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

Around six hundred million years ago, our planet almost lost the invisible shield that keeps its surface hospitable. Earth's magnetic field, generated by whirling molten iron deep below our feet, faded until it was so weak it was barely detectable.



At the same moment, oxygen flooded the oceans and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nitrogen-was-plentiful-for-early-life-on-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">atmosphere</a>, and curious soft-bodied creatures began sliding across the seafloor. The coincidence has fascinated geologists and biologists for decades.



Fresh measurements from ancient crystals now reveal just how close Earth came to a magnetic stall. They also strengthen the suspicion that a waning field set the stage for the rise of complex life. 



The new data trace a dramatic drop in magnetic intensity and help explain why the field later rebounded, saving Earth from becoming a dry, radiation-blasted rock like Mars.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-earth-s-ancient-magnetic-field">Earth's ancient magnetic field</h2>



To read the planet’s magnetic diary, researchers collected grains of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-mantle-may-contain-a-wealth-of-green-metals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pyroxenite and gabbro</a> from South Africa, Brazil, and Canada.



Each mineral contains microscopic iron needles that froze in alignment with the ambient field when the rocks cooled. 



By reheating single crystals in a carefully shielded furnace, the team coaxed out tiny magnetic signals that record field strength at the time of eruption.



After analyzing hundreds of crystals, <a href="https://www.rochester.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Rochester</a> geophysicist John Tarduno and colleagues saw a clear pattern. 



“In general, the field is protective. If we had not had a field early in Earth history, water would have been stripped from the planet by the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/silent-storms-experts-identify-the-mysterious-source-of-solar-wind/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">solar wind</a> (a stream of energized particles flowing from the Sun toward Earth),” Tarduno explained.



“But in the Ediacaran, we had a fascinating period in the development of the deep Earth when processes creating the magnetic field … had become so inefficient after billions of years that the field almost completely collapsed.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-very-weak-magnetic-field">Very weak magnetic field</h2>



Crystals dated to 591 million years ago indicate a magnetic field about 30 times weaker than today - the most feeble long-term value ever measured. 



Follow-up samples show the enfeebled state persisted for at least 26 million years.



Before and after that window, rocks more than 2 billion years old and younger than 565 million years record a field as sturdy as the modern one, revealing just how exceptional the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ecosystem-behavior-earth-first-sea-creatures-stirring-water-drove-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ediacaran lull</a> was.



During the low-field stretch, solar wind could punch far deeper into the atmosphere. Charged particles stripped away lightweight hydrogen, a process that left relatively heavy oxygen behind. 



The timing lines up with multiple geochemical markers that show a sharp increase in oxygen levels, supporting the idea that the weakened shield helped push Earth past a threshold needed for the development of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fossils-capture-a-turning-point-in-the-evolution-of-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">large, mobile animals</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-thinner-armor-richer-air">Thinner armor, richer air</h2>



The atmospheric link also finds support from geobiologist Shuhai Xiao of <a href="https://www.vt.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Virginia Tech</a>. 



“The <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/earths-magnetic-field-origin-structure-and-impact-on-humanity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">magnetosphere shields the Earth</a> from solar wind, thus holding the atmosphere to the Earth. Thus, a weaker magnetosphere means that lighter gases such as hydrogen would be lost from the Earth’s atmosphere,” Xiao explained to CNN.



As hydrogen escaped, oxygen concentrations rose, allowing metabolism-hungry organisms to branch out.



Tarduno agrees that other processes - such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dark-oxygen-discovery-deep-ocean-no-photosynthesis-baffles-scientists/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">photosynthetic microbes</a> - were certainly at work.



“We do not challenge that one or more of these processes were happening concurrently. But the weak field may have allowed oxygenation to cross a threshold, aiding animal radiation (evolution),” he said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-magnetic-field-and-earth-s-core">Magnetic field and Earth's core</h2>



Rock records also solve a puzzle about when <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-inner-core-is-not-solid-it-is-shape-shifting-time-for-textbooks-to-be-rewritten/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth’s inner core</a> began to form. Once field strength hit its nadir, it bounced back quickly.



“The observations appear to support the claim that the inner core first nucleated soon after this time, pushing the geodynamo (the mechanism that creates the magnetic field) from a weak, unstable state into a strong, stable dipolar field,” noted Peter Driscoll of the <a href="https://carnegiescience.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Carnegie Institution for Science</a>. 



A solid seed at the center released extra heat, turbocharging convection in the outer core and restoring the magnetic screen.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-strange-seafloor-pioneers">Strange seafloor pioneers</h2>



While the field flickered, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-first-animals-were-very-picky-about-where-they-lived/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ediacaran seas</a> hosted life forms unlike anything alive today.



Disk-shaped <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rewrite-the-textbooks-life-on-earth-did-not-arise-due-to-increased-oxygen-levels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dickinsonia</a> spread as wide as 4.6 feet (1.4 meters) across the mud; quilted fronds waved gently in the currents; and slug-like Kimberella scraped microbial mats for food.



These pioneers vanished before the Cambrian period began, around 539 million years ago, but their brief reign proved that multicellular bodies could flourish once oxygen climbed to breathable levels.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-if-it-happens-again">What if it happens again?</h2>



Not every expert is convinced the magnetic dip directly influenced the course of evolution.



“It is hard for me to evaluate the veracity of this claim because the influence that planetary magnetic fields might have on climate is not very well understood,” Driscoll cautioned. 



Untangling all the variables - solar activity, mantle chemistry, biological innovation - will take years of careful detective work.



For now, the crystal record points to a simple narrative: Earth’s shield weakened, gases escaped, oxygen levels increased, and life took a bold new turn.



By tracing that chain of events, scientists gain insight into how planets and biospheres interact, a lesson that will guide the search for living worlds far beyond our own.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-024-01360-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Communications, Earth and Environment</a>.



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Complex life emerged on Earth 591 million years ago, scientists think they finally know how and why

Around six hundred million years ago, our planet almost lost...

A shiny tree snake that is completely black and measures about four feet was recently spotted at a mining facility on a small island off Papua New Guinea’s southeastern coast. Its sleek color and large black eyes stopped researchers in their tracks, and inspired a closer.



This newly identified reptile, named Dendrelaphis atra, belongs to a group of tree-dwelling snakes with a history of murky classification. 



It was described by Fred Kraus from the <a href="https://umich.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Michigan Ann Arbor</a> after he spent time surveying the local serpent population for a broader research project.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-unusual-snake-discovery">An unusual snake discovery</h2>



One specimen slithered along old building structures and well-trodden terrain, making the moment feel like a real needle in a haystack. Its strong yet subtle features hinted at a species that is different from the rest of its <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/two-coral-snakes-caught-in-rare-food-fight-over-caecilian/">relatives</a>.



These snakes appear quite dark when older, a trait linked to ontogenetic <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/melanization" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">melanization</a>, where color deepens over time.



A smaller, younger version displayed muted shades, revealing the striking contrast between juveniles and adults.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-setting-and-snake-biodiversity">The setting and snake biodiversity</h2>



<a href="https://www.undp.org/papua-new-guinea/environment-and-biodiversity" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Papua New Guinea</a> sits in the heart of a region that supports a vast range of unique endemic plants and animals. 



The land and offshore islands host incredible numbers of reptiles, as well as other species that have yet to be fully cataloged. The presence of <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/259869057_A_Guide_to_the_Snakes_of_Papua_New_Guinea_The_first_comprehensive_guide_to_the_snake_fauna_of_Papua_New_Guinea" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">more than 80 known snake species</a> in this country speaks to its natural abundance.



“Herein I examine the taxonomic status of Dendrelaphis specimens from outlying large islands in Milne Bay Province,” said Kraus, who authored the study. 



The Milne Bay province, located in the southeastern tip of the country, consists of many scattered islands. Each major island has unique ecosystems that shelter creatures found nowhere else on Earth.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-this-snake-stands-out">Why this snake stands out</h2>



Many members of this genus show lighter tones or distinct patterns. This one shows an almost uniform midnight color, especially as it matures. That difference sets it apart from its close relatives in the D. punctulatus group.



Scientists often rely on scale arrangement, body shape, and even snake genitalia to establish taxonomic differences. 



This approach helped confirm that D. atra is a separate entity. The species takes its name from the Latin word for black, which reflects its appearance in adulthood.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-other-hidden-snake-treasures">Other hidden snake treasures</h2>



This black tree snake was not alone in being an unexpected find. Researchers who surveyed nearby islands in the Milne Bay province realized that each large island in the region seems to have its own native Dendrelaphis species. That pattern shows how island isolation can give rise to new and distinct lifeforms.



Kraus also turned up three other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-coffee-snake-discovered-in-the-cloud-forests-of-ecuador/">serpents</a> - each inhabiting a different island. Experts say it is a reminder that scattered landmasses create pockets of biodiversity that evolve in relative seclusion.



Much about these newly documented <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/primate-brains-have-evolved-to-rapidly-detect-snakes/">reptiles</a> remains unknown, leaving room for fresh insights in the future.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-shaped-habitat">Human-shaped habitat</h2>



It is intriguing that the black tree snake first appeared in a degraded setting on a mining island. The site’s developed landscape had buildings, pathways, and other signs of heavy human activity. 



Snakes often prefer wilder spots, yet this species was found thriving in altered environments as well.



Papua New Guinea’s island topography makes it tricky for outsiders to conduct wildlife surveys. Rugged terrain, dense vegetation, and unpredictable weather can limit reliable fieldwork. 



These factors emphasize the importance of any documented sighting, especially when it leads to the classification of an entirely new species.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-bigger-picture">The bigger picture</h2>



“The Milne Bay province has the richest habitat for endemic reptiles and amphibians on the planet,” Kraus said. 



Multiple researchers have suggested that this corner of the Pacific holds many more undiscovered reptiles and amphibians. 



That richness shows up in the form of unusual snakes, frogs, and lizards that can surprise even seasoned experts.



Biodiversity in this area supports local communities, influences the ecology, and expands our overall scientific understanding. 



Each new species provides a clue about the evolutionary paths and environmental conditions that shape life in remote locales.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-things-go-next">Where things go next</h2>



The specifics of D. atra’s diet, reproduction, and daily habits still remain to be established. Scientists usually piece together such details by observing the animals across seasons, and collecting data that confirm patterns in the wild. 



For now, the presence of multiple, island-exclusive <a href="https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/26637-Dendrelaphis" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dendrelaphis snakes</a> highlights the hidden variety waiting to be described.



Ongoing studies may reveal how these reptiles adapt to changes in their environment. Further findings might guide conservation strategies to ensure that future generations can appreciate the region’s diverse wildlife. 



Fresh research could also spark collaboration with local groups that have long been aware of the extraordinary creatures in their midst.



The study is published in <a href="https://mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.5618.4.1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Zootaxa</a>.



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New species of tree snakes with completely black eyes is discovered

A shiny tree snake that is completely black and measures...

Consciousness is usually treated as a human problem, tied to brains and behavior. Yet for centuries some thinkers have quietly asked whether experience might reach far beyond our skulls, right down to the building blocks of matter. 



That radical possibility - panpsychism - holds that every bit of the universe possesses a flicker of experience, however faint.



Interest in the idea has surged again as researchers wrestle with the “hard problem of consciousness,” the stubborn mystery of how physical stuff gives rise to subjective feeling. 



If neurons alone cannot <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/conscious-awareness-when-does-our-sense-of-purpose-emerge/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fully explain awareness</a>, might awareness already be lurking everywhere, waiting to be arranged into minds like ours?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-panpsychism-through-the-ages">Panpsychism through the ages</h2>



The question is older than science itself. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thales_of_Miletus" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Thales of Miletus</a>, puzzling over magnets in the 6th century B.C., claimed they must carry a soul because they move iron. 



A generation later, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anaxagoras" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Anaxagoras</a> said that “everything contains a portion of mind,” foreshadowing today’s talk of micro-experiences combining into richer ones. 



Greek Stoics spoke of the universe as a living creature animated by “logos,” the rational breath binding all things. This principle was thought to permeate all matter, giving rise to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-urgent-plea-sustainable-climate-solutions-save-earth-humanity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">interconnectedness</a> of all things.



<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plotinus" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Plotinus</a> kept the thread alive in late antiquity, arguing that the cosmos emanates from a single living “One.” 



His influence resurfaced in the Renaissance when <a href="https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/bruno/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Giordano Bruno</a> pictured an infinite universe teeming with worlds, each ensouled. 



Such views clashed with the mechanistic models that soon powered modern science, but they never disappeared.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-magnets-to-monads">From magnets to monads</h2>



During the Enlightenment, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ren%C3%A9_Descartes" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">René Descartes</a> sliced mind from matter, pushing consciousness into an immaterial corner. 



Even so, <a href="https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/leibniz/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz</a> answered with “monads,” indivisible units that mirror the entire universe through their own tiny perception. 



By the late 19th century, William James, Gustav Fechner, and Alfred North Whitehead were again arguing that feeling might be woven into nature’s fabric instead of perched on top of it.



Their intuition found fresh urgency once Charles Darwin showed that life, and by extension minds, evolve. If consciousness blooms gradually, perhaps it never strictly begins; perhaps it intensifies as matter organizes itself.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-science-meets-philosophy-today">Science meets philosophy today</h2>



Modern neuroscience attacks the mystery head-on. <a href="https://www.psychiatry.wisc.edu/staff/tononi-giulio/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Giulio Tononi</a> at the University of Wisconsin put forward <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/nrn.2016.44" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Integrated Information Theory</a> (IIT) in 2004, claiming that a system’s consciousness equals the amount of integrated information it generates, a value symbolized by “Φ.” 



High Φ signals a richer, more unified experience; low Φ signals a dim one. 



Crucially, IIT treats consciousness as “intrinsic and independent of external observers,” meaning it could arise in any structure - animal brains, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brain-imaging-method-will-unravel-mysteries-of-neural-processes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">artificial networks</a>, or, in principle, a block of silicon - if the informational web is tight enough.



Researchers are now testing IIT’s predictions with brain-stimulation experiments and computer models. 



Some early results suggest that loss of consciousness, as in deep anesthesia, coincides with a sharp drop in measurable integration. The data are tentative, but they push the theory beyond armchair speculation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-inside-information-integration">Inside information integration</h2>



IIT also tries to map the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/meditation-reveals-common-altered-states-of-consciousness/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quality of experience</a>: different shapes of integrated information should correspond to different qualia, the raw feelings of color, taste, or pain. 



That ambition draws praise for its clarity and criticism for its boldness. Skeptics note the difficulty of calculating Φ in real systems and ask whether the math truly captures subjective life. 



Yet the framework has already inspired machine-consciousness tests, raising practical as well as philosophical stakes.



If IIT holds up, panpsychism gains a scientific foothold, because the theory does not limit consciousness to biology. Wherever the right informational architecture appears, experience could spark.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-quantum-puzzles-and-panpsychism">Quantum puzzles and panpsychism</h2>



A more controversial route links mind to quantum mechanics. 



Physicist Roger Penrose and anesthesiologist Stuart Hameroff propose the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1571064513001188" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Orchestrated Objective Reduction</a> (Orch-OR) theory, which places quantum computations inside neuronal microtubules. 



When enough microtubules entangle, they say, an “objective reduction” occurs, collapsing superposed states and producing a moment of awareness shaped by “quantum gravity.”



Many biophysicists argue that brains are too warm and noisy for prolonged quantum coherence and that microtubules are unlikely qubit hosts. 



Supporters counter with new work on room-temperature <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/key-to-life-on-earth-photosynthesis-begins-on-the-quantum-level-with-a-single-photon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quantum effects in photosynthesis</a>, suggesting nature might pull off similar tricks elsewhere. 



So far, definitive evidence for Orch-OR is missing, but the debate keeps the link between physics and consciousness on the table.



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



Panpsychism alarms some thinkers who worry that ascribing feeling to atoms cheapens the concept of consciousness. 



The main technical hurdle is the “combination problem”: even if electrons feel a whisper, how do countless whispers merge into the loud voice of human thought? No consensus mechanism exists.



Still, the position refuses to die because it offers a clean way around dualism. If experience is not tacked onto matter but rides with it from the start, the gap between mind and world may shrink. 



Philosophers compare the shift to realizing that heat is <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/no-electron-dancing-allowed-new-molecular-design-rules/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">molecular motion</a> rather than an extra substance called caloric. Whether the analogy holds is an open question, yet it shows why the stakes are high.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-next-for-panpsychism">What's next for panpsychism?</h2>



Future progress will rely on sharper experiments and clearer concepts. Neuroscientists are refining Φ-based metrics, while physicists hunt quantum signatures in biology. 



Philosophers, for their part, are re-examining ancient ideas with modern logic, asking whether panpsychism is a genuine explanation or a verbal sleight of hand.



Wherever the search leads, it forces us to face an unsettling possibility: consciousness might be less a rare jewel than a basic note in the cosmic score. 



If so, the challenge is not to grant minds to stones but to understand how nature composes simple tones into the symphony we call waking life.



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What if everything, from animals to plants to atoms, has consciousness? This theory is gaining momentum

Consciousness is usually treated as a human problem, tied to...

Scientists warn that two recently recognized forest frog species face precarious conditions. They live in a narrow sliver of high-elevation rainforest, and experts fear even one large disturbance may push them toward extinction.



Professor Michael Mahony from the <a href="https://www.newcastle.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Newcastle</a> has studied these amphibians and their limited habitats. Each population ekes out a living in cool, moist spots that are shrinking because of shifting weather patterns.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-isolated-existence-in-upland-forest">Isolated existence in upland forest</h2>



The Eungella Whirring Frog (<a href="https://www.frogid.net.au/frogs/litoria-eungellensis">Litoria eungellensis</a>) persists in fewer than eight square miles (21 square kilometers) of upland <a href="https://mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.5584.3.1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Queensland forest</a>. It tolerates a cooler environment than most other tree frogs in the area, but shifting temperatures and rainfall patterns will present new challenges.



The Atherton Whirring Frog (<a href="https://www.frogid.net.au/frogs/litoria-corbeni">Litoria corbeni</a>) occupies a separate section of the tropics, in northern Queensland, but also at higher elevations. Like its relative, it seems unable to adjust to warmer, drier conditions, which has conservationists concerned.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sudden-threats-could-be-devastating">Sudden threats could be devastating</h2>



“One catastrophic event could wipe them out entirely,” said Luke Price, a researcher at the South Australian Museum. 



These amphibians remain vulnerable to quick and catastrophic events. With habitats so restricted, any disaster in these cool enclaves could have devastating results.



Researchers note that increasing temperatures and less predictable rainfall might reduce the moist habitats on which these frogs depend. When water sources dwindle, the animals face an <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/missing-frog-species-alsodes-vittatus-resurfaces-after-130-years/">existential crisis</a> that they may not survive.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-distinct-traits-of-the-forest-frogs">Distinct traits of the forest frogs</h2>



Each species emits a distinct call that sets it apart from more common frogs in eastern Australia. Slight contrasts in vocalizations, combined with deeper genetic evidence, helped scientists recognize them as separate species.



Their coloring ranges from mustard-like hues to flashes of red on the hind legs. These markings help camouflage them among leaves and tree bark, but they offer no protection against heat waves or wildfires.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-past-climates-matter">Why past climates matter</h2>



The discovery of these frogs also sheds light on Australia’s ancient climate history. 



According to Price, their presence in isolated highland pockets suggests they once occupied a much larger range of connected wet forests during cooler, wetter periods.



This wider historical distribution supports the idea that climate shifts tied to continental drift and global circulation changes - not just modern greenhouse gas emissions - have shaped where species live today. 



The frogs’ survival may depend on understanding both ancient trends and present-day pressures.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-big-worries-for-small-forest-frogs">Big worries for small forest frogs</h2>



Low numbers and narrow territories qualify both frogs as highly threatened under the guidelines set by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (<a href="https://www.iucnredlist.org/">IUCN</a>). 



Not only do they have minimal resilience to sudden habitat changes, but they also have no opportunities to migrate.



“The mantra of ‘adapt or perish’ doesn’t equally apply across species,” said Mahony. He pointed out that these highland frogs cannot move to cooler terrains any farther upslope.



In remote regions of Queensland, regular surveys are tough to coordinate. Gathering more data on frog numbers and breeding success takes time and resources, yet experts say such efforts are necessary for any hope of long-term <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/does-mother-nature-have-rights-a-tiny-frog-has-joined-the-fight/">preservation</a>.



Fire management is especially difficult in mountainous rainforest. A wildfire in a unique gully or hillside might eliminate water sources and destroy frog refuges in one sweep, leaving no survivors to repopulate those areas.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-sets-these-forest-frogs-apart">What sets these forest frogs apart</h2>



Unlike many widespread <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/frog-mating-calls-teach-bats-which-prey-to-avoid/">amphibians</a>, these whirring frogs show no signs of behavioral or ecological flexibility. 



They are tightly tied to specific humidity levels, elevation zones, and vegetation types that can be lost quickly with even mild environmental shifts.



Researchers emphasize that while other species may bounce back or shift territory, these frogs lack both the numbers and the landscape corridors to do so. 



That makes them much more vulnerable than most frogs in Australia’s lower altitudes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-frogs-take-time-to-adapt">Frogs take time to adapt</h2>



Some amphibian <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-frog-day-2025-protecting-natures-tiny-guardians/">populations</a> in other parts of the world have adapted to minor temperature shifts over thousands of years. However, rapid changes may prove too much for small groups that are isolated in tiny zones.



Scientists believe targeted protection of montane areas, along with active measures to maintain moisture levels, could buy these frogs more time. If reserves are created and carefully monitored, that might lessen the risk of sudden habitat loss.



Smaller species can vanish with little notice if they lack escape routes. Because these frogs can’t handle fluctuations in temperature or humidity, the strain of hotter days could tip the balance toward local extinctions.



Habitat restoration efforts and close watching by field biologists might help, but the situation remains tense. Their continued existence depends on coordinated steps that acknowledge the narrow margins in which they live.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://zoobank.org/References/C07BE8E9-713C-42E5-9D3F-5F6166C44C5A" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Zootaxa</a>.



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'Whistling' forest frogs recently discovered may be wiped out before we learn about them

Scientists warn that two recently recognized forest frog species face...

Forests are not just a bunch of trees standing together. Beneath the ground, roots and fungi connect to share nutrients. This partnership, called symbiosis, helps trees survive in poor soils and tough conditions.



Some trees take this connection further. They link up with two different types of fungi at the same time. 



Researchers at the University of Zurich (<a href="https://www.uzh.ch/en.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UZH</a>) and Agroscope studied this strategy. They found that trees with dual fungal partners handle climate change better and spread into new areas more easily.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-two-fungi-are-better-than-one">Two fungi are better than one</h2>



Some trees go beyond the usual single-fungus alliance. They partner with not one but two different types of mycorrhizal fungi. Why? It turns out that dual symbiosis means survival.



“Some woody plants form an alliance with two fungus types simultaneously,” noted study lead author Ido Rog from the Department of Plant and Microbial Biology at UZH.



The researchers analyzed over 400 <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/trees-sync-up-their-communication-signals-before-a-solar-eclipse/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tree species</a>. They discovered that trees with two fungal partners could handle drought and nutrient scarcity better than those with just one. It’s like having two water wells instead of one - a backup when things get tough.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fungi-help-trees-spread">Fungi help trees spread</h2>



Rog calls it “bigamy,” and it’s a winning strategy. Trees with dual fungi reach farther and wider, colonizing places where other trees fail. Their expanded root systems access more nutrients and water, giving them a competitive edge.



“They thus are able to colonize a much larger territory than tree species that form a symbiosis with only one fungus type can,” said Rog.



