A new study from <a href="https://www.osu.edu/">Ohio State University</a> reveals what is going on inside of your <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gut-brain-interactions-have-an-influence-on-diseases/">brain</a> when you get lost in a fictional fantasy. The experts discovered that the more immersed we become in the lives of our favorite characters of fiction, the more our brain activity reflects how much we identify with them.
&#8220;When they think about a favorite fictional character, it appears similar in one part of the brain as when they are thinking about themselves,&#8221; said study lead author Timothy Broom.
The research was focused on self-described fans of the HBO series &#8220;Game of Thrones.&#8221; The individuals were instructed to think about themselves, nine of their friends, and nine characters from the drama series. The participants also reported on which character they felt closest to and liked the most.
According to Broom, Game of Thrones was ideal for this study because it attracted a devoted fan base and the large cast presented a variety of characters that people could become attached to.
One of the key findings involved participants who scored highest on &#8220;trait identification.&#8221; These individuals agreed most strongly with statements like &#8220;I really get involved in the feelings of the characters in a novel.&#8221;
&#8220;People who are high in trait identification not only get absorbed into a story, they also are really absorbed into a particular character,&#8221; said Broom. &#8220;They report matching the thoughts of the character, they are thinking what the character is thinking, they are feeling what the character is feeling. They are inhabiting the role of that character.&#8221;
The researchers used an fMRI machine to measure activity in various parts of the brain through small changes in blood flow. As the participants&#8217; brains were scanned, they were evaluating themselves, their friends, and Game of Thrones characters. 
A part of the brain called the ventral medial prefrontal cortex (vMPFC) is known to show increased activity when people think about themselves and, to a lesser extent, when they think about close friends.
While in the fMRI, the individuals were shown a series of names &#8211; including themselves, friends, or characters &#8211; along with a trait, such as lonely, sad, trustworthy, or smart. The participants simply said &#8220;yes&#8221; or &#8220;no&#8221; to imply whether the trait fit the person.
As expected, the vMPFC was most active when people were evaluating themselves, less active when they evaluated friends, and least active when they evaluated characters from Game of Thrones.
However, among those who were high in trait identification, the vMPFC was more active when they thought about the fictional characters than it was for participants who identified less with the characters. This region of the brain was particularly active when the individuals evaluated the character they identified with the most.
Study co-author Dylan Wanger said the findings help explain how fiction can have such a big impact on some people.
&#8220;For some people, fiction is a chance to take on new identities, to see worlds though others&#8217; eyes and return from those experiences changed,&#8221; said Wagner.
&#8220;What previous studies have found is that when people experience stories as if they were one of the characters, a connection is made with that character, and the character becomes intwined with the self. In our study, we see evidence of that in their brains.&#8221;
The study is published in the journal <a href="https://academic.oup.com/scan">Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience</a>.
&#8211;&#8212;
By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

What happens in your brain while you're lost in fiction

Caribbean,Sea,Covered,By,Sargasso,Algae.,Seaweed,Top,View

The Atlantic Ocean holds a secret: a patch of calm water ringed by swift currents, sitting about 590 miles east of Florida yet never touching land. Known as the Sargasso Sea, sailors have crossed it for centuries, but few notice the border when they slip into glassy indigo waters. 



Those who linger find the surface scattered with golden-brown seaweed - <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-drives-the-great-atlantic-sargassum-belt/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sargassum</a> - named for the Portuguese word sargaço, a type of grape-like algae. The plants bob in slow motion, rolling gently like tumbleweeds on a prairie of water.



Within minutes, the stillness feels uncanny. No surf pounds. No gulls scream from cliffs. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sargassum-seaweed-a-growing-problem-could-become-a-sustainable-solution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The seaweed</a>, however, bursts with residents: shrimp the size of rice grains, neon juvenile fish, porcelain-white crabs, and even young loggerhead turtles paddling their first miles of life. 



This floating cover grows so thick that early Spanish crews feared their wooden caravels would halt and “never again feel a breath of wind,” as Christopher Columbus wrote in 1492.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-sargasso-sea-holds-a-drifting-forest">The Sargasso Sea holds a drifting forest</h2>



Strip away the romance, and the Sargasso Sea looks like an 800-mile-wide nursery. Scientists call the drifting mats “habitat islands,” and for good reason. Hatchling turtles hide here until their shells harden.



Porbeagle sharks cruise the shade below, while Bermuda storm-petrels skim the fringe, plucking shrimp in mid-dive.



Researchers have counted more than 100 invertebrate species clinging to the weed—tiny colonists that hitch a ride for years before the mats eventually break apart.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-life-cycles-in-migration">Life cycles in migration</h2>



European and American eels begin their lives beneath these mats, no bigger than clear threads. They drift west or east on ocean currents, slip into rivers as far inland as Indiana, then, after decades in freshwater, swim back the entire 3,000-mile journey to spawn once and die. 



How they locate the same watery cradle baffles zoologists. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/baby-humpback-whales-are-born-in-places-we-didnt-expect/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Humpback whales</a> also cross the sea each spring, and high-speed tuna streak through on their way to spawning grounds.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unique-climate-engine-calls-the-shots">Unique climate engine calls the shots</h2>



Longtime observers quickly learn that calm water masks heavy lifting. In summer, the surface warms to about 82–86 °F; in winter, it cools to roughly 64–68 °F. 



Those seasonal swings drive mixing that helps push warm, salty water northward and return cooler water south - a conveyor that steadies weather patterns on both sides of the Atlantic. 



The open water also pulls carbon dioxide from the air, locking it into plankton shells that eventually snow to the seafloor.



Only after two years of sampling did chemical oceanographer Nicholas Bates and colleagues at the <a href="https://bios.asu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences</a> realize just how much heat the sea was absorbing. 



“The ocean is the warmest it’s been for ‘millions and millions of years,’” he told LiveScience, warning that the trend could reshape “where it rains or where it doesn’t.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-problems-threaten-the-sargasso-sea">Human problems threaten the Sargasso Sea</h2>



Jules Verne once called the Sargasso “a perfect lake in the open Atlantic.” Today that lake collects trash from four converging currents: the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/collapse-of-main-atlantic-ocean-circulaton-current-amoc-is-already-happening/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">North Atlantic Current</a>, Canary Current, North Equatorial Current, and Antilles Current. 



Those loops act like a mile-wide drain, funneling plastic bags, bottle caps, and ghost fishing gear into a slowly rotating slick. 



One survey estimated roughly 200,000 pieces of debris per square kilometer - about 518,000 pieces per square mile - spreading for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-hotspots-currents-identified-cleanup-efforts-great-pacific-garbage-patch/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">several hundred miles</a>.



Underwater microphones pick up the growl of cargo vessels cutting straight through mats. Propellers shred the weed; paint chips flake from hulls, releasing copper and zinc. 



Noise can mask the low-frequency calls of sperm whales passing beneath. Meanwhile, floating nets entangle juvenile turtles exactly where they once found refuge.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracking-change-through-decades">Tracking change through decades</h2>



Researchers have monitored these waters near Bermuda since 1954, recording temperature, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/caribbean-salt-affects-global-climate-study-reveals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">salinity</a>, dissolved oxygen, and pH every month. 



Instruments show that winter water is slightly saltier than summer water, thanks to dry winds that whisk moisture off the surface, while rainfall each June and July freshens the mix. 



Since the 1980s, the average temperature has climbed roughly 1 °C - a small number that packs a punch. Warmer layers resist vertical mixing, starving deeper water of oxygen and hoarding nutrients that would normally rise to feed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dust-from-africa-sparked-a-massive-phytoplankton-bloom/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plankton blooms</a>.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/sargasso-sea_map-location_credit-Bates-Johnson_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/sargasso-sea_map-location_credit-Bates-Johnson_1s.webp" alt="Location map of the island of Bermuda and two ocean time-series (Hydrostation S, 1954 to present; and the Bermuda Atlantic Time-series, BATS, 1988 to present) sites. The position of the Ocean Flux Program (OFP, 1978 to present; deep ocean sediment trap program) is also shown. Ruth Curry is thanked for the main panel figure which is modified here. Credit: Bates and Johnson" class="wp-image-1970759"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Location map of the island of Bermuda and two ocean time-series (Hydrostation S, 1954 to present; and the Bermuda Atlantic Time-series, BATS, 1988 to present) sites. The position of the Ocean Flux Program (OFP, 1978 to present; deep ocean sediment trap program) is also shown. Ruth Curry is thanked for the main panel figure which is modified here. Click image to enlarge. Credit: Bates and Johnson</figcaption></figure>



Scientists have developed new metrics, such as “salinity anomaly” maps and basin-scale alkalinity indices, to compare one year to the next. 



Paired with drifting Argo floats and satellite color scans, the 60-year record has become a gold standard for tracking ocean acidification.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-race-against-warmth">Race against warmth</h2>



<a href="https://www.sargassoseacommission.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Sargasso Sea Commission</a>, an intergovernmental body formed in 2014, calls the region a “haven of biodiversity” and urges countries to designate shipping lanes that skirt dense mats. 



Marine protected area status remains complicated; no nation owns the sea, and enforcement on the high seas is costly. 



Yet conservationists note that simple steps - rerouting tankers by 50 miles or banning longline fishing during peak turtle season - could preserve critical habitat without hampering trade.



Policy moves slowly, while climate shifts quickly. 



Between stronger hurricanes and hotter summers, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/robot-discovers-surprising-food-source-sargassum-for-deep-ocean-creatures/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sargassum</a> now grows so prolifically in the Caribbean that beach resorts hire bulldozers to clear it. Excess weed sinks, rots, and releases greenhouse gases, turning a carbon sink into a source. 



Paradoxically, the very organism that lends the sea its name may become a casualty of warming if rising acidity weakens its holdfasts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-importance-of-protecting-the-sargasso-sea">Importance of protecting the Sargasso Sea</h2>



If we lose the Sargasso Sea, rivers from Newfoundland to the Gulf of Mexico would send eels searching in vain for a birthplace erased by heat. 



Humpbacks might arrive in spring to find the larder bare. Storm tracks over Europe could drift, and the Atlantic might store even more of the planet’s excess heat, accelerating feedback loops we scarcely understand.



Governments are now weighing a treaty to curb plastic discharge at sea and expand no-take zones around key migratory corridors. 



Shipping firms experiment with quieter propeller designs and biodegradable packing bands. None of these fixes alone will restore the Sargasso, but together they could keep the floating forest alive long enough for cooler heads - and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oceans-hidden-skin-could-protect-us-from-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cooler oceans</a> - to prevail.



For something that looks like an empty patch of blue on a map, the Sargasso Sea manages to knit continents together, nourish creatures halfway across the world, and offer humanity a running log of planetary change. 



The still water speaks softly, but its message rings clear: protect the calm, or brace for the storm that follows.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/marine-science/articles/10.3389/fmars.2023.1289931/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Marine Science</a>.



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There is one sea on Earth that touches no land, because it has no shore

The Atlantic Ocean holds a secret: a patch of calm...

Dogs aren’t the only animals that seem curious about melodies. Birds sway to rhythms, cows gather near speakers, and even cats perk up when they hear familiar tunes.&nbsp;Some zoo animals have even been seen responding to background music with calmer behavior or increased play. 



From barns to living rooms to enclosures, animals across species seem to pick up on patterns and tones that affect how they feel.



Dr. Katrina Meinkoth, an assistant professor at <a href="https://go.okstate.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oklahoma State University</a>’s College of Veterinary Medicine, found that gentle music helped her own anxious dog settle down. 



She was surprised to discover that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/music-triggers-unique-prediction-zones-in-the-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">certain harmonies</a> may reduce nervous pacing and whining.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-music-helps-animals-stay-calm">Music helps animals stay calm</h2>



Mild background music appears to reduce sudden startles in many animals. A 2017 <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28093218/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a> from the <a href="https://www.gla.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Glasgow</a> revealed that dogs exposed to certain songs had lower cortisol levels and steadier heart rate variability.



The results align with older <a href="https://www.ingentaconnect.com/contentone/ufaw/aw/2002/00000011/00000004/art00002" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">findings</a> from <a href="https://www.queensu.ca" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Queen’s University</a> in Belfast, where soft classical pieces triggered calmer <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-brain-plays-our-behaviors-like-a-music-box/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">behavior</a> and less barking in kenneled dogs. 



Some veterinarians suggest that these gentle tunes can mask jarring background noises.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-music-affects-large-and-small-animals">Music affects large and small animals</h2>



Slow tempo chords can also influence farm species. Several <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/laban.162" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reports</a> hint that dairy cows produce more milk in calm settings with soothing melodies.



<a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/347550706_Effects_of_long-term_exposure_to_music_on_behaviour_immunity_and_performance_of_piglets" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Swine</a> show interest in audio played at moderate volumes, though fast <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-music-help-plants-grow/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rhythms</a> sometimes boost their restlessness. For shelter animals, stable background tunes can lessen reactivity and help staff manage daily chores.



Small pets often respond to familiar pitches. Parrots and parakeets have been documented bobbing heads or becoming more alert when they hear <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/music-causes-similar-emotional-experiences-and-sensations-in-all-cultures/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">certain tunes</a>.



Studies in laboratory settings have noted that sudden noise spikes cause birds to startle, but consistent lower-pitch chords can <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8472833/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reduce fear responses</a>. This calmer state might promote better feeding patterns.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pitch-and-tempo-matter">Pitch and tempo matter</h2>



Gorillas and elephants in captivity sometimes appear more relaxed with select <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/our-brain-doesnt-just-hear-music-it-becomes-the-rhythm/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">music playing</a>, though researchers emphasize the importance of volume and tempo. 



A <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2008-16424-001" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a> of captive elephants found fewer repetitive motions during soft classical pieces.



In zoo habitats, moderate tones can provide a distraction from loud visitors. It is still unclear how often playlists should change, since repeated exposure may lead to boredom in some species.



Some scientists propose that animals do not perceive all musical elements the way humans do. A review at the <a href="https://www.sydney.edu.au" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Sydney</a> reported that animals appear to respond most positively to lower pitches and slower tempo.



These structural details may mirror natural vocal calls and help regulate emotional states. Pets or captive creatures under stress might settle more quickly when they hear a style of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/international-orangutan-day-2024-protecting-the-people-of-the-forest/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">music</a> that matches their hearing range.



High-volume music can agitate skittish animals. Volume spikes or heavy metal may raise tension and spark pacing or vocal outbursts.



Experts warn that continuous loud tracks might block meaningful signals animals rely on, such as subtle calls or caretaker cues. Keeping a balanced decibel level can maintain a calm backdrop.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-animals-respond-to-live-music">How animals respond to live music </h2>



<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/nibu-thomas_amazing-how-music-catches-attention-and-activity-7329346628237123585-np-z?utm_medium=ios_app&amp;rcm=ACoAACAhL9IBs9K5RHCqoSxjuR2WPJHF0BZJDsM&amp;utm_source=social_share_video_v2&amp;utm_campaign=copy_link" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Several videos have surfaced</a> on social media and video platforms showing animals approaching live music performances, even when a person is physically present and playing the instrument.



In many of these clips, animals such as elephants, horses, cats, or even wild deer appear to be drawn toward musicians playing guitar, piano, violin, or flute in outdoor or barnyard settings.&nbsp;



The animals often stand still, approach slowly, or display relaxed body language, suggesting curiosity or calmness in response to the live sound. 



While anecdotal, these moments have captured widespread attention and add to growing public interest in how animals respond to music made in real time by humans.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-custom-music-for-each-species">Custom music for each species </h2>



Some animals show no reaction to ordinary human songs. However, targeted “species-appropriate” music uses frequencies close to each animal’s own calls.



Researchers at the <a href="https://www.wisc.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Wisconsin-Madison</a> observed that specially composed <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S016815911500060X" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cat music</a> drew more interest from felines than standard classical tunes. This concept might extend to other species with unique vocal ranges.



Gradual exposure is often best. Start with short sessions of gentle harmonies at a moderate level.



If an animal shows signs of increased rest or decreased agitation, the chosen style may be working. Watch closely for signs of stress, such as panting, freezing, or attempts to flee the area.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-use-calming-music-wisely">Use calming music wisely</h2>



Not every animal needs constant sound. For some, bursts of mellow <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/experts-reveal-how-music-can-heal-the-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">music can soothe</a> anxious behaviors, especially in new or chaotic environments.



Farm caretakers sometimes rotate playlists to maintain novelty and keep animals engaged. Each environment has unique acoustic challenges, so small adjustments can make a big difference.



Owners can experiment with classical, reggae, or specially crafted pieces, checking for calmer posture or quieter vocalizations. Veterinary behaviorists suggest playing music while leaving the house or during events like <a href="https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/dog-scared-of-thunder/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">storms</a>.



For wild species in sanctuaries, short intervals may reduce monotony and help staff with medical or feeding routines. The immediate payoff is often fewer stress-related issues among the animals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-music-moves-all-forms-of-life">Music moves all forms of life</h2>



Music will not fix every problem, but it might bring a welcome shift in many creatures’ routines. 



Domestic pets, farm animals, and exotics all show varied responses, yet the shared theme is <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/classical-music-orchestrates-a-mood-lifting-dance-in-the-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">improved well-being</a> when the notes hit the right frequency.



The key is to remain open to each animal’s signals. A small dose of tunes and a careful eye on behavior can reveal surprising benefits.



The study is published in <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28093218/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Physiology &amp; Behavior</a>.



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Music reduces anxiety in dogs, cats, and most other animal species

Dogs aren’t the only animals that seem curious about melodies....

In the waters of the South Pacific, geologists have identified a massive land area that has stayed mostly hidden below the surface. Many scientists now consider it a separate continent spanning nearly two million square miles (5 million square kilometers).



Experts call this sunken stretch of terrain Zealandia, and only about five percent of it breaks the ocean’s surface in places like New Zealand. 



Researchers suggest that it split from larger landmasses many millions of years ago, making it the planet’s newest candidate for a <a href="https://rock.geosociety.org/net/gsatoday/archive/27/3/article/GSATG321A.1.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fully fledged continent</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ancient-beginnings-of-zealandia">Ancient beginnings of Zealandia</h2>



<a href="https://www.gns.cri.nz/about-us/staff-search/nick-mortimer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nick Mortimer</a> from GNS Science has been at the forefront of examining how Zealandia formed. He and his colleagues looked back over 100 million years to when <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/gondwana" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gondwana</a> was a huge supercontinent consisting of South America, Africa, Antarctica, Australia, and parts of Asia.



Pieces of Gondwana started drifting apart over time, with one section eventually evolving into Zealandia. The land that once stood high above sea level began to slip below the ocean’s surface because of changes in tectonic forces.



As movement within <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/significant-rare-earth-metal-deposit-discovered-in-kazakhstan-third-largest-in-world/">Earth’s</a> outer layers continued, Zealandia gradually edged away from West Antarctica about 85 million years ago. Later, it drifted apart from Australia and became an isolated mass.



The crust in this isolated region lost thickness and cooled, which led to the land's final dip below sea level. Today, it remains mostly out of sight, but its presence has significant scientific value.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-geological-findings-across-zealandia">Geological findings across Zealandia</h2>



While <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/publications/reconnaissance-basement-geology-and-tectonics-north-zealandia" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plenty of geologists</a> guessed for decades that this submerged area was continental in nature, the label of a separate continent was not widely accepted. Many believed these underwater ridges and plateaus were just fragments.



Fresh data has now changed that perspective. Researchers used <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topiccs/earth-and-planetary-sciences/geochronology" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">geochronology</a>, a method that determines rock ages through radioactive decay, to establish a timeline for the region’s formation.



“By dating these rocks and studying the magnetic anomalies they presented, we were able to map the major geological units across North Zealandia,” the researchers said. 



Evidence showed that this underwater land shares key traits with other recognized continents.



The scientists collected rock samples in the northern sections of Zealandia using advanced dredging tools. Their results mapped out sandstone, volcanic pebbles, and basaltic lavas with ages ranging from the <a href="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/the-cretaceous-period.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Early Cretaceous</a> to the <a href="https://ucmp.berkeley.edu/tertiary/eocene.php" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eocene epoch</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-confirmed-by-magnetic-clues">Confirmed by magnetic clues</h2>



Magnetic data played a key role in confirming Zealandia’s hidden shape. Using measurements of magnetic anomalies, researchers spotted clear patterns tied to ancient volcanic activity that helped mark the continent’s boundaries.



These anomalies aligned with rock ages from dredged samples, revealing stretches of intraplate basalts which were formed during the Cretaceous and Eocene periods. 



The consistent signals supported the idea that Zealandia wasn’t just random ocean crust - it was structured like a true continent.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tectonic-plates-explained">Tectonic plates explained</h2>



Much of Zealandia’s descent can be traced back to movements of tectonic plates, which are massive slabs of Earth’s surface that shift over time. In some regions, plates converge, causing one plate to sink beneath the other in a process called <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/special-topics/subduction-zone-science/science/introduction-subduction-zones-amazing-events" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">subduction</a>.



Zealandia’s thinning crust was shaped by such shifts. Plate stretching allowed deep ocean waters to flood over much of the land, leaving only a few islands sticking out above sea level.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-does-any-of-this-matter">Why does any of this matter?</h2>



Scientists find Zealandia valuable for learning how continents evolve under changing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/continent-sized-islands-llsvp-found-inside-earth-are-100-times-taller-than-mount-everest/">plate conditions</a>. This sunken landmass preserves clues about Earth’s past that might not be visible on continents above the surface.



“Zealandia’s underwater status in no way diminishes its geological significance,” stated a GNS Science researcher. That perspective encourages a closer look at how plate dynamics affect continental shapes and positions over geologic time.



Many sedimentary rocks within Zealandia date to the Late Cretaceous period, indicating that parts of it remained above water long after it separated from other continents. Basalt samples reveal younger volcanic pulses that arose when new plate boundaries formed.



The combination of rock dating methods, magnetic signatures, and tectonic mapping helped define where Zealandia’s boundaries lie. Researchers now have a clearer view of this submerged landscape and its distinct geological zones.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ongoing-exploration-of-zealandia">Ongoing exploration of Zealandia</h2>



Large portions of Zealandia remain unexplored. Technologies like seismic imaging and deep-sea drilling will likely uncover more details of its structure and past.



Some investigators hope to find further clues about how drifting continents influence sea level, climate patterns, and the distribution of plants and animals. Each discovery could refine our understanding of how Earth’s surface <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/great-continental-rift-african-splitting-landmass-creating-ocean-basin/">rearranges</a> itself.



Several areas on the planet exist as microcontinents or submerged fragments, but Zealandia stands out for its size and completeness. It is not only a trove of history but also a reminder that Earth still holds secrets.



Future fieldwork and collaborative international studies may refine ideas about how Zealandia contributes to global tectonic activity. 



This hidden expanse highlights the complexities of continental classification and sparks discussion about what qualifies as a continent.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2023TC007961" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tectonics</a>.



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Scientists confirm the location of Earth’s missing eighth continent

In the waters of the South Pacific, geologists have identified...

When the conversation turns to solving the climate crisis, discussions often focus on technology, global treaties, and large-scale infrastructure overhauls that are aimed at reducing carbon emissions and driving systemic change.



Yet, there’s an equally powerful driver that often slips under the radar: lifestyle. How we live, what we eat, how we travel, what we buy - these things shape a huge share of our planet’s carbon footprint.



Now, a breakthrough study reveals just how impactful our daily choices can be. By focusing on changes made by just 23.7% of the global population - the top emitters - household consumption-based emissions could be reduced by as much as 10.4 gigatons of CO2 equivalent (CO2e).



That amounts to 40.1% of the household carbon footprint across 116 countries. This level of reduction could significantly close the gap in global <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-warming-is-accelerating-beyond-control-as-co2-levels-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate</a> goals, especially as we look ahead to COP30.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lifestyle-changes-for-climate-action">Lifestyle changes for climate action </h2>



The international team behind this study examined 21 low-carbon lifestyle <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chatgpts-carbon-footprint-is-astronomical-and-not-sustainable/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">actions</a>. These are not obscure or hypothetical; they are practical changes that households can adopt without waiting for new technologies or massive reforms.



The research captures the emissions from both direct energy use and upstream supply chain effects, and offers a complete view of consumption-related emissions.



To guide these changes, the team adopted the "avoid, shift, improve" framework. 



Avoid involves absolute reduction in consumption. Shift means changing consumption patterns toward lower-carbon alternatives. Improve focuses on efficiency gains. Each type has its place in driving emission cuts, but their effectiveness varies depending on region, infrastructure, and economic status.



Adopting low-carbon lifestyles isn’t just about making ethical <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-ozone-day-2024-advancing-climate-action/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">choices</a> - it is now a quantifiable tool for real-world reductions in emissions.



“Our study shows that adopting low-carbon lifestyles can play a pivotal role in mitigating climate change. By targeting high-emitting households, we can achieve significant carbon reductions and move closer to our global climate targets,” said Dr. Yuli Shan from the <a href="https://www.birmingham.ac.uk">University of Birmingham</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-small-actions-to-limit-climate-change">Small actions to limit climate change</h2>



The researchers identified which consumption actions offer the biggest carbon payoffs. At the top of the list is reducing commercial service use. This alone can account for a 10.9% drop in emissions. 



Next is shifting to a healthy vegan diet, which reduces the intake of animal-based foods, sugar, and processed products. This lifestyle change could contribute an 8.3% reduction.



Improving energy efficiency in buildings - such as implementing passive house standards - offers a 6.0% drop. Switching from private vehicles to public transport provides another 3.6% savings. 



Even repairing or sharing appliances at home, while seemingly minor, adds a further 3.0% cut. These figures are not abstract estimates; they are based on an expansive input-output model and paired with household expenditure data, which makes them both realistic and globally applicable.



"This study, a key component of my doctoral thesis, demonstrates that adopting consumption-based low-carbon strategies is essential for climate mitigation," noted Dr. Yuru Guan, the study’s first author. 



Her comment draws attention to the growing body of research that places household decisions at the center of climate action.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-change-mitigation-by-region">Climate change mitigation by region</h2>



One of the more intriguing aspects of this study is how the mitigation potential differs by region. Unsurprisingly, North America tops the list, with 85.4% of its population exceeding the global per-capita carbon threshold of 4.6 tons CO2e per year.



These households account for a substantial share of global emissions, but also hold the largest potential for change.



