Human activity is solely responsible for 96 percent of mammal extinctions in the past 126,000 years, according to a new study. In addition, the fossil records, as examined by scientists also indicate further extinctions of 558 mammal species in the near future.

A new study from the US journal Science Advances researched on the levels of impact humans had on the extinction of mammals and found that human population size in many parts of the world will “undoubtedly pose a serious challenge for the future conservation of biodiversity."

In Pics:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/photos/8-animals-you-didnt-know-could-sing-312908" hreflang="en">8 animals you didn't know could sing!</a>

The study contradicts previous researches that indicated climate change to be the reason behind historical extinctions, as a mixed model has been tested in this study that accounts for human and climate factors and the interaction between the two. "We find no detectable effect of climate on mammal extinctions throughout the studied time frame. These results stand in contrast to previous support of the hypothesis that the interaction of humans and climate has been driving mammalian extinctions (albeit limited to megafaunal genera) during this same time frame (6). Human population density increases, on the other hand, have had a large detectable effect on mammal extinctions, explaining past extinctions with ~97% accuracy."

According to these models, the extinctions that have occurred in the past centuries only represent the "tip of the iceberg", compared to the looming extinctions of the next decades. Researchers have further predicted that the number of mammal species going extinct globally is likely to reach 558 by the year 2100.

The current diversity of mammals consists of approximately 5700 extant species. In addition, at least 351 mammal species have gone extinct since the beginning of the Late Pleistocene 126 thousand years ago, 80 of which are known from historical reports since the year 1500 CE (Common Era), while all others are only known from fossil or zoo archeological records.

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Despite the findings, scientists say there is still a window of opportunity to prevent many species from going extinct by improving conservation efforts. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) currently has more than 120,000 species on their red list of threatened species. Many conservation successes have taken place in recent years, with some species moving toward less threatened IUCN categories.

Researchers say they hope their alarming predictions will "foster increased realization on the urgency and scale of the conservation efforts needed to safeguard the future of mammalian diversity." According to the IUCN, more than 32,000 are currently threatened with extinction.

Human activity is solely responsible for 96 percent of mammal extinctions in the past 126,000 years, according to a new study. In addition, the fossil records, as examined by scientists also indicate further extinctions of 558 mammal species in the near future.

Human activity is solely responsible for 96 percent of mammal extinctions in the past 126,000 years, according to a new study. In addition, the fossil records, as examined by scientists also indicate further extinctions of 558 mammal species in the near future. A new study from the US journal Science Advances researched on the levels of impact humans had on the extinction of mammals and found that human population size in many parts of the world will “undoubtedly pose a serious challenge for the future conservation of biodiversity." In Pics: 8 animals you didn't know could sing! The study contradicts previous researches that indicated climate change to be the reason behind historical extinctions, as a mixed model has been tested in this study that accounts for human and climate factors and the interaction between the two. "We find no detectable effect of climate on mammal extinctions throughout the studied time frame. These results stand in contrast to previous support of the hypothesis that the interaction of humans and climate has been driving mammalian extinctions (albeit limited to megafaunal genera) during this same time frame (6). Human population density increases, on the other hand, have had a large detectable effect on mammal extinctions, explaining past extinctions with ~97% accuracy." According to these models, the extinctions that have occurred in the past centuries only represent the "tip of the iceberg", compared to the looming extinctions of the next decades. Researchers have further predicted that the number of mammal species going extinct globally is likely to reach 558 by the year 2100. The current diversity of mammals consists of approximately 5700 extant species. In addition, at least 351 mammal species have gone extinct since the beginning of the Late Pleistocene 126 thousand years ago, 80 of which are known from historical reports since the year 1500 CE (Common Era), while all others are only known from fossil or zoo archeological records. In Pics: Are animals next? See how many have tested positive for COVID-19 so far! Despite the findings, scientists say there is still a window of opportunity to prevent many species from going extinct by improving conservation efforts. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) currently has more than 120,000 species on their red list of threatened species. Many conservation successes have taken place in recent years, with some species moving toward less threatened IUCN categories. Researchers say they hope their alarming predictions will "foster increased realization on the urgency and scale of the conservation efforts needed to safeguard the future of mammalian diversity." According to the IUCN, more than 32,000 are currently threatened with extinction.

Humans behind 96% mammal extinctions over 126,000 years: Study

Scientists have claimed to solve the mystery of the lifespan gap between sexes.

They revealed that having two copies of the same sex chromosome is associated with having a longer lifespan.

The researchers published their findings in the journal Biology Letters.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-technology/genetic-study-reveals-red-pandas-to-be-actually-two-separate-species-283247">Genetic study reveals red pandas to be actually two separate species</a>

''These findings are a crucial step in uncovering the underlying mechanisms affecting longevity, which could point to pathways for extending life,''&nbsp;the authors write.

The team report gathered data on sex chromosomes and lifespan across 229 animal species, from insects to fish and mammals.

