#BowheadWhale - The search continues in tracking down the elusive bowhead whale that's excited marine wildlife experts since it was sighted in Carlingford Lough at the weekend.

One of a species never before recorded in Irish waters in the 25 years since the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) was formed, the 20ft juvenile whale was photographed from a pilot boat at the mouth of the lough at the Helly Hunter Rocks on Sunday 29 May.

It's thought that it may be the same individual from the arctic species spotted off Cornwall in mid May, following a previous bowhead sighting at the Scilly Isles in February.

The Celtic Mist joined the hunt yesterday (Tuesday 31 May) on its circumnavigation of Ireland and failed to make any sighting, though bowhead whales are known for being difficult to spot due to their lack of a dorsal fin.

The IWDG has much more on this story HERE.

#MarineWildlife - The secrets to a longer lifespan could be hiding in the genes of the bowhead whale, according to a new scientific study.

Silicon Republic has news of the paper involving scientists from Dublin City University that explores the genome of the Arctic whale species, thought to be among the longest living animals on earth.

As mammals like humans, the "molecular mechanisms underlying their exceptional longevity and resistance to age-related disease are of particular interest for human health," says Dr Mary O'Connell, a contributor to the study.

Key among the findings were a set of genes distinct from the closely related but shorter-lived minke whale that are associated with repairing DNA and resistance to cancer.

The next step in this research is to see if these genes can impart resistance to ageing when adapted to different models, which could show their potential for anti-cancer therapy in humans.

Silicon Republic has more on the story HERE.