Less expected are the findings from Sub-Saharan Africa. Although the region has a lower overall footprint, countries like Mauritius, Namibia, and Chad showed surprisingly high reduction potential. In Namibia, for instance, changing food and travel behaviors could slash emissions by up to 45.6 percent.



In Mauritius, potential savings reach 52.5%. These numbers demonstrate that even lower-emitting nations have valuable roles to play, particularly when their economic structures include carbon-heavy sectors like tourism.



"This research provides valuable insights into the potential of lifestyle changes for reducing carbon footprints. It is crucial for policymakers to consider these findings and implement strategies that encourage sustainable consumption patterns," noted Professor Klaus Hubacek from the University of Groningen.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-rebound-effect-is-a-hidden-risk">The rebound effect is a hidden risk</h2>



Changing lifestyles can save money. But that’s where an issue arises - how people spend the money they save. Known as the rebound effect, this phenomenon can erode the climate benefits of low-carbon choices. 



For example, if someone saves money by flying less but then spends it on home entertainment that uses more electricity, the net emissions might not decrease as much as intended.



The study simulated three different re-spending <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-wildlife-conservation-day-2024-saving-species-from-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">scenarios</a> to estimate how much carbon savings might be lost. In the worst-case scenario, where all saved money is spent on carbon-intensive items, 45.8% of the gains are erased. The most optimistic case still shows a 6.5% loss, meaning rebound effects are almost unavoidable, but they can be controlled.



Rebound effects are especially strong in emerging economies. As more households reach middle-income levels, saved income tends to be spent quickly on goods and services that may carry a heavy carbon cost. 



This highlights the need for guidance, nudges, and even regulation to make sure that carbon savings aren’t lost through backdoor increases in other areas.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-action-needs-strong-support">Climate action needs strong support</h2>



The study’s impact goes beyond the theoretical. It presents a clear call to action for governments and institutions. 



Policies that support remote work, encourage plant-based diets, and provide incentives for energy-efficient homes are already in place in some countries. Spain and Pakistan, for instance, have supported shorter work weeks and remote work to cut energy use.



Carbon pricing, eco-labeling, and investment in cycling infrastructure are additional tools in the policy toolkit. In Europe, recent energy price crises have even pushed countries to promote energy-saving behavior through national campaigns.



However, the report also cautions against one-size-fits-all strategies. What works in a high-income urban setting may not be feasible in rural or low-income contexts. 



Policymakers must consider income, access, and readiness when crafting solutions that involve behavior change. The goal should be to enable, not burden.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-consumer-behavior-and-climate-action">Consumer behavior and climate action</h2>



While supply-side solutions like renewables and carbon <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-plant-diversity-can-help-combat-climate-change/">capture</a> remain crucial, this study makes the case that they are not enough. Lifestyle changes offer a faster, often cheaper way to make immediate progress while long-term technologies mature. But they need support.



The idea is not to guilt individuals but to empower those who have the most capacity to change. The study focuses on carbon-exceeding households precisely because they have the biggest footprints and the greatest ability to make a difference.



"Reducing household demand could lead to rebound effects due to re-spendings elsewhere," the authors note. This makes it all the more important to guide consumer behavior toward low-carbon alternatives and ensure that sustainable goods are accessible.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lifestyle-changes-are-crucial">Lifestyle changes are crucial</h2>



With the COP30 summit approaching, this research arrives at a critical time. Climate negotiations often stall on national pledges and technological feasibility. This study reframes the conversation by highlighting what people can do - right now, in their homes, with their choices.



The evidence is clear: when supported by thoughtful policy, lifestyle changes offer massive potential for carbon reduction. They complement, rather than replace, technological solutions.



And they show that the power to reshape our planet’s future may lie as much in our kitchens, commutes, and shopping lists as in government boardrooms.



As global leaders gather to chart a new path, this research should serve as both a guide and a challenge. Change is not only possible - it’s already in our hands.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-59269-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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Lifestyle changes hold the key to climate action

When the conversation turns to solving the climate crisis, discussions...

Team,Of,Ants,Delivers,Red,Currant,With,Trailer,Of,Sunflower

Sneaking aboard a minivan or clinging to the bumper of a delivery truck, small creatures like ants hitch rides on cars every day for long-distance trips across continents.



Tires roll through soil, doors brush against tree limbs, and before anyone notices, a living stowaway is on its way to a brand-new zip code. 



Seeds, moth eggs, and even mosquitoes have taken advantage of this free transit, but <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-many-ants-live-on-earth-at-any-point-in-time-total-number-is-astounding/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ants</a> may be the most surprising passengers of all.



Those trips can reshape local nature. 



When a species lands far from its old haunts, it meets plants and animals that have never learned to handle its tricks. Some newcomers fizzle out, yet others spread fast and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/just-a-few-ants-can-change-an-entire-colonys-social-structure/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shove resident species aside</a>. 



Hitchhiking turns vehicles, built for human convenience, into silent partners in a biological shuffle that plays out across parking lots and interstates.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ants-invading-by-cars">Ants invading by cars</h2>



After watching ants scurry onto car tires in Taipei, entomologist Scotty Yang, an assistant professor in Virginia Tech’s <a href="https://www.ento.vt.edu/home.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Department of Entomology</a>, decided to document the behavior. 



Between 2017 and 2023, he logged nine species hitching rides on everyday vehicles; seven were invasive in the places where they appeared. His notes mark the first systematic look at ants using personal cars as moving vans.



Seeds have hung on for rides of well over 200 miles, and the spongy moth is infamous for planting eggs on freight containers. 



Tiger mosquitoes have been spotted inside cars cruising across Spain. Ants add another twist: whole colonies, queen included, can march up a tire and disappear under the chassis before the driver turns the key.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-citizen-science-on-wheels">Citizen science on wheels</h2>



Yang’s project leaned on social-media posts from drivers around Taiwan who snapped photos of cars suddenly coated in ants. 



“We saw social-media posts where people were devastated about finding their cars covered in ants,” Yang said. “Although we felt sorry for them, we wanted to examine whether these events had anything in common.” 



Reports poured in about ghost ants, black cocoa ants, and several other species. Observers recorded the month, the weather, the type of car, how long it had been parked, and how many insects they counted.



Patterns emerged. 



A successful trip required three conditions: the insects had to climb the vehicle’s surface, the colony needed to be in a restless foraging or nesting mood, and the chosen nook - often a wheel well - had to remain within their preferred temperature range. 



When all three boxes were ticked, a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ants-perform-life-saving-amputation-surgeries-on-injured-nest-mates/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">family of ants</a> could roll out like seasoned travelers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-invasive-ants-on-cars-matter">Why invasive ants on cars matter</h2>



In a new neighborhood, invasive ants tangle with local species for every crumb and hiding place. Native insects often lose those fights, and the dominoes keep falling. Birds, reptiles, and small mammals that rely on the displaced insects go hungry. 



Some ants act as bodyguards for plant-sucking pests that drip sugary honeydew, allowing the pests to damage crops longer than usual.



Urban life does not escape the trouble. Large colonies can swarm kitchens, chew insulation, or short-circuit traffic lights. 



Farmers face yield losses when ants protect sap-sipping bugs in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/evolutionary-deja-vu-the-symbiotic-relationships-of-trees-and-ants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">orchards and fields</a>, while homeowners pay for repairs after surprising electrical outages. 



Each unplanned trip in a car, then, is more than an odd anecdote; it is a potential spark for ecological and economic headaches that can stretch for years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-team-learned">What the team learned</h2>



Of the 100 worst invasive species on the planet, five are ants, and two of those - the red <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/invasive-red-fire-ants-have-made-their-way-to-europe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">imported fire ant</a> and the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/when-you-give-caffeine-to-ants-many-interesting-things-happen/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Argentine ant</a> - are already established in Virginia. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ants-are-not-properly-adapting-to-warming-temperatures/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Warmer winters</a> over the past decade have let both inch farther north. 



Yang warns that casual rides in pickup trucks and family SUVs could speed that push. Personal vehicles, once dismissed as biologically unimportant, might be handing these tough insects fresh territory one rest-area stop at a time.



Virginia’s experience serves as a cautionary note for the broader Eastern United States. If motorists keep arriving from infested zones without checking their fenders and cargo, colonies can pop up beyond their previous limits. 



Yang hopes to launch a citizen-science network similar to the Taiwanese project so residents can flag outbreaks early, long before fire ants find a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/desert-ants-use-earths-magnetic-field-for-navigation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">foothold in new counties</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-check-your-car-for-ants">Check your car for ants</h2>



Drivers can cut the odds of giving ants a lift. Parking away from overgrown curbs, brushing loose soil from tires, and rinsing wheel wells after off-road jaunts help deny the insects a foothold. 



On long trips, a quick inspection during fuel stops catches roving workers before they settle in.



Communities can pitch in, too. Local extension offices may distribute identification cards, while schools host weekend “bug check” events in parking lots. 



Early warnings from sharp-eyed citizens let pest managers respond before an ant metropolis takes root. Each small action, repeated by thousands of travelers, keeps one more invasive colony from racing down the highway.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://resjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/een.13336" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ecological Entomology</a>.



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Invasive ants have found a new way to spread across the globe

Sneaking aboard a minivan or clinging to the bumper of...

More than half of the average American’s daily calories come from ultra-processed food (UPF). A new score helps measure how much of this food people actually eat, even though they may be unaware of it.



A new investigation guided by Dr. Erikka Loftfield at the <a href="https://www.cancer.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Cancer Institute</a> identifies tiny molecules in blood and urine that seem to line up with how many of these ultra-processed food products a person eats.



Researchers found that certain metabolite patterns, called <a href="https://cdas.cancer.gov/approved-projects/4913/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">poly-metabolite scores</a>, could help scientists check the accuracy of self-reported <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/eating-ultra-processed-foods-makes-your-muscles-weaker-and-more-fragile/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">diets</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-food-score-helps-track-hidden-intake">A food score helps track hidden intake</h2>



Many people have no idea how much ultra-processed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ultra-processed-foods-make-our-bodies-age-faster/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food</a> they actually consume. Even well-intentioned eaters might miss hidden additives, processed oils, or preservatives in everyday meals.



This new testing method offers a way to cut through the confusion. It gives researchers - and potentially doctors - a snapshot of your diet without needing you to log every bite.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracking-complex-eating-habits">Tracking complex eating habits</h2>



Individuals might overlook many <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/health-risks-of-ultra-processed-foods-revealed-in-30-year-study/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">items</a> that fit into ultra-processed categories. Instant noodles, sweet packaged snacks, and store-bought pastries often fly under the radar.



The research team developed an approach to measure small <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165993602012098" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chemical markers</a> in blood and urine. They used a set of older participants who had provided detailed dietary reports across 12 months.



These markers were linked to how often a person consumed ultra-processed items. They looked like a fingerprint that matched the share of daily calories coming from those foods.



Some ultra-processed items carry more salt, sugar, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/artificial-sweeteners-erythritol-directly-linked-to-heart-attacks-and-strokes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">artificial flavors</a> than simpler choices. These features can make them attractive and shelf-stable but also raise questions about long-term health effects.



Investigators combined both diet records and lab data to improve accuracy. This kind of measurement could catch missed details when people forget what they ate.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-score-reveals-true-junk-food-levels">Score reveals true junk food levels</h2>



The team created a score that reflected this chemical signature. They tested the score on volunteers in a highly controlled inpatient setting to confirm that it worked.



“The identified poly-metabolite scores could serve as objective measures of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/breaking-free-from-ultra-processed-foods-the-surprising-health-benefits/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UPF</a> intake in large population studies to complement or reduce reliance on self-reported dietary data. 



Poly-metabolite scores should be evaluated and iteratively improved in populations with diverse diets and a wide range of UPF intake,” added Dr. Loftfield. 



The new score might reduce guesswork in nutrition studies. Each type of marker may hold clues about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/breaking-free-from-ultra-processed-foods-the-surprising-health-benefits/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">processed ingredients</a> that might not appear in fresh or minimally processed foods.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-doctors-may-check-diet-with-a-test">Doctors may check diet with a test</h2>



In the future, your doctor might learn more from a urine test than from a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ultra-processed-foods-are-harmful-to-nearly-every-part-of-the-body/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food</a> diary. If these metabolite scores become widely available, clinicians could use them to flag poor dietary patterns without needing long conversations or guesswork.



This could speed up diagnosis and allow earlier interventions for diet-related issues. It also opens the door for personalized nutrition advice, built on real chemical data rather than rough estimates.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impact-of-ultra-processed-foods">Impact of ultra-processed foods</h2>



Experts continue to investigate whether these products affect weight and disease risk. Some <a href="https://www.cell.com/cell-metabolism/fulltext/S1550-4131(19)30248-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evidence</a> shows that heavy intake of such foods can coincide with weight gain.



Advanced <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39150724/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">glycation compounds</a> formed in some food processes might play a role in metabolic conditions. Researchers hope that pinpointing these markers may offer new insights.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-score-exposes-what-brands-don-t-highlight">Score exposes what brands don’t highlight</h2>



Food manufacturers often use marketing to frame ultra-processed products as convenient or fortified with nutrients. 



But the presence of these chemical signatures in blood and urine paints a different picture, one that links these foods to measurable biological changes.



As researchers get closer to pinpointing how these products affect the body, companies could face growing pressure to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-tool-lets-you-check-how-processed-your-food-is-grocerydb/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reformulate their offerings</a>. 



If specific ingredients or production methods are consistently tied to the presence of harmful markers, regulators might push for transparency or even restrictions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-food-score-improves-tracking">How the food score improves tracking</h2>



Many people rely on memory when telling doctors or researchers what they ate. 



This score could someday serve as a helpful backup by offering an objective way to see whether someone’s <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ultra-processed-foods-directly-linked-cognitive-decline-stroke-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported consumption</a> lines up with their actual exposure.



Scientists expect that future research may refine these measures for broader use. More diverse samples, including younger individuals and different cultural diets, could increase the reliability of these findings. 



Taking a closer look at blood and urine has sparked new ideas about how to identify ultra-processed food intake.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-future-health-policies">Implications for future health policies</h2>



Public health agencies could eventually use these poly-metabolite scores to improve large-scale nutrition surveillance. 



Instead of relying only on self-reports or food purchase data, officials might turn to biochemical evidence to track dietary trends across regions or demographics.



Insurance companies or employers may also show interest in using these biomarkers to assess dietary risks. While this raises ethical questions, it reflects a growing push to personalize prevention strategies based on measurable health behaviors.



The study is published in <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1004560" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLOS Medicine</a>.



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Quick blood test can now show exactly how much ultra-processed junk food a person eats

More than half of the average American’s daily calories come...

Our food faces growing threats as chemical, biological, and physical hazards collide with shifting economic and environmental conditions. But there’s hope on the horizon - artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a powerful ally in detecting food contamination before it reaches our plates.



Researchers at the Universities of Birmingham, Bedfordshire, and <a href="https://www.ox.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oxford</a> have reviewed 116 studies published between 2019 and 2024.



The experts argue that only a combination of real-time <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/enduring-earth-mystery-partially-solved-artificial-intelligence-nazca-geoglyphs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">artificial intelligence</a> tools and stronger international partnerships can keep pace with this accelerating complexity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-panorama-of-modern-food-contaminants">Panorama of modern food contaminants</h2>



The review groups hazards into three broad classes. Biological contaminants include familiar culprits - bacteria such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/is-it-safe-to-eat-eggs-salmonella-contamination-found-in-poultry-production-chain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Salmonella</a> and E. coli, as well as viruses and parasitic protozoa.



Chemical contaminants span a spectrum from pesticide residues and industrial heavy metals to naturally occurring toxins and veterinary drugs. 



Physical contaminants take the form of unwanted objects, now increasingly represented by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/contamination-crisis-microplastics-found-in-88-of-protein-sources/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microplastics</a>, fragments of packaging, and processing debris.



According to the authors, these disparate hazards share a common characteristic: they travel quickly through a globalized, just-in-time food system that can turn a local slip into a transcontinental outbreak.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-drivers-behind-food-risks">Key drivers behind food risks</h2>



To understand why contamination episodes appear to be multiplying, the team identified six macro forces shaping <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/electronic-tongue-could-revolutionize-food-safety/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food safety</a>. Demographic change tops the list as urbanization and aging populations both alter consumption patterns and stretch distribution networks.



Economic factors follow closely, with cost pressures sometimes eroding best practice in production and transport. Environmental degradation - soil depletion, water scarcity, climate-induced weather volatility - can create new pathways for contaminants to infiltrate crops and livestock.



Geopolitical instability can disrupt supply chains or weaken regulatory oversight, while shifting consumer priorities - such as demand for minimally processed or “natural” foods - may inadvertently reduce built-in safety margins.



Finally, technological advances themselves cut both ways: they allow faster detection yet also introduce novel materials and ingredients whose safety profiles are not fully known.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ai-warnings-for-food-contamination">AI warnings for food contamination </h2>



“Our review shows that food contamination is a borderless threat that no nation can tackle alone,” said lead author Helen Onyeaka of the <a href="https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Birmingham</a>.



“Pairing next-generation detection technologies with stronger international partnerships will be critical to keeping harmful contaminants out of the global food supply.”



The team highlights the promise of AI-driven systems that sift sensor data, trade records, and meteorological feeds to forecast contamination hotspots days or even weeks before pathogens bloom or toxins exceed safe limits. 



Machine-learning models can continuously refine themselves as new data arrive, offering regulators dynamic dashboards instead of static compliance snapshots.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gaps-in-global-oversight"><a></a>Gaps in global oversight</h2>



Despite technological gains, the authors found glaring inconsistencies in how nations define, measure and report emerging contaminants. 



While the European Union has made strides in harmonizing pesticide residue limits, global standards for microplastic fragments or mycotoxin cocktails are still patchy.



“Science-based, transparent regulation must keep pace with the accelerating complexity of the food chain,” said co-author John Krebs, the former chair of the <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UK Food Standards Agency</a>. “By integrating real-time data and global cooperation, we can modernize food safety for the challenges ahead.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-of-food-safety-ai-algorithms">Future of food safety: AI algorithms</h2>



The paper calls for a multi-level response. International research consortia should pool surveillance data and develop shared threat vocabularies so that a novel contaminant flagged in one region can be recognized in another before exposure spreads.



Regulatory bodies need to move toward mutual recognition of safety assessments and faster pathways for updating allowable limits. Investment in cutting-edge detection platforms must be prioritized to make supply chains more transparent.



Such platforms include biosensors that change color in the presence of toxins, handheld spectroscopes that read chemical fingerprints, and AI algorithms that parse complex patterns.



Public engagement rounds out the agenda: consumers who understand the provenance of their food and the basics of proper storage and preparation become active partners in prevention rather than passive recipients of recalls.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-encouraging-signs-but-uneven-uptake"><a></a>Encouraging signs but uneven uptake</h2>



Novel tools are indeed emerging. Portable Raman spectrometers can now screen fish fillets for histamine in seconds; electrochemical biosensors detect <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deadly-listeria-outbreak-linked-to-frozen-dairy-shakes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Listeria</a> in soft cheeses before they leave the factory. 



Deep-learning models use satellite imagery and humidity forecasts to predict aflatoxin surges in maize fields.



Yet adoption remains fragmented, with many small and medium-sized enterprises lacking capital or technical capacity. Governments can help by offering tax incentives, subsidized training, and open-source software packages that help detect these threats.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-using-ai-to-detect-food-contamination">Using AI to detect food contamination </h2>



The review ends on a cautiously optimistic note. The same forces that magnify risk - global trade, digital interconnection, rapid innovation - also provide the tools to mitigate it.



If nations share data rather than hoard it, and if industry embraces intelligent monitoring rather than relying solely on end-product testing, contamination events could be intercepted well before they reach supermarket shelves.



In an era when a single click can order strawberries from another continent, the authors argue, food safety must evolve into a similarly networked enterprise. 



By balancing a set of harmonized rules with real-time analytics and an informed public, the world may yet enjoy a future where meals cross borders - and generations - without carrying invisible threats.



The study is published in the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301479725012228?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Environmental Management</a>.



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Future of food safety: AI can detect contamination early

Our food faces growing threats as chemical, biological, and physical...

Sharks have glided through oceans for more than 450 million years, relying on skeletons made not of bone but of stiff, mineralised cartilage.



Their vertebral columns act like coiled springs, storing and releasing energy with every tail beat, even as the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/offshore-wind-farms-threaten-electric-sensitive-sharks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fish</a> reach speeds of twenty miles per hour or vault clear of the water in spinning leaps.



Scientists have long known that this mechanical efficiency stems from a cleverly reinforced spine, yet only now are researchers imaging those reinforcements at the nanoscale.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mapping-cartilage-in-3d">Mapping cartilage in 3D</h2>



A team from <a href="https://www.fau.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Florida Atlantic University</a> (FAU), the <a href="https://www.desy.de/index_eng.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">German Electron Synchrotron</a> (DESY), and <a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NOAA Fisheries</a> used synchrotron X-ray nanotomography to map the internal architecture of blacktip shark vertebrae in three dimensions.



They paired scans with mechanical tests, squeezing tiny segments while tracking how they bent and cracked. The images revealed two layers inside the mineralized cartilage: a hard outer shell (corpus calcareum) and a softer inner core (intermediale).



Both zones are packed with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/organic-molecules-collagen-discovered-in-66-million-year-old-dinosaur-bones/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">collagen</a> fibers infused with bioapatite, the same calcium-phosphate mineral that stiffens human bone. Yet their arrangements differ.



Porous plates of mineralized tissue are supported by thick struts, allowing the shark skeleton to resist forces from many directions. This is essential for an animal that swims continuously and bends its body thousands of times each hour.



At even higher magnification, the scientists saw needles of bioapatite aligned with the collagen strands. They also discovered helically wound fiber layers that resemble plywood on a microscopic scale. 



Under load, those helices hinder cracks from running unchecked, distributing stress through a web of stiff mineral and stretchy protein.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nature-s-recipe-for-resilience">Nature’s recipe for resilience</h2>



Study senior author Vivian Merk is an assistant professor of chemistry, ocean and mechanical engineering, and biomedical engineering at FAU.



“Nature builds remarkably strong materials by combining minerals with biological polymers, such as collagen - a process known as biomineralization," said Merk. "This strategy allows creatures like shrimp, crustaceans, and even humans to develop tough, resilient <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dead-coral-skeletons-prevent-reefs-from-recovering/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">skeletons</a>.”



“Sharks are a striking example. Their mineral-reinforced spines work like springs, flexing and storing energy as they swim. By learning how they build such tough yet adaptable skeletons, we hope to inspire the design of next-generation materials.”



Under compression, vertebrae yielded slightly on the first cycle and cracked only after a second round of stress. Even then, the fracture plane remained confined to one mineral layer, evidence that the helices and porous scaffolds localize damage rather than letting it propagate.



“After hundreds of millions of years of evolution, we can now finally see how shark cartilage works at the nanoscale - and learn from them,” said co-author Marianne Porter, an associate professor of biological sciences at FAU.



“We’re discovering how tiny mineral structures and collagen fibers come together to create a material that’s both strong and flexible, perfectly adapted for a shark’s powerful swimming. These insights could help us design better materials by following nature’s blueprint.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shark-skeletons-inspire-design">Shark skeletons inspire design</h2>



Blacktip sharks roam warm coastal waters worldwide. Their quick turns and aerial spins place punishing loads on the spine, making them ideal models for impact-resistant design. 



The layered “sharkitecture” identified in the study could guide the development of everything from lighter body armor to longer-lasting joint implants.



“This research highlights the power of interdisciplinary collaboration,” said Stella Batalama, dean of FAU’s College of Engineering and Computer Science. “By bringing together engineers, biologists, and materials scientists, we’ve uncovered how nature builds strong yet flexible materials.”



“The layered, fiber-reinforced structure of shark cartilage offers a compelling model for high-performance, resilient design, which holds promise for developing advanced materials from medical implants to impact-resistant gear.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cartilage-wins-in-evolution">Cartilage wins in evolution</h2>



Unlike bony fish, sharks never switch to a calcium-phosphate skeleton during development. Their cartilaginous framework, reinforced by bioapatite only at strategic sites, saves weight without sacrificing stiffness.



The new nanoscale images suggest evolution achieved that balance through multiscale ordering. Collagen fibrils form bundles, which twist into helices. These helices embed in mineral plates, which then stack into porous columns that combine load-bearing strength with flexibility.



Because collagen and bioapatite are common to many vertebrates, the principles observed in sharks could be translated to human health.



Engineers might mimic the helical layering to make fracture-resistant composites, or apply the plate-and-strut motif to maximize strength while retaining lightness in aerospace parts.



Surgeons could one day use customized implants modeled on shark cartilage to promote bone integration and reduce fatigue failure.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shark-tech-from-the-deep">Shark tech from the deep</h2>



The study adds to a growing inventory of marine organisms whose microstructures inspire technology, from manta-ray-inspired filters to cephalopod-inspired <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-squid-power-their-amazing-camouflage-abilities/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">camouflage</a>. Shark spines now join that list, revealing how evolution transforms humble ingredients - protein and mineral - into a mechanical masterpiece.



Further research will probe other species, life stages, and environmental stresses. Mixed-phase cartilage from hammerheads or deep-sea lantern sharks may reveal different configurations tuned to unique swimming styles or pressure regimes.



Each discovery will refine the emerging field of deep-sea biomimetics, where ancient adaptations inform tomorrow’s materials. 



For engineers seeking to reconcile strength, flexibility, and damage tolerance, few tutors rival the blacktip shark. It has been perfected by 450 million years of relentless motion through saltwater and time.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsnano.5c02004" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ACS Nano</a>.



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Shark skeletons could lead to technological innovations

Sharks have glided through oceans for more than 450 million...

A massive exploration of ocean life has revealed 866 new species that most people never knew existed. This achievement ranks among the largest efforts ever to document organisms dwelling in some of the most secluded underwater zones.



Many surprises have surfaced from <a href="https://oceancensus.org/publications/press-release-the-ocean-census-discovers-over-800-new-marine-species/?ftag=YHF4eb9d17" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">these findings</a>, including a curious new guitar shark species. 



This creature was first recorded at approximately 650 feet below the surface by <a href="https://mlml.sjsu.edu/research-faculty/david-ebert/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">David Ebert</a>, the “Lost Shark Guy” from the Pacific Shark Research Center at Moss Landing Marine Laboratories (<a href="https://mlml.sjsu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MLML</a>).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hidden-marine-species-among-ocean-life">Hidden marine species among ocean life</h2>



“The ocean covers 71% of our planet, yet it is said that only around 10% of marine life has been discovered so far, leaving an estimated 1-2 million species still undocumented," said Executive Director <a href="https://oceancensus.org/team-member/mitsuyuku-unno/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mitsuyuki Unno</a> of <a href="https://www.nippon-foundation.or.jp/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Nippon Foundation</a> representing the founding partner of the Ocean Census. "



"These latest findings demonstrate how international collaboration can advance our understanding of ocean biodiversity."



Experts say learning about unexplored species can spark fresh approaches to conservation. Documenting them quickly is critical since cataloguing can take over a decade, which creates risks for vulnerable marine <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/filter-feeders-transform-microplastics-into-a-bigger-threat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">creatures</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-snail-with-hidden-value">A snail with hidden value</h2>



A standout discovery involves the turrid <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bright-yellow-margarita-snails-discovered-in-florida-keys/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gastropods</a> known as Turridrupa magnifica. It was found between about 650 and 1,600 feet in waters off New Caledonia and Vanuatu. 



Scientists note these snails carry venomous barbs used to capture prey, and <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17932414/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">related snail compounds</a> have inspired pain relief drugs, including some tested for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/breakthrough-cancer-cells-have-a-molecular-switch-that-could-be-rewired-to-behave-normally/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cancer</a> treatment.



Its potential medical applications symbolize the practical significance of identifying new lifeforms. 



Locating <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-species-of-tree-snake-with-completely-black-eyes-is-discovered/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rare species</a> can lead to breakthroughs in human health, especially if researchers can examine the biochemical secrets behind their survival.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-fresh-octocoral-in-the-maldives">A fresh octocoral in the Maldives</h2>



A newly found Octocoral genus in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drowning-mangroves-climate-change-is-pushing-nature-past-its-limits/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Maldives</a> drew excitement from specialists at the Maldives Marine Research Institute. 



This is the first known record of its type in that area. <a href="https://www.abebooks.com/Shallow-Water-Octocorallia-West-Indian-Region-Manual/31967855712/bd" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Octocorals</a> help shore up reef structures and create habitats for countless fish and invertebrates.



Additional research could clarify how these corals protect shorelines from erosion and benefit local fisheries. They highlight the functional roles that relatively unknown organisms can play in underwater <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-ecosystem-sea-creatures-never-before-seen-revealed-antarctica-iceberg-breakup/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecosystems</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-the-new-marine-species">Understanding the new marine species</h2>



“Too many species remain in limbo for years because the process of formally describing them is too slow," stated <a href="https://oceancensus.org/team-member/prof-lucy-woodall/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Prof. Lucy Woodall</a>, Head of Science at <a href="https://oceancensus.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ocean Census</a>.



"We urgently need to change that and adding the Species Discovery step gives us a way to rapidly start the process. Every new species - whether a shark or a sponge - deepens our understanding of marine ecosystems and the benefits they provide for the planet.” 



Taxonomists are taking new steps to expedite this framework by adding interim documentation. The <a href="https://dataplatform.oceancensus.org/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ocean Census Biodiversity Data Platform</a> allows researchers and the public to see entries while more detailed scientific descriptions continue behind the scenes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-refining-the-global-mission">Refining the global mission</h2>



“We’ve pioneered new methods, forged key partnerships, established a global network of participating scientists, and overcome the hurdles of a truly global mission," said <a href="https://oceancensus.org/team-member/oliver-steeds-obe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oliver Steeds</a>, Director of the Ocean Census.&nbsp; 



Steeds also suggests, "We are laying the groundwork to make large-scale species discovery a reality, but our impact will ultimately be determined by how this knowledge is used to support <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-protected-areas-have-spillover-benefits-around-the-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine protection</a>, climate adaptation, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/biodiversity-leaks-conservation-efforts-may-shift-harm-elsewhere/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity conservation</a>."



Leaders of the Ocean Census maintain that collaborative strategies are vital. Collective efforts from more than 400 institutions feed into this decentralized network. 



By grouping different skill sets and resources, they cut the time required to identify new lifeforms in waters from the tropics to the icy poles.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-uniting-innovators-and-organizations">Uniting innovators and organizations</h2>



“<a href="https://schmidtocean.org/">Schmidt Oc</a><a href="https://schmidtocean.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">e</a><a href="https://schmidtocean.org/">an Institute</a> is proud to be a partner of the Ocean Census, whose strength lies in its vast network," said Executive Director of Schmidt Ocean Institute, <a href="https://schmidtocean.org/person/dr-jyotika-virmani/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jyotika Virmani</a>.



"By uniting governments, philanthropic supporters, and leading marine research organizations, we can accelerate the discovery of ocean life at an unprecedented scale,” 



Research institutes, philanthropic foundations, and government agencies are aligning to explore areas that have never been systematically sampled. 



These partnerships allow scientists to map remote habitats with advanced tools, gather specimens with submersibles, and build shared databases for faster and more accurate species registration.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-ahead-ocean-and-marine-life">Looking ahead: Ocean and marine life</h2>



The campaign plans to keep expanding its scope. More expeditions and workshops are slated for 2025, stretching from the Pacific to the Indian and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/carbon-storage-mystery-emerges-in-the-southern-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Southern Oceans</a>. 



Their findings will funnel into the network’s biodiversity platform, reinforcing collective knowledge of hidden <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oceans-cool-the-climate-more-than-previously-realized/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean</a> life.



Experts stress the importance of channeling these discoveries into actions that protect fragile habitats. 



Once researchers confirm a species, that opens doors for environmental policies tailored to safeguard threatened populations or preserve essential ocean corridors.



New developments at the frontier of taxonomy also create opportunities for local communities. 



Some of these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-antarctic-waters-are-cooling-in-a-warming-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">waters</a> serve as essential fishing grounds, so tracking new inhabitants can shed light on how to maintain long-term sustainability.



This study was published in the <a href="https://oceancensus.org/publications/press-release-the-ocean-census-discovers-over-800-new-marine-species/?ftag=YHF4eb9d17" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ocean Census</a>. 



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Guitar-shaped ray species, discovered for the first time, lives in the deep ocean

A massive exploration of ocean life has revealed 866 new...

Peering over the forest-draped ridges of southwestern China, a scar nearly half a mile wide across yawns open, so sheer that light seems to drain straight into the earth. Xiaozhai Tiankeng, also known as the "Heavenly Pit," is the world's largest sinkhole.



 Locals have spoken of Xiaozhai Tiankeng for centuries, yet it was only “discovered” by the wider world in 1994 when a team of British cavers stumbled on its hidden maw.



Measured from rim to floor, the Xiaozhai Heavenly Pit plunges about 2,172 feet - deeper than a stack of six Statues of Liberty - and encloses roughly 4.2 billion cubic feet of space. 



Those numbers secure its place as the planet’s deepest and largest known sinkhole, a title it wears with quiet, vertigo-inducing confidence.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-xiaozhai-tiankeng-a-hidden-giant">Xiaozhai Tiankeng - a hidden giant</h2>



Geologists now read the sinkhole’s striped limestone walls like pages in an epic timeline. Rainwater, slightly acidic after mingling with soil carbon dioxide, seeped through fractures in Triassic-age rock for some 128,000 years. 



Bit by bit, it hollowed out caverns below <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fengjie_County" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fengjie County</a>, until the ceiling finally collapsed and birthed the chasm seen today.



Because the limestone lies high above sea level and is free of clay impurities, water could tunnel unimpeded, carving passages that still channel underground streams. 



The Xiaozhai Tiankeng stands as the textbook example of karst topography - what happens when karst processes are given perfect working conditions - and plenty of monsoon rain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-karst-topography-the-basics">Understanding karst topography - the basics</h2>



<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589471424000202" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Karst topography</a> forms when water slowly eats away at soft, soluble rocks like limestone, dolomite, or gypsum. As rainwater seeps into the ground, it picks up carbon dioxide and turns slightly acidic. That weak acid reacts with the rock, gradually wearing it down.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/sinkholes_karst-topography_diagram-illustration_annotated_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/sinkholes_karst-topography_diagram-illustration_annotated_1s.webp" alt="Water shapes karst landscapes by slowly dissolving soft, soluble rocks like limestone. Over time, this natural process carves out striking features - think sinkholes, hidden caves, and winding underground rivers. You’ll often find these dramatic terrains in rainy regions rich in carbonate rock. Click image to enlarge." class="wp-image-1970449"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Water shapes karst landscapes by slowly dissolving soft, soluble rocks like limestone. Over time, this natural process carves out striking features - think sinkholes, hidden caves, and winding underground rivers. You’ll often find these dramatic terrains in rainy regions rich in carbonate rock. Click image to enlarge.</figcaption></figure>



Over time, the land above starts to sag and collapse, creating sinkholes, disappearing streams, and vast cave systems below the surface. It’s a quiet, powerful transformation that reshapes the landscape from the inside out.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-xiaozhai-tiankeng-got-its-name">How Xiaozhai Tiankeng got its name</h2>



Chinese researchers classify this colossus as a tiankeng, a term reserved for sinkholes at least 328 feet deep and wide, each harboring a river at its base. 



The word translates variously as “heavenly pit” or “sky hole,” both fitting nods to the feeling one gets while peering over the edge. Of the 75 such features documented worldwide, about 50 cluster inside China’s humid karst belts.



The Xiaozhai example dwarfs its peers: it stretches roughly 1,676 to 2,054 feet long and 984 to 1,762 feet across, dimensions that defy easy comparison yet satisfy every benchmark geologists set for these rare landforms.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-long-layered-steep-descent">Long, layered, steep descent</h2>



Two enormous “bowls” stack inside the chasm, each dropping more than 984 feet before giving way to the next terrace. 



After heavy summer storms, a temporary waterfall pours over the rim and ribbons down the vertical walls, then vanishes into the stone. 



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/sinkhole_worlds-largest_Xiaozai-Tiankang_bottom-view_Credit-Research-Gate_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/sinkhole_worlds-largest_Xiaozai-Tiankang_bottom-view_Credit-Research-Gate_1s.webp" alt="View along the floor of the Qinlong Tiankeng, towards the natural bridge at its western end, in the Wulong Sanqiao Park. Credit: ResearchGate" class="wp-image-1970451"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">View along the floor of the Qinlong Tiankeng, towards the natural bridge at its western end, in the Wulong Sanqiao Park. Click image to enlarge. Credit: ResearchGate</figcaption></figure>



Where the stream briefly reappears, it leaps in a single 151-foot plunge that echoes through the darkness below.



Scrambling down is a workout: concrete stairways cling to corners of the cliff, but many scientists still rope in, carrying sensors and sampling kits on their harnesses. 



The sense of scale - walls so high the sky shrinks to a blue rectangle - never quite fades.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-life-inside-xiaozhai-tiankeng">Life inside Xiaozhai Tiankeng</h2>



Sunlight weakens but never disappears, nurturing a green haze of ferns, mosses, and towering ginkgo biloba trees. 



Biologists have counted 1,285 plant and animal species in this natural greenhouse, including the elusive clouded leopard, whose total wild population is thought to number fewer than 10,000. 



Dense humidity and steady temperatures create a pocket climate unlike anything on the surrounding plateau.



Winged insects flit among orchids; amphibians breed in clear pools; vines cling to walls slick with mist. 



Each tier supports its own community, separated by the same height difference that splits mountain life into bands. To ecologists, the pit is a ready-made laboratory for studying evolution in vertical space.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-river-runs-through-it">A river runs through it</h2>



Near the foot of the second bowl, the Difeng cave yawns open, swallowing a crystal stream that has already traveled 5.3 miles underground. 



The water’s final above-ground act is that 151-foot curtain, after which it threads the darkness beneath the sinkhole and resurfaces downstream at the cliffs of the Migong River. 



Flow-rate monitors reveal seasonal surges that match regional rainfall, tying surface weather to hidden hydrology.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/sinkhole_worlds-largest_Xiaozai-Tiankang_Credit-Research-Gate_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/sinkhole_worlds-largest_Xiaozai-Tiankang_Credit-Research-Gate_1s.webp" alt="Xiaozhai Tiankeng seen from the southern rim; the path down the stone steps is obscured by trees and shrubs-it curves round to the right and descends the steep debris fan inside the lower pit. Credit: ResearchGate" class="wp-image-1970447"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Xiaozhai Tiankeng seen from the southern rim; the path down the stone steps is obscured by trees and shrubs-it curves round to the right and descends the steep debris fan inside the lower pit. Click image to enlarge. Credit: ResearchGate</figcaption></figure>



Mapping that labyrinth has never been easy. Speleologists tried five times in a decade to trace the torrent from end to end; each expedition turned back amid roar and spray, equipment battered by sudden rises in water level. 



The cave remains one of China’s least charted river systems, a reminder that even in the GPS era some coordinates resist tidy lines.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-karst-topography-and-xiaozhai-tiankeng">Karst topography and Xiaozhai Tiankeng</h2>



Field teams from Chongqing’s Institute of Karst Geology, often joined by overseas colleagues, now lower radar probes, deploy microclimate loggers, and sample sediments for isotopic clocks that refine the sinkhole’s birth date. 



Their findings feed global climate models and offer clues to safeguarding groundwater in limestone regions where pollution can spread in hours.



Yet the pit keeps its mystique. Nearby villagers swap tales of dragons curling inside the void or celestial doors hidden behind the waterfall. 



Trekkers on the steep trail say the silence at the bottom feels otherworldly, broken only by dripping water and the occasional flap of a bat. 



Maybe that mix of hard data and lingering legend is why the Xiaozhai Tiankeng continues to draw scientists, adventurers, and curious travelers alike - each hoping to understand, if only for a moment, how water, rock, and time conspired to open a doorway straight through the Earth’s surface.



This story was adapted from a report by the BBC, <a href="https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p0crc7bb/china-s-huge-and-mysterious-xiaozhai-tiankeng-sinkhole" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">which you can watch here…</a>



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World’s largest sinkhole showcases the power and beauty of nature

Peering over the forest-draped ridges of southwestern China, a scar...

By 2030, more than a billion adolescents aged 10 to 24 will still be growing up in countries where basic health risks remain widespread. 



Issues like HIV/AIDS, early pregnancy, unsafe sex, poor mental health, malnutrition, and injury are expected to continue threatening adolescent well-being - despite being largely preventable or treatable.



These are the findings of a new report from the second Lancet Commission on Adolescent Health and Well-being. The researchers concluded that the world is making slow, uneven progress - and many young people are at risk of being left behind.



“The health and well-being of adolescents worldwide is at a tipping point,” said Professor Sarah Baird of <a href="https://www.gwu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">George Washington University</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mixed-gains-for-teen-health">Mixed gains for teen health</h2>



The new report updates a landmark 2016 Commission by examining changes over the past ten years. It shows some positive signs. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/smoking-cigarettes-accelerates-aging/">Smoking</a> and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alcohol-and-depression-study-challenges-self-medication-theory/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">alcohol</a> use among adolescents are down. More young people are finishing high school and attending college. But these gains are overshadowed by rising problems. 



In some parts of Africa and Asia, adolescent obesity rates have jumped eightfold. Mental health issues are becoming more severe and widespread.



Even more concerning is how little has changed in key areas. In 2016, about 1 billion adolescents lived in what the Commission terms “multi-burden countries” - places where young people face multiple, daily health threats. That number has now grown to nearly 1.1 billion. Projections show that without urgent action, it will still top a billion by 2030.



Investing in young people's health and well-being is essential to securing our shared future. “We must prioritize investment in adolescent health and wellbeing through initiatives including those that strengthen schools to promote health and wellbeing and to ensure universal access to healthcare for adolescents,” said Baird.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-growing-health-risks-for-adolescents">Growing health risks for adolescents</h2>



One of the most alarming trends is the state of adolescent <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mental-health-the-hidden-casualty-of-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mental health</a>. In countries with data, mental health among young people has worsened over the last 30 years. 



The COVID-19 pandemic made things even harder. By 2030, mental illness and suicide will cost adolescents 42 million healthy life years - 2 million more than in 2015.



Another issue is anemia, especially among girls. Nearly one in three adolescent girls could be anaemic by 2030. The condition is linked to fatigue, poor growth, and - in severe cases - organ damage. Yet progress in addressing it has been slow.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/obesity-is-linked-to-32-cancer-types-that-could-drive-40-of-cases/">Obesity</a> is also increasing at a worrying pace. By 2030, one-third of adolescents in high-income countries, Latin America, and the Middle East may exceed recommended weight. Global numbers will rise to 464 million, up from 321 million in 2015.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-demographic-shifts-and-global-progress">Demographic shifts and global progress </h2>



Professor Alex Ezeh of Drexel University noted that demographic shifts will continue to drive global progress - or lack thereof - in adolescent health and well-being.



“Africa’s share of global adolescents will increase from under 25% currently to more than 46% by 2100," said Professor Ezeh.



"Consequently, progress in improving the health and well-being of adolescents in Africa will increasingly determine progress in improving the health and well-being of adolescents globally.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-challenge-of-climate-change">The challenge of climate change</h2>



The Commission points to two emerging issues that will shape adolescent health in the decades to come: climate change and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-does-digital-technology-influence-our-sense-of-self/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">digital technology</a>.



Climate change is already impacting today’s youth. For the first time, a generation will grow up with global temperatures consistently 0.5°C above pre-industrial levels. 



By 2100, that could rise to 2.8°C. This increase brings serious risks - heat-related illnesses, reduced food and water supplies, and mental health problems linked to climate trauma.



A new review by the Commission shows both sudden disasters (like hurricanes) and slower events (like long-term food insecurity) are harming adolescents' mental health. Conditions like PTSD, anxiety, and depression are on the rise.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-social-media-and-mental-health">Social media and mental health </h2>



Digital life is another double-edged sword. On the one hand, it gives adolescents access to new learning, work, and health tools. On the other, it replaces many in-person experiences with online ones. 



Though research is limited, concern is growing over social media’s impact on mental health. The Commission calls for balance - early protective steps without harsh restrictions that could isolate young people further.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-adolescent-aid-is-underfunded">Adolescent aid is underfunded</h2>



Despite the scale of these challenges, funding has not kept pace. Adolescents make up 25% of the world’s population and face 9% of the global disease burden. Yet only 2.4% of global aid is directed toward their health and wellbeing.



The Commission argues this is a poor investment strategy. Spending on adolescents yields results equal to or greater than investing in early childhood. 



But funding often goes to adults or younger children, partly because adolescent health lacks strong leadership and coordination at both global and national levels.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-strategies-to-protect-adolescent-health">Strategies to protect adolescent health</h2>



Dr. Aaron Jenkins of the University of Sydney said that he is profoundly encouraged by our Second Lancet Commission on adolescent health and well-being, which embraces the ecological foundations of human well-being.



"For the first time, we are identifying and encouraging interventions that simultaneously advance adolescent health, ecological integrity, biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, and social justice.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-youth-led-push-for-change">A youth-led push for change</h2>



The research stands out for how it involved young people. Ten youth commissioners aged 23 to 35 helped lead the work, representing diverse sectors like academia, civil society, and international organizations. Their experiences and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/employees-win-empowered-trust/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">leadership</a> shaped the final recommendations. 



In addition, more than 200 adolescents from 36 countries participated in Youth Solution Labs to identify top priorities and solutions.



“Young people are navigating a rapidly changing world, and through this Commission we’ve heard the diverse and alarming concerns adolescents have about their health,” said Youth Commissioner Dr. Shakira Choonara. 



“However, there are also opportunities - and we've seen firsthand and through the Commission findings how adolescents are already stepping up as active citizens and powerful agents of change.”



“I am deeply inspired by the change youth leaders are bringing to their communities and to the global landscape. Investing in and engaging with our generation will build a healthier, more empowered, and better-equipped generation of future leaders.”



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(25)00503-3/abstract" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Lancet</a>.



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
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Over a billion adolescents face a major health crisis by 2030

By 2030, more than a billion adolescents aged 10 to...

A walk in the forest often brings peace, calm, and a deep sense of renewal. From ancient times to modern therapy practices, forests have stood as symbols of balance and healing. But not all forests heal equally. 



As cities grow and public health concerns rise, scientists are uncovering how the design and structure of forests matter. The health benefits we get from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cities-in-the-global-south-have-far-less-green-space/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">green spaces</a>, especially forests, depend not just on their presence, but on what they are made of.



A new study from the University of Surrey and the <a href="https://www.ugent.be/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Ghent</a> sheds light on this. Working with partners across Europe, the research team explored how specific features of forests influence human health. 



The findings mark a major step in understanding the complex links between ecological structure and wellbeing.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forest-traits-and-human-health-benefits">Forest traits and human health benefits </h2>



The study, which is part of the larger Dr. Forest research project, included 164 forests across five European countries. The researchers focused on seven ecological characteristics and their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/urban-green-spaces-are-urgently-needed-across-the-global-south/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">influence</a> on various health outcomes.



The forests were not selected at random. They varied in structure, species mix, and density, allowing researchers to draw comparisons. This wide range of forest types provided a rare opportunity to explore how real-world differences affect human experiences and health.



The goal was not to judge forests as good or bad, but to understand how their differences shaped people’s health responses. What emerged was a nuanced view. Forests benefit health, but their structure can amplify or limit those effects.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-power-of-tree-diversity">The power of tree diversity</h2>



One of the key traits studied was tree species diversity. The findings showed that more diverse forests offered modest but positive health <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/urban-tree-layout-influences-human-health-and-mortality-rates/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">outcomes</a>. These effects were not dramatic, but they were consistent enough to support the idea that diversity is beneficial.



Tree diversity does not just matter for human health. It also supports broader biodiversity, helping insects, birds, and mammals thrive. This makes it a safe, low-risk strategy for forest managers aiming to enhance public health while improving ecosystem resilience.



More tree species create different textures, shapes, and colors, making forests more visually stimulating and ecologically stable. These aspects can subtly influence how people feel and behave when they visit such areas. 



While the direct health impacts may be limited, the indirect ones, through enhanced engagement and ecosystem strength, are valuable.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-canopy-structure-a-major-influence">Canopy structure: A major influence</h2>



Among the ecological features studied, canopy structure had the strongest impact. Dense canopies reduce heat by offering shade and help regulate the forest's internal climate. They also provide larger leaf surfaces, which trap fine particulate matter and improve air quality.



These benefits are especially important in urban settings, where heatwaves and pollution are on the rise. In such contexts, a well-structured canopy becomes more than a luxury. It is a necessity. The cooling effect alone can reduce heat stress and the risk of heat-related illnesses.



Yet, there are trade-offs. Denser canopies create more humid conditions. While that is good for moisture-loving plants, it also creates ideal habitats for ticks, which carry Lyme disease. 



In addition, less sunlight reaches the forest floor. This limits the growth of medicinal plants, reducing some of the forest's potential healing properties.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mental-health-gains-beyond-structure">Mental health gains beyond structure</h2>



Perhaps the most consistent finding across the study was the benefit of simply being in a forest. Regardless of structure or biodiversity, spending time in a forest improved mental wellbeing. People reported lower anxiety and stress, along with more positive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/surprising-mental-health-benefits-of-living-near-green-spaces/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">emotions</a>.



What enhanced these effects was how natural and biodiverse the forest felt to the visitor. Forests that looked wild, vibrant, and untamed tended to offer more psychological relief. This suggests that human perception plays a key role in shaping forest-based experiences.



“Our study shows that forests generally provide a mental health benefit, reducing anxiety and stress, regardless of their biodiversity or structure. As one in six people in England experience anxiety and depression each week, this research suggests that simply being in a forest can improve mental health,” noted Dr. Melissa Marselle, a lecturer in environmental psychology at the <a href="https://www.surrey.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Surrey</a>.



“For the UK, this means preserving urban forests so people can easily access forests where they live, work and play for their mental wellbeing. Contact with forests could be prescribed by the NHS, as research shows that NHS nature prescriptions are effective at improving mental health.” 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-designing-healthier-cities-with-forests">Designing healthier cities with forests </h2>



The study points to a pressing need in urban planning. It is not enough to plant trees and call it a forest. The structure, layout, and biodiversity of these spaces must be considered. Urban forests should reduce heat, absorb pollution, and offer mental rest.



This involves difficult trade-offs. Canopy density must balance between cooling the environment and letting in enough light. Species choices should consider both ecological function and visual appeal. Forests must feel natural to the human eye while also being safe and accessible.



Planners and health professionals can now use this evidence to shape better public spaces. Health services could integrate forest access into mental health treatments. Parks could be designed not just for recreation but also for healing. In a time when stress-related disorders are rising, these changes could make a meaningful difference.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forests-are-essential-tools-for-public-health">Forests are essential tools for public health</h2>



This research redefines the role of forests. No longer just natural assets or scenic spots, they emerge as powerful contributors to public health. But their power lies in their details. Forests must be built, preserved, and managed with intention.



Tree diversity adds depth and life. Canopy structure shapes the microclimate and air. Visitor perceptions tie it all together. Forests that feel alive and balanced bring calm and strength to those who enter them.



Nature has always played a quiet role in healing. Now, with evidence in hand, we have the chance to shape that role more deliberately. Managed well, forests can support both ecosystems and the people who rely on them for peace and mental clarity.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-025-01547-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Sustainability</a>.



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Forests provide different health benefits based on their structure

A walk in the forest often brings peace, calm, and...

As oceans warm and coral reefs bleach, marine life must respond fast or disappear. Among the reef's colorful residents, clownfish have shown an unexpected way to survive. These fish, famous from Finding Nemo, shrink their bodies during heatwaves. 



This is not just about losing weight. Clownfish actually reduce their length, and it helps them stay alive.



A new study published in the journal Science Advances documents this discovery. Researchers from <a href="https://www.ncl.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Newcastle University</a> and partner institutions tracked 134 clownfish in Kimbe Bay, Papua New Guinea.



The study lasted five lunar months, during a time when water temperatures rose well above average. Researchers measured each <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-pushing-freshwater-fish-toward-the-poles/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fish</a> and recorded the heat they experienced. The results were surprising and important.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-clownfish-shrink-their-bodies-to-survive">Clownfish shrink their bodies to survive</h2>



Shrinking in adult <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-jellyfish-day-2024-protecting-the-health-of-our-oceans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vertebrates</a> is rare. Yet during this study, 71 percent of dominant females and 79 percent of subordinate males shrank at least once. Most of these shrinkages happened during a single lunar month. 



However, 41 percent of the fish shrank more than once. These were not accidents or isolated events. The response was consistent and widespread.



“This is not just about getting skinnier under stressful conditions, these fish are actually getting shorter. We don’t know yet exactly how they do it, but we do know that a few other animals can do this too," noted Melissa Versteeg, the study’s lead author.



"For example, marine iguanas can reabsorb some of their bone material to also shrink during times of environmental stress."



The shrinking was reversible. Some fish even showed catch-up growth later. This reveals a flexible growth system that adjusts based on current conditions. It allows fish to temporarily shrink and then grow again when conditions improve.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-higher-ranked-clownfish-shrink-more-often">Higher-ranked clownfish shrink more often</h2>



The chance that a clownfish would shrink depended on its size and its social role. Larger dominant females started shrinking at around 80 mm (about 3.15 inches). Subordinate males began shrinking at about 61 mm (about 2.40 inches). 



Larger fish have higher metabolic needs. Shrinking may help lower those demands during heat stress.



Shrinking also helps <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reef-fish-populations-are-boosted-by-ocean-connectivity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fish</a> manage social tension. Within clownfish pairs, size ratios are important. If those ratios shift too much, conflict can arise. 



Dominant fish were less likely to shrink when their partners were much smaller. This indicates a strategy that balances both physical survival and social peace.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shrinking-together-helps-fish-survive">Shrinking together helps fish survive </h2>



The study observed eleven deaths during the heatwave. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/overfishing-has-caused-a-50-decline-in-sharks-and-rays/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fish</a> that shrank were more likely to survive. A single shrinking event improved survival chances by 78 percent. 



All fish that shrank multiple times survived the entire study. The best survival rates occurred when both fish in a breeding pair shrank. Coordinated shrinking helped preserve social structure and reduced conflict.



“It was a surprise to see how rapidly clownfish can adapt to a changing environment and we witnessed how flexibly they regulated their size, as individuals and as breeding pairs, in response to heat stress as a successful technique to help them survive,” Versteeg said.



This behavior shows how social and environmental factors interact. Clownfish are not just reacting to heat. They are responding as pairs, and that cooperation improves their chances.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heat-stress-triggers-the-change">Heat stress triggers the change</h2>



The research found a direct link between local heat stress and growth changes. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/aquaculture-impacts-wild-fish-much-more-than-we-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fish</a> exposed to higher temperatures during the same month showed some growth. 



However, those who experienced high heat the previous month were more likely to shrink. This shows that shrinking can be a delayed reaction to stress.



“Our findings show that individual fish can shrink in response to heat stress, which is further impacted by social conflict, and that shrinking can lead to improving their chances of survival,” noted Dr. Theresa Rueger, senior author of the study. 



“If individual shrinking were widespread and happening among different species of fish, it could provide a plausible alternative hypothesis for why the size many fish species is declining and further studies are needed in this area.” 



This points to a new explanation for shrinking fish sizes across the world. It may not just be about juvenile growth or food shortages. Adult fish could be shrinking to survive.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-trade-offs-of-being-smaller">Trade-offs of being smaller</h2>



While shrinking helps individuals survive, it may have long-term costs. In clownfish, reproductive output depends on body size. Smaller fish lay fewer eggs. So even if more fish survive a heatwave, fewer offspring may be produced.



Smaller fish may also offer less protection or nutrition to their host anemones. However, current evidence suggests that the number of fish matters more than their size in these partnerships. That means shrinking may not harm mutualism in the short term.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-many-fish-species-might-also-shrink">Many fish species might also shrink </h2>



Across ecosystems, scientists are seeing body sizes shrink. This is now considered one of three universal responses to climate change, along with changes in migration patterns and shifts in species distributions. 



Most studies focus on changes across generations. But this research shows that adult fish can also change their size.



This means that shrinking might be happening more often than we think. The clownfish offers a clear, measurable example. Other reef fish that are site-attached and exposed to temperature extremes may do the same.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-clownfish-shrinking-is-not-fully-understood">Clownfish shrinking is not fully understood</h2>



The exact mechanism behind clownfish shrinking remains unknown. It may involve tissue resorption or hormonal changes. In other animals, thyroid hormones drop during heat stress and affect growth. These possibilities need to be tested in lab conditions.



The gill-oxygen limitation theory also provides a clue. Larger bodies require more oxygen, but fish gills have a limited surface area. 



Shrinking may help balance oxygen demand when temperatures rise. Alternatively, food shortages during heatwaves may make smaller bodies more energy-efficient.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-clownfish-show-new-ways-of-adaption">Clownfish show new ways of adaption</h2>



Clownfish have shown that survival in a warming world might involve unexpected changes. They shrink in response to heat, and coordinate that change with their partner. 



The fish adapt quickly and reversibly. This flexible response may help their populations persist, even as oceans grow hotter.



This discovery opens new questions. Are other reef fish using similar strategies? Can this plasticity be passed to future generations? And can we use this knowledge to better protect vulnerable reef communities?



One thing is clear. In the battle against climate change, even the smallest fish are making bold moves. Shrinking may not seem like much. But for the clownfish, it could be the difference between survival and extinction.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adt7079" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>. 



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Clownfish physically shrink their bodies to survive heatwaves

As oceans warm and coral reefs bleach, marine life must...

Waiting is hard. Whether it’s a child eyeing a cookie or a sea creature hovering above a crab, the tug between “now” and “later” shapes daily choices. Across species, holding off for a better payoff often pairs with sharper thinking and long-term success.



Scientists have tracked this link for decades in humans and chimpanzees, yet evidence in animals without fur or feathers has been thin.



A new study puts cuttlefish at center stage with the famous "marshmallow test," and shows that these soft-bodied hunters can summon patience - and brainpower - to rival some of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/young-chimpanzees-take-risks-like-human-teens/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">flashiest vertebrates</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-patience-marshmallows-and-cuttlefish">Patience, marshmallows, and cuttlefish</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/crows-can-recognize-geometric-patterns-in-shapes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Self-control</a> is the mental brake that lets an individual pass up an immediate bite for a bigger meal down the road. In people, stronger self-control predicts better grades, steadier income, and healthier habits. 



Among animals, apes, parrots, and crows often wait, while <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/monkeys-with-greater-social-tolerance-have-more-self-control/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">monkeys</a>, rats, and pigeons seldom do. Biologists think the variation reflects how each species makes a living.



Lifespan, growth rate, and food supply all shape patience. Long-lived creatures can afford to wait, and social animals may hold back until a partner arrives. 



Predators stalking elusive prey, from ravens to reef fish, also do well to bide their time. Untangling which factor matters most is tough because many well-studied vertebrates share several of those traits.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-undersea-cuttlefish-marshmallow-test">Undersea cuttlefish marshmallow test</h2>



The famous marshmallow test gave preschoolers one marshmallow right away or two if they waited 15 minutes. 



To translate that setup underwater, the team offered hungry cuttlefish a piece of ordinary shrimp and, behind a clear barrier, a tastier live grass shrimp. 



Sliding doors let each animal see both treats while controlling when each became reachable.



Some cuttlefish snatched the plain snack at once. Others hovered, watched, and resisted for more than two minutes, choosing the better catch when the moment came. 



Individual wait times ranged from 50 to 130 seconds, figures that match those reported for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bird-brain-study-will-shed-new-light-on-avian-intelligence/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">parrots and crows</a> despite the cephalopods’ far shorter lifespan.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-did-they-perform">How did they perform?</h2>



The work comes from lead author Alexandra Schnell of the <a href="https://www.cam.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Cambridge</a>, who collaborated with <a href="https://www.mbl.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marine Biological Laboratory</a> senior scientist Roger Hanlon and colleagues. 



“We used an adapted version of the Stanford marshmallow test, where children were given a choice of taking an immediate reward (1 marshmallow) or waiting to earn a delayed but better reward (2 marshmallows),” Schnell explained.



The cuttlefish that participated in the marshmallow study were able to wait for the better reward, tolerating delays of up to 50–130 seconds. 



This is comparable to what we see in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/animal-intelligence-did-not-evolve-due-to-natural-selection/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">large-brained vertebrates</a> such as chimpanzees, crows, and parrots.



Patience alone would be interesting, yet the researchers also asked whether it linked to learning ability. They trained each animal to match a colored mark on the tank wall with food, then reversed the rule so the reward switched colors. 



“The cuttlefish that were quickest at learning both of those associations were better at exerting self-control,” Schnell continued.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-patience-pays-off">Patience pays off</h2>



Reversal learning tests <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tiny-songbirds-are-masters-of-memory-and-adaptation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mental flexibility</a> because an animal must suppress a habit and update its plan when conditions flip. 



In the study, individual cuttlefish that waited the longest in the marshmallow food test also adapted fastest when the color code changed. 



The pairing hints that the brain circuits holding an impulsive tentacle in check may also help rewrite memories on the fly.



The findings appeared in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, marking the first documented link between delayed gratification and intelligence outside the primate lineage. 



For researchers, that pushes <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/horses-demonstrate-an-unanticipated-level-of-intelligence/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">complex cognition</a> deeper into the tree of life and invites fresh questions about how such abilities evolve among invertebrates.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-cuttlefish-wait-on-the-marshmallow">Why cuttlefish wait on the marshmallow</h2>



Cuttlefish spend <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cuttlefish-camouflage-is-much-more-complex-and-mind-boggling-than-initially-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">most of their time camouflaging</a>, sitting and waiting, punctuated by brief periods of foraging. 



“They break camouflage when they forage, so they are exposed to every predator in the ocean that wants to eat them," Schnell concluded. 



"We speculate that delayed gratification may have evolved as a by-product of this, so the cuttlefish can optimize foraging by waiting to choose better-quality food.”



That scenario fits their daily routine. A cuttlefish <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cuttlefish-use-camouflage-to-stalk-unsuspecting-crabs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">can blend its skin</a> with pebbles or coral in less than a second, then freeze for hours. 



Every dash into open water risks a chase from cod, dolphins, or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dna-fishing-helps-scientists-survey-marine-life-in-the-deep-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bigger cephalopods</a>, so selecting the richest prey while exposed could boost energy intake without extra danger.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-finding-intelligence-everywhere-we-look">Finding intelligence everywhere we look</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sex-chromosome-discovered-in-octopuses-is-480-million-years-old/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Octopuses</a> and squids already headline stories for maze solving and coconut-shell shelter building, yet cuttlefish now join them as evidence that big brains are not the only route to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cuttlefish-form-false-memories-events-similar-human-brains/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sophisticated behavior</a>. 



Similar challenges - avoiding predators while hunting nimble prey - can mold very different nervous systems into comparable solutions through <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/evolutionary-deja-vu-the-symbiotic-relationships-of-trees-and-ants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">convergent evolution</a>.



Self-control underpins planning, cooperation, and perhaps the roots of culture in vertebrates. 



Finding the same thread in a creature that last shared an ancestor with humans more than 500 million years ago suggests that patience is more than a moral virtue; it is a versatile strategy etched deep into the fabric of life.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2020.3161" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the Royal Society B</a>.



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Cuttlefish easily passed a test designed for kids, startling scientists with their high intelligence level

Waiting is hard. Whether it’s a child eyeing a cookie...

Not all traditions make sense. That’s true for humans, and maybe even monkeys, as we are about to learn. We humans are experts at passing down habits, rituals, and cultural quirks that don’t always have a clear purpose. 



Why do we knock on wood or toss salt over our shoulder? Half the time, we’re just copying what we’ve seen others do. 



Scientists have long wondered: do animals do this too? Can they pass along behaviors that seem… well, pointless?



Turns out, maybe they can. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-capuchin-monkeys-and-baby-howlers">Capuchin monkeys and baby howlers</h2>



On a remote island in Panama, researchers spent over a year watching a group of young male capuchin monkeys do something bizarre: they started grabbing and carrying around baby howler monkeys from another species. 



This wasn't a one-off event - it happened again and again, involving five different capuchins from the same group. Even more fascinating, these are the same monkeys known for a rare tradition of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/capuchin-monkeys-use-clever-tools-to-access-food/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">using stone tools</a>. 



The scientists tracked how this odd “howler abduction” behavior began with one curious monkey and slowly caught on with others. 



And here's the kicker: this trend, strange as it seems, may have spread the same way their more practical tool-use habits did - through <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/social-tolerance-helps-monkeys-pass-along-new-skills/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">social learning</a>, imitation, and the powerful pull of monkey see, monkey do.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-capuchin-baby-abduction">Studying capuchin baby abduction</h2>



Researchers from the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior (<a href="https://www.ab.mpg.de/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MPI-AB</a>) and other institutions began monitoring these capuchins in Coiba National Park back in 2017.



Their camera traps were designed to capture the tool-using behaviors of the primates. But in 2022, something unexpected showed up in the footage.



“It was so weird that I went straight to my advisor’s office to ask him what it was,” remembered Zoë Goldsborough, who is conducting her dissertation at MPI-AB.



What she saw was a capuchin carrying an infant <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/howler-monkeys-use-mental-maps-for-route-navigation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">howler monkey</a>. Nothing like it had appeared before in five years of data. Curious and concerned, the researchers decided to dig deeper.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-first-observation-of-unusual-behavior">First observation of unusual behavior</h2>



Goldsborough began reviewing the footage from every motion-triggered camera on the island. She found more than just a single instance. 



There were actually four different howler infants being carried. And in most of the clips, the carrier was the same capuchin: a young male they nicknamed “Joker.”



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/capuchin-monkey_abduction_howler-monkey-baby_credit-MPI_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/capuchin-monkey_abduction_howler-monkey-baby_credit-MPI_1s.webp" alt="A young male white-faced capuchin monkey carrying a baby howler monkey, caught by a remote camera trap on Jicarón. Credit: Brendan Barrett / Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior" class="wp-image-1970602"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A young male white-faced capuchin monkey carrying a baby howler monkey, caught by a remote camera trap on Jicarón. Click image to enlarge. Credit: Brendan Barrett / Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior</figcaption></figure>



This raised new questions. How did Joker get the babies? And why was he carrying them?



“At first, we thought it could be adoption,” said Goldsborough.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cross-species-adoption">Cross-species adoption </h2>



There are rare stories of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wild-bonobos-adopt-infants-outside-of-their-social-group/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animals adopting</a> babies of other species. In one famous case, a pair of capuchins adopted a marmoset and raised it to adulthood. 



But there was a catch. Adoption is typically done by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/female-monkeys-with-strong-friendships-survive-longer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">females</a>, often as a way to practice mothering. This made Joker’s behavior especially unusual.



“The fact that a male was the exclusive carrier of these babies was an important piece of the puzzle,” she adds.



For a while, nothing else surfaced. The team assumed it was an isolated case. Capuchins are known for trying new things, so one monkey acting oddly wasn’t too surprising.



“We’d decided that it was one individual trying something new,” said Brendan Barrett, a group leader at MPI-AB.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-other-capuchins-start-stealing-babies">Other capuchins start stealing babies</h2>



Five months later, the researchers hit pay dirt. The cameras captured more footage of howler infants being carried - this time by multiple monkeys. The infants were verified as separate individuals by a howler monkey expert from Ithaca College.



And now Joker had company. Four other young male capuchins were also carrying howler babies.



In a span of just 15 months, five capuchins carried a total of 11 howler infants. Each baby clung to the back or belly of its carrier. 



The monkeys didn’t change their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/saving-the-cultural-legacy-of-wild-animals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">daily routines</a>. They kept traveling and using tools, even with a baby howler in tow.



“The complete timeline tells us a fascinating story of one individual who started a random behavior, which was taken up with increasing speed by other young males,” said Barrett.



The team documented the entire timeline on an interactive website. What emerged was a new kind of social tradition - what the researchers described as a cultural fad. 



Like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/photographer-captures-killer-whales-wearing-fish-hats/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">whales wearing salmon hats</a> or chimpanzees sticking blades of grass in their ears, the capuchins appeared to be mimicking one another.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sad-side-of-animal-research">Sad side of animal research</h2>



But unlike other animal fads, this one had troubling consequences. The howler infants were very young - less than four weeks old. 



Their parents were seen nearby, calling to them from the trees. Four of the babies died. The researchers believe none of them survived.



"The capuchins didn’t hurt the babies,” stressed Goldsborough, “but they couldn’t provide the milk that infants need to survive.”



So what did the capuchins get out of it? Nothing obvious. They didn’t eat the infants, interact with them playfully, or receive any extra attention from others in their group.



“We don’t see any clear benefit to the capuchins,” said Goldsborough, “but we also don’t see any clear costs, although it might make tool use a little trickier.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-does-all-of-this-mean">What does all of this mean?</h2>



This may be the first recorded case of a social tradition where animals repeatedly abduct and carry the young of another species - without any benefit to themselves. 



It also shows that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-are-not-the-only-animals-that-create-their-own-culture/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">culture in animals</a> isn’t always functional or harmless.



“We show that non-human animals also have the capacity to evolve cultural traditions without clear functions but with destructive outcomes for the world around them,” commented Barrett.



This opens up a deeper question.



“The more interesting question is not ‘why did this tradition arise?’ but rather ‘why here?’”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-do-capuchins-innovate-out-of-boredom">Do capuchins innovate out of boredom?</h2>



These same capuchins are also the only ones known to use <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/capuchin-monkeys-use-clever-tools-to-access-food/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stone tools</a> on Jicarón Island. They crack nuts and shellfish with stones. And just like the howler-carrying behavior, this tool use is performed only by males.



Why these traditions? Why only males?



“Survival appears easy on Jicarón. There are no predators and few competitors, which gives capuchins lots of time and little to do,” said Meg Crofoot, managing director at MPI-AB.



“It seems this ‘luxurious’ life set the scene for these social animals to be innovators. This new tradition shows us that necessity need not be the mother of invention. For a highly intelligent monkey living in a safe, perhaps even under-stimulating environment, boredom and free time might be sufficient.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-impact-on-howler-monkeys">Potential impact on howler monkeys</h2>



The camera trapping period ended in July 2023. It’s still unclear if the behavior is continuing. If it spreads or begins to impact the local howler monkey population, which is an endangered species, it could become a serious conservation issue.



“Witnessing the spread of this behavior had a profound effect on all of us,” said Crofoot. 



“We therefore feel even more responsible to keep learning from this natural population of primates who, to our knowledge, are the only ones on earth to be practicing this strange tradition.”



The story unfolding on Jicarón Island is a reminder that animals, like humans, can be deeply influenced by their peers. 



Sometimes, those influences lead to remarkable adaptations. Other times, they can lead to something far more puzzling.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0960982225003720" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a>.



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Capuchin monkeys have developed a very disturbing 'social tradition' of abducting babies

Not all traditions make sense. That’s true for humans, and...

What do chickens and women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have in common? Quite a lot, it seems. A common diabetes drug - metformin - may bridge their reproductive challenges.



Researchers at <a href="https://www.psu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Penn State</a> have made an unexpected discovery. Metformin, often prescribed for type 2 diabetes and PCOS in humans, can boost egg-laying in aging chickens. 



The findings could change poultry farming while offering insights into <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sperm-have-a-heat-activated-switch-that-may-be-key-to-fertility/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reproductive health</a> across species.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-older-hens-lose-fertility-fast">Older hens lose fertility fast</h2>



Broiler breeder hens are specially bred for one goal: producing the chickens people eat. These hens give birth to fast-growing offspring, allowing the meat industry to meet global demand. 



But this intense selection has a downside. As these hens age, they struggle to lay <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/male-infertility-screening-will-be-drastically-improved-with-ai/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fertile</a> eggs. Their reproductive efficiency drops sharply after a certain point.



The decline in egg production has puzzled researchers for years. It mirrors certain characteristics of PCOS in women - a disorder marked by irregular cycles and hormonal imbalances. 



Scientists began to ask whether a treatment effective in women could also improve egg-laying in chickens. Their attention turned to metformin.



PCOS is the most common endocrine disorder in women. It affects an estimated 4% to 12% of the female population. Many women with PCOS experience infertility due to hormonal disruptions and insulin resistance. 



Metformin, while not originally developed for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/air-pollution-and-traffic-noise-increase-risk-of-infertility/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reproductive health</a>, has become a key treatment option for managing PCOS symptoms.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-metformin-boosts-hormone-health">Metformin boosts hormone health </h2>



In a 2023 study published in Reproduction, Penn State researchers tested metformin on broiler breeder hens. Over a span of 40 weeks, a group of hens received small daily doses of the drug. 



The team monitored their reproductive performance and physiological changes. What they found was striking.



The hens on metformin laid significantly more fertile eggs. They also had reduced body fat and more stable reproductive hormone levels compared to untreated hens. 



These findings thrilled the researchers, who saw not only a performance boost but a meaningful biological shift.



“These findings suggest that metformin can significantly improve ovarian <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/male-infertility-humans-linked-same-genes-gorilla-small-penises/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">function</a> in broiler breeder hens,” said Ramesh Ramachandran, senior author on the study and professor of reproductive biology in the College of Agricultural Sciences.



The next step was to figure out how metformin caused these changes. The team had a hunch the liver played a key role.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-metformin-alters-genes-in-chickens">Metformin alters genes in chickens</h2>



In birds, the liver is central to reproduction. It is the site where egg yolk proteins are produced before being transported to developing eggs. If metformin could influence liver function, it might explain the broader improvements seen in the hens. 



To test this, the research team examined liver samples using gene sequencing tools at Penn State’s Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences. They analyzed RNA from the liver - material that controls which genes are active or silent. The sequencing results told a compelling story.



Metformin activated genes tied to yolk protein production and blood sugar regulation. At the same time, it suppressed genes associated with fat buildup, a known disruptor of hormone balance.



“Essentially, metformin helps older hens stay metabolically healthier, which lets them keep producing eggs well beyond their usual decline,” said Evelyn Weaver, postdoctoral researcher and lead author on both studies. Her explanation captured the study’s essence in plain terms.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wider-implications-for-poultry-farming">Wider implications for poultry farming</h2>



These findings could reshape how poultry farms manage their flocks. When hens lose their fertility early, farmers must replace them often, increasing both costs and stress on the animals. Metformin’s ability to prolong egg production offers a new approach - one that is both practical and humane.



By keeping hens reproductively active longer, farms can reduce the frequency of flock turnover. This could improve animal welfare and lead to more efficient use of resources. Importantly, metformin is quickly broken down by chickens, so it poses no threat of entering the human food chain.



Weaver emphasized that safety aspect, assuring that the drug does not leave residue in eggs or meat. This makes it a promising tool for farms looking to improve production without compromising safety.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-improving-the-lives-of-people-and-chickens">Improving the lives of people and chickens</h2>



This research shows how biological pathways can overlap across species. Chickens and humans might seem unrelated at first glance, but their reproductive systems respond to the same drug in surprisingly similar ways. 



The hormonal, metabolic, and genetic responses observed in hens may offer clues for improving PCOS treatment strategies in people. While the goal was to support poultry farming, the outcomes also prompt deeper reflection. 



Could further study of animal models like hens refine our understanding of human <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/male-infertility-screening-will-be-drastically-improved-with-ai/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reproductive health</a>? The evidence suggests it’s worth investigating.



Metformin has already improved the lives of countless people with diabetes and PCOS. Now, it’s helping hens produce eggs more consistently. In the process, it’s also helping scientists understand the rich tapestry of life where chickens and humans unexpectedly meet.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-collaborations-and-funding">Collaborations and funding</h2>



The work was conducted in the Ramachandran lab&nbsp;at&nbsp;Penn State’s Department of Animal Science. The research team included Professor Ramesh Ramachandran, Professor Tae Hyun Kim, and undergraduate researcher Nathan Connolly.



The experts published two studies - one focused on egg production and another on liver gene expression. Funding came from the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usda.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.S. Department of Agriculture</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nih.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Institutes of Health</a>.



Ultimately, the project connects food production with broader biological questions. By exploring how a human medication interacts with avian biology, the researchers have opened new doors for science and farming alike.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://academic.oup.com/biolreprod/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/biolre/ioaf072/8099357?redirectedFrom=fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Biology of Reproduction</a>.



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Common drug humans take is found to boost fertility in both women and chickens

What do chickens and women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)...

It's widely known that elephants are intelligent. Their deep family bonds, tool use, and emotional awareness have fascinated humans for generations. But despite being one of the animal kingdom’s most admired creatures, their brains remain largely understudied. 



That’s starting to change. In a recent study led by researchers at the Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience at <a href="https://www.hu-berlin.de/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin</a> and the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, scientists took a closer look at elephant brain. 



The team analyzed the brains of both Asian and African elephants using dissections, MRI scans, and data from past studies. What they found offers new insights into the differences between the two species and raises new questions about how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dog-breed-behavior-linked-to-brain-size/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain size connects to behavior</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-surprising-size-differences">Surprising size differences</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wild-asian-elephants-exhibit-strong-capacity-for-innovation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Asian elephants</a> tend to be smaller than their African counterparts. They have shorter ears, a single “trunk finger” instead of two, and most females don’t grow tusks. But inside their skulls, things get interesting.



Researchers found that adult female Asian elephants have brains weighing around 5,300 grams on average. In comparison, African females average just over 4,400 grams. 



That’s a substantial difference. While data for male Asian elephants is limited, it’s clear that males of both species generally have heavier brains.



One more surprise came from the cerebellum. In the African group, it makes up about 22% of total brain weight, compared to 19% in the Asian group.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-elephants-expanding-intelligence">Elephants' expanding intelligence</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/we-cant-remember-being-babies-but-our-brains-might/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Human babies</a> are born with brains that weigh only about 20% of their final adult size. Elephants aren’t far behind. 



The study found that elephant brains nearly triple in size from birth to adulthood. That’s more postnatal growth than any other primate besides humans. Why so much growth? The researchers believe social learning may be the key.



“Social factors and learning processes could explain the strong brain growth after birth, as elephants live in complex social structures and have an outstanding memory," said Michael Brecht and Thomas Hildebrandt, co-lead authors of the study.



"The experience and accumulated knowledge of adult elephants, especially matriarchs, is central to the group behavior of elephants, and the young animals are very closely cared for over a long period of childhood and adolescence."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-two-elephants-two-brains">Two elephants, two brains </h2>



The two species of elephants behave very differently around people. Asian elephants have been working alongside humans for centuries, often in domesticated or semi-domesticated roles. 



In contrast, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/african-elephants-will-soon-become-extinct-without-immediate-international-help/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">African elephants</a> rarely adapt to human presence. Domestication attempts have been largely unsuccessful.



Could brain weight be part of the reason? “The difference in brain weight is perhaps the most important difference between these two elephant species,” said Malav Shah, first author of the study. “It could explain important behavioral differences between Asian and African elephants.”



Motor control could also play a role. African elephants, with their two trunk fingers, have a more dexterous trunk. Scientists link this complexity to the larger cerebellum and the higher number of neurons dedicated to trunk movement.



“With their two trunk fingers, African elephants can perform more diverse movements, which is also reflected in a higher number of neurons in the trunk's control center in the brain,” said Brecht and Hildebrandt.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unlocking-the-brain-mystery">Unlocking the brain mystery</h2>



The team analyzed a rare collection of 19 elephant brains, most from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-did-pandemic-lockdowns-affect-zoo-animals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">zoo animals</a> or wild elephants that died naturally or were euthanized for welfare reasons. These specimens are extremely hard to come by, making the findings even more valuable.



Still, much remains unknown. Brecht and Hildebrandt acknowledge that many questions are left unanswered. 



The researchers plan to continue studying elephant brains to understand how structure affects social behavior, memory, and motor skills. As they put it, research into these massive “control centers” is only just beginning.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-saving-elephants-through-science"> Saving elephants through science</h2>



Understanding the elephant brain isn’t just about satisfying curiosity. It helps scientists learn more about intelligence, memory, and social behavior across species - including humans.



These animals share traits with us that are rare in the animal world: they grieve, they cooperate, and they learn from experience. 



By studying how their brains develop and differ between species, researchers are piecing together how these abilities are wired.



The study also raises important questions about conservation. As human activity continues to threaten wild elephant populations, knowing more about how these animals think and interact could play a vital role in shaping better protection strategies. 



If we want to ensure a future where these animals continue to roam, we need to understand what makes them who they are - inside and out.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/article/4/5/pgaf141/8138140" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PNAS Nexus</a>.



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Elephant brains reveal big differences among species

It's widely known that elephants are intelligent. Their deep family...

Humpback whales have long been thought to give birth in tropical waters, like the Great Barrier Reef. But sightings of newborn calves stretching all the way down to Tasmania are changing that narrative. 



The sightings of baby humpback whales suggest that some mothers are giving birth over 1,500 kilometers south of the expected calving grounds.



Scientists from <a href="https://www.unsw.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UNSW</a> Sydney led the study that brought this discovery to light. The research was based on over 200 calf sightings reported by whale watching operators, government wildlife agencies, and everyday observers.



The sightings span from Queensland down to Tasmania and even across to New Zealand’s South Island. The findings challenge what we thought we knew about where these giant creatures begin their lives.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-baby-humpback-whale-sightings">Baby humpback whale sightings</h2>



The idea for this research began when PhD candidate and whale watching skipper Jane McPhee-Frew saw something unusual off the coast of Newcastle.



“I was working part-time as a skipper on a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/loud-tourist-boats-endanger-the-long-term-survival-of-whales/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">whale-watching boat</a> in Newcastle when I first spotted a calf in the area,” said McPhee-Frew.



“It seemed out of place. The calf was tiny, obviously brand new. What were they doing here? But none of my tourism colleagues seemed surprised."



That moment led to conversations with research colleagues. McPhee-Frew discovered there was a gap between what science had recorded and what people out on the water were witnessing.



“Eventually, we just ran out of land to see them from. So we don't actually know where the limit is. But we had reports right to the bottom of Tassie, the southernmost points of Western Australia and to the South Island of New Zealand.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-whales-in-the-danger-zone">Whales in the danger zone</h2>



The first sighting in Newcastle came in a very busy shipping area - home to the largest coal export port on Earth. Many of the calf sightings in the study were recorded from 2016 onwards, with the bulk of them happening in 2023 and 2024.



“It’s not just the sightings themselves that are important,” noted McPhee-Frew. "The pattern we’re seeing is <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/habitat-is-important-to-keep-young-right-whales-undetected/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mother whales</a> with calves travelling through some of the busiest shipping lanes and urbanised regions.



“This means these vulnerable animals are exposed to risks like boat strikes, entanglements, pollution - and just general public unawareness.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-threats-to-baby-humpback-whales">Threats to baby humpback whales </h2>



Humpback whales were nearly wiped out in the 1960s. Conservation efforts have since helped their numbers bounce back to an estimated 50,000 today.



While the idea of baby humpback whales being born this far south may sound new, McPhee-Frew thinks it might be an old habit we’re only now seeing again.



She explored 19th-century whaling logs and old expedition notes that included reports of calves and mothers in similar southern locations.



The low population after decades of industrial <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/early-whaling-wiped-two-species-of-whales-in-the-eastern-atlantic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">whaling</a> might have made this behavior invisible for years. Now, thanks to drones, social media, and booming whale tourism, people are noticing more than ever before.



According to McPhee-Frew, it’s vital to raise awareness about the dangers these young whales face as they travel thousands of kilometers north.



“Regardless of the health of population now, we can't be in a situation where we're putting any age of whales - especially baby whales - in a situation where they're getting caught in nets, being exposed to chemicals, being hit by boats and being harassed.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-newborns-in-busy-shipping-lanes">Newborns in busy shipping lanes</h2>



Study co-author Professor Tracey Rogers noted that newborn whales face unique challenges. 



“Newborns are like Great Dane puppies. They have those long, enormous fins that they need to grow into, and they’re not very strong swimmers. So they rest a lot of the time on their mum’s back,” said Professor Rogers.



“Imagine giving birth off Hobart and then swimming up the coast. It’s heartbreaking to think of these young whales traveling through busy ports and dangerous shipping lanes with those long, clumsy fins."



“And it's not just happening here in NSW - this is off WA, Victoria, Tasmania, New Zealand - it's something we just didn't know before.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-humpback-whales">Protecting humpback whales </h2>



Dr Adelaide Dedden from the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service says that while laws exist to protect humpbacks, many water users still aren't aware of them.



“The legislation to protect humpback whales, including mothers and calves, is already in place across all states,” said Dr Dedden. "But we do have a gap in public awareness, particularly among recreational water users."



“People need to be aware that calves are being seen not just on the southern migration but also on the northern one.”



Close-up photos may make it seem like baby whales are easy to spot, but these moments are rare and should happen on the whales' terms - not because a boat got too close.



“Humpbacks are charismatic and curious,” said Dr Dedden. “They're going to want to come and check out the boat.”



The recommended distance is 100 meters from adult whales and 300 meters from a mother-calf pair.



“We’ve been working hard to get this message out to the public and encourage boaters, surfers, kayakers and jet-ski operators to be aware of these guidelines,” noted Dr Dedden.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-excitement-and-curiosity-about-whales">Excitement and curiosity about whales</h2>



According to McPhee-Frew, collaboration between scientists, government agencies, tourism operators, and the public has made this research possible.



Whale watching crews often spot <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-hidden-struggles-of-pregnant-humpback-whales/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">calves</a> and pass on vital information. They also help educate the public on how to safely enjoy watching whales.



Social media platforms have played a big role too. Photos and sightings shared by users help track where whales are seen - and when.



“The excitement and curiosity around whales are contagious,” said McPhee-Frew. "We’ve built a huge repository of data just by encouraging the public to share observations.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-many-questions-remain">Many questions remain</h2>



There’s still one big question that remains. Why are the mothers still traveling north after giving birth, especially when food is so scarce in tropical waters?



McPhee-Frew suggests we need to rethink the idea that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/noise-pollution-is-increasingly-disrupting-whale-migration/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">whale migration</a> has fixed start and end points. Maybe whales use different environments in different ways.



“We still have a lot to learn. But, you know what? It's such a privilege to see whales. It is such a fantastic aspect of living in Australia. We just need to follow the rules so everyone can enjoy.”



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/marine-science/articles/10.3389/fmars.2025.1545526/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Marine Science</a>.



Image Credit: © Vanessa Risku (Instagram: @droning_my_sorrows)



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Baby humpback whales are born in places we didn't expect

Humpback whales have long been thought to give birth in...

Climate change is rapidly joining overexploitation and habitat destruction as a third major driver of global biodiversity loss. 



A sweeping analysis has recently identified at least 3,500 animal species that are directly threatened by rising temperatures, intensifying storms, droughts, and other climate-related stresses.



The research, led by <a href="https://oregonstate.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oregon State University</a> ecologist William Ripple, draws on international databases to show that risk is especially acute for invertebrates, particularly <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alarming-climate-impacts-threaten-key-marine-species/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine species</a> that cannot easily move away from warmer waters. 



The experts warn that true vulnerability is likely far greater because most animal groups have never been formally assessed for climate danger.



“We’re at the start of an existential crisis for the Earth’s wild animals,” Ripple said. “Up till now, the primary cause of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-action-and-biodiversity-striking-the-right-balance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a> loss has been the twin threats of overexploitation and habitat alteration, but as climate change intensifies, we expect it to become a third major threat to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-may-have-three-million-undiscovered-animal-species/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth’s animals</a>.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-animals-are-vulnerable-to-climate-change">Animals are vulnerable to climate change</h2>



Ripple and colleagues analyzed records for 70,814 species across 35 taxonomic classes, relying on the <a href="https://iucn.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">International Union for Conservation of Nature</a>’s threat categories.



The researchers discovered that in six whole classes - arachnids, centipedes, anthozoans, hydrozoans, and two other invertebrate groups - at least one-quarter of species are judged vulnerable to climate change.



Other classes, including mammals, birds and reptiles, contain smaller but still significant proportions of climate-imperiled members. The oceans stand out as a danger zone because seawater absorbs most excess heat from greenhouse forcing.



“We are particularly concerned about invertebrate animals in the ocean, which absorbs most of the heat from climate change,” Ripple explained. “Those animals are increasingly vulnerable because of their limited ability to move and promptly evade adverse conditions.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mass-mortality-events">Mass mortality events </h2>



In recent years extreme climate events have delivered dramatic proof of these vulnerabilities. Off Israel’s coast, a 90 percent crash in mollusk abundance followed a jump in sea-surface temperature.



During the 2021 Pacific Northwest heat dome, billions of intertidal mussels, clams, and snails died in a matter of days. A severe marine heatwave in 2016 bleached nearly 30 percent of Australia’s <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/great-barrier-reef-is-on-the-brink-of-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Great Barrier Reef</a>.



Terrestrial and pelagic vertebrates have suffered too: an extreme warm spell in 2015-2016 altered the marine food web in the North Pacific, starving four million common murres, slashing Pacific cod numbers by 71 percent, and contributing to the loss of roughly 7,000 humpback whales.



Ripple noted that such <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-was-the-cause-of-earths-largest-mass-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mass mortality</a> events reverberate through ecosystems. “The cascading effects of more and more mass mortality events will likely affect carbon-cycle feedbacks and nutrient cycling." 



"Those effects also likely will have an impact on species interactions such as predation, competition, pollination and parasitism, which are vital for ecosystem function.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-missing-data-on-a-massive-scale"><a></a>Missing data on a massive scale</h2>



Although the headline figures are sobering, the authors emphasize that they represent only a fraction of the problem. 



Sixty-six of the planet’s 101 recognized animal classes have not had any species evaluated for climate risk by the IUCN, and the 70,814 species examined in the study account for just 5.5 percent of all described animals.



“Our analysis is meant to be a preliminary effort toward assessing climate risk to wildlife species,” Ripple said. 



“Understanding the risk is crucial for making informed policy decisions. We need a global database on mass mortality events due to climate change for animal species in all ecosystems, and an acceleration in assessing currently ignored species.”



The <a href="https://www.iucnredlist.org/">Red List</a> itself is heavily skewed toward vertebrates, which make up fewer than six percent of named animal species, leaving the vast majority of invertebrates - essential to pollination, soil health, and marine food webs - largely unexamined.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-and-biodiversity-policies">Climate and biodiversity policies</h2>



Ripple argued that improved risk assessments must be coupled with policies that synchronize biodiversity conservation and climate mitigation.



“There is also a need for more frequent climate risk assessments of all species and better consideration of adaptive capacity,” he added. “We need the integration of biodiversity and climate change policy planning on a global scale.”



He and his co-authors call for real-time monitoring of die-off events, expansion of citizen-science initiatives to cover overlooked taxa, and incorporation of species’ dispersal abilities and genetic diversity into risk models.



Only with such detailed knowledge, they contend, can land managers and lawmakers craft interventions that give vulnerable species a fighting chance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-urgency-to-protect-animals">Urgency to protect animals</h2>



With global temperatures already flirting with the 1.5°C threshold that scientists warn will unleash accelerating hazards, the time for closing data gaps is rapidly shrinking. 



The new study shows that climate change is no longer a distant or incremental danger for wildlife; it is a present <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-the-largest-threat-to-u-s-endangered-species/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">crisis</a> that compounds long-standing threats.



Whether governments heed the warning will decide how many species remain confined to the 3,500-strong endangered column - and how many more quietly slide into it as the planet continues to warm.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://academic.oup.com/bioscience/advance-article/doi/10.1093/biosci/biaf059/8127685?login=false" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BioScience</a>.



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More than 3,500 animal species are directly threatened by climate change

Climate change is rapidly joining overexploitation and habitat destruction as...

Archaeology sometimes feels like detective work with a very long timeline. Every chip of flint or shard of bone builds a narrative of how early humans used tools to feed themselves, cooperated, and thought about the places they called home. 



Fresh finds from two sites just northeast of today’s Tel Aviv - Jaljulia and Qesem Cave - add an eye-opening chapter to that story. 



They point to a moment, roughly 400,000 years ago, when hunters in the Levant not only pivoted to new prey but also <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stone-tools-in-south-africa-reveal-early-human-communication/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">redesigned their tools</a> and, perhaps, their beliefs.



The discoveries revolve around a specialized flint implement known as a Quina scraper. 



At first glance the artifact looks modest - smaller than a modern smartphone. Its scalloped edge, though, is razor-sharp, built for slicing through muscle and hide with an efficiency that would have impressed any butcher.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-flint-tools-and-shifting-appetites">Flint tools and shifting appetites</h2>



For nearly a million years, large game dominated dinner menus here - especially elephants that roamed plains stretching from Africa into Eurasia. 



When those giants dwindled, hunting parties had to recalibrate. 



The speedier, leaner fallow deer offered far less meat per kill, so hunters needed to process many more carcasses to match the calories once supplied by a single elephant. That change forced a rethink of both <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stone-tool-discovery-challenges-entire-theory-of-human-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">strategy and gear</a>.



Fallow deer thrived in mixed woodlands along what are now the Samarian highlands. Their bones fill layers in Jaljulia and Qesem Cave, signaling a dietary shift that mirrors broader environmental turnover during the late Lower Paleolithic.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tools-carved-with-flint-for-venison">Tools carved with flint for venison</h2>



Enter the Quina scraper. Unlike earlier, more rudimentary scrapers, this one features a stepped, scale-like working edge that holds a keen bevel. 



Microscopic wear marks reveal repeated motions suited to neatly removing skin and sinew. The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/prehistoric-homo-sapiens-stone-tools-preserved-volcanic-ash-grotta-di-castelcivita/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stone tool design</a> likely spared hunters valuable time at the kill site, reducing exposure to scavengers and rival predators that could steal a hard-won carcass.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/stone-tools_400000-years-old_Quina-like_credit-Tel-Aviv_2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/stone-tools_400000-years-old_Quina-like_credit-Tel-Aviv_2s.webp" alt="A Quina scraper from Qesem Cave. Residue and use-wear analyses showed that the scraper was wrapped with organic material and used for scraping a dry hide (after Zupancich 2020)" class="wp-image-1970089"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A Quina scraper from Qesem Cave. Residue and use-wear analyses showed that the scraper was wrapped with organic material and used for scraping a dry hide (after Zupancich 2020). Click image to enlarge. Credit: Tel Aviv University</figcaption></figure>



Modern experiments with replicas confirm that the tool excels at producing long, clean strips of hide - ideal for lashing shelters, wrapping meat, or even tailoring early garments. 



A single scraper could be resharpened several times, making it a portable workhorse on multi-day forays.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stone-from-sacred-hills">Stone from sacred hills</h2>



The most unexpected twist lies not in the tool’s shape but in its raw material. Quina scrapers at both sites were made of flint hauled roughly 12.4 miles from the western slopes of the Samarian mountains, bypassing closer outcrops. 



That same upland served as a calving ground for fallow deer. Hunters, then, were linking an essential resource - flint - to the very landscape that provided their new staple food.



The study’s lead authors - Vlad Litov and Prof. Ran Barkai of <a href="https://english.tau.ac.il/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tel Aviv University</a> - spell out what that pairing means. 



"In this study we tried to understand why <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stone-tool-flint-discovery-challenges-theory-of-human-cultural-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stone tools changed</a> during prehistoric times, with a focus on a technological change in scrapers in the Lower Paleolithic, about 400,000 years ago," Litov explained. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forced-to-hunt-smaller-animals">Forced to hunt smaller animals</h2>



We found a dramatic change in the human diet during this period, probably resulting from a change in the available fauna: the large game, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-ancient-humans-hunted-elephants-with-stone-tools/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">particularly elephants</a>, had disappeared, and humans were forced to hunt smaller animals, especially fallow deer.



Clearly, butchering a large elephant is one thing, and processing a much smaller and more delicate fallow deer is quite a different challenge. 



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/stone-tools_400000-years-old_Quina-like_credit-Tel-Aviv_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/stone-tools_400000-years-old_Quina-like_credit-Tel-Aviv_1s.webp" alt="Examples of scrapers shaped by Quina-like retouch from the Late Acheulian Jaljulia: Déjeté scraper (a); transverse scraper (b); Single scrapers (c, d); Convergent scraper fragment (e)" class="wp-image-1970087"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Examples of scrapers shaped by Quina-like retouch from the Late Acheulian Jaljulia: Déjeté scraper (a); transverse scraper (b); Single scrapers (c, d); Convergent scraper fragment (e). Click image to enlarge. Credit: Tel Aviv University</figcaption></figure>



Systematic processing of numerous fallow deer to compensate for a single elephant was a complex and demanding task that required the development of new implements. 



"Consequently, we see the emergence of the new Quina scrapers, with a better-shaped, sharper, more uniform working edge compared to the simple scrapers used previously," Litov added.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tech-advancement-shown-in-flint-tools">Tech advancement shown in flint tools</h2>



Prof. Barkai explains that the study reveals “links between technological developments and changes in the fauna hunted and consumed by early humans.” 



While previous theories credited <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/from-nature-to-knapping-the-surprising-origins-of-stone-tools/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">advancements in stone tools</a> to biological evolution, he and his team suggest a “double connection, both practical and perceptual.”



Practically, tool sophistication evolved to meet the demands of hunting smaller, faster prey. Perceptually, Barkai points to a symbolic association between specific locations and resources. 



“We found a connection between the plentiful source of fallow deer and the source of flint used to butcher them,” he notes. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/early-humans-used-interesting-technique-hunt-big-animals-clovis-points/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Prehistoric hunters</a> seemed to favor flint from the same region where the deer roamed - Mounts Ebal and Gerizim - suggesting a deep-rooted awareness of the landscape and its significance.



“This behavior,” he adds, “is familiar from many other places worldwide and is still widely practiced by native hunter-gatherer communities.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-does-any-of-this-matter">Why does any of this matter?</h2>



According to Litov, the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samaria" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mountains of Samaria</a> held deep significance for prehistoric people living at Qesem Cave and Jaljulia. 



“We believe that the Mountains of Samaria were sacred to the prehistoric people… because that’s where the fallow deer came from,” he says.



As elephant populations declined, early humans in the region shifted their focus to fallow deer. Tools made from a variety of local stones have been found at Jaljulia, but something unique occurred when they began sourcing both their prey and tool-making materials from the Samarian highlands.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/stone-tools_400000-years-old_Quina-like_credit-Tel-Aviv_3m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/stone-tools_400000-years-old_Quina-like_credit-Tel-Aviv_3s.webp" alt="A close look at a Quina-like scraper from Jaljulia. Credit: Tel Aviv University" class="wp-image-1970091"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A close look at a Quina-like scraper from Jaljulia. Click image to enlarge. Credit: Tel Aviv University</figcaption></figure>



“Identifying the deer's plentiful source, they began to develop the unique scrapers in the same place,” Litov explains. 



These specialized tools - first appearing in Jaljulia around 500,000 years ago - later spread more broadly, showing up at Qesem Cave between 400,000 and 200,000 years ago.



Archaeological evidence, including fallow deer bones from Mount Gerizim and other sites, suggests that the area supported deer populations well into the Holocene. 



“Apparently, the Mountains of Samaria gained a prominent or even sacred status as early as the Paleolithic period,” Litov concludes, “and retained their unique cultural position for hundreds of thousands of years.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-prehistoric-man-was-smarter-than-we-thought">Prehistoric man was smarter than we thought</h2>



Pairing a resource with a place crops up again and again in human history, from obsidian quarries in the American Southwest to jade rivers in ancient China. 



The Jaljulia and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qesem_cave" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Qesem Cave</a> findings push that behavior deep into the past, showing that meaning and material were already intertwined long before written lore. Technology did not change in a vacuum; it mirrored environmental stress and social imagination.



Understanding how early communities adapted to shrinking megafauna offers a cautionary parallel for modern ecosystems losing key species. Innovation can soften the blow, but it also reshapes culture in ways that echo far beyond survival. 



A humble flint scraper, carried miles across rugged ground, reminds us that tools are never just tools. They are signatures of what people value, where they find sustenance, and how they make sense of their world.



The full study was published in the journal&nbsp;<a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11759-024-09493-w" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Archaeologies</a>.



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Stone tools created 400,000 years ago show tech advancement of early humans

Archaeology sometimes feels like detective work with a very long...

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

For years, the Signal Crayfish has carried a notorious reputation. It’s invasive, aggressive, and has spread far beyond its native habitat.



Found across Europe, Asia, and parts of the United States, this crustacean is often blamed for pushing native species toward decline. But in the rush to control it, something remarkable was overlooked right in its original home.



A team from the <a href="https://illinois.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign</a> took a fresh look at the Signal Crayfish in its native range. What they found was surprising - two entirely new species that had been hiding in plain sight.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-not-just-one-species-after-all">Not just one species after all</h2>



The two new species, now officially named the Okanagan Crayfish and Misfortunate Crayfish, had been long mistaken for the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/invasive-fish-can-cause-ecosystem-collapse/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Signal Crayfish</a>. The discovery adds to the growing catalog of species around the world.



Study co-author Eric Larson is an associate professor in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences.



“I think we underestimate how rich the biological world around us can be,” said Larson. "People are surprised to learn that there are over 600 described species of crayfish globally, and now, there are two more.”



This wasn’t an overnight find. The process spanned years of fieldwork and careful analysis. 



Scientists first noticed unusual-looking species in the Pacific Northwest. Over time, with improved genetic tools, they began to piece together the truth.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dna-confirms-the-new-species">DNA confirms the new species</h2>



To distinguish the new species, Larson and his colleagues used a method called genome skimming. It allowed them to sequence both mitochondrial and nuclear DNA. 



By comparing these sequences with known crayfish lineages, the team confirmed that the odd specimens weren’t just variations - they were entirely separate species.



“Most research on the Signal Crayfish focuses on its role as an <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/invasive-species-could-cause-dramatic-biodiversity-loss/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">invasive species</a>,” Larson said. “I think people would be surprised that within its native environment, we missed that this animal we thought was the Signal Crayfish was actually harboring multiple, undescribed species.”



Through DNA analysis, field sampling, and physical comparisons, the team finally gave these animals their own identities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unintended-effects-of-moving-crayfish">Unintended effects of moving crayfish </h2>



While the discovery is exciting, it comes with a serious warning. The newly identified crayfish species may already be in danger. 



Larson expressed concern that invasive species - especially the Rusty Crayfish and Virile Crayfish - are threatening the survival of these native animals. These invaders often displace native populations and damage aquatic habitats.



One of the biggest problems is human behavior. Moving crayfish from one waterway to another - whether for bait, farming, or even through classroom and aquarium releases - can have unexpected and long-lasting effects.



“There are unexpected consequences when we move crayfish from one place to another,” Larson said. “<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/invasive-crayfish-cannot-be-controlled-through-trapping/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Invasive crayfish</a> can't easily be removed, and as they spread, they seem to be replacing these newly described crayfish species.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-the-new-species">Protecting the new species</h2>



By giving these species official names, the researchers hope to spark <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/effective-conservation-efforts-key-to-saving-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conservation efforts</a>. Naming a species is often the first step toward protecting it. Recognition helps raise awareness and gives conservationists a reason to act.



“By the time we discovered the Misfortunate Crayfish, it had already lost much of its native range to the invasive Rusty Crayfish,” Larson said. “That’s what gave us the idea for its name. This animal went unrecognized by science until a fairly unlucky event had happened, and that seemed like a little bit of a misfortune.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-fish-to-crayfish">From fish to crayfish</h2>



Larson’s journey into crayfish research wasn’t planned. He started out in fisheries science but became more interested in crayfish during his doctoral work at the University of Washington.



“It’s funny, I didn’t intend to develop this interest,” Larson said. “But as it developed, studying crayfish gained momentum and took on a life of its own.”



What began as a side interest eventually became a central focus of his research career. Thanks to that unexpected turn, two long-overlooked native species now have names - and a real shot at <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/old-and-wise-animals-are-essential-for-the-survival-of-species/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">survival</a>.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.5632.3.4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Zootaxa</a>.



Image Credit: Eric Larson, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign



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Two new crayfish species discovered, but were they found too late?

For years, the Signal Crayfish has carried a notorious reputation....

Archaeopteryx is often referred to as the fossil that proved Darwin right - it links today’s birds to ancient dinosaurs. Even though the first specimen was discovered over 160 years ago, this iconic fossil continues to offer fresh insights into how birds came to fly.



One of the most revealing specimens yet, the “Chicago Archaeopteryx,” was recently studied by researchers from the Field Museum. 



Their findings, published in the journal Nature, were made possible thanks to remarkable preservation and advanced technology.



The fossil was put on public display in 2024 at the Field Museum, giving both scientists and the public a close look at one of the most complete Archaeopteryx fossils found to date.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-smallest-archaeopteryx-fossil-ever-found">Smallest Archaeopteryx fossil ever found</h2>



The Chicago Archaeopteryx was discovered in the Solnhofen limestone of Germany, a site well known for yielding all known <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bird-evolution-timeline-pushed-back-20-million-years-by-baminornis-zhenghensis-discovery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Archaeopteryx specimens</a>.



This particular fossil had been in private hands since before 1990. In 2022, it arrived at the Field Museum through a collective effort from fossil enthusiasts and supporters.



“When we first got our Archaeopteryx, I was like, this is very, very, very cool, and I was beyond excited," enthused Jingmai O’Connor, the Field Museum’s associate curator of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nothosaur-polar-sea-reptile-fossil-oldest-ever-discovered/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fossil reptiles</a> and lead author of the paper. 



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Archaeopteryx-fossil_illustration_credit-michael-rothman_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Archaeopteryx-fossil_illustration_credit-michael-rothman_1s.webp" alt="Illustration showing Archaeopteryx in life, including its tertial feathers that would have helped it fly. Credit: Michael Rothman" class="wp-image-1970311"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Illustration showing Archaeopteryx in life, including its tertial feathers that would have helped it fly. Click image to enlarge. Credit: Michael Rothman</figcaption></figure>



"But at the same time, Archaeopteryx has been known for over 160 years, so I wasn’t sure what new things we would be able to learn. Our specimen is so well-preserved and so well-prepared that we’re actually learning a ton of new information, from the tip of its snout to the tip of its tail.”



This specimen is the smallest known Archaeopteryx, being only about the size of a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/not-so-dim-witted-pigeons-have-their-own-version-of-machine-learning/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pigeon</a>. Its tiny bones are embedded in extremely hard limestone, making extraction especially tricky.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preparing-the-archaeopteryx-fossil">Preparing the Archaeopteryx fossil</h2>



Because the bones and soft tissues are nearly the same color as the surrounding rock, even identifying where the fossil ended and stone began was a major challenge. Preparing it took over a year. 



The Field Museum’s fossil prep team worked under UV light to avoid damaging delicate soft tissues and used CT scans to guide their work.



“A CT scanner is essentially a machine that takes a series of X-rays, which it uses to build a three-dimensional image, based on differences in density. It lets you see inside things,” explained O’Connor.



“<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gordonia-traquairi-pig-like-creature-discovered-roamed-earth-250-million-years-ago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CT scanning</a> was very important for our preparation process - it let us know things like, the bone is exactly 3.2 millimeters (0.1 inches) below the surface of the rock, which let us know exactly how far we could go before we would hit the bone."



This is the first time a complete Archaeopteryx has been CT scanned and the data made available.



The UV lighting was equally important. “<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chinese-fossil-provides-a-new-glimpse-into-early-bird-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Previous studies</a> have shown that there’s something in the chemical composition of Solnhofen fossils that makes the soft tissues fluoresce, or glow under UV light,” said O’Connor.



“So, our amazing prep team utilized UV light periodically through the preparation process to make sure that they weren't accidentally removing any soft tissues that you can’t see with the naked eye.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unprecedented-detail-in-this-archaeopteryx-fossil">Unprecedented detail in this Archaeopteryx fossil</h2>



The result is a specimen that reveals more fine detail than any previous Archaeopteryx fossil.



“We’re lucky in that this specimen happens to be extremely well-preserved, but we can also see features that probably were preserved in other specimens, but which didn’t make it through cruder preparation processes in the past,” said O’Connor. 



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/archaeopteryx-fossil_field-slab_credit-Delaney-Drummond_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/archaeopteryx-fossil_field-slab_credit-Delaney-Drummond_1s.webp" alt="The Chicago Archaeopteryx. Photo by Delaney Drummond. (c) Field Museum." class="wp-image-1970309"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Chicago Archaeopteryx. Click image to enlarge. Photo by Delaney Drummond. (c) Field Museum.</figcaption></figure>



“Having the preparation of this specimen done by scientists whose goal was to preserve as much tissue and bone as possible made a huge difference.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-does-any-of-this-matter">Why does any of this matter?</h2>



The new fossil has helped answer questions about several parts of Archaeopteryx anatomy - its skull, hands, feet, and wings.



“The bones in the roof of the mouth help us learn about the evolution of something called cranial kinesis - a feature in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dinosaur-fossils-reveal-hollow-bones-just-like-modern-birds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">modern birds</a> that lets the beak move independently from the braincase," explained O'Connor.



She added that, although this may not sound exciting to the average person, to those who study bird evolution it is an important thing. 



It's been hypothesized that having <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bird-brains-fossil-reveals-roots-of-avian-intelligence/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">specialized skulls</a> for different ecological niches might have helped birds evolve into the more than 11,000 species present today.



Preserved soft tissues in the feet and hands suggest that this animal walked on the ground and possibly even climbed trees.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-archaeopteryx-took-flight">How Archaeopteryx took flight</h2>



One of the most debated topics in paleontology is <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/secrets-of-flight-feathers-may-reveal-which-dinosaurs-could-fly/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">how flight evolved</a> in dinosaurs.



Archaeopteryx wasn’t the first feathered dinosaur, nor the first with wing-like structures, but it may have been the earliest to truly take flight. 



“We think it’s the earliest known dinosaur that was able to use its feathers to fly,” said O’Connor, who highlighted this as her favorite finding in the study.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Archaeopteryx-fossil_UV-light_soft-tissue_credit-Delaney-Drummond_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Archaeopteryx-fossil_UV-light_soft-tissue_credit-Delaney-Drummond_1s.webp" alt="The Chicago Archaeopteryx under UV light to show soft tissues alongside the skeleton. Credit: Delaney Drummond" class="wp-image-1970313"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Chicago Archaeopteryx under UV light to show soft tissues alongside the skeleton. Click image to enlarge. Credit: Delaney Drummond</figcaption></figure>



The key to its aerial ability may lie in a set of upper arm feathers known as tertials. Archaeopteryx had an unusually long upper arm bone, which could have created a disruptive gap in the wing's surface - problematic for flight. 



“If air passes through that gap, that disrupts the lift you’re generating, and you can’t fly,” O’Connor explained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-differences-in-modern-birds">Differences in modern birds</h2>



Modern birds evolved shorter upper arm bones and specialized tertial feathers to close this gap. 



Remarkably, the Chicago specimen of Archaeopteryx shows it had long tertial feathers too - something unseen in its flightless dinosaur relatives. 



“Our specimen is the first Archaeopteryx that was preserved and prepared in such a way that we can see its long tertial feathers,” she noted.



These feathers, absent in closely related non-avian dinosaurs, suggest those creatures couldn’t fly. 



“That tells us... Archaeopteryx could,” O’Connor added. “This also adds to evidence that suggests dinosaurs evolved flight more than once - which I think is super exciting.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-still-more-to-learn-160-years-later">Still more to learn, 160 years later</h2>



The Chicago Archaeopteryx has already helped scientists answer long-standing questions. But this study is only the start.



“We're learning something exciting and new from just about every part of the body that we have preserved. And this paper is really just the tip of the iceberg,” remarked O’Connor.



After 160 years, it’s clear that Archaeopteryx still has plenty to teach us. Thanks to the care and tools used in preparing this fossil, we’re seeing it in ways that past generations of scientists could only imagine.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-08912-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



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Archaeopteryx fossil found with preserved soft tissue proves Darwin was right all along

Archaeopteryx is often referred to as the fossil that proved...

Honey,Bee,,Apis,Mellifera,,Silhouette,Of,A,Bee,,Anatomical,Structure

This World Bee Day, a troubling message is buzzing through the air - bees and other pollinators face a wave of new and unexpected threats that could cause even more losses in the coming decade. 



War, plastic pollution, artificial light, and even well-meaning climate actions are creating new obstacles for pollinators already under strain.



Pollinators such as bees, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-country-without-butterflies-rapid-decline-in-u-s-populations/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">butterflies</a>, moths, bats, and birds are essential to our environment and food production. Nearly 90% of flowering plants and over three-quarters of the world’s major crops depend on them.



Yet these species are already declining at alarming rates due to habitat loss, pesticide use, climate change, and invasive species. Now, researchers say even more risks are on the horizon.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-scientists-are-saying-about-bees">What scientists are saying about bees</h2>



Experts from the <a href="https://www.reading.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Reading</a> contributed to a new report commissioned by Bee:wild, a science-led global campaign to save pollinators. The report identifies 12 rising dangers that could further endanger pollinators in the next 5 to 15 years.



Professor Simon Potts, lead author and chair of Bee:wild’s Scientific Advisory Board, noted that identifying new threats and finding ways to protect <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pollinators-face-extinction-risk-due-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollinators</a> early is key to preventing further major declines.



“By acting early, we can reduce harm and help pollinators continue their important work in nature and food production. Various conservation opportunities already exist and more are emerging," continued Potts. 



"This is not just a conservation issue. Pollinators are central to our food systems, climate resilience, and economic security. Protecting pollinators means protecting ourselves.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bees-and-pollinators-in-war-zones">Bees and pollinators in war zones</h2>



The report outlines a series of surprising new threats to pollinators that extend beyond the usual concerns like pesticides and habitat loss. For instance, war and conflict, such as the ongoing situation in Ukraine, are changing agricultural practices. 



Countries involved in or affected by conflict tend to grow fewer crop types, leading to a lack of diverse flowering plants that pollinators need throughout the season for proper nutrition and survival. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plastic-and-artifical-light">Plastic and artifical light</h2>



Another troubling issue is the discovery of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bees-are-the-latest-victims-of-plastic-pollution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microplastics in bee</a> colonies across Europe. Testing from 315 honey bee hives revealed the widespread presence of synthetic materials, including PET plastic. 



These microplastic particles are now contaminating hives, raising questions about their impact on bee health and the quality of honey.



Artificial light at night is also proving harmful. Studies show that nocturnal pollinators, such as moths and certain <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-will-climate-impact-the-beetles-that-protect-our-crops/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">beetles</a>, visit 62% fewer flowers in areas with light pollution. 



This drastic reduction disrupts nighttime pollination, which is essential for many plant species and ecological cycles.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pollution-and-pollinator-behavior">Pollution and pollinator behavior </h2>



Antibiotic pollution is emerging as yet another hazard. Residues from antibiotics can contaminate both hives and honey. 



Worse still, they may interfere with pollinator behavior by reducing their foraging activity and visits to flowers, which are critical for pollination and plant reproduction.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/air-pollution-is-wiping-out-bees-and-other-wild-pollinators/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Air pollution</a> is adding further stress, affecting the growth, reproduction, and overall survival of pollinators. Exposure to polluted air can impair navigation and reduce the chances of bees returning to their hives.



The use of pesticide cocktails - mixtures of various chemicals - is becoming more common, particularly in developing countries. These combinations can be more toxic than individual pesticides, weakening pollinators and making them more susceptible to disease and stress.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-additional-threats-to-bees">Additional threats to bees</h2>



More frequent and intense wildfires are destroying vital habitats. As these fires become larger and harder to control, they not only remove food sources but also hinder the ability of pollinator populations to recover.



While climate action is critical, some approaches could unintentionally harm pollinators if not carefully managed. For instance, planting fast-growing non-flowering trees for carbon capture could reduce food for pollinators. 



Choosing a mix that includes flowering trees would help balance carbon storage with pollinator support.



Mining for materials like lithium - used in electric car batteries - can damage habitats rich in pollinators. Avoiding these areas and restoring land afterward could reduce long-term impact.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-smart-ways-to-support-biodiversity">Smart ways to support biodiversity</h2>



Among the 12 strategies highlighted in the report, five stand out as particularly promising. First, introducing stronger regulations to reduce antibiotic pollution would help protect pollinator and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/organic-farming-and-flower-strips-improve-honey-bee-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bee health</a>. 



Moving toward electric vehicles can significantly reduce air pollution, which in turn benefits pollinators. In addition, breeding new crop varieties that produce more nectar and pollen can improve the diet of pollinators, boosting their health and resilience.



Furthermore, integrating flower-rich habitats into solar parks can transform these spaces into pollinator-friendly areas, supporting biodiversity while generating renewable energy. 



Finally, scientists are developing RNAi-based treatments that specifically target harmful pests without affecting beneficial insects like bees, reducing the need for broad-spectrum pesticides.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-small-actions-big-difference">Small actions, big difference</h2>



Other opportunities include protecting stingless bees, which are vital to tropical ecosystems. This can be done by creating urban gardens, re-wilding spaces, and preserving natural habitats.



There's also growing interest in using artificial intelligence to monitor and track bee and other pollinator health and behavior more efficiently. Even AI tools to monitor pollinator populations could all make a big difference.



Dr. Deepa Senapathi is head of the Department of Sustainable Land Management at the University of Reading and co-author of the report.



“Meaningful action to protect bees is not a ‘nice-to-have’ future aspiration - practical solutions that we can implement now already exist and more are emerging. The most promising opportunities are ones that tackle multiple problems at once," said Dr. Senapathi.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reversing-bee-and-pollinator-decline">Reversing bee and pollinator decline</h2>



According to Dr. Senapathi, focused and determined action could significantly slow and even reverse pollinator decline while creating environments that benefit both nature and people.



“It will take effort from everyone to address these threats. We need to maintain, manage and improve our natural habitats to create safe spaces for pollinators," said Dr Senapathi.



"But policy changes and individual actions must work together so everything from gardens and farms to public spaces and wider landscapes can all become pollinator-friendly habitats.”



Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Board Member of Re:wild, which helped launch Bee:wild, offers a hopeful reminder in the report’s foreword.



"The choices we make today will shape the future - not only for pollinators, but for all life on Earth. Together, we can ensure that these remarkable species continue their vital work, sustaining the natural world that sustains us all,” she said.



The full report, Emerging Threats and Opportunities for Conservation of Global Pollinators, is available <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1odhszqh-5-LJsJgidagHte_OW57Ke09x/view" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>. 



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Rising dangers threaten the survival of bees and pollinators

This World Bee Day, a troubling message is buzzing through...

Picture a mouse entering a narrow, transparent tube. Another mouse approaches from the opposite end. They meet in the middle, noses twitching, bodies tense. One mouse retreats, conceding the passage. The other presses forward, asserting dominance - a silent communication carried by scent.



Researchers at the <a href="https://www.crick.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Francis Crick Institute</a> have been using this simple setup to uncover something remarkable: mice don’t just react to physical strength or size. They rely on scent to gauge social rank.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mice-use-scent-to-identify-social-rank">Mice use scent to identify social rank</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-smell-control-your-blood-pressure-new-research-says-yes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mice</a> live in social hierarchies, much like humans. Some lead, some follow, some are forever in between. For a long time, scientists assumed these roles emerged from physical aggression or fixed behaviors. But a study published in Current Biology suggests otherwise. 



Mice, it turns out, can read dominance through <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/odors-prompt-brain-cells-to-make-decisions-before-you-know-whats-happening/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">scent</a>. They sniff out social status in the air and on the bodies of their peers. The researchers watched as mice encountered strangers and familiar cage mates.



They wanted to know whether a mouse could identify another’s rank without prior interaction. The answer was yes. The scent said it all.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scent-based-rank-recognition-in-mice">Scent-based rank recognition in mice</h2>



In the tube test, two mice enter from opposite ends. The dominant mouse typically forces the other to back out. Researchers ranked mice within the same cage, creating a clear hierarchy. 



Then they introduced unfamiliar mice, testing whether the scent <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exposure-certain-odors-pheromones-speeds-up-aging-process/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cues</a> still worked when the opponent was a stranger. The findings? Even without prior interactions, the mice accurately detected rank using only scent.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-happens-in-the-dark">What happens in the dark?</h2>



Mice can’t rely on vision in complete darkness. So, the researchers plunged the testing room into blackness to eliminate visual cues.



The results stayed the same. Mice still recognized dominant opponents, proving that scent carried all the necessary information. 



The team also castrated some mice to see if the removal of sex hormones affected scent signals. It didn’t. Dominance <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mice-perform-first-aid-and-save-unconscious-peers-in-emergencies/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cues</a> remained intact, suggesting that scent signals aren’t tied to hormones but to other chemical compounds.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-manipulating-perception-through-scent">Manipulating perception through scent</h2>



The researchers didn’t stop there. They tried manipulating rank perception through urine. By painting subordinate mice with urine from dominant males, they created temporary rank shifts. 



Suddenly, the formerly submissive mice behaved like top dogs. Even strangers treated them as if they had climbed the social ladder. This powerful manipulation revealed that scent cues could override an individual’s actual social history. 



“Our work offers an interesting perspective on social mobility: humans, like mice, can enter a new group of people but still maintain understanding of own social rank and gauge the social status of unfamiliar people,” noted Neven Borak, the study’s first author.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mice-use-two-scent-systems">Mice use two scent systems</h2>



Mice use two chemosensory systems to read scent cues: the main olfactory epithelium (MOE) and the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB). To understand how these systems contribute to rank detection, the researchers disabled each one separately. 



Mice with impaired olfactory systems still recognized rank. The same held true for those with damaged contact scent systems.



But when both systems were disrupted, the mice lost their ability to distinguish dominant from subordinate opponents. This dual reliance on scent systems underscores the importance of both airborne and contact-based scent cues in social interactions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scent-cues-help-mice-avoid-conflict">Scent cues help mice avoid conflict</h2>



Social life can get messy when animals clash over resources or mates. In mice, scent provides a way to avoid <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/male-mice-turn-to-female-mice-to-avoid-fights-keep-social-peace/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">unnecessary fights</a>. A quick sniff can tell a subordinate mouse to back down before a confrontation even begins. 



By recognizing the scent of a dominant opponent, the mouse can retreat and avoid injury. This scent-based communication system not only maintains order but also reduces the risk of physical harm.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-universal-scent-signals">Universal scent signals</h2>



Do mice only recognize familiar scents? The researchers tested this by introducing mice from separate cages. Despite having no prior interactions, the mice still detected rank differences. 



This ability to generalize rank recognition across groups suggests that scent cues carry universal signals of dominance. The implications are profound. Scent can act as a universal language, conveying social information without prior encounters.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-linking-scent-to-social-status">Linking scent to social status</h2>



While scent clearly plays a role in rank recognition, how does the brain process this information? Previous studies have identified brain regions involved in self-rank detection, like the anterior cingulate cortex and the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex. 



But how does the brain interpret opponent rank? The researchers suspect that sensory input from the MOE and AOB converges in areas like the medial amygdala and the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. 



These regions receive inputs from both olfactory and contact scent systems, suggesting a possible neural pathway for integrating social rank information.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-social-dynamics">Implications for social dynamics</h2>



Social hierarchies are not just a mouse problem. Humans also navigate complex social networks, constantly assessing their status relative to others. While humans rely more on visual and verbal cues, the underlying cognitive mechanisms for detecting rank may be similar across species. 



“Humans, like mice, can enter a new group of people but still maintain understanding of own social rank and gauge the social status of unfamiliar people,” Borak notes. 



The ability to perceive social status quickly can help avoid conflict, but it can also reinforce hierarchies, limiting social mobility and affecting health outcomes for those stuck at the bottom.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-research-directions">Future research directions</h2>



This study raises new questions. How do different brain regions work together to process scent cues and assess social rank? 



What specific chemical compounds convey rank information? And how do physiological states, like stress or hunger, affect scent perception?



The researchers plan to use advanced imaging techniques and optogenetic manipulation to explore these questions, aiming to map the neural circuits that translate scent into social behavior.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scent-redefines-hierarchies-in-mice">Scent redefines hierarchies in mice</h2>



Mice don’t need words or physical strength to assert dominance. A scent can say it all. This study from the Crick Institute highlights how chemical cues can reshape social hierarchies, allowing mice to recognize and respond to dominance without direct confrontation. 



For humans, the implications are equally intriguing. While we may rely less on scent, the underlying cognitive mechanisms for detecting social rank may still be at play, subtly influencing our interactions and shaping the way we navigate the social world.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(25)00560-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a>.



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Mice use scent to determine who's the boss

Picture a mouse entering a narrow, transparent tube. Another mouse...

Inside dark, hidden burrows, mice rely on their whiskers to make sense of the world. For decades, scientists believed that whisking - the brushing of whiskers against surfaces - was purely a tactile process. 



But researchers at the <a href="https://www.weizmann.ac.il/pages/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weizmann Institute of Science</a> have uncovered a surprising twist. Whisking doesn’t just involve touch. It generates sound.



Published in the journal Current Biology, the study shows that these tiny sounds activate the auditory cortex in mice, revealing a previously unnoticed sensory connection. 



The implications stretch far beyond <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/all-living-beings-emit-a-subtle-light-that-fades-after-death/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mice</a>. They hint at how brains might merge different senses to create a fuller picture of the surroundings.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mice-whiskers-make-sounds">Mice whiskers make sounds</h2>



“Whiskers are so delicate that no one had thought of checking whether they produce sounds that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/klotho-s-kl-protein-discovered-boosts-lifespan-muscle-brain-power-with-one-dose/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mice</a> are able to hear,” said Professor Ilan Lampl of Weizmann’s Brain Sciences Department.



Lampl’s team started by recording the sounds whiskers make when they brush against different surfaces. They used sensitive microphones capable of picking up ultrasonic frequencies - sounds beyond human hearing. The setup mimicked the distance between a mouse’s whiskers and ears.



Surprisingly, the microphones caught faint yet distinct sounds. Whiskers brushing against Bougainvillea leaves and aluminum foil each produced unique acoustic signatures. 



These whisker-generated sounds weren’t loud, but they were consistent enough for the researchers to wonder: Are mice actually listening to their own whiskers?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mice-brains-listen-to-whisker-sounds">Mice brains listen to whisker sounds</h2>



To answer that question, the researchers recorded neural activity in the auditory cortex of mice. They wanted to see if the brain responded to these whisker-generated sounds.



The results stunned them. The auditory cortex lit up every time a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mice-perform-first-aid-and-save-unconscious-peers-in-emergencies/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mouse</a> whisked against a surface, even when the researchers blocked the pathways that convey touch. The brain wasn’t just feeling the whisker’s touch. It was listening to it.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-listen-to-their-own-whiskers">Why listen to their own whiskers?</h2>



Mice navigate through dense, cluttered environments. They sniff, feel, and now, it seems, they also listen. This auditory feedback might help them distinguish between surfaces. 



The sound of whiskers brushing against a dry leaf may signal danger. The rustle of aluminum foil might mean food. Lampl suggests that mice may have developed this sensory connection to avoid predators.



“Since whisking generates much weaker sounds than walking, a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mice-offer-first-aid-to-unconscious-companions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mouse</a> could rely on it when, for example, choosing whether to walk across a brittle, drier field of crops versus a fresher, quieter one, to avoid being detected by an owl,” said Lampl.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ai-confirms-that-mice-identify-sounds">AI confirms that mice identify sounds</h2>



To confirm that these sounds mattered to the mice, the researchers brought in artificial intelligence (AI). They trained two machine-learning models.



One model analyzed the neural activity in response to whisker-generated sounds. The other analyzed the recorded sounds themselves. Both models accurately identified objects based solely on sound patterns. 



The takeaway? The mice’s brains were not just picking up sound. They were interpreting it.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mice-trained-to-hear-whisker-sounds">Mice trained to hear whisker sounds</h2>



With AI results in hand, the researchers designed a behavioral test. They trained mice whose touch sensation had been blocked to recognize aluminum foil based solely on its whisker-generated sound.



The mice caught on quickly. When they heard the sound of whiskers scraping foil, they responded as if they were touching it. 



This finding confirmed that the auditory cortex could interpret whisker sounds as sensory information, even without tactile input.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-listening-to-whiskers-helps-mice-survive">Listening to whiskers helps mice survive</h2>



Why would mice evolve to listen to their own whiskers? Lampl believes it’s all about survival. 



The sound of whiskers brushing against objects is subtle - much quieter than a mouse’s footsteps. This quiet feedback allows a mouse to navigate without attracting predators.



“Whisking could also help a mouse figure out whether a stem is hollow or sufficiently juicy and worthy of a bite,” Lampl explained. 



The ability to detect subtle acoustic differences might help mice decide what to bite, what to avoid, and where to hide.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mouse-whisker-insights-for-robots">Mouse whisker insights for robots</h2>



The study’s findings have broader implications. If mice can merge sound and touch to perceive their environment, robots might do the same. 



Dr. Ben Efron, a lead researcher in the study, sees potential in collision-avoidance sensors that rely on sound.



“Integrating different types of sensory input is a major challenge in the design of robotic systems. The mouse brain’s whisking system might provide inspiration for technologies that would address this challenge,” said Dr. Efron.



In smoke-filled rooms, underwater environments, or other low-visibility conditions, sensors that interpret subtle sounds could prevent collisions. The mouse brain, it seems, may offer a blueprint for such systems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-blind-people-could-benefit">How blind people could benefit</h2>



The study also opens doors for sensory rehabilitation. For people with sensory impairments, integrating touch and sound could enhance perception. 



Consider how blind individuals use the sound of a white cane tapping against a surface. Mice, it turns out, might be doing something similar with their whiskers.



If researchers can replicate this multisensory integration in prosthetic devices, they could create more intuitive feedback systems. Imagine a prosthetic hand that not only feels an object but also “hears” its texture through vibrations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tiny-whiskers-big-sensory-impact">Tiny whiskers, big sensory impact</h2>



Mice whiskers are as thick as human hair at the base, ranging from 40 to 80 microns. 



As they extend outward, they become much thinner, ending at just 3 to 4 microns at the tip. This thin, sensitive structure helps them create tiny sounds and detect slight vibrations.



This study is just the beginning. If mice can use whisker-generated sounds to identify objects, what other animals might do the same? Could cats or rats also listen to their whiskers?



The researchers plan to explore how different animals might use touch-generated sounds. They also want to see if mice can learn to distinguish between even more complex sounds or if they can adapt to new auditory cues.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-of-mice-whisker-sounds">Significance of mice whisker sounds </h2>



What started as a simple investigation into whiskers has revealed a complex sensory connection. Mice don’t just feel with their whiskers - they listen to them. 



The implications stretch beyond the burrow, hinting at new ways to merge sound and touch in both nature and technology.



And for researchers like Lampl, the work is far from over. The brain’s ability to integrate multiple senses opens up a world of possibilities, from robotic sensors to prosthetic feedback systems. The whispers of whiskers might just be the start.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0960982225001241?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a>.



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Mouse whiskers can actually "hear" the world by creating internal sounds

Inside dark, hidden burrows, mice rely on their whiskers to...

Imagine a world without apples, almonds, tomatoes, or coffee. It would not just be bland - it would be dangerously imbalanced. This isn’t fiction but a potential reality if pollinators like bees disappear. World Bee Day, observed on May 20, is a global call to remember, appreciate, and protect these essential creatures.



In 2025, under the theme&nbsp;"Bee inspired by nature to nourish us all,"&nbsp;the campaign goes beyond admiration. It urges action to support biodiversity, sustainable agriculture, and ecosystem resilience. 



Bees, alongside other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/native-bee-species-face-extinction-due-to-honey-bee-competition/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollinators</a>, not only fill our plates but also keep our planet’s life systems in balance. Their survival is tightly linked to our own.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pollinators-help-most-plants-grow">Pollinators help most plants grow</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bees-sleep-like-humans-with-similar-brain-patterns/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bees</a> are important, but they’re not the only creatures that help plants grow. Butterflies, birds, bats, and even some animals like lemurs also move pollen from one flower to another. This process is called pollination. 



Without it, most plants can't make fruits or seeds. Together, all these pollinators help nearly 90 out of every 100 wild plants grow. They also help with growing more than three-quarters of the food crops we eat, like apples, almonds, onions, coffee, and avocados.



There are more than 20,000 kinds of bees in the world. Most of them live in the wild. We usually just take them for granted. But when they disappear, we feel the difference. 



Farmers lose money because crops don’t grow well. Food prices go up. The variety of fruits and vegetables drops. Our meals become less healthy.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bee-survival-depends-on-more-than-just-pollen-abundance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pollinators</a> don’t just help plants grow. They make fruits bigger, tastier, and more colorful and work for free, every day, without anyone asking. But when nature is damaged, pollinators are usually the first to be affected. And when they vanish, we have a lot to lose.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-world-bee-day-live-like-bees">World Bee Day: Live like bees</h2>



Bees live in a way that works well with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-day-2025-what-were-really-fighting-for/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nature</a>. They don’t destroy or waste anything. Instead, bees build hives, help flowers grow, and support many other plants and animals. Everything they do fits into the natural system. It’s smart, balanced, and helpful to the planet.



This year’s World Bee Day message means we should look at how bees live and learn from them. Bees work together, help each other and keep nature healthy without causing harm.



If we follow their example, we can grow food in better ways. We don’t need to clear forests or harm wild plants. We can farm without using harmful chemicals. Nature already knows the right way - bees are showing it to us. We just need to watch and do the same.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pollinators-are-in-trouble">Pollinators are in trouble</h2>



This isn’t just a story about bees dying. It’s about something much bigger. Nature is like a chain, and pollinators are one of its strong links. When that link breaks, the whole system starts to fall apart. Animals, plants, and people all feel the damage.



Pollinators like bees, butterflies, bats, and birds are disappearing much faster than they should - up to 1,000 times faster. Around 35 out of every 100 insect pollinators are in danger. For animals like birds and bats, 17 out of 100 are also at risk.



If this keeps happening, the way we eat will change. Fruits, nuts, seeds, and leafy vegetables may become rare. The bright, fresh foods we enjoy today might be replaced by plain, cheap ones like rice, wheat, and corn. That means less nutrition and more hunger.



Farmers will have a harder time growing crops. Prices in stores will go up. The poorest people, who already struggle, will suffer the most. No one wants that kind of future.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-world-bee-day-and-pollinator-protection">World Bee Day and pollinator protection</h2>



In 2018, the United Nations officially started World Bee Day. They chose May 20 because it’s the birthday of Anton Janša. He lived in Slovenia in the 1700s and helped improve how people care for bees. He believed bees were special because they worked hard and didn’t need much in return.



Today, we still respect bees for the same reason. But respect is not enough anymore. Bees are in danger, and they need our help.



Yurdi Yasmi is the director of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Plant Production and Protection Division.



“This call is extended to all Member Nations, international and regional organizations, civil society, leaders of Indigenous Peoples, researchers, the private sector, everyone working in the sector and anyone with an interest in bees and other pollinators to get involved, share their experiences and show how important these pollinators are,” said Yasmi.



The <a href="https://www.fao.org/home/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FAO</a> is not just spreading awareness. It’s also training beekeepers, supporting eco-friendly farms, and encouraging laws that protect pollinators. Their message is simple - if we protect pollinators, we protect our future too.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bee-projects-are-helping-people-and-nature">Bee projects are helping people and nature</h2>



In Samoa, bees do more than make honey. A project called “<a href="https://beeeducated.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bee Educated!</a>” trains women to care for hives. They learn, earn, and teach others. Bees bring money and confidence. They also bring balance to the land. It’s not just a project - it’s a movement.



In Yemen, beekeeping keeps going even through war. With support from the FAO and World Bank, farmers get better tools. They learn how to protect their bees and gather honey safely. Despite conflict and climate stress, the bees - and their keepers - persist.



These stories prove something important. When you help bees, you help people. You protect culture, jobs, and land. And you do it with nature, not against it.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-participating-in-world-bee-day-2025">Participating in World Bee Day 2025</h2>



You don’t need to own a big farm to help bees and other pollinators. Small actions at home make a big difference. You can plant flowers that naturally grow in your area. These flowers give bees food. You can stop using harmful sprays in your garden. You can let wild bees build their nests safely.



Buying honey from nearby beekeepers also helps. So does telling your friends and family why bees matter. Even putting a shallow bowl of water with some stones outside gives bees a place to rest and drink.



Farmers can help too. They can grow many kinds of crops instead of just one. This gives pollinators more food. They can also reduce their use of pesticides and plant hedges and trees around fields to create safe spaces for bees.



Governments can support all these efforts. They can give money or rewards to farmers who protect pollinators. They can listen to Indigenous people, who have deep knowledge of nature and land. The more people who join in, the better it is for pollinators - and for us all.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-we-can-still-protect-bees">We can still protect bees</h2>



Bees may be small, but their role in nature is huge. They help flowers, fruits, and vegetables grow by carrying pollen between plants. This links everything in the natural world - from the soil beneath our feet to the air we breathe.



Bees don’t just move pollen. They help life continue. They build hives from wax and turn flower nectar into honey which feeds people around the world.



Even though bees work quietly, their effect is powerful. Without them, many plants would stop growing. Our food system would weaken. Whole ecosystems would fall out of balance.



World Bee Day is not just a time to thank bees. It’s also a serious reminder. If we don’t act now, we could lose them. But it’s also a message of hope. We can still choose to protect bees and follow the example of nature.



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World Bee Day 2025: Protecting the pollinators that feed the world

Imagine a world without apples, almonds, tomatoes, or coffee. It...

European honey bees, celebrated for their industrious nature, may be pushing Australia’s native bees to the brink. 



Research from <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Curtin University</a> reveals how these introduced bees could be reducing the reproductive success of native cavity-nesting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bees-sleep-like-humans-with-similar-brain-patterns/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bees</a>. 



The findings hint at a deeper problem - one that could disrupt ecosystems and challenge biodiversity in ways that few expect.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-native-bee-reproductive-struggles">Native bee reproductive struggles</h2>



Dr. Kit Prendergast, a researcher at Curtin’s School of Molecular and Life Sciences, didn't just set up bee hotels to provide shelter. She turned them into research stations. 



“Bee hotels are more than just a way to give <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bee-survival-depends-on-more-than-just-pollen-abundance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bees</a> a place to nest - they’re powerful research tools that let us measure how well native bees are surviving and reproducing in different environments,” Dr. Prendergast said.



For two spring-to-summer seasons, Dr. Prendergast and her team studied 1000 native bee nests in 14 urban bushland and garden sites. 



The findings? In areas swarming with honey <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/artificial-diet-offers-hope-for-saving-endangered-honey-bees/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bees</a>, native bees faced trouble. They produced fewer female offspring. Their offspring had higher mortality rates. And the males that survived were noticeably smaller.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-honey-bees-outcompete-native-bees">Honey bees outcompete native bees </h2>



Honey <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/science-is-giving-beekeepers-a-better-way-to-fight-colony-collapse/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bees</a> collected pollen from many types of plants, including both local and non-native ones. Native bees, however, focused on a smaller number of specific plants. 



This difference in foraging behavior made it harder for native bees to find enough food, as honey bees took pollen from a wider range of sources.



During the first year, honey bees collected pollen from 10.3 different species on average, while native bees gathered from just 4.3. In the second year, honey bees still maintained their wide range, collecting from 8.1 species. Native bees, however, only managed 2.8.



That’s a lot of overlap. Too much. In areas with high pollen overlap, native bees provisioned fewer cells for their offspring. Less food meant fewer babies. And fewer babies meant a population under pressure.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-urban-gardens-intensify-pollen-competition">Urban gardens intensify pollen competition</h2>



Gardens may look like paradises for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bees-wearing-tiny-qr-codes-reveal-foraging-secrets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bees</a>, but they can also be battlegrounds. 



Honey bees, with their broad pollen preferences, took full advantage of exotic plants. They outcompeted native bees in residential gardens, where floral diversity was often lower and more fragmented.



Dr. Prendergast pointed out that in these urban gardens, the impact of honey bee densities became more pronounced. Parasitism rates among native bees increased, suggesting that honey bee competition might make them more vulnerable to parasites.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-honey-bees-affect-native-bee-sex-ratios">Honey bees affect native bee sex ratios</h2>



Honey bees didn’t just take pollen. They also affected the sex ratio of native bees. Female bees need more resources to develop, and when those resources get scarce, fewer females emerge.



“In some conditions, greater overlap in pollen use was associated with lower offspring numbers in native bees,” Dr. Prendergast noted. 



And the offspring that did emerge? More males than females. This male-biased sex ratio could destabilize native bee populations over time, making it harder for them to recover.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-competition-reduces-reproduction">Competition reduces reproduction</h2>



Pollen is essential for bees. They collect it, eat it, and use it to feed their young. The study found that honey bees gathered pollen from more plant types than native bees.



In the first year, honey bees collected pollen from 58 plant species, but native bees only collected from 41. The next year, honey bees still foraged from 41 species, while native bees dropped to 24.



This difference matters. When honey bees take pollen from many plants, they leave less for native bees. 



With less pollen available, native bees have less food to feed their young. This leads to fewer offspring, smaller young, and fewer females, which can weaken native bee populations over time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-urban-vs-bushland-divide">The urban vs. bushland divide</h2>



Urban gardens didn’t just have more honey bees. They had more floral competition and higher parasitism rates. 



Native bees in bushland remnants fared slightly better, surrounded by more native flora and fewer honey bees. But even in these relatively protected areas, the pressure was still on.



The competition in gardens was particularly intense, with honey bees exploiting exotic plants that native bees couldn’t use as effectively. As a result, native bees had to work harder, forage longer, and ultimately, face greater risks from parasites.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-honey-bees-increase-native-bee-mortality">Honey bees increase native bee mortality </h2>



Mortality rates for native bee offspring spiked in the first year of the study. Urban gardens with high honey bee densities saw the most significant increases. Fewer provisioned cells. More dead larvae. And for the males that did survive? They were smaller than usual.



“This shows that honey bees are not as benign as some might think - they can negatively impact local ecosystems and potentially contribute to declines in native bee populations,” Dr. Prendergast explained. 



And those smaller males? They’re less likely to find mates, further straining the population.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-honey-bees-collect-more-pollen">Honey bees collect more pollen</h2>



Pollen analysis revealed a stark picture. Honey bees collected over twice as many pollen species as native bees. They didn’t just stick to native plants - they also targeted exotics, increasing the overlap and making it harder for native bees to find enough food.



The most common pollen species for honey bees included Eucalyptus marginata, Corymbia calophylla, and Melaleuca sp. For native bees, it was the same lineup. 



This shared preference intensified the competition, with honey bees taking more than their share, leaving native bees with less.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-strategies-to-protect-native-bees">Strategies to protect native bees</h2>



What can be done to protect native bees? Dr. Prendergast suggests increasing native plant diversity in urban areas. By planting more species that native bees prefer - and that honey bees don’t - we can reduce competition.



Managing honey bee populations in urban gardens could also help. Fewer managed hives, fewer feral colonies. But it’s not that simple. Honey bees are valuable pollinators, and their removal isn’t always practical.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-research-directions">Future research directions </h2>



Dr. Prendergast’s work is just the beginning. The study, funded by the City of Stirling, the <a href="https://www.aws.org.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Australian Wildlife Society</a>, Hesperia, and the <a class="" href="https://www.forrestresearch.org.au/">Forrest Research Foundation</a>, points to a need for more targeted research.



Future studies could focus on long-term monitoring, examining how native bee populations fare over several years in areas with varying honey bee densities.



Understanding how pollen overlap affects native bee fitness in different habitats could also provide clues for more effective conservation strategies. Because in this hidden battle, the stakes are high. 



For native bees, survival may depend on more than just flowers - it may depend on the flowers they can still call their own.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/bee-science/articles/10.3389/frbee.2025.1508958/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Bee Science</a>.



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Native bee species face extinction due to honey bee competition

European honey bees, celebrated for their industrious nature, may be...

Mountain environments have captured our imagination for centuries. They offer striking landscapes, distinctive habitats, and a sense of calm that many species find comforting.



A recent analysis suggests that these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-finally-learn-what-makes-plants-roots-grow-faster-and-stronger-autophagy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecosystems</a> may cope with rising temperatures better than people once thought. 



This new research, led by I-Ching Chen from the American Association for the Advancement of Science (<a href="https://www.aaas.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AAAS</a>), challenges the idea that all mountain species are on a one-way trip toward extinction.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-warming-affects-mountain-species">How warming affects mountain species</h2>



Scientists have long examined how warming affects animal and plant ranges. One <a href="https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg1/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">group</a> found that alpine regions are experiencing temperature changes faster than many lower areas. This has prompted questions about how quickly species move to stay in suitable conditions.



Traditional theories point to a simple path: as warmth creeps higher, species must scramble upslope or vanish. 



Some <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mountain-wetlands-are-turning-into-mercury-hotspots/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mountain</a> creatures do climb to cooler elevations, but a new dataset of thousands of historical and modern range records suggests that most are managing shifts without the sweeping extinctions many feared.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extinction-predictions-may-be-overstated">Extinction predictions may be overstated</h2>



The widely recognized <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1817416115" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">escalator to extinction</a> concept predicts that steep terrain restricts movement. Higher elevations leave little room for escape, so species get stuck and face extinction. 



However, the researchers found no solid evidence of mass disappearances linked directly to this idea. "Observed changes largely fell within random expectations, accounting for geometric constraints,” noted Chen. 



The team used a <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s43586-020-00001-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bayesian modeling approach</a>, a probabilistic method that helps analyze data under uncertain conditions, to track changes in where species live.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mountain-species-with-limited-ranges">Mountain species with limited ranges</h2>



Some species occupy narrow ranges and were predicted to vanish first when forced to new territory. Many have expanded to higher <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mountain-plants-are-not-safe-from-rapid-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ground</a>, but they did not always abandon lower limits.



The study’s findings suggest that tight mountain boundaries are not immediately sealing any fate. Instead, these expansions reflect a flexible response that might help these specialized creatures endure ongoing temperature shifts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-species-adapt-to-warming">How species adapt to warming</h2>



Not all species respond to warming by moving up. Some adjust by shifting their activity times, altering diets, or evolving faster reproduction cycles to cope with heat.



A <a href="https://academic.oup.com/conphys/article/4/1/cow035/2951699" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a> in the Rocky Mountains found certain butterflies adapted by changing when they emerged each season rather than climbing higher elevations. These shifts show that elevation isn’t the only axis of climate response.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-change-blurs-species-boundaries">Climate change blurs species boundaries</h2>



<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S016953470300288X" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Biotic homogenization</a> is a process where different communities start to look more alike. Lowland species gradually move upslope, and unique mountain specialists mix with newcomers. Over time, these once-distinct groups blend.



Homogenization can reduce diversity of traits that once set each area apart. One <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.1219033" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">investigation</a> in the European Alps found increasing plant diversity at higher elevations, but it also showed a trend toward more generalist species over time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-uncertain-future-for-mountain-species">Uncertain future for mountain species</h2>



Some scientists warn that the study only reflects current trends, not long-term outcomes. Species might still face delayed consequences known as <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0169534709001918" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extinction debt</a>, where loss happens years after the initial environmental change.



Climate disruptions can also affect reproduction, migration timing, and food chains in ways that take time to appear in range maps. Without ongoing monitoring, early warning signs might be missed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-long-term-effects-of-warming">Potential long-term effects of warming</h2>



Some researchers point out that warming may accelerate, so any delay in extinctions could be temporary. Mountains might be resilient now, but conditions may shift faster than <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-rising-mountains-give-birth-to-new-species/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a> can handle in coming decades.



Others emphasize that different regions vary in elevation spread, terrain complexity, and existing conservation measures. Local factors may play a big role in determining which mountain areas remain robust and which slip into trouble.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-mountain-ecosystems">Protecting mountain ecosystems </h2>



Scientists note that mountain ecosystems connect with rivers, valleys, and forests. When one part of the chain changes, the surrounding zones feel the impact. 



Some of the study’s authors caution that future ecological interactions may look different as more generalist species move upslope.



Conservation efforts in these regions will likely require new ways to track ongoing shifts. Observing subtle changes in how species occupy space across mountain slopes can help protect vulnerable spots before problems escalate.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-insights-on-mountain-species">New insights on mountain species</h2>



Though the picture is more optimistic than predicted for some high-elevation creatures, it raises new concerns about shrinking distinctions between once-separate communities. 



The immediate threat may not be widespread die-offs, but a quiet rearrangement of biodiversity.



Skeptics advise monitoring these patterns closely. Conditions are always changing, and caution remains wise where habitats and their inhabitants are so intimately tied to unique geographic features.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adq9512" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>.



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Most mountain species are actually adapting to warming instead of flirting with extinction

Mountain environments have captured our imagination for centuries. They offer...

Butterflies sometimes appear to zigzag and drift when they hover. Their bodies may look jerky from a distance, yet these movements help them stay aloft in ways few people expect.



Yanlai Zhang from <a href="http://ev.buaa.edu.cn" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Beihang University</a> recently contributed to a study that examines how body angle allows butterflies to maintain stable flight in place. 



The research explores a unique aspect of hovering that might spur fresh <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/robobee-mimicking-nature-with-insect-inspired-microrobots/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">approaches</a> for small aerial robots.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-body-tilt-helps-a-butterfly-hover">Body tilt helps a butterfly hover</h2>



Butterfly <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-some-birds-lose-the-ability-to-fly/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">flight</a> usually looks chaotic. Many experts note that quick shifts and uneven wing beats are actually precise motions that allow them to avoid predators.



These graceful insects rely on flexible wing structures to keep their balance. Some experts suspect there is a fine interplay between wing movement and body alignment that helps <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bird-evolution-timeline-pushed-back-20-million-years-by-baminornis-zhenghensis-discovery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">butterflies</a> manage their lift.



Scientists have found that the body pitch angle is a major factor in supporting a butterfly’s weight in midair. This angle aligns forces to counteract gravity.



Hovering stability often depends on how insects tilt their bodies. By changing these angles, each wing stroke can steer the butterfly’s overall direction without wasting energy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-role-of-airflow-in-butterfly-hovering">The role of airflow in butterfly hovering</h2>



Observers have long wondered why <a href="https://horticulture.oregonstate.edu/oregon-vegetables/cabbage-white-butterfly" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">white cabbage butterflies</a> flutter with frequent stops and starts. It appears they are fine-tuning their body positions while hovering.



Such <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drones-reveal-hidden-details-about-greenlands-melting-ice/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">adjustments</a> let them tap into beneficial air currents around their wings. This slight tilt is just enough to balance the forces that hold them up.



“Hovering serves as an essential survival mechanism for critical behaviors, including flower visitation and predator evasion,” said Zhang. Scientists continue to explore how individual flight strokes contribute to upward thrust.



They track the flight paths using high-speed video, then compare these recordings with computations. Doing so uncovers how subtle wing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/golden-eagles-go-to-flight-school-to-master-soaring-skills/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">movements</a> can produce enough lift to hover without drifting too far.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-butterfly-flight-informs-drone-design">Butterfly flight informs drone design</h2>



Groups studying <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/micro-air-vehicle" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">micro aerial vehicles</a> see possibilities in these findings. Lightweight, flapping devices might copy butterflies’ low-frequency wing beats for increased hovering efficiency.



Small robots that hover quietly could someday perform delicate tasks. By adopting the body tilt approach, designers may reduce power demands and extend flight times.



Sound pollution is a concern with many drones. Low-frequency flapping could help reduce noise.



“We are particularly excited about deploying such silent hover-capable MAVs for noninvasive wildlife observation, where their biomimetic appearance and quiet operation would minimize disturbance to natural behaviors,” said Zhang.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-drones-that-can-monitor-wildlife-silently">Drones that can monitor wildlife silently</h2>



Engineers see value in a slow, quiet platform that can capture tiny details without spooking creatures. That capability could help study pollination and other ecological processes.



Such miniature flappers might even be useful in cramped or sensitive environments. Controlled hovering, guided by the body pitch technique, might be the key to stable flight in tight spaces.



During each wingbeat, airflow changes quickly around the butterfly’s wings. Researchers highlight how forewings and hindwings create separate patterns of circulation.



Vortices form, strengthen, and then shed in brief intervals. This dynamic <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9317473/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">interplay</a> ensures reliable lift while the butterfly hovers in one spot.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-designing-small-flying-robots">Designing small flying robots</h2>



Scientists use computational fluid analysis to piece together these quick movements. High-speed cameras and advanced models allow for precise measurements of wing tilt.



Each shift in angle contributes to a balanced force system. Tracking these details reveals that the butterfly’s body angle is the linchpin of its hovering routine.



Engineers looking at nature’s <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/269045583_Development_of_the_Nano_Hummingbird_A_Tailless_Flapping_Wing_Micro_Air_Vehicle" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">blueprints</a> often find surprising solutions for mechanical problems. Designing smaller, more versatile aerial devices takes on new meaning when we see how well butterflies control their flight.



By factoring in body pitch, researchers aim to replicate a butterfly’s agility. Such adaptive maneuvers could help robots move with more stability and less vibration.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenges-and-next-steps">Challenges and next steps</h2>



Developers need to ensure enough lift without adding too much weight. Materials that flex like butterfly wings might offer options for more lifelike motion.



Some of these designs may also require refined sensors. Precise control of angles, wing flaps, and position data is crucial for stable hovering in rough conditions.



This investigation hints at new ways to blend biology with technology. Aerodynamics inspired by butterfly hovering might boost scientific progress on miniature flying robots.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://pubs.aip.org/aip/pof/article-abstract/37/5/051904/3346692/The-roles-of-body-and-wing-pitching-angles-in?redirectedFrom=fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Physics of Fluids</a>.



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Butterfly hovering technique could revolutionize drone design

Butterflies sometimes appear to zigzag and drift when they hover....

Ants march across sidewalks and kitchen counters as if they own the place. They cross oceans inside cargo ships, set up vast super-colonies, and push out native species on six continents. 



Once a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-many-ants-live-on-earth-at-any-point-in-time-total-number-is-astounding/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nest of ants</a> settles in, homeowners and farmers often reach for poison baits, yet the insects lose interest before enough of them carry the toxic treat back home. 



A new study suggests that a tiny splash of caffeine could keep the party going - and give pest managers an edge.



The research shows that moderate doses of caffeine sharpen an ant’s memory for the bait’s location. Ants that sipped a caffeinated sugar drop found it again more quickly on later trips, leaving a stronger scent trail for nest-mates. 



The discovery points to a low-cost tweak that might finally turn the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ants-perform-life-saving-amputation-surgeries-on-injured-nest-mates/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">invader’s own teamwork</a> against it.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tiny-ant-huge-impact">Tiny ant, huge impact</h2>



The Argentine ant (Linepithema humile) is only about one-tenth of an inch long, yet its cooperative spirit builds super-colonies stretching thousands of miles along the Mediterranean coast and the U.S. West Coast. 



Those armies displace local insects, rob hummingbird feeders, and even short-circuit electrical gear. 



Recent economic analyses peg the global cost of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ants-are-shifting-to-new-habitats-to-cope-with-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">invasive ants</a> - including crop losses and control bills - at billions of dollars each year. No wonder pest crews keep searching for smarter tactics.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-giving-caffeine-to-ants">Giving caffeine to ants</h2>



To find out, researchers set up a miniature arena: a Lego drawbridge led each ant onto a letter-size acrylic platform where a single sugar drop waited. 



Some drops carried no additive, while others contained 25 parts per million (ppm), 250 ppm, or 2 000 ppm of caffeine. One hundred forty-two ants took part, and each explorer tackled the course four times.



“The idea with this project was to find some cognitive way of getting the ants to consume more of the poisonous baits we put in the field,” says the study’s first author Henrique Galante, a computational biologist at the <a href="https://www.uni-regensburg.de/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Regensburg</a>. 



Automated cameras tracked every step, logging travel time and the straightness of each path. Without caffeine, the insects wandered, needing the same span to reach the treat on every attempt. Add a modest stimulant, and the story changed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-caffeine-gives-ant-focus-not-speed">Caffeine gives ant focus, not speed</h2>



“We found that intermediate <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/caffeine-evolution-in-plants-the-surprising-story-of-yerba-mate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">doses of caffeine</a> actually boost learning - when you give them a bit of caffeine, it pushes them into having straighter paths and being able to reach the reward faster," Galante explained.



In fact, ants that tasted 25 ppm caffeine shaved 28 percent off their foraging time on every return. Those on 250 ppm cut the clock by 38 percent. 



Picture an individual that spent 300 seconds during its first outing - it would need just 113 seconds after three more trips on the lower dose and 54 seconds on the medium dose.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/caffeine-consumption-may-lower-the-risk-of-dementia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The stimulant</a> did not act like an energy drink. There was no uptick in raw speed. “What we see is that they're not moving faster, they're just being more focused on where they're going,” Galante noted. 



“This suggests that they know where they want to go, therefore, they have learned the locations of the reward.” 



Only path geometry tightened; pace stayed the same. At the heaviest 2 000 ppm dose - the level that kills half of honeybees in tests - the learning advantage disappeared.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sharper-trails-deadlier-bait">Sharper trails, deadlier bait</h2>



Argentine ants rely on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ants-are-now-using-cars-to-travel-spread-to-new-locations/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pheromone highways</a>. A worker that discovers food drags its stinger along the ground, laying a chemical breadcrumb trail that guides the next shift. Faster relearning multiplies that effect. 



“We're trying to make them better at finding these baits, because the faster they go and come back to them, the more pheromone trails they lay, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/evolutionary-deja-vu-the-symbiotic-relationships-of-trees-and-ants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">more ants will come</a>, and, therefore, the faster they will spread the poison in the colony before they realize it's poison,” Galante continued.



Adding caffeine could also slash the waste that now limits bait stations. In neighborhoods and orchards, technicians often replenish gels every few days because the first wave of foragers gives up. 



A caffeinated lure might stay attractive long enough for queens and larvae to receive a lethal serving.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-happens-next">What happens next</h2>



The team is already field-testing the recipe at infested sites in Spain. They also plan to check whether caffeine interacts with common active ingredients such as hydramethylnon or spinosad. 



“The lowest dose we used is what you find in natural plants, the intermediate dose is similar to what you would find in some energy drinks, and the highest amount is set to be the LD50 of bees - where half the bees fed this dose die - so it's likely to be quite toxic for them,” Galante notes. 



Selecting a concentration that boosts memory without harming pollinators will be crucial.



Caffeine’s appeal extends beyond Argentine ants. Other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dirt-ants-were-once-masters-of-disguise-in-the-caribbean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">invasive species</a> - including fire ants and big-headed ants - share the same food-sharing habits that make baiting tricky. 



If the stimulant nudges their neural circuits in a similar way, managers could deploy a single additive across multiple pest fronts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-we-learned-about-ants-and-caffeine">What we learned about ants and caffeine</h2>



To sum it all up, caffeine improves ants' overall focus and learning without increasing speed, allowing them to navigate straighter paths and lay stronger pheromone trails. 



This effect boosts the effectiveness of bait traps, leading more ants to the poison and increasing the chances of it spreading through the colony. 



However, the benefit peaks at moderate doses - very high levels eliminate the learning advantage and can be toxic. So, overall, caffeine makes ants better at foraging and sharing, which ironically makes them more vulnerable to well-designed pest control strategies.



For now, the message is simple: a dash of coffee in the buffet may turn an army’s fabled navigation skills against itself. When the ants get better at remembering dessert, the colony’s days could finally be numbered.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/iscience/fulltext/S2589-0042(24)01157-X" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">iScience</a>.



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When ants eat or drink caffeine, many interesting things happen

Ants march across sidewalks and kitchen counters as if they...

Wildlife trafficking is a crime that extends far beyond the smuggling of charismatic species like elephants and rhinos. It involves the illegal trade of a wide range of animals, plants, and even insects. 



While public attention often focuses on large mammals, the trafficking of insects remains a lesser-known but equally significant threat.



Recently, four men were arrested in Kenya for attempting to smuggle over 5,000 ants. Their aim was to sell these ants as part of the exotic pet trade. The ants were stored in individual test tubes and syringes, cushioned with small amounts of cotton wool. 



This unusual method highlights the extreme lengths traffickers go to transport even the tiniest of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/when-you-give-caffeine-to-ants-many-interesting-things-happen/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">creatures</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exotic-pet-trade-fuels-insect-smuggling">Exotic pet trade fuels insect smuggling</h2>



Some people collect rare and unusual insects as exotic pets or decorative <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-quiet-engineers-what-happens-when-common-ant-species-disappear/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">specimens</a>. These collectors are willing to pay high prices for insects that are hard to find, unique, or visually striking. 



For example, a rhino beetle’s shiny shell can attract buyers in Japan due to its unusual appearance. In Sri Lanka, butterflies with bright and delicate wings are sought after for collections. Praying mantis eggs are treated as curiosities in the United States, where people keep them as unusual pets or decorative items.



Traffickers take advantage of this demand. They collect insects and package them in small, everyday containers like crisp packets, candy boxes, or plastic tubes. These containers blend in with regular luggage or shipments, making the insects difficult to detect at airports or customs checks.



Once smuggled and sold, the insects end up in private collections or as exotic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-many-ants-live-on-earth-at-any-point-in-time-total-number-is-astounding/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pets</a>. Collectors may keep them in glass cases, display them as trophies, or breed them for further trade. Some insects become part of illegal markets where rare or endangered species are sold for profit.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-insect-trafficking-is-often-overlooked">Insect trafficking is often overlooked</h2>



When people think of wildlife trafficking, they picture poachers hunting elephants for ivory or rhinos for their horns. But insects? They hardly come to mind. Yet the trade in insects is just as destructive.



Unlike elephants or tigers, insects don’t get much media coverage. Conservationists focus on the big, charismatic animals while the smaller, less glamorous creatures slip through the cracks. 



The black market takes full advantage of this oversight, smuggling insects without drawing much attention.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-declining-insect-populations">Declining insect populations</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/genetically-enhanced-crops-could-help-fight-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Insects</a> are disappearing rapidly around the world. Pesticides used in farming and gardening poison them, killing large numbers of insects. 



Climate change disrupts their habitats, making it harder for them to find food, reproduce, or survive. Urban development also destroys natural areas, replacing forests, fields, and wetlands with buildings and roads. This leaves insects with fewer places to live.



While pesticides, climate change, and urban sprawl are widely recognized threats, another danger looms – trafficking. Insects that are already endangered become even more vulnerable as collectors and traffickers seek out rare species. These individuals capture and sell insects for profit, exploiting their scarcity.



Despite its impact, insect trafficking remains largely unnoticed. Unlike the illegal trade in elephants or tigers, insect smuggling often goes unreported. Insects are small, easy to hide, and less likely to attract attention. 



Law enforcement rarely prioritizes insect trafficking, leading to few arrests and seizures. As a result, the true scale of the problem remains unknown.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-anathema-ant-a-species-in-danger">Anathema ant: A species in danger</h2>



Some insects do get protection – at least on paper. The anathema ant, for instance, sits on the <a href="https://iucn.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IUCN</a> red list as an endangered species. Under international law, no one can capture, kill, or disturb it.



But enforcing these protections is another story. Identifying insects is tricky. Thousands of species look similar. When customs officials intercept a box of ants, how do they tell if they’re dealing with endangered anathema ants or a common garden variety?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-insect-trafficking-and-organized-crime">Insect trafficking and organized crime</h2>



Wildlife trafficking isn’t just the work of lone poachers. Organized crime syndicates have noticed the potential in insects. They’re small, easy to conceal, and cheap to transport.



At Los Angeles International Airport, customs agents discovered 37 rhino beetles stuffed into snack packets. They found them mixed with crisps and sweets, hidden in plain sight.



Why bother with beetles? The answer is simple: demand. Collectors pay top dollar for rare, exotic insects. Crime networks see an opportunity - and they seize it.



Wildlife crimes often sit low on law enforcement’s priority list. Officers focus on drugs, weapons, and human trafficking. Insect smuggling hardly registers.



Even when officials seize insects, prosecution can be difficult. Identifying a rare beetle or ant requires expertise. Misidentifications happen. Cases get dismissed. Traffickers walk free.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-invasive-species-an-unseen-consequence">Invasive species: An unseen consequence</h2>



Insect trafficking doesn’t just harm the smuggled insects. It threatens entire ecosystems. Smuggled insects can escape or get released. They breed, spread, and sometimes dominate.



In Hawaii, authorities spend millions each year battling the coconut rhinoceros beetle. It tears through crops, devastates local plants, and leaves economic ruin in its wake. 



Invasive species can cause irreversible damage, and trafficking is the door that lets them in.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cost-of-ignoring-insect-trafficking">Cost of ignoring insect trafficking </h2>



Failing to address insect trafficking costs more than just money. It risks entire ecosystems. It drives endangered species closer to extinction. It helps organized crime networks thrive.



But change is possible. Raising awareness can shine a light on the hidden trade in insects. Stronger enforcement can close the loopholes traffickers exploit. And if more people start to care, the ants, beetles, and butterflies might stand a fighting chance.



Wildlife trafficking isn’t just about rhinos and tigers. It’s about ants in test tubes, beetles in crisp packets, and butterflies smuggled across borders. Insects might not get the spotlight, but they’re part of this story too. 



And unless action is taken, they will remain easy targets in a world where profit trumps preservation.



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Insect trafficking is a destructive trade that's been overlooked

Wildlife trafficking is a crime that extends far beyond the...

Coral reefs are some of the most colorful and diverse ecosystems on Earth. Much of this beauty comes from the tiny algae that live inside coral tissues. But the story doesn’t end there. 



The water surrounding coral reefs is filled with invisible life - bacteria, archaea, and other microscopic organisms. These microbes don’t just float around unnoticed; they react to changes in the environment and can tell us a lot about the health of coral reefs.



In a recent study by scientists from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) and <a href="https://www.gmu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">George Mason University</a>, researchers make the case for using these microbes as a valuable tool in coral reef monitoring and conservation.



The findings offer new hope for helping reefs recover from the increasing threats of climate change, pollution, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/three-important-reef-building-coral-habitats-are-vanishing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">habitat destruction</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-insights-into-coral-reef-health">New insights into coral reef health</h2>



Amy Apprill is an associate scientist in Marine Chemistry &amp; Geochemistry at WHOI and lead author of the study.



“Factoring in microbes is very helpful to understand more about overall reef health,” said Apprill. "My team has produced over a dozen detailed datasets that demonstrate these connections."



"Our goal with this new paper is to make this knowledge accessible to the programs and people interested in using microbes to diagnose <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seaweed-can-mislead-scientists-about-reef-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reef health</a> and ocean conditions.”



Traditionally, coral reef monitoring depends on what people can see - changes in coral color, signs of bleaching, or physical damage.



However, microbial sampling offers a different kind of insight. It can provide more immediate feedback and a clearer picture of what’s happening beneath the surface.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-improving-coral-reef-conservation">Improving coral reef conservation </h2>



These techniques aren’t just for scientists. The study explains how park managers, conservation groups, restoration teams, and policy makers can all benefit. 



Water samples can be collected without harming the reef. Analyzing the samples can be as simple as using a microscope or as complex as genetic sequencing. Costs and technical requirements vary, but that’s part of the appeal - this method can be adapted to many situations.



Study co-author Jennifer L. Salerno is a marine biologist and associate professor in the Department of Environmental Science and Policy at George Mason University.



“The utility of using microbes as meaningful indicators is increasing as our understanding of their roles in maintaining or destabilizing health and ecosystem function is growing,” explained Salemo.



“I think we have the science and accessible technology to take a more nuanced approach to coral <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/protecting-coral-reefs-is-a-matter-of-humans-rights/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reef conservation</a>, management, and policy decisions by deploying diagnostic tools like this.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-microbes-tell-us">What microbes tell us</h2>



Microbes respond to all sorts of environmental cues - nutrients, oxygen levels, temperature, pH, and light.



For example, the presence of E. coli in reef water typically signals contamination from human or animal waste, which is bad news for the reef. On the flip side, certain photosynthetic microbes may suggest a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/healthy-ecosystems-are-needed-to-prevent-future-pandemics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">healthy ecosystem</a>.



This kind of data is more than just interesting. It can guide decision-making about where and when to intervene, and even how to design better reef restoration projects.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-benefits-of-microbial-monitoring">Benefits of microbial monitoring </h2>



One strength of this approach is that it doesn’t require a one-size-fits-all solution. Some tools are inexpensive and easy to use, while others offer deeper insights but require more resources.



The authors of the study also urge the coral reef community to develop standard methods and share their findings.



“Because of the decline of coral reefs and the increased attention towards interventions such as restoration or rebuilding of a reef, it is important to bring all the relevant tools to the table to help restore, manage, and conserve reef ecosystems,” noted Aprill.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-reefs-from-emerging-threats">Protecting reefs from emerging threats</h2>



With regular sampling, we can track how a reef’s microbial community changes over time. That opens the door to larger-scale monitoring efforts. 



Eventually, scientists hope to build open databases of microbial data from reefs around the world. These databases could be used with machine learning tools to predict reef health and create a kind of microbial health index for coral ecosystems.



“As coral reef scientists, we are very good at monitoring change and sometimes determining the root causes of the changes we are seeing on the reef,” Salerno said. 



“We aren't as well versed in mitigation and coordinated responses to emerging threats, but I would say as a community, we are improving." 



"If we can become better at predicting emerging threats through the use of diagnostic tools, perhaps we can also become better at preventing them from impacting reefs in the first place."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-coral-reef-bleaching-crisis">The coral reef bleaching crisis</h2>



Recent years have brought some of the worst <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extreme-coral-bleaching-event-prompts-emergency-un-session/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coral bleaching events</a> on record. This happens when corals lose their symbiotic algae due to heat stress or pollution. 



As oceans keep warming due to climate change, these events are becoming more frequent and severe. The researchers emphasize that we need every tool we can get to help coral reefs survive.



“We need to provide as much practical and accessible information as we can to the people making decisions,” Apprill said. “I think these microbes can enhance our knowledge of the ecosystem and elevate our framework for decision making." 



"I want people to get excited about this idea, and for current coral reef monitoring programs and management agencies to understand how this can make a difference to their programs.”



By listening to the tiniest voices in reef waters, we may be able to protect some of the ocean’s most vital ecosystems before it’s too late.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S2949790625000990" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cell Reports Sustainability</a>.



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Microbes offer new ways to monitor coral reef health

Coral reefs are some of the most colorful and diverse...

The ocean hosts bizarre organisms, but this newly studied worm outshines most oddities. It thrives in hidden spaces inside certain sea sponges.



A global team has now produced the first detailed map of this worm’s genetic activity. This work was led by Dr. Guillermo Ponz-Segrelles at IES El Burgo-Ignacio-Echeverría in Madrid, working with the <a href="https://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/1.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Göttingen</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-marine-worm-grows-many-branches">Marine worm grows many branches</h2>



Experts call this creature <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13127-021-00538-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ramisyllis kingghidorahi</a>. It has one anterior region but can form multiple body extensions that spread through its sponge host.



Each extension contains full sets of organs, yet they all connect back to the same head. Researchers say this arrangement creates hundreds of potential sites for reproduction.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gene-control-depends-on-body-part">Gene control depends on body part</h2>



The study measured which genes turn on in different body parts. More variation appeared between the head, midsection, and reproductive zones than between male and female <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-animals-swim-at-the-perfect-depth-to-save-energy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">specimens</a>.



That suggests body location matters more for genetic control than sex does. Yet the reproductive segments still showed distinct patterns when comparing males and females.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-marine-worm-s-midsection">Marine worm’s midsection</h2>



Unlike the head or reproductive segments, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alien-like-marine-life-found-on-underwater-mountains-includes-100-new-species/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">worm’s midbody</a> showed very little unique genetic activity. This region had fewer upregulated genes, suggesting it may serve mainly as a passive conduit between active zones.



What’s puzzling is that, in female worms, the midbody still showed distinct expression patterns when compared to males and non-reproductive individuals.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/worm_Ramisyllis-kingghidorahi_male-stolen_credit-BMC-Genomics_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/worm_Ramisyllis-kingghidorahi_male-stolen_credit-BMC-Genomics_1s.webp" alt="Ramisyllis kingghidorahi Male stolon (right hand side): one of the independent reproductive units—growing at the tip of a branch of the worm's body. It has sprouted eyes and will go swimming free to find a stolon of the opposite sex with which to reproduce. The research showed stolons showed localized upregulation of genes related to eye development. Length of the stolon: approx. 1.5 millimeters. Credit: BMC Genomics" class="wp-image-1970650"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Ramisyllis kingghidorahi Male stolon (right hand side): one of the independent reproductive units—growing at the tip of a branch of the worm's body. It has sprouted eyes and will go swimming free to find a stolon of the opposite sex with which to reproduce. The research showed stolons showed localized upregulation of genes related to eye development. Length of the stolon: approx. 1.5 millimeters. Click image to enlarge. Credit: BMC Genomics</figcaption></figure>



The reason for this is unclear, and scientists believe future work will be needed to figure out what, if anything, the midbody contributes to reproduction.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-each-part-shows-focused-gene-activity">Each part shows focused gene activity</h2>



Scientists report that these worms seem to juggle shared anatomy with focused gene <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deep-sea-mining-impacts-marine-life-for-decades/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">activity</a> in each section. 



Investigators also note that<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sparkling-worm-discovered-deep-in-the-pacific-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> male and female worms</a> both rely on key signals, although each sex shows subtle differences in reproductive regions.



Molecular data indicate that many standard body processes are shared, even if actual egg or sperm production diverges. This insight reshapes how specialists think about mature segments



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-female-marine-worms-activate-more-genes">Female marine worms activate more genes</h2>



Across every body region, female worms showed the most distinct patterns of gene expression. 



Their reproductive segments, midbodies, and even heads activated more unique genes than those of males or non-reproductive individuals.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/worm_Ramisyllis-kingghidorahi_female-stolen-eggs_credit-Autonomous-University_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/worm_Ramisyllis-kingghidorahi_female-stolen-eggs_credit-Autonomous-University_1s.webp" alt="Close-up of female stolen – one of the independent reproductive units – from the worm Ramisyllis kingghidorahi. It has already sprouted eyes and is swimming free to find a stolon of the opposite sex with which to reproduce. Total length of the stolon: approx. 1.5 millimeters. Credit: Maria Teresa Aguado and Guillermo Ponz-Segrelles" class="wp-image-1970648"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Close-up of female stolen – one of the independent reproductive units – from the worm Ramisyllis kingghidorahi. It has already sprouted eyes and is swimming free to find a stolon of the opposite sex with which to reproduce. Total length of the stolon: approx. 1.5 millimeters. Click image to enlarge. Credit: Maria Teresa Aguado and Guillermo Ponz-Segrelles</figcaption></figure>



This might mean that developing female stolons requires a more complex genetic process. It could also reflect earlier or more intense reproductive activity, though the exact reason for this stronger gene response is still unclear. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reproductive-hormones-barely-showed-up">Reproductive hormones barely showed up</h2>



Researchers expected to see strong genetic signals related to known reproductive hormones like <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0305049196003379" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">methyl farnesoate</a>, dopamine, and serotonin. But those signals were weak or almost absent in the data.



One explanation is that these hormones may act earlier in the worm’s development, before the stage when samples were collected. 



Another possibility is that Ramisyllis kingghidorahi uses a different set of molecular tools entirely, which would set it apart from its relatives.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-marine-worm-genome-duplication">Marine worm genome duplication</h2>



Some genetic patterns hint at a deeper evolutionary backstory. Researchers found signs that Ramisyllis kingghidorahi may have experienced partial genome duplication in its past.



This duplication could help explain the worm’s high number of active genes across different body parts. If confirmed, it might also reveal how this species evolved such a complex reproductive system compared to its unbranched relatives.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eyes-on-every-reproductive-unit">Eyes on every reproductive unit</h2>



Each specialized reproductive segment, or <a href="https://forages.oregonstate.edu/regrowth/how-does-grass-grow/developmental-phases/vegetative-phase/rhizomes-and-stolons" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stolon</a>, sprouts temporary eyes before it separates. These eyes likely help the stolons navigate for mating.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/worm-brainching_Ramisyllis-kingghidorahi_sponge_credit-BMC-Genomics_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/worm-brainching_Ramisyllis-kingghidorahi_sponge_credit-BMC-Genomics_1s.webp" alt="The branching worm, Ramisyllis kingghidorahi, at home. This sponge is its underwater natural habitat. Credit: BMC Genomics" class="wp-image-1970652"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The branching worm, Ramisyllis kingghidorahi, at home. This sponge is its underwater natural habitat. Click image to enlarge. Credit: BMC Genomics</figcaption></figure>



This unusual adaptation highlights the worm’s skill at sensing its surroundings. Researchers hope further experiments will reveal how these newly formed eyes develop in such a short time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-who-decides-when-to-reproduce">Who decides when to reproduce?</h2>



One of the biggest mysteries is how a single anterior end, essentially one head, can control hundreds of reproductive sites. Even more confusing, not all of the worm’s branches produce stolons at the same time.



The study suggests that some branches might receive different signals or respond at different times, but the exact trigger remains unknown. 



Scientists are still trying to figure out what cues cause some branches to go ahead and create stolons while others stay dormant.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-marine-worm-s-control-system-is-still-unclear">Marine worm’s control system is still unclear</h2>



“We were surprised to find that the head of the worm, which was previously thought to house a sex-specific control system, didn’t show the dramatic differences we expected between males and females,” said Dr Guillermo Ponz-Segrelles, former researcher at the <a href="https://www.uam.es/uam/inicio" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Autonomous University of Madrid</a>. 



With each new revelation, the puzzle of how these worms fine-tune such a strange body plan keeps growing.



Scientists suggest that further work with advanced genomic methods could reveal more about how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/giant-marine-worms-found-living-under-the-ocean-floor/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine invertebrates</a> adapt to intricate symbiotic habitats. 



Such data might also offer deeper insights into the evolution of reproductive strategies among annelids.



The study is published in <a href="https://bmcgenomics.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12864-025-11587-w" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BMC Genomics</a>.



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One head of this worm controls hundreds of bodies for one of the world's strangest creatures

The ocean hosts bizarre organisms, but this newly studied worm...

Somewhere, right now, a bee pollinates a flower. A bird builds a nest from twigs. A fungus helps a tree breathe. Most of us don’t notice these moments - but life depends on them. That's why the International Day for Biological Diversity was established.



Each year, May 22 reminds us of something deep and often forgotten. We are not separate from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-pressure-is-changing-biodiversity-faster-than-we-realize/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nature</a>. We are part of it. Cities may rise, and technologies may evolve, but the soil beneath our feet and the forests in the distance sustain all life.



The International Day for Biological Diversity is more than a date. It’s a wake-up call. The campaign urges us to protect the rich web of life on Earth - before it unravels.



This year's theme, “Harmony with nature and sustainable development,” captures the need for balance. It’s about shifting from dominance to coexistence. As we race toward growth and innovation, we must also pause and ask - what are we leaving behind?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-biological-diversity-really-means">What biological diversity really means</h2>



Biodiversity means variety - not just of animals, but of plants, microorganisms, and entire ecosystems. It covers coral reefs, mountain ranges, lakes, deserts, grasslands, and even urban green spaces.



Biodiversity also includes the genetic differences between species - like the many kinds of rice we eat or the thousands of breeds of livestock around the world.



Every part of biodiversity plays a role. Forests purify air. Wetlands filter water. Bees pollinate crops. Microorganisms maintain soil fertility. These functions keep our planet alive. 



Losing biodiversity isn’t just about losing animals. It’s about weakening the entire <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/un-report-calls-for-global-change-to-stop-biodiversity-loss/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">system</a> we depend on every day.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-biological-diversity-supports-life">Biological diversity supports life </h2>



We often forget how much our lives depend on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/polar-light-sustains-biodiversity-over-millions-of-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a>. Over 80% of the human diet comes from plants. Fish provide protein for about 3 billion people. 



Plant-based medicines are still the first line of healthcare for 80% of people in rural areas of developing countries.



Biodiversity also influences weather patterns, regulates disease, and supports mental well-being. Time spent in biodiverse environments - forests, gardens, mountains - reduces stress and improves health. 



The natural world is not a luxury. It is the foundation of everything we know.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-damage-we-have-done">The damage we have done</h2>



Despite its importance, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/effective-conservation-efforts-key-to-saving-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a> is under severe threat. Human actions have changed three-quarters of land-based environments. Two-thirds of marine environments are also affected. One million animal and plant species are now at risk of extinction.



Pollution, deforestation, overfishing, habitat destruction, and climate change are driving this crisis. Many species are vanishing before we even discover them. 



We lose potential medicines, crop varieties, and ecosystem functions every time a species disappears. This is not just a nature problem. It’s a human survival problem.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-biological-diversity">Protecting biological diversity</h2>



In December 2022, countries around the world agreed on a new plan - the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. 



This plan sets 23 targets for 2030 and five overarching goals for 2050. Among them: restore 20% of degraded ecosystems and cut the spread of invasive species by 50%.



The framework connects biodiversity with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For example, preserving forests helps fight poverty, ensures clean water, and mitigates climate change. Healthy ecosystems are essential to reaching nearly every SDG.



The message is clear: biodiversity and development must progress together.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-time-is-running-out">Time is running out</h2>



The urgency is real. We have less than five years until 2030 targets become unreachable. Delaying action could push us past ecological tipping points. The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/changes-in-earths-biodiversity-can-be-tracked-from-space/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">damage</a> will be irreversible. Species don’t come back. Forests don’t regrow overnight. Oceans don’t heal in a year.



Education, innovation, and collaboration are vital. Governments must invest in conservation. Businesses must reduce waste and rethink supply chains. 



Communities must protect local biodiversity. Individuals must reconsider consumption habits. Every decision - big or small - carries weight in this global effort.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-domino-effect-of-biodiversity-loss">Domino effect of biodiversity loss</h2>



Biodiversity loss triggers a chain reaction. When insects vanish, pollination falters. Without pollination, crops fail. Without crops, food security crumbles. That’s how delicate the balance is. One missing piece causes others to fall.



This phenomenon affects climate systems, migration patterns, disease outbreaks, and even global economics. 



For instance, as habitats shrink, animals move closer to human settlements. This increases the risk of zoonotic diseases - like COVID-19. Maintaining biodiversity isn’t just an environmental goal. It’s a health safeguard.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-raising-awareness-about-biodiversity">Raising awareness about biodiversity</h2>



Living in harmony with nature means respecting limits. It means learning from ecosystems, not conquering them. Indigenous communities worldwide have practiced this for centuries. Their wisdom is now more relevant than ever.



Urban areas can embrace biodiversity too. Green rooftops, urban forests, and restored wetlands show how modern development can align with nature. 



Schools can teach biodiversity from early years. Films, books, and games can spread awareness.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-celebrate-with-purpose">Celebrate with purpose</h2>



The International Day for Biological Diversity is not just symbolic. It’s a chance to learn, share, and commit. The <a href="https://www.un.org/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UN</a> offers free online biodiversity courses through the Learning for Nature platform. 



The courses teach skills like green entrepreneurship, conservation storytelling, and data use in policy-making.



Across social media, artists and creators share biodiversity-themed content. Local organizations hold cleanups and workshops. Every conversation sparked today can ripple into real change tomorrow. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-what-protects-us">Protecting what protects us</h2>



We stand at a crossroads. One path leads to more loss, more imbalance, and more suffering. The other offers hope, health, and harmony. The choice is ours.



This International Day for Biological Diversity, let’s remember that the Earth doesn’t need saving from us - it needs saving with us. When we protect biodiversity, we protect ourselves. 



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International Day for Biological Diversity 2025: Bonding with nature

Somewhere, right now, a bee pollinates a flower. A bird...

species in Lyocyclidae

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