparation and discussion, the bill aims to find a balance between various interests, he said.

The number of insect-eating birds, such as beetles and caterpillars, has declined significantly in Europe over the past 25 years, according to a German study.
 
A 13% reduction in the number of insect-eating birds in Europe between 1990 and 2015 was registered.
 
The decline reflects a trend associated with a decline in the insect population.

Worrying facts weigh on our pillows on March 15 - World Dream Day. According to a new study, 65% of people worldwide do not sleep well. Women are those who are more affected by the problem globally. Ladies aged 45-54 fall asleep most difficult, writes bTV. 

The Reason: 

In the last 20 years, governments in the Western Balkans have been able to account for more than 70 per cent of the 40,000 people who were missing at the end of the conflicts in the former Yugoslavia. Almost 28,000 have been accounted for, which is an unprecedented achievement following a large-scale conflict anywhere in the world.