The results reveal that individuals with two of the same sex chromosomes live 17.6 per cent&nbsp;longer, on average than those with either two different sex chromosomes or just one sex chromosome.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/a-new-technology-challenges-the-anonymity-of-genetic-databases-19969">New technology challenges the anonymity of genetic databases</a>

It was discovered that in species where males have two of the same sex chromosomes, these males live on average 7.1 per cent longer than females.

However, in species where the sex chromosome pattern is the other way around, such as humans, females live 20.9 per cent longer on average than males.

Another possibility that explicates the longevity gaps differ in size is that oestrogen appears to protect the ends of chromosomes from being damaged, a process linked to ageing.

Generally, female mammals often outlive males but in the case of birds, it is opposite.

Scientists have claimed to solve the mystery of the lifespan gap between sexes. They revealed that having two copies of the same sex chromosome is associated with having a longer lifespan.

Scientists have claimed to solve the mystery of the lifespan gap between sexes. They revealed that having two copies of the same sex chromosome is associated with having a longer lifespan. The researchers published their findings in the journal Biology Letters. Also read: Genetic study reveals red pandas to be actually two separate species ''These findings are a crucial step in uncovering the underlying mechanisms affecting longevity, which could point to pathways for extending life,'' the authors write. The team report gathered data on sex chromosomes and lifespan across 229 animal species, from insects to fish and mammals. The results reveal that individuals with two of the same sex chromosomes live 17.6 per cent longer, on average than those with either two different sex chromosomes or just one sex chromosome. Also read: New technology challenges the anonymity of genetic databases It was discovered that in species where males have two of the same sex chromosomes, these males live on average 7.1 per cent longer than females. However, in species where the sex chromosome pattern is the other way around, such as humans, females live 20.9 per cent longer on average than males. Another possibility that explicates the longevity gaps differ in size is that oestrogen appears to protect the ends of chromosomes from being damaged, a process linked to ageing. Generally, female mammals often outlive males but in the case of birds, it is opposite.

Mystery of lifespan gap between sexes solved: Scientists

The old cry of sailors sighting a whale's waterspout is taking on new meaning as scientists turn to drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles, to gather samples of the fluids exhaled by the huge mammals and track their health.

Marine researcher Vanessa Pirotta of Sydney's Macquarie University, says a drone has been used for the first time to collect whale mucus from humpback whales at sea in a technique that could help monitor the health of whales around the world.

"We're collecting...that visible plume of spray rising from the whale's blowhole, as they come to the surface to breathe," she told Reuters Television.

"This approach may ultimately enable a better understanding of the patterns and drivers of disease emergence in wild populations," Pirotta and eight co-authors say in a paper published in an online open-access journal, Viruses.

The scientists collected whale blow samples from 19 humpback whales during the 2017 annual northward migration from Antarctica to northern Australia, they added.

The spray is collected in a petri dish attached to the top of a quadcopter drone, with a flip-lid opened by the craft's pilot as the drone flies above the whale.

The method is less invasive than using a boat to get close and collecting samples on a pole, Pirotta said and represents an advance over past techniques that depended on samples from stranded whales or those killed for the purpose.

The whale spray collected by a drone contains DNA, proteins, lipids and types of bacteria.

"We can collect bacteria, in my case, to look at the types of bacteria living in whale lungs for an assessment of whale health," Pirotta said.

In this way, drones serve as an early-warning detection system to monitor potential changes in whales' health.

"We can adapt this method to other whale populations around the world not doing so well, like the North Atlantic right whale," Pirotta added.

An international ban on whaling took effect in 1986, but Japan, which says eating whale is part of its culture, last year said it would resume commercial whaling from July in its waters and exclusive economic zone.

The old cry of sailors sighting a whale's waterspout is taking on new meaning as scientists turn to drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles, to gather samples of the fluids exhaled by the huge mammals and track their health.

The old cry of sailors sighting a whale's waterspout is taking on new meaning as scientists turn to drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles, to gather samples of the fluids exhaled by the huge mammals and track their health. Marine researcher Vanessa Pirotta of Sydney's Macquarie University, says a drone has been used for the first time to collect whale mucus from humpback whales at sea in a technique that could help monitor the health of whales around the world. "We're collecting...that visible plume of spray rising from the whale's blowhole, as they come to the surface to breathe," she told Reuters Television. "This approach may ultimately enable a better understanding of the patterns and drivers of disease emergence in wild populations," Pirotta and eight co-authors say in a paper published in an online open-access journal, Viruses. The scientists collected whale blow samples from 19 humpback whales during the 2017 annual northward migration from Antarctica to northern Australia, they added. The spray is collected in a petri dish attached to the top of a quadcopter drone, with a flip-lid opened by the craft's pilot as the drone flies above the whale. The method is less invasive than using a boat to get close and collecting samples on a pole, Pirotta said and represents an advance over past techniques that depended on samples from stranded whales or those killed for the purpose. The whale spray collected by a drone contains DNA, proteins, lipids and types of bacteria. "We can collect bacteria, in my case, to look at the types of bacteria living in whale lungs for an assessment of whale health," Pirotta said. In this way, drones serve as an early-warning detection system to monitor potential changes in whales' health. "We can adapt this method to other whale populations around the world not doing so well, like the North Atlantic right whale," Pirotta added. An international ban on whaling took effect in 1986, but Japan, which says eating whale is part of its culture, last year said it would resume commercial whaling from July in its waters and exclusive economic zone.

