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

Nature has always been a source of life, inspiration, and wonder. From the towering elephants of Africa to the tiniest insects in the rainforests, wildlife plays a vital role in maintaining the planet's balance. Yet, human activities have pushed many species toward extinction. 



World Wildlife Day, celebrated annually on March 3, serves as a poignant reminder of our responsibility to protect nature.



This global event not only highlights the beauty of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/animals-change-their-daily-schedules-when-tourists-are-watching/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wildlife</a> but also raises awareness about the threats it faces. More importantly, it calls for urgent action to save endangered species and preserve ecosystems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-origins-of-world-wildlife-day">Origins of World Wildlife Day</h2>



Established by the United Nations in 2013, World Wildlife Day commemorates the signing of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (<a href="https://cites.org/eng" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CITES</a>) in 1973. 



CITES is a global agreement that regulates the trade of wild animals and plants to ensure their survival.



The day serves as a powerful reminder of the urgent threats facing wildlife. Poaching, deforestation, and pollution have already led to the extinction of many species. 



Some, like the dodo bird and the Tasmanian tiger, are lost forever. Others, such as rhinos and sea turtles, remain critically endangered.



By dedicating a day to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-wildlife-conservation-day-2024-saving-species-from-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wildlife conservation</a>, the world acknowledges that nature's survival is directly linked to human well-being. Healthy ecosystems provide food, medicine, clean water, and air. 



Protecting wildlife is not just about saving animals - it is about preserving life itself.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-theme-for-world-wildlife-day-2025">Theme for World Wildlife Day 2025</h2>



Each year, World Wildlife Day adopts a specific theme to address pressing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-wildlife-threats-can-be-identified-using-ai-technology/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conservation challeng</a><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-wildlife-threats-can-be-identified-using-ai-technology/">es</a>. In 2025, the theme is "Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet." 



This theme emphasizes the critical need for innovative financial solutions to protect our planet's biodiversity.



Financing wildlife conservation has become increasingly important as traditional funding sources prove insufficient. Innovative approaches, such as payments for ecosystem services and wildlife credits, generate revenue for landowners and communities managing wildlife resources. 



These financial mechanisms not only support conservation efforts but also promote sustainable livelihoods for local communities.



By focusing on conservation finance, the 2025 theme highlights the importance of investing in both people and the planet. It calls for stronger partnerships between governments, businesses, organizations, and local communities to create sustainable funding models for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/we-can-prevent-future-pandemics-by-protecting-nature/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wildlife</a> protection. 



​World Wildlife Day emphasizes that conservation efforts should be effective and equitable, benefiting both nature and humanity.&nbsp;​



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wildlife-and-ecological-balance">Wildlife and ecological balance</h2>



Wildlife is essential to the survival of the planet. Each <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/un-report-disturbing-details-about-the-state-of-earths-wildlife/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a> contributes to a delicate balance that keeps ecosystems healthy. Predators control prey populations, ensuring that no single species dominates. 



Herbivores help shape landscapes by consuming plants and dispersing seeds. Pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, ensure that crops and flowers reproduce.



The loss of even a single species can have disastrous consequences. For instance, when wolves were removed from Yellowstone National Park, deer populations exploded, leading to overgrazing and habitat destruction. 



Similarly, the decline of sea otters due to hunting resulted in an increase in sea urchin numbers, damaging kelp forests. These examples illustrate the interconnectedness of all life.



Wildlife also benefits human societies in ways many people may not realize. Numerous plants and animals provide ingredients for medicines. 



Scientists have studied frogs to develop painkillers, sharks to improve human immune systems, and plants to treat cancer. Without biodiversity, medical discoveries would be limited.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conservation-success-stories">Conservation success stories</h2>



World Wildlife Day highlights that, despite challenges, dedicated conservation programs have enabled species like the California condor and Louisiana black bear to rebound from the brink of extinction.