The strategy works regardless of evolutionary history. It’s not about being a certain type of tree. Instead, it is about being adaptable. Trees that partner with two fungi create a safety net, thriving where single-fungus trees struggle.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-significance-of-dual-fungi">The significance of dual fungi</h2>



Imagine a landscape dominated by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-now-the-driving-force-behind-droughts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">drought</a> and soil cracks, where trees struggle to stay hydrated. But trees with dual fungal partners are better prepared. Their roots extend deeper, reaching untapped water reserves. They also access nutrients from diverse soil layers, widening their survival range.



“Our findings indicate that polygamy with two fungus varieties served as a strategy enabling trees to adapt to rougher environmental conditions,” noted study co-author Professor Marcel van der Heijden.



Trees with dual fungi grow where others can’t, thriving in rocky, nutrient-poor soil. This strategy doesn’t just keep them alive - it allows them to flourish.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-trees-that-beat-the-heat">Trees that beat the heat</h2>



Climate change is turning once-lush forests into dry, barren landscapes. Trees that can handle drought and nutrient scarcity may become the new standard in reforestation projects.



“In forestry, this knowledge could be helpful in the future for selecting tree species specialized in dual fungal associations,” explained Professor van der Heijden.



The idea is simple: choose trees that can do more with less. Trees that work with two fungi can stretch resources, endure droughts, and claim more territory. It’s not just survival - but dominance in a world where resources are shrinking.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-tree-fungi-partnerships">Understanding tree-fungi partnerships </h2>



There is more to this story than individual tree survival. Trees that form dual partnerships with fungi also impact entire ecosystems.



They stabilize the soil, prevent <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fighting-coastal-erosion-electricity-turns-sand-into-a-sea-wall/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">erosion</a>, and create habitats for other organisms. These trees shape the landscape, turning barren ground into thriving ecosystems.



Trees with dual fungi don’t just survive. They change the game, creating new habitats and pushing ecological boundaries. 



The implications are profound. As forests face increasing stress, understanding these fungal alliances could hold the key to saving them.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dynamic-network-of-connections">Dynamic network of connections </h2>



The study raises new questions. How many other tree species use dual partnerships with fungi? Could this strategy be applied to agricultural crops? And how do these fungi respond to extreme weather events?



Researchers are just beginning to unravel the complexities of these underground alliances. The answers could redefine <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/success-story-reforestation-has-helped-keep-the-eastern-us-relatively-cool/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reforestation</a> strategies, climate resilience plans, and agricultural practices.



The forest floor may look silent, but beneath the surface, a dynamic network of connections is at work that could hold the secret to thriving in a changing world.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/ele.70132" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ecology Letters</a>.



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Trees have unique fungi partnerships that help them survive

Forests are not just a bunch of trees standing together....

A newly identified dinosaur has stirred attention among paleontologists worldwide. It lived about 94 million years ago, during the Late Cretaceous epoch and has been hailed as the earliest known member of its family.



The fresh discovery is named <a href="https://dinoanimals.com/dinosaurdatabase/cienciargentina-sanchezi/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cienciargentina sanchezi</a>, and it breaks previous records for the oldest known specimen of the rebbachisaurid group of plant-eating dinosaurs. 



The announcement was described by <a href="https://unrn.academia.edu/leonardosalgado" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Leonardo Salgado</a> from the Universidad Nacional de Río Negro-Conicet, in association with his colleague <a href="https://independent.academia.edu/Mar%C3%ADaEdithSim%C3%B3n" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">María Edith Simón</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-uncovering-a-sauropod-surprise">Uncovering a sauropod surprise</h2>



The team uncovered fossilized bones in the <a href="https://www.argentina.travel/en/pr/neuquen" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Neuquén province</a> in Argentina, at the base of the <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340720799_New_vertebrate_remains_from_the_Huincul_Formation_Cenomanian-Turonian_Upper_Cretaceous_in_Rio_Negro_Argentina" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Huincul Formation</a>, which is an area famous for other dinosaur remains. 



The remains suggested a dinosaur with a distinctive shape and size, and hinted at a creature that likely stood out among its neighbors.



They recognized that diplodocoid traits set this animal apart. Sauropods in this branch often present specialized vertebrae and unique skeletal structures, which are well-preserved in the remains found at the site.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracing-the-family-tree">Tracing the family tree</h2>



<a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0123475" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Experts</a> see rebbachisaurids as a fascinating cluster of long-necked giants. They have turned up on multiple continents and show features not seen in other sauropods, especially in their teeth and vertebrae. In some species, those teeth formed tooth batteries, a trait more common in other dinosaur groups.



“This new species is added to the list of rebbachisaurid sauropods documented in the Huincul Formation,” said Salgado. He and Simón identified key skeletal features that confirm the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/research-ship-finds-palau-nautilus-sea-creature-untouched-since-dinosaur-times/">dinosaur’s</a> status as an early form of these long-necked herbivores.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-early-rebbachisaurid-traits">Early rebbachisaurid traits</h2>



Researchers say the neck vertebrae suggest a structure that could have supported a long, flexible neck. The hind legs likely bore a significant amount of weight, which is typical for giants in this lineage. 



Tiny details in the bones gave away this creature’s identity as a close relative of other known rebbachisaurids.



The sheer size probably helped in warding off predators. Plant-based diets would have been abundant near streams and floodplains, and the environment would have been favored by many sauropods.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-the-rebbachisaurid-find-matters">Why the rebbachisaurid find matters</h2>



Paleontologists are often eager to fill gaps in dinosaur family trees, and an early rebbachisaurid is especially important. Each discovery shines a light on how these creatures evolved their body structures and feeding habits.



The findings help paint a broader picture of sauropod evolution in South America. 



Researchers gain a clearer look at how different dinosaur groups adapted and survived in changing environments as the Cretaceous Period progressed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-one-short-quote-from-the-past">One short quote from the past</h2>



“The first South American rebbachisaurid sauropods were recognized upon the basis of materials from the surroundings of Villa El Chocón, from the Candeleros and Huincul Formations,” said Salgado. Those early signs opened the door to later breakthroughs in identifying new species.



Cervical vertebrae in this new find lack the typical epipophyses seen in close relatives. 



The dorsal vertebrae show amphicoelous to slightly opisthocoelous centers, a configuration that indicates how older rebbachisaurids may have branched off from later ones.



Spinal shapes also reflect a sturdier frame compared to certain younger species. Collectively, these traits confirm a pivotal spot for this dinosaur in the broader diplodocoid lineage.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ongoing-work-in-argentina">Ongoing work in Argentina</h2>



Argentina is no stranger to major fossil revelations. Researchers keep combing sites for the next big puzzle piece that can clarify how giant herbivores roamed. Methods continue to evolve, allowing more precise dating of fossils.



Better technology also helps with reconstructions. Digital modeling can reveal how muscles attached to skeletons and how these animals may have moved about their ancient habitats.



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



Experts think the shift from earlier diplodocoid forms to other sauropod families signals environmental pressures that shaped survival strategies. Some lines thrived in broad, open areas, while others adapted to different landscapes. The presence of this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-dinosaur-extinction-influenced-fruit-evolution/">dinosaur</a> suggests transitions may have been more varied than once assumed.



These transitions illuminate broader ecological processes. Changes in climate, vegetation, and terrain likely steered dinosaur evolution in complex ways that are only now being pieced together.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hope-for-more-answers">Hope for more answers</h2>



Fossils like these keep researchers on their toes. They also draw everyday folks into the excitement of uncovering vanished worlds. 



Salgado and Simón see this as a cue for continued exploration, with the possibility that more early forms could still be out there.



Some experts think we’ve only seen the tip of the iceberg in areas like the Neuquén province. New technology, fresh expeditions, and collaborations all pave the way for further discoveries.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-missing-links-no-more">Missing links no more</h2>



Cienciargentina sanchezi connects dots in rebbachisaurid history by sharing traits with both older and younger relatives. These insights will likely fuel future debates on how diplodocoids spread across ancient landmasses. 



This <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/strange-case-of-the-two-clawed-dinosaur-duonychus-tsogtbaatari/">dinosaur’s</a> existence adds depth to our understanding of the Late Cretaceous. Each detail - whether from bones or footprints - challenges our assumptions about how these animals looked and behaved.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-for-the-community">Significance for the community</h2>



Scientists collaborate across countries and institutions to analyze and verify these fossils. That teamwork helps ensure accurate identifications. It also makes it easier to compare new specimens with old finds from around the world.



These global partnerships are crucial in paleontology, where a single bone can trigger fresh perspectives on evolution. The story of cienciargentina sanchezi is yet another reminder that fresh insights come from all corners of the planet.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-final-note">The final note</h2>



The importance of this 94-million-year-old sauropod lies in its status as a missing piece that enriches our knowledge of an entire family of dinosaurs. It also points to the significance of exploring less examined layers of rock, where new wonders may lie.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0195667125000606" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cretaceous Research</a>.



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The oldest known rebbachisaur has been found, dating back 94 million years

A newly identified dinosaur has stirred attention among paleontologists worldwide....

When we picture the ocean, it’s often the massive waves that come to mind. But scientists are finding that some of the most important activity happens on a much smaller scale. 



Thanks to a new satellite mission, researchers are now seeing the ocean’s tiny waves and swirling currents in clearer detail than ever before - and it’s changing the way we understand life in the sea.



In a recent study led by NASA and researchers at <a href="https://www.tamu.edu/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Texas A&amp;M University</a>, scientists used the Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite to analyze ocean features too small for earlier satellites to detect.



These features, known as submesoscale eddies and waves, are often just a mile wide, but they play a powerful role in how heat and nutrients move throughout marine ecosystems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-we-ve-been-missing">What we’ve been missing</h2>



For years, scientists have known about these small ocean features. <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/moon-landing-of-apollo-11-in-1969/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Apollo</a> astronauts even spotted them from space nearly 50 years ago. 



But the tools available - whether ship-based instruments or older satellites - could only capture bits and pieces. They either missed the full scale or couldn’t provide a global view.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-swot-satellite-mission-maps-earths-ocean-floors-from-space-in-stunning-detail/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SWOT</a> is filling that gap. A joint project between NASA and the French space agency CNES, the satellite collects detailed, two-dimensional images of the ocean surface. These images help researchers track how water is moving - and what it’s carrying - around the globe.



“The role that submesoscale features play in ocean dynamics is what makes them important,” said Matthew Archer, an oceanographer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.



“<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oceanic-intrusions-move-tiny-sea-life-to-the-deep-layers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vertical currents</a> move heat between the atmosphere and ocean, and in submesoscale eddies, can actually bring up heat from the deep ocean to the surface, warming the atmosphere."



That movement goes both ways. Just as heat can rise from deep ocean layers, nutrients can, too. These nutrients are critical to marine life, acting like food trucks arriving with supplies for surface-dwelling organisms.



“Not only can we see the surface of the ocean at 10 times the resolution of before, we can also infer how water and materials are moving at depth,” noted Nadya Vinogradova Shiffer, SWOT program scientist at NASA Headquarters in Washington.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-ocean-talks-to-the-sky">How the ocean talks to the sky</h2>



The SWOT satellite doesn’t just map where the water is. It also measures the height of ocean surfaces. 



From that data, scientists can estimate wave slopes and pressure levels, which reveal how strong the forces are in these currents. This helps to determine <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/atlantic-ocean-currents-slowing-as-water-temperature-rises/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">how fast water is moving</a> and how much heat, energy, or nutrients are being transported.



“Force is the fundamental quantity driving fluid motion,” said study co-author Jinbo Wang, an oceanographer at Texas A&amp;M University in College Station.



Scientists will now gain a better understanding of how the ocean and atmosphere interact. A small change in one can have a big effect on the other. For example, if warmer water reaches the surface, it can influence weather patterns and even climate.



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



To test SWOT’s capabilities, scientists focused on two ocean features. One was a swirling eddy in an offshoot of the Kuroshio Current, a major Pacific Ocean current near Japan. 



SWOT was able to spot the eddy and measure how fast water inside it was moving vertically. The estimate? Between 20 and 45 feet per day.



While the measurement may sound modest, capturing this kind of motion at a global scale is new - and vital. It’s the first step toward a better understanding of how deep-sea energy and nutrients reach the ocean surface.



The second example involved a different kind of submesoscale feature: an internal solitary wave. These waves form when tidal forces move water over underwater plateaus. 



SWOT caught one of these waves in the Andaman Sea near Myanmar. When researchers did the math, they found that this single wave had at least twice the energy of a typical internal tide in the area.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-better-models-better-predictions">Better models, better predictions</h2>



Information from SWOT will help researchers refine their models of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/collapse-of-main-atlantic-ocean-circulaton-current-amoc-is-already-happening/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean circulation</a>. According to study co-author and project scientist Lee Fu, a lot of ocean models were trained to show large features, like eddies that are hundreds of miles across.



"Now they have to learn to model these smaller scale features. That’s what SWOT data is helping with," noted Lee.



Researchers have already started to incorporate SWOT ocean data into some models, including NASA’s ECCO (Estimating the Circulation and Climate of the Ocean). 



It may take some time until SWOT data is fully a part of models like ECCO. But once it is, the information will help researchers better understand how the ocean ecosystem will react to a changing world.



Image Credit: NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio



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NASA satellite is rewriting what we know about ocean currents

When we picture the ocean, it’s often the massive waves...

Seagrass meadows are a hidden treasure of Florida’s coastal beauty, often overlooked in favor of beaches and mangroves. Yet beneath the surface, these underwater fields quietly support marine life, stabilize shores, and protect coastal communities. 



Along Florida’s Nature Coast, seagrass meadows are not just surviving - they’re thriving. A recent study reveals that seagrass ecosystems in this region have remained remarkably healthy and undisturbed for thousands of years - and this resilience is rare.



Globally, seagrass meadows are in trouble. Since 1879, nearly 30% have vanished. Between 1990 and 2009 alone, seagrass beds declined by an estimated 7% each year. Unlike many regions where seagrass meadow loss is the norm, Florida’s Nature Coast has become a rare refuge for these vital ecosystems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lessons-from-past-seagrass-meadows">Lessons from past seagrass meadows</h2>



Researchers from the Florida Museum of Natural History at the <a href="https://www.ufl.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Florida</a> set out to understand how these meadows have endured. The common problem they faced is that we don’t really know what an untouched ecosystem looks like anymore.



“Nothing is really pristine today, because humans have altered all of Earth’s environments, but this is about as good as it gets,” said Michal Kowalewski, senior author of the study.



One major hurdle is the lack of long-term environmental data. “Most of the contemporary biological data we have postdates the Industrial Revolution,” Kowalewski explained. 



“If you think about any type of real-time instrumentation that collects physical and chemical information about an environment, or if you think about the rigorous bio-inventory surveys, all of those things are from the last 50 to 100 years at most.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fossil-clues-beneath-seagrass-meadows">Fossil clues beneath seagrass meadows</h2>



In other words, humanity has been altering nature far longer than we've been systematically observing it. Luckily, Earth itself keeps a record - in the form of fossils.



This is where conservation paleobiology steps in. Scientists use the recent fossil record to reconstruct past ecosystems. 



Seagrasses, unfortunately, don’t leave fossils. Their soft tissues decompose quickly. But the animals living in seagrass meadows - especially shell-bearing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mollusks-evolution-shishania-aculeata-spiny-armor-no-shells-500-million-years-ago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mollusks</a> - do leave lasting traces.



Kowalewski and his team have shown that mollusk fossils are reliable indicators of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/groundwater-plays-critical-role-ecosystem-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecosystem health</a>. When mollusks thrive, it’s a good sign that the surrounding environment is in good shape, too.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-florida-s-nature-coast">Studying Florida's Nature Coast</h2>



For their study, the team sampled 21 sites across six estuaries along the Nature Coast. Using PVC hoses, they collected sediment from the seafloor, sifting through centuries of accumulated material.



“We collect sediment samples while scuba diving, and then we sieve those samples and extract all that we find in it,” Kowalewski said. “The samples are dominated by dead material, because it has accumulated there over many centuries. Typically, for every live bivalve or snail, we find thousands of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seagrass-meadows-are-very-reliable-fishing-grounds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dead specimens</a>.”



Identifying and cataloging these specimens took years. But when the data was analyzed, the results were clear: mollusk diversity had barely changed in millennia. This suggests that the seagrass meadows they inhabit have remained stable, too.



“Only rarely do we find historical evidence that can make us optimistic about the current state of a local ecosystem,” Kowalewski said. 



“Most conservation paleobiology studies tell depressing stories about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rising-heat-shrinking-habitats-insects-face-hidden-threats/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shrinking habitats</a>, declining biodiversity and diminishing ecosystem services. For once, at least, this is not the case. What’s thrilling to me is we can show this system is still in very good condition, which makes it even more important to protect it.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-model-for-seagrass-restoration">A model for seagrass restoration</h2>



This discovery is more than just a pleasant surprise. It provides a valuable reference point for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/without-tackling-climate-change-coral-restoration-efforts-are-insufficient/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">restoration efforts</a> elsewhere. Healthy seagrass meadows are disappearing, but Florida's Nature Coast shows us what these ecosystems should look like.



Elsewhere in Florida, seagrass has not been so fortunate. In Tampa Bay, nearly half of the seagrass was lost between 1950 and 1980 due to urban growth and pollution. 



Although restoration efforts brought some recovery by 2018, recent declines have been noted again. On the state’s east coast, surveys show that up to 60% of seagrass has vanished in parts of the Indian River Lagoon.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hidden-nutrient-pollution">Hidden nutrient pollution</h2>



Most of these losses stem from nutrient pollution. Runoff from farms and cities feeds algae and bacteria, creating dense blooms that cloud the water. This “marine cloud” blocks sunlight from reaching the seagrass below, starving them of the light they need to survive.



The Nature Coast has so far escaped this fate. In 2020, it was designated an aquatic preserve, helping protect its relatively undeveloped watersheds.



Study co-author Thomas Frazer is a dean at the University of South Florida College of Marine Science.



“There’s not a lot of development in those watersheds, particularly from the area around Weeki Wachee all the way up into the Panhandle, so the effects of excess nutrient delivery are not as pronounced as is in other places that have suffered as a consequence,” said Frazer.



However, this does not mean the threat has passed. <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=1969992&amp;action=edit" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Algal blooms</a> are now an annual event in many parts of Florida. Even Nature Coast seagrasses may be affected if water quality declines.



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



Climate change adds another layer of complexity. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rising-temperatures-and-extreme-rainfall-study-reveals-a-missing-link/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rising temperatures</a> are pushing temperate and subtropical species northward. Florida’s Gulf Coast, backed against the Panhandle, offers little room for further migration.



“There’s nowhere for them to go,” Frazer said. As marine life shifts, seagrass ecosystems may face new challenges. 



A single blade of seagrass is home to countless organisms - hydroids, bryozoans, sea squirts, bacteria, and algae. 



Normally, grazing fish and invertebrates keep these communities balanced. But if these grazers disappear or new species disrupt the balance, the health of the meadow could suffer.



“We’re already seeing range extensions of mobile fauna,” Frazer added. “A number of fishes, for example, are moving up north along the Gulf Coast, and they may either eat seagrass or consume grazers that help keep seagrasses clean of organisms that live on them.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-seagrasses-matter-so-much">Why seagrasses matter so much</h2>



Seagrasses are ancient. They’ve been around longer than the dinosaurs and their benefits to both marine and human life are immense. Rachel Carson captured their importance in her 1955 book The Edge of the Sea. 



“Thrusting their roots into the sand and shifting coral debris, the seagrasses achieve a firmer attachment than the rootless algae do; where they grow thickly, they help to secure the offshore sands against the currents, as on the land the dune grasses hold the dry sands against the winds," she wrote.



Seagrasses stabilize the seabed, prevent erosion, and are vital for marine biodiversity. Despite covering just 0.2% of the ocean floor, they are responsible for 50% of marine carbon burial. They provide food for sea turtles, manatees, and fish. For countless species, seagrass meadows are essential nurseries.



“They provide very important nursery habitat,” Frazer said. “In Florida alone, more than 80% of the fish caught by commercial fisherman and recreational anglers spend some part of their life history in those seagrass beds.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-seagrass-meadows">Protecting seagrass meadows</h2>



Frazer noted that seagrasses serve as a front line for storm protection. Their dense underwater meadows reduce wave energy by up to 40% in shallow waters, acting as natural storm barriers.



Florida’s Nature Coast now holds the largest seagrass meadows bed in the Gulf of Mexico. With careful management and ongoing conservation, it has the potential to stay that way.



While much of the world races to restore what’s been lost, the Nature Coast reminds us of a simple truth: sometimes, the best thing we can do is protect what we already have.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v760/p71-86/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marine Ecology Progress Series</a>.



Image Credit: Ben Jones / Ocean Image Bank



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Seagrass meadows still thrive on Florida's Nature Coast

Seagrass meadows are a hidden treasure of Florida’s coastal beauty,...

Healthy,Vegetarian,Dinner.,Woman,In,Jeans,And,Warm,Sweater,Holding

Aging can mean many things. It can mean slowing down, feeling less sharp, or facing more health issues. But it doesn’t have to. A new study suggests that what women eat in midlife could set the stage for how well they age. 



Published in JAMA Network Open, the study from <a href="https://www.tufts.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tufts University</a> and <a href="https://hsph.harvard.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health</a> dives into the power of carbohydrates and fiber in shaping <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/organ-aging-can-predict-diseases-decades-in-advance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">health</a> decades later.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-carbs-affect-aging">How carbs affect aging</h2>



Not all carbs are equal. Some lift you up, while others drag you down.



“We’ve all heard that different carbohydrates can affect <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-old-are-you-really-new-tool-measures-aging-from-the-inside-out/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">health</a> differently, whether for weight, energy, or blood sugar levels. But rather than just look at the immediate effects of these macronutrients, we wanted to understand what they might mean for good health 30 years later,” said lead author Andres Ardisson Korat.



The study zeroed in on 47,000 women, ages 70 to 93. The researchers looked at what these women ate over a span of three decades, starting in 1984. They tracked their intake of refined carbs, high-quality carbs, and fiber. They wanted to see who aged well - and who didn’t.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-healthy-aging-looks-like">What healthy aging looks like</h2>



Living past 70 doesn’t mean you’re aging well. The researchers defined <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/curiosity-might-help-you-stay-sharp-as-you-age/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">healthy</a> aging as reaching 70 without major chronic diseases, keeping a sharp mind, staying physically capable, and feeling good mentally. Out of 47,000 women, only 3,706 fit that bill.



What did those women have in common? A diet rich in high-quality carbs and fiber. The more they ate from whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes, the better they aged.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-high-quality-carbs-boost-aging">High-quality carbs boost aging</h2>



Eating more high-quality carbs wasn’t just good. It was transformative. Women who upped their intake of high-quality carbs by 10% had a 31% better chance of aging well. 



The same couldn’t be said for refined carbs. Sugary snacks and white bread were linked to a 13% drop in the odds of healthy <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-discover-a-protein-that-reverses-cellular-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aging</a>. 



“Our results are consistent with other evidence linking consumption of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and legumes with lower risks of chronic diseases, and now we see the association with physical and cognitive function outcomes,” said study senior author Qi Sun.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fiber-s-role-in-protecting-health">Fiber’s role in protecting health</h2>



Fiber doesn’t just keep things moving. It protects your mind. It shields your body. For every one-standard-deviation bump in fiber intake, the odds of healthy aging shot up by 17 percent.



Fruit fiber boosted odds by 14 percent. Vegetable fiber added 11 percent. Even cereal fiber, often overlooked, contributed a 7% increase.



The benefits of fiber went beyond disease prevention. Women with higher fiber intake had stronger memories, better physical function, and fewer mental health problems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-all-carbs-affect-aging-differently">All carbs affect aging differently</h2>



Glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) may sound like fancy terms, but they matter. Foods with a high GI hit blood sugar hard and fast. Not great for aging well.



High GL foods, on the other hand, had a surprising link to better mental health. But once the researchers factored in fiber intake, that connection weakened. The takeaway? Fiber might buffer some of the negative effects of high-GI foods.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-replacing-refined-carbs">Replacing refined carbs</h2>



Imagine swapping out refined carbs for high-quality ones. What happens? Women who did had 8% to 16% better odds of aging well. That’s a big jump.



“Studies are starting to find an association between food choices in midlife and quality of life in later years. The more we can understand about healthy <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-bodies-begin-breaking-down-two-very-precise-ages/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aging</a>, the more science can help people live healthier for longer,” Korat said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracking-women-s-diets">Tracking women's diets</h2>



This study tracked women’s diets for over 30 years. It connected their midlife eating habits to their health in their 70s and 80s. The findings suggest that small, consistent changes matter more than drastic diets.



The researchers saw that women who ate more whole grains, fruits, and veggies over time aged better than those who filled up on white bread and sweets.



The study mostly included white, educated health professionals. Participants reported their own dietary habits, which might not be completely accurate. And after three decades, memories can get hazy.



Still, the findings were clear. Eating more high-quality carbs and fiber in midlife made a noticeable difference. It wasn’t just beneficial - it was transformative.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-this-means-for-women">What this means for women</h2>



Aging well isn’t just about avoiding illness. It’s about staying mentally sharp, physically active, and feeling good. The study suggests that what women eat in their 40s and 50s can impact their health decades later.



But it’s not just about eating fewer carbs. It’s about eating the right ones. Whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes gave women a better shot at aging well.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carbs-and-fiber-shape-aging">Carbs and fiber shape aging</h2>



The food choices women make in midlife are more than just meals. They’re investments. 



High-quality carbs and dietary fiber aren’t just good for digestion. They’re linked to lower risks of chronic diseases, sharper minds, and better physical health in old age.



Aging doesn’t have to mean decline, and it doesn’t have to mean slowing down. For the women in this study, eating well decades earlier paid off in a big way. The lesson? It’s never too early to think about the future. And it’s never too late to make better choices.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2834202" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JAMA Network Open</a>.



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High-quality carbs in midlife linked to healthier aging

Aging can mean many things. It can mean slowing down,...

In many places, men face a higher risk of disease but receive less timely care. These observations come from a broad international effort examining hypertension, diabetes, and HIV and aids.



Angela Chang from the <a href="https://www.sdu.dk/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Southern Denmark</a> led a team that gathered worldwide information on who falls ill and who actually receives help. The analysis pointed to important differences by sex, affecting disease rates and overall health <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/organ-aging-can-predict-diseases-decades-in-advance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">outcomes</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sex-differences-affect-health-outcomes">Sex differences affect health outcomes</h2>



Males have higher rates of smoking in most nations according to the <a href="https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/343287" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">World Health Organization</a>. Smoking is a known factor for high blood pressure, making it a key contributor to heart problems. Females tend to lead in <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2161831322010249" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">obesity</a> numbers in many regions, which can contribute to diabetes.



These diseases are not just about risk factors. The study shows that males often end up with higher mortality rates once they develop these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rats-are-spreading-a-deadly-disease-across-cities/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conditions</a>. 



Many men <a href="https://menandhiv.org/publication/the-mens-health-gap-men-must-be-included-in-the-global-health-equity-agenda/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fail to visit clinics</a> or hospitals as regularly as women, which could mean they don’t get diagnosed or treated when they need it.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-disease-risks-and-care-gaps">Disease risks and care gaps </h2>



<a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4314-hypertension-high-blood-pressure" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hypertension</a>, commonly called high blood pressure, is often undetected. Men skip checkups more frequently, so signs that might be obvious in a routine exam can slip under the radar. If left unaddressed, this condition can lead to complications like stroke and heart failure.



Diabetes also showed worrying trends. In around half of surveyed countries, men were more likely to die from this disease than women. In a few areas, women had a greater <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/heart-disease-remains-the-leading-cause-of-death-worldwide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">disease</a> burden, but men were still less likely to receive consistent care in those spots.



HIV and aids <a href="https://www.unaids.org/sites/default/files/media_asset/2020_global-aids-report_en.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">data</a> revealed that in most places where statistics were available, men’s prevalence and death rates outpaced those of women. The research suggested that men often lagged behind in testing, treatment, and adherence to medication schedules.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-care-disparities-by-sex">Care disparities by sex</h2>



“Without sex-disaggregated cascade data, we’re flying blind - unable to detect who is falling through the cracks in prevention, diagnosis, and care,” said Angela Chang, senior author of the study.



The team emphasized that many health policies and programs do not consider these persistent differences in how men and women seek health support.



The researchers pointed out that risk factors aren’t only rooted in biology. Gender norms and expectations can increase or lower the likelihood that a person will smoke, receive checkups, or follow a treatment plan.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-men-avoid-health-care">Why men avoid health care </h2>



Many men report that they avoid medical care unless absolutely necessary. In <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/263198588_Men_and_primary_care_Improving_access_and_outcomes" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">surveys</a> across different countries, common reasons include fear of diagnosis, lack of time, or the belief that symptoms will go away on their own.



Some researchers suggest that social norms around masculinity encourage toughness and discourage vulnerability. This can stop men from seeking care early, which delays diagnosis and worsens outcomes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-men-s-health-care-disparities">Men’s health care disparities</h2>



“We have long advocated the benefits of publishing sex disaggregated data. Such data can reveal where the health journeys of men and women diverge, be it in relation to the risk factors they are exposed to, their health care seeking behaviors or their experiences in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fungal-diseases-that-infect-humans-are-becoming-more-common-in-warming-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">health</a> care systems,” said Professors Kent Buse at Global 50/50. 



The experts emphasize that social constructs shape health as much as biology, suggesting that efforts to tackle these disparities should address cultural and systemic factors. The findings highlight the need for balanced health policies. 



Certain measures might need to target men more aggressively, aiming to increase early screening, boost clinic attendance, and raise awareness around symptoms that men are less likely to act on promptly.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gaps-in-men-s-health-care">Gaps in men's health care</h2>



Policymakers and health professionals may look at these gaps and explore fresh approaches to reach men. From workplace screening programs to flexible clinic hours, there are strategies that address the common reasons men often give for not seeking help.



Experts agree that looking at sex-disaggregated data is the first step toward making sure no one gets left behind. The focus is on gathering stronger, more detailed information. That way, actions can be tailored and effective, ensuring better health for all.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-problem-with-missing-data">The problem with missing data</h2>



A major issue researchers faced was the lack of complete data for many countries. While the team found data on risk and death rates for over 200 countries, full care cascade data, especially broken down by sex, was often missing, particularly for diabetes and hiv and aids.



Without this information, it’s hard to see where and why people are dropping off the care pathway. This makes it more difficult to design effective solutions or understand how patterns differ across age, income, and region.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1004592" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLOS Medicine</a>.



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Men die more from preventable health issues but seek less care

In many places, men face a higher risk of disease...

The Southern Ocean, vast and cold, swallows more carbon than its size suggests. It’s a carbon sink, a crucial one, pulling atmospheric carbon down into its icy depths. But what happens when the rules change?



New research from the University of East Anglia (<a href="https://www.uea.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UEA</a>) takes a hard look at this question. The study warns that the ocean’s role in carbon absorption might weaken as greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions climb.



The old driver, the ozone hole, might be stepping back. In its place? Rising emissions, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/carbon-crisis-what-if-the-ocean-lost-all-of-its-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">warming waters</a>, and unpredictable winds.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ozone-depletion-s-reversible-impact">Ozone depletion’s reversible impact</h2>



Back in the 20th century, the ozone hole ruled the Southern Ocean’s winds. It churned up the waters, dragging carbon-heavy currents to the surface. The result? The ocean became less capable of soaking up more carbon.



But now, the ozone hole is healing. And as it recovers, its grip on the winds is slipping. That might sound like good news, but there’s a catch.



Dr. Tereza Jarníková of the Tyndall Cente for Climate Change Research at UEA is the lead author of the study.



“An interesting, and hopeful, highlight of this work is that the effects of human-caused ozone hole damage on the winds, circulation, and carbon uptake of the Southern Ocean are reversible, but only under a lower scenario of greenhouse gas emissions,” noted Dr. Jarníková.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wind-patterns-in-the-southern-ocean">Wind patterns in the Southern Ocean</h2>



In the 20th century, ozone depletion drove wind <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-the-ocean-holds-carbon-hidden-mechanisms-revealed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">patterns</a> in the Southern Ocean. The stronger winds pulled carbon-laden waters to the surface, reducing the ocean’s carbon sink potential.



Now, as the ozone hole mends, those winds are calming down. But will that last? The study suggests it won’t. 



Under a high-emission scenario, wind speeds could surge by 0.75 meters per second (2.46 feet per second) by the end of the century. In a low-emission world, the increase might hold at 0.35 meters per second (1.15 feet per second). In both cases, GHGs, not ozone, would be the dominant force behind the winds.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carbon-storage-in-the-southern-ocean">Carbon storage in the Southern Ocean</h2>



The ocean’s mixed-layer depth (MLD) tells a story of shifting currents. When the MLD deepens, carbon-rich waters rise to the surface, limiting how much more carbon the ocean can absorb.



Ozone depletion deepened the MLD in the past, slashing the Southern Ocean’s carbon sink capabilities. But as the ozone hole heals, the MLD could stabilize.



Still, there’s a new threat. Rising GHGs could keep pushing those waters up. In a high-emission scenario, MLD deepening could intensify, making it harder for the ocean to absorb atmospheric carbon.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ocean-currents-and-carbon-uptake">Ocean currents and carbon uptake</h2>



Meridional overturning circulation (MOC) acts like a conveyor belt, carrying nutrient-rich waters to the surface. This process fuels biological productivity, pulling carbon down into the deep <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-weaker-ocean-will-release-more-carbon-into-the-atmosphere/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean</a>.



But the study finds that the MOC’s influence on carbon uptake is waning. Why? Rising surface temperatures are flattening the carbon gradient between surface and deep waters. The result is that less carbon gets absorbed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-temperature-the-new-carbon-thief">Temperature: The new carbon thief</h2>



The Southern Ocean is warming. By 2100, surface temperatures could rise by 1.6°C under a high-emission scenario. Warm water holds less carbon, making it harder for the ocean to trap atmospheric CO2.



Even if winds intensify and the MLD deepens, the warming <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seagrass-plays-a-major-role-in-global-carbon-storage/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">waters</a> might still win. The ocean’s capacity to absorb carbon is shrinking, driven by temperature increases that are now outpacing other factors.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-scenarios-a-tug-of-war">Future scenarios: A tug of war</h2>



The UEA team used the UK Earth System Model (UKESM1) to simulate three possible ozone futures. 



In the first scenario, the ozone hole never forms, maintaining stable winds and circulation. In the second, the hole forms but gradually recovers after the 1987 Montréal Protocol. The third scenario envisions the ozone hole persisting at its 1987 size, continuing to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/carbon-storage-mystery-emerges-in-the-southern-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">influence</a> wind patterns and circulation.



Layered over these scenarios are two GHG pathways: one with emissions peaking and then falling, and another where emissions keep climbing. The results reveal a tug of war between ozone recovery and GHG-driven warming. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ocean-loses-its-grip-on-carbon">Ocean loses its grip on carbon</h2>



The Southern Ocean’s days as a reliable carbon sink may be numbered. The study suggests that by mid-century, GHG emissions will dominate wind patterns, mixed-layer depth, and overturning circulation.



In the past, ozone depletion drove the winds. It pushed carbon-rich waters to the surface, reducing the ocean’s capacity to absorb more carbon. 



But as the 21st century unfolds, GHGs will take the lead. Temperature changes, not wind shifts, will determine how much carbon the ocean can hold.



The research delivers a clear message and the findings serve as a stark reminder. The Southern Ocean's ability to absorb carbon depends on emissions, temperature, and circulation. 



The study was funded by the UK Natural Environment Research Council (<a href="https://www.ukri.org/councils/nerc/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NERC</a>) and the <a href="https://royalsociety.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Royal Society</a>. The findings are published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adr3589" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>.



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Rising emissions weaken carbon storage in the Southern Ocean

The Southern Ocean, vast and cold, swallows more carbon than...

You grab a snack, tear open the package, and munch away. But have you ever wondered what might be slipping into your food? Synthetic chemicals sneak in through packaging, processing, and storage. You can’t see these chemicals, but they are there, and they’re raising serious health concerns.



A study published in the journal Nature Medicine dives into the hidden world of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/many-people-are-willing-to-switch-to-plant-based-food-to-save-the-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food</a> contaminants. 



The research was not just focused on preservatives and additives. The team studied chemicals that come from food packaging and contact materials - the plastics, metals, and papers that wrap, store, and process what we eat.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-synthetic-chemicals-in-food">Synthetic chemicals in food</h2>



Synthetic chemicals are gatecrashers in our food <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coal-emissions-threaten-indias-food-security/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">system</a>. They don’t come from ingredients. They come from the packaging, the containers, and the processing equipment. 



Bisphenols, phthalates, PFAS - these chemicals don’t just sit there. They migrate, moving from plastic wrap into your sandwich, from the can lining into your soup.



It turns out, the more ultra-processed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-day-2025-what-were-really-fighting-for/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">foods</a> you eat, the higher your exposure. These foods aren’t just packed with artificial flavors and preservatives. Ultra-processed foods are also packed in materials that leach synthetic chemicals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chemicals-hidden-in-food-packaging">Chemicals hidden in food packaging </h2>



Your meal passes through four critical stages before landing on your plate. The first stage is transportation, where food sits in containers lined with synthetic materials, allowing chemicals to leach into it.



Next comes processing. Here, machines made from plastic and metal come into direct contact with the food, increasing the risk of contamination.



The third stage is packaging. Plastic wraps and aluminum cans may seem harmless, but they can act as chemical conduits, allowing synthetic substances to migrate into the food.



Finally, there is preparation. Heating a plastic-wrapped <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/vicious-cycle-food-systems-both-suffer-from-and-cause-emissions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">meal</a> in the microwave can exacerbate chemical leaching, effectively delivering those contaminants straight to your table.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-synthetic-chemical-delivery-system">Synthetic chemical delivery system</h2>



Ultra-processed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/food-waste-has-a-surprising-impact-on-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">foods</a> are engineered for taste and convenience, but they’re also perfect carriers for synthetic chemicals.



Foods that come in contact with synthetic materials during every stage of production are more likely to end up with higher chemical loads. And that’s not all. 



The study connects these contaminants to serious health issues - cancers, heart disease, metabolic disorders, and more.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-public-health-blind-spot">Public health blind spot</h2>



Jane Muncke, the study’s lead author from <a href="https://foodpackagingforum.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Food Packaging Forum</a> Foundation, said that the evidence is becoming more clear that today’s packaged ultra-processed foods contain many synthetic chemicals and microplastics from various sources.



The presence of these chemicals is well-documented, and their harmful effects are clear. Yet, regulatory frameworks remain inadequate, barely addressing the full scope of the problem.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-outdated-testing-methods">Outdated testing methods </h2>



Testing for these chemicals isn’t as straightforward as it sounds. Most testing methods are outdated, designed for known contaminants. 



But what about the ones we haven’t identified yet? The study pushes for more advanced testing methods that can catch emerging chemicals and microplastics before they slip through regulatory cracks.



Packaging is supposed to protect food. But what if it’s doing the opposite? Plastic containers, metal cans, and even paper wrappers can all leach chemicals into food. 



Redesigning these materials for safety isn’t just a nice idea - it’s a necessity. The study urges policymakers to push for safer, more sustainable packaging alternatives.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rethinking-food-safety">Rethinking food safety</h2>



Muncke explained that there's a broader issue - one that extends beyond just individual chemicals. She noted that the health impacts of this type of food contamination are currently under-appreciated and under-studied. 



"The scientific evidence shows a need for adopting a holistic approach to policymaking, that integrates considerations of planetary and human health, including hazardous FCCs and their impacts on health," said Muncke.



"All food packaging, processing equipment, and other food contact materials need to be adequately tested for their safety with regard to migrating food contact chemicals and microplastics using modern testing methods."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-do-we-go-from-here">Where do we go from here?</h2>



If we keep eating ultra-processed foods, we keep ingesting synthetic chemicals. The study lays it out clearly - we need safer packaging, stricter testing, and stronger regulations. But we also need to rethink what we eat. 



Ultra-processed foods might be convenient, but they come with invisible risks. Maybe it’s time to take a closer look at that snack in your hand and consider what may be hiding inside.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-025-03697-5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Medicine</a>.



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Food packaging is leaking harmful chemicals into meals

You grab a snack, tear open the package, and munch...

Headshot,Of,Ant,Orange,In,The,Argentine,Jungle.,(linepithema,Humile)

Ants march across sidewalks and kitchen counters as if they own the place. They cross oceans inside cargo ships, set up vast super-colonies, and push out native species on six continents. 



Once a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-many-ants-live-on-earth-at-any-point-in-time-total-number-is-astounding/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nest of ants</a> settles in, homeowners and farmers often reach for poison baits, yet the insects lose interest before enough of them carry the toxic treat back home. 



A new study suggests that a tiny splash of caffeine could keep the party going - and give pest managers an edge.



The research shows that moderate doses of caffeine sharpen an ant’s memory for the bait’s location. Ants that sipped a caffeinated sugar drop found it again more quickly on later trips, leaving a stronger scent trail for nest-mates. 



The discovery points to a low-cost tweak that might finally turn the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ants-perform-life-saving-amputation-surgeries-on-injured-nest-mates/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">invader’s own teamwork</a> against it.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tiny-ant-huge-impact">Tiny ant, huge impact</h2>



The Argentine ant (Linepithema humile) is only about one-tenth of an inch long, yet its cooperative spirit builds super-colonies stretching thousands of miles along the Mediterranean coast and the U.S. West Coast. 



Those armies displace local insects, rob hummingbird feeders, and even short-circuit electrical gear. 



Recent economic analyses peg the global cost of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ants-are-shifting-to-new-habitats-to-cope-with-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">invasive ants</a> - including crop losses and control bills - at billions of dollars each year. No wonder pest crews keep searching for smarter tactics.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-giving-caffeine-to-ants">Giving caffeine to ants</h2>



To find out, researchers set up a miniature arena: a Lego drawbridge led each ant onto a letter-size acrylic platform where a single sugar drop waited. 



Some drops carried no additive, while others contained 25 parts per million (ppm), 250 ppm, or 2 000 ppm of caffeine. One hundred forty-two ants took part, and each explorer tackled the course four times.



“The idea with this project was to find some cognitive way of getting the ants to consume more of the poisonous baits we put in the field,” says the study’s first author Henrique Galante, a computational biologist at the <a href="https://www.uni-regensburg.de/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Regensburg</a>. 



Automated cameras tracked every step, logging travel time and the straightness of each path. Without caffeine, the insects wandered, needing the same span to reach the treat on every attempt. Add a modest stimulant, and the story changed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-caffeine-gives-ant-focus-not-speed">Caffeine gives ant focus, not speed</h2>



“We found that intermediate <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/caffeine-evolution-in-plants-the-surprising-story-of-yerba-mate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">doses of caffeine</a> actually boost learning - when you give them a bit of caffeine, it pushes them into having straighter paths and being able to reach the reward faster," Galante explained.



In fact, ants that tasted 25 ppm caffeine shaved 28 percent off their foraging time on every return. Those on 250 ppm cut the clock by 38 percent. 



Picture an individual that spent 300 seconds during its first outing - it would need just 113 seconds after three more trips on the lower dose and 54 seconds on the medium dose.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/caffeine-consumption-may-lower-the-risk-of-dementia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The stimulant</a> did not act like an energy drink. There was no uptick in raw speed. “What we see is that they're not moving faster, they're just being more focused on where they're going,” Galante noted. 



“This suggests that they know where they want to go, therefore, they have learned the locations of the reward.” 



Only path geometry tightened; pace stayed the same. At the heaviest 2 000 ppm dose - the level that kills half of honeybees in tests - the learning advantage disappeared.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sharper-trails-deadlier-bait">Sharper trails, deadlier bait</h2>



Argentine ants rely on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ants-are-now-using-cars-to-travel-spread-to-new-locations/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pheromone highways</a>. A worker that discovers food drags its stinger along the ground, laying a chemical breadcrumb trail that guides the next shift. Faster relearning multiplies that effect. 



“We're trying to make them better at finding these baits, because the faster they go and come back to them, the more pheromone trails they lay, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/evolutionary-deja-vu-the-symbiotic-relationships-of-trees-and-ants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">more ants will come</a>, and, therefore, the faster they will spread the poison in the colony before they realize it's poison,” Galante continued.



Adding caffeine could also slash the waste that now limits bait stations. In neighborhoods and orchards, technicians often replenish gels every few days because the first wave of foragers gives up. 



A caffeinated lure might stay attractive long enough for queens and larvae to receive a lethal serving.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-happens-next">What happens next</h2>



The team is already field-testing the recipe at infested sites in Spain. They also plan to check whether caffeine interacts with common active ingredients such as hydramethylnon or spinosad. 



“The lowest dose we used is what you find in natural plants, the intermediate dose is similar to what you would find in some energy drinks, and the highest amount is set to be the LD50 of bees - where half the bees fed this dose die - so it's likely to be quite toxic for them,” Galante notes. 



Selecting a concentration that boosts memory without harming pollinators will be crucial.



Caffeine’s appeal extends beyond Argentine ants. Other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dirt-ants-were-once-masters-of-disguise-in-the-caribbean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">invasive species</a> - including fire ants and big-headed ants - share the same food-sharing habits that make baiting tricky. 



If the stimulant nudges their neural circuits in a similar way, managers could deploy a single additive across multiple pest fronts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-we-learned-about-ants-and-caffeine">What we learned about ants and caffeine</h2>



To sum it all up, caffeine improves ants' overall focus and learning without increasing speed, allowing them to navigate straighter paths and lay stronger pheromone trails. 



This effect boosts the effectiveness of bait traps, leading more ants to the poison and increasing the chances of it spreading through the colony. 



However, the benefit peaks at moderate doses - very high levels eliminate the learning advantage and can be toxic. So, overall, caffeine makes ants better at foraging and sharing, which ironically makes them more vulnerable to well-designed pest control strategies.



For now, the message is simple: a dash of coffee in the buffet may turn an army’s fabled navigation skills against itself. When the ants get better at remembering dessert, the colony’s days could finally be numbered.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/iscience/fulltext/S2589-0042(24)01157-X" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">iScience</a>.



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When you give caffeine to ants, many interesting things happen

Ants march across sidewalks and kitchen counters as if they...

Orange cats are everywhere, from the iconic character Garfield to the independent tabby lounging in the sun. But what gives orange cats their signature color? For decades, the answer remained a mystery to scientists.



Now, researchers at <a href="https://www.med.stanford.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stanford Medicine</a> and <a href="https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kyushu University</a> have cracked the code. The answer lies in a gene called Arhgap36. This gene behaves strangely in orange cats, turning their fur a vivid shade of orange.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-orange-cats-are-rare">Why orange cats are rare</h2>



Scientists have known for years that the orange trait in cats is linked to the X chromosome. Male cats, with their single X chromosome, only need one copy of the gene to flaunt their ginger fur. 



Females, however, require two copies to be completely orange. Otherwise, they become calicos or tortoiseshells, their fur a patchwork of orange, black, and white.



“In a number of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bengal-cats-wild-appearance-is-surprisingly-tied-to-domestic-cats/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a> that have yellow or orange pigment, those mutations almost exclusively occur in one of two genes, and neither of those genes are sex-linked,” explained Christopher Kaelin, a senior scientist in genetics and lead author of the study.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetic-mystery-of-cat-colors">Genetic mystery of cat colors</h2>



Kaelin and his team had a hunch the answer was related to the X chromosome. But which gene? They collected DNA samples from spay and neuter clinics, comparing orange cats to non-orange cats. 



After analyzing the genomes, the researchers found 51 genetic variants that could explain the orange trait. They narrowed it down to three. 



One stood out: Arhgap36. A tiny deletion in this gene cranked up its activity in pigment cells. Normally, Arhgap36 keeps a low profile, mainly operating in nerve tissues and cancer cells. But in orange cats, it’s louder than a kitten demanding breakfast.



“Arhgap36 is not expressed in mouse pigment cells, in human pigment cells or in cat pigment cells from non-orange cats,” Kaelin said. 



“The mutation in orange cats seems to turn on Arhgap36 expression in a cell type, the pigment cell, where it’s not normally expressed.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-orange-cats-are-usually-male">Orange cats are usually male</h2>



Orange cats are predominantly male, and it all comes down to the X chromosome. Males have one X and one Y chromosome. If that X carries the orange gene, they’re entirely orange. 



Females, with two X chromosomes, need the orange <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/discovery-evolution-not-random-gene-families-pangenome-influence-called-revolutionary/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gene</a> on both to sport a solid ginger coat. If a female inherits only one copy, she becomes a mosaic of orange and black.



This randomness creates the striking tortoiseshell and calico patterns. Some cells activate the orange gene, while others activate the black gene. The result? A coat that’s as unpredictable as a cat’s mood.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-shared-genetic-breakthrough">A shared genetic breakthrough</h2>



While Stanford scientists zeroed in on Arhgap36, researchers at Kyushu University pursued a parallel investigation. Professor Hiroyuki Sasaki and his team examined DNA from 18 cats including 10 that were orange. The findings matched those at Stanford.



“This was such strong evidence that even at this stage, we were confident that Arhgap36 was the orange gene,” said Sasaki.



The researchers expanded their study, analyzing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/everyday-dna-damage-requires-constant-repair-by-cells-to-prevent-disease/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DNA</a> from 49 more cats, and the same pattern emerged. The Arhgap36 deletion consistently appeared in orange cats but not in others.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-origins-of-orange-fur">Origins of orange fur</h2>



Where did this mutation come from? Kaelin believes it emerged early in domestication. Ancient paintings dating back to the 12th century depict calico cats, suggesting the mutation is centuries old.



“This is something that arose in the domestic cat, probably early on in the domestication process,” Kaelin said.



Sasaki wants to dig deeper. He plans to study ancient Egyptian cat mummies, searching for the orange gene. The goal? To pinpoint when and where the mutation first appeared.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-at-the-gene-beyond-fur">Looking at the gene beyond fur</h2>



Arhgap36 isn’t just about orange fur. In other animals, it’s linked to cancer and nerve development. Could it affect more than just a cat’s coat? Sasaki thinks so.



“For example, many cat owners swear by the idea that different coat colors and patterns are linked with different personalities,” he said. “There’s no scientific evidence for this yet, but it’s an intriguing idea and one I’d love to explore further.”



The gene could also impact brain and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oxytocin-holds-the-keys-to-both-your-heart-and-your-memory/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hormone</a> function. Sasaki’s team found the gene active in several tissues, not just skin cells. Whether this activity alters behavior or health is still a mystery.



The discovery of Arhgap36 as the orange gene is just the beginning. Sasaki and Kaelin plan to investigate how the gene influences pigment production. 



The experts are also exploring its role in cancer and skin conditions, hoping to uncover broader implications for both cats and humans.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-orange-cat-mystery-solved">Orange cat mystery solved</h2>



For over a century, the orange gene remained a mystery, hiding in plain sight. Now, with the discovery of Arhgap36, scientists are one step closer to understanding how cats get their colors. But the story isn’t over.



Sasaki’s ultimate goal is to recreate the mutation in cat cell cultures, observing its effects in real time. Meanwhile, Kaelin wants to map out the entire molecular pathway, tracing how a simple gene deletion transforms a basic pigment cell into a beacon of orange fur.



From the dusty streets of ancient Egypt to the modern lab, orange cats have carried this genetic quirk for centuries. And as researchers continue to peel back the layers of DNA, the secrets of these fiery felines may prove to be more profound than anyone imagined.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(25)00391-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a>.



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Why are some cats orange? Scientists have finally found the answer

Orange cats are everywhere, from the iconic character Garfield to...

Every third Friday of May, we pause to recognize the fragile existence of endangered species. We share the planet with countless animals, plants, and insects. Yet, many of them are vanishing right before our eyes. National Endangered Species Day urges us to take action before it’s too late.



The day was established in 2006 by the U.S. Congress to raise awareness about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-wildlife-day-2025-a-global-call-to-protect-nature/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a> at risk of extinction. But the issue goes back decades. Laws to protect endangered species have been around for over 40 years.



Today, the urgency remains the same. Species are still disappearing, and their habitats are under threat.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-makes-a-species-endangered">What makes a species endangered?</h2>



When the last of a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/saving-earths-most-endangered-plants-from-extinction-proving-difficult-botanic-gardens/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a> vanishes, it’s gone forever. Endangered species hover dangerously close to that fate. Their numbers are so low that every birth counts, every death matters. Some hover in the thousands, others in the hundreds, and a few are down to mere tens.



Why do species disappear? The reasons are many. Habitat loss drives some to extinction. Climate change alters their environment, making it uninhabitable. Poaching and illegal trade push animals like rhinos and elephants to the brink.



Pollution seeps into ecosystems, poisoning marine life and birds. And sometimes, humans disrupt delicate ecosystems without realizing the consequences.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-ripple-effect-of-extinction">The ripple effect of extinction</h2>



When a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/most-endangered-primate-species-identified-in-new-report/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a> vanishes, it doesn’t go quietly. The loss ripples through ecosystems. A predator disappears, and prey populations explode. Plants die off, and animals lose their food source. The web of life is fragile, and every species has a role.



Take pollinators, for instance. Bees, butterflies, and bats help plants reproduce. If they disappear, crops fail, and food chains collapse. The same goes for apex predators. 



When wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone, they restored balance by controlling deer populations. When keystone species vanish, chaos follows.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-learning-from-the-past">Learning from the past</h2>



In the early 1970s, the Endangered Species Act set strict guidelines for protecting at-risk <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-the-largest-threat-to-u-s-endangered-species/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a> in the United States. It prohibited activities that could harm these animals and their habitats. It also laid the groundwork for conservation efforts worldwide.



Since then, thousands of species have been added to endangered lists. Some, like the bald eagle, have made remarkable recoveries. Others, like the vaquita porpoise, remain on the brink.



Today, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (<a href="https://iucn.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IUCN</a>) tracks endangered species globally. Its Red List reveals a grim reality. Over 41,000 species face extinction. That includes more than a quarter of all mammals, one in eight birds, and a staggering 40% of amphibians.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-taking-action-on-endangered-species-day">Taking action on Endangered Species Day</h2>



National Endangered Species Day isn’t just about learning facts and figures. It’s about taking action. Conservation organizations host events, workshops, and fundraisers. Many zoos and nature centers offer guided tours, showing visitors how they care for endangered animals.



Some activities are simple yet impactful. Share photos of endangered species on social media. Spread the word about why these creatures matter. Support local conservation projects. 



Even small actions, like planting native flowers for bees or reducing plastic waste, can help protect fragile <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-day-2025-what-were-really-fighting-for/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecosystems</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exploring-endangered-species-with-tech">Exploring endangered species with tech</h2>



Technology brings endangered species closer to home. Apps like <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a> engage people in documenting local wildlife, creating snapshots of biodiversity in real time.



With EarthSnap, users can photograph plants and animals to identify species, contributing to a growing database of endangered life forms. This information becomes valuable data for conservationists tracking population changes and habitat loss. 



Meanwhile, virtual reality experiences transport people to remote habitats, offering immersive glimpses of endangered ecosystems. By bringing these distant worlds closer, technology fosters connection and urgency - reminding us of what’s at stake if species continue to vanish.



Online databases like the IUCN Red List provide up-to-date information on endangered species. They reveal how many individuals remain, what threats they face, and what’s being done to save them. The goal is to make people aware - and inspire them to act.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-supporting-global-conservation-efforts">Supporting global conservation efforts</h2>



Conservation requires resources, time, and unwavering commitment. Organizations like the World Wildlife Federation and the <a href="https://janegoodall.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jane Goodall Institute</a> work tirelessly to protect endangered species. They fund anti-poaching efforts, rehabilitate injured animals, and restore habitats.



Individuals can help too. Donate to wildlife organizations. Volunteer at local conservation centers. Adopt sustainable habits such as using less plastic or buying sustainably sourced products. Every choice, no matter how small, can make a difference.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-future-worth-protecting">A future worth protecting</h2>



National Endangered Species Day reminds us that time is running out for many species. The fate of these animals, plants, and insects isn’t set in stone. We have the power to change their stories.



Saving endangered species isn’t just about protecting animals. It’s about preserving ecosystems, supporting biodiversity, and ensuring a balanced, thriving planet for future generations. And that future starts with us.



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National Endangered Species Day: Protecting life on the brink

Every third Friday of May, we pause to recognize the...

The discovery of a fossilized femur belonging to a cerapodan dinosaur has caused a stir, mainly because of its great age. The discovery team credits the fossilized partial left femur for rewriting the timeline of cerapodan evolution. 



Many dinosaur fans have heard of Tyrannosaurus, Velociraptor, and the famed Triceratops. Few people, however, know about the <a href="https://www.dinochecker.com/dinosaurfaqs/what-is-cerapoda" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cerapoda</a>, a group of plant-eating dinosaurs that once included creatures as varied as duck-billed hadrosaurs and horned ceratopsians. The new fossil find from Morocco may change that.



<a href="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/our-science/people/susannah-maidment.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Susannah Maidment</a>, a paleontologist with the Natural History Museum, London, and the University of Birmingham, contributed to the analysis and presented an in-depth look at the significance of this dinosaur fossil.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-uncovering-a-hidden-dinosaur-chapter">Uncovering a hidden dinosaur chapter</h2>



Scientists have known cerapodans existed during the Late Jurassic Period and beyond, but older specimens were scarce. 



This new partial femur is about 165 million years old, making it the earliest body fossil of a cerapodan ever documented.



Paleontologists spotted unique features on the femur that matched traits seen only in cerapodans. They identified its distinct femoral head and <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1017/S1477201907002271" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">trochanter arrangement</a>, which suggests this dinosaur belongs in the same lineage as hadrosaurs and ceratopsians.&nbsp;



“Cerapoda is a diverse clade of ornithischian dinosaurs with a global distribution,” said Dr. Maidment.



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



Some of the footprints left in <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/234025996_Dinosaur_Distribution" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Middle Jurassic</a> rocks belong to cerapodans, indicating that they existed at that time. 



Yet the dinosaur fossils have mostly remained elusive. Now, a well-dated femur supports the idea that these dinosaurs had branched out sooner than once believed.



This single bone is important for another reason. It could fill in gaps about early cerapodan adaptations such as stance, limb structure, and herbivorous feeding strategies, which shaped the success of later forms.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-confirming-the-fossil-femur-s-age">Confirming the fossil femur's age</h2>



Scientists examined the rock layers from the region. They used established geological markers to link the deposit to the Middle Jurassic, specifically around 165 million years ago. 



They then compared that data with previous knowledge of dinosaur-bearing rock layers, worldwide, to confirm the femur’s antiquity.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/dinosaur_cerapode_femur_worlds-oldest_credit_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/dinosaur_ornithischian_small-herbivorous_fossil-bones_credit-Royal-Society_1s-1.webp" alt="The proximal femur of a cerapodan dinosaur from the El Mers III Formation of the Middle Atlas Mountains, Morocco. Image credit: Maidment et al." class="wp-image-1969937"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The proximal femur of a cerapodan dinosaur from the El Mers III Formation of the Middle Atlas Mountains, Morocco. Click image to enlarge. Image credit: Maidment et al.</figcaption></figure>



Paleontologists also matched the bone’s shape to known cerapodan traits. They ruled out earlier, or more primitive, ornithischians by analyzing the femoral head and trochanteric region. 



Their results support this dinosaur's place among the cerapodans.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hoping-for-more-dinosaur-fossil-finds">Hoping for more dinosaur fossil finds</h2>



Experts suggest this find may be just the start. As field teams continue to search underexplored strata in Morocco, more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/collagen-discovered-in-70-million-year-old-dinosaur-fossil/">remnants</a> of dinosaurs from the same era may emerge.



Hopes run high that better-preserved fossils will be discovered. Then scientists can figure out how these dinosaurs evolved from lean, bipedal ancestors into large-bodied herbivores with remarkable jaw structures.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-connecting-the-dots">Connecting the dots</h2>



<a href="https://ucmp.berkeley.edu/diapsids/ornithischia/ornithischia.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ornithischian</a> dinosaurs, which include cerapodans, are recognized for having a hip structure distinct from other dinosaur groups. Their broad distribution hints at early adaptability in numerous environments worldwide.



But many segments of cerapodan history remain poorly understood. 



Each fossil from the Middle Jurassic helps scientists piece together their branching family tree, and bridges the gap between smaller, older ornithischians and the famous giants that came later.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fresh-insights-on-dinosaur-diversity">Fresh insights on dinosaur diversity</h2>



The Moroccan femur gives a rare glimpse into dinosaurs that laid groundwork for entire herds of plant-eaters in the Cretaceous. 



Researchers see these early cerapodans as nimble browsers that paved the way for the robust quadrupeds of later ages.



The new evidence also suggests multiple herbivorous lineages diversified simultaneously. That might explain why cerapodans, alongside other plant-eating groups, grew so common in certain ancient ecosystems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-beyond-the-fossil-femur">Beyond the fossil femur</h2>



Paleontologists note how a single fossil can answer questions about dinosaur dispersal. North Africa likely served as a corridor for many species, showing how some lineages reached global prominence by the <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/270692144_Paleobiology_of_Herbivorous_Dinosaurs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Late Jurassic</a>.



Though naming a new species from one fragment is impossible, the fossil stands as a teaser. Further excavations could reveal a fossilized skeleton with jaws, spine, or limb bones that clarify how these dinosaurs thrived in shifting environments.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bridging-evolutionary-gaps">Bridging evolutionary gaps</h2>



This earliest-known cerapodan challenges assumptions about the tempo of dinosaur evolution. Until recently, the group’s best-dated fossils were usually found in younger rocks. 



The gap between the earliest cerapodans and their later, more famous relatives had proved a mystery.



A femur alone does not tell the whole story. Yet it indicates that cerapodan <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/organic-molecules-collagen-discovered-in-66-million-year-old-dinosaur-bones/">dinosaurs</a> were expanding long before the Late Jurassic, and it pushes their known origins far deeper back in time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dinosaur-behavior-and-biology">Dinosaur behavior and biology</h2>



Cerapodans likely shared early traits like bipedal posture. Some later subgroups became quadrupeds, and evolved specialized jaws for processing tough vegetation. 



How they shifted their limb posture and feeding methods remains one of paleontology’s key puzzles.



Continued study of limb bones could reveal transitional features. It might even show how rapidly cerapodans increased in size compared with their ancestors.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bigger-picture-of-jurassic-ecosystems">Bigger picture of Jurassic ecosystems</h2>



Each new fossil offers a snapshot of environments that existed roughly 165 million years ago. This cerapodan bone indicates that certain ecological niches were already available to specialized plant-eaters at that time.



Paleontologists see the Middle Jurassic as a stage of experimentation among dinosaur <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dinosaur-eggs-found-in-utah-belong-to-multiple-species/">lineages</a>. The Moroccan femur provides evidence that these animals were more widespread and varied than previously thought.



The study is published in <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.241624" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Royal Society Open Science</a>.



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World's oldest ceropode has been found: A 165-million-year-old femur

The discovery of a fossilized femur belonging to a cerapodan...

Bees don’t just huddle together and hope for the best in winter - they constantly prepare. Bees rely on the right kind of food to keep them going, but it’s not just about how much pollen they store. It’s about how many different plants that pollen comes from.



Researchers at Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg (<a href="https://www.uni-wuerzburg.de/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JMU</a>) have been digging into this idea. They’ve been looking at how pollen variety affects honeybee <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bees-have-unique-personalities-that-determine-whether-they-sting/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">colonies</a> when the temperature drops.



The study, part of the <a href="https://www.ictagrifood.eu/sites/default/files/BeeConnected%20-%20Project%20Seminar%202024%20presentation.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BeeConnected project</a>, reveals something surprising - more diverse pollen can mean the difference between life and death for bees in the winter.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-diverse-pollen-as-a-lifeline-for-bees">Diverse pollen as a lifeline for bees</h2>



Think bees just eat anything sweet? Think again. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bees-sleep-like-humans-with-similar-brain-patterns/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bees</a> need a balanced diet just like we do - proteins, vitamins, fats, and minerals. Pollen is packed with these nutrients, but not all pollen is the same.



“A rich and balanced diet not only ensures successful brood development, but it also promotes the overall health of the bee colony - and healthy bees are more resistant to stressors,” says Giulia Mainardi, a PhD student at JMU.



Bees in the study that feasted on a wide range of pollen in spring and autumn? They had a better shot at surviving the winter. It wasn’t just how much they ate - it was what they ate.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-winter-bees-survive-harsh-months">How winter bees survive harsh months</h2>



Not all <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/artificial-diet-offers-hope-for-saving-endangered-honey-bees/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bees</a> are built for the cold. Summer bees live fast and die young. Winter bees are tough. They emerge in autumn, store more fat, and last through the cold months. But they need the right nutrition to develop strong bodies.



The researchers found that bees with access to diverse pollen sources before winter had stronger, healthier winter bees. 



These bees were more likely to keep the hive warm and resist diseases. It’s like a bee training camp - and the more diverse the diet, the better the soldiers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-blooming-and-where">What’s blooming and where?</h2>



The researchers didn’t just look at pollen. They looked at where it was coming from - farms, forests, cities. They tracked pollen collection in Germany, France, and Greece. They wanted to see how landscapes shaped pollen diversity.



In autumn, agricultural areas shined. Farmers planting flower strips, cover crops, and using organic methods provided a surprising variety of pollen.



“We found that areas with high agricultural use provide bees with a higher diversity of pollen in autumn. This is probably also due to agro-environmental measures such as organic farming, flower strips and intercropping,” said Mainardi.



But in summer, the story flipped. Semi-natural areas, full of wild plants, had the edge. Bees foraging in these zones found a richer mix of pollen. Agricultural lands, by then, were tapped out - fields harvested, flowers gone.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-pollen-diversity-matters-for-bees">Why pollen diversity matters for bees</h2>



It wasn’t all about pollen, though. The researchers also looked at weather. Could more foraging days in warmer weather boost survival? Not as much as they thought.



The real game changer was pollen diversity. Even when the weather was harsh, bees with access to varied pollen survived better than those without.



“Our results underpin that the survival of colonies during winter depends not only on parasites like the Varroa mite and bad weather conditions but also on the quality of food resources,” said Steffan-Dewenter.



Warm winters might seem like a good thing. But for bees, it can be a double-edged sword. More mild days mean more foraging - but also more food burned through. Bees need enough pollen stored to handle those extra days of activity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-farms-can-provide-essential-pollen">Farms can provide essential pollen</h2>



When people think of farms, they don’t always think of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-honey-bee-day-protecting-our-vital-pollinators/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollinator</a> havens. But the study found something surprising - farms can actually help bees, especially in autumn.



In agricultural landscapes, diverse flowering plants provided crucial late-season pollen. Organic farms, cover crops, and flower strips acted like a bee buffet, serving up a mix of nutrient-rich pollen just when bees needed it most.



But summer told a different story. Bees in semi-natural areas had the upper hand, with wild plants blooming after crops had finished flowering. It was a stark reminder - what works in one season may not work in another.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-diverse-pollen-benefits-beyond-bees">Diverse pollen benefits beyond bees</h2>



Honeybees aren’t the only ones that benefit from diverse pollen. Other pollinators - bumblebees, butterflies, and solitary bees - need varied food sources too. Diverse landscapes feed them all, keeping pollinator populations strong.



Farmers stand to gain, too. Pollinators are essential for crops. No bees, no fruit. No bees, fewer seeds. Ensuring a steady supply of diverse pollen keeps bees healthy and helps farmers harvest better crops.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plant-it-and-they-will-thrive">Plant it and they will thrive</h2>



So, what now? The researchers’ advice is simple - plant more flowers, and plant more kinds of them. Not just in spring, not just in summer - bees need variety all year long.



Beekeepers should choose locations with diverse floral landscapes. Farmers can add cover crops and flower strips. For conservationists, protecting wild habitats can boost plant diversity.



Winter survival is more than just weathering the cold. It’s about what bees eat before the snow falls. And the more variety they get, the better their chances of seeing spring.



The study is published in the <a href="https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1365-2664.70054" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Applied Ecology</a>. 



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Bee survival depends on more than just pollen abundance

Bees don’t just huddle together and hope for the best...

Ancient fossils are challenging what we thought we knew about the evolution of tree frogs in the Southern Hemisphere. The tiny creature, unearthed from southeastern Queensland, is changing the estimated timeline by tens of millions of years.



Scientists at <a href="https://www.unsw.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UNSW Sydney</a> have identified Litoria tylerantiqua as Australia’s earliest known tree frog, pushing the family’s history back to around 55 million years ago.



This is far earlier than the previously accepted date of 33 million years for when Australian and South American tree frogs were believed to have split on the evolutionary tree.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rewriting-tree-frog-history">Rewriting tree frog history</h2>



Back when Litoria tylerantiqua was alive, Australia, Antarctica, and South America were still connected by the remnants of the ancient supercontinent <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/supercontinents-101-pannotia-gondwana-and-pangea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gondwana</a>. The world was warmer. Forests stretched between continents, giving animals room to spread across vast, green corridors.



Until now, the earliest known Australian tree frogs came from the Late Oligocene (about 26 million years ago) and the Early Miocene (around 23 million years ago). 



Fossils found at Kangaroo Well in the Northern Territory, Lake Palankarinna in South Australia, and the Riversleigh World Heritage Area in Queensland supported this timeline.



But the Murgon fossils - discovered on the traditional lands of the Waka Waka people - tell a different story. They show that these frogs were hopping around Australia 30 million years earlier than previously thought.



“Our research indicates that that date is at least 22 million years too young,” said Dr. Roy Farman. 



“While molecular studies are important for understanding the evolutionary relationships of different groups of animals, these studies should be calibrated using knowledge from the fossil record and in this case the fossil record provides a more accurate time for separation of the southern world’s tree frogs.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-naming-the-tree-frog-with-honor">Naming the tree frog with honor</h2>



The new species was named Litoria tylerantiqua to honor the late Michael Tyler, one of the first experts to study <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/color-evolution-ginger-pigment-found-in-10-million-year-old-frogs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">frog fossils</a> in the country.



“It is only fitting to name Australia’s earliest tree frog in honor of a man who was a giant in Australian frog research and in particular the first to explore the fossil record for Australian frogs,” said Dr. Farman.



To figure out where this ancient frog fits in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fossil-discovery-pushes-back-reptile-evolution-by-40-million-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolution</a>, the researchers had to overcome a major hurdle. The frog’s pelvic bones, key to identifying species, were not visible in preserved specimens.



“We had a real problem at the start of this study because the pelvic bones of most living frogs were invisible inside whole pickled frogs rather than available for study as skeletons,” noted Dr. Farman.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-models-of-museum-specimens">Models of museum specimens</h2>



Most museums want to keep specimens intact for DNA studies, which meant the team couldn’t just remove and study the bones. Instead, they turned to technology. 



Using CT scans, the experts created 3D models of museum specimens, revealing hidden skeletons without harming the frogs.



“Using these cutting-edge investigative methods, we were able to determine from the shape of the fossil ilia - one of three bones that make up each side of the pelvis - that this new Murgon species of frog is more closely related to the Australian tree frogs (pelodryadids) than the South American tree frogs (phyllomedusids),” said Dr. Farman.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lessons-from-the-past">Lessons from the past</h2>



Litoria tylerantiqua now joins Platyplectrum casca (formerly Lechriodus casca), another Murgon fossil, as one of the oldest frogs ever found in Australia. Both have modern relatives still living today in Australia and New Guinea.



“Despite their delicate nature, frogs have been surprisingly successful at surviving several <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-predict-a-new-mass-extinction-that-will-wipe-out-humans-and-all-mammals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mass extinction</a> events since their origins about 250 million years ago, including the mass extinction 66 million years ago that took out the non-flying dinosaurs,” said Dr. Farman.



Today, many frogs face serious threats. Climate change, habitat loss, and diseases like chytrid fungus are wiping out populations. But understanding how frogs adapted and survived in the past might help scientists protect them now.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-how-trees-frogs-survived">Understanding how trees frogs survived</h2>



“Although global extinction events triggered by human activities - such as rapid climate change and the spread of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/frog-saunas-hot-solution-to-fighting-global-amphibian-extinction-apocalypse/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chytrid fungus</a> - may be among the worst challenges frogs have had to face, the fossil record could reveal how some frog groups overcame previous challenges, perhaps by adapting to new, less-threatening habitats," said Dr. Farman. 



"This could provide clues about how we might be able to help by translocating some threatened frogs into more future-secure habitats."



One example is the southern <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/australians-are-unaware-of-their-most-endangered-species/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">corroboree frog</a>, now struggling in its current environment. If fossil records show similar frogs once thrived in different settings, scientists may be able to relocate modern frogs to safer places.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02724634.2025.2477815" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology</a>.



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Fossil discovery pushes tree frog origins back 55 million years

Ancient fossils are challenging what we thought we knew about...

In Uganda’s Budongo Forest, chimpanzees are doing more than just surviving. They’re treating their wounds with plants, cleaning each other’s injuries, and pulling snares off their companions’ limbs. 



These behaviors, documented in a new study, hint at something profound. Perhaps the roots of human medicine run deeper than we thought.



Elodie Freymann, a researcher from the <a href="https://www.ox.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Oxford</a> and the study’s lead author, believes these findings offer a fresh perspective on how our ancestors might have first learned to care for wounds. 



“<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chimpanzees-mix-vocal-calls-to-create-new-meanings-like-humans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Animals</a> are helping each other out. They’re capable of identifying others in need and then addressing those specific needs,” Freymann said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-chimpanzees-treat-wounds">How chimpanzees treat wounds</h2>



For eight months, researchers watched two chimpanzee communities in Budongo - Sonso and Waibira. Injuries were common, from bites and scratches to deadly snares left by humans.



In Sonso alone, nearly 40% of the chimps bore snare scars. Freymann and her team saw twelve injuries in Sonso and five in Waibira during the study period. The injured chimps weren’t just tending to their own wounds. They were also helping each other.



A male chimp named KT managed to pull a nylon snare off his wrist. Another <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chimpanzees-use-rhythmic-drumming-to-communicate-in-forests/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chimpanzee</a>, HW, licked the wound of a female after she had been attacked. 



In yet another case, a juvenile female chewed leaves, dabbed them onto her mother’s wounds, then licked her fingers and pressed them onto the injured area. This behavior wasn’t isolated to relatives. In four instances, chimps helped others unrelated to them.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chimpanzees-recognize-medicinal-plants">Chimpanzees recognize medicinal plants </h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-wild-chimpanzees-can-teach-us-about-parenting/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chimpanzees</a> don’t just grab any leaf when they get hurt. They seem to know which plants help wounds heal. 



Freymann’s team documented several plant species used in wound care. Acalypha sp., for example, is known for its antimicrobial properties. Pseudospondias microcarpa has a reputation for soothing pain and reducing inflammation.



One chimp chewed Acalypha leaves, then pressed the pulp onto a cut. Another used Lasiodiscus pervillei leaves to wipe away dirt and blood. 



A juvenile male named KO even mashed the stem bark of Argomuellera macrophylla and rubbed it into a wound on his leg. The behavior mirrored traditional African medicine, where these plants treat everything from skin infections to digestive issues.



“It’s likely that our shared common ancestor also would have been capable of these care behaviors as well,” Freymann noted. If chimps know which plants heal wounds, maybe early humans learned from them.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-social-side-of-care">The social side of care</h2>



Prosocial care - helping others - is rare among non-human <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chimpanzees-share-alcoholic-fruit-to-increase-social-bonding/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animals</a>. But Budongo’s chimps are doing it. During the study, researchers documented seven cases of one chimp helping another. In three of these instances, the caregiver and the injured chimp were unrelated.



A male chimp named ZG licked the blood off a female’s wound after she was attacked by other chimps. In another case, NT, a juvenile female, watched her mother chew leaves and press them onto a wound. NT then did the same, imitating her mother’s technique.



Freymann sees this as evidence that chimps aren’t just mimicking; they’re actively learning. 



“Our research helps illuminate the evolutionary roots of human medicine and healthcare systems,” said Freymann. “By documenting how chimpanzees identify and utilize medicinal plants and provide care to others, we gain insight into the cognitive and social foundations of human healthcare behaviors.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-threats-to-chimpanzee-healthcare">Threats to chimpanzee healthcare</h2>



Chimpanzees in Budongo face a constant threat from human snares. Nearly 40% of the Sonso chimps bear scars from these traps. 



Freymann’s team observed multiple instances of snare removal, some self-directed and others involving help from group members. But the danger remains.



The findings also suggest that chimpanzees in Budongo, Gabon, and other regions might share similar care behaviors. This could mean that these practices are widespread, not isolated. But there’s still much to learn.



For Freymann, the implications extend beyond chimpanzees and their use of plants. Observing how these primates use plants for healing might provide clues for new medicinal compounds. 



“If we want to hone in on these amazing medicinal resources, watching and learning from the animals is an incredibly effective way to do it if it’s done ethically and responsibly,” she said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-learning-plant-medicine-from-chimpanzees">Learning plant medicine from chimpanzees</h2>



The study doesn’t just document chimpanzee healthcare. It challenges how we think about the origins of medicine. Watching chimps chew leaves and press them onto wounds, it’s easy to imagine early humans doing the same. Maybe they learned from the chimps. Maybe they figured it out together.



Budongo’s chimpanzees aren’t doctors, but they are healers. And in their actions, we might find the echoes of our own ancient medical traditions.



Freymann’s work reminds us that medicine is not just a human invention. It might be a shared legacy, passed down from ancestors who walked the forests long before us.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/ecology-and-evolution/articles/10.3389/fevo.2025.1540922/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Evolution and Ecology</a>.



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Chimpanzees know which plants to use for healing wounds

In Uganda’s Budongo Forest, chimpanzees are doing more than just...

Yellowstone’s seething terraces and steaming pools draw visitors for their color and heat, but to microbiologists they offer something else: a peek at the sort of place where the earliest stirrings of life may have taken hold in the form of giant viruses.



One acidic creek in the park, forever gurgling around 112 °F, has now revealed an unexpected cast of microbial giants that could have nudged evolution along.



Giant viruses found in Yellowstone's <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hot-springs-may-have-played-a-key-role-in-the-emergence-of-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hot springs</a> - organisms so large they sometimes escape standard filters - have been turning up in many odd corners of the planet. Yet their role in shaping early ecosystems has remained hazy. 



A fresh look at a green algal mat in Yellowstone suggests these outsized invaders were not latecomers but long-standing residents whose presence dates back a billion-plus years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-yellowstone-s-living-time-capsules">Yellowstone’s living time capsules</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/shanay-timpishka-river-amazon-rainforest-is-so-hot-that-it-literally-boils-destroying-nearby-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hot springs</a> change, dry up and reappear over geological time, but each one preserves chemical and physical traits once common on early Earth. 



The creek known as Lemonade runs through a narrow channel lined with bright-green filaments of red algae, or Rhodophyta. In water that hits pH 2, those algae thrive alongside sulfur-loving microbes that shrug off toxins such as arsenic.



After skimming DNA from the mat, nearby soil and the spaces between stones, researchers filtered out familiar bacterial, archaeal and algal sequences. 



Roughly 3,700 potential viral fragments remained, and almost two-thirds belonged to the giant class. Computer sleuthing pieced together most of the genomes of about 25 distinct viruses. 



“The connections between the viruses and [their hosts] are ancient,” <a href="https://www.rutgers.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rutgers University</a> genome scientist Debashish Bhattacharya explains, pointing to proteins whose tightly packed shapes suit a habitat that seldom cools below 112 °F.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-giant-viruses-and-yellowstone-hot-springs">Giant viruses and Yellowstone hot springs</h2>



Giant-virus DNA carries the same three-letter code preferences as other creek dwellers, signaling a long residence rather than a recent arrival from cooler pools. 



When the team built a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/our-microbial-ancestors-developed-virus-defenses-one-billion-years-ago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">viral family tree</a>, the Lemonade Creek line split near the very base, implying the partnership with red algae may stretch back 1.5 billion years. 



“Understanding ancient virus evolution may be key to our understanding of [life’s] early developments,” notes Simon Roux, a microbiologist at the Department of Energy’s <a href="https://jgi.doe.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Joint Genome Institute</a> who was not involved in the work.



Many hot-spring inhabitants borrow genes to cope with heat and toxins. Exactly how a complex eukaryote such as algae grabs DNA from simple bacteria has puzzled biochemists. 



Andreas Weber, a biochemist at <a href="https://www.hhu.de/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf</a>, calls hot springs “time capsules that provide a window into early eukaryotic life.” 



He suspects giant viruses act as middlemen, grabbing genes from bacteria or archaea, then handing them to the algae they infect. 



In that shuttle role, “the viruses likely play an important role in the long-term stability of the hot spring communities,” he adds.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-separate-worlds-inches-apart">Separate worlds inches apart</h2>



Sampling revealed three viral neighborhoods: one on the algal mat, one in adjacent soil and one wedged between rocks. 



“I would have thought that there would be more exchange between neighboring sites that are sometimes only a few centimeters apart,” Weber admits. 



Their isolation “points out how little we really know about the diversity and role of viruses in microbial communities,” observes Mark Young, an environmental virologist emeritus at <a href="https://www.montana.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Montana State University</a> who was not involved with the work.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-yellowstone-s-giant-viruses-matter">Why Yellowstone's giant viruses matter</h2>



Giant viruses are not the only curiosities to surface in the park. Scientists George Rice and Mark Young spotted another virus drifting among heat-loving archaea in the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/places/000/midway-geyser-basin-trailhead.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Midway Geyser Basin</a>. 



Archaea are thermophiles that flourish in pools between 158 °F and 197 °F and at pH values as low as 1; they have yielded just 36 viruses out of more than 5,000 known. 



"Anywhere there's life, we expect viruses," Young says, stressing how protected reserves aid such finds. 



"This is a stellar example of why we need places that are protected for scientists to come in and look for new discoveries," park geologist Hank Heasler agrees.



Rice’s team reported that the Yellowstone virus’s protein shell resembles coats from viruses that infect bacteria and animals. 



"Thermophiles are deeply rooted in the tree of life," Young notes, hinting that the virus predates the split between bacteria, archaea and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-oldest-organisms-ever-discovered-show-dazzling-diversity-and-complexity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">eukaryotes</a> roughly 3.5 billion years ago. Genetic work backs the idea. 



"The genes look different [from those of other viruses] so they probably do different things," Rice says.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-viruses-and-the-search-for-alien-life">Viruses and the search for alien life</h2>



Viruses shuttle genes with abandon. "They're not just a passenger," Young emphasizes. "They are the major source of biological material on this planet. They have a huge role in moving genes around." 



That talent intrigues astrobiologists: "If we're going to go to non-Earth-based bodies to look for life, this discovery gives <a href="https://www.nasa.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a> an approach for looking for life in hot-temperature environments, which we know to exist off of Earth," Young points out. 



Enzymes that stay stable in boiling water could also feed medical diagnostics or industrial reactions that now falter under heat.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lessons-learned-from-yellowstone-s-giant-viruses">Lessons learned from Yellowstone's giant viruses</h2>



The story flowing from a modest creek in Yellowstone widens our picture of life’s early days. 



Giant viruses, once dismissed as curiosities, appear to have stood shoulder to shoulder with the first eukaryotes, swapping genes, recycling nutrients and carving out niches even when resources were scarce. 



On a planet where every drop of hot water seems to shelter a unique community, each discovery reminds us how much more waits beneath the steam.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-024-05931-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Communications Biology</a>.



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Giant viruses found in Yellowstone's hot springs may be near the root of all life on Earth

Yellowstone’s seething terraces and steaming pools draw visitors for their...

The origin of reptiles on Earth has been pushed back by an astonishing 40 million years. Fossilized tracks unearthed in Australia provide compelling evidence that reptile-like animals existed far earlier than previously thought. 



This finding challenges long-held assumptions about the evolution of tetrapods, the group that includes amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.



A team led by John Long, a professor at <a href="https://www.flinders.edu.au" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Flinders University</a>, discovered fossilized tracks of an amniote with clawed feet, dating to approximately 350 million years ago.



The tracks, found in the Mansfield district of northern Victoria, indicate that amniotes – a group that includes reptiles – were present in the Carboniferous period, much earlier than established <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-modern-fossils-will-be-the-most-surprising-to-future-explorers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">records</a> in the Northern Hemisphere.



“Once we identified this, we realised this is the oldest evidence in the world of reptile-like animals walking around on land – and it pushes their evolution back by 35-to-40 million years older than the previous records in the Northern Hemisphere,” said Professor Long.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-first-clawed-reptile-tracks-in-gondwana">First clawed reptile tracks in Gondwana</h2>



The track-bearing slab, discovered in Taungurung Country, belonged to the Snowy Plains Formation. 



The animal that left these tracks likely resembled a small, stumpy Goanna-like creature. With its clawed feet, this primitive sauropsid walked across what was once part of the ancient southern supercontinent, Gondwana.



“The implications of this discovery for the early <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fossil-discovery-shifts-the-origin-of-lizards-back-35-million-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolution</a> of tetrapods are profound,” noted Professor Long. The finding suggests that stem-tetrapod and stem-amniote lineages began evolving in the Devonian period, much earlier than previously thought.



The rapid evolution of tetrapods during this period, combined with an incomplete fossil record, has obscured the true timeline of their emergence.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reptile-evolution-timeline-shifts-nbsp">Reptile evolution timeline shifts&nbsp;</h2>



The fossil <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plesiosaur-fossil-contains-soft-tissue-preserved-for-183-million-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">record</a> of crown-group amniotes, which includes modern reptiles, birds, and mammals, was previously thought to begin in the Late Carboniferous, around 318 million years ago. 



Earlier estimates placed the emergence of crown-group tetrapods at 334 million years ago, with the oldest trackways dating back 353 million years.



However, the newly discovered Australian tracks, securely dated to the early Tournaisian, push the origin of crown-group amniotes back by 35 to 40 million years. This revised timeline suggests that tetrapod evolution proceeded faster and earlier than previously thought.



“We now present new trackway data from Australia that falsify this widely accepted timeline,” said Professor Long. The implications extend beyond the Australian site, challenging assumptions about the broader evolutionary history of tetrapods.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fossil-slab-holds-oldest-reptile-tracks">Fossil slab holds oldest reptile tracks</h2>



The sandstone slab, measuring about 50 cm across, carries the oldest known clawed footprints. The slab was discovered by two amateur palaeontologists, Craig Eury and John Eason, who initially thought the tracks belonged to early amphibians.



“When I saw this specimen for the first time, I was very surprised. After just a few seconds, I noticed that there were clearly preserved claw marks,” said Grzegorz Niedźwiedzki of <a href="https://www.uu.se/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Uppsala University</a>, co-author of the study.



According to Niedźwiedzki, claws are a distinct feature of early amniotes, almost never seen in other tetrapod groups. This characteristic suggests the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/largest-ever-marine-reptile-ichthyotitan-severnensis-discovered-by-11-year-old-girl/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animal</a> that left these tracks was a primitive reptile, marking the earliest known evidence of clawed feet among tetrapods.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reptile-tracks-in-australia-and-poland">Reptile tracks in Australia and Poland</h2>



In addition to the Australian tracks, similar trackways have been identified in Silesia, Poland. These tracks, dated to the mid-Serpukhovian to early Bashkirian, are slightly younger than the Australian finds but also display claw impressions.



The Polish tracks extend the known range of Notalacerta into the early Carboniferous. This suggests that amniotes were present across both Gondwana and Euramerica much earlier than previously thought.



The Snowy Plains Formation likely dates to the early Tournaisian, approximately 358.9 to 354 million years ago. This pushes the origin of crown-group amniotes back significantly, indicating that tetrapods evolved more rapidly than previously estimated.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fossils-reveal-faster-reptile-evolution">Fossils reveal faster reptile evolution</h2>



To refine the evolutionary timeline, researchers combined fossil evidence with DNA analysis. Molecular data provide valuable insights into the relative timing of evolutionary events, particularly when the fossil record is incomplete.



“It’s all about the relative length of different branches in the tree,” said Per Ahlberg of Uppsala University. “This method helps us pinpoint evolutionary phases with a poor fossil record.”



By overlaying DNA branch lengths onto known fossil dates, the team estimated the age of the tetrapod crown-group node to be in the Devonian, contemporaneous with transitional 'fishapods' like Tiktaalik. This finding suggests that tetrapods diversified earlier and faster than previously thought.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenging-previous-theories">Challenging previous theories</h2>



The Snowy Plains Formation trackway slab is more than just a piece of stone. It represents a pivotal moment in the history of life on Earth, a moment when reptiles first set clawed feet on land.



“A single track-bearing slab, which one person can lift, calls into question everything we thought we knew about when modern tetrapods evolved,” said Per Ahlberg. The slab, found in Taungurung Country, is now housed in Museums Victoria.



The tracks show a consistent foot morphology, with five slender digits splayed out in a fan shape. Claws are present on four digits, with the fifth digit carrying a shorter claw. 



The trackmaker’s hip-to-shoulder distance suggests a body length of approximately 80 cm, similar to that of a modern water monitor.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-search-for-evidence-in-gondwana">Search for evidence in Gondwana</h2>



Mansfield, Victoria, has long been a hotspot for fossil discoveries. Since 1980, researchers have uncovered fossilized fish and sharks in the area, but finding terrestrial vertebrate tracks had remained elusive.



“The Mansfield area has produced many famous fossils, beginning with spectacular fossil fishes found 120 years ago, and ancient sharks. But the holy grail that we were always looking for was evidence of land animals,” explained Professor Long.



The Snowy Plains Formation trackways provide crucial evidence that reptiles and other amniotes were already present in Gondwana during the early Carboniferous. This challenges previous theories that placed the origin of amniotes solely in the Northern Hemisphere.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reptile-evolution-a-broader-timeline">Reptile evolution: A broader timeline</h2>



The discovery of clawed tracks from the early Carboniferous has profound implications for the timeline of tetrapod evolution. It suggests that the tetrapod crown-group node must be located deep within the Devonian, not the Carboniferous as previously thought.



The findings also reveal that tetrapod evolution was a more rapid and complex process than previously recognized. The appearance of clawed amniotes in both Gondwana and Euramerica indicates that these groups may have evolved in parallel across different regions.



“This discovery rewrites this part of evolutionary history,” said Dr. Jillian Garvey of La Trobe University. “It indicates there is so much that has happened in Australia and Gondwana that we are still yet to uncover.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-future-of-fossil-research">The future of fossil research </h2>



While the Australian tracks provide valuable insights, they also raise new questions about the evolutionary history of reptiles. The fossil record in Gondwana remains incomplete, and future discoveries may further alter our understanding of when and where reptiles first emerged.



“The most interesting discoveries are yet to come and that there is still much to be found in the field,” said Grzegorz Niedźwiedzki. “These footprints from Australia are just one example of this.”



The Snowy Plains Formation slab stands as a powerful reminder that even a single piece of rock can reshape our understanding of the past. 



As researchers continue to search the Devonian and Carboniferous formations of Gondwana, the story of reptile evolution may undergo even more dramatic revisions.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-08884-5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



Image Credit: Marcin Ambrozik.



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Animal evolution theory turned upside down by new fossil discovery

The origin of reptiles on Earth has been pushed back...

A Middle Jurassic dinosaur has been unearthed 166 million years after it died. It was the size of a large dog and ate a vegetarian diet. The newly-uncovered juvenile from Scottish rocks is making waves among paleontology fans. 



This skeleton was first noticed decades ago but stayed in place due to tricky access along the Isle of Skye. It ended up being the first and most complete partial dinosaur <a href="http://earth.com/news/organic-molecules-collagen-discovered-in-66-million-year-old-dinosaur-bones/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">skeleton</a> yet recognized from Scotland.



No one expected such an important specimen to lie overlooked for so long. Yet its remote position made collection efforts difficult until more recent years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-tough-spot-for-fossil-hunting">A tough spot for fossil hunting</h2>



Getting this fossil out wasn’t easy. The skeleton was wedged into hard <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mystery-microbes-burrowed-into-rock-millions-of-years-ago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">limestone</a> along a rocky coastline, in a spot that is only reachable at low tide.



It took ropes, wedges, and even a motorboat to haul the block safely to a harbor. The team had to work under strict permits since the area is part of a protected <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/protected-areas-sites-of-special-scientific-interest" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-curious-middle-jurassic-vegetarian-dinosaur">A curious, Middle Jurassic vegetarian dinosaur</h2>



Researchers have pieced together enough fossils to suggest that this creature reached roughly the size of a large dog and followed a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/animals-with-high-body-temperatures-often-become-herbivores/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">herbivorous diet</a>. Its fragmentary but well-preserved bones indicate that it likely moved around on sturdy legs and feasted on vegetation.



“Dinosaurs from the Triassic and Early Jurassic were generally small, bipedal carnivores and omnivores, but by the Late Jurassic they had radiated into a highly diverse range of species that included some of the largest terrestrial vertebrates to ever walk the Earth,” observed <a href="https://www.nms.ac.uk/profile/dr-elsa-panciroli" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Elsa Panciroli</a>, a paleobiologist at National Museums Scotland. 



Although this creature remained modest in size, it lived during a period in which some dinosaurs were rapidly branching into new forms.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tapping-into-scarce-middle-jurassic-secrets">Tapping into scarce Middle Jurassic secrets</h2>



These <a href="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/dino-directory/timeline/mid-jurassic/gallery.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Middle Jurassic</a> deposits rarely give up well-preserved dinosaur skeletons. Many known specimens from that stretch of prehistory consist simply of fragmentary teeth or broken limb bones.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/dinosaur_ornithischian_small-herbivorous_extraction-process-montage_credit-Royal-Society_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/dinosaur_ornithischian_small-herbivorous_extraction-process-montage_credit-Royal-Society_1s.webp" alt="The process of extracting the dinosaur-bearing block: (a) the area of interest was supported by expanding eye bolts attached to a static anchor by slings, and a series of 25 mm diameter holes were drilled around this area; (b), plug-and-feather steel expanding wedges were inserted into the drill holes and struck with hammers in order to propagate cracks that separated the block from the rest of the pinnacle; (c–e) the detached block was lowered to the next level using a ratchet winch, and guided onto a board on a ramp constructed from 100 mm fencing posts onto the limestone pavement beneath; (f) the block was then secured to a wooden cradle by ratchet straps and carried over the beach to be loaded onto a rigid inflatable dinghy, which was towed (g) through Loch Scavaig to the landing jetty at Elgol; (h) the excavation team, from left to right: Roger Close, Brett Crawford, Stig Walsh (top), Andrzej Wolniewicz (bottom), Matt Fair, Elsa Panciroli, Richard Butler and Roger Benson. Photographs a-g by Elsa Panciroli." class="wp-image-1969758"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Click image to enlarge. The process of extracting the dinosaur-bearing block: (a) the area of interest was supported by expanding eye bolts attached to a static anchor by slings, and a series of 25 mm diameter holes were drilled around this area; (b), plug-and-feather steel expanding wedges were inserted into the drill holes and struck with hammers in order to propagate cracks that separated the block from the rest of the pinnacle; (c–e) the detached block was lowered to the next level using a ratchet winch, and guided onto a board on a ramp constructed from 100 mm fencing posts onto the limestone pavement beneath; (f) the block was then secured to a wooden cradle by ratchet straps and carried over the beach to be loaded onto a rigid inflatable dinghy, which was towed (g) through Loch Scavaig to the landing jetty at Elgol; (h) the excavation team, from left to right: Roger Close, Brett Crawford, Stig Walsh (top), Andrzej Wolniewicz (bottom), Matt Fair, Elsa Panciroli, Richard Butler and Roger Benson. Photographs a-g by Elsa Panciroli.</figcaption></figure>



Scientists crave more fossils from this interval to help fill gaps in dinosaur family trees. Every new example helps them map out when plant-eaters and meat-eaters evolved novel traits or reached record sizes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-every-dinosaur-fossil-fragment-matters">Every dinosaur fossil fragment matters</h2>



Experts analyzed the dinosaur’s skeletal features and found hints that it could belong to a group called <a href="https://ucmp.berkeley.edu/diapsids/ornithischia/ornithischia.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ornithischian</a> dinosaurs. 



This clade includes many plant-eating forms that left footprints and sporadic remains, but few skeletons, from this geological slice.



“If the specimen does represent an ornithischian, as tentatively suggested from the partial ilium and histological sectioning, it represents the geologically youngest known occurrence in Scotland, and first from the Kilmaluag Formation,” shared Dr. Panciroli. 



Researchers plan to compare these fossils with similar plant-munching species to confirm its family ties.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-ahead-middle-jurassic-dinosaur-research">Looking ahead: Middle Jurassic dinosaur research</h2>



New finds do more than scratch scientific curiosity. They paint a picture of how life in the Jurassic Period thrived, long before famous beasts like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dinosaurs-may-have-become-warm-blooded-180-million-years-ago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stegosaurus</a> and giant sauropods reached towering heights.



Additional fieldwork is in the works, with paleontologists combing Scottish shores in hopes of spotting more hidden remains. They suspect there may be other small herbivores tucked away in the rugged rock layers of Skye.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-jurassic-dinosaur-bones-reveal">What the Jurassic dinosaur bones reveal</h2>



The fossilized bone tissue showed clear signs of cyclical growth marks - rings laid down each year like those in trees. At least eight of these marks were visible, which suggests the dinosaur was eight years old, or older, when it died.



Despite its age, the creature hadn't yet reached full size. Its <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/organic-molecules-collagen-discovered-in-66-million-year-old-dinosaur-bones/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bones</a> were still actively growing, though at a slower pace. Researchers believe it was a subadult, probably approaching maturity but not quite there yet.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-this-dinosaur-might-change-the-timeline">Why this dinosaur might change the timeline</h2>



If the team’s identification holds, this could be the earliest known example of an <a href="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/dino-directory/body-shape/large-ornithopod/gallery.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ornithopod</a>, a group of herbivorous Jurassic dinosaurs that later produced well-known species like Iguanodon and Hadrosaurus. That would shift back the clock on when these animals first appeared in the fossil record.



There’s even a chance it could be the oldest body fossil of an <a href="https://geology.utah.gov/map-pub/survey-notes/the-iguanodontians-of-early-cretaceous/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">iguanodontian</a>, a subgroup within ornithopods. Footprints have hinted at their presence this early, but until now, no bones backed this up.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/earth-and-environmental-science-transactions-of-royal-society-of-edinburgh/article/first-and-most-complete-dinosaur-skeleton-from-the-middle-jurassic-of-scotland/A738B17F5A78106E6B8C75D211153333" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth and Environmental Science</a>.



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Dog-sized baby dinosaur unearthed after 166 million years

A Middle Jurassic dinosaur has been unearthed 166 million years...

Paleontologists have identified a new finger-sized hunter from the Cambrian seas, whose fossils preserve eyes, nerves, gut, and even traces of blood.



The creature, named Mosura fentoni, prowled Canadian waters 506 million years ago and shows that early <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/golden-fossil-450-million-year-old-arthropod-found-inside-a-block-of-fools-gold/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">arthropods</a> were diversifying in unexpected ways.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-arthropod-fossil-found-in-rockies">Arthropod fossil found in Rockies</h2>



The research comes from an international team working with the <a href="https://manitobamuseum.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Manitoba Museum</a> and the <a href="https://www.rom.on.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Royal Ontario Museum</a> (ROM).



Over nearly five decades, collectors retrieved sixty-one specimens from Yoho and Kootenay National Parks. 



Most were lifted from Raymond Quarry; others came from the Marble Canyon area, which has yielded a flurry of spectacular Burgess Shale fossils.



The new study adds a fresh branch to the extinct radiodonts, a group that already includes the meter-long apex <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bastetodon-fearsome-predator-was-once-king-of-the-ancient-egyptian-forests/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">predator</a> Anomalocaris.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tiny-mosura-fentoni-was-a-predator">Tiny Mosura fentoni was a predator</h2>



Mosura measured roughly the length of an index finger. Its head carried three eyes and a circular, toothed mouth. Jointed, spiny claws jutted forward to snatch prey, while broad swimming flaps rippled down each side of the body.



Collectors nicknamed it the “sea-moth” because the midsection flaps and narrow tail suggested the silhouette of a hovering <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/natures-defense-against-the-invasive-spongy-moth-is-fading/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">moth</a>, a nod later echoed in the formal genus name, which references the Japanese film monster Mothra.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-unexpected-abdomen">An unexpected abdomen</h2>



Radiodonts normally finish with a short, paddle-like tail, but Mosura breaks this pattern. “Mosura has sixteen tightly packed segments lined with gills at the rear end of its body," said study leader Joe Moysiuk, Curator of Palaeontology and Geology at the Manitoba Museum.



"This is a neat example of evolutionary convergence with modern groups, like horseshoe crabs, woodlice, and insects, which share a batch of segments bearing respiratory organs at the rear of the body,” 



The extra segments may have boosted oxygen uptake, hinting at a lifestyle or habitat that demanded efficient respiration, though the exact advantage remains unknown.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nerves-preserved-in-mosura-fentoni">Nerves preserved in Mosura fentoni</h2>



Few places on Earth preserve soft anatomy as well as the Burgess Shale, and Mosura takes full advantage of that rarity.



“Very few fossil sites in the world offer this level of insight into soft internal anatomy," said co-author Jean-Bernard Caron, Curator of Invertebrate Palaeontology at ROM. 



"We can see traces representing bundles of nerves in the eyes that would have been involved in image processing - just like in living arthropods. The details are astounding.” 



The arthropod fossils also capture reflective patches that fill the trunk and extend into the flaps. These mark blood spaces, or lacunae, part of an ancient open circulatory system.



“The well-preserved lacunae of the circulatory system in Mosura help us to interpret similar but less clear features that we’ve seen before in other fossils. Their identity has been controversial,” added Moysiuk, who is also a research associate at ROM. 



“It turns out that preservation of these structures is widespread, confirming the ancient origin of this type of circulatory system.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-first-arthropods-surprised-scientists">First arthropods surprised scientists</h2>



Radiodonts occupy the deepest branch on the arthropod family tree - well before the lineages that lead to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/worlds-first-gene-edited-spiders-spin-red-silk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">spiders</a>, insects, or crabs.



“Radiodonts were the first group of arthropods to branch out in the evolutionary tree, so they provide key insight into ancestral traits for the entire group,” Caron explained. 



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/mosura-fentoni_fossil_credit-Jean-Bernard-Caron_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/mosura-fentoni_fossil_credit-Jean-Bernard-Caron_1s.webp" alt="Fossil specimen of Mosura fentoni, ROMIP 67520 from the Marble Canyon area. The head is at the left and the dark, three-dimensional bulges represent minerals replacing the gills and circulatory lacunae. Credit: Jean-Bernard Caron ROM" class="wp-image-1969739"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Fossil specimen of Mosura fentoni, ROMIP 67520 from the Marble Canyon area. The head is at the left and the dark, three-dimensional bulges represent minerals replacing the gills and circulatory lacunae. Click image to enlarge. Credit: Jean-Bernard Caron ROM</figcaption></figure>



“The new species emphasizes that these early arthropods were already surprisingly diverse and were adapting in a comparable way to their distant modern relatives.”



The convergent abdomen of Mosura suggests that complex body regions bearing gills evolved more than once, long before <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/worm-youti-yuanshi-lived-520-million-years-ago-explains-insect-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">insects</a> or crustaceans refined the same solution.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-fossil-treasure-trove">A fossil treasure trove</h2>



Of the sixty-one known specimens, all but one were collected by ROM teams between 1975 and 2022. The lone outlier was recovered a century earlier by Charles Walcott, discoverer of the Burgess Shale itself.



“Museum collections, old and new, are a bottomless treasure trove of information about the past. If you think you’ve seen it all before, you just need to open a museum drawer,” Moysiuk said.



Parks Canada manages the fossil sites and guides visitors on award-winning hikes. The Burgess Shale gained UNESCO World Heritage status in 1980 and now forms part of the broader Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks listing.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mosura-fentoni-expands-early-life-story">Mosura fentoni expands early life story</h2>



Specimens of many radiodonts, including the new “sea-moth,” are on display in Toronto’s <a href="https://www.rom.on.ca/whats-on/galleries/willner-madge-gallery-dawn-life" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Willner Madge Gallery: Dawn of Life</a>, while Mosura will make its public debut in Winnipeg later this year.



As curators prepare those showcases, researchers continue sifting through Burgess Shale slabs for still-undiscovered species. Each one fills another gap in the early history of animals, clarifying how complex bodies, limbs, and organ systems evolved.



The finger-sized Mosura fentoni reminds us that even the smallest arthropod fossil can overturn assumptions about life half a billion years ago - and that the archives of museums still hold many secrets waiting to be discovered.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsos.242122" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Royal Society Open Science</a>.



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506-million-year-old predator used to swim the Cambrian seas

Paleontologists have identified a new finger-sized hunter from the Cambrian...

Young,Female,Tourist,In,Friendly,Contact,With,Cow,Met,In

City dwellers in the Netherlands have a curious way of clearing their heads. Rather than see a psychologist or seek therapy through other means, they hop on a train, ramble into the green lowlands, and hug a cow.



The practice, known as “koeknuffelen,” sounds quirky until you try it; within minutes most visitors feel their shoulders drop and their pulse slow.



Scientists have long suspected that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-some-cats-make-excellent-therapy-animals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animal-assisted therapy</a> works in part because soft noses, steady heartbeats, and wordless company nudge our nervous system toward calm. 



Until now, almost every formal study has focused on dogs, cats, or the occasional rabbit. Cows, though, linger on the fringes - huge, sweet, and largely untested.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cuddling-cows-as-therapy">Cuddling cows as therapy</h2>



Two researchers - Dr. Katherine Compitus of <a href="https://www.nyu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New York University</a> and Dr. Sonya Bierbower of the United States Military Academy at <a href="https://www.westpoint.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">West Point</a> - set out to change that. 



Their paper, “Cow Cuddling: Cognitive Considerations in Bovine-Assisted Therapy,” appears in the journal Human-Animal Interactions and may tip the field toward larger pasture-mates. 



Conducted at <a href="https://www.shsanctuary.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Surrey Hills Sanctuary</a> in New York State, the pilot project paired 11 volunteers, ages 13 to 79, with two mellow steers named Magnus and Callum.



The work used the 24-item <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/312371308_HAIS_The_Human-Animal_Interaction_Scale_Manual" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Human-Animal Interaction Scale</a>, a survey that captures how often people stroke, lean on, or otherwise connect with an animal and records the animal’s own moves in return. Each session lasted 45 minutes to prevent fatigue on either side of the fence.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-cows-and-people-respond">How cows and people respond</h2>



Magnus and Callum greeted their guests with slow sniffs, accepted hay pellets from open palms, and even settled onto the grass for a shared lounge. 



When interested, they licked sleeves - a bovine version of social grooming - and, when finished, they simply rose and wandered off. Unfriendly gestures were scarce. 



One teenager admitted she had expected headbutts but, instead, “fell in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/grass-scarcity-alters-cow-feed-and-dairy-products/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">love with cows</a>” before the session ended.



The steers’ preferences turned out to be surprisingly specific. 



“We have discovered in the current study that bovine-assisted therapy may not only be an effective treatment model that benefits human participants but appears to be enriching to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extreme-heat-makes-dairy-cows-produce-less-milk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cattle participants</a> as well, as shown by their proximity to and continuous interactions with humans,” Dr. Compitus said. 



The data also revealed a gender twist: the animals spent more time beside women than men, and the women, in turn, reported stronger feelings of attachment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-measuring-calm-signals-from-cow-therapy">Measuring calm signals from cow therapy</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-a-pill-stop-cows-from-burping-methane/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stress in cattle</a> shows up as loud calls, quick tail flicks, or rigid backs. None spiked during these cuddle sessions. Instead, the animals’ easy breathing and willingness to lie down suggested comfort. 



“Two of the gaps in the research we address in this study are the inclusion of cattle in AAT and an examination of the cognitive processes of animals involved in AAT,” Dr. Bierbower noted. 



For a field that often views animals as passive tools, tracking the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/farmers-want-to-talk-to-their-cows-so-ai-is-helping-them-interpret-moos-and-burps/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cow’s point of view</a> marks an important shift.



Therapists already use dogs to ease anxiety during dental visits and miniature horses to coax speech from children on the autism spectrum. Cattle bring a different scale. 



A mature steer may top 1,500 pounds, yet these gentle giants lower their heads for scratches much like a Labrador does. That contrast - immense size, peaceful manner - can amplify the sense of safety that therapy animals provide.



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



Touch triggers a release of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oxytocin-holds-the-keys-to-both-your-heart-and-your-memory/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">oxytocin</a>, sometimes called the “bonding hormone,” in both humans and many mammals. The hormone slows heart rate, reduces cortisol, and boosts feelings of trust. 



While a purring cat can spark that reaction, leaning against a broad cow magnifies the tactile cue: more surface area, deeper vibrations, and a steadier baseline heart rhythm.



Researchers in earlier dog-based trials found that even brief petting lowers blood pressure. The current cattle study hints the same benefit may hold when the animal outweighs the participant by a ton. 



Because <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cattle-gallstones-insanely-valuable-are-the-new-must-have-item-in-global-smuggling-rings/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cows live in herds</a> and often groom one another, they may already possess social wiring that lets them extend calm to another species.



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



Dr. Compitus reaffirmed that the therapy appeared enriching for the steers, citing their close proximity and continuous interactions with humans. 



Yet she also cautioned, “It is unclear without further testing whether the animals sought out the attention of women in general or if the women were more likely to initiate the actions when compared to the men participants.”



Future work will need larger herds, more diverse volunteers, and perhaps heart-rate monitors on both sides of the cuddle. It will also need to check whether cattle enjoy the work long-term or simply tolerate it for snacks. 



Ethical guidelines already require therapy dogs to rest between client visits; similar safeguards for bovine partners will be crucial.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-next-for-cow-cuddle-therapy">What's next for cow cuddle therapy?</h2>



Animal-assisted therapy grew from a fringe idea in the 1960s to a mainstream adjunct in hospitals and schools today. 



Adding cows may seem like a pastoral gimmick, yet the early numbers suggest genuine promise. Eleven participants is small, but every study starts somewhere, and Magnus and Callum appear to have opened the gate.



As Dr. Bierbower and Dr. Compitus refine their protocols, mental-health clinics might soon book time at local farms, giving stressed-out teens and weary adults a chance to swap city noise for the slow beat of a cud-chewing companion. 



If larger trials confirm the soothing power of a 1,500-pound hug, the phrase “therapy animal” could soon conjure more than wagging tails - it might also bring to mind a soft-eyed steer waiting beneath an open sky.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/10.1079/hai.2024.0016" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Human-Animal Interactions</a>.



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Cows who are 'cuddled' as therapy animals strongly prefer women over men

City dwellers in the Netherlands have a curious way of...

Seafood,On,Ice,At,The,Fish,Market

Alternative seafood is emerging as a vital solution in the fight to protect marine ecosystems. As pressure from overfishing, pollution, and climate change intensifies, scientists and policymakers are exploring new ways to reduce strain on the ocean. 



While many marine mysteries remain, one issue is clear - traditional fishing practices are pushing the ocean toward ecological collapse.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-global-impact-of-overfishing">The global impact of overfishing</h2>



Researchers point out that nearly 90% of marine fisheries today are either fully exploited or already overfished. On top of that, pollution and habitat degradation are erasing biodiversity across oceans, rivers, and coasts. 



<a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/global-industrial-fishing-footprint-spd" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A 2018 study</a> showed that commercial fishing operations now cover more than 55% of the ocean surface - four times more than the land used for agriculture.



This crisis impacts people as well as marine life. Around 3 billion rely on the ocean for food and jobs. With the population expected to hit 10 billion by 2050, seafood demand is rising twice as fast.



But wild fisheries can only do so much. Even under perfect management, there’s a ceiling on how many fish can be caught each year. 



The researchers note that reducing the burden of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/overfishing-and-habitat-degradation-have-devastated-marine-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">overfishing</a> through better fishery management is possible, but it requires setting limits on how much can be caught, where and when, and with which methods. There’s another way forward - one that doesn’t get as much attention.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alternative-seafood-as-a-sustainable-solution">Alternative seafood as a sustainable solution</h2>



Alternative seafood - like plant-based fish or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sushi-of-the-future-the-first-ever-lab-grown-eel-is-a-success/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lab-grown</a> (cultivated) tuna - is emerging as a powerful tool to meet demand without draining the ocean. 



These products can help shift consumer choices away from wild-caught fish and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/farmed-seafood-supply-is-at-risk-due-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">farmed seafood</a> that contribute to environmental stress.



As the researchers explain, plant-based and cultivated fish hold enormous potential for feeding a growing population the fish they love while easing pressure on the conventional fishing industry and, in turn, reducing harm to our oceans.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reshaping-the-seafood-industry">Reshaping the seafood industry</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fishing-communities-cooperate-to-survive-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fishing</a> isn’t just affected by climate change - it’s also a contributor. Fuel-intensive vessels and aquaculture feed production release greenhouse gases.



But climate change is striking back. Rising ocean temperatures are pushing fish populations toward the poles, leaving tropical waters increasingly empty. Some regions could see up to a 40% drop in seafood catch potential by 2050.



To make matters worse, warming waters are also making seafood riskier. Infections from Vibrio bacteria, which can be deadly, are increasing worldwide. Still, there’s hope. 



Research shows that <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-020-2705-y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant-based and cultivated seafood</a> - especially when produced using renewable energy - could offer a more climate-resilient alternative.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-diversifying-the-seafood-supply">Diversifying the seafood supply </h2>



A recent whitepaper titled <a href="https://gfi.org/resource/climate-benefits-of-accelerating-global-production-of-alternative-seafood/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Building climate policy momentum for alternative seafood</a> highlights the potential environmental benefits of diversifying the seafood supply.



“Renewable energy is critical to realizing the climate benefits of cultivated meat and seafood. Life-cycle assessments project that emissions from cultivated meat produced with renewable energy will be in the lower range of aquaculture emissions and less than the emissions of most wild-capture," noted the researchers.



"Further, cultivated seafood is expected to require even less energy than cultivated red meat and poultry, in large part because seafood can be cultivated at lower temperatures than terrestrial meats."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-seafood-and-biodiversity-loss">Seafood and biodiversity loss</h2>



The ocean does more than provide seafood - it helps regulate the climate, generates oxygen, and supports global food systems. 



But marine biodiversity is rapidly declining. A 2019 report found that human activity has significantly altered two-thirds of marine areas, up from 40% just a decade earlier.



Pollution, overfishing, climate change, and ocean acidification are driving this loss, leading to ecosystem collapse, food insecurity, and rising disease risk. 



Even aquaculture, which now accounts for half of global seafood production, can harm coastal habitats and disrupt ecosystems when poorly managed.



While some fisheries and farms have adopted more sustainable practices, they haven’t kept pace with environmental pressures. Diversifying the seafood supply with alternative proteins is becoming increasingly important.



The New Blue Foods for Biodiversity <a href="https://gfi.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/New-blue-foods-for-biodiversity.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">whitepaper</a> outlines how plant-based and cultivated seafood can help ease the strain. By reducing overfishing and bycatch, these alternatives give wild stocks a chance to recover.



They also help prevent habitat damage and pollution, since they require less land and don’t disturb the ocean floor. And unlike many aquaculture systems, they minimize antibiotic use, supporting microbial diversity and slowing the spread of resistant pathogens.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-high-cost-of-tuna-popularity">The high cost of tuna popularity</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bluefin-tuna-a-sushi-delicacy-will-likely-be-extinct-within-50-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tuna</a> is a favorite across the globe, especially in the U.S. where canned tuna is second only to shrimp in popularity. 



Americans eat nearly one billion pounds a year. Worldwide, more than 7 million metric tons of tuna and similar species are harvested annually. That demand has consequences.



Seven out of 61 known tuna species were labeled as threatened in 2011. Tuna fishing also harms other marine animals, like turtles and sharks, that get caught in the same waters. 



Thankfully, innovation is catching up. Several companies are now creating tuna alternatives without fish.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alternative-seafood-companies">Alternative seafood companies</h2>



In Chicago, Aqua Cultured Foods raised $5.5 million to expand its production of fungi-based seafood. Using a special fermentation process, the company creates whole-muscle seafood cuts like scallops, shrimp, and tuna. 



Their products offer a sustainable and allergen-free option, and the new investment will help launch them in restaurants this year.



In Canada, Konscious Foods received a $5 million investment through the PacifiCan Business Scale-up and Productivity program. This support will help the company increase production, grow exports, and create over 40 new jobs in British Columbia. 



The company makes frozen sushi meals - including tuna avocado rolls - using Canadian-grown ingredients like quinoa, carrots, and tomatoes. They’re also working on new items, such as plant-based smoked salmon, crab cakes, and shrimp.



In Austria, Berlin-based BettaF!sh partnered with supermarket chain BILLA AG to launch the TU-NAH sandwich, now available across BILLA and BILLA PLUS stores. 



This collaboration reflects a shared focus on sustainability and aims to bring plant-based seafood to more consumers across Europe.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alternative-seafood-as-a-global-opportunity">Alternative seafood as a global opportunity</h2>



A New York Times article once suggested that if you can't find anything good from the sea, it might be better to cook something else. Thanks to alternative seafood, that “something else” no longer means compromising on flavor or nutrition.



By scaling plant-based and cultivated seafood, it’s possible to feed a growing population without pushing marine ecosystems to the brink. As the researchers emphasize: “Building a better food system will require a diversity of solutions.”



“Alternative seafood is the future of sustainable seafood. To scale this industry, we need bold innovators and committed champions - across climate, biodiversity, public health, and food security - who are ready to make it a global priority. An ocean of opportunity awaits.”



Thanks to the <a href="https://gfi.org/">The Good Food Institute</a> for providing the background research for this article.



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There are not "plenty of fish" in Earth's oceans to feed 10 billion people, something must change

Alternative seafood is emerging as a vital solution in the...

Scientists working in eastern North America have announced an unexpected find that has stirred wide interest among insect enthusiasts. A previously unrecognized butterfly, known as Papilio solstitius, has been described as the newest member of the iconic tiger swallowtail group.



According to preliminary observations, this tiger swallowtail butterfly group stands out for its <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/pollinators/pollinator-of-the-month/TigerSwallowtail.shtml" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">late-summer emergence</a>. It shows traits that set it apart from its close relatives, which include the widely known Papilio glaucus, Papilio canadensis, and Papilio appalachiensis.



<a href="https://scholar.google.ca/citations?user=DpnnbjIAAAAJ&amp;hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. B. Christian Schmidt</a> from the Canadian National Collection of Insects, Arachnids, and Nematodes contributed significantly to this work, and noted that “the Papilio glaucus group is a model study system in insect evolutionary biology.” 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tiger-swallowtail-butterfly-behavior">Tiger swallowtail butterfly behavior</h2>



Entomologists realized early on that Papilio solstitius behaves differently from other tiger swallowtails. They found that it has a unique seasonal timing, which separates it from its spring-flying neighbors. 



Researchers stated that “the most significant differences are apparent in developmental biology and phenology” .



A key point is its late post-diapause schedule, which results in adults appearing around early July. 



One group member remarked that Papilio solstitius is unique in its long <a href="https://zenodo.org/records/14877845" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">post-diapause emergence</a> delay, with adult eclosion beginning in late June to early July, compared to May for all other species.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-examining-the-butterfly-s-neighborhood">Examining the butterfly's neighborhood</h2>



This new discovery occupies a broad section of eastern North America. Specialists tracking its distribution report that the <a href="https://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/display/document/obo-9780199830060/obo-9780199830060-0141.xml" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">geographic range</a> stretches across southeastern Canada and parts of the northeastern United States.&nbsp;



“The core range of Papilio solstitius includes eastern and south-central Ontario, northern and central New York and adjacent Vermont, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania, encompassing a minimum land area of approximately 174,000 km2," noted the investigators. 



That covers about 67,212 square miles (174,000 square kilometers).



Papilio solstitius thrives in forested landscapes, and it appears to favor habitats where host plants, such as certain ashes and cherries, flourish. Its presence in a variety of woods suggests it has adapted to multiple microclimates within its range.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-the-new-butterfly-matters">Why the new butterfly matters</h2>



“Papilio solstitius is closely related to these three species, but differs from all in a suite of characters,” wrote the authors who first described it.&nbsp;



The tiger swallowtail butterfly family often draw attention because of their impressive colors and important role in local ecosystems. 



The discovery of an overlooked species invites curiosity about what else might be hidden in seemingly well-studied areas. 



It took time for this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scents-of-survival-how-plant-aromas-shape-insect-diets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">insect</a> to get recognized because it blends features of its close cousins yet follows its own schedule. 



Many observers likely confused it with spring-flying species that can look quite similar, especially at a quick glance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-connections-to-everyday-science">Connections to everyday science</h2>



Scientists describe this research effort as a reminder that our planet still holds surprises, even in places where people have long kept an eye on wildlife. 



They also believe it highlights how shifts in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/butterfly-effect-in-reverse-climate-change-turns-havens-into-traps/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate</a> or local environments may influence species boundaries in ways that remain poorly documented.



These evolving landscapes give researchers new incentives to keep testing assumptions about distribution. 



Some entomologists hope that the formal naming of this butterfly will help pinpoint trends in temperature and habitat that might be guiding its spread.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-butterfly-species-of-interest">Butterfly species of interest</h2>



“The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/curiously-isolated-butterfly-found-in-canadas-rocky-mountains/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">recognition</a> and delimitation of Papilio glaucus and Papilio canadensis as a classic sibling species pair led to three decades of study in speciation, host plant adaptation, hybridization, and molecular evolution,” explained the researchers.&nbsp;



The larger Papilio glaucus group includes various swallowtails long studied for their vivid appearance and ecological variety. 



Their different preferences for temperature and region have served as a window into how insects <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/curiously-isolated-butterfly-found-in-canadas-rocky-mountains/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolve</a> in response to changing conditions.



Papilio solstitius adds another layer to that puzzle. By clearly marking the features that define it, specialists open new discussions on how similar species might have emerged in tandem or split off over time. The research team emphasized their hope that others will explore these patterns further.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-of-the-tiger-swallowtail-butterfly">Future of the Tiger swallowtail butterfly</h2>



Questions remain about what triggered the emergence of Papilio solstitius as a separate species and how far it might expand its distribution. 



More fieldwork could clarify whether there are additional undiscovered pockets of “late-flight” tiger swallowtails or if these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/technology-offers-new-hope-for-declining-insect-populations/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">insects</a> mix with other populations in regions farther south.



The authors are confident that this novel species will energize further study. 



“It is our hope that recognizing and defining the taxonomic identity of this unique evolutionary lineage provides a staging point in the fertile grounds for future research,” one of them said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-important-finding">An important finding</h2>



Papilio solstitius stands out not only for its timing in the summer but also for its combination of physical characteristics. 



Experts believe these differences, combined with modern genetics, will yield clues about how hybrids and local adaptations fuel biodiversity.



Still, many mysteries remain unresolved. Insect watchers are now encouraged to record when and where they see midseason tiger swallowtails, because such sightings could fine-tune scientific understanding of this butterfly’s behavior. 



People across the Northeast might find it fascinating to learn that a seemingly familiar “tiger” can carry fresh significance.



The study is published in <a href="https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/142202/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ZooKeys</a>.



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New species of 'tiger swallowtail' butterfly discovered in the U.S. had gone unnoticed by scientists

Scientists working in eastern North America have announced an unexpected...

Western Chimpanzee mum and daughter

Young chimpanzees in a West African forest form either trusting or independent ties with their mothers, but they do not display the confused, “disorganized” attachment style seen in many human children. 



That pattern, common among orphaned chimps raised by people, seems to be absent when animals grow up under natural survival pressures.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-tale-of-two-attachment-styles"><a></a>A tale of two attachment styles</h2>



Field observers followed mother-infant pairs in Taï National Park, Côte d’Ivoire, for four years. They noted the parenting style of the chimpanzees. In particular, the experts studied how youngsters reacted when separated from or reunited with their mothers, and how boldly they explored.



Most fell into one of two familiar human categories. Some were secure: they checked in with their mothers during <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stress-eats-away-our-brains-cognitive-defenses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stress</a>, then ranged out with confidence.



Others showed insecure-avoidant attachment: they coped alone and rarely sought comfort. No infant behaved in the erratic, approach-and-retreat fashion that defines disorganized <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-way-you-send-emojis-shows-your-attachment-style/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">attachment</a>.



According to attachment theory, secure bonds foster resilience, while insecure or disorganized ties can predict later anxiety or social trouble. In people, about one child in four shows the disorganized style.



Among captive, human-reared chimp orphans the rate soars to three out of five. The absence of that pattern in nature raises a striking possibility: the style may be maladaptive outside of sheltered environments.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-parenting-style-of-wild-chimpanzees">Parenting style of wild chimpanzees </h2>



Disorganized attachment often follows trauma, fear, or unpredictable care. In forest life, any infant who hesitates at danger may expose itself to leopards, rival males, or territorial disputes. 



“In the wild, we found no evidence of disorganized attachment patterns among chimpanzees, which supports the hypothesis that this type of attachment may not be an adaptive survival strategy in the face of environmental constraints,” said first author Eléonore Rolland, a scientist at the <a href="http://www.isc.cnrs.fr/index.rvt" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Institute of Cognitive Sciences Marc Jeannerod</a>.



If the response ever arises, its bearers probably fail to thrive or reproduce, erasing the trait from the visible population.



Captive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chimpanzees-share-alcoholic-fruit-to-increase-social-bonding/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chimpanzees</a>, by contrast, may live inside small enclosures, face no predators and rely on rotating human keepers. That unstable social mix can trigger the conflicted behaviors catalogued in laboratory tests. 



A parallel may exist for modern children who experience institutional care, high caregiver turnover, or chronic stress.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chimpanzee-lessons-for-parenting">Chimpanzee lessons for parenting</h2>



A deeper look at the findings nudges parents and policymakers to ask hard questions. “Our results deepen our understanding of chimpanzees' social development and show that humans and chimpanzees are not so different after all,” Rolland said.



“But they also make us think: have some modern human institutions or caregiving practices moved away from what is best for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/five-scientifically-proven-steps-for-thriving-infant-development/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">infant development</a>?”



Secure attachment in the forest emerged through steady proximity, gentle reassurance, and the freedom to explore within sight of the mother. Avoidant youngsters still stayed near but preferred self-soothing. Both strategies, the authors argue, work under natural constraints.



The third style appears only when normal mammalian care breaks down. If children in wealthy societies show that style at notable rates, the disruption may lie not in genetics but in caregiving routines: overstretched parents, frequent moves, rushed schedules, devices replacing touch.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chimpanzee-and-human-attachment">Chimpanzee and human attachment</h2>



“By identifying attachment patterns in wild chimpanzees, we provide important insights into the roots of human social behavior,” said senior author Roman Wittig from the <a href="https://www.eva.mpg.de/index/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology</a>.



The work links psychology with field primatology and anthropology, tracing how early bonds shape adult society across species.



“Our findings suggest that shared attachment strategies in primates may reflect a common evolutionary heritage,” said co-author Catherine Crockford, a scientist at the same institute.



“The high prevalence of disorganized attachment in humans and captive orphan chimpanzees, in contrast to wild chimpanzees, also supports the idea that the rearing environment plays an important role in shaping attachment types.”



That insight underlines a long-standing debate. Are certain emotional disorders products of modern life rather than ancient biology? If wild primates, who share 98 percent of human DNA, avoid a pattern linked to later mood and relationship problems, then context - not species - may tip the scale.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conservation-and-child-welfare">Conservation and child welfare</h2>



Protecting chimpanzee habitats does more than save a charismatic animal; it preserves the social conditions that allow normal attachment to flourish. 



Orphan rescue centers might adjust caregiving protocols to reduce inconsistency and replicate maternal security rather than relying on multiple human feeders.



In the human realm, the research supports policies that stabilize early care: parental leave, low child-to-caregiver ratios, trauma-informed schooling.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chimpanzee-parenting-next-steps">Chimpanzee parenting: Next steps</h2>



The Taï study followed infants until weaning, around age four to five. Future projects could test whether early attachment style predicts later rank, alliance skills, or parenting success.



Researchers also plan to compare <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bonobos-group-cohesion-common-enemy-effect-do-not-kill-inside-their-species/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bonobos</a>, whose matriarchal societies differ from chimpanzees, and to track hormone levels that might signal stress during separations. 



At the same time, developmental psychologists may revisit human data from cultures with extended family caregiving or from hunter-gatherer groups that mirror ancestral conditions.



If disorganized attachment drops in those settings, it would strengthen the case that modern disruptions - not innate tendencies - fuel the pattern.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-trust-risk-and-survival">Trust, risk, and survival</h2>



In the forest canopy, a mother chimp pauses, her infant scrambling over branches before returning to her side. The scene looks simple, yet it echoes deep principles about trust, risk and survival.



By watching our closest relatives, scientists remind us that the first ties we form still guide us decades later - and that nurturing those ties may be one of the most ancient, and vital, tasks any society undertakes.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41562-025-02176-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Human Behavior</a>.



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What wild chimpanzees can teach us about parenting

Young chimpanzees in a West African forest form either trusting...

At first glance, a flamingo feeding in shallow, alkaline water seems calm and graceful. Its long neck arcs gently, and its head remains submerged, giving the impression of a bird quietly filtering water. 



But beneath the surface, there’s a flurry of activity. Flamingos are far from passive feeders. They are busy stirring up the water, creating tiny underwater tornados to trap their prey.



This behavior, observed in Chilean flamingos at the Nashville Zoo, has been the subject of extensive research by scientists from the <a href="https://www.berkeley.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California, Berkeley</a>, in collaboration with teams from Georgia Institute of Technology, and Kennesaw State University.



By combining footage of real <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/do-birds-dream-of-flying-scientists-say-they-now-know-the-answer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">birds</a> with experiments using 3D-printed models of flamingo beaks and feet, the researchers discovered how these birds rely on a mix of footwork, head movement, and rapid beak clapping to catch live prey.



"Flamingos are actually predators, they are actively looking for animals that are moving in the water, and the problem they face is how to concentrate these animals, to pull them together and feed," said Victor Ortega Jiménez, an assistant professor of integrative biology at UC Berkeley who specializes in biomechanics. 



"Think of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/spiders-adapt-their-webs-to-filter-out-human-made-noise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">spiders</a>, which produce webs to trap insects. Flamingos are using vortices to trap animals, like brine shrimp."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-flamingos-dance-they-re-hunting">When flamingos dance, they’re hunting</h2>



The team found that flamingos use their webbed, flexible feet to stir up sediment from the lakebed. As they “dance” in place or move in circles, they lift and press their feet gently into the mud. These movements send spirals of water and sediment swirling outward.



At the same time, the bird plunges its head straight up and down, beak first, into the water. This creates a spinning vortex that sucks the loosened particles - including prey - upward. 



The flamingo’s head remains upside down while its specialized <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bird-behavior-beak-shape-can-predict-nest-materials/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">beak</a> goes to work, clapping rapidly to generate even more motion.



"It seems like they are filtering just passive particles, but no, these animals are actually taking animals that are moving," Ortega Jiménez explained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-beak-gets-the-job-done">How the beak gets the job done</h2>



The shape of a flamingo’s beak is unlike any other bird. Flattened at the front and bent like an L, it’s designed to function upside down. 



When the bird pushes its head forward, it performs a motion called skimming. During this, the bird claps its beak quickly, generating sheet-like currents known as von Kármán vortices. These swirling currents help trap fast-moving prey like brine shrimp.



The study also examined how this chattering action influences the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bright-pink-flamingos-are-healthier-and-more-aggressive/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">feeding</a> process. Using a 3D-printed beak attached to an actuator and a small pump to mimic the flamingo’s tongue, the researchers were able to measure the effects.



"The chattering actually is increasing seven times the number of brine shrimp passing through the tube," said Ortega Jiménez. "So it's clear that the chattering is enhancing the number of individuals that are captured by the beak."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mechanics-of-flamingo-feeding">Mechanics of flamingo feeding</h2>



Ortega Jiménez’s curiosity about flamingos began during a family visit to Zoo Atlanta just before the COVID-19 pandemic. He noticed that although the birds seemed to be feeding peacefully, something more complex had to be happening beneath the surface.



"We don't know anything about what is happening inside. That was my question," he said.



Back then, Ortega Jiménez was a postdoctoral fellow at Kennesaw State University. From there, his research path led him to Georgia Tech and later to UC Berkeley, with time at the University of Maine in between. 



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/flamingoes_feet_water-tornadoes_illustration_credit-Aztli-Ortega_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/flamingoes_feet_water-tornadoes_illustration_credit-Aztli-Ortega_1s-1.webp" alt="Flamingos feed by dragging their flattened beaks forward along the bottom of shallow lakes. To increase the efficiency of feeding, they stomp dance to churn the bottom, create an upwelling vortex with their heads and clap their beaks constantly to draw food, like brine shrimp, into their mouths. Credit: Aztli Ortega" class="wp-image-1969623"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Flamingos feed by dragging their flattened beaks forward along the bottom of shallow lakes. To increase the efficiency of feeding, they stomp dance to churn the bottom, create an upwelling vortex with their heads and clap their beaks constantly to draw food, like brine shrimp, into their mouths. Click image to enlarge. Credit: Aztli Ortega</figcaption></figure>



At each stage, he collaborated with engineers and used technology like lasers and high-speed imaging to get a clearer view of the hidden mechanics behind flamingo feeding.



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



Flamingo feet are as important as their beaks. Their webbed feet are soft and floppy, which helps them avoid suction when lifting their feet from muddy bottoms. 



Ortega Jiménez created rigid and flexible models of the feet to test their effects in water. He discovered that the floppy design is much better at generating forward-moving vortices, while rigid ones mostly just create turbulence.



In shallow water, you might catch a glimpse of a flamingo’s dance. It's not just for show. Each motion helps concentrate prey in just the right spot for the flamingo to feed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-feeding-in-full-motion">Feeding in full motion</h2>



The team also built a 3D model of the L-shaped beak to test how upward head motions create vertical vortices. These movements trap particles and small creatures like copepods and brine shrimp. 



The head moves at about 40 centimeters per second - fast enough to capture even quick-swimming prey.



The chattering motion involves the lower beak moving about 12 times per second, while the upper beak stays still.



"We observed when we put a 3D printed model in a flume to mimic what we call skimming, they are producing symmetrical vortices on the sides of the beak that recirculate the particles in the water so they actually get into the beak," Ortega Jiménez said. "It's this trick of fluid dynamics."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-still-more-to-learn-from-flamingos">Still more to learn from flamingos</h2>



The next step for Ortega Jiménez is to study how the flamingo's tongue and the beak’s comb-like edges help it filter out food from salty, sometimes toxic water. These features could inspire future designs for environmental tools.



"Flamingos are super-specialized animals for filter feeding," he said. "It's not just the head, but the neck, their legs, their feet and all the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/flamingos-of-a-feather-flock-together/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">behaviors</a> they use just to effectively capture these tiny and agile organisms."



From lakebeds to lab models, the flamingo’s feeding technique is more than a quirky behavior - it’s a glimpse into nature’s quiet engineering. As the research continues, these elegant birds may help shape future tools for water cleaning and soft-footed robotics.



Click here to watch a <a href="https://youtu.be/3cgcF8th5Nk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">video of flamingoes making water tornadoes...</a>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2503495122" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.
</blockquote>



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You’ll never guess what flamingos are doing with their feet in the water

At first glance, a flamingo feeding in shallow, alkaline water...

Sleep is more than rest. It’s a time when the brain, whether in bees or mammals, processes information, strengthens memories, and prepares for the next day. For years, scientists have studied sleep in mammals, revealing intricate brain patterns during rest.



Now, researchers at the <a href="http://www.unitn.it/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Trento</a> have turned their attention to a less obvious subject: bees. What they discovered blurs the line between insect and human sleep.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-sleep-in-bee-brains">Studying sleep in bee brains</h2>



Imagine a honey bee, immobilized and connected to a two-photon microscope, its delicate head under the watchful eye of scientists. At night, when <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/these-wildflowers-changed-color-to-attract-bees/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bees</a> naturally enter a resting state, researchers captured the silent flickering of neurons in their antennal lobes - the brain’s olfactory command center.



"For the first time, we have observed what happens in the brain of sleeping honey bees and we have identified neuronal network states which are signatures of sleep," says Albrecht Haase, the principal investigator.



And what did they find? As the bee lay still, its neuronal networks switched to a quieter, synchronized mode. A sleep state and a mode eerily similar to what happens in human brains.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scent-processing-during-sleep">Scent processing during sleep</h2>



Close your eyes and take a deep breath. When you’re asleep, your brain doesn’t pay as much attention to smells as it does when you’re awake. 



The same thing happens to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/artificial-light-disrupts-honeybee-sleep-patterns/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bees</a>. While they rest, the part of their brain that detects scents slows down, focusing only on important smells.



"We have shown that, in resting states, the brain networks of bees switch to a synchronised and reduced information processing mode, similar to what happens in mammals," Haase explains.



Data collected over several nights revealed that bees, while asleep, enter a state of decreased sensory perception. The brain’s noise dials down, and neuronal connections slip into a slower, more rhythmic pattern.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-detecting-sleep-patterns-in-bees">Detecting sleep patterns in bees</h2>



The researchers decoded the neural signatures of sleep. By feeding the neural data into machine learning algorithms, they trained a model to differentiate between active and resting states. The accuracy? A staggering 93%.



Glomeruli - tiny clusters of neurons in the antennal lobes - synchronized their activity during sleep, forming patterns reminiscent of sleep spindles in mammals. 



The antennal lobe, which usually fires in response to scent signals, now pulsed in unison, like a choir singing in a single pitch.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-simulating-bee-sleep">Simulating bee sleep</h2>



Researchers built a computational model, a virtual bee brain, designed to mimic the observed sleep patterns. The model simulated glomeruli firing as sleep deepened, with inhibitory connections between neurons weakening.



It was a revelation. By reducing synaptic conductance, the model replicated the sleep state seen in bees. The glomeruli pulsed together, but their connections slackened. The result? A network tuned to silence, primed to rest.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gaba-s-role-in-bee-sleep">GABA’s role in bee sleep</h2>



What makes the brain slow down during sleep? It could be GABA, a chemical in the brain that helps calm nerve cells. In humans, GABA reduces brain activity during sleep. The same thing happens in bees.



The study found that during sleep, inhibitory neurons in the antennal lobes - which release GABA - dial down their signals. This reduction synchronizes glomerular networks, linking it to sleep states observed in higher animals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-stress-affects-sleep">How stress affects sleep</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pesticides-affect-bumble-bee-health-in-complex-ways/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bees</a> do more than make honey. They pollinate crops, keeping ecosystems balanced. But what happens when their sleep is disrupted? Pesticides, climate change, and habitat loss can alter sleep patterns, potentially compromising their sensory processing.



"This work is important for basic neuroscience, but it also contributes to research on the global concern for pollinator health," noted Haase.



If sleep consolidates memory, disrupted sleep could affect how bees remember floral routes, communicate through waggle dances, or respond to danger. The implications are profound.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sleep-and-memory-in-bees">Sleep and memory in bees</h2>



Picture a bee, navigating a field of flowers. It remembers where to find nectar, a mental map imprinted during sleep.



"During sleep, for example, bees consolidate the memory that allows them to build a cognitive map that they use to navigate to food sources," Haase says.



In the study, researchers observed that during sleep, neural activity in the antennal lobes replayed patterns seen during wakefulness, as if the brain were rehearsing the day’s events. Sleep, it seems, is more than a break - it’s a second chance to learn.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolution-of-sleep-patterns">Evolution of sleep patterns</h2>



What does bee sleep tell us about human sleep? More than you might think. The study suggests that sleep patterns evolved early, long before mammals roamed the Earth.



"Honey bees offer the opportunity to study sleep at the level of individual neurons, which is impossible in humans," said Haase.



If bees and humans share sleep signatures, could other sleep traits - like memory consolidation and sensory tuning - also be conserved? The possibilities are endless.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-next-steps-in-bee-sleep-research">Next steps in bee sleep research</h2>



The study is far from over. Next, researchers plan to explore how environmental stressors - pesticides, for instance - impact sleep in bees. They’ll also refine the computational model, testing how network disruptions affect sensory processing.



Ultimately, the goal is grand: a deeper understanding of sleep’s universal language. And if bees can dream, what are they dreaming of? The scent of flowers? The warmth of the hive? Or perhaps the distant hum of the universe, resonating in the silent space between neurons?



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S089360802500454X?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Neural Networks</a>.



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Bees sleep like humans, with similar brain patterns

Sleep is more than rest. It’s a time when the...

Mothers don’t all raise their babies the same way - not even in the wild. A new study from the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior (MPI-AB) reveals that Sumatran orangutan mothers differ significantly in how they care for their infants. 



Some carry their babies more often, others break body contact sooner, and these patterns hold steady across all their offspring.



“Our study shows that Sumatran <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/most-endangered-primate-species-identified-in-new-report/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">orangutan</a> mothers are not all the same when it comes to parenting behaviors,” noted Revathe Thillaikumar, a postdoctoral researcher ay <a href="https://www.ab.mpg.de" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MPI-AB</a> and the study’s lead author.



Researchers spent 15 years observing 22 mother-infant pairs at the Suaq Balimbing research site in Indonesia. Over 6,000 hours of data collection revealed that even after considering environmental and social factors, mothers maintained their distinct styles of parenting.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-orangutan-mothers-differ-in-parenting">How orangutan mothers differ in parenting</h2>



Six maternal behaviors became the focus of this study: body contact, staying close, carrying, feeding nearby, terminating contact, and keeping spatial proximity. 



While some <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/does-mother-nature-have-rights-a-tiny-frog-has-joined-the-fight/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mothers</a> rarely let go of their babies, others gradually reduced physical closeness as their infants grew older.



Thillaikumar notes that the study highlighted consistent patterns. 



“For example, we found that during the developmental period, some mothers consistently carried their infants more than others,” she said. Interestingly, these differences didn’t change, even when mothers had more than one infant over the years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-orangutan-mothers-adapt-as-infants-grow">Orangutan mothers adapt as infants grow</h2>



Sumatran <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/experts-unlock-the-mysteries-of-orangutan-communication/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">orangutans</a> hold the record for the longest infant dependency in the animal kingdom, aside from humans. Their babies stick around for nearly a decade. This long period gave researchers a unique opportunity to track how mothers adjust their behavior as their babies grow.



Thillaikumar observed that mothers adapted to their infants’ changing needs. They adjusted how often they stayed close, how frequently they carried them, and how soon they encouraged independence. However, the extent of these adjustments varied significantly. 



Some moms loosened up quickly, while others remained protective much longer.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-do-orangutans-have-maternal-personalities">Do orangutans have maternal personalities?</h2>



What drives these differences? Caroline Schuppli, a group leader at MPI-AB and senior author of the study, suggests that maternal personalities may be at play. 



“The consistent differences among <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wasp-moms-manage-multiple-nests-with-remarkable-memory/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mothers</a> - both in the extent of their behaviors and in how these behaviors changed over the course of infant development - suggest that orangutans may possess individual maternal personalities,” she noted.



Schuppli raises a fascinating question: Do these parenting styles affect how young orangutans develop? The team doesn’t have that answer yet. Orangutans take years to mature, so more time and data are needed. 



“We do not yet know whether differences in maternal behaviors bring about differences in aspects of infant development,” said Schuppli. Another decade of data collection might finally provide that answer.



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



The study lays the groundwork for further exploration into orangutan parenting. Could these distinct maternal styles influence infant survival, learning, or social skills? 



Researchers plan to keep tracking these mother-infant pairs, hoping to untangle the long-term effects of maternal behavior.



Sumatran orangutans live in dense rainforests, where navigating the canopy safely is crucial for survival. Mothers teach their infants how to climb, move, and forage. 



If some moms are more hands-on than others, how might that impact what their offspring learn? These are the questions driving the next phase of the research.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-orangutan-moms-have-unique-styles">Orangutan moms have unique styles</h2>



Just like human mothers, Sumatran orangutan mothers don’t all parent the same way. Some are more protective and stay close to their infants for a long time. Others give their young more freedom early on.



As discussed above, researchers found that each mother had her own unique way of raising her babies. Some carried their infants more often, while others let them explore independently sooner.



It’s not yet clear if these different parenting styles affect how the babies learn or grow. The researchers still need more time to find out. But one thing is certain - no two orangutan mothers are alike. Each has her own way of raising her young, just like in human families.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2025.0443" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences</a>.



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Orangutan mothers have unique parenting styles like humans

Mothers don’t all raise their babies the same way -...

Wild chimpanzees have surprised scientists again. They seem to combine single calls in ways that create new meanings for different situations.



In a new investigation led by Dr. Catherine Crockford of the <a href="https://www.eva.mpg.de/index/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology</a>, researchers have found that chimpanzees can embed one vocal call into another to shift its message in several ways.



This approach sheds light on how meaningful combinations of sounds might not be an exclusively <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chimpanzees-share-alcoholic-fruit-to-increase-social-bonding/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">human trick</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chimpanzee-calls-and-language-origins">Chimpanzee calls and language origins</h2>



Chimpanzees produce a set of pant calls, grunts, and hoos that can match specific events or contexts. Scientists studying <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bonobos-and-chimps-express-empathy-much-like-humans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">primate</a> communication often focus on whether these calls can be recombined to express novel ideas.



“Generating new or combined meanings by combining words is a hallmark of human language, and it is crucial to investigate whether a similar capacity exists in our closest living relatives, chimpanzees and bonobos, in order to decipher the origins of human language,” said Dr. Crockford. 



Observing apes in rich forest environments over many years helped researchers gather thousands of vocal utterances, matching them to various daily events.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-chimpanzees-use-call-combinations">How chimpanzees use call combinations</h2>



Previous analyses suggested that primates usually rely on single calls. But chimpanzees in this project displayed a variety of two-call combinations that seemed to deliver more complex messages than either single call alone.



“Recording chimpanzee vocalisations over several years in their natural environment is essential in order to document their full communicative capabilities, a task that is becoming increasingly challenging due to growing human threats to wild chimpanzee populations,” said Roman Wittig, co-author of the study and director of the Taï Chimpanzee Project. 



Calls like hoo, pant, and grunt were often linked to feeding, traveling, approaching <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chimpanzees-select-the-best-materials-for-termite-fishing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">companions</a>, or even building a nest.



Some paired calls strayed far from the meaning of either individual call. Others narrowed or clarified the meaning of one call by combining it with another.



Researchers also discovered that a pair of calls could add both meanings together. Sometimes, flipping the order of the same two calls changed which events triggered that combination.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chimp-calls-are-complex">Chimp calls are complex</h2>



“Our findings suggest a highly generative vocal communication system, unprecedented in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-chimp-nests-can-tell-us-about-early-independence/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animal kingdom</a>, which echoes recent findings in bonobos suggesting that complex combinatorial capacities were already present in the common ancestor of humans and these two great ape species,” said Cédric Girard-Buttoz, first author of the study. 



”This changes the views of the last century which considered communication in the great apes to be fixed and linked to emotional states.”&nbsp;



Humans rely on syntax to shift the message of a group of words by rearranging them. Chimpanzee call combinations seem to share a similar principle, at least in miniature form.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chimp-calls-and-specific-events">Chimp calls and specific events</h2>



Scientists matched each vocal utterance to events such as resting, traveling, or social interactions. 



Earlier <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960982205010407" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">studies</a> found that certain hoo calls link with resting or feeding. This project took that approach further by analyzing two-call sequences in multiple communities of wild chimpanzees.



Some call pairs combined rest and social signals, while others popped up in contexts that had little to do with either call used alone. The addition or repositioning of a second call often changed the full vocal sequence’s event links.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chimp-calls-hint-at-early-language">Chimp calls hint at early language</h2>



Human language can create countless meanings from a limited set of sounds. These chimpanzee findings point to a flexible communication system that can widen its meaning capacity using simple steps.



Researchers say it is possible that human ancestors carried similar abilities. Over time, these may have expanded into the more detailed language structures we know today.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-researchers-still-need-to-learn">What researchers still need to learn</h2>



Questions remain about longer sequences that might chain three or more calls. Future studies may investigate how that chaining impacts clarity or social bonding among chimpanzees.



Scientists also want to see if other primates or animals use multiple call-combining strategies. Some suggest that more species might do the same if studied across enough time and daily contexts.



Experts emphasize that playback experiments could confirm how receivers interpret each combination. Wild animals rarely stand still for tests, but careful monitoring might reveal which part of a call they respond to.



There is also the question of whether some call pairs express reference to upcoming events. Knowing that certain sequences appear during, say, nest-building might help reveal how apes convey planning or intention.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-data-is-needed">More data is needed </h2>



With more data, researchers hope to better map how these combinations relate to specific events or states. Each new finding challenges the idea that only humans generate layered meanings from limited vocal elements.



Spending years in the field was crucial. It took that long to observe enough high-quality instances of different chimp calls, especially for rarer behaviors like nest-building.



Many wonder if these chimp call strategies might extend to gestures or other signals. Studies of both vocal and non-vocal communication could fill in gaps that remain.



Efforts to protect wild populations are also vital. Researchers stress that deforestation or poaching will cut short our chance to learn more about ape communication in its natural setting.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adq2879" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>.



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Chimpanzees mix vocal calls to create new meanings, like humans

Wild chimpanzees have surprised scientists again. They seem to combine...

When we think of wildlife conservation, vultures rarely top the list. Yet these birds - often misunderstood and overlooked - may be more essential to public health and ecosystems than we ever imagined.



A recent study out of Costa Rica has uncovered just how vital they are, especially when it comes to getting rid of dead animals quickly and safely.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-vultures-speed-decay">How vultures speed decay</h2>



Scientists from the <a href="https://www.exeter.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Exeter</a>, working in collaboration with OSA Conservation in Costa Rica, designed a simple but revealing experiment. 



The team set out to observe how animal carcasses decomposed with and without vultures present. Using domestic pig carcasses, they monitored the decomposition process across forest and grassland settings between September 2023 and June 2024.



The researchers left half the carcasses in the open for all <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/believe-it-or-not-scavengers-are-picky-eaters/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">scavengers</a> to access. They placed the other half inside cages that prevented vultures and other large animals from reaching them. Cameras and insect traps were installed at each site to track both animal activity and insect populations.



The findings were both surprising and concerning. In the open sites where vultures had access, the pig carcasses lost an average of 9.5 kilograms per day. 



In contrast, the protected carcasses - off-limits to vultures - decomposed at only 4.8 kilograms per day. That’s a dramatic difference.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-flies-thrive-without-cleanup-birds">Flies thrive without cleanup birds</h2>



As carcasses lingered without vultures, one thing became clear: <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/flies-respond-to-danger-like-humans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">flies</a> moved in to fill the gap.



Sites where vultures were excluded saw fly populations nearly double. Dung beetle numbers stayed the same, and the researchers rarely observed larger vertebrate scavengers like pumas, ocelots, caimans, or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hunting-coyotes-may-be-fueling-their-population-growth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coyotes</a> were rarely observed.



“This research underlines the unique and irreplaceable role that vultures play as nature's cleanup crew,” said Julia Grootaers, co-author and Behavioral Ecologist at the University.



The study showed that other scavengers simply weren’t stepping in. Without vultures, decomposition slowed down significantly, giving flies more time to reproduce and mature. And this has health implications.



“These apex scavengers have specialized and highly acidic digestive systems that can destroy many of the pathogens found in carrion, thus mitigating the spread of disease from carcasses to other wildlife, livestock, and humans,” Grootaers said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-risks-without-vultures">Health risks without vultures</h2>



According to the researchers, the extra time it takes for a carcass to decompose in the absence of vultures can increase the chances of disease transmission. 



Flies that breed in these carcasses can carry harmful bacteria like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-treatment-protects-tomatoes-from-salmonella-and-e-coli/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">E. coli</a> and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-salmonella-outsmarts-our-gut-defenses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">salmonella</a>. They may also become vectors for diseases such as botulism and anthrax.



“Our results demonstrate that intact scavenger communities, with vultures, invertebrate and microbial decomposers, efficiently decompose carcasses at double the rate compared to when it is insects and microbes alone,” said Dr. Chris Beirne, Director of Wildlife Programs at OSA Conservation.



“And it's apparent that in Costa Rica, other large vertebrate scavengers do not drive decomposition in the food chain and that is consistent with what we see in other regions, including Kenya and northern Spain.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vanishing-vulture-populations">Vanishing vulture populations</h2>



While there’s been widespread attention on vulture declines in Africa, Asia, and Europe, the Americas have largely flown under the radar. That needs to change.



Many species in North, Central, and South America are now facing growing threats from habitat loss, poisoning, and human disturbance. Without proper monitoring, their populations could plummet before we fully understand the consequences.



“While dramatic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fewer-vultures-more-wild-dogs-linked-to-greater-disease-risks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vulture declines</a> have already been documented across Africa, Asia, and Europe, this study raises concerns about the overlooked vulnerability of their American counterparts,” said Greta Hernandez of Universidad de Panamá. 



“And the findings highlight the urgent need for deeper research into vulture population trends in the Americas, the critical ecosystem services they provide, and the conservation action needed to safeguard these silent stewards of the environment.”



The takeaway is simple but powerful: vultures aren’t just scavengers - they’re a key line of defense against disease and environmental decay. Losing them means losing one of nature’s most efficient recycling systems - with real consequences for the world we share.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ece3.71408" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ecology and Evolution</a>.



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Vanishing vultures may threaten public health

When we think of wildlife conservation, vultures rarely top the...

Language is often considered the hallmark of human intelligence, a complex system that enables us to share thoughts, express emotions, and convey intricate messages.



For years, scientists believed that recursion - the ability to nest phrases within phrases - was a defining characteristic of human language. However, new research challenges this view, suggesting that wild orangutans also use recursive communication.



This discovery offers a glimpse into the evolutionary origins of human language, potentially dating back millions of years. By studying Sumatran <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/orangutan-mothers-have-unique-parenting-styles-like-humans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">orangutans</a>, researchers have found evidence of structured vocal patterns previously thought to be exclusive to humans. 



This breakthrough not only reshapes our understanding of primate communication but also provides critical insights into how complex language structures may have developed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-roots-of-human-language">The roots of human language</h2>



Language thrives on repetition. Imagine a chain of events like this: “This is the house that Jack built, that sheltered the cat, that chased the mouse, that stole the cheese.”



Each segment builds on the one before, stacking phrases to form a layered, connected structure. This pattern is called recursion.



The pattern stacks phrases like Russian nesting dolls. Each layer connects to the next, creating a complex yet understandable message. Humans use it all the time, embedding clauses within sentences to convey rich and detailed thoughts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-orangutans-use-recursion-too">Orangutans use recursion too</h2>



For years, scientists believed that only humans could use such layered communication. But researchers from <a href="https://warwick.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The University of Warwick</a> have uncovered a startling discovery. Sumatran orangutans, it turns out, use the same pattern.



“When analyzing the vocal data of alarm calls from female Sumatran <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/international-orangutan-day-2024-protecting-the-people-of-the-forest/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">orangutans</a>, we found that the rhythmic structure of orangutans’ sounds made were self-embedded across three levels - an impressive third-order recursion,” noted Dr. Chiara De Gregorio, who led the study.



In other words, orangutans aren’t just making noise. They’re stacking vocal sounds, creating layers that echo the structure of human language.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-language-patterns-in-orangutan-calls">Language patterns in orangutan calls</h2>



The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wild-orangutan-treats-his-facial-wound-with-a-healing-plant/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">orangutans</a>’ calls didn’t follow a single, simple rhythm. Instead, they built three distinct layers. 



First, they strung together small sounds, forming short sequences. Next, they combined these sequences into longer, more complex bouts. Finally, they arranged those bouts into extended, rhythmic series.



Each level nested within the next, forming a layered structure. And it wasn’t random. The rhythm changed based on the type of threat the orangutans faced.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-orangutans-use-rhythm-as-a-tool">Orangutans use rhythm as a tool</h2>



Picture a tiger lurking nearby. The orangutan’s calls grow rapid, urgent, and insistent. Now, imagine a less direct threat - a piece of cloth with bright spots. The calls slow down, becoming irregular, almost hesitant.



This adaptability is no accident. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/most-endangered-primate-species-identified-in-new-report/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Orangutans</a> use rhythm as a tool, adjusting their vocal patterns to fit the situation. 



Dr. De Gregorio and her team noticed these shifts, hinting that orangutans are communicating specific information about their surroundings.



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



If recursion exists in orangutan calls, what does that mean for us? Dr. De Gregorio sees it as a glimpse into our evolutionary past.



“This discovery shows that the roots of one of the most distinctive features of human language - recursion - was already present in our evolutionary past,” she noted.



In other words, recursion might not be a human invention. It could be a skill we inherited from ancient ancestors - a skill that orangutans still use today.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-orangutan-connection-to-human-language">Orangutan connection to human language</h2>



Language didn’t appear overnight. It evolved, layer by layer, like the vocal sequences of the orangutans. The researchers believe that studying these calls could help us understand how human language began.



Orangutans, with their recursive vocal structures, may hold clues to how our ancestors communicated. Perhaps they, too, stacked sounds, building rhythms to convey complex ideas. 



Over time, these rhythms could have evolved into more structured language systems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-bigger-picture">The bigger picture</h2>



Why does any of this matter? Because if recursion isn’t uniquely human, then neither is the complexity of thought it enables. 



Orangutans are showing us that the seeds of language run deeper than we thought, stretching back millions of years.



By preserving these animals and their habitats, we’re not just protecting a species. We are safeguarding a link to our own evolutionary history - a history told through layers of sound, rhythm, and meaning.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-language-research-in-primates">Language research in primates</h2>



Dr. De Gregorio and her team have opened a door to new questions. How widespread is recursion among non-human primates? Do other species use similar vocal structures?



For now, the calls of Sumatran orangutans echo through the forest, carrying a message that’s both ancient and new. And in those layered rhythms, we might just hear the distant roots of our own language, reverberating through time.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://nyaspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/nyas.15373" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences</a>.



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Orangutans use complex vocal patterns found in human language

Language is often considered the hallmark of human intelligence, a...

An octopus taking a piggyback ride on a shark might sound like a tall tale. Yet a surprising video from the waters near New Zealand has given ocean-watchers cause to scratch their heads.



Marine biology professor <a href="https://profiles.auckland.ac.nz/r-constantine" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rochelle Constantine</a> from the <a href="https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Auckland</a> was on hand to document this unusual sight. 



She spotted a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/blue-ringed-octopus-a-master-of-deception-inspires-new-technology/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bright octopus</a> clinging to a powerful <a href="https://oceana.org/marine-life/shortfin-mako-shark/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shortfin mako</a> shark, the fastest of its kind in open ocean waters.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sharks-and-octopuses-aren-t-typically-friends">Sharks and octopuses aren't typically friends</h2>



This get-together was no mild meeting of acquaintances. The shark was swimming along without appearing bothered by its unusual passenger, while the octopus held on with all of its eight arms.



"The ocean is filled with unexpected things," stated Constantine, in a <a href="https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2025/03/11/sharks-.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">note</a> shared after the research trip. Reports suggest the creature stuck close to the shark’s dorsal area.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-technology-helped-catch-the-octopus-ride">Technology helped catch the octopus ride</h2>



Without modern tools, this strange event would’ve gone unnoticed. The research team launched a drone and used a GoPro to get a clear view of what was really on the shark’s back.



Drones and waterproof cameras have become essential equipment for marine science. They let researchers monitor wildlife safely and document rare behaviors without disturbing the animals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shortfin-mako-s-swift-reputation">Shortfin mako’s swift reputation</h2>



Many people find the shortfin <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/first-global-photos-of-killer-whales-attacking-the-enigmatic-prickly-shark/">mako</a> shark intriguing. It holds the title for the highest speed among all sharks, clocking more than 40 miles (64 kilometers) per hour.



These sharks grow to impressive sizes, often stretching nearly 12 feet (3.7 meters). Their streamlined bodies and aerodynamic fins help them chase swift prey like tuna and even other sharks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-octopus-got-on-the-shark">How the octopus got on the shark</h2>



While sharks command plenty of attention, the octopus is no <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/turquets-octopus-dna-tells-scientists-that-west-antarctic-ice-sheet-collapse-is-close/">minor figure</a>. Octopuses are known for their flexible bodies, color-changing abilities, and knack for staying out of harm’s way.



Scientists believe <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-octopus-day-the-intelligent-creatures-of-the-sea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">octopuses sense vibrations</a> through the water, making them skilled at evading predators. 



Their soft tissues allow them to slip through narrow spaces, which raises questions about how one ended up on the back of a large shark.



Encounter stories like these usually come from hidden pockets of the ocean. This unexpected duo popped up near the northern coast of New Zealand’s North Island.



"Incredible moments like this remind us there is more we don’t know than we do," remarked Constantine. She and her team observed the hitchhiking octopus for a short while before it continued onward.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-might-the-octopus-be-thinking">What might the octopus be thinking?</h2>



Octopuses have been seen using tools, escaping tight spots, and even unscrewing the lids of jars from the inside. 



Some <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8499036/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">scientists</a> believe they have short-term memory and a basic sense of planning, which might suggest that this hitchhiking event wasn’t purely accidental.



Could the octopus have been hiding from a predator, or trying to explore a new environment? Researchers don’t yet know. 



But holding tight to a moving shark might have offered camouflage, faster travel, or just a brief break from danger in open waters.



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



Shortfin mako sharks face threats from commercial fishing and the global fin trade. They are listed as <a href="https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/39341/2903170" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">endangered</a> by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.



Although efforts to regulate shark fishing exist, bycatch remains a major concern. Mako sharks reproduce slowly, so their numbers can’t easily recover after heavy fishing pressure.



Odd encounters can teach scientists new things about predator-prey behaviors. Sharks usually swim near the surface, while octopuses often stick to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-octopus-has-mastered-the-art-of-multispecies-hunting/">seafloor</a>, which makes the partnership puzzling.



Data on these interspecies moments can hint at changes in ocean conditions, habitats, or species movements. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/warming-seas-impair-octopus-vision-to-a-critical-extent/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Spotting an octopus</a> in open water might be a signal about local currents or unusual feeding patterns.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sharks-and-octopuses-grab-attention">Sharks and octopuses grab attention</h2>



When species behave in ways that don’t match typical patterns, it forces scientists to recheck assumptions. 



An octopus <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/unprovoked-shark-attacks-dropped-to-record-low-in-2024/">riding</a> a shark may seem like a one-off event, but it raises deeper questions about movement, interaction, and adaptability in marine life.



Unusual pairings like this one can highlight stressors in the ecosystem, such as food scarcity, habitat shifts, or climate-related disruption. 



Even a short encounter, captured by chance, might help piece together a larger puzzle about how animals are adjusting to human-altered oceans.



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



People sometimes label sharks as dangerous. Videos showing a calm mako might reshape how some view these agile hunters.



Similarly, an octopus is no simple <a href="https://videos.fisheries.noaa.gov/detail/videos/b-roll-packages---all/video/5231307735001/b-roll:-octopus-giant-pacific-research-in-alaska">creature</a>. Researchers have found them to be quite intelligent, capable of short-term problem-solving and playful exploration.



There is still much to learn about how often such hitchhikes happen or why they occur. Marine experts encourage curious minds to support healthy ecosystems by reducing pollution and changing harmful fishing methods.



"One of the best things about being a marine scientist is that you never know what you might see next in the sea," wrote Constantine. When wild animals surprise us, it can spark fresh interest in protecting them and their homes.



Click here to <a href="https://youtu.be/3cYlBarkmDY?si=-NlGKY3j2HeJieCC" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">watch the video of an octopus riding a shark...</a>



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Octopus caught riding on the back of the world's fastest shark in the open ocean

An octopus taking a piggyback ride on a shark might...

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