'Thar she blows!' Scientists use drones to monitor whale health

As the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) prepares to unveil a thorough diagnosis of the health of Earth&#39;s plant and animal species, here are some already known facts about the Earth.&nbsp;

Two species of vertebrate, animals with a backbone, have gone extinct every year, on average, for the past century.

Scientists say Earth is undergoing a &quot;mass extinction event&quot;, the first since the dinosaurs disappeared some 65 million years ago, and only the sixth in the last half-a-billion years.&nbsp;

About 41 per cent of amphibian species and more than a quarter of mammals are threatened with extinction.

About half of coral reefs have been lost in the last 30 years.

The global populations of 3,706 monitored vertebrate species -- fish, birds, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles -- declined by nearly 60 per cent from 1970 to 2012.

25,821 species of 91,523 assessed for the 2017 &quot;Red List&quot; update were classified as &quot;threatened&quot;.

Of these, 5,583 were &quot;critically&quot; endangered, 8,455 &quot;endangered&quot;, and 11,783 &quot;vulnerable&quot;.

African elephant numbers dropped to 415,000 in 2016, down about 111,000 over 10 years.

There are an estimated 8.7 million plant and animal species on our planet. This means about 86 per cent of land species and 91 per cent of sea species remain undiscovered.

Of the ones we do know, 1,204 mammal, 1,469 bird, 1,215 reptile, 2,100 amphibian, and 2,386 fish species are considered threatened.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Also threatened are 1,414 insect, 2,187 mollusc, 732 crustacean, 237 coral, 12,505 plant, 33 mushroom, and six brown algae species.

Annual economic losses as a result of deforestation and forest degradation alone may be as high as $4.5 trillion (3.6 trillion euros).

A conference of the UN&#39;s Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) agreed in Nagoya, Japan in 2010 on a 20-point plan to turn back biodiversity loss by 2020.

The plan&#39;s so-called &quot;Aichi Biodiversity Targets&quot; include halving the rate of habitat loss, expanding water and land areas under conservation, preventing the extinction of species on the threatened list, and restoring at least 15 per cent of degraded ecosystems.

SOURCES: WWF Living Planet Report, IUCN Red List, PLoS Biology, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, CBD, UNEP.

&nbsp;

About 41 per cent of amphibian species and more than a quarter of mammals are threatened with extinction

As the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) prepares to unveil a thorough diagnosis of the health of Earth's plant and animal species, here are some already known facts about the Earth. Two species of vertebrate, animals with a backbone, have gone extinct every year, on average, for the past century. Scientists say Earth is undergoing a "mass extinction event", the first since the dinosaurs disappeared some 65 million years ago, and only the sixth in the last half-a-billion years. About 41 per cent of amphibian species and more than a quarter of mammals are threatened with extinction. About half of coral reefs have been lost in the last 30 years. The global populations of 3,706 monitored vertebrate species -- fish, birds, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles -- declined by nearly 60 per cent from 1970 to 2012. 25,821 species of 91,523 assessed for the 2017 "Red List" update were classified as "threatened". Of these, 5,583 were "critically" endangered, 8,455 "endangered", and 11,783 "vulnerable". African elephant numbers dropped to 415,000 in 2016, down about 111,000 over 10 years. There are an estimated 8.7 million plant and animal species on our planet. This means about 86 per cent of land species and 91 per cent of sea species remain undiscovered. Of the ones we do know, 1,204 mammal, 1,469 bird, 1,215 reptile, 2,100 amphibian, and 2,386 fish species are considered threatened. Also threatened are 1,414 insect, 2,187 mollusc, 732 crustacean, 237 coral, 12,505 plant, 33 mushroom, and six brown algae species. Annual economic losses as a result of deforestation and forest degradation alone may be as high as $4.5 trillion (3.6 trillion euros). A conference of the UN's Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) agreed in Nagoya, Japan in 2010 on a 20-point plan to turn back biodiversity loss by 2020. The plan's so-called "Aichi Biodiversity Targets" include halving the rate of habitat loss, expanding water and land areas under conservation, preventing the extinction of species on the threatened list, and restoring at least 15 per cent of degraded ecosystems. SOURCES: WWF Living Planet Report, IUCN Red List, PLoS Biology, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, CBD, UNEP.

Earth is undergoing 'mass extinction event', the first since dinosaurs disappeared, Scientists say

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Humans behind 96% mammal extinctions over 126,000 years: Study

Mystery of lifespan gap between sexes solved: Scientists

'Thar she blows!' Scientists use drones to monitor whale health

Earth is undergoing 'mass extinction event', the first since dinosaurs disappeared, Scientists say