The giant panda, once considered endangered, has rebounded due to habitat restoration in China. Conservationists have worked tirelessly to protect bamboo forests and establish breeding programs. Today, panda populations are growing, proving that conservation efforts can work.



Similarly, India's Project Tiger has helped <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/indias-wild-tigers-are-thriving-with-smart-conservation-efforts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">increase tiger populations</a> after decades of decline. Strict anti-poaching laws and the creation of protected reserves have provided these big cats with a safe habitat. The country's tiger population has nearly doubled in recent years, a significant victory for wildlife conservation.



Marine conservation has also made progress. Humpback whales, once heavily hunted, have increased in numbers due to international bans on whaling. Similarly, sea turtle nesting sites have been protected, allowing their populations to stabilize.



These stories demonstrate that with commitment, funding, and global cooperation, species can be saved. They offer a glimmer of hope for other endangered animals still fighting for survival.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-impact-on-wildlife">Human impact on wildlife</h2>



Human activities remain the most significant threat to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/animal-tracking-is-crucial-for-preserving-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wildlife</a>. Forests are cleared for agriculture, destroying habitats and displacing animals. Plastic waste in oceans kills marine life. Poaching continues to threaten species like rhinos, elephants, and pangolins.



Climate change adds another layer of danger. Rising temperatures disrupt migration patterns and alter ecosystems. Coral reefs, home to 25% of marine species, are dying due to ocean warming. Arctic ice is melting, making it harder for polar bears to find food.



​If these threats are not addressed, the world could lose thousands of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-wildlife-overlap-is-rapidly-rising-across-the-globe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a> in the coming decades. World Wildlife Day emphasizes that extinction is not just a loss of animals - it signifies a profound disruption of natural balance. ​



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-individuals-can-help-protect-wildlife">How individuals can help protect wildlife</h2>



Everyone can play a role in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/social-media-is-helping-save-wild-animals-like-caracals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">protecting wildlife</a>. Supporting conservation organizations through donations or volunteer work helps fund crucial projects. Many groups work on the front lines, rescuing animals, restoring habitats, and educating communities.



Simple lifestyle changes also make a difference. Reducing plastic use prevents waste from harming marine life. Avoiding products linked to deforestation, such as palm oil, helps protect forests. Choosing sustainably sourced seafood supports ocean health.



​Education is another powerful tool.&nbsp;World Wildlife Day initiatives, such as school programs and community events, play a crucial role in raising awareness about endangered species and their importance, encouraging people to take action.&nbsp;​



Sharing knowledge through social media, attending wildlife events, or participating in conservation projects helps spread the message.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

World Wildlife Day 2025: A global call to protect nature

Nature has always been a source of life, inspiration, and...

Some animals are known to cooperate with others of their own kind in a form of helping behavior. But every now and then, individuals from totally different species also form partnerships in order to improve their chances of survival.



This unexpected behavior requires that individuals understand the purpose of working together, and can see the advantages, despite having no means to communicate across the interspecies barrier. 



Researchers have documented many examples of cooperation between species, including <a href="https://planetforward.org/story/cleaner-wrasses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cleaner wrasse</a> that remove parasites from bigger fish, and ants that protect aphids in exchange for honeydew. 



Experts have also observed <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3119009/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">drongo</a> birds warning groups of <a href="https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/meerkat" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">meerkats</a> when danger approaches, and honeyguide birds in Africa that direct honey badgers to bee hives where food can be found.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-animals-form-partnerships">Why animals form partnerships</h2>



In a recent study, researchers set out to investigate how these alliances might expand our idea of <a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(25)00012-0?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS0960982225000120%3Fshowall%3Dtrue" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cognition</a>.&nbsp;They also wanted to identify the mental skills that help animals communicate across species lines.



The study was led by biologist Eduardo Sampaio from the <a href="https://www.exc.uni-konstanz.de/collective-behaviour/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cluster of Excellence, Collective Behaviour</a> at the University of Konstanz in Germany.



Unexpected partnerships often hinge on each participant’s specific advantage. One partner might detect predators faster, while the other can defend against attackers.



Scientists have noticed that such teamwork can evolve when both sides see a payoff that outweighs any potential costs. It is not mere convenience; it can mean the difference between going hungry or finding plenty to eat.



Large predators sometimes ignore smaller animals they would normally chase away, if those smaller creatures bring a clear benefit. This delicate truce can break if one side starts taking advantage of the other too often, showing that trust must be maintained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-octopuses-cooperate-with-reef-fish">Octopuses cooperate with reef fish</h2>



In a paper published in the journal Current Biology, Sampaio and his colleagues described how octopuses cooperate with reef fish in order to hunt. Each species uses distinct signals, but they appear to understand these cues well enough to coordinate an attack and share the rewards.



“Partnerships like these challenge traditional views of intelligence and cooperation in the animal kingdom,” said Sampaio. His observations suggest that these animals grasp the benefits of working in sync, even though they usually operate alone.



Octopuses are typically solo hunters, but when a fish locates and points out hidden prey, the octopus helps flush it out. Any fish that tries to steal more than its fair share risks being swatted away.



Such behavior indicates that coordination between different species may rival the complexity of interactions seen among members of the same group. Researchers are eager to see what this reveals about flexibility in learning and decision-making.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cooperation-in-the-animal-kingdom">Cooperation in the animal kingdom </h2>



For octopuses to cooperate with different species, they must learn to interpret signals that do not match their usual social cues. This might stretch their problem-solving abilities, and push them to develop sharper instincts for sharing information.



“From an evolutionary perspective, social complexity, problem solving and communication do not only arise within one's own group, but can also be shaped by the need to collaborate across species boundaries,” explained Sampaio. 



This implies that alliances can occur between individuals from species that have very different brains and lifestyles. By investigating such alliances, scientists gain understanding about how animals adapt their behavior to succeed together, despite the apparent communication barriers.



The findings may change how experts define cooperation in the animal kingdom. Rather than ascribing social complexity to flocks or packs, it may be present whenever individuals from a species treat outsiders as potential allies.



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



The quest to learn more about cross-species teamwork is just beginning. Future studies may focus on whether these interactions develop slowly, through repeated encounters, or whether they depend on innate predispositions to cooperate.



Research teams are also looking at <a href="https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/msystems.00884-24" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">interspecies synergy</a> to inspire innovations in robotics and artificial intelligence. By examining how animals navigate tricky partnerships, engineers might design machines that coordinate smoothly even if they do not share the same construction.



Practical applications could pop up in fields like environmental conservation, where understanding these relationships might help preserve critical habitats. Conservationists may tailor strategies around natural alliances to keep ecosystems balanced.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-animal-partnerships-and-survival">Animal partnerships and survival</h2>



Scientists believe these surprising connections reveal the adaptability of complex nervous systems under challenging conditions. The discovery about octopuses broadens our awareness of how animals cooperate.



<a href="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/mutualism-examples-of-species-that-work-together.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cross-species partnerships</a> add another layer to our appreciation of how animals survive, evolve, and thrive. They remind us that cooperation can stretch far beyond familiar boundaries whenever mutual gains are on the table.



Plenty of questions remain about how animals initially learn to work together in unpredictable settings. Ongoing research will shine more light on how living creatures solve problems, share resources, and strike deals for mutual benefit.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(25)00012-0?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS0960982225000120%3Fshowall%3Dtrue" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Unlikely allies: Octopuses cooperate with fish to catch prey

Some animals are known to cooperate with others of their...

Regular exercise may be a crucial factor in maintaining optimal brain health and general well-being, according to a recent study. 



The results suggest that people who engage in moderate to vigorous physical activity have a lower risk of developing dementia, stroke, anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders.



The researchers also found that prolonged sitting increases the likelihood of developing these conditions.



The study was conducted by scientists at <a href="https://www.fudan.edu.cn/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fudan University</a> in Shanghai, China. The team analyzed data from 73,411 participants with an average age of 56 years.



Each participant wore an accelerometer device for seven consecutive days to capture physical activity levels, energy expenditure, and sedentary time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-exercise-affects-brain-health">How exercise affects brain health</h2>



To measure energy expenditure, the scientists utilized metabolic equivalents (METs). Tasks&nbsp;that&nbsp;required&nbsp;three&nbsp;or&nbsp;more METs were defined as moderate to vigorous physical activity.



For example, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/walk-20-minutes-daily-to-boost-your-brain-power/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">walking</a> or cleaning equated to three METs, while more rigorous activity such as biking involved approximately six METs, depending on speed.



The findings were straightforward. Individuals who engaged in higher levels of moderate to vigorous physical activity had a 14% to 40% decreased likelihood of developing dementia, stroke, anxiety, depression, or sleep disorders compared to those with lower energy expenditure.



Participants who did not develop any of the diseases had an average daily energy expenditure of 1.22 kilojoules per kilogram, compared to 0.85 for the people who developed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/small-doses-of-exercise-can-greatly-reduce-dementia-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dementia</a>, 0.95 for those who developed sleep disorders, 1.02 for stroke, 1.08 for depression and 1.10 for anxiety.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-risk-of-prolonged-sitting">The risk of prolonged sitting</h2>



The results also showed that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sedentary-behavior-sitting-for-hours-health-risk-early-death/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sitting</a> for long periods significantly increased the risk of developing brain diseases.



Among people who were sitting most often, the relative risk was higher by up to 54% when compared to those who sat for the shortest times. This finding supports a growing collection of evidence that sedentary behavior is strongly correlated with adverse health outcomes.



“This research highlights the role of physical activity and sedentary behavior as modifiable factors that may enhance brain health and reduce the incidence of these diseases,” said study author Dr. Jia-Yi Wu.



“It is promising to think that encouraging people to make these lifestyle changes could potentially lessen the burden of these diseases in the future.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-measuring-physical-activity">Measuring physical activity </h2>



In contrast to earlier research that depended on self-reported physical activity levels, this study relied on wearable technology to capture direct measurements.



"With our large number of participants and the use of devices that provide objective measurements of activity levels, these results will have implications for assessing risk factors and developing interventions to prevent the development of these diseases," said Dr. Wu.



According to the researchers, one limitation of the study is that 96% of the participants were white, so the results do not necessarily apply to other ethnic groups.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exercise-for-brain-health">Exercise for brain health</h2>



Previous studies have shown that regular exercise plays a crucial role in brain health by improving blood flow, reducing inflammation, and promoting the release of neurotransmitters that enhance mood and cognitive function. 



Physical activity stimulates the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that supports neuron growth and protects against age-related decline. It has been linked to better memory, faster learning, and a lower risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. 



Exercise also helps regulate stress hormones, reducing anxiety and depression while improving focus and mental resilience. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-simple-lifestyle-changes">Simple lifestyle changes</h2>



Small lifestyle changes can go a long way in boosting physical activity. Simple habits such as taking the stairs rather than the elevator, standing up and stretching every hour, or taking a short walk after meals can decrease sedentary time.



Fun physical activities like dancing, swimming, or gardening can also make movement a natural part of daily life.



Medical experts emphasize that maintaining a consistent exercise routine is more beneficial than focusing on intensity - slow, regular movement supports overall health.



The Fudan University study highlights the need to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/outdoor-exercise-amplifies-physical-and-mental-health-benefits/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">exercise</a> more and sit less. Although additional research is needed to examine the effects in varied populations, the results are solid evidence for the advantages of an active lifestyle.



The study was funded by grants from the Scientific and Technological Innovation 2030 – “Brain Science and Brain-inspired Artificial Intelligence” Major Project. 



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Exercise reduces the risk of brain diseases by up to 54 percent

Regular exercise may be a crucial factor in maintaining optimal...

Several weathered cliffs in central Utah have revealed something astonishing. Recent work on Cretaceous sedimentary layers hints at a surprisingly large set of dinosaur eggs belonging to predators and plant-eaters alike.



One cache in particular stands out for including fragments from three feathered, bird-like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/where-did-dinosaurs-come-from-missing-fossils-hold-the-secret/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dinosaurs</a>; two herbivorous types; and a crocodile-like creature that has never been seen outside of Europe.



Dr. Ryan T. Tucker from the <a href="https://www.ufs.ac.za/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of the Free State</a> in South Africa helped analyze these fragile fossils to understand which dinosaurs laid them and how they fit into the bigger story.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-diverse-dinosaur-eggs-found-in-utah">Diverse dinosaur eggs found in Utah</h2>



The <a href="https://www.nps.gov/zion/learn/nature/cedarmtn.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cedar Mountain Formation</a> has been a focus of field expeditions for decades. Paleontologists have long suspected that its Cenomanian deposits held key information about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/collagen-discovered-in-70-million-year-old-dinosaur-fossil/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dinosaur</a> life during a time of environmental transition.



This new <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0314689" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">find</a> sheds light on six separate types of eggshell, scientifically known as <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0171919" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ootaxa</a>. Each ootaxon has a distinct microstructure, which helps confirm that multiple species laid eggs in the same broad region.



Three sets belonged to oviraptorosaur dinosaurs. Their skeletons often exhibit feathers and beaks that differ sharply from other predatory reptiles.



Another two eggshell types came from ornithopod dinosaurs with beak-like mouths for grazing. No one expected to find so many varieties in one sedimentary window.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rare-croc-like-presence">Rare croc-like presence</h2>



The sixth type of eggshell belongs to <a href="https://paleobiodb.org/classic/checkTaxonInfo?taxon_no=451525&amp;is_real_user=0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mycomorphoolithus kohringi</a>. Until now, evidence of this crocodile-like species had only been found in Europe.



The creature has a structure that matches what paleontologists call <a href="https://a-z-animals.com/animals/crocodylomorph/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">crocodylomorph</a> traits, bridging an important gap in how we see ancient reptiles roaming ancient waterways.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eggs-that-reshape-dinosaur-history">Eggs that reshape dinosaur history</h2>



Paleontologists consider the Cedar Mountain Formation vital because it captures a shift from older dinosaur faunas to younger Cretaceous populations. This stage set the scene for many later groups that rose to prominence.



Compared to skeletons, eggs are often overlooked, yet they can reveal important details about nesting, breeding patterns, and species <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/north-americas-oldest-dinosaur-is-completely-rewriting-history/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">diversity</a>.



Each shell fragment reflects a reproductive event that once played out on floodplains and near water sources. Scientists gain glimpses into dinosaur family life when they discover these clusters in the same layers.



The unexpected variety of shells in one place helps refine how we envision prehistoric neighborhoods. It moves beyond a single, monolithic group of dinosaurs and offers a more vivid snapshot of the region's diversity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coexistence-of-multiple-dinosaur-species">Coexistence of multiple dinosaur species </h2>



The discovery of multiple <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fossils-discovered-in-australia-rewrite-dinosaur-history/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dinosaur species</a> nesting in the same area raises questions about how they coexisted. Did these different species interact, or were they simply using the same environment at different times? 



<a href="https://tmdinosaurcenter.org/what-is-a-paleontologist/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Paleontologists</a> suspect that some dinosaurs may have shared nesting grounds seasonally, while others might have avoided competition by laying eggs in slightly different conditions.



The presence of both predators and plant-eaters in close proximity also suggests a rich ecosystem with enough resources to support a variety of creatures. 



Fossilized plant remains, soil analysis, and nearby skeletal finds could help researchers understand what this environment looked like 94 million years ago and how different species adapted to it.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-eggs-reveal-about-dinosaur-evolution">What eggs reveal about dinosaur evolution</h2>



Eggshells provide more than just evidence of ancient reproduction. Their microscopic structure holds clues about nesting strategies, eggshell thickness, and even incubation methods. 



Some species laid rigid, thick-shelled eggs, while others had thinner, more fragile eggs that required specific environmental conditions to survive.



Studying eggshells over time also helps scientists trace evolutionary changes. The oviraptorosaur eggs in this discovery add to the growing evidence that some dinosaurs were developing traits similar to modern birds. 



These findings connect distant relatives in the dinosaur family tree and show how behaviors like <a href="https://thomas-hopp.com/pdf/Hopp04-DinoBrooding.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brooding</a> and nest-building may have developed long before birds took flight.



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



With so many distinct eggshells uncovered, teams may now search for specific nest sites that confirm hatching behaviors. Such places might even reveal whether certain <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-predatory-dinosaur-species-identified-in-lost-photos/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dinosaurs</a> guarded eggs or left them to the sun-warmed environment.



Findings like these draw new attention to Utah’s rock formations, encouraging ongoing excavation and analysis. More fragments or entire eggs could reveal hidden details of dinosaur biology.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0314689" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLOS ONE</a>.



Image Credit: Lindsay Zanno, CC-BY 4.0



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Dinosaur eggs found in Utah belong to multiple species

Several weathered cliffs in central Utah have revealed something astonishing....

For a long time, scientists believed that early humans avoided rainforests, considering them difficult places to inhabit. 



Dense vegetation, limited open spaces, and a challenging food supply led researchers to assume that humans only ventured into these environments much later in history. 



However, new findings challenge this idea, showing that humans were living in African rainforests at least 150,000 years ago.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-fresh-perspective-on-human-evolution">A fresh perspective on human evolution</h2>



Our species, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/neanderthals-homo-sapiens-living-spaces-organized-similarly/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Homo sapiens</a>, originated in Africa around 300,000 years ago. 



While much research has focused on understanding how early humans adapted to different environments, rainforests have often been overlooked. They were generally seen as barriers to human movement and settlement. 



The new study reveals that early humans not only survived in rainforests but made them home much earlier than previously thought. The researchers discovered evidence of human presence in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/two-thirds-of-temperate-rainforests-could-be-lost-this-century/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rainforests</a> of present-day Côte d'Ivoire dating back 150,000 years.



This finding reshapes our understanding of human evolution, suggesting that our ancestors lived in a range of environments - not just open grasslands and savannas.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rediscovering-an-old-site">Rediscovering an old site</h2>



The story of this discovery dates back to the 1980s when Professor Yodé Guédé of l'Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny first investigated the site as part of a joint Ivorian-Soviet mission. 



During the initial excavation, researchers found <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/prehistoric-homo-sapiens-stone-tools-preserved-volcanic-ash-grotta-di-castelcivita/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stone tools</a> buried deep in the soil, indicating human presence. 



However, at the time, they could not determine the exact age of the tools or the environmental conditions of the site when humans lived there.



More recently, the <a href="https://www.shh.mpg.de/1143811/human-palaeosystems" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Human Palaeosystems Research Group</a> set out to re-examine the site using modern dating and analysis methods. This work was urgent because mining activity was rapidly destroying the site. 



“Several recent climate models suggested the area could have been a rainforest refuge in the past as well, even during dry periods of forest fragmentation,” explained Professor Eleanor Scerri, senior author of the study.



“We knew the site presented the best possible chance for us to find out how far back into the past rainforest habitation extended.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-advanced-dating-techniques">Advanced dating techniques </h2>



Guided by Professor Guédé, the researchers returned to the original excavation site. They used modern <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/out-of-africa-hominin-migration-timeline-pushed-back-even-further-by-new-discovery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dating techniques</a> to reassess the age of the tools.



“With Professor Guédé’s help, we relocated the original trench and were able to re-investigate it using state of the art methods that were not available thirty to forty years ago,” said Dr. James Blinkhorn from the University of Liverpool.



Using dating techniques like Optically Stimulated Luminescence and Electron-Spin Resonance, the team confirmed that the artifacts were buried roughly 150,000 years ago. 



Before this study, the oldest confirmed evidence of human presence in African rainforests dated back only 18,000 years, while the earliest known rainforest habitation anywhere was from Southeast Asia around 70,000 years ago. 



“This pushes back the oldest known evidence of humans in rainforests by more than double the previously known estimate,” explained study lead author Dr. Eslem Ben Arous, a researcher at the National Centre for Human Evolution Research (CENIEH).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-early-humans-in-a-dense-rainforest">Early humans in a dense rainforest</h2>



To understand the environment these early humans lived in, the researchers examined sediment samples including pollen, plant remains called phytoliths, and leaf wax isotopes.



The analysis showed that the region was heavily wooded at the time, with pollen and leaf waxes characteristic of humid West African rainforests. 



Additionally, low levels of grass pollen indicated that this was not just a narrow strip of forest - it was a dense rainforest.



“This exciting discovery is the first of a long list as there are other Ivorian sites waiting to be investigated to study the human presence associated with rainforest,” said Professor Guédé.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-understanding-of-early-humans">A new understanding of early humans</h2>



The discovery adds a new dimension to the story of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stone-tool-flint-discovery-challenges-theory-of-human-cultural-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">human evolution</a>. Instead of living exclusively in open landscapes, early humans were far more adaptable than previously thought. 



“Convergent evidence shows beyond doubt that ecological diversity sits at the heart of our species,” said Professor Scerri. "This reflects a complex history of population subdivision, in which different populations lived in different regions and habitat types." 



"We now need to ask how these early human niche expansions impacted the plants and animals that shared the same niche-space with humans. In other words, how far back does human alteration of pristine natural habitats go?”



The research opens up new possibilities for understanding how early humans shaped and adapted to different environments. 



As scientists explore more sites across West Africa, further surprising discoveries about the locations and lifestyles of our ancestors may soon emerge.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-08613-y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Humans lived in rainforests 80,000 years earlier than we thought

For a long time, scientists believed that early humans avoided...

The vast emptiness of space is anything but empty. It’s filled with unseen forces, shifting planetary alignments, and delicate gravitational dances that shape the movements of celestial bodies. 



For NASA’s Europa Clipper, these invisible forces will be the key to reaching its target - Jupiter’s moon Europa, a world covered in ice but brimming with possibilities.



Scientists have long speculated about Europa’s hidden ocean, buried beneath miles of frozen crust. Could it harbor the right conditions for life? The Europa Clipper <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/europa-clipper/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mission</a> is designed to find out. 



But first, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/europa-clipper-is-on-a-1-8-billion-mile-journey-to-jupiters-moon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">spacecraft</a> must take a carefully planned detour, using Mars as a stepping stone before making its way into the deeper reaches of space.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-europa-clipper-s-encounter-with-mars">Europa Clipper's encounter with Mars</h2>



The Europa Clipper will streak past Mars at blistering speeds - 550 miles (884 kilometers) above the planet’s surface. This flyby isn’t just a scenic pit stop. It’s a calculated maneuver, using the Red Planet’s gravity to tweak the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/europa-clipper-will-search-for-signs-of-life-on-jupiters-icy-moon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">spacecraft’s trajectory</a> without consuming valuable fuel.



At its closest point, the probe will be traveling 15.2 miles per second. Mars will tug at the spacecraft, reshaping its path and shaving off just a bit of speed. It’s a subtle shift, but an essential one.



By the time Europa Clipper exits Mars’ gravitational pull, it will still be racing through space - now at 14 miles per second - positioned perfectly for the next phase of its journey.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-road-to-jupiter">The road to Jupiter</h2>



Reaching <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/europa-clipper-mission-set-to-search-for-life-on-jupiters-ocean-moon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jupiter</a> isn’t just about raw speed. It’s about precision. The Mars flyby is only the first of two gravity assists. 



The second one, scheduled for December 2026, will bring Europa Clipper back past Earth. This final planetary slingshot will give it the momentum needed to reach the gas giant.



Without these assists, the journey would be much harder. The spacecraft would need massive amounts of propellant - making it heavier, costlier, and slower. Instead, it’s taking the scenic route, letting planetary gravity do the heavy lifting.



If all goes according to plan, the probe will enter Jupiter’s orbit in April 2030, ready to begin its primary mission.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-art-of-space-navigation">The art of space navigation</h2>



“We come in very fast, and the gravity from Mars acts on the spacecraft to bend its path,” said Brett Smith, a mission systems engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (<a href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JPL</a>) in Southern California. 



“Meanwhile, we’re exchanging a small amount of energy with the planet, so we leave on a path that will bring us back past Earth.”



Launched on October 14, 2024, aboard a SpaceX <a href="https://www.spacex.com/vehicles/falcon-heavy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Falcon Heavy</a> rocket, Europa Clipper has a long way to go. Jupiter orbits the Sun five times farther than Earth does. Direct travel isn’t practical, which is why NASA mission planners have designed this multi-step route.



The idea of using gravity assists isn’t new. In the late 1970s, the Voyager probes took advantage of a rare planetary alignment, using Jupiter and Saturn’s gravity to slingshot toward interstellar space. The method has since become a standard trick in deep-space navigation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-game-of-cosmic-billiards">A game of cosmic billiards</h2>



“It’s like a game of billiards around the solar system, flying by a couple of planets at just the right angle and timing to build up the energy we need to get to Jupiter and Europa,” said JPL’s Ben Bradley, Europa Clipper <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-europa-clipper-launches-to-find-out-if-life-exists-alien-ocean-of-jupiters-moon-europa/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mission</a> planner. 



“Everything has to line up - the geometry of the solar system has to be just right to pull it off.”



A mission like this requires years of planning. The team at JPL deliberately aimed the spacecraft’s initial trajectory to leave some wiggle room. If anything had gone wrong after launch, they would have had space - literally and figuratively - to adjust.



Now, as Europa Clipper nears Mars, engineers have already conducted three trajectory correction maneuvers (TCMs) to refine its path. These course adjustments took place in November, January, and February. 



The next one, scheduled for mid-March, will ensure the spacecraft remains on track. Over the course of the mission, controllers may need to perform hundreds of these micro-adjustments to keep everything aligned.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-testing-instruments-during-the-flyby">Testing instruments during the flyby</h2>



While the Mars flyby is primarily about navigation, it presents an exciting bonus opportunity: a chance to test some of the spacecraft’s instruments.



A day before reaching Mars, the mission team will calibrate the onboard thermal imager. Scientists expect to generate a multicolored image of the planet in the coming months as they process the collected data. Even more crucially, Europa Clipper’s radar system will undergo its first full test during the flyby.



This radar, designed to penetrate Europa’s ice shell, is one of the mission’s most important tools. Its massive antennas emit long wavelengths that couldn’t be fully tested on Earth before launch. 



Now, for the first time in space, the system will operate as a whole - giving scientists an early glimpse of how well it performs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unlocking-europa-s-secrets">Unlocking Europa’s secrets</h2>



Europa Clipper’s real mission begins once it reaches Jupiter. The probe is equipped to investigate Europa’s frozen crust, map its subsurface ocean, and study the interactions between its icy shell and the water beneath.



Does Europa have the right chemistry to support life? Could there be signs of microbial organisms hidden beneath its surface? These are the questions scientists hope to answer.



The Europa Clipper project is the result of years of collaboration. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory oversees the mission, