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

Great white sharks are top predators in ocean ecosystems and are known for their raw power and hunting prowess. They often launch themselves out of the water in pursuit of prey.



But in South Africa’s False Bay, these apex predators have all but vanished - and scientists are sounding the alarm about what that means for the rest of the ecosystem.



A new study from the <a href="https://www.earth.miami.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Miami Rosenstiel School</a> of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science reveals what happens when a top predator is suddenly removed from the food chain. 



After more than two decades of research in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/False_Bay" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">False Bay</a>, the team found significant shifts in the marine food web that are consistent with long-held ecological theories.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-great-white-sharks-the-basics">Understanding great white sharks - the basics</h2>



To state the obvious, great white sharks are the rock stars of the ocean - massive, powerful, and a little bit mysterious. They can grow over 20 feet long and weigh a couple tons, cruising through the water like it’s nothing. 



These sharks hang out in coastal waters all over the world, but they especially love cooler regions like the coasts of California, South Africa, and Australia. 



With those rows of razor-sharp teeth and an uncanny ability to sense the tiniest movements, they’re built to hunt. 



Seals, sea lions, and fish are usually on the menu, and when they strike, it’s fast and fierce - like a torpedo with teeth.



Despite their scary rep, great whites aren’t the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/one-third-of-shark-species-face-extinction-despite-fishing-bans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mindless man-eaters</a> movies make them out to be. They’re actually pretty curious creatures. 



Sometimes, they’ll take a “test bite” out of something unfamiliar just to figure out what it is - which, unfortunately, can include surfboards. 



In order to save them from the brink of extinction, scientists have been tagging and tracking them to learn more about their behavior, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sharks-may-benefit-from-rising-temperatures-but-not-from-rising-co2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">migration patterns</a>, and even social lives. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-disappearance-of-great-white-sharks">Disappearance of great white sharks</h2>



False Bay was once home to large numbers of great white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias), but sightings have plummeted in recent years, indicating that the population may have crashed.



The study points to two major reasons for this decline: the long-term impact of capture in protective nets near swimming areas, and more recent predation by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sign-of-the-times-solitary-orcas-are-hunting-great-whites/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">orcas</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ripple-effects-in-the-food-web">Ripple effects in the food web</h2>



The absence of white sharks is reshaping the ecosystem. Without these predators, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cape-fur-seals-are-particularly-vulnerable-to-entanglement/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cape fur seal</a> (Arctocephalus pusillus) populations have increased. 



So have the numbers of sevengill sharks (Notorynchus cepedianus), which are now more dominant in the area.



These changes, however, have consequences. The seals are depleting the local fish populations they feed on. Meanwhile, the sevengill sharks are preying on smaller shark species, and reducing their numbers.



These shifts demonstrate how the removal of a single species at the top of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-food-chains-threatened-by-ocean-acidification/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food chain</a> can have wide-reaching effects across multiple levels.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-documenting-the-ecosystem-changes">Documenting the ecosystem changes</h2>



The researchers used a combination of methods to document these changes. They conducted long-term boat-based surveys, gathered citizen science reports of Cape fur seals, and analyzed data from Baited Remote Underwater Video Surveys (<a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/25248" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BRUVS</a>).



“The loss of this iconic apex predator has led to an increase in sightings of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-happens-to-antarctic-seals-when-sea-ice-vanishes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cape fur seals</a> and sevengill sharks, which in turn has coincided with a decline in the species that they rely on for food,” said Dr. Neil Hammerschlag, the study’s lead author.



“These changes align with long established ecological theories that predict the removal of a top predator leads to cascading effects on the marine food web."



Video footage was a key source of information. It helped researchers see not just which species were present, but how they behaved.



“The use of underwater video surveys conducted more than a decade apart provided us with a snapshot of the food web both before and after the disappearance of white sharks from False Bay,” said Yakira Herskowitz, a co-author of the study. 



“The number of individuals of a given species recorded on the videos not only informs us about their numerical abundance, but also their behavior, as species under increased predation risk often become more elusive and are thus less likely to be detected on our cameras.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sharks-matter-more-than-you-think">Sharks matter more than you think</h2>



These findings offer clear evidence that losing a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/great-white-sharks-separated-into-three-distinct-groups-that-dont-intermingle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">top predator</a> affects far more than just one species. It sends a shockwave through the entire ecosystem.



“Without these apex predators to regulate populations, we are seeing measurable changes that could have long-term effects on ocean health,” said Hammerschlag.



As ocean systems continue to face threats from climate change, pollution, and overfishing, the study makes one thing clear: protecting sharks isn’t just about saving one species - it’s about preserving balance in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/overfishing-and-habitat-degradation-have-devastated-marine-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine ecosystems</a>.



With so much of the world relying on healthy oceans for food, recreation, and natural services, the role of large sharks is too important to ignore.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-warning-for-other-ecosystems">A warning for other ecosystems</h2>



False Bay may be the focus of this study, but it's far from the only place where shark populations are under pressure. 



Similar patterns of disruption could be unfolding in other coastal ecosystems around the world where large predators are disappearing.



This study serves as a warning: the health of marine environments depends on keeping their food webs intact. 



Efforts to protect sharks - through conservation policies, public awareness, and improved fishing practices - are vital not just for the species themselves, but for the oceans they help keep in balance.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/marine-science/articles/10.3389/fmars.2025.1530362/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Marine Science</a>.



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What happens when great white sharks disappear? Hint - it's not good

Great white sharks are top predators in ocean ecosystems and...

Lightning is both terrifying and fascinating. It splits trees, ignites wildfires, and streaks across the sky in brilliant flashes. Most of us see it as a force of destruction - random, violent, and final.



But in the depths of Panama’s tropical forests, trees of the species Dipteryx oleifera challenges that idea. For these trees, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lightning-sparks-the-discovery-of-a-new-electromagnetic-wave/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lightning</a> isn't deadly - it might actually help them survive.



This surprising twist comes from a study published in New Phytologist. 



Led by forest ecologist Evan Gora from the <a href="https://www.caryinstitute.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies</a>, the research shows that these trees not only survive lightning strikes - they grow stronger because of them. With their tall crowns and wide branches, Dipteryx trees seem built to welcome the storm.



The finding reshapes how we understand forest ecology. Instead of being random, lightning may play a targeted role in helping certain trees dominate, survive, and thrive.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-trees-that-survive-lightning-strikes">Trees that survive lightning strikes</h2>



Back in 2015, Gora was deep in Panama’s forests when something unusual caught his eye. 



A Dipteryx oleifera had been struck by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lightning-on-earth-can-influence-the-weather-in-space/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lightning</a>, yet stood tall and mostly unharmed. The strike had been powerful enough to destroy a parasitic vine clinging to its crown and kill more than a dozen trees nearby.



“Seeing that there are trees that get struck by lightning and they’re fine was just mind-blowing,” said Gora.



Intrigued, Gora and his team started paying closer attention to lightning-hit Dipteryx trees. They kept finding the same pattern. The trees lived and thrived. It wasn’t a fluke. Nature had something more deliberate in store.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-lightning-hits-these-trees-win">When lightning hits, these trees win</h2>



By 2022, the team had already shown that trees vary in their ability to survive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lightning-may-have-delivered-the-building-blocks-of-life-to-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lightning</a>. The new research takes this idea even further. 



Using advanced lightning detection tools, the scientists tracked the fate of 93 trees that had endured strikes in Panama’s Barro Colorado Nature Monument.



Among those were nine Dipteryx oleifera, which had all survived. The damage was minimal - some singed bark, a few lost leaves.



In stark contrast, other species hit by lightning lost 5.7 times more foliage and suffered high mortality rates. Within two years, 64% of them had died.



The Dipteryx trees, meanwhile, gained space and freedom. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mysterious-red-sprite-lightning-strikes-seen-above-the-himalayas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lightning</a> killed surrounding trees, often as electricity traveled through vines, branches, or short air gaps. On average, each strike wiped out 9.2 nearby trees. That’s not just survival - that’s a strategic clearing of rivals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lightning-removes-parasitic-vines">Lightning removes parasitic vines </h2>



Parasitic vines, or lianas, are a constant threat in tropical forests. They drain trees of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microlightning-from-water-droplets-may-have-sparked-life-on-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">light</a> and nutrients, making growth a struggle. But for Dipteryx, lightning works like a scythe. After a strike, liana infestations dropped by 78%, freeing the trees from their tangled burdens.



This effect wasn’t limited to a few cases. Across the forest, Dipteryx trees consistently hosted fewer lianas than other species. Even trees that hadn’t been struck appeared to benefit from the trend. Lightning, in this case, didn’t just act on individuals - it shaped the structure of the entire forest around them.



Over time, the survivors grew taller. Drone-based 3D canopy models showed that Dipteryx trees stood about four meters above their closest neighbors. That height advantage isn’t coincidence. It likely comes from losing nearby competition, letting them reach higher into the sunlit canopy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-some-trees-get-hit-more-often">Some trees get hit more often</h2>



The researchers noted that their data provide the first evidence that some trees benefit from being struck by lightning. “It's better off for a Dipteryx oleifera tree to be struck than not," said Gora.



Why would lightning keep targeting the same kind of tree? The answer might lie in their shape. 



Dipteryx trees often grow taller and spread wider than those around them. According to the study’s calculations, this makes them up to 68% more likely to get hit. Their crowns act like natural lightning rods.



And that’s not a problem. It’s part of their edge. In fact, it may be a key to their success in these chaotic, dense ecosystems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lightning-strikes-and-stronger-trees">Lightning strikes and stronger trees</h2>



Lightning may seem rare, but for Dipteryx oleifera, it’s a regular part of life. Each tree is struck once every 56 years on average.



And they don’t just endure - they adapt. These trees live for centuries, possibly more than a thousand years. That means a single tree might be struck more than ten times over its lifetime.



One tree in the study was hit twice in five years. It didn’t weaken. And with each strike, it gained more room, more light, and more strength. The lightning wasn’t ending its life. It was clearing the way for it to flourish.



Even reproduction gets a boost. Gora’s team found that lightning tolerance increased the tree’s ability to produce offspring by 14 times compared to trees that lacked that resilience.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-role-for-lightning-in-ecology">A new role for lightning in ecology</h2>



This research opens up a new way of seeing forest ecosystems. Lightning isn’t just a threat - it’s a selective force. 



Gora’s team now plans to examine how Dipteryx trees survive these extreme strikes. Are certain internal structures, chemicals, or traits at play? And more importantly, do other species show similar strengths?



Understanding this could be vital. With climate change driving up the frequency of lightning in many tropical areas, trees like Dipteryx oleifera may gain an even bigger edge. That could shift the balance of forest biodiversity and influence carbon storage patterns for decades to come.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/nph.70062" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New Phytologist</a>.



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Some trees actually benefit from getting struck by lightning

Lightning is both terrifying and fascinating. It splits trees, ignites...

About 252 million years ago, Earth witnessed the worst biological <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-chaos-the-mass-extinction-that-reshaped-life-on-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">disaster</a> ever recorded. Known as the end-Permian mass extinction, it erased over 80% of marine life. 



Scientists refer to it as the “Great Dying.” Yet what came next has its own strange legacy - a time when marine life everywhere looked the same.



This era, called the “Great Dulling,” spanned millions of years. From the tropics to polar regions, ocean life became oddly uniform. 



Species that once stayed in tight local zones suddenly appeared everywhere. Scientists have puzzled over this mystery for decades.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-marine-life-changed-after-mass-extinction">Marine life changed after mass extinction</h2>



Stanford researchers now offer a compelling explanation. The team used fossil records and environmental data to track how marine <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/at-least-two-of-earths-mass-extinctions-caused-by-massive-supernova-explosions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">creatures</a> reacted after the Great Dying. 



The research was focused on groups like clams, oysters, and snails - organisms that not only survived but spread globally.



Published in the journal Science Advances, the study introduces a climate model that tracks oxygen and temperature changes. It helps explain why some creatures expanded rapidly while others died out. 



The findings suggest that global environmental shifts shaped who survived - and where they lived.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-mass-extinctions-in-a-new-way">Studying mass extinctions in a new way</h2>



Study senior study author Jonathan Payne is the Dorrell William Kirby Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences in the <a href="https://sustainability.stanford.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability</a>.



“For us in the paleobiology field, this model is the equivalent to climate scientists getting computerized climate models to make quantitative predictions of how the world should change based on some simple mathematical representations,” said Professor Payne.



“We are now able to study big biogeographic changes of mass extinctions in a new way and get a better sense of why some animal groups made it through while others perished.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shockingly-uniform-marine-communities">Shockingly uniform marine communities </h2>



To reconstruct ancient oceans, scientists use fossils and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-forests-rose-again-after-the-planets-most-extreme-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chemical traces</a>. 



These markers reveal environmental shifts like temperature, acidity, and oxygen levels. Around the end of the Permian period, massive volcanic activity in modern Siberia set off global warming and ocean acidification.



These changes alone can’t explain why surviving species suddenly spread across every ocean. That mystery belongs to the Triassic period, when marine life grew boringly similar everywhere.



“If someone asked you today where you’d find kangaroos, you’d say Australia,” said Jood Al Aswad, the study’s lead author and a PhD candidate. 



“But now imagine some major <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/public-concern-over-species-extinctions-fades-quickly/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">disaster</a> happened, like a giant volcano erupted, and afterward you’re finding kangaroos in great numbers all over the globe – they’re all the way out in Antarctica, they’re hopping by the pyramids in Egypt, and they’re even in Stanford, California.”



Before the extinction, marine communities were highly diverse. Afterward, they became shockingly uniform. The team found that species variety across different parts of the world dropped by over half.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-homogenization-on-a-global-scale">Homogenization on a global scale</h2>



For nearly 200 years, scientists have debated what caused this sudden sameness. 



One idea is "ecological release" - when surviving species thrive because predators and competitors vanish. Another idea suggests that climate change made Earth more habitable to certain <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/life-oasis-provided-refuge-for-plants-during-earths-worst-extinction-event/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">organisms</a> everywhere. The Stanford team tested both ideas. 



The researchers used geochemical data to model ancient ocean temperatures and oxygen levels. Then, they added physiological data from living marine animals - relatives of those ancient survivors - to simulate how creatures might have spread after the mass extinction.



The model showed that environmental conditions alone - higher temperatures and lower oxygen - were enough to predict where species could live. There was no need to consider missing predators or rivals.



“Our study has provided a simple environmental explanation, rather than an ecological one, for why certain survivors of the end-Permian extinction prospered and why homogenization happened on a global scale,” said Professor Payne.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-today-s-crisis-echoes-past-mass-extinction">Today’s crisis echoes past mass extinction</h2>



The model doesn’t just shed light on ancient history. It also helps scientists understand modern threats. Human activity is now causing another mass extinction. The model could offer insights into what life on Earth might look like in the future.



“The current biodiversity crisis is anticipated to herald changes in ecosystem composition that surpass even those seen in the earliest Triassic, which has been the greatest homogenization event to date,” the study authors wrote.



The research team now plans to apply this model to other mass extinction events, including the one that wiped out non-avian dinosaurs.



“Our model offers a great way of studying how animals respond to extreme changes in the environment,” said Al Aswad.



“With anthropogenically spurred climate change, there has been some warning that if we continue, then in the future we’re going to see taxonomic homogenization of organisms in modern oceans as well.”



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adr4199" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>.



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Marine life became strangely uniform after Earth’s worst mass extinction

About 252 million years ago, Earth witnessed the worst biological...

Animals have long navigated nature’s challenges, but mountain roads bring a fresh level of peril. These paved strips stretch deeper into wild corners, cutting across habitats once safely out of reach.



Mountains, once celebrated for their rugged isolation, now host busy highways and higher traffic volumes. Many endangered or vulnerable mammals listed by The International Union for Conservation of Nature (<a href="https://iucn.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IUCN</a>) are turning up as roadkill, a term for animals fatally hit by vehicles in these craggy <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cities-are-largely-unprepared-for-the-effects-of-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">regions</a>.



​Professor Aliza le Roux, a professor in the Department of Zoology and Entomology at the <a href="https://www.ufs.ac.za/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of the Free State</a>, examined patterns of collisions in elevated landscapes.​



She collaborated with other researchers to explore why species like African wild dogs, lions, and elephants are often lost on twisting roads high above sea level.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mountain-roads-invade-wild-habitats">Mountain roads invade wild habitats</h2>



Mountains in regions around the globe were once free from major traffic. Now, expansions in road infrastructure have placed creatures in harm’s way. 



The researchers note that high elevations, above roughly 6,560 feet, can harbor near threatened or vulnerable animals that become casualties on winding routes.



Steep slopes and sudden weather changes do not help anyone on these roads. It is tough for drivers and wildlife to see each other in time to avoid collisions. This leads to unexpected hazards for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/some-birds-get-road-rage-when-exposed-to-traffic-noise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a> already struggling to survive.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-roads-cutting-through-habitats">Roads cutting through habitats</h2>



Amphibians appear to be hit most often in mountainous terrain, while mammals are struck more in lower zones. 



Yet those same mammals at high elevations face a greater extinction <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-warming-is-accelerating-beyond-control-as-co2-levels-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">risk</a> because many are already on watch lists for population declines. The concern is that collisions remove individuals from breeding populations that cannot easily replenish themselves.&nbsp;



One global <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/geb.13375" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">assessment</a> warned of serious outcomes for certain mammals when roads cut through their habitats. The study highlighted animal fatalities on mountain peaks.



“We identified four populations among the 70 species in the target group that could become extinct in 50 years if observed roadkill levels persist,” stated <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Clara-Grilo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Clara Grilo</a>.



Dr. Grilo is a principal researcher in conservation biology at BIOPOLIS who has published over 100 studies on the effects of road networks on birds and mammals, such as behavior, relative abundance, mortality, genetic structure and extinction risk.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mounting-collision-risks">Mounting collision risks </h2>



Big birds, including some eagles and vultures, have also suffered. They can fail to gain enough flight height to clear vehicles along narrow turns. 



A single collision might eliminate a breeding adult from a small, isolated population, further weakening a species’ chances for long-term survival.



Motorists also face real risks if large animals cross suddenly. Elephants, lions, and big antelope species can do serious damage to vehicles, placing people in danger and forcing emergency responses.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-missing-data-for-mountain-road-collisions">Missing data for mountain road collisions</h2>



Some areas of Africa and other continents do not collect consistent data on wildlife collisions. Researchers often rely on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/traffic-noise-increases-the-risk-of-hypertension/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">roadside</a> surveys that capture only brief snapshots. 



This patchy approach misses detailed seasonal trends, making it difficult to pinpoint best solutions for engineers and policymakers.



A lack of large-scale, systematic monitoring hampers efforts to identify hotspots. More investment in studies is needed, especially in central and western Africa, to understand which roads demand the most urgent intervention.



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



Better-planned routes could reduce these accidents. Roads placed away from crucial migration paths or built with safe crossing structures can lower wildlife deaths. 



In many regions, alerting drivers through improved signage and enforcing slower speeds where threatened species roam also helps.



Some experts suggest new technology and fresh ideas for wildlife-friendly design. Yet these efforts require funding and cooperation between governments, road planners, and research institutions. Many animals thrive if given the space and safety to move freely.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-guarding-wildlife-from-traffic-hazards">Guarding wildlife from traffic hazards </h2>



Mountain road impacts remind us that nature does not end where pavement begins. When expanding infrastructure, it is vital to account for local species’ needs. 



This balanced approach preserves biodiversity and promotes healthier connections between people and wildlife.



Many countries are taking steps to guard wild populations against traffic hazards. Effective plans often emerge when ecologists, engineers, and community leaders join forces to create solutions that serve both sides.



The study is published in <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/geb.13375" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Global Ecology and Biogeography</a>.



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Mountain roads are deadly for endangered animals

Animals have long navigated nature’s challenges, but mountain roads bring...

Many people think of Antarctica as an unchanging mass of ice. Scientists, however, know that its hidden underbelly is active and unpredictable. 



A new investigation that was based on 34 million years of data suggests that we would be wise to take note of these dynamic phenomena as <a href="https://blogs.egu.eu/divisions/cr/2021/02/19/subglacial-hydrology-for-dummies-water-water-everywhere/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">subglacial water</a> movements may reshape our understanding of future sea-level <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-much-did-sea-levels-rise-after-the-last-ice-age-alarming-new-clues-revealed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">changes</a>.



“Many studies say the past is an analogue of what might happen in the future,” said Anna-Mireilla Hayden, a PhD candidate from the <a href="https://uwaterloo.ca" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Waterloo</a>, and first author of the study. She noted that ignoring the invisible waterways under the ice could lead to big surprises.



Hayden worked alongside Dr. Tyler Pelle from <a href="https://scripps.ucsd.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scripps Institute of Oceanography</a> in the U.S., and other experts, to understand how these secret river systems evolve over time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-subglacial-rivers-shape-antarctica-s-ice">Subglacial rivers shape Antarctica's ice</h2>



Antarctica is more than just a block of ice. Beneath its frozen surface, water travels through <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarcticas-hidden-ice-dynamics-will-redefine-sea-level-projections/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">channels</a> deep below the ice sheet. The subglacial water moves with a force that scientists have rarely factored into the usual models of sea-level change.



The researchers focused on the <a href="https://data.aad.gov.au/aadc/gaz/display_name.cfm?gaz_id=2505" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aurora Subglacial Basin</a> which, if fully melted, might push global sea levels up by about 13 feet (4 meters).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-water-flow-data-and-sea-level-predictions">Water flow data and sea-level predictions</h2>



Scientists already knew that warm ocean waters can melt floating ice shelves from below. However, the recent findings indicate that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sinking-land-will-intensify-the-effects-of-rising-sea-levels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">water flow</a> at the base of the ice adds another layer of complexity to the story.



“It’s important that scientists who model ice sheets account for hydrology because it could reduce uncertainty in estimates of sea-level rise,” said Hayden.



The group noticed that underground rivers have shifted repeatedly, and have influenced how and where the ice might thin or break.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ocean-impact-and-ice-shelf-melting">Ocean impact and ice shelf melting</h2>



The shape and path of these subglacial networks matter because they can channel <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/record-heat-of-2024-triggered-a-surge-in-sea-level-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fresh water</a> into the sea at sensitive spots. When cold, fresh water pours out at certain areas beneath ice shelves, it can disrupt the usual ocean patterns and speed up local <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.1235798" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ice thinning</a>.



Climate experts have often focused on air temperatures or large-scale currents in their models. Fresh water cycling under the ice is now emerging as a hidden factor that could make existing estimates of sea-level rise less certain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-call-for-global-awareness">A call for global awareness</h2>



“It’s critical that projections of sea-level rise include as much relevant information as possible so that the world can take appropriate measures to lessen the devastation to global coastal communities,” said Dr. Christine Dow, a professor at the University of Waterloo.



Dr. Dow pointed out that these findings underscore how fragile the balance really is under Antarctica’s frozen surface. Her team does not expect the ice sheet to give way overnight, but shifts under the glaciers can make them more prone to breaking off faster.



With coastal areas around the globe already facing erosion and higher flooding <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/major-coastal-cities-around-the-world-could-disappear-under-rising-seas-by-2100/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">risks</a>, the science community sees this as a reminder that small tweaks in the environment can yield very large consequences.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forecasts-need-subglacial-water-insights">Forecasts need subglacial water insights</h2>



Going forward, experts suggest that any attempts to forecast future sea levels take these long-buried waterways into account. Models that leave out the subglacial picture could be missing critical pieces of how glaciers might evolve as temperatures warm.



The researchers say further work is needed to track how the flow beneath the ice might accelerate or change direction in the next few decades. Understanding these rivers could help refine local and global strategies for coastal planning.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-past-reveals-about-the-future">What the past reveals about the future</h2>



The study showed that subglacial drainage systems, which influence sea level, have never stayed in one configuration for long. As the climate shifted over millions of years, so did the routes and volumes of meltwater flowing beneath the ice.



During a period known as the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/eocene-oligocene-boundary" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eocene-Oligocene Boundary</a>, 34 million years ago, long underground rivers carried high volumes of water under thick ice. 



Surprisingly, the predicted drainage patterns for 2100 under extreme warming closely resemble those ancient conditions, even though they are derived from opposite climate extremes



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-57700-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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Hidden rivers beneath Antarctic ice reshape sea-level predictions

Many people think of Antarctica as an unchanging mass of...

In the world of robotics, the dominant image has always been a machine filled with wires, chips, and rigid joints. Today, that image is being replaced by something more flexible - literally. 



Engineers at the Bioinspired Robotics Laboratory at the <a href="https://ucsd.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California San Diego</a> have developed a new kind of robot that can walk without electronics.



It doesn’t rely on electronics or rigid parts. It doesn’t even need to be assembled from multiple materials. You can print it in one go, using only one type of soft filament and a standard desktop 3D-printer. Add a simple cartridge of compressed gas, and the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/worlds-smallest-robot-could-transform-minimally-invasive-surgery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">robot</a> walks.



This innovation represents a huge shift in how machines are built and imagined. For the first time, robots can be made quickly, cheaply, and almost anywhere. They can function where electronics fail and can be deployed in extreme environments, all without the need for metal skeletons or batteries.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3d-printed-robots-walk-on-air">3D-printed robots walk on air</h2>



The researchers behind this project deliberately avoided complexity. Instead of using expensive tools or rare materials, they used a desktop printer and a common printing filament. Their goal was to make walking robots as accessible as possible. The result? A complete, functioning robot for just $20.



“This is a completely different way of looking at <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/robots-can-now-learn-like-humans-using-self-awareness/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">building machines</a>,” said Michael Tolley, a professor in the UC San Diego Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and the paper’s senior author.



The robot they developed doesn’t need circuits to walk. A cartridge of compressed gas feeds pressure into soft structures within the robot’s body. 



This air-driven motion replaces motors and wires. It’s a minimalistic approach that opens the door to robots in places where conventional electronics simply can’t go.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-a-soft-robot-matters">Why a soft robot matters</h2>



In many high-risk environments - like radioactive zones, disaster sites, or deep space - electronics often fail. They short out, overheat, or get damaged. That’s where these soft <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/squirrel-inspired-robot-masters-the-art-of-precision-landing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">robots</a> shine. Because they contain no metal parts or circuits, they resist extreme conditions naturally.



The UC San Diego team tested the robots both in the lab and outdoors. Indoors, the robots walked for three full days without stopping. The only requirement was a steady supply of compressed gas. 



Outside, the robot ran on a small gas cartridge and proved it could traverse rough terrain. It walked over sand, grass, and even underwater. Its flexible limbs adapted to different surfaces with ease.



This adaptability, combined with low production cost, makes these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/robots-with-space-to-think-will-become-more-useful/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">robots</a> ideal for emergency response and exploration missions. They don’t break easily. They don’t rely on fragile parts. And they can be printed on demand.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-soft-robot-in-one-single-print">Soft robot in one single print</h2>



The material used to make these robots is nothing special - just regular 3D-printing filament.



What makes it special is how it's used. The team created a system where every part of the robot, including the muscles and controller, is made from the same soft material in one print. That means no assembly.



“These robots are not manufactured with any of the traditional, rigid <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/goat-the-shape-shifting-robot-that-masters-any-terrain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">components</a> researchers typically use,” Tolley said.



Instead of motors, the robot has soft actuators. These are inflated and deflated using air pressure, giving the robot its walking motion. The engineers designed everything to work in harmony, using only softness and air.



This design breaks away from decades of engineering tradition. It's not just an experiment. It's a functioning machine that reimagines what robotics can be.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-robot-walks">How the robot walks </h2>



Walking might seem simple, but coordinating movement in a robot is complex. Without electronics, the UC San Diego team turned to pneumatics. They built a soft oscillating circuit that mimics the old-school steam engine.



To move the robot’s six legs, the circuit alternates air pressure between two sets of three legs. This rhythmic action creates forward movement. The legs move in four directions - up, down, forward, and backward - giving the robot balanced control. It can walk in a straight line, even on uneven ground.



“We have taken a giant leap forward with a robot that walks entirely on its own,” said Yichen Zhai, the lead postdoctoral scholar behind the build.



What sets this apart is that the entire control system is also soft. There’s no need for chips or code. The robot responds only to changes in air pressure, like a living system without a nervous system.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pushing-toward-a-greener-future">Pushing toward a greener future</h2>



The team isn’t stopping at walking. Their next goal is to make the robots self-contained. That means finding a way to store the compressed gas inside the robot’s body. Doing so would make these robots fully untethered.



The experts are also exploring sustainable materials. Using recyclable or biodegradable filaments would reduce the robots' environmental impact. This makes them even more attractive for short-term use in hazardous areas, where retrieval may be impossible.



Another major step involves adding manipulators. Arms, grippers, and other tools would give the robots the ability to interact with their surroundings - pick up debris, press buttons, or even rescue objects or organisms.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-lab-to-real-world-testing">From lab to real-world testing</h2>



Building this robot required partnerships. The team worked closely with BASF through their California Research Alliance (<a href="https://cara.berkeley.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CARA</a>). <a href="https://www.basf.com/in/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BASF</a> helped test different soft materials that could be printed using standard 3D-printers. 



Some of the more advanced materials aren’t yet available to the public, but the researchers successfully built working robots using common options as well.



Funding from the <a href="https://www.nsf.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Science Foundation</a> supported the project. That support helped push the team toward practical testing, real-world application, and wider dissemination.



Before publishing their findings, the team completed their first walking robot in 2022. They showcased it at the <a href="https://www.grc.org/robotics-conference/2024/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gordon Research Conference</a> on Robotics that same year. 



That early demonstration proved the technology could move beyond the lab and into broader discussions on the future of machine design.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-chapter-in-robotics">A new chapter in robotics </h2>



The quiet hum of a 3D-printer now builds machines that walk, explore, and survive without wires. 



The team at UC San Diego has shown that the future of robotics might not be harder, faster, or more complex. Instead, it might be softer, simpler, and more adaptable.



By printing machines that rely only on air and softness, they’ve introduced a new chapter in robotics. One where simplicity leads, and where machines don’t just look alive - but move like it too.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/aisy.202400876" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Advanced Intelligent Systems</a>.



Image Credit: David Baillot/University of California San Diego



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Walking robots can step right off the 3D-printer - powered by air

In the world of robotics, the dominant image has always...

A new long-term study indicates that children who spend more time on screens during their early years - particularly on phones and tablets - experience higher levels of stress and depressive symptoms once they enter adolescence.&nbsp;



The eight-year study offers fresh insights for parents deciding when and how to give their kids digital access, especially given the rising <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mental-health-crisis-half-of-the-worlds-population-will-be-affected-by-age-75/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mental health</a> challenges among the youth.



According to the experts, between one-quarter and one-third of adolescents worldwide experience mental health issues, with first symptoms usually appearing during the teenage years.&nbsp;



The researchers see their findings as additional evidence that parents might want to limit screen time and encourage active play, since cultivating certain habits early may serve as a buffer against future psychological distress.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-screens-and-teen-health">Screens and teen health</h2>



Scientists drew data from the Physical Activity and Nutrition in Children (<a href="https://www.panicstudy.fi/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PANIC</a>) study, a project that tracked 187 Finnish children aged between 6 and 9 years until they were 15 to16. 



Over the course of eight years, the team monitored the participants’ <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fitness-focused-medicine-physical-activity-reduces-chronic-disease-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">physical activity</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/too-much-screen-time-is-making-teens-anxious/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">screen time</a>, sleep patterns, and eating behaviors. 



Then, as teenagers, those same participants were assessed for mental health using standardized measures of stress and depressive symptoms.



The findings revealed that teens who accumulated more total screen time, specifically on mobile devices, ended up showing significantly higher levels of stress and depression.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-role-of-physical-activity">The role of physical activity</h2>



Encouragingly, a high level of physical activity during childhood proved to have the opposite effect. 



Teens who remained active - particularly in structured or supervised settings - demonstrated stronger mental health outcomes, even after accounting for factors like body composition, puberty stage, and parents’ educational background.&nbsp;



This trend was more pronounced among boys, who seemed to derive a greater protective effect against stress from exercise than girls.



Meanwhile, diet quality and sleep duration did not show notable links to teen mental health in this research. 



While this does not rule out their importance for overall well-being, it suggests that daily movement and minimized screen time may have more pronounced effects when it comes to adolescent stress and depression levels.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-early-interventions-for-screen-habits">Early interventions for screen habits</h2>



For those wary of introducing personal devices too early, the study’s conclusion is clear: childhood screen behavior can echo into the teenage years, shaping emotional health. 



Researchers especially emphasize caution with mobile device use. 



Balanced approaches appear to matter most. Kids who paired more screen time with lower physical activity ended up with the worst mental health outcomes.&nbsp;



This highlights that focusing on just one of these factors - reducing screen time or encouraging regular exercise - may be less effective than addressing both simultaneously.



The authors also point out that supervised physical activities, such as team sports, can have particularly strong benefits. 



This could fuel arguments for policies that increase children’s access to organized athletics, either through schools or community programs. 



The study further indicates that mental health professionals should consider making routine inquiries about technology habits as part of early interventions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-shifting-technological-landscape">A shifting technological landscape</h2>



While the study results are not strictly causal, they highlight the power of everyday choices in shaping long-term psychological outcomes. 



Given how quickly technology evolves, the authors warn that this knowledge becomes more and more urgent. 



Social media platforms and mobile games continue to expand, and children are exposed to smartphones at younger ages, making it crucial to recognize how these patterns might affect their mental well-being.



Notably, the study concluded before the recent explosion in newer social media apps, so the current generation may see even more negative consequences of their digital consumption.&nbsp;



That said, the fundamental takeaway - that more screens plus less physical activity predicts a rougher mental health path - likely remains valid.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-research-limitations-and-future-directions">Research limitations and future directions</h2>



While the study’s eight-year timeframe offers valuable longitudinal data, the final sample of 187 adolescents is small. Many participants dropped out midway, so the final group may not be entirely representative.&nbsp;



Also, while the researchers tracked overall screen time, they did not distinguish between different types of screen exposure or social media content. Future studies might look at which specific apps or games pose the highest risks.



The research also measured sleep duration but not <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sleep-quality-is-determined-by-daily-activities/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sleep quality</a>, leaving open questions about how nighttime device use might undermine rest and, in turn, mental health.&nbsp;



Most notably, the authors highlight that the data cannot prove that one factor directly causes the other. It’s possible, for instance, that children already prone to stress or depression might gravitate more toward screen usage.



Still, as mental health difficulties among younger demographics continue to rise, these findings can guide parents and care providers. 



Ensuring kids stay active may mitigate some of those effects, but the broader message is that habits formed early can shape teens’ emotional landscapes in the years to come.



In essence, the authors advise parents to craft balanced digital environments, offering moderate device access and ample opportunities for physical activity and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/social-activity-may-delay-the-onset-of-dementia-by-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">social engagement</a>.&nbsp;



Full details of the study were published in the <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2830233" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JAMA Network Open</a>.



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Children’s screen time shapes their mental health as teens

A new long-term study indicates that children who spend more...

In the vast savannas of Africa, elephant herds roam with a quiet grace that often hides the complexity behind their movements. From a distance, it may look like these giants simply wander in search of food and water. But new research reveals a different story - one of calculation, strategy, and energy balance.



African elephants, it turns out, don’t just walk aimlessly. They think before they move.



A recent study published in the Journal of Animal Ecology shows that elephants are highly efficient in how they meet their immense daily energy needs. The research brings together over two decades of data from 157 <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-era-in-wildlife-conservation-how-ai-will-help-protect-elephants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">elephants</a> in Northern Kenya.



With advanced tracking and modeling tools, scientists have uncovered how elephants choose their paths based on terrain, food availability, and energy cost. The insights have far-reaching implications for conservation, especially in the face of habitat loss and climate change.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-elephants-save-energy-to-survive">Elephants save energy to survive</h2>



Being an <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-an-elephants-teeth-can-help-us-track-animal-movements/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">elephant</a> comes with some heavy burdens - literally. These massive herbivores, often weighing several tons, need to consume huge amounts of low-calorie vegetation every single day.



Their enormous size gives them strength, but it also demands constant refueling. Unlike predators that hunt calorie-dense prey, elephants must spend most of their day eating just to keep up.



But eating isn’t the only task that burns energy. Finding food in harsh, fragmented landscapes means walking long distances. Each step taken across uneven ground, up steep hills, or through dry plains carries a cost. 



For elephants, movement isn’t just a means of travel - it’s a calculation. The right decision can save hours of energy; the wrong one can drain their reserves.



That’s why understanding how elephants navigate their environment matters. Knowing the logic behind their paths helps scientists protect their habitats better and ensure that conservation strategies match their real-world needs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracking-elephants-for-22-years">Tracking elephants for 22 years</h2>



To uncover the patterns behind <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extinct-elephant-fossils-reveal-early-evidence-of-animal-butchery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">elephant</a> movement, researchers from the University of Oxford, the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (<a href="https://www.idiv.de/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">iDiv</a>), and Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena worked with Save the Elephants, a UK-registered charity based in Kenya. 



Over 22 years - from 1998 to 2020 - they collected GPS data from 157 elephants moving across Northern Kenya.



This dataset provided a rare and rich look at how elephants respond to their environment. The patterns were clear. Most elephants consistently avoided areas that would require too much effort to cross. 



Rough terrain and steep slopes saw far fewer elephant visits. Instead, elephants selected flatter, smoother paths - even if those routes were longer. Energy saved, not distance shortened, seemed to be the deciding factor.



The study showed that 94% of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/elephant-movement-is-influenced-by-habitat-suitability/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">elephants</a> avoided high-cost terrain. These weren't random decisions. Elephants appeared to actively weigh their options and pick the path that required the least energy, a strategy that may be essential for survival in unpredictable landscapes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-food-and-water-choices">Food and water choices</h2>



Terrain wasn’t the only factor in elephant decision-making. Vegetation quality also played a big role. Around 93% of elephants showed a preference for areas rich in plant productivity. 



These areas offered more reward for less walking - ideal for large herbivores who need to eat for hours each day. The link between green areas and elephant movement was strong and consistent across seasons.



Water, too, influenced their choices, but not in the way one might expect. Some elephants stayed close to rivers or waterholes. Others traveled far and wide. The researchers found that while water access is important, elephants make complex individual choices about how much they prioritize it.



This adds another layer of complexity to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-elephant-conflict-will-escalate-with-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">elephant</a> behavior and shows that conservation plans need to leave room for variation among individuals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-speed-and-strategy-of-elephants">Speed and strategy of elephants</h2>



The study also uncovered a surprising detail: elephants are even more selective about terrain when moving at higher speeds. When walking slowly, 74% of elephants avoided difficult landscapes. 



But when moving at intermediate or fast speeds, those numbers climbed to 87% and 93% respectively. That means the faster they go, the more carefully they choose their route.



This strategy mirrors what scientists have seen in other species. Just like birds that ride thermal uplifts to glide with less effort, elephants appear to make conscious choices to preserve energy. These choices are not just about immediate survival. 



They shape long-term success, reproduction, and herd stability.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-tools-to-understand-old-trails">New tools to understand old trails</h2>



To analyze the movement data, the researchers used a modeling method called ENERSCAPE. This system estimates how much energy it takes for an elephant to move across various types of terrain, based on the animal's body mass and the slope of the land.



When combined with satellite data on vegetation and water, the tool creates a detailed picture of the “energy landscape” each elephant navigates.



They also used step-selection functions, a statistical method that compares the places elephants actually visited with nearby places they could have visited but didn’t. By examining these choices, the researchers identified which environmental factors shaped elephant routes most.



This approach revealed more than just preference - it showed decision-making. Elephants don’t walk randomly. They make careful, context-aware choices that reflect an understanding of effort, reward, and terrain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-following-elephant-energy-logic">Following elephant energy logic</h2>



These findings aren’t just academic. They could change how conservation areas and migration corridors are planned. 



Many protected zones are created based on where elephants are seen most often. But this new research suggests that energy cost must be a key factor in design. A path that looks good on paper may be too steep or rugged for real elephant use.



Planning must also consider individual differences. Some elephants prefer staying near water. Others roam far. A rigid conservation plan that doesn’t account for these preferences may fall short. Flexibility and energy-efficiency need to be built into every project aimed at protecting these animals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-disturbance-and-change">Climate, disturbance, and change</h2>



The environment is changing fast. As temperatures rise and rainfall patterns shift, food and water availability will also change. 



That could force elephants to alter their routes, raising the risk of human-elephant conflict. The study's authors believe their work can help predict how elephants might respond to these changes - and guide conservation efforts accordingly.



Future work will improve the ENERSCAPE model by adding seasonal data, human activity maps, and climate projections. These enhancements will give a fuller picture of how elephant behavior adapts to a world in flux.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-elephants-save-energy-whenever-possible">Elephants save energy whenever possible</h2>



“While more detailed research is needed to fully understand how an elephant uses its habitat, this study identifies a central decision-making factor for travelling elephants: save energy whenever possible,” noted co-author Professor Fritz Vollrath from the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ox.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Oxford</a>.



“These new results have important implications for assessing and planning conservation and restoration measures, such as dispersal corridors, by explicitly accounting for the energy costs of moving,” added lead researcher Dr. Emilio Berti from the&nbsp;German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research&nbsp;and&nbsp;Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena.



Elephants, long admired for their memory and strength, now reveal another layer of intelligence - how they move with intention. In learning to think like elephants, we may find better ways to protect them.



The study is published in the <a href="https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/13652656" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Animal Ecology</a>. 



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Elephants choose their paths carefully to conserve energy

In the vast savannas of Africa, elephant herds roam with...

Across the United States, a quiet crisis is unfolding in forests, grasslands, and wetlands. Native plants, many of which have thrived in their home ecosystems for thousands of years, now face an impossible race. 



Climate change is shifting temperature zones and seasonal patterns faster than these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-future-climate-conditions-will-transform-plant-growth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plants</a> can naturally respond. Unlike animals, most plants cannot migrate quickly. Their slow dispersal, tied to seed movement and favorable growing conditions, means many will not survive unless we intervene.



Scientists and conservationists are grappling with a difficult question: Should we help these native species relocate? And if so, how do we do it responsibly?



The idea of helping plants move into nearby habitats, known as “managed relocation,” is gaining momentum. But moving plants is not without danger. 



Many invasive species, which now plague American ecosystems, arrived in similar ways - carried by humans, intentionally or not, into places they never belonged.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-moving-native-plants-may-save-them">Moving native plants may save them</h2>



Managed relocation sounds like a solution, but it comes with serious risks. The ecological scars of past mistakes remain. Kudzu, once planted for erosion control, now chokes <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-understanding-of-light-detection-in-plants-may-revolutionize-farming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">forests</a>. 



Purple loosestrife clogs wetlands. Japanese honeysuckle overruns fields. All were introduced with good intentions. All became ecological threats.



Despite these examples, doing nothing could be worse. Climate projections show ecosystems changing rapidly, putting slow-moving native species at risk of extinction. Human-assisted movement might be their only shot.



Thomas Nuhfer is the lead author of a new study published in Global Change Biology and a graduate student in organismic and evolutionary biology at the <a href="https://www.umass.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Massachusetts Amherst</a>.



​“We know that, because of climate, native species need to move,” said Nuhfer. "But many of the people working to manage invasive plant species have real concerns about unwittingly contributing to the problem if we start moving native species around.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-assessing-native-plant-traits">Assessing native plant traits</h2>



To solve this challenge, researchers need to understand what makes some plants thrive in new places and others wreak havoc. 



This is where Nuhfer and his advisor, Professor Bethany Bradley, step in. Their new research examines how specific plant traits contribute to success (and potential risk) when relocating native species.



“We’ve made the mistake of introducing invasive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-may-stop-absorbing-carbon-if-temperatures-continue-to-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a> so many times in the past and we don’t want to keep making that mistake. But in a changing climate, doing nothing might do even more harm," said Professor Bradley. 



The team in Bradley’s lab has already shown that controlling invasive species is one of the strongest tools local communities can use to prepare for climate change. The researchers have tracked how invasive species numbers are rising rapidly.



In many ecosystems, plants and animals need to shift their range by at least 3.25 kilometers per year just to keep pace with warming temperatures and shifting seasons.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-good-candidates-for-relocation">Good candidates for relocation</h2>



The study was focused on the traits that determine whether a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/space-lettuce-nasas-plans-to-grow-nutritious-plants-on-mars/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant</a> can successfully relocate - and whether it will become a problem after doing so.



Traits like rapid growth, long flowering periods, and seed dispersal by wind often help plants survive in new environments. But these same traits have also been used to flag invasive species.



“We often use specific plant characteristics - like how quickly a plant grows, how long it flowers or whether its seeds can be spread by the wind - to determine its risk of becoming invasive,” said Nuhfer. “But these are also traits that could help a native species to survive in a new environment.”



The study draws from a wide range of literature in both restoration and invasion ecology. The researchers also reviewed the risk assessment tools used by land managers. 



Their conclusion is that many traits promoting establishment are shared by both invasive and native species.



However, key differences emerge later - particularly when plants begin to spread. It’s in this phase that certain traits, such as size or toxicity, begin to distinguish potentially harmful species from those that simply need help surviving.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-drawing-the-line-between-help-and-harm">Drawing the line between help and harm</h2>



Some traits, like a high metabolic rate, support a plant’s ability to establish itself in new surroundings. These traits apply to both native <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-absorb-31-more-co2-than-previously-estimated/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a> and invasive ones. But other traits, especially those linked to unchecked growth or ecosystem disruption, raise red flags.



Large size, for example, not only helps plants establish but also enables them to dominate landscapes. This can lead to overgrowth and displace local flora. 



Toxicity is another trait of concern. While it doesn’t help a plant settle in, it allows it to repel herbivores and spread aggressively - potentially harming native species that share the habitat.



This creates a dilemma. If we avoid all traits associated with invasive species, we may end up ruling out the very traits that could help a plant survive. On the other hand, ignoring the signs of future invasiveness could create a new wave of ecological damage.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-changing-the-way-we-measure-risk">Changing the way we measure risk</h2>



The solution, according to the study, is not to ban all plants with certain traits but to refine our risk assessments. 



Current tools used by land managers often take a one-size-fits-all approach. If a plant shares any trait with a known invasive, it may be excluded from relocation efforts. That overly cautious approach could undermine the entire strategy.



“Many of the current risk assessments that managers are using in the field are so risk-averse as to guarantee that managed relocation will fail,” said Professor Bradley.



“And if the relocation fails, then we’ve wasted all sorts of resources and haven’t helped native plants persist," noted Nuhfer.



Instead, the researchers suggest focusing on traits that are most likely to lead to ecological harm - such as toxicity or seed dispersal by water - rather than those that simply help a plant get established.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-path-forward-in-a-warming-world">A path forward in a warming world</h2>



This research, supported by the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usgs.gov/programs/climate-adaptation-science-centers/northeast-casc" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.S. Geological Survey Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center</a>, marks a pivotal moment in conservation thinking.



As climate change accelerates, strategies that once seemed risky are now essential. Managed relocation, when guided by science and nuanced risk assessments, could help preserve the ecological heritage of countless regions.



By learning from past mistakes and using precise criteria, scientists and conservationists may strike a balance - helping native plants survive without repeating the errors that let invasive species flourish.



The stakes are high. But with thoughtful, evidence-based action, we can give native species a fighting chance in a changing world.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.70145" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Global Change Biology</a>.



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Native plants can’t outrun climate change on their own

Across the United States, a quiet crisis is unfolding in...

Chewing gum may be doing more than just freshening your breath. According to a recent study, each piece of gum could be releasing hundreds - or even thousands - of microplastic particles into your mouth.



This means that, along with the minty taste, you might be getting a mouthful of plastic.



These findings come from scientists at the <a href="https://www.ucla.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California, Los Angeles</a> (UCLA), who recently conducted a pilot study to test how much microplastic can be released during gum chewing. Their goal wasn’t to raise alarm but to shed light on an everyday source of plastic exposure that hasn’t been widely considered.



“Our goal is not to alarm anybody,” said Sanjay Mohanty, the project’s principal investigator and an engineering professor at UCLA.



“Scientists don’t know if microplastics are unsafe to us or not. There are no human trials. But we know we are exposed to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/4200-harmful-plastic-chemicals-hidden-in-everyday-objects/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plastics</a> in everyday life, and that’s what we wanted to examine here.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-plastic-than-you-think">More plastic than you think</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microplastics-pose-a-greater-threat-to-some-ocean-animals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Microplastics</a> - tiny particles between 1 micrometer and 5 millimeters wide - are found in food, drinks, packaging, clothes, and even the air we breathe. But chewing gum, despite being so common, hasn't received much attention as a source.



Gum is typically made from a rubbery base, along with sweeteners and flavorings. Some gums use synthetic rubber made from petroleum-based plastics. Others use natural bases like tree sap.



The UCLA team wanted to see if chewing either kind would release microplastics.



“Our initial hypothesis was that the synthetic gums would have a lot more microplastics because the base is a type of plastic,” explained Lisa Lowe, a graduate student at UCLA and the study’s presenter.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-tests-were-done">How the tests were done</h2>



The researchers picked ten different chewing gum brands - five synthetic and five natural. To limit variables, all seven samples of each gum brand were chewed by the same person.



In one test, the person chewed each piece for four minutes, pausing every 30 seconds to produce saliva samples. After that, a mouth rinse was added to the sample.



In another test, they collected saliva every few minutes for up to 20 minutes. The samples were examined under a microscope and through spectroscopy to detect and identify <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plastic-particles-found-in-99-of-tested-seafood-samples/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plastic particles</a>.



On average, each gram of gum released about 100 microplastic particles. Some pieces released as many as 600 particles per gram. 



Since most pieces of gum weigh between two and six grams, a large piece could release up to 3,000 microplastics while it is being chewed. And with the average person chewing 160 to 180 pieces per year, that could add up to around 30,000 ingested plastic particles annually.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-not-just-synthetic-gums">Not just synthetic gums</h2>



“Surprisingly, both synthetic and natural gums had similar amounts of microplastics released when we chewed them,” said Lowe.



Both types contained the same kinds of plastic - polyolefins, polyethylene terephthalates, polyacrylamides, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plastics-can-be-passed-from-mothers-to-unborn-babies/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">polystyrene</a>. The most common of these were polyolefins, which include common plastics like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microplastics-found-in-the-human-blood-for-the-first-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">polyethylene</a> and polypropylene.



Most of the microplastics were released during the first two minutes of chewing. But this wasn’t because of enzymes breaking things down. It was simply due to the abrasive motion of chewing.



“The plastic released into saliva is a small fraction of the plastic that’s in the gum,” says Mohanty.



In fact, by the eight-minute mark, 94% of the detectable plastic particles had already been released.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-can-you-do-about-it">What can you do about it?</h2>



While the study only tracked plastic particles 20 micrometers or larger due to equipment limits, it's possible that even smaller particles went undetected. These could include nano-sized plastics, which may be more easily absorbed by the body. 



More research will be needed to understand the presence and potential health impacts of the nanoparticles.



If you’re concerned, chewing a single piece of gum for longer rather than popping in several for a short chew may help reduce your exposure.



Aside from the potential health concerns, improperly discarded gum also adds to plastic pollution in the environment. “So, be mindful about the environment and don’t just throw it outside or stick it to a gum wall,” said Mohanty.



Next time you reach for a stick of gum, remember that how you chew it and how you dispose of it could matter more than you think.



Details of <a href="https://acs.digitellinc.com/p/s/chewing-gums-unintended-sources-of-ingested-microplastics-in-humans-618916">the study</a> will be presented at the spring meeting of the American Chemical Society.



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Your chewing gum may be full of microplastics

Chewing gum may be doing more than just freshening your...

Mejannes-le-clap,,Gard,,France,07,30,2013,,Incredible,Colors,Of,The

Deep underground, where sunlight never reaches, ancient minerals lie hidden within the rock - until illuminated by a black light. In that moment, once-drab walls blaze with color: pinks, blues, and greens glow from within.&nbsp;



For scientists studying how life survives in extreme environments, these fluorescent clues may offer critical insights - not only into Earth’s history, but also into the potential for life on other worlds, like Jupiter’s moon Europa.



At the Spring 2025 meeting of the American Chemical Society (<a href="https://www.acs.org/meetings/acs-meetings/spring.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ACS</a>), researchers led by astrobiologist Joshua Sebree from the <a href="https://uni.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Northern Iowa</a> are presenting new findings about the chemical makeup of cave systems and what it can teach us about life in places humans have yet to reach.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mineral-fingerprints-and-ancient-clues">Mineral fingerprints and ancient clues</h2>



Sebree and his students have explored caves across the U.S., including South Dakota’s Wind Cave and Minnesota’s Mystery Cave, mapping their twisting passages and hidden formations.&nbsp;



As they worked, the researchers also scanned the cave walls with ultraviolet light, uncovering brilliant displays of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cats-glow-in-the-dark-fluorescence-found-to-be-very-common-in-mammals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fluorescence</a> created by mineral impurities embedded in the rock over thousands of years.&nbsp;



These luminous patches often mark where water once flowed or pooled, leaving behind chemical traces. What looks like an ordinary stone wall under normal light is transformed under UV.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Fluorescent-caves_wind-cave_normal_UV-light_credit-Joshua-Sebree_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Fluorescent-caves_wind-cave_normal_UV-light_credit-Joshua-Sebree_1s.webp" alt="A section of South Dakota’s Wind Cave seen under normal white light (left image) transforms into something otherworldly when placed under UV light (right image). Credit: Joshua Sebree" class="wp-image-1963441"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A section of South Dakota’s Wind Cave seen under normal white light (left image) transforms into something otherworldly when placed under UV light (right image). Click to enlarge. Credit: Joshua Sebree</figcaption></figure>



“The walls just looked completely blank and devoid of anything interesting,” Sebree said. 



"But then, when we turned on the black lights, what used to be just a plain brown wall turned into a bright layer of fluorescent mineral that indicated where a pool of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-ancient-ocean-water-shaped-early-life-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">water</a> used to be 10,000 or 20,000 years ago.”



The glowing hues provide more than visual drama. They reveal distinct chemical compositions that help scientists understand how the cave formed and how it may have supported life.&nbsp;



These “chemistry fossils” are collected not by breaking off rock samples, but through a non-destructive method: using a handheld spectrometer, the team gathers fluorescence spectra, essentially chemical fingerprints of the rock’s surface, right in the field.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-building-a-new-type-of-cave-map">Building a new type of cave map</h2>



Undergraduate student Anna Van Der Weide is building a public database of these spectral fingerprints, adding a new layer of chemical information to traditional cave maps. 



This work could help paint a clearer picture of a cave’s formation and environmental history.



Other students are contributing to the broader project as well. Jacqueline Heggen is studying the caves as models for astrobiological research on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extremophiles-and-the-quest-for-alien-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extremophiles</a> - organisms that live in extreme conditions.&nbsp;



Jordan Holloway is developing an autonomous spectrometer that could be used in future missions to planets or moons. 



Celia Langemo is researching biometric monitoring systems to help ensure the safety of scientists exploring harsh underground environments.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-glowing-minerals-and-cave-development-nbsp">Glowing minerals and cave development&nbsp;</h2>



The work is far from easy. At just 48 degrees Fahrenheit (9°C), caves like Minnesota’s Mystery Cave require extra planning to keep instruments functioning. 



For instance, the experts had to bury the spectrometer’s batteries in hand-warmers to keep them from dying. 



Reaching areas of interest sometimes meant crawling through tunnels less than a foot wide for long distances or standing in freezing water while conducting measurements.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Fluorescent-caves_wind-cave_UV-light_credit-Joshua-Sebree_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Fluorescent-caves_wind-cave_UV-light_credit-Joshua-Sebree_1s.webp" alt="One of Sebree’s students, Jacqueline Heggen, showing off glowing formations within Wind Cave. Credit: Joshua Sebree" class="wp-image-1963443"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">One of Sebree’s students, Jacqueline Heggen, showing off glowing formations within Wind Cave. Click to enlarge. Credit: Joshua Sebree</figcaption></figure>



Despite these physical obstacles, the fieldwork has already revealed major insights. In Wind Cave, the team found that manganese-rich water had carved out the cave and created zebra-striped calcites - formations that glow pink under black light.&nbsp;



These formations appear to have contributed to cave expansion by fracturing weaker rock, suggesting a previously overlooked mechanism of cave development.



“It’s a very different cave forming mechanism than has previously been looked at before,” Sebree explained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-glimpse-into-other-worlds">A glimpse into other worlds</h2>



The bigger picture, though, reaches far beyond Earth. Because the chemistry in caves like Wind Cave may resemble conditions on icy moons such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alien-life-on-europa-co2-discovery-by-webb-increases-the-odds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Europa</a>, Sebree’s research helps scientists imagine how life could survive in dark, isolated, mineral-rich environments far from the sun.



Looking ahead, Sebree hopes to confirm the accuracy of fluorescence mapping by comparing it to traditional, more invasive techniques. 



He also wants to explore why some cave waters glow under UV light, which might help explain how life from Earth’s surface could influence ecosystems far underground.



Ultimately, Sebree’s work is driven by a larger question: if life can thrive in the deepest, coldest corners of our planet, what’s stopping it from doing the same in the outer reaches of our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/spiral-structure-discovered-at-the-edge-of-our-solar-system-oort-cloud/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">solar system</a>?



“It was really cool to see how you can apply science out in the field and to learn how you function in those environments,” Van Der Weide said. 



That blend of fieldwork, curiosity, and science may one day help uncover life in places no human has ever gone.



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Fluorescent caves on Earth can teach us about extraterrestrial life

Deep underground, where sunlight never reaches, ancient minerals lie hidden...

In the fight against obesity and related health issues, attention is often focused on the nutritional content of meals or total calorie intake. Yet new research in Japan suggests that how we eat - particularly the pace at which we chew and swallow - could play a significant role in regulating food consumption and potentially combating obesity.&nbsp;



Led by professor Katsumi Iizuka from <a href="https://www.fujita-hu.ac.jp/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fujita Health University</a>, the team’s work sheds light on straightforward methods for slowing meal duration that might help people consume less food overall.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rethinking-eating-habits">Rethinking eating habits</h2>



Though numerous studies have underscored the link between slower eating and reduced <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/breaking-free-from-ultra-processed-foods-the-surprising-health-benefits/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food intake</a>, Japan-specific evidence on how best to slow eating has been limited.&nbsp;



“While nutritional science is often concerned with food metabolism and absorption and dietary content, there’s limited evidence in Japan on dietary behavior that connects the two,” Iizuka said.



The researchers set out to explore factors influencing meal duration and eating behavior, from sex differences to chewing patterns and the potential impact of external rhythmic stimuli - namely, metronome beats or music that might prompt people to chew more slowly.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-closer-look-at-meal-duration">A closer look at meal duration</h2>



The study involved 33 healthy adults between the ages of 20 and 65 who were asked to eat slices of pizza under a range of experimental scenarios.&nbsp;



The scientists recorded each participant’s meal duration, their number of chews and bites, and the speed at which they chewed. In some trials, participants listened to a slow metronome of about 40 beats per minute, while in others, they ate in silence.



When analyzing these data, several notable results emerged. First, the researchers found that there were sizable differences between men and women in how quickly they finished eating. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eating-habits-across-genders">Eating habits across genders </h2>



Women generally took longer on average to finish a slice (about 87 seconds) than men (about 63 seconds), and they tended to chew and bite more often (107 chews and 4.5 bites, compared with men’s 80 chews and 2.1 bites). However, both sexes had similar “chewing tempos” - that is, they chewed at roughly the same rate.



Once the researchers accounted for these sex-related differences, they observed that how long people took to finish a slice of pizza strongly correlated with how many chews and bites they performed. By contrast, body mass index (BMI) and chewing tempo had no direct tie to total meal duration.



Perhaps most striking, the team found that having participants listen to a slow metronome beat significantly increased their mealtime. This means that rhythmic cues could effectively encourage people to consume food more slowly.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-switching-up-eating-habits">Switching up eating habits</h2>



From these results, the research team proposes several strategies for extending mealtime.&nbsp;



First, increasing the number of chews per bite can lengthen the period spent eating. Next, taking smaller bites can raise the overall count of bites and therefore slow down consumption.&nbsp;



Finally, introducing slow, rhythmic cues in the environment - like calm music or deliberate metronome beats - may further encourage diners to reduce their eating pace.



“These are easy, money-saving measures that can be started right away to help prevent <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-is-obesity-difficult-to-reverse-it-starts-in-the-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">obesity</a>,” said Iizuka, emphasizing that these tactics do not require special technology or major expense.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-combating-obesity">Implications for combating obesity</h2>



Given the worrying rise in obesity worldwide, these findings may prove valuable for policymakers and public health practitioners.&nbsp;



The study demonstrates that practical, no-cost interventions focusing on how we eat might complement more conventional approaches, such as dieting and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/evening-exercise-can-reduce-major-health-risks-of-obesity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">exercise</a>. 



“Incorporating the proposed eating behavior into school lunches and other programs can lead to the prevention of future diseases related to obesity,” Iizuka noted.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-combining-exercise-and-slower-eating">Combining exercise and slower eating</h2>



While this particular experiment relied on pizza as the test food, future research will likely extend to different cuisines and contexts to see if the principle holds. 



If so, meal duration could join the ranks of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/eating-almonds-can-help-you-cut-calories/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">calorie</a> control and balanced diets as a key point of emphasis in anti-obesity campaigns.



Additionally, the findings suggest a certain synergy between higher physical activity and slower eating as well.&nbsp;



Though the study itself did not measure physical activity, prior research indicates that combining mindful eating habits with regular exercise can be more effective than tackling these issues separately.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-research-directions">Future research directions</h2>



No single study can resolve all questions, and the researchers acknowledge that further investigation is needed. More work could explore the effect of different food textures on chew rates, how cultural eating norms shape mealtime pacing, and whether long-term interventions focusing on slow eating can achieve lasting behavioral change.



Though the study did not find that BMI directly affects meal duration, it provides significant evidence that how people eat might alter how much they ultimately consume.&nbsp;



By urging people to chew more thoroughly, take smaller bites, or dine with calm, slow rhythms in the background, we may be able to gently nudge better habits without relying on dramatic diets or expensive gadgets.



Ultimately, this research delivers promising clues that our daily routines - such as the bite-by-bite process of eating - can be leveraged in combating obesity. 



By helping people develop an increased awareness of their meal speed and offering simple environmental tweaks, we can hope to reduce unnecessary caloric intake and pave the way for a healthier population.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/nu17060962" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nutrients</a>.



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Simple eating habit may be key to weight management

In the fight against obesity and related health issues, attention...

Antibiotic resistance is rising. Infections spread unchecked as old treatments fail. The next solution may come not from labs, but from swamps and forests. Frogs - ancient survivors of earth’s changing ecosystems - have evolved powerful natural defenses. These defenses may hold the key to future antibiotics.



Frogs thrive in environments teeming with microbes. Yet, they rarely suffer <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bacteria-pass-down-their-memories-to-fight-viruses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">infections</a>. That mystery has long intrigued researchers. Could frogs be carrying biological secrets that might save human lives?



​A new study led by&nbsp;Professor Cesar de la Fuente&nbsp;at the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.upenn.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Pennsylvania</a>&nbsp;believes the answer is yes.&nbsp;His team is tapping into the molecular defenses of frogs to design synthetic antibiotics that may defeat drug-resistant bacteria.​



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-frog-evolution-shaped-powerful-antibiotics">Frog evolution shaped powerful antibiotics</h2>



Frogs have existed for over 200 million years. They have spread across continents and climates, adapting to jungles, rivers, deserts, and subarctic forests. Living in moist, microbe-rich environments, frogs constantly face bacterial threats. 



To survive, many species evolved antimicrobial peptides in their skin. These natural compounds kill harmful bacteria on contact. Unlike traditional antibiotics, they do not easily trigger resistance.



One frog species, Odorrana andersonii, has become the focus of research. It produces a peptide known as Andersonnin-D1. Chinese scientists first identified it in 2012. 



Despite its strength against bacteria, the peptide clumps together, making it less effective and more toxic. Because of this flaw, it cannot be used in clinical medicine without modification.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mission-to-rebuild-nature-s-blueprints">Mission to rebuild nature’s blueprints</h2>



Professor Cesar de la Fuente’s lab works at the intersection of biology, engineering, and synthetic chemistry. His team looks for inspiration in nature’s forgotten corners. 



Their earlier work explored ancient DNA from extinct animals like the woolly mammoth and Neanderthals. They also investigated the human gut microbiome, home to countless natural compounds.



“Each study is motivated by imagining environments where evolution would spur the creation of antibiotics,” said de la Fuente.



“Amphibians live in very microbe-rich environments. They very rarely get infected despite being surrounded by microbes, so they must produce antimicrobial compounds.”



Inspired by this evolutionary logic, the team set out to redesign Andersonnin-D1. The goal was to remove its dangerous tendencies while keeping its bacterial-fighting power.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-improving-frog-antibiotics-in-the-lab">Improving frog antibiotics in the lab</h2>



Using structure-guided design, the researchers altered the chemical structure of Andersonnin-D1. This approach allows experts to make small, deliberate changes to a molecule’s sequence and observe the effects.



Marcelo Torres is a research associate in the de la Fuente lab and co-author of the paper.



“With structure-guided design, we change the sequence of the molecule. And then we see how those mutations affect the function that we are trying to improve," said Torres.



This method generated several synthetic peptides. These versions kept the strong <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cigarette-waste-fuels-antibiotic-resistance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">antimicrobial effect</a> but avoided the clumping that caused toxicity in the original. 



Each design aimed for maximum precision, producing molecules more suitable for real-world use.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-putting-the-molecules-to-the-test">Putting the molecules to the test</h2>



Designing new&nbsp;frog-based&nbsp;antibiotics is only the beginning. To prove their value, the synthetic peptides had to succeed in rigorous lab tests. 



The team exposed the molecules to a range of harmful <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antibiotic-resistance-could-cause-a-health-crisis-globally/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bacteria</a>. The results were promising. In preclinical models, the peptides matched the strength of polymyxin B - a last-resort drug used when others fail.



More importantly, these synthetic antibiotics showed low toxicity. They left human cells unharmed and did not disrupt beneficial gut bacteria. This makes them more targeted and less harmful than many existing drugs. The lab tested the peptides in both simple and complex bacterial communities.



“Those experiments are very difficult to set up because you need to grow different bacteria at once,” says de la Fuente. “We had to come up with the specific ratio of each bacterium to have a sustained community.”



These community-based models better reflect the conditions of real <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antimicrobial-resistance-could-cause-39-million-deaths-by-2050/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">infections</a> in the human body.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-steps-toward-clinical-use">Steps toward clinical use</h2>



If additional studies continue to show strong results, the team will prepare for Investigational New Drug (IND) enabling studies. 



These tests assess safety and efficacy before a drug can be submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Only after passing these stages can the peptides move into clinical trials involving human patients.



“We are excited that frogs - and nature in general - can inspire new molecules that could be developed into antibiotics,” said de la Fuente. “Thanks to the power of engineering, we can take those natural molecules and turn them into something more useful for humanity.”



This line of research represents a fusion of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/soil-plays-an-overlooked-role-in-antibiotic-resistance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolutionary biology</a> and advanced engineering. It shows how careful study of nature’s own defenses can guide the creation of life-saving medicines.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nature-s-role-in-innovation">Nature’s role in innovation</h2>



The research was conducted at the University of Pennsylvania’s <a href="https://www.seas.upenn.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">School of Engineering and Applied Science</a>. It was supported by funding from organizations such as the National Institutes of Health (<a href="https://www.nih.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NIH</a>), the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (<a href="https://www.dtra.mil/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DTRA</a>), <a href="https://us.pg.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Procter &amp; Gamble</a>, and the <a href="https://www.aiche.org/giving" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AIChE Foundation</a>.



The study is not just about frogs or antibiotics. It reflects a larger movement in science. Instead of only inventing new molecules from scratch, researchers are increasingly exploring the solutions that evolution already tested over millions of years.



Nature, shaped by survival, often creates molecules more elegant and efficient than anything built by human hands.



In this case, one frog’s molecular defense may lead to a major medical breakthrough. As the world searches for new antibiotics, it may be ancient animals - and the researchers who study them - that help protect our future.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tibtech.2025.02.007" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trends in Biotechnology</a>.



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Frogs lead the way in developing new antibiotics

Antibiotic resistance is rising. Infections spread unchecked as old treatments...

In the forests of Tanzania, chimpanzees have long been known to fish for termites using handmade tools crafted from local plants. But what makes this behavior even more fascinating is how carefully they seem to choose the materials for their tools.



New research now shows that these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/primates-face-an-uncertain-future-due-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">primates</a> are not just grabbing any nearby stick to poke into a termite nest - they’re making smart choices based on how flexible and effective the material is.



This discovery comes from a collaborative effort between researchers at the University of Oxford’s <a href="https://www.anthro.ox.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">School of Anthropology</a> and Museum Ethnography, the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, the Jane Goodall Institute in Tanzania, the University of Algarve, the University of Porto in Portugal, and the University of Leipzig.



The study sheds light on the technical thinking behind chimpanzee tool use, a largely invisible part of primate evolutionary history.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chimpanzees-prefer-flexible-tools-for-fishing">Chimpanzees prefer flexible tools for fishing</h2>



To eat <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/termites-are-natures-architects-building-well-ventilated-nests/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">termites</a>, chimpanzees must first catch them. The primates use thin plant probes to pull the insects carefully out of narrow, winding tunnels inside termite mounds.



The team proposed that flexible tools would work better in these tight spaces than rigid sticks. To test this, lead author Alejandra Pascual-Garrido brought a portable mechanical tester to Gombe Stream National Park. She measured the amount of force it took to bend different plant materials.



The results were striking. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-can-sense-when-something-touches-them-despite-not-having-nerves/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Plants</a> that the chimpanzees actually used were much more flexible than those that were available but ignored. 



On average, unused plants were 175 percent more rigid. Even among plants growing side-by-side near the termite mounds, the ones that were repeatedly used produced significantly more flexible tools.



“This is the first comprehensive evidence that wild chimpanzees select tool materials for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chimpanzees-have-a-peak-season-for-termite-fishing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">termite fishing</a> based on specific mechanical properties,” said Pascual-Garrido, who has been studying chimpanzee tool-making in Gombe for over ten years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shared-preferences-across-africa">Shared preferences across Africa</h2>



Interestingly, the same plant species used by chimpanzees in Gombe such as Grewia - are also used by other chimpanzee populations living thousands of kilometers away.



This pattern suggests that the mechanical qualities of these plants are so useful that they’ve become common knowledge among different chimpanzee groups. It also hints that this knowledge might be deeply embedded in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chimpanzee-cultures-are-more-complex-than-we-realized/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chimpanzee culture</a>.



Their choices suggest a kind of natural logic. Chimpanzees may have what scientists call a “folk physics” - an intuitive understanding of which materials will get the job done.



Their knack for selecting the right plant isn’t just done by trial and error. It’s a skill. And it's one that might reflect the kind of thinking our early human ancestors used when building their own tools.



“This novel approach, which combines biomechanics with animal behaviour, helps us better understand the cognitive processes behind chimpanzee tool construction and how they evaluate and select materials based on functional properties,” said Pascual-Garrido.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-questions-about-chimpanzees">New questions about chimpanzees </h2>



The research opens up more questions than it answers. How do young chimpanzees learn which materials to use? Do they copy their mothers? And do they apply the same rules when choosing tools for other jobs - like collecting ants or honey?



“This finding has important implications for understanding how humans might have evolved their remarkable tool using abilities,” explained Adam van Casteren from the Department of Human Origins at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology.



“While perishable materials like wood rarely survive in the archaeological record, the mechanical principles behind effective tool construction and use remain constant across species and time.”



These behaviors also raise questions about memory, experience, and even innovation in non-human primates. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-clues-about-early-humans">Clues about early humans</h2>



Understanding how chimpanzees refine their techniques over time could reveal a primitive form of trial-and-error learning that mirrors early human problem-solving.



By studying chimpanzees and their preferences for certain types of materials, researchers hope to uncover clues about how early humans may have started crafting implements long before stone tools appeared in the archaeological record.



It’s a small but meaningful step toward understanding the roots of human intelligence - through the eyes, and hands, of our closest extant relatives.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/iscience/fulltext/S2589-0042(25)00419-5?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS2589004225004195%3Fshowall%3Dtrue" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">iScience</a>.



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Chimpanzees have tool-making skills similar to human engineers

In the forests of Tanzania, chimpanzees have long been known...

Sharks have roamed the oceans for millions of years. Their powerful jaws and sharp teeth make them top predators that are capable of influencing entire marine ecosystems. 



However, understanding what they eat and where they feed remains difficult. This is especially true for rare or protected species where direct sampling poses legal and ethical challenges.



Traditionally, scientists study shark diets by examining their teeth. But collecting samples from live sharks can be risky, costly, and often impossible, especially when dealing with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-some-great-hammerhead-sharks-rarely-leave-home/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">threatened species</a>. 



Yet, every opportunity to gather data matters. That’s where the past meets the present - inside the drawers and display cases of museums.



A new study led by researchers from Flinders University has found that preserved shark jaws - often considered to be static relics - can be a powerful scientific resource. 



Using teeth from sharks in historical collections, researchers can now study shark diets without touching a living specimen.



This breakthrough offers new hope for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/one-third-of-shark-species-face-extinction-despite-fishing-bans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine science</a> and conservation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shark-jaws-reveal-feeding-secrets">Shark jaws reveal feeding secrets</h2>



Shark teeth hold chemical signatures that reveal details of their past meals and feeding grounds. These signatures come from ratios of stable isotopes - naturally occurring variations of chemical elements. By examining these isotopes, scientists can piece together an animal’s ecological history.



Until now, scientists avoided using preserved jaws due to concerns that cleaning chemicals might have distorted the isotopes.



Many <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mediterranean-sharks-face-growing-threats-despite-conservation-efforts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shark</a> jaws in museums and private collections have been treated with substances like ethanol, bleach, or hydrogen peroxide. These treatments whiten the teeth but were thought to possibly alter their chemical composition.



However, the new research shows otherwise. The team discovered that these chemicals do not affect the key isotopes used in diet studies. This means that thousands of jaws from past decades are now usable in ways previously thought impossible.



"Most shark jaws in museums and private collections are chemically treated, so understanding if, or how these treatments affect tooth isotopes is crucial," said Flinders research associate Dr. Lauren Meyer.



"Finding that preservation chemicals had no impact on isotope values opens the door for the use of jaws from historic collections across Australia and globally."



This discovery means scientists can study <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sharks-may-benefit-from-rising-temperatures-but-not-from-rising-co2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shark</a> diets without needing fresh tissue samples. It also significantly broadens the scope of possible studies, including comparative diet research across different eras and regions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chemical-clarity-through-isotope-testing">Chemical clarity through isotope testing</h2>



The study involved stable isotope analysis, which looks at carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur isotopes. These elements help identify where and what an <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/megalodon-was-sleeker-and-longer-than-previously-imagined/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animal</a> has been eating.



"The chemicals in teeth provide a story of what the shark has eaten and from where, whether that be sea lions in South Australia, or tuna in New South Wales," explained lead author Laura Holmes, from the Southern Shark Ecology Group in the College of Science and Engineering at <a href="https://www.flinders.edu.au" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Flinders University</a>.



The researchers partnered with the Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry Laboratory at the <a href="https://www.utas.edu.au" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Tasmania</a>. 



The team tested teeth from three very different elasmobranchs: cownose rays, gummy sharks, and broadnose sevengill sharks.



Despite their structural differences, all samples held up under isotope testing.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rare-species-now-within-scientific-reach">Rare species now within scientific reach</h2>



Access to historical jaws brings particular value when studying rare or threatened shark species. These species often cannot be sampled directly, but many have had jaws collected as trophies. 



With these now validated as reliable data sources, older specimens can help researchers understand long-term dietary trends.



"This is especially useful for rare or threatened species, for which standard tissue samples may not be readily available, but for which trophy jaws have been collected, such as white sharks, tiger sharks, and makos," said Dr. Meyer.



Older collections, such as those from the 1970s and 1980s, now offer a scientific window into the past. This information is crucial as many shark species face increasing pressure from human activities, climate change, and habitat degradation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-applications-across-marine-life">Applications across marine life</h2>



While this study focused on sharks and rays, the implications go beyond these groups.



Other marine predators, such as killer whales, sperm whales, and fur seals, also have teeth stored in museum collections. These could be tested using the same methods, opening new research pathways.



"This study opens the door to use a tremendous resource of samples to untangle the current and historic diet and foraging habitats of complex predators - making the most exciting finding from this study the capacity for new research that is now possible," said Dr. Meyer.



These findings not only expand the toolkit for marine scientists but also enhance our understanding of ocean ecosystems over time. Every preserved tooth could tell a story. 



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0141113625001205?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marine Environmental Research</a>.



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Chemical clues from old shark jaws reveal diets and habitats

Sharks have roamed the oceans for millions of years. Their...

The feeling of fullness after a nice meal usually prevents us from eating more. This is a familiar experience for humans, but we are not alone. We share this with starfish and many other organisms as well.



New research indicates that the same message instructing us to eat no more has existed for more than 500 million years. The same molecule affecting our feeding behavior in this way also acts on starfish and other sea animals.



Researchers at <a href="https://www.qmul.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Queen Mary University of London</a> have followed the evolutionary trail of a neurohormone named bombesin, which regulates appetite in humans. 



Collaborating with colleagues at the Institut Pasteur in Paris and the University of Warwick, the researchers discovered that this satiety-inducing peptide is much older than was thought, and is found in animals that lived before the first <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/over-half-of-the-worlds-vertebrates-reside-in-the-tropics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vertebrates</a> set foot on Earth.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-bombesin">What is bombesin?</h2>



Bombesin is a small peptide that helps regulate appetite by sending a message when it's <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/neurons-discovered-that-tell-us-when-to-stop-eating/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">time to stop eating</a>. While it’s been studied in humans and other mammals, its origins were less understood - until now. 



Researchers discovered that a bombesin-like molecule is present in echinoderms like starfish, sea urchins, and sea cucumbers.



If you’re wondering about the unusual name, bombesin isn’t explosive. It’s named after the fire-bellied toad, Bombina bombina, where it was first identified in 1971. 



Scientists noticed that injecting this compound into <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/evolutionary-mystery-why-are-mammals-the-only-vertebrates-to-have-only-one-lower-jawbone/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mammals</a> caused them to eat less and take longer between meals. This led to the idea that bombesin-like neurohormones are part of the body’s natural appetite control system.



Today, compounds that mimic bombesin are being explored as potential treatments for obesity, alongside well-known medications like Ozempic.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-needle-in-a-haystack">A needle in a haystack</h2>



The research team began by searching for bombesin-like genes in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-noise-can-be-fatal-to-marine-invertebrates/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine invertebrates</a>. 



“It was a bit like looking for a needle in a haystack,” said Professor Maurice Elphick. “But eventually we discovered genes encoding a bombesin-like neurohormone in the genomes of starfish and their relatives.”



Once the gene was identified in the common starfish (Asterias rubens), scientists named the molecule ArBN. 



Collaborators at the University of Warwick used mass spectrometry to determine the exact structure of ArBN, which allowed the molecule to be synthesized for lab testing.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-watching-starfish-eat-or-not-eat">Watching starfish eat - or not eat</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/starfish-break-off-their-arms-to-evade-danger-and-regenerate-them-later/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Starfish</a> feed in a bizarre and fascinating way: they push their stomachs out through their mouths to digest prey like mussels. The team wanted to know how ArBN affected this feeding behavior.



“When I tested ArBN, I saw that it caused contraction of the starfish stomach. This suggested that ArBN might be involved in stimulating stomach retraction when starfish stop feeding. And this is exactly what I found," explained Dr. Weiling Huang, who conducted the behavioral tests. 



"When I injected ArBN into starfish with their stomachs everted, it triggered the stomach to retract back into the mouth. What’s more, ArBN also delayed the initiation of feeding, as starfish injected with ArBN took longer to enclose a mussel compared to those injected with water.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-molecule-older-than-starfish">A molecule older than starfish</h2>



Understanding that bombesin-like molecules have been regulating feeding behavior since before the rise of vertebrates adds an important piece to the puzzle of how appetite evolved. 



“We can infer that this function extends back half-a-billion years to the common ancestor of starfish, humans, and other vertebrates,” said Professor Elphick.



But the implications go beyond biology textbooks. Some species of starfish are moving into new habitats due to climate change. In particular, these species are seeking cooler waters where shellfish farms are located, and may threaten aquaculture operations.



“One of the consequences of climate change is that some starfish species are invading cooler waters where shellfish are cultivated for human consumption,” said Professor Elphick.



“Discovering molecules that inhibit feeding in starfish could be useful in managing these invasions.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-than-just-an-ancient-molecule">More than just an ancient molecule</h2>



This study connects two very different worlds: the sophisticated brain-gut interactions in humans and the slow, alien feeding behavior of starfish. Yet both rely on the same ancient molecule to know when it's time to stop eating.



As scientific discoveries reveal the biological links between species, the deep interconnectedness of all life becomes ever more apparent.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2420966122" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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Ancient molecule tells starfish and humans when to stop eating

The feeling of fullness after a nice meal usually prevents...

Since the Industrial Revolution, the world has witnessed a sharp increase in noise pollution generated by human activities. Whether it’s the constant hum of traffic, airplanes overhead, or the repetitive clamor of construction, these sounds can obstruct animals’ abilities to give and receive crucial signals - a process that is fundamental to their survival and reproduction.



Now, a team of biologists at the <a href="https://www.unl.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Nebraska–Lincoln</a> (UNL) has published one of the first known studies demonstrating how one group of animals can react to human-made noise by adjusting its own method of sensing sounds.&nbsp;



In an article published in the journal <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2025.02.041" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a>, researchers Brandi Pessman and Eileen Hebets show that funnel-weaving <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/spiders-reveal-how-cave-creatures-lose-their-vision-over-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">spiders</a> alter how their silk webs transmit vibrations in response to local noise. 



This finding suggests that the spiders might deliberately change web structure to cope with the auditory chaos surrounding them, ensuring they receive vital cues from potential mates, prey, or predators.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-key-discovery-about-web-adjustments">A key discovery about web adjustments</h2>



Drawing on lab experiments, the study uncovered a particularly unexpected insight: the way a spider’s web conveys vibrations varies depending on whether its architect was collected from a rural or urban area. This discrepancy hints at the idea that prior exposure to noise - possibly even inherited across generations - may influence a spider’s malleability when it comes to spinning webs.



“One of the most interesting things that we found is that urban and rural spiders are reacting differently when they're put into a noisy environment,” said Pessman, a postdoctoral researcher in biological sciences and the lead author of the paper. 



“This means that spiders with different experiences with noise - whether they themselves experienced it or their mothers passed it down to them across generations - respond differently.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-spider-webs-as-sensory-extensions">Spider webs as sensory extensions</h2>



It has been well documented that animals such as birds and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-altering-the-calls-and-voices-of-frogs-around-the-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">frogs</a> can change their calls or the timing of their vocalizations in the face of increased human noise. However, little was known about how animals manage to tweak the way they receive acoustic or vibratory signals. 



The main challenge is the hidden nature of most animals’ sensory systems, which are located within their bodies. But web-building spiders are unique, as their webs function effectively like external sensory extensions that capture vibrations from the environment.



This distinction makes funnel-weaving spiders, also known as Agelenopsis pennsylvanica, an ideal test group. They rely predominantly on vibratory signals for vital information. Their webs connect to various surfaces - trees, rocks, or buildings - capable of transmitting the vibratory noise created by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/some-birds-get-road-rage-when-exposed-to-traffic-noise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">traffic</a>, industrial activities, and more.&nbsp;



The research team hypothesized that funnel-weaving spiders might be able to reduce the volume of unwanted or irrelevant vibrations caused by human-related noise, which often shares the frequency range these spiders need for effective communication.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-spiders-in-urban-areas">Spiders in urban areas</h2>



Pessman started by collecting a total of 60 funnel-weaving spiders in and around Lincoln, Nebraska - some from city settings and others from out in the countryside. In the lab, the spiders were then placed in controlled environments that were either quiet or noisy as they spun webs over four nights. 



Upon completion, the researchers introduced test vibrations into those webs, measuring how energy moved across the silk in different conditions.



They observed that spiders from urban areas tended to build webs that lost more energy in short-distance vibrations across a broader set of frequencies when placed under noisy conditions. 



Interpreted practically, these webs essentially “muffled” environmental noise. This may prevent sensory overload, giving the spiders a clearer signal from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/largest-predator-prey-feast-ever-seen-in-the-ocean-enormous-quickly-altered-food-chain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">prey</a> or other relevant vibrations in their immediate vicinity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-spiders-that-are-exposed-to-less-noise">Spiders that are exposed to less noise</h2>



Meanwhile, rural spiders assembled their webs in such a way that energy from biologically important long-distance vibrations was preserved. This indicates they might be amplifying or enhancing certain frequency ranges to pick out meaningful vibrations above the background noise.



“Rural spiders are not used to as much noise in their environment,” Pessman said. “When they suddenly get a lot of noise, they might try to 'turn up' the volume in their webs or amplify what's coming in to better hear certain signals above the noise.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-ecology-and-future-studies">Implications for ecology and future studies</h2>



Given the role of funnel webs as external sensory structures, these findings open a new window into how animals can adjust the way they receive signals, a research area that had remained largely unclear until now. 



The ability to alter web structure in response to different noise environments could prove vital as human-made noise continues to escalate across the planet.



In the future, the team plans to investigate precisely how the spiders are changing their webs - whether they adjust the tension of certain silk lines, vary anchor points, or adopt an entirely new shape to filter or boost specific frequencies. 



High-speed video of the web-building process, combined with digital tracking methods, will let them delve deeper into these construction nuances.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-spiders-overcoming-environmental-noise">Spiders overcoming environmental noise</h2>



“This study really highlights the role of receivers in overcoming environmental noise,” said Hebets, who is a professor of biological sciences at UNL. 



“It opens up entirely new avenues of research. For example, are receivers placing themselves at certain locations in the environment where signals are going to receive less attenuation or overlap of noise?”



By revealing that some species can modify their “sensor” for hearing, the team hopes to inspire more research on how other animals cope with rising noise levels. 



The funnels built by these little invertebrates may seem inconsequential to an urban passerby, but as the study shows, each strand of silk can be precisely tuned to help the spider thrive in a clamorous world.



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Spiders adapt their webs to filter out human-made noise

Since the Industrial Revolution, the world has witnessed a sharp...

A Deep-Sea Sponge and Anemones in Antarctica

An international team of researchers took advantage of a rare chance encounter to explore a massive new expanse of seafloor exposed by the breakup of an Antarctic ice shelf in the Bellingshausen Sea.&nbsp;



On January 13, 2025, an iceberg named A-84 - which was the size of the city of Chicago - broke off from the George VI Ice Shelf, which sits along the Antarctic Peninsula. 



This event uncovered roughly 209 square miles (540 square kilometers) of seafloor that had previously been concealed under floating ice.



The team arrived aboard <a href="https://schmidtocean.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Schmidt Ocean Institute</a>’s R/V Falkor (too) at this newly exposed site on January 25, making them the first to study such a large underwater area that had previously been covered by an ice shelf.&nbsp;



Their effort marks the first large-scale interdisciplinary exploration of geologic, oceanographic, and biological features hidden beneath an extensive floating <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/astonishing-glacier-retreat-in-the-arctic-signals-climate-disaster/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">glacier</a> front.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rapidly-shifting-expedition-goals">Rapidly shifting expedition goals</h2>



Co-chief scientist Patricia Esquete is a researcher in the <a href="https://www.cesam-la.pt/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Center for Environmental and Marine Studies</a> (CESAM) and the Department of Biology (DBio) at the <a href="https://www.ua.pt/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Aveiro</a> in Portugal.&nbsp;



"We seized upon the moment, changed our expedition plan, and went for it so we could look at what was happening in the depths below,” said Esquete.



“We didn’t expect to find such a beautiful, thriving <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-environmental-stress-strengthens-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecosystem</a>. Based on the size of the animals, the communities we observed have been there for decades, maybe even hundreds of years.”



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Antarctic-iceberg-detached_seafloor-study_credit-SOI_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Antarctic-iceberg-detached_seafloor-study_credit-SOI_1s.webp" alt="The newly exposed Antarctic seafloor also allowed the team to gather critical data on the past behavior of the ice sheet. The ice sheet has been shrinking and losing mass over the last few decades due to climate change. Credit: Alex Ingle / Schmidt Ocean Institute" class="wp-image-1963228"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The newly exposed Antarctic seafloor also allowed the team to gather critical data on the past behavior of the ice sheet. The ice sheet has been shrinking and losing mass over the last few decades due to climate change. Credit: Alex Ingle / Schmidt Ocean Institute</figcaption></figure>



Originally, the science mission did not include venturing beneath a freshly fractured portion of the ice shelf. 



However, the movement of this newly calved <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/massive-iceberg-that-broke-away-from-antarctica-sparks-concerns/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">iceberg</a> offered a rare opportunity to explore a site that, until recently, had never been examined by any human.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-antarctic-seafloor-reveals-lush-communities">Antarctic seafloor reveals lush communities</h2>



Using Schmidt Ocean Institute’s remotely operated vehicle, ROV SuBastian, the science team spent eight days surveying the seafloor at depths down to 1,300 meters (4,265 feet).&nbsp;



The experts discovered an unexpectedly rich ecosystem that was teeming with corals, sponges, icefish, giant sea spiders, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/octopuses-could-dominate-earth-if-humans-vanish/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">octopuses</a> - an indication that marine life can flourish under ice-covered regions of the Antarctic in ways not previously documented.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Antarctic-iceberg-detached_seafloor_octopus-resting_credit-SOI_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Antarctic-iceberg-detached_seafloor_octopus-resting_credit-SOI_1s.webp" alt="An octopus rests on the seafloor 1150 meters deep, in the Bellingshausen Sea off Antarctica, at an area where the shelf break and slope are cut by several underwater gullies. Credit: ROV SuBastian / Schmidt Ocean Institute" class="wp-image-1963224"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">An octopus rests on the seafloor 1150 meters deep, in the Bellingshausen Sea off Antarctica, at an area where the shelf break and slope are cut by several underwater gullies. Credit: ROV SuBastian / Schmidt Ocean Institute</figcaption></figure>



According to the researchers, these observations offer insight into how ecosystems function beneath the Antarctic ice sheet. Such an ecosystem has seldom been accessed. 



Earlier findings, notably by <a href="https://www.bas.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">British Antarctic Survey</a> researchers in 2021, revealed possible bottom-dwelling life beneath ice, but the present study marks the first time an ROV survey has thoroughly documented wide areas of this vibrant seabed.



The experts were surprised by the large biomass and biodiversity in the ecosystem and suspect they have discovered several new species.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-marine-life-survives-in-darkness">How marine life survives in darkness</h2>



Deep-sea ecosystems generally depend on nutrients trickling down from surface waters. However, these Antarctic seafloors had been buried under ice some 150 meters (nearly 500 feet) thick for centuries.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Antarctic-iceberg-detached_seafloor_Sponge_Anemone_credit-SOI_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Antarctic-iceberg-detached_seafloor_Sponge_Anemone_credit-SOI_1s.webp" alt="A large sponge, a cluster of anemones, and other life is seen nearly 230 meters deep at an area of the seabed that was very recently covered by the George VI Ice Shelf, a floating glacier in Antarctica. Credit: Schmidt Ocean Institute" class="wp-image-1963226"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A large sponge, a cluster of anemones, and other life is seen nearly 230 meters deep at an area of the seabed that was very recently covered by the George VI Ice Shelf, a floating glacier in Antarctica. Credit: Schmidt Ocean Institute</figcaption></figure>



With no direct sunlight, how such abundant organisms manage to feed is still uncertain. The scientists propose that ocean currents under the ice may be funneling essential nutrients to these communities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-antarctic-ice-sheet-behavior">Antarctic ice sheet behavior</h2>



Apart from their ecological discoveries, the international group - which included scientists from Portugal, the United Kingdom, Chile, Germany, Norway, New Zealand, and the United States - examined geological samples to gain knowledge about past changes in the Antarctic ice sheet.



The ice sheet has been shrinking and losing mass for decades in response to climate change.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Antarctic-iceberg-detached_modis-satellite-view_NASA_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Antarctic-iceberg-detached_modis-satellite-view_NASA_1s.webp" alt="The MODIS Corrected Reflectance satellite imagery showing the iceberg calved from George VI Ice Shelf in the Bellingshausen Sea on 19 January 2025. Credit: Schmidt Ocean Institute" class="wp-image-1963222"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The MODIS Corrected Reflectance satellite imagery showing the iceberg calved from George VI Ice Shelf in the Bellingshausen Sea on 19 January 2025. Credit: Schmidt Ocean Institute</figcaption></figure>



“The ice loss from the Antarctic Ice Sheet is a major contributor to sea level rise worldwide,” said co-chief scientist Sasha Montelli of <a href="https://www.ucl.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University College London</a>, who is also a 2019 Schmidt Science Fellow.&nbsp;



“Our work is critical for providing longer-term context of these recent changes, improving our ability to make projections of future change - projections that can inform actionable policies. We will undoubtedly make new discoveries as we continue to analyze this vital data.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-samples-from-the-antarctic-seafloor">Samples from the Antarctic seafloor </h2>



During this mission, the team collected both biological and geological samples. 



In addition, they deployed autonomous underwater vehicles, called gliders, to analyze how meltwater from the ice shelf impacts the region’s physical and chemical properties. 



Preliminary measurements hinted at high biological productivity and strong meltwater flow from the George VI ice shelf, providing further context for how such deep-sea populations may thrive in these surroundings.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-part-of-a-larger-global-initiative">Part of a larger global initiative</h2>



The expedition is part of Challenger 150, a global cooperative dedicated to deep-sea biological study, and recognized by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (<a href="https://www.ioc.unesco.org/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IOC/UNESCO</a>) as an Ocean Decade Action. 



This alignment ensures that findings from the George VI Ice Shelf breakage feed into broader international efforts to understand and safeguard <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-impacting-marine-life-more-than-we-realized/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine life</a>.



“The science team was originally in this remote region to study the seafloor and ecosystem at the interface between ice and sea,” noted Schmidt Ocean Institute’s executive director, Jyotika Virmani.&nbsp;



“Being right there when this iceberg calved from the ice shelf presented a rare scientific opportunity. Serendipitous moments are part of the excitement of research at sea - they offer the chance to be the first to witness the untouched beauty of our world.”



Looking ahead, the researchers plan to continue analyzing the collected data for insights into both ice sheet behavior and the unique marine life that has flourished unseen for centuries beneath the ice.&nbsp;



With accelerating climate change, the study’s findings about species adaptability and the resilience of Antarctic habitats carry implications for future conservation and policy decisions on a global scale.



<a href="https://schmidtocean.photoshelter.com/galleries/C0000QszlkoaNkKU/G0000p4LRtGEAfWo/I0000X_S5KjUr4QU/FKt250110-20250126-IceScanningCollectionAndIcebergViewing-Ingle-0202-jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">See more of the photos taken on this mission by the Schmidt Ocean Institute here...</a>



Images Credit: Schmidt Ocean Institute



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Iceberg break from Antarctica reveals seafloor full of rare and vibrant ocean creatures

An international team of researchers took advantage of a rare...

Dogs can’t speak, but they express themselves clearly through body language. A bark, a tail wag, or a growl can reveal their feelings, but to understand them better, we must learn to interpret their silent cues.



"Understanding our dogs' basic body language allows us to gain insight into their thoughts and feelings about the world around them and what they are experiencing," said Harmony Diers, a veterinary technician and project manager for the Dog Aging Project at the Texas A&amp;M <a href="https://vetmed.tamu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">College of Veterinary Medicine</a> and Biomedical Sciences.



Diers explains how common behaviors can help us understand what our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/national-puppy-day-2025-where-happiness-meets-responsibility/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dogs</a> are trying to communicate.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-signs-of-a-relaxed-dog">Signs of a relaxed dog</h2>



Relaxed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-dogs-feel-smells-may-help-keep-us-safe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dogs</a> show it with their entire body. Their ears may lean forward or rest gently backward. Sometimes, submissive dogs fold their ears back, but the overall signal is calmness.



One clear sign of happiness is a circular tail wag. If your dog moves its tail in a loop, that shows true joy.



You may also notice soft, squinting eyes, a steady and kind gaze, leaning against you, lying down peacefully, rolling over for belly rubs, or panting with a slightly open mouth.



"It is important to recognize a calm and content <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/petting-a-dog-might-be-the-easiest-way-to-reduce-stress/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dog</a>'s body language to determine whether he or she is comfortable with the current environment and circumstances," Diers explained.



Understanding these signs helps you support your dog without overwhelming it or ignoring its comfort.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-dogs-want-distance">When dogs want distance</h2>



Not all body language signals comfort. Discontented <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/from-wolves-to-dogs-did-domestication-begin-without-human-help/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dogs</a> often try to create space when feeling stressed.



A tucked tail usually indicates fear. A dog on high alert might raise its tail and wag it quickly, signaling tension rather than joy.



"A dog experiencing an uncomfortable situation may also turn his body away from the threat to present his back," Diers said.



Dogs sometimes shake their entire bodies after a stressful moment, similar to drying off after a bath. This helps them release built-up tension.



Ears held straight up can show readiness for action, while ears pinned close to the head show nervousness or submission. 



If your <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-and-dogs-share-genes-linked-to-obesity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dog</a> stares intensely or shows the whites of its eyes - often called the "whale eye" - it may be feeling scared or trapped. Tension in the mouth, pulled lips, licking, or yawning can all be signs of stress.



Learning these signals helps protect your dog and others, especially when meeting unfamiliar dogs or entering new spaces.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-body-language-varies-by-breed">Body language varies by breed</h2>



Some breeds naturally appear alert, even when relaxed. Recognizing your dog’s baseline posture is important.



"When these dogs are in alert mode or feel threatened, the tail may go higher and stiffer and wag quickly," Diers said. For instance, German shepherds often have upright ears by nature. Huskies and malamutes usually carry curled tails, even when relaxed.



"Look at our pugs. They always have big open eyes, but if a wide-eyed pug is giving the whale eye, he may be experiencing a threat or feeling nervous."



Knowing your dog’s unique structure will help you tell the difference between comfort and caution.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-illness-can-alter-body-language">Illness can alter body language</h2>



Body language doesn’t only reflect emotion. It can also signal health issues.



"An ill dog may sleep more, be grumpier and not want the normal interaction he usually gets excited about," Diers said.



A dog in pain might limp, lower its head, keep its posture stiff, tuck its belly inward, or arch its back. Whimpering may also occur. Lip-smacking could mean nausea or nervousness.



If your lively dog suddenly isolates, eats less, or shows no interest in play, something might be wrong.



"Ultimately, if your normally active and happy dog starts to isolate and show lethargy and/or decreased appetite, this is a sign that something has changed with their overall health, and seeking the care of a veterinarian is a suggested course to take," stressed Diers.



Paying attention to your dog’s body language strengthens your relationship. You build trust when you listen to their unspoken signals. Understanding what they say without words keeps them safe, happy, and healthy - and brings you even closer.



Information supplied by <a href="https://phys.org/partners/texas-a-m-university/">Texas A&amp;M University</a>.



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Want to know how your dog is feeling? Learn their body language

Dogs can’t speak, but they express themselves clearly through body...

Latimeria,Fish,Isolated,On,The,Black,Background

Among the many wonders and ancient tales about marine life and ocean creatures, one fish long believed to have vanished from our planet captured worldwide attention. 



This interest emerged from an unexpected finding that changed our perspective on what might still be lurking in the deep.



Before 1938, experts spoke of the coelacanth as a classic example of an extinct fish dating back more than 400 million years. Scholars concluded it had disappeared 65 to 70 million years ago. 



This assumption crumbled when a 32-year-old museum employee in East London, South Africa, examined a strange specimen brought by a local fisherman near the Chalumna River. The fish defied every existing category she knew.



Soon after, she contacted <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._L._B._Smith" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Professor James Leonard Brierley Smith</a> of <a href="https://www.ru.ac.za/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rhodes University</a> for advice. He confirmed that the fish was indeed a living coelacanth. 



That surprise discovery shifted the zoological narrative and demonstrated how the fossil record can be incomplete, especially when only a small number of individuals survive.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fascinating-fish-tale">Fascinating fish tale</h2>



In the eyes of many scientists, the coelacanth’s resurgence placed it into what is called a Lazarus taxon. The term refers to creatures that vanish from evidence, then reappear without warning. 



One telling moment from that occasion remains the telegram from Brierley Smith: “MOST IMPORTANT PRESERVE SKELETON AND GILLS = FISH DESCRIBED.” 



No one anticipated those words, yet they confirmed something rare had surfaced.



After that event, more than a decade passed before another coelacanth turned up. In 1952, two fishermen in the Comoro Islands accidentally netted the second specimen, prompting renewed fascination among marine researchers. 



A further revelation followed in the 1990s, when experts identified a second species around the Indonesian archipelago. 



These examples carry the names <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/asian-megacities-at-highest-risk-from-sea-level-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">West Indian Ocean</a> coelacanth (Latimeria chalumnae) and Indonesian coelacanth (Latimeria menadoensis).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coelacanth-has-unique-physical-traits">Coelacanth has unique physical traits</h2>



This fish stands apart for its lobed pectoral fins, which appear to be an early link to vertebrates that eventually ventured onto land. These fins move in a synchronized pattern, allowing the fish to navigate underwater terrains. 



Unlike many other fishes, it also bears an unusual hinge in its skull, once a subject of speculation about how it might bite or process food.



Its coloration often blends with the rocky surroundings where it resides, offering a measure of cover in deep marine environments. 



The habitat provides sufficient shelter from predators, while the species’ low metabolism helps it survive on fewer resources. 



Scientists note that it rests in lava-cave recesses during daylight hours, an approach that likely shields it from hazards in open water.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ancestral-ties-to-land-creatures">Ancestral ties to land creatures</h2>



Researchers classify the coelacanth under the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mysterious-fish-like-fossil-finally-classified/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">group Sarcopterygii</a>, or lobe-finned fishes, which include lungfish and the earliest ancestors of amphibians, reptiles, and mammals. 



Shared skeletal features, such as sturdy fin bones, point to a closer relationship with organisms that adapted to life on land. 



This connection is intriguing because it shows how certain aquatic traits can mirror structures later found in creatures roaming dry terrain.



Some studies suggest that the coelacanth’s rostral organ, located in its snout, may sense electrical signals from prey. 



That adaptation is reminiscent of strategies seen in other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coelacanth-ngamugawi-wirngarri-new-species-living-fossil-fish-survived-over-400-million-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lobe-finned fish</a>, hinting at a link between modern species and those that made their way onto shore millions of years ago. 



Observers note that this hidden ability emphasizes how an ancient design can remain effective.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-geological-stability-has-helped-coelacanths">Geological stability has helped coelacanths</h2>



The ancient environment of undersea caverns has changed little over vast stretches of time. 



Because of this stable setting, the coelacanth has not faced the intense pressures that other species might encounter in rapidly shifting habitats. 



Food sources may be limited, but the fish’s slow pace lessens its caloric needs.



Its specialized niche also guards it from fierce competition. Other oceanic predators seldom patrol these dark, quiet zones, giving the coelacanth space to endure without altering the basic features that first appeared centuries ago. 



This alignment between organism and setting reveals a powerful strategy: remain where the external world barely intrudes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-inspiring-story-of-adaptation-and-survival">Inspiring story of adaptation and survival</h2>



Many living forms adapt constantly to survive. By contrast, this fish’s story underscores how a creature can persist if external demands remain light and internal physiology fits the available conditions. 



Though it caused surprise among zoologists, the coelacanth itself quietly continued in an environment well-suited to its capabilities.



To many observers, it sparks discussions on biodiversity and the surprising ways life endures. While others might call it a relic, it is very much a survivor. 



Each sighting encourages experts to keep watching the deep sea, a region that may hold additional beings we once wrote off as extinct.



Scientists continue to investigate whether this fish harbors undiscovered traits. Each observation can add to our understanding of marine evolution. 



Observers hope that further study might shed new light on adaptations that remain hidden in dark, remote corners of the ocean.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-37849-9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scientific Reports</a>.



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World’s oldest fish was presumed extinct for 60 million years before being rediscovered

Among the many wonders and ancient tales about marine life...

The past is full of hidden secrets, and fossils offer valuable glimpses into ancient worlds. Each discovery reveals new insights into evolution, extinction, and the environmental shifts that shaped life long ago.



A recent study on a 30,000-year-old vulture fossil from Central Italy has revealed an extraordinary process of preservation. 



The researchers discovered that volcanic rock can capture microscopic details of feathers - a phenomenon that has never been documented before.



Fossilization usually occurs in sediments like mud or sand, where minerals replace organic materials over time. 



However, the vulture <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/organic-molecules-collagen-discovered-in-66-million-year-old-dinosaur-bones/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fossil</a> challenges conventional beliefs by showing how volcanic deposits can preserve soft tissues in stunning detail.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-30-000-year-old-vulture-fossil">30,000-year-old vulture fossil</h2>



The fossilized vulture was discovered in 1889 near Rome by a local landowner. Its exceptional state of preservation made it a rare find at the time.



Unlike many <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/triassic-fossils-shed-new-light-on-ancient-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fossils</a> that are flattened by geological pressure, this specimen retained a three-dimensional structure. Even features like eyelids and wing feathers remained intact.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/vulture-fossil-feather_volcanic-rock_credit-Edoardo-Terranova_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/vulture-fossil-feather_volcanic-rock_credit-Edoardo-Terranova_1s.webp" alt="A Fossilized feather preserved with the volcanic rock. Credit: Edoardo Terranova" class="wp-image-1963155"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A Fossilized feather preserved with the volcanic rock. Credit: Edoardo Terranova</figcaption></figure>



Despite its discovery more than a century ago, the fossil has continued to fascinate researchers. Recent advances in microscopic and chemical analysis provided scientists with tools to examine it anew, this time in unprecedented detail.



The findings have opened new doors in the study of fossilization and volcanic environments.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-feathers-preserved-at-the-microscopic-level">Feathers preserved at the microscopic level</h2>



Dr. Valentina Rossi from University College Cork led the research team that conducted a detailed examination of the vulture fossil. 



The results, published recently in Geology, reveal that the feathers are preserved down to the microscopic level.



“Fossil feathers are usually preserved in ancient mudrocks laid down in lakes or lagoons,” noted Dr. Rossi.



“The fossil vulture is preserved in ash deposits, which is extremely unusual. When analyzing the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/neanderthal-fossils-reveal-signs-of-a-population-collapse/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fossil</a> vulture plumage, we found ourselves in uncharted territory. These feathers are nothing like what we usually see in other fossils.”



Traditional fossilization often occurs in water-rich environments, where sediments gradually cover an animal’s remains. 



However, the vulture’s feathers survived in volcanic ash - a setting not previously recognized for preserving such delicate structures.



This raises new questions about the role of volcanic environments in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fossil-discovery-anadoluvius-turkae-suggests-humans-originated-in-europe-not-africa/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fossil</a> preservation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-role-of-zeolite-in-preservation">Role of zeolite in preservation</h2>



By analyzing tiny samples of the fossil feathers using electron microscopes and chemical tests, the researchers uncovered an unexpected preservation mechanism. 



The feathers were found to be encased in zeolite, a mineral composed of silicon and aluminum.



“Zeolites are minerals rich in silicon and aluminum and are common in volcanic and hydrothermal geological settings," Dr. Rossi explained.



"They can form as primary minerals (with pretty crystals) or can form secondarily, during the natural alteration of volcanic glass and ash, giving the rock a ‘mudrock-like’ aspect."



The team determined that water flowing through the ash layers triggered chemical changes that led to the formation of zeolite nanocrystals. These crystals replicated the feathers’ microscopic details, thus preserving them at a cellular level.



This process had never been reported before in soft tissue fossilization, making the vulture fossil a groundbreaking discovery.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preserved-soft-tissues-in-a-vulture-fossil">Preserved soft tissues in a vulture fossil</h2>



Volcanic activity is usually associated with destruction, not <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/where-did-dinosaurs-come-from-missing-fossils-hold-the-secret/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">preservation</a>. Pyroclastic flows, known for their extreme heat and rapid movement, often obliterate organic material. 



Yet, this study demonstrates that, under certain conditions, volcanic ash can encase and protect soft tissues.



“We are used to thinking that volcanic deposits are associated with hot, fast-moving pyroclastic currents that will destroy soft tissues," noted Professor Dawid A. Iurino from the University of Milan.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/vulture-fossil-feather_volcanic-rock_illustration_credit-Dawid-Iurino_1big.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/vulture-fossil-feather_volcanic-rock_illustration_credit-Dawid-Iurino_1s.webp" alt="'The Doom of the Alban Hills' a digital painting representing a possible scenario of the moments before the vulture carcass was entombed in the pyroclastic current. Credit: Dawid A. Iurino" class="wp-image-1963158"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">'The Doom of the Alban Hills' a digital painting representing a possible scenario of the moments before the vulture carcass was entombed in the pyroclastic current. Credit: Dawid A. Iurino</figcaption></figure>



"However, these geological settings are complex and can include low temperature deposits that can preserve soft tissues at the cellular level.” 



This discovery challenges the assumption that volcanic environments are unsuitable for preserving fossils. 



It suggests that low-temperature ash deposits can serve as protective enclosures for biological remains, and that this may allow scientists to study ancient creatures in ways never before possible.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-expanding-the-search-for-fossils">Expanding the search for fossils </h2>



The findings have significant implications for paleontology. Scientists have long focused on sedimentary rocks when searching for well-preserved fossils, and may have overlooked volcanic deposits. This research suggests that volcanic rock may hold a hidden wealth of fossils with preserved soft tissues.



“The fossil record is continually surprising us, be it new fossil species, strange new body shapes, or in this case, new styles of fossil preservation. We never expected to find delicate tissues such as feathers preserved in a volcanic rock," stated Professor Maria McNamara from University College Cork.



"Discoveries such as these broaden the range of potential rock types where we can find fossils, even those preserving fragile soft tissues."



This revelation encourages researchers to revisit volcanic fossil sites with fresh eyes. It also raises the possibility that more fossils with soft tissue preservation are waiting to be uncovered in ash-rich environments.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-chapter-in-paleontology">A new chapter in paleontology</h2>



Scientific discoveries constantly reshape our understanding of the past. 



The vulture fossil provides a glimpse into an ancient world and introduces a previously unknown pathway of fossilization. 



Its preservation within volcanic rock suggests that nature’s processes are sometimes more complex than previously thought.



As researchers continue to explore this phenomenon, future studies may uncover additional cases of soft tissue preservation in volcanic deposits. 



This could revolutionize the study of fossils and expand the possibilities for finding well-preserved specimens in unexpected places.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/gsa/geology/article-abstract/doi/10.1130/G52971.1/653118/Fossil-feathers-from-the-Colli-Albani-volcanic?redirectedFrom=fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Geology</a>.



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Vulture fossil reveals that volcanic rock can preserve feathers

The past is full of hidden secrets, and fossils offer...

Many spiders of the species Tegenaria pagana live in caves with limited vision, while others inhabit brighter areas.



This variation has drawn scientists to examine how genes guide the development of vision in Tegenaria pagana, including Dr. Efrat Gavish-Regev of The National Natural History Collections at <a href="https://www.studyinjerusalem.com/?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_campaign=US+ALO+Google+Search&amp;utm_content=Brand&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjw4v6-BhDuARIsALprm330hDnhqhFoZdY_lS4PrH3Yg7CCnccG1xA3LYYjkgHiQcLx06llPK0aAtQ3EALw_wcB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Hebrew University of Jerusalem</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-cave-life-affects-spider-vision">How cave life affects spider vision</h2>



Organisms in dark environments often lose some or all of their eyesight. Some, like blind fish or amphibians, compensate with heightened senses, a theme that also surfaces among <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2570642/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">subterranean spiders</a>.



Scientists are intrigued by <a href="https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/264001-Tegenaria-pagana" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tegenaria pagana</a> because different populations display varying degrees of eye size. This makes it a helpful model for those who want to uncover the gene interactions that prompt vision changes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gene-expression-and-eye-formation">Gene expression and eye formation </h2>



Eye development follows a genetic blueprint known as the <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5830122/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">retinal determination network</a>. In arthropods, this set of genes can activate when cells are instructed to form visual structures.



By comparing Tegenaria pagana with more typical spiders, researchers learn how shifts in gene expression affect eye formation. One crucial discovery is the <a href="https://www.sdbonline.org/sites/fly/neural/sineocul.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sine oculis gene</a>, which they say remains vital for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sydney-funnel-web-new-giant-species-of-worlds-most-dangerous-spider-identified/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">spider</a> eyesight.



The <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13227-025-00238-6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">team</a> used fluorescence staining and confocal microscopy to track growth from fertilization to hatching. They noticed that even minor changes in embryonic timing can shift how eyes and other organs develop.



Different <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/save-a-spider-day-protecting-our-connection-with-nature/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">spider</a> species sometimes form their body segments at varying speeds. The researchers saw that Tegenaria pagana embryos progress in unique ways, suggesting evolution can tweak shared patterns.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cave-species-reveal-shifts-in-vision">Cave species reveal shifts in vision</h2>



Studies on cave spiders add fresh insights to our understanding of underground habitats. Predators like Tegenaria pagana can reveal how animals cope with darkness and scarce food resources.



Some relatives of Tegenaria pagana show partial or total eye reduction, creating a range of vision abilities within the same genus. 



Researchers suggest that comparing these differences could clarify the step-by-step process that leads to eye loss.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-spiders-trade-vision-for-senses">How spiders trade vision for senses</h2>



One focus of this <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13227-025-00238-6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a> involved scanning a suite of genes for signs of activity in forming eyes. Each gene has a job, and if one is missing, the spider’s vision may never fully develop.



Scientists note that several <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rethinking-arachnid-evolution-the-surprising-history-of-spiders/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">genes</a> contribute to shaping optical tissues. This offers a clue to why some cave spiders can still see to some extent while others become blind.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-adapting-to-life-in-darkness">Adapting to life in darkness</h2>



Reduced vision can open opportunities for enhanced contact-sensitive hairs, odor detection, or other senses. Many cave dwellers prove that what is lost in one sense often appears elsewhere.



Such trade-offs draw evolutionary biologists to cave systems worldwide. Tegenaria pagana adds a spider’s perspective to these discussions, highlighting how genes adapt in areas where light is absent.



“This research provides an essential reference for understanding how developmental and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/slingshot-spiders-listen-for-the-right-moment-to-launch-their-webs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">genetic factors</a> influence eye formation in spiders.” said Dr. Gavish-Regev.



She emphasized that several Tegenaria species in Israel have assorted vision traits. This variety lets researchers gauge how gene interactions shift in response to environments with little to no light.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-research-directions">Future research directions</h2>



The next research steps might involve tracking similar genes in spiders that have fully lost their eyes. Tests on <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/figure/List-of-troglomorphic-troglobitic-species-recorded-in-the-sampled-caves-in-the-Brazilian_tbl1_283984196" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">troglomorphic species</a> could lead to deeper insights into how certain genes shut down or reroute.



Findings from Tegenaria pagana may even relate to vision changes in <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Gregor-Aljancic-2/publication/269463496_Biology_and_functional_morphology_of_Proteus_anguinus_Amphibia_Caudata/links/548c45060cf2d1800d7dc089/Biology-and-functional-morphology-of-Proteus-anguinus-Amphibia-Caudata.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">other cave life</a>, such as crustaceans or amphibians that shed visual capacity over time.



The search for parallels across distant groups intrigues biologists who want to see if evolution follows similar scripts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dramatic-shifts-in-subterranean-spiders">Dramatic shifts in subterranean spiders</h2>



Lab-raised populations of Tegenaria pagana promise a clearer picture of how vision genes behave during each developmental stage. Eggs collected at different intervals let scientists catch gene signals before any tissue forms.



Future research could test if genetic tweaks at early phases can produce permanent vision defects. If so, we might begin to link gene events to the dramatic shifts seen in subterranean spiders.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-small-gene-changes-affect-vision">Small gene changes affect vision</h2>



Tegenaria pagana shows that minor changes in genes can have major effects on sight. These cave spiders add new angles to old questions about how organisms negotiate harsh, light-free habitats.



Experts plan to examine related species with fewer or missing eyes to see if the same genes come into play. This could clarify whether vision reduction follows similar routes in various caves.



Insights from Tegenaria pagana may guide future pest control strategies in human structures. By grasping how vision genes shift, we might refine ways to manage <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/some-spiders-outsmart-predators-imitating-mimicking-ants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">spiders</a> that thrive in dark corners.



Cave exploration groups can also benefit from this line of research, as understanding spider adaptations can provide insights into ecosystem health. If these spiders fail to maintain normal development, it might signal shifts in subterranean environments.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Gregor-Aljancic-2/publication/269463496_Biology_and_functional_morphology_of_Proteus_anguinus_Amphibia_Caudata/links/548c45060cf2d1800d7dc089/Biology-and-functional-morphology-of-Proteus-anguinus-Amphibia-Caudata.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EvoDevo</a>.



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Spiders reveal how cave creatures lose their vision over time

Many spiders of the species Tegenaria pagana live in caves...

There’s something timeless about the way a puppy looks at you. Wide eyes, wagging tail, a little clumsy in its steps - that kind of innocence tugs at the heart. Puppies don’t ask for much, yet they give everything. They trust without question, love without conditions, and fill silence with soft breathing and happy barks. That’s why every year, on March 23, we celebrate National Puppy Day.



But while this day showers attention on wagging tails and floppy ears, it also carries a deeper purpose - one of compassion, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pandemic-puppy-owners-report-challenges-but-remain-committed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">awareness</a>, and responsibility.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-purpose-of-national-puppy-day">Purpose of National Puppy Day</h2>



1National Puppy Day began in 2006, thanks to <a href="https://www.colleenpaige.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Colleen Paige</a>, an animal behaviorist and author. Her goal wasn’t just to fill the world with cute puppy pictures. She established this day to spotlight the rising concerns around puppy mills and animal homelessness.



With millions of puppies born into poor conditions every year, the world needed a day that reminded people to adopt, not shop.



Colleen Paige wanted the public to understand that many dogs in shelters wait for homes while puppies are bred for profit in overcrowded and inhumane facilities. Puppy mills often keep mother dogs in cages with barely enough space to turn around. 



These mothers are bred repeatedly until they are too old or sick, at which point they are discarded. Puppies from these mills often suffer from health problems due to poor breeding practices and lack of medical care.



National Puppy Day isn't just a feel-good moment. It’s a social movement wrapped in soft fur and bright eyes. By choosing to adopt from shelters instead of buying from pet stores or online breeders, people can disrupt this cycle of cruelty. 



Paige’s initiative has since gained worldwide recognition, sparking conversations about animal rights and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/many-people-experience-puppy-blues-with-a-new-pet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">responsible pet care</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-puppy-mill-problem">The puppy mill problem</h2>



Puppy mills are not rare. In the United States alone, there are an estimated 10,000 of these commercial breeding facilities. These mills collectively produce over 2 million <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/petting-a-dog-might-be-the-easiest-way-to-reduce-stress/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">puppies</a> each year, many of which end up in pet shops or are sold online.



Meanwhile, nearly the same number of dogs are euthanized annually in overcrowded shelters. This staggering contrast reveals a harsh truth - there is no shortage of dogs in need of homes, only a shortage of awareness.



Puppy mills focus on quantity, not quality. Dogs are often kept in wire cages without proper bedding, food, or medical care. Their emotional needs are ignored. 



Mothers give birth repeatedly without rest, their bodies weakening over time. Puppies raised in these conditions may look healthy but often carry long-term health and behavioral issues.



By adopting, potential pet owners help break the cycle. Adoption gives homeless dogs a second chance and reduces the demand for mass breeding. National Puppy Day calls on people to educate themselves, their families, and their communities about the potentially cruel conditions in which many puppies are bred.



Change begins with knowing the truth, and this day is about more than just cuddles - it’s about making informed, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dogs-suffer-from-the-january-blues-just-like-humans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">compassionate choices</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-make-national-puppy-day-count">Make National Puppy Day count</h2>



March 23 should be more than just a day to post photos. It should be a moment of reflection, kindness, and action. People can celebrate by visiting local shelters, spending time with the animals, and learning more about how they can help. 



Shelters often use this day to host special events, encouraging community members to meet adoptable puppies and learn about rescue work.



Even if adopting isn’t an option right now, there are other ways to support the cause. Volunteering time, donating supplies, or simply sharing information online can help shelters find loving homes for their animals. 



Raising awareness within your own network can lead to more adoptions, better understanding, and stronger support systems for animals in need.



For those with pets already, National Puppy Day is a lovely excuse to give them extra attention. A longer walk, a new toy, or a few more minutes of playtime can mean the world to a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-dogs-feel-smells-may-help-keep-us-safe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">puppy</a>. These small moments remind us why dogs are considered to be man’s best friend.



They bring loyalty, joy, and a kind of companionship that’s hard to find elsewhere.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-puppy-facts-that-brighten-the-day">Puppy facts that brighten the day</h2>



Puppies may be young, but they have fascinating quirks that make them even more lovable. Most puppies sleep between 15 and 20 hours a day. This sleep fuels their rapid growth and development.



Dalmatians, known for their spots, are actually born without any. Their signature markings develop as they grow older. In rare cases, light-haired puppies are born with a green tint from a pigment in the womb - a color that fades within a few days.



The smallest adult dog ever recorded was just 3.8 inches (9.6 centimeters) tall. On the other end of the scale is the famous floral sculpture in Bilbao, Spain - a forty-foot-tall (12 meter) puppy covered in tens of thousands of fresh flowers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-day-to-celebrate-and-reflect">A day to celebrate and reflect</h2>



National Puppy Day 2025 is more than a celebration of cuteness. It’s a reminder that love comes with responsibility. 



Puppies are not toys. They are living beings who need time, patience, and care. Dogs deserve safe homes, not cages. They deserve kindness, not neglect.



Whether you have a dog, want one, or just love seeing them in your feed, March 23 is a day to pause and consider how we treat animals in general, and how we can do better.



So this year, take a moment to celebrate the joy of puppies. But also take a step toward change. Visit a shelter. Share a story. Adopt if you’re ready. Speak up when you see cruelty. Because behind every happy bark is a chance to build a more compassionate world. 



And every puppy, no matter where it starts, deserves that chance.



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National Puppy Day 2025: Where happiness meets responsibility

There’s something timeless about the way a puppy looks at...

Feathers did not arrive in nature as fully formed tools for flight. Their development began long before birds took to the sky. The fossil record tells a story that stretches back over 200 million years.



Now, with the help of genetic tools and carefully timed experiments, scientists can reawaken ancient traits inside of modern embryos.



This is not just about feathers. It's about how complexity arises, how it endures, and how biology protects the structures it builds. By reversing certain steps in feather <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/from-dinosaurs-to-birds-the-mysterious-origin-of-feathers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">development</a>, researchers reveal a hidden resilience. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-feather-development-before-birds">Feather development before birds</h2>



The earliest feathers didn’t help animals fly. Instead, they started as simple, hollow filaments. These "proto-feathers" likely emerged in some dinosaurs during the Triassic period, around 200 million years ago. 



There’s even evidence they may have evolved earlier, in a common ancestor of dinosaurs and pterosaurs nearly 240 million years ago.



Unlike modern feathers, proto-feathers had no central shaft, no branching barbs, and no follicle. But they still served a purpose. They helped with insulation and may have acted as colorful or patterned signals during social interaction. 



Over time, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bird-evolution-timeline-pushed-back-20-million-years-by-baminornis-zhenghensis-discovery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">natural selection</a> shaped feathers into complex tools that now support everything from flight to waterproofing.



This progression - from basic filaments to branched, aerodynamic feathers - didn’t happen randomly. It followed a path written in genes, using signaling pathways shared across the animal kingdom.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-clues-hidden-in-bird-embryos">Clues hidden in bird embryos</h2>



Modern bird embryos offer a way to retrace this path. At the <a href="https://www.unige.ch/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Geneva</a>, Professor Michel Milinkovitch and his team have explored the genetics of feather formation. Their lab focuses on how molecular signals drive the development of skin structures like scales, hair, and feathers.



One such signaling system, the Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) pathway, plays a crucial role in shaping feathers. In earlier studies, the team activated this pathway in chicken embryos. 



The result was remarkable - scales on the feet of the birds transformed into permanent feathers. That experiment proved how a single shift in signaling can alter skin identity.



But what would happen if the Shh pathway were blocked instead?



"Feathers, ancient and intricate, still hold secrets that science is just beginning to unlock," noted Rory Cooper, lead author of the study.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ancient-feather-development-recreated">Ancient feather development recreated</h2>



To investigate, the researchers injected a drug called sonidegib into <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bird-wings-inspire-improvements-in-airplane-safety/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chicken</a> embryos on their ninth day of development.



This drug shuts down the Shh pathway by targeting a key protein called Smoothened. The timing was crucial - day nine is when feather placodes begin to form, marking the start of feather bud development.



The results were dramatic. Feather buds failed to grow and remained short and unbranched. The typical invagination that forms a feather follicle was absent. Instead, the skin developed smooth, hollow filaments - almost identical to proto-feathers seen in fossils.



This temporary block in development held until the fourteenth day. After that, something unexpected happened. Feather growth resumed on its own. Chicks that hatched had patches of bare skin, but over the next several weeks, those areas filled in with normal feathers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-closer-look-at-how-feathers-recover">A closer look at how feathers recover</h2>



The researchers tracked development from embryo to hatchling using imaging and RNA sequencing. They confirmed that the Shh pathway was indeed suppressed. 



Key genes like Ptch1, Ptch2, and Gli1 were all turned down. These genes normally guide outgrowth, branching, and follicle formation. Blocking them prevented barbs and ridges from forming.



Microscopy revealed that in high-dose treatments, feather buds remained fused, stubby, and lacked branching. 



Follicle invagination - the folding-in of the skin to support feather roots - was completely absent. But despite all this, the system rebounded. By 49 days after hatching, the chicks showed normal feather coverage.



The only part that didn’t return to normal? The flight feathers. These specialized feathers, located on the posterior edge of the wing, failed to form correctly in high-dose embryos. 



Even weeks later, their positions were filled by smaller, contour-type <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-and-why-tropical-birds-are-so-strikingly-colorful-and-iridescent/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">feathers</a>. This indicated that some aspects of feather identity are locked to narrow developmental windows.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-timing-is-everything">Timing is everything</h2>



To verify that the observed effects were specific to Shh signaling, the team ran a second experiment. They combined the Shh-blocking drug with a Shh activator known as SAG. If feathers could be restored this way, it would confirm that both molecules act directly on the same pathway.



And they were. Chicks treated with both sonidegib and SAG developed normal feathers. Even when SAG was delivered one or two days after sonidegib, the feathers grew, branched, and invaginated as they should. 



Only late treatment - beyond day eleven - led to partial recovery. This showed that timing is everything in embryonic development.



"Our experiments show that while a transient disturbance in the development of foot scales can permanently turn them into feathers, it is much harder to permanently disrupt feather development itself," noted Michel Milinkovitch.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-feathers-recover-scales-do-not">Feathers recover, scales do not</h2>



This recovery points to something fundamental about feathers. They grow from follicles that contain stem cells. These cells regenerate feathers cyclically throughout a bird’s life. 



In contrast, scales - like those on a bird’s foot - do not grow from follicles and cannot regenerate. That may explain why transformed foot scales remain feathers, while disrupted feathers bounce back.



Even at the gene expression level, this distinction is clear. After sonidegib treatment, the feathers showed temporary suppression of hundreds of genes tied to structure and shape - keratin production, signaling gradients, and branching formation. 



But the spatial map of feather follicles remained intact. Once signaling returned, so did the feathers.



Flight feathers, however, rely on precise placement and signaling levels during a short developmental window. If Shh signaling is missing at that moment, the opportunity is lost. The feather becomes ordinary, not aerodynamic.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ancient-mechanisms-modern-precision">Ancient mechanisms, modern precision</h2>



The entire experiment rests on a principle called reaction-diffusion. It’s a model that explains how patterns like stripes, spots, and ridges form in living tissues. 



The Shh protein works as an activator, while another molecule, Bmp2, acts as its inhibitor. Together, they create a spatial map that tells cells where to grow barbs, shafts, or follicles.



By altering the Shh signal, scientists rewrote this map. The result: broad stripes of gene activity replaced the usual dotted pattern of feather placodes. This type of disruption aligns with theories on how feathers evolved from simpler, unbranched structures. 



Proto-feathers didn’t have a patterned map yet - just the beginnings of one.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-feather-development-and-evolution">Feather development and evolution</h2>



The study does more than recreate an ancient structure. It shows that feather development is built to recover from disruption. 



This makes sense from an evolutionary point of view. Feathers are essential to survival in many bird species. Evolution may have shaped them to resist failure - much like a city has backup systems to keep it running.



And yet, these systems remain open to change. By manipulating just one pathway, scientists can trigger a full shift in identity - from scale to feather. Or they can recreate traits that vanished millions of years ago.



It’s a reminder that the genetic blueprint of life is both sturdy and flexible. The key lies not in the parts themselves, but in the timing and tuning of their signals. Feathers evolved through such changes - and continue to teach us how form and function intertwine across deep time.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/article?id=10.1371/journal.pbio.3003061" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLOS Biology</a>.



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Chicken embryos reveal secrets of early feather development

Feathers did not arrive in nature as fully formed tools...

Young,Golden,Retriever,For,A,Walk,With,His,Owner.,Dog

Stress can be exhausting, making even simple tasks feel like a chore. College life piles on exams and assignments, leaving many people feeling overwhelmed. A new study shows that playing with a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rewards-of-dog-ownership-outweigh-the-challenges/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">friendly dog</a> for just 15 minutes can lighten that emotional load.



The research was led by senior investigator Dr. Jaruwan Khonmee from <a href="https://www.cmu.ac.th/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chiang Mai University</a> in Thailand and included 122 students.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-dogs-bond-with-humans-the-basics">How dogs bond with humans - the basics</h2>



There’s something incredibly special about the bond between dogs and humans - it goes way beyond companionship. 



Dogs don’t just live alongside us; they tune into our moods, read our body language, and somehow just get us. 



They know when we’re happy, when we’re stressed, when we need a nudge to go outside or a quiet moment to breathe. And we respond in kind. 



We learn to understand their barks, their tail wags, their little quirks. It’s not just loyalty - it’s this deep, wordless connection built on trust, time, and a whole lot of shared experiences.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dogs-help-lower-stress">Dogs help lower stress</h2>



<a href="https://archive.org/details/psychologicalstr0000laza" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stress</a> is a feeling of mental tension triggered by tough situations, and it can drain your energy before you realize it. Over time, stress can harm your mood, focus, and physical health in multiple ways.



College students often juggle challenging courses, part-time work, and new social circles. When responsibilities pile up, anxiety can creep in and catch people off guard.



<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2485862/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cortisol</a> is a hormone that climbs when you’re tense and goes down when you’re relaxed. Lowering it can support better heart function and clearer thinking under pressure.



That’s where a quick session of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dog-breed-does-not-define-performance-and-ability/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">canine interaction</a> steps in to break the cycle. A wagging tail or a nudge from a friendly snout can act like a natural mood lifter.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-dogs-helped-students">How dogs helped students</h2>



In this project, students had their heart rates, saliva samples, and stress surveys measured before and after interacting with dogs. 



The researchers observed significant drops in both physical and emotional stress markers once the session ended.



Compared to just moments earlier, students’ self-reported <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dogs-suffer-from-the-january-blues-just-like-humans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stress levels</a> decreased by 33.5% after hanging out with the pup. This quick drop demonstrates how a little interaction can go a long way.



Some participants chose to cuddle or chat with the dog, while others offered treats or toys. Even short bursts of play were enough to see a noticeable shift.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dogs-reduce-stress-levels">Dogs reduce stress levels</h2>



“Even brief interactions with dogs can significantly reduce stress levels among university undergraduate students,” concluded the researchers. 



They noted that stress hormones in the dogs themselves appeared to drop over time, suggesting shared benefits.



Fecal tests indicated that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-and-dogs-share-genes-linked-to-obesity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pups</a> had lower cortisol a week after these sessions. This finding points to the possibility that dogs might also feel relaxed when spending time with attentive humans.



Crucially, none of the six dogs used were certified therapy animals. Their friendly nature alone seemed enough to help students.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stress-relief-through-genuine-connection">Stress relief through genuine connection </h2>



Researchers have spent years examining the human-animal bond. One <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.2752/089279314X14072268687808" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">project</a> found that petting a calm dog cannot only slow heart rate but also quiet the mind.



A good-natured pup provides social interaction without the same judgment people fear in formal therapy settings. Students can feel understood without having to explain every feeling or worry.



These canine sessions may work in part because they tap into <a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/co-regulation-helping-children-and-teens-navigate-big-emotions-202404033030" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">emotional co-regulation</a>, where two living beings calm each other. It’s less about a clinical approach and more about genuine connection.



That sense of warmth can reassure students who hesitate to seek human counseling. A dog’s presence often feels comforting, making it easier to let go of anxious thoughts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-encouraging-outcomes-for-students">Encouraging outcomes for students</h2>



Not every campus has the resources to bring in certified therapy animals. This study shows that friendly, well-behaved pets might offer help even if they lack formal training.



Some universities have started hosting dog visits during final exams to give frazzled students a break. In many cases, just a few minutes can revive a tired mind.



Researchers stress the importance of ensuring dogs enjoy the interaction. Signs of anxiety or discomfort in pets could prevent the positive effects.



Preparing a calm environment, offering treats, and supervising the sessions can keep everyone happy. It’s a balancing act that respects both human and canine comfort.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-managing-stress-with-dog-visits">Managing stress with dog visits</h2>



Experts want to know if repeated dog sessions can bring lasting improvements. Longer studies might track stress relief over entire semesters to see if the benefits accumulate.



Some researchers wonder if these visits spark additional gains, like boosted motivation or a steadier mindset. Others are curious whether multiple short sessions are better than one extended visit. 



Further studies are needed to determine the ideal balance for ongoing stress management.



College life is not about to slow down, but dog visits seem promising for easing at least some of the mental load. Quick, simple sessions can offer a breather when books and deadlines pile high.



These findings encourage schools and organizations to consider how a wagging tail might bring calm to busy people. 



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0318777" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLOS ONE</a>.



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Petting a dog is the easiest way to reduce stress without medication

Stress can be exhausting, making even simple tasks feel like...

Not all great hammerhead sharks are long-distance travelers. In fact, some prefer to stick close to home. 



Recent research focusing on sharks near Andros Island in the Bahamas has revealed that while some great hammerheads are known to migrate vast distances, others appear to settle down, likely because the local environment already meets their needs. 



This discovery could help improve conservation efforts for this critically <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/endangered-sharks-study-reveals-hidden-crisis-of-overfishing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">endangered</a> species.



The study was led by Tristan Lee Guttridge, director of <a href="https://www.savingtheblue.org/?srsltid=AfmBOopD-gfmsVvvpjjjgw_pZcwXw0DuEAkFdxsThf_tvfMhnr_N9qE-" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Saving the Blue</a>, in collaboration with researchers supported by Discovery’s Shark Week.



The team focused their efforts on the Bahamas, especially around Andros Island, an area largely unexplored in terms of great hammerhead activity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shark-tracking-in-the-bahamas">Shark tracking in the Bahamas </h2>



“When we started this study there was little to no information about great <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/discovery-hammerhead-sharks-hold-their-breath-to-stay-warm/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hammerheads</a> in the central Bahamas and no information about their habitat use at Andros, which has one of the largest fringing reefs in the world and arguably has the most pristine flats habitats in the wider Caribbean,” explained Guttridge. “We had no answers to simple questions like, what do these sharks eat?”



Until now, most shark tracking in the Bahamas focused on areas like Bimini, known for its seasonal shark visitors. However, the role of Andros Island in the sharks' life cycle remained a mystery. 



Scientists wanted to find out if the island served as a year-round habitat, a feeding ground, or even a potential mating site.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tagging-tracking-and-shark-science">Tagging, tracking, and shark science</h2>



Between March 2020 and June 2024, the team captured 22 great hammerhead sharks in locations that matched their known <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/top-marine-predators-may-suffer-massive-habitat-loss-by-2100/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">habitat</a> preferences.



Using baited block rigs, they carefully caught the sharks, assessed their health, and recorded key data like sex and size. 



Muscle biopsies were taken for isotope analysis, and seven sharks were equipped with satellite trackers. Because great hammerheads are sensitive to stress, only the healthiest individuals were tagged.



The researchers didn’t rely on their captures alone. They also included opportunistic sightings, compiling a total of 78 shark encounters between 2018 and 2024. Most of these were large juveniles or adults.



Sightings spiked in January through March, with a second increase in June and July. Two of these sightings suggested recent mating, pointing to the island’s importance as a possible breeding ground.



Some sharks were even recaptured in the exact same areas years later, showing a surprising degree of site fidelity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-shark-s-preferred-neighborhood">A shark’s preferred neighborhood</h2>



The sharks didn’t use the island randomly. They favored eastern waters just off the northern and central coast of Andros, consistently returning to a relatively small 400-square-kilometer area. 



Other popular spots included edge habitats near steep reef drop-offs, where prey was abundant.



But if the sharks ventured too far south or past the northern tip of the island, they were more likely to keep moving. 



Those that left the Bahamas often traveled to the eastern United States, indicating a possible connection to the broader western Atlantic hammerhead population.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eating-habits-of-hammerhead-sharks">Eating habits of hammerhead sharks </h2>



Isotope analysis from the biopsies shed light on the sharks' eating habits. Barracudas and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-may-cause-stingrays-to-move-toward-danger/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stingrays</a> made up about two-thirds of the diet, with smaller sharks filling in the rest. 



However, dietary preferences varied between individuals. One shark, for instance, had a diet consisting almost entirely of silky sharks.



“Resource availability is a key driver of space use, but why don’t all of them stay if food is so abundant? We found evidence of individual variation in their diets, so deciding whether to stay or go might depend on what they feed on," said Guttridge.



“For other species, why or if migration has been linked to environmental conditions, body size, food availability, competition, and predation."



“Perhaps, like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/young-salmon-outsmart-predators-on-their-journey-to-the-sea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">salmon</a>, there is a genetic component to it? We need to explore this phenomenon further.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-movement-patterns-of-hammerhead-sharks">Movement patterns of hammerhead sharks</h2>



Guttridge noted that the global population of great hammerheads is thought to have reduced by more than 80% over the last three generations, and genomic analysis revealed low genetic variation and inbreeding.



“Understanding the movement patterns of great hammerheads is important for improving conservation efforts. We find that some great hammerheads show residency in the Bahamas, protecting them year-round from fishing pressures.”



The Bahamas shark sanctuary offers protection to sharks that stay within its borders, but not all sharks remain in these waters. That means local conservation efforts alone aren't enough to protect the species.



“Our research showcases the importance of Bahamian waters and their protective measures. It also shows that although some individuals reside year-round in protected waters, others do not, emphasizing the need for international collaboration on conservation efforts for these mobile species," said Guttridge.



"A key next step is seeing how these hammerheads fit in with the broader north-west Atlantic population.”



Understanding who stays and who goes - and why - may be the key to keeping the species alive.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/marine-science/articles/10.3389/fmars.2025.1544482/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Marine Science</a>.



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Why some great hammerhead sharks rarely leave home

Not all great hammerhead sharks are long-distance travelers. In fact,...

Many people assume that cats are aloof and uncooperative. The results of a new study are challenging this assumption, suggesting that certain felines might be surprisingly effective in therapy and other animal-assisted services (<a href="https://aas-int.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AAS</a>).



Professor Patricia Pendry of <a href="https://wsu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Washington State University</a> collaborated with Belgian researchers to investigate whether some cats show consistent, friendly behavior in settings that help people cope with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stopping-alzheimers-before-it-starts-early-treatment-shows-potential/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stress</a> and anxiety.



The study was focused on how cat personality traits might fit into therapy programs, even though dogs have historically dominated this field.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-of-using-cats-in-therapy">Potential of using cats in therapy</h2>



Cat-based support programs have lagged in popularity in the United States. In some parts of Europe, however, professional teams have quietly introduced cats into schools, hospitals, and community centers, with positive anecdotal feedback.



<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22194067/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Researchers</a> have been digging into cat behavior for years to understand how these animals communicate with people. 



Cats form strong emotional bonds and may <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-therapy-for-childhood-brain-cancer-halts-tumor-formation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sense</a> when someone is upset, giving them a unique way to offer comfort that differs from dogs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unique-traits-that-soothe">Unique traits that soothe</h2>



Some therapy professionals report that cats can help clients feel less tense in stressful environments. These observations align with general <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24565951/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">findings</a> that time spent with animals can lower heart rate and calm the nervous system.



Cats involved in certain AAS scenarios often display a gentle demeanor, especially when people are seated or in lower-energy <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/psilocybin-therapy-offers-hope-for-millions-with-depression/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">moods</a>. 



Unlike many dogs, which may leap around or bark loudly, a calm cat can bring a sense of stillness that some individuals prefer.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-screening-cats-for-therapy">Screening cats for therapy</h2>



“There’s this perception that cats just aren’t suitable for this kind of work, but our study shows that some cats may thrive in these settings,” said Pendry. 



Preliminary survey results from hundreds of Belgian cat owners revealed that specific felines show high sociability, enjoy contact with new people, and display patience when handled.



This openness may make a select group of cats better suited for therapy visits, especially when multiple clients move through a room each day. Not every cat wants this much <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gut-health-may-be-the-key-to-anxiety-relief/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">social interaction</a>, so experts emphasize the importance of screening and ongoing monitoring.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-relieving-feelings-of-isolation">Relieving feelings of isolation </h2>



Therapy animals have been popular at universities, where students grapple with academic pressure and homesickness. While dogs still appear most often in the U.S., a few schools in Europe have experimented with cats to provide quieter, more low-key sessions.



Institutions that tested cat therapy sessions reported enthusiastic responses from students who already favored felines at home. Practitioners say a purring cat in someone’s lap can help relieve feelings of isolation, particularly if that person is more introverted.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-welfare-of-therapy-cats">Welfare of therapy cats </h2>



<a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/1/33">Studies</a> show that cats suitable for therapy may be tolerant of being picked up and transported. Researchers also note that some outgoing cats seem to handle bustling therapy spaces without hiding under tables or hissing.



This calm acceptance of new situations goes hand in hand with the animal’s own comfort level. Professionals warn that if a cat consistently appears tense, it’s better to remove them from the program for the sake of their well-being.



Even the best-suited cats can feel overwhelmed by long therapy <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/music-therapy-reduces-distress-in-people-with-dementia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sessions</a> or large groups of people. More investigations are needed to explore the stress levels cats may experience during repeated interactions in different locations.



Caregivers and therapists often watch for signs of burnout in cats, such as excessive grooming or agitation. These signals can indicate that a break or a reduced workload is necessary, ensuring the cat remains comfortable.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-not-all-felines-are-a-match">Not all felines are a match</h2>



Some cats are extremely social, while others are content to lounge alone at home. Advocates of cat therapy stress that the idea is not to force a reluctant cat into these roles but to let the more confident ones shine.



“It’s about recognizing that some cats may genuinely enjoy this kind of interaction,” said Pendry. She pointed out that certain outgoing felines have much in common with therapy dogs.



Professional trainers rarely work with cats in the same structured way they do with dogs. Many cats in AAS programs appear to bring their natural style of greeting, which may be enough when the cat is friendly and calm.



However, some experts think basic training could reduce fear and help cats become comfortable with unusual sounds or sudden movements. Simple exercises involving handling and social exposure might give prospective therapy cats a smoother transition into these roles.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-appeal-of-quiet-companions">The appeal of quiet companions</h2>



Even in noisy environments like hospitals, a well-chosen cat can soothe patients who feel intimidated by hyperactive animals. This option might also support individuals who have had negative experiences with dogs and prefer a less boisterous companion.



Several cat breeds like <a href="https://cfa.org/breed/maine-coon-cat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Maine Coons</a> and <a href="https://www.purina.co.uk/find-a-pet/cat-breeds/ragdoll" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ragdolls</a> are sometimes described as more tolerant of human contact, though the <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/1/33" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a> did not focus on specific breeds. Researchers emphasize that individual personality matters more than general breed traits.



Belgian groups appear more open to cat-based therapies, while U.S. programs remain cautious. With growing evidence, some American facilities may soon broaden their horizons and incorporate felines for special sessions.



Pet welfare organizations suggest that expansions should be slow and monitored. Collecting data on cat temperament and stress responses will help refine best practices for feline involvement in therapy settings.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-growth-of-cat-therapy">Potential growth of cat therapy</h2>



Animal-assisted services can be beneficial for humans when done ethically. Cats offer a calmer approach for those who prefer their peaceful presence, which can be an ideal match in certain therapy contexts.



Nevertheless, it is vital to guard against pushing cats beyond their comfort zone. Programs that prioritize the cat’s autonomy and track their stress signals stand a better chance of a successful and humane experience.



As knowledge spreads, interested cat owners may look for ways to share their pets’ gentle nature with local organizations. Europe’s warmer reception could foreshadow gradual acceptance elsewhere, as more evidence supports feline therapy under the right conditions.



Focused research on cat well-being is a natural next step. Scientists are eager to pinpoint whether cats adapt to therapy work or whether personality traits drive success from the start.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/1/33" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Animals</a>.



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Cats that like attention can soothe people during therapy

Many people assume that cats are aloof and uncooperative. The...

Many people know dogs have an amazing sense of smell. It helps them find lost hikers, sniff out contraband, and detect health issues. Their noses pick up odors we barely notice, offering an invisible map of the world around them.



Scientists have taken a closer look at this skill by scanning <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dogs-can-smell-human-stress-and-it-makes-them-feel-gloomy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">canine brains</a> while they work their sniffing magic. The study was led by Professor Zeev Zalevsky from the Kofkin Faculty of Engineering at <a href="https://engineering.biu.ac.il/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bar-Ilan University</a>. 



The researchers found key insights in the <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/24894-amygdala" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">amygdala</a>, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482171/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hippocampus</a>, and <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK11158/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">olfactory bulb</a> of four dog breeds, which shed light on how dogs separate one odor from another.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dogs-read-smells-with-their-brain">Dogs read smells with their brain</h2>



Dogs have a larger set of <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/mid/NIHMS22337/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">odor receptor genes</a> than humans, allowing them to detect scents in trace amounts. 



Their noses send signals to the olfactory bulb, where initial processing happens. Next, the signals reach deeper regions of the brain linked to memory, motivation, and emotion.



The research team used a remote optical sensor that could scan a dog’s brain activity while it took in four different smells. Experts say this approach might open the door for observing real-time <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dogs-can-detect-scents-better-than-the-most-advanced-lab-tools/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">canine</a> responses without bulky equipment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-the-amygdala-matters">Why the amygdala matters</h2>



“The findings show that the amygdala is crucial in the way dogs process and react to odors, with specific scents triggering distinct emotional and memory responses, and we are capable of optically detecting their brain activity in this region,” said Professor Zalevsky.&nbsp;



”This discovery could be the first step toward creating a device that enables us to better understand and interpret the unique way dogs perceive and differentiate smells.”



The amygdala is often associated with emotion and survival instincts. The researchers saw this region activate differently when the dogs sampled each odor, highlighting why some smells bring about strong behaviors.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracking-the-smell-response-of-dogs">Tracking the smell response of dogs</h2>



“Our next step is to develop a portable, Wi-Fi-controlled device equipped with a mini camera and laser system, which could be mounted on a dog’s head and used to monitor its olfactory <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/trained-dogs-can-detect-bladder-cancer-in-other-dogs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">responses</a> in real time,” said Dr. Yafim Beiderman, an expert in Professor Zalevsky’s Optical Research Lab at Bar-Ilan University.



This technology could potentially transform how dogs are used in substance detection or medical diagnosis.



Some experts have looked at dogs for <a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/329/7468/712" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cancer screening</a> and diabetes alerts. A deeper understanding of their scent processing could speed up these efforts, making it possible to gather data without waiting for canine training to finish.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scanning-from-a-distance">Scanning from a distance</h2>



Using lasers to pick up tiny vibrations on the surface of the skull may sound out of the ordinary. Yet <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0263224123007145" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">studies</a> show that such non-invasive methods can sense blood flow and neural activity in humans. 



The researchers adapted that idea for dogs, focusing on specific brain zones where odor signals land.



Data from the sensor was processed by a machine-learning system, revealing that each area of the brain responded in unique ways. This led to the conclusion that the emotional center is a heavyweight in scent separation.



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



Police often rely on K9 units to sniff out drugs and other illegal substances. A remote brain scanner might help them interpret the dog’s recognition of a target odor without confusion or guesswork. 



In medical fields, a quick read of a dog’s amygdala response may one day spot an illness before a patient notices symptoms.



Teams that conduct search-and-rescue missions also stand to gain. Any gadget that clarifies what a dog is smelling could guide them toward trapped individuals more efficiently.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-shift-in-how-we-see-dogs">A shift in how we see dogs</h2>



The research emphasizes that dogs are more than <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/petting-a-dog-might-be-the-easiest-way-to-reduce-stress/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">loyal companions</a>. Their noses have been described as sophisticated analyzers that monitor odors for emotion-based clues. 



Decoding those responses may add new dimensions to how people partner with animals in daily tasks.



A deeper look at the hippocampus in dogs may also reveal how memories of smells guide their actions. The research team noted that future studies could expand to more breeds and more scents, refining the technology along the way.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-subtle-scent-triggers-from-a-dog-s-brain">Subtle scent triggers from a dog's brain</h2>



Some individuals rely on service dogs for anxiety or panic disorders. Interpreting real-time signals from the dog’s brain might uncover subtle scent triggers that a person hasn’t recognized. 



This concept extends to therapy animals, especially if professionals want to measure how dogs respond to stressful environments.



Researchers have found that dog noses can often detect changes in body chemistry, sometimes months or years before medical tests confirm a disease. Real-time tracking of this skill could produce a fast approach for problem detection, bridging the communication gap between species.



Scientists plan to explore broader ways to translate canine brainwaves into easy-to-read data. There might come a time when a single device reveals how dogs process everything from everyday household smells to suspicious substances. 



The study is published in the <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jbio.202400501" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Biophotonics</a>.



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How dogs are able to "feel" smells may help keep us safe

Many people know dogs have an amazing sense of smell....

Imagine the world as if you are a krill in the Southern Ocean, where any moment a torpedo-shaped penguin could appear, devouring thousands of your fellow krill at lightning speed. Now, new research suggests that even the faintest hint of penguin droppings in the water is enough to prompt krill into escape behavior.



“Here we show for the first time that a small amount of penguin guano causes a sudden change in the feeding and swimming behaviors of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-satellites-track-antarctic-krill-are-these-tiny-ocean-shrimp-in-danger/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Antarctic krill</a>,” said Nicole Hellessey, a postdoctoral researcher at the <a href="https://www.bigelow.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences</a> in Maine.



Antarctic krill play a vital role in the Southern Ocean. They serve as a major carbon sink and provide food for a large array of species, from penguins to whales. 



By some estimates, approximately 700 trillion adult Antarctic krill still swim these frigid waters, though their populations have drifted further south over time, likely due to climate change, diminishing sea ice, and acidifying ocean conditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-linking-penguin-poop-to-krill-behavior">Linking penguin poop to krill behavior</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/zooplankton-poop-can-be-used-to-store-carbon-in-the-deep-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Zooplankton</a> are highly sensitive to chemical cues - from signals guiding them to food or potential mates to indicators of pollution. Hellessey and her colleagues sought to determine whether krill also react to the scent of predators. 



Their study zeroed in on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/adelie-penguins-use-sea-ice-to-migrate-thousands-of-miles-each-year/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Adélie penguins</a>, the southernmost-breeding penguin species, which depend on Antarctic krill for 99.6% of their diet. An adult Adélie can consume as much as 1.6 kilograms of krill each day, and the global Adélie population collectively devours around 1.5 million tons per year.



Researchers aboard the vessels Laurence M Gould and Nathaniel B Palmer in the Bransfield Strait in late 2022 netted live Antarctic krill, which they then placed in aquaria at Palmer Station. 



Meanwhile, bird researchers had collected 78 grams of Adélie guano from a colony on Torgersen Island off the Antarctic Peninsula near Palmer Station. “Smells like rotten shellfish. Not pleasant to handle,” said Hellessey, describing the guano.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-abrupt-behavior-shifts-in-krill">Abrupt behavior shifts in krill</h2>



To test the krill’s reaction to the guano, the scientists ran trials using six to eight krill per five-minute session in a flume tank held at 1.5°C, with lights dimmed to simulate conditions at about 40 meters below the surface - the most productive layer in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/carbon-storage-mystery-emerges-in-the-southern-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Southern Ocean</a>. 



Water flowed through the flume at either 3 centimeters or 5.9 centimeters per second, and it contained either algae alone, penguin guano alone, or both combined. Each setup was tested four times.



The researchers used two automated cameras to record the movements of four krill during each trial, capturing precise data on each animal’s 3D position as well as speed and swimming direction.



The data revealed that in control settings, krill generally practiced “rheotaxis,” swimming straight upstream against the current. 



But in the presence of Adélie guano, their behavior shifted abruptly: they began to vary their swimming speed more, reaching between 1.2 and 1.5 times their usual pace, and they performed three times as many turns - over an angle that was on average 1.4 times greater than before.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-krill-make-sacrifices-to-avoid-penguins">Krill make sacrifices to avoid penguins</h2>



A second experiment showed that guano in the water caused krill to reduce their algae consumption by 64%, plunging from 12.7 micrograms of carbon per hour per krill to 4.6 micrograms. 



This indicates that the frequent changes in swimming direction came at a cost, making them less efficient at feeding.



The researchers interpreted these dramatic differences in speed and direction as part of an avoidance response. 



“Such behavior to escape from nearby penguins would greatly increase the krill’s odds of survival. And these odds would increase exponentially in a swarm, if their neighbors could detect the same cues and communicate the danger to each other,” Hellessey said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-investigating-the-chemical-trigger">Investigating the chemical trigger</h2>



Though the team uncovered the behavioral shift, it is still unclear which specific compounds from penguin guano set off these alarms for krill.&nbsp;



“We hypothesize that Antarctic krill are avoiding the odor of ground-up krill and fish in the penguins’ guano. We thus expect krill to show similar swimming behaviors and suppressed feeding around seals, whales, and other types of krill predators in Antarctica,” Hellessey noted.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-krill-signals-in-a-warming-ocean">Krill signals in a warming ocean</h2>



Given that these signals and their resulting behaviors occur in the often vast Southern Ocean, open-water conditions could dilute the cues and alter how krill respond. Moreover, warming oceans and acidification may alter how effectively these cues travel or how quickly the krill can respond.&nbsp;



“We don’t yet know how the ability of krill to sense these chemical cues and their escape behavior towards them might vary when diluted in open waters, or under global warming or ocean acidification conditions," said Hellessey. 



"Any changes to krill’s behavior could have major impacts on the future Southern Ocean, as Antarctic krill are a keystone species in this ecosystem."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-predicting-broader-ecological-shifts">Predicting broader ecological shifts</h2>



Ultimately, this study adds an important layer to our knowledge of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/danger-zones-climate-change-is-altering-predator-prey-dynamics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">predator-prey interactions</a> in polar waters. As climate shifts reshape the Southern Ocean, understanding how krill perceive and react to predator signals may help predict broader ecological shifts.&nbsp;



If krill alter their movements and feeding drastically, it could influence entire marine food webs and carbon cycling processes - a reminder that even simple chemical cues can produce outsized effects on oceanic ecosystems.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2025.1508287" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Marine Science</a>.



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Just a whiff of penguin poop can send krill into a frenzy

Imagine the world as if you are a krill in...

Human activity in the Galápagos Islands is quietly reshaping wildlife behavior. A new study published in the journal Animal Behaviour reveals that Galápagos yellow warblers (Setophaga petechia aureola) grow more aggressive in response to traffic noise. These <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/saving-americas-birds-scientists-declare-a-full-on-emergency-in-the-us/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">birds</a>, found only on the islands, respond differently based on their proximity to roads.



​The study was led by researchers from <a href="https://www.aru.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Anglia Ruskin University</a> and the <a href="https://klf.univie.ac.at/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Konrad Lorenz Research Centre</a> at the University of Vienna. Using recorded bird songs and simulated traffic sounds, the team observed how warblers reacted in different territories.​



The results showed birds living near roads exhibited more aggression, while those farther away behaved more passively when exposed to the same noise.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-growing-human-impact-on-islands">Growing human impact on islands</h2>



The Galápagos Islands lie over 500 miles off Ecuador’s coast. Once a quiet haven of biodiversity, the region now feels the strain of human presence. 



A rapid rise in population and tourism has increased the number of vehicles on roads. This shift transforms the once-isolated environment, bringing unexpected consequences for its native <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/birds-adapt-their-survival-strategies-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wildlife</a>.



The Galápagos yellow warbler, a subspecies genetically distinct from its mainland relatives, serves as a biological indicator of this change. The researchers studied the birds on the islands of Floreana and Santa Cruz.



In both regions, vehicle noise prompted warblers to behave more aggressively, even on Floreana, where only around 10 vehicles are in use.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-birds-change-their-songs-near-traffic">Birds change their songs near traffic</h2>



The scientists tested <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/birds-are-moving-north-and-breeding-earlier-in-a-changing-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bird responses</a> by playing songs through a speaker, simulating a territorial intruder. Sometimes the sounds were paired with traffic noise. 



When this occurred near roads, birds became more aggressive - flying near the speaker and singing longer. In quieter areas, birds became less confrontational when noise accompanied the song.



This pattern suggests that long-term exposure matters. Warblers with more experience around noise adjusted their behavior in ways that could help maintain territorial control despite sound interference.



“Birds use song during territorial defense as an aggressive signal. However, if external noise such as traffic interferes with the signaling, effectively blocking this communication channel, increasing physical aggression would be an appropriate response,” noted Dr. Caglar Akcay, senior lecturer in behavioural ecology at Anglia Ruskin University.



The research suggests these birds are learning to adapt. Changes in song length and pitch help their calls rise above low-frequency traffic sounds. 



In all territories, birds raised the minimum frequency of their songs when traffic was present. This adjustment could improve their chances of being heard.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-behavioral-flexibility-and-conservation">Behavioral flexibility and conservation</h2>



The findings shed light on the unexpected reach of human activity. Even in the Galápagos - long seen as a sanctuary for natural evolution - <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/birds-are-breathing-in-plastic-what-does-that-mean-for-us/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">birds</a> now must compete with the noise of progress.



“Our results show that the change in aggressive responses in yellow warblers occurred mainly near roads. Birds occupying roadside territories on both islands, and therefore having regular experience of traffic noise, may have learned to increase physical aggression when the territorial intrusion was accompanied by traffic noise,” said Dr. Akcay.



Beyond aggression, warblers demonstrate flexibility. They tweak their songs to cut through the clamor. These subtle changes show nature’s resilience, but they also signal a need for reflection.



“Our study shows the importance of considering behavioral plasticity in conservation efforts and developing strategies to mitigate the effects of noise pollution on wildlife. It also highlights the significant impact of human activities on wildlife behavior, even in relatively remote locations such as the Galápagos Islands,” noted Dr. Akcay.



Understanding this behavioral flexibility may guide future conservation. It reminds us that protecting biodiversity requires more than preserving land - it demands attention to the noise we bring with us.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-traffic-noise-changes-birds-behavior">Traffic noise changes birds’ behavior</h2>



This study urges conservationists and policymakers to look beyond visible damage. Roads, buildings, and pollution are easy to spot. Noise, on the other hand, slips in silently, altering <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tropical-birds-can-handle-climate-variability/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecosystems</a> in less obvious ways. 



Yet its effects are clear. For the Galápagos yellow warbler, this may mean adjusting song and behavior just to be heard and understood.



The warbler’s story is a quiet warning: the modern world reaches even the most distant corners. If we are to protect these natural wonders, we must consider not only what we build, but what we sound like as we do.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0003347225000466" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Animal Behaviour</a>.



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Some birds get 'road rage' when exposed to traffic noise

Human activity in the Galápagos Islands is quietly reshaping wildlife...

Modern birds are closely related to dinosaurs, as seen by comparing flightless species like chickens and ostriches, which walk on two hind legs, or predatory hawks and eagles with their keen senses and sharp talons, to small theropod dinosaurs.&nbsp;



Still, birds have diverged in crucial ways from their reptilian predecessors. One vital turning point was their development of larger brains, which spurred changes in skull size and shape.



Recent work by researchers at the <a href="https://www.uchicago.edu/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Chicago</a> and the <a href="https://missouri.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Missouri</a> demonstrates how these physical transformations affected how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/saving-americas-birds-scientists-declare-a-full-on-emergency-in-the-us/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">birds</a> move and utilize their beaks to eat and interact with the world - adaptations that helped them become one of the most diverse lineages on Earth.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complex-nature-of-a-wiggly-skull">Complex nature of a “wiggly” skull</h2>



Unlike many other animals, modern birds, along with certain snakes and fishes, have skulls whose jaws and palates are not firmly fixed in place.&nbsp;



Alec Wilken, a graduate student in integrative biology at the University of Chicago and lead author of this new study, calls this kind of flexible anatomy “wiggly.” He notes that such a trait complicates attempts to understand its function.&nbsp;



“Just because you have a joint there, that doesn’t mean that you know how it moves. So, you also have to think about how muscles are going to be pulling on the joint, what kind of torque they have, and how other joints in the head limit the mobility,” he explained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-investigating-how-bird-skulls-evolved">Investigating how bird skulls evolved</h2>



Wilken first became involved in this project in 2015 while studying at the University of Missouri. 



There, Casey Holliday, an associate professor of pathology and anatomical sciences, had received support from the <a href="https://www.nsf.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Science Foundation</a> (NSF) to investigate how bird skulls, jaw muscles, and feeding mechanics evolved from their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/where-did-dinosaurs-come-from-missing-fossils-hold-the-secret/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dinosaur</a> lineage to modern birds.



Wilken contributed to the research by analyzing data from computer tomography (CT) scans of fossils and existing birds, as well as the skulls of other reptiles such as alligators. 



The gathered data then supported the creation of 3D models that track muscle positions, movements, and the physics of how they operate together.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-advantages-of-modern-bird-skulls">Advantages of modern bird skulls</h2>



One distinctive feature of modern birds is referred to as “cranial kinesis,” which is the capacity to move different portions of the skull independently. This affords birds an evolutionary edge, letting them open or expand their palates and use their beaks in various ways.



“Having a wiggly head like this really gives them a lot of evolutionary benefits,” Wilken said. Parrots, for instance, employ their beaks to climb, while other birds break open tough seeds and nuts.&nbsp;



“In some ways, the beak functions like a surrogate hand, but being able to move the palate around while eating is also mission critical to helping them acquire food and survive.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-path-from-dinosaurs-to-birds">The path from dinosaurs to birds</h2>



From analyzing these 3D models, the scientists observed that as non-avian theropod dinosaurs developed increasingly larger brains and skulls, muscles shifted into arrangements that allowed for more mobile palates and jaws.&nbsp;



Consequently, these transformations increased muscle force and supported cranial kinesis in the majority of today’s birds.



“We see this cascade of changes that happened along the dinosaur to bird transition,” said Holliday. “A large part of it hinges upon when birds evolved a relatively large <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bird-brain-study-will-shed-new-light-on-avian-intelligence/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain</a>. Just like in humans, bigger brains drive a lot of changes in the skull.”



Over time, paleontological findings have shown that the line between dinosaurs and birds is considerably blurred, especially since many dinosaurs sported feathers and some were capable of flight.&nbsp;



However, the scientists noted that truly flexible skulls and palates appeared later than species such as Archaeopteryx, leading them to speculate that cranial kinesis may turn out to be a key factor distinguishing modern birds from more primitive dinosaur-like birds.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-blueprint-for-future-understanding">A blueprint for future understanding</h2>



While it is well established that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-reveals-secrets-of-the-evolution-of-prehistoric-reptiles/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">prehistoric reptiles</a> gave rise to the birds we now see flying overhead, the genetic and mechanical steps along that journey remain a topic of intense investigation.&nbsp;



This latest research strengthens the idea that the interplay between a bigger brain and skull modifications allowed birds to free up their jaws and palates, leading to vast ecological success.



Ultimately, the improved skull flexibility and diversified feeding methods among birds mirror the complicated interplay of evolutionary pressures that have continued since the time of dinosaurs.&nbsp;



The new study represents only one step in unravelling how birds learned to harness their beaks’ capabilities, and how earlier dinosaur species formed the foundation for today’s avian biodiversity.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2411138122" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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‘Wiggly’ skulls helped birds evolve from dinosaurs

Modern birds are closely related to dinosaurs, as seen by...

Scientists have identified a new fossil species of freshwater fish, Ferruaspis brocksi, from a site near Gulgong, in NSW, Australia.



This discovery, led by Dr. Matthew McCurry from the <a href="https://australian.museum" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Australian Museum</a> and <a href="https://www.unsw.edu.au" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UNSW Sydney</a>, provides a rare glimpse into Australia’s ancient aquatic life. 



The fossil, which is estimated to be 15 million years old, preserves both the fish's stomach contents and its color patterns. The Journal of Vertebrate Palaeontology has published the findings.



Ferruaspis brocksi belongs to the Osmeriformes order, which includes <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ancient-fish-had-flexible-joints-like-humans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a> like the Australian Grayling and Australian Smelt.



It is the first freshwater smelt fossil found in Australia. The species was named in honor of Professor Jochen J. Brocks from the <a href="https://www.anu.edu.au" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Australian National University</a>, who contributed to fossil discoveries at McGraths Flat.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracing-the-evolution-of-osmeriformes">Tracing the evolution of Osmeriformes</h2>



Dr. McCurry emphasized that before the discovery of this fossil, scientists lacked evidence to confirm when Osmeriformes first arrived in Australia.



“The discovery of the 15 million-year-old freshwater fish fossil offers us an unprecedented opportunity to understand Australia’s ancient ecosystems and the evolution of its fish species, specifically the Osmeriformes group during the Miocene epoch, 11-15 million years ago,” McCurry said.



Without fossils, researchers could not determine whether these fish had <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tiktaalik-fossil-discovery-sheds-light-on-how-fish-walked-onto-land/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolved</a> significantly over time. This new find provides crucial evidence for understanding how they adapted to ancient Australian waters.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-did-the-fish-fossil-reveal">What did the fish fossil reveal?</h2>



The well-preserved fossil reveals fascinating details about the fish’s diet. The stomach contents show that it fed on various invertebrates, mainly small phantom midge larvae. 



This level of preservation is rare and helps scientists reconstruct past <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plesiosaur-fossil-contains-soft-tissue-preserved-for-183-million-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecosystems</a> with greater accuracy.



“One of the fossils even shows a parasite attached to the tail of the fish. It’s a juvenile freshwater mussel called a glochidium. These juvenile mussels attach themselves to the gills or tails of fish to hitch rides up and down streams,” McCurry added.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/fish_Ferruaspis-brocksi_fossil_stomach-contents_15-million-years-old_credit-Salthy-Dingo_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/fish_Ferruaspis_fossil_stomach-contents_15-million-years-old_credit-Salthy-Dingo_1s.webp" alt="A 15-million-year-old fish fossil, Ferruaspis brocksi, with preserved stomach contents. Credit: Salthy Dingo" class="wp-image-1962871"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A 15-million-year-old fish fossil, Ferruaspis brocksi, with preserved stomach contents. Credit: Salthy Dingo</figcaption></figure>



The species’ name reflects its discovery in iron-rich rock. “Ferru” comes from the Latin word “ferrum,” meaning iron, while “brocksi” honors Professor Brocks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-honoring-a-scientific-contribution">Honoring a scientific contribution</h2>



Professor Brocks expressed excitement about having this fossil species named after him.



“Collecting fossils at McGrath Flat is a highlight for me every year. Splitting the rust-red slabs of rock is like opening an ancient book, revealing the creatures that inhabited an Australian oxbow lake some 15 million years ago," exclaimed Professor Brocks.



"This little fish is one of the most beautiful fossils there, and finding the first vertebrate among the abundant plant and insect fossils was a real surprise. Having F. brocksi named after me is a real joy.” 



The McGraths Flat fossil site continues to provide remarkable insights into prehistoric life, and contributes to a better understanding of Australia’s ecological past.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-revealing-the-fish-s-coloration">Revealing the fish’s coloration</h2>



Dr. Michael Frese from the <a href="https://www.canberra.edu.au" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Canberra</a> and <a href="https://www.csiro.au/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CSIRO</a> highlighted another exciting aspect of the research - the ability to determine the fish’s color pattern.



“The fish was darker on its dorsal surface, lighter in color on its belly and had two lateral stripes running along its side,” Dr. Frese said.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/fish_Ferruaspis-brocksi_fossil_illustration_15-million-years-old_credit-Alex-Boersma_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/fish_Ferruaspis-brocksi_fossil_illustration_15-million-years-old_credit-Alex-Boersma_1s.webp" alt="A school of Ferruaspis is chased by the extinct platypus, Obdurodon. Credit: Alex Boersma" class="wp-image-1962873"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A school of Ferruaspis is chased by the extinct platypus, Obdurodon. Credit: Alex Boersma</figcaption></figure>



Using a powerful microscope, scientists identified melanosomes, which are tiny structures responsible for producing color. 



While melanosomes have helped reconstruct the colors of ancient feathers, this is the first time they have been used to determine the color pattern of a long-extinct fish.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-site-of-exceptional-fossil-preservation">Site of exceptional fossil preservation</h2>



Professor Kris Helgen, Director and Chief Scientist at the Australian Museum Research Institute, praised the ongoing research at McGraths Flat.



“Dr. Matt McCurry’s work at the McGraths Flat fossil site has been outstanding. This is one of many discoveries made at this site, which continues to play a significant role in advancing our understanding of Australia’s evolution during the Miocene era.”



McGraths Flat is one of the rare fossil sites in Australia classified as a "Lagerstätte" - a site with exceptionally well-preserved fossils. 



Located in the Central Tablelands of NSW, it offers a unique window into an ancient rainforest ecosystem.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-do-fish-fossils-reveal-about-ancient-australia">What do fish fossils reveal about ancient Australia?</h2>



Dr. McCurry explained that fossils from this site, dating back 11 to 16 million years, show that the region was once a temperate, wet rainforest teeming with life. 



These discoveries help scientists reconstruct ancient landscapes and understand the biodiversity of prehistoric Australia.



The initial McGraths Flat expedition in 2017 received funding from a descendant of Robert Etheridge, a renowned English palaeontologist who played a crucial role in developing the Australian Museum’s collections. 



Etheridge launched a series of scientific expeditions that continue today, ensuring that Australia’s rich fossil heritage remains a key focus for researchers.



The discovery of Ferruaspis brocksi is another milestone in understanding how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coelacanth-ngamugawi-wirngarri-new-species-living-fossil-fish-survived-over-400-million-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ancient species</a> thrived and adapted in Australia’s evolving landscapes.



The study is published in the <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02724634.2024.2445684" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology</a>. 



Image Credit: Salthy Dingo



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Stomach contents preserved after 15 million years in fish fossil

Scientists have identified a new fossil species of freshwater fish,...

In a quiet home office in Durham, North Carolina, neuroscientist Richard Mooney pores over vivid brain scans of zebra finches. 



Each image captures moments in the life of a young bird learning to sing - dots of neural activity scattered across the brain like a pointillist painting, or bright squiggles marking chemical changes during a solo performance.



To Mooney, a professor at <a href="https://duke.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Duke University</a> who has spent four decades studying how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/birds-adapt-their-survival-strategies-to-climate-change/">birds</a> learn to sing, these imperfect chirps and squeaks are the earliest signs of something much bigger. “Their songs don’t sound like much at first,” he said.



But, like a child learning to talk or a pianist learning scales, zebra finches must put in hours of practice - up to 10,000 renditions a day for an entire month - before they can produce their complex, courtship-ready melodies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-songbirds-reveal-secrets-of-learning">Songbirds reveal secrets of learning</h2>



Now, thanks to new research by Mooney and Duke neurobiology professor John Pearson, scientists are beginning to understand what fuels this relentless drive to improve - and what it reveals about the learning process in general.&nbsp;



The findings, published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-08694-9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>, offer new insight into how learning occurs without external rewards, and could deepen understanding of motor learning and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/household-chemicals-linked-to-neurological-disorders/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">neurological disorders</a> in humans.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracking-the-learning-process">Tracking the learning process</h2>



In their experiments, the researchers placed male juvenile zebra finches - who are the only singers among their species - in soundproof chambers where they could practice at will. 



These birds learn their courtship songs early in life by first listening to their fathers and memorizing the melodies. 



Then, like human toddlers learning speech, they begin to babble, gradually shaping their squeaks into structured songs that match their mental template.



To monitor their progress, Pearson’s team developed a machine learning model capable of analyzing and scoring thousands of song renditions in real time. This allowed the researchers to track how each bird’s performance changed from moment to moment.



“Some tries were a little better, and some were a little worse,” Pearson said. “Generally the longer the birds worked at it, the better they got.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-songbirds-learning-for-the-joy-of-it">Songbirds learning for the joy of it</h2>



As the birds honed their songs, the team also monitored chemical signals in the basal ganglia, a brain region involved in learning new motor skills. 



Using fluorescent sensors engineered to light up in the presence of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dopamine-helps-us-learn-from-positive-and-negative-experiences/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dopamine</a> - a key chemical messenger for reward and motivation - the researchers tracked its activity in real time.



What they discovered was surprising: each time a bird practiced, dopamine levels began to rise, regardless of how well the song was performed.&nbsp;



Whether the bird hit the right notes or not, simply making the effort triggered activity in the brain’s reward system.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-brain-wired-to-learn">A brain wired to learn</h2>



The dopamine signal increased even more when a bird sang better than expected for its developmental stage, and dipped slightly when performance regressed.&nbsp;



These shifts suggest that the birds’ brains were reinforcing improvement and gently correcting missteps - all without any external feedback.



“Nobody’s telling the bird if he’s an honor student or going to be sent to detention,” Mooney said. “The birds were alone during their practice sessions, singing away in a soundproof room.”



Instead, the study shows that dopamine acts as an internal guide - a kind of neurological compass - helping the birds adjust and improve over time. This system of intrinsic motivation may explain how learning continues even in the absence of rewards or punishments.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dopamine-provides-a-motivational-boost">Dopamine provides a motivational boost</h2>



The researchers also identified another player in the process: acetylcholine, a neurochemical known to influence attention and learning.&nbsp;



Qi, the study’s first author, demonstrated that acetylcholine could stimulate dopamine release when the birds sang, providing an extra motivational boost.



When the team blocked dopamine or acetylcholine in the basal ganglia, the results were dramatic.



“Learning basically comes to a halt,” Mooney explained. “The bird still sings a lot, but he doesn't seem to be able to learn from it.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-human-learning">Implications for human learning</h2>



While the experiments were conducted in zebra finches, the implications go far beyond avian neuroscience. The basal ganglia, dopamine, and acetylcholine systems involved in the birds' learning are shared across vertebrates - including humans.



“These findings translate across species,” Pearson said. “Essentially every animal with a backbone shares these brain systems.”



Understanding how these internal motivation systems function may shed light on how humans acquire complex skills like speaking, playing an instrument, or juggling. 



In this sense, Mooney said, “<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bird-songs-human-speech-common-vocal-genetic-origin-syrinx/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">birdsong</a> learning is very similar to what children do when they spontaneously acquire these remarkable skills.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-songbirds-as-a-model-for-learning">Songbirds as a model for learning</h2>



The research could also help explain what happens when those systems break down. Dopamine dysfunction in the basal ganglia is associated with neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and schizophrenia. 



By studying learning in songbirds, researchers can explore the underlying principles in a simpler system.



“It’s really important that we understand these regions, and the bird is a means of getting at those principles,” Pearson noted.



For Mooney, the significance is both scientific and deeply human.



“Of all the scientific frontiers that remain, the brain is probably the most poorly understood. And it’s fundamental to being human,” he concluded.



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Dopamine fuels learning in young songbirds

In a quiet home office in Durham, North Carolina, neuroscientist...

The story of early human migration into South America has stirred debate. Researchers have long argued about when these first travelers arrived, how they adapted, and which paths they followed. 



Evidence has surfaced in many forms, from stone tools and butchered bone fragments to entire campfire sites once littered with animal remains. 



Although these clues have fueled lively conversations, scholars have faced frustrations when old assumptions were challenged and new findings seemed sparse.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-humans-in-the-pampas">Humans in the Pampas</h2>



The Pampas, known for its expansive plains and iconic landscapes, saw much of its early buzz dwindle in the mid-1900s. Yet the puzzle of who first roamed there has never truly gone away.



Now, according to research by Mariano Del Papa of <a href="https://unlp.edu.ar/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National University of La Plata</a>, Argentina and colleagues, modern technology and updated theories are breathing fresh life into these investigations. 



Refined carbon dating, advances in ancient DNA methods, and broader approaches to human-environment interactions have sparked new interest in how and when humans walked across these southern lands.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-animal-bones-and-cut-marks">Animal bones and cut marks</h2>



Scientists have long wondered if humans and extinct giant animals, sometimes called <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-were-likely-the-leading-cause-of-megafauna-extinctions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">megafauna</a>, overlapped in time or even shared close encounters. The debate has centered on physical associations and behavioral associations.



The former refers to animal bones and tools found in direct contact, while the latter involves traces of human activity on the bones themselves. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ancient-europeans-practiced-cannibalism-eating-both-enemies-and-loved-ones/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cut marks</a> are among the strongest signs of human interaction, yet they require careful analysis to rule out accidental scratches, weathering, or other natural wear.



In the Pampas, confident identification of these marks has been sporadic, with just a handful of sites showing possible evidence of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/early-humans-had-surprising-diets-3-5-million-years-ago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">early humans</a> and large mammals coexisting. 



Many previous finds lacked direct proof of who caused the damage or how these animals ended up with unusual grooves.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-reconquista-river-discovery">The Reconquista River discovery</h2>



One significant lead emerged along the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reconquista_River" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Reconquista River</a> in northern Buenos Aires, where researchers uncovered the fossilized remains of an extinct armored animal called Neosclerocalyptus, which resembled giant armadillos.



Scientists inspected the shell and tail bones, seeking patterns that might confirm human involvement. 



Radiocarbon dating placed these remains at around 21,000 years old, suggesting human presence in this area well ahead of many earlier estimates.



Further microscopic analysis revealed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/eat-like-neanderthal-unpacking-ancient-cooking-methods-birds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cut marks</a> on parts of the pelvis, tail, and body armor. Statistical work compared these traces with known examples from butchered remains. 



The marks aligned with what stone tools commonly produce, and their location matched spots where hunters might have targeted meat-rich areas.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-neosclerocalyptus-giant-armadillos">Neosclerocalyptus - giant armadillos</h2>



Neosclerocalyptus was one of those prehistoric oddballs you wouldn’t want to bump into on a walk through ancient South America. 



It looked kind of like an armadillo on steroids - covered in a thick, bumpy shell and sporting a short, stubby snout. 



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/first-humans_south-america_Neosclerocalyptus-skeleton_giant-armadillo_credit-Del-Papa_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/first-humans_south-america_Neosclerocalyptus-skeleton_giant-armadillo_credit-Del-Papa_1s.webp" alt="Drawing of a Neosclerocalyptus skeleton highlighting cut-marked skeletal elements in light blue found at the CRS-10 specimen. Credit: Del Papa et al., 2024, PLOS ONE" class="wp-image-1963422" style="width:300px;height:auto"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Drawing of a Neosclerocalyptus skeleton highlighting cut-marked skeletal elements in light blue found at the CRS-10 specimen. Credit: Del Papa et al., 2024, PLOS ONE</figcaption></figure>



This guy belonged to the glyptodont family, which were basically giant armored mammals related to modern armadillos. 



Neosclerocalyptus roamed the open plains during the Pleistocene epoch, which means it shared the landscape with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/smilodon-fatalis-young-saber-toothed-cats-had-double-fangs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">saber-toothed cats</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/early-humans-in-america-coexisted-with-giant-sloths-and-mastodons/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">giant ground sloths</a>, and early humans. It wasn’t exactly speedy, but its tank-like body made up for it in defense.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-timeline-of-humans-in-south-america">Timeline of humans in South America</h2>



The dating results place this evidence roughly 6,000 years before most recognized archaeological sites in southern South America. 



Researchers note that a small but growing body of recent findings across the Americas indicates humans may have been around even earlier than 20,000 years ago. 



These outcomes resonate with discoveries elsewhere suggesting that people reached the continent sooner than older textbooks stated.



While the giant armadillo discovery in northeastern Argentina stands out, it parallels similar points of interest in other regions. 



Scientists working elsewhere have seen indications of human activity dating beyond the once-accepted timeline of 13,000 to 16,000 years ago. 



These glimpses could fill voids in the historical record, showing that different groups explored diverse landscapes, from coastal zones to inland stretches.



Clear behavioral associations remain challenging to confirm. Bones alone can be scattered by rivers or shifting sediments, and random fractures sometimes mimic cut marks. 



In this case, careful examination of the site’s layers helped rule out normal taphonomic processes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-happens-next">What happens next?</h2>



Investigations like this may steer attention to under-sampled areas where layers from the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ice-age-data-analysis-reshapes-climate-future-lowers-warming-estimates/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Last Glacial Maximum</a> remain intact. 



If additional fossils with similar markings appear nearby, the evidence for a broader human footprint dating back more than 20,000 years will become tougher to dispute. 



Radiocarbon dating and ancient DNA techniques could then piece together the connections between these early populations and later groups spread across South America.



Experts agree that ongoing exploration is essential. Early settlement patterns in the Pampas might reflect unique strategies for finding resources and adapting to shifting climates.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-humans-south-america-and-giant-armadillos">Humans, South America, and giant armadillos</h2>



From a set of fossils on the Reconquista River to the possibility of unearthing more traces in the surrounding region, every fresh clue adds depth to an ancient tale. 



These findings echo other recent data suggesting humans reached the Americas well before longstanding theories indicated. 



The weight of this evidence challenges traditional timelines and inspires experts to reexamine historical assumptions.



For now, this glyptodont discovery seems to indicate that South America’s early human narrative might stretch back further than once believed.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0304956" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLOS ONE</a>.



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First humans in South America survived by eating giant armadillos

The story of early human migration into South America has...

Climate change has long threatened species living in extreme habitats. Emperor penguins, iconic residents of Antarctica, now face a sharper edge of that threat. 



​A team led by scientists at the&nbsp;Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (<a href="https://www.whoi.edu/press-room/news-release/new-study-finds-emperor-penguins-increasingly-threatened-by-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WHOI</a>), along with global collaborators, has revealed new evidence that these birds are more at risk than previously believed.​



The study suggests emperor penguins should no longer be considered “Near Threatened.” Instead, the team recommends reclassifying them as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006320719309899?" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">“Vulnerable” or even “Endangered”</a>. This shift, based on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22697752/132600320?" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">updated IUCN criteria</a>, highlights an urgent need to reconsider current conservation strategies.



The researchers tailored their study to match the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/just-a-whiff-of-penguin-poop-can-send-krill-into-a-frenzy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">penguins</a>’ deep dependence on stable sea ice and predictable Antarctic conditions. The changing environment now places them on unstable ground.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-threats-to-emperor-penguins">Climate threats to emperor penguins </h2>



Emperor penguins are at significant risk of extinction due to climate change, particularly the rapid loss of Antarctic sea ice, which they depend on for breeding and raising their chicks. 



Studies suggest that if current warming trends continue, more than 90% of emperor penguin colonies could be gone by the end of the century. 



Some projections indicate that major population declines could happen much sooner, potentially within our lifetime.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-of-the-study">Significance of the study </h2>



Published in Biological Conservation, the paper titled Living with Uncertainty presents new tools to predict future risks. The researchers used a cutting-edge method: the Multi-Model Large Ensemble (MMLE) framework.



This approach combines numerous Earth system simulations to capture a fuller picture of possible <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/enhanced-monitoring-of-emperor-penguins-can-help-us-save-them/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environmental futures</a>.



“This is the first study to integrate natural variability in physical and biological processes and employ a wide range of Earth system and ecological models to account for numerous sources of uncertainty in projecting assessments of future population trajectories,” said Stéphanie Jenouvrier, lead author and senior scientist at WHOI.



“Improved methods for accounting for uncertainties are urgently needed to strengthen assessments of extinction and inform conservation efforts in an uncertain world.”



The framework improves how scientists handle uncertainty in environmental modeling. Instead of relying on a single future scenario, the MMLE considers many outcomes. This change offers deeper insight into extinction risks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-world-is-changing-for-emperor-penguins">The world is changing for emperor penguins</h2>



To build their models, the team used a wide variety of data. These included satellite images of 50 <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/african-penguins-have-lost-97-percent-of-their-population/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">penguin colonies</a>, long-term monitoring of chicks and adults, and over a decade of observations of individual birds. The researchers also factored in how colonies move, drawn from genetic and population data.



“There are quantifiable uncertainties in projections of future environmental conditions,” said Jenouvrier. “Incorporating this uncertainty in ecosystem projections allows for a more complete and robust assessment of potential extinction risk.”



This approach blends fieldwork, satellite technology, and ecological theory. It gives conservationists a more grounded look at future risks. Such forecasts help shape stronger policies - especially when dealing with species that live in remote or harsh environments.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-model-for-future-conservation">A model for future conservation</h2>



Professor Phil Trathan, one of the study’s authors and formerly Head of Conservation Biology at the <a href="https://www.bas.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">British Antarctic Survey</a>, emphasized the broader meaning of this research.



“Emperor <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/emperor-penguins-are-struggling-to-survive-as-sea-ice-vanishes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">penguins</a> are vital indicators of ecosystem health in the Antarctic, they also help inform us about wider changes in the earth system. Therefore, harnessing robust models that increase our understanding about uncertainty and risk are vital, if we are to better conserve and protect this and other species.”



“Ultimately, humans depend upon the natural world, so developing better projections of the future earth system are essential for ensuring human health and well-being. The tools used in this study should now help us all.”



The combination of modeling tools and diverse data points may set a precedent for future work. Other species in similarly vulnerable habitats may also benefit from these techniques.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-emperor-penguins">Protecting emperor penguins</h2>



The IUCN plays a central role in shaping how species like the emperor penguin are protected. The Red List guides many conservation decisions, often influencing discussions at international levels.



These include forums like the&nbsp;Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (<a href="https://www.ats.aq/e/atcm.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ATCM</a>)&nbsp;and the&nbsp;Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (<a href="https://www.ccamlr.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CCAMLR</a>).​



“The Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting serves as a key forum for decision-making on Antarctic conservation. This new IUCN Red List assessment provides critical scientific support for strengthening protections for emperor penguins under the Antarctic Treaty System,” noted Jenouvrier.



”It also strengthens the case for establishing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) under the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, particularly in vital regions like the Ross Sea and the Weddell Sea, which could serve as crucial refugia for emperor penguins.” 



With the scientific foundation now laid, the next step lies with policymakers. If taken seriously, this reassessment may not only protect emperor penguins but also influence how we respond to global climate threats across species and continents.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006320725000746" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Biological Conservation</a>.



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Emperor penguins may disappear in our lifetime

Climate change has long threatened species living in extreme habitats....

species in Thalassocyonidae

News coming your way