DEVIL FACIAL TUMOR DISEASE - Smarter Every Day 140

TL;DR

The Tasmanian Devil population is rapidly declining due to a contagious cancer called Devil Facial Tumor Disease (DFTD), which has wiped out about 80-90% of the species in less than 20 years.

Transcript

Hey it's me Destin, welcome back to Smarter Every Day. There are two things in this world that bother me: number one, the fact that the Tasmanian devil is about to go extinct because of a rapidly spreading face cancer, and you didn't know that, and number two, the fact that the dude in charge of the immunization effort to save the Tasmanian devil h... Read More

Key Insights

• ♋ Devil Facial Tumor Disease (DFTD) is a contagious cancer that has devastated the Tasmanian Devil population.
• 😅 The disease has a 100% mortality rate, causing devils to starve to death due to impaired vision and inability to eat.
• 💦 Researchers at the University of Tasmania are working on understanding the tumor and developing a vaccine.
• 🥺 The study of Tasmanian Devils has also led to breakthroughs in staining methods that can aid in diagnosing human Schwann cell cancers.
• 🏝️ DFTD has spread across Tasmania, causing a ripple effect of death as it moves down the island.
• ❓ The decline of the Tasmanian Devil population highlights the urgency of conservation efforts.
• 👨‍🔬 The Tasmanian Devil cartoon character is not associated with the research, despite the efforts to save the species.

Questions & Answers

Q: How is Devil Facial Tumor Disease transmitted?

DFTD is transmitted through bites on the face, which is a common greeting among Tasmanian Devils. Tumor cells are inoculated into healthy devils through these bites.

Q: What is the current status of the Tasmanian Devil population?

The population has declined by about 80-90% in less than 20 years due to the spread of DFTD.

Q: How do researchers monitor and catch Tasmanian Devils?

They use clever pipe traps baited with food to catch devils. Once caught, researchers check their mouths for tumors and study them to understand the disease better.

Q: Has any progress been made in developing a vaccine?

Researchers are working on developing a vaccine by understanding the devil's immune system, the tumor itself, and making it more visible to the immune system. However, a vaccine has not been developed yet.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The University of Tasmania is studying and monitoring Tasmanian Devils to understand why they are dying from DFTD.

• DFTD is a contagious cancer that is transmitted through bites on the face, leading to a 100% mortality rate in infected devils.

• Researchers are working on a vaccine and have made significant discoveries, including a staining method that could help diagnose human Schwann cell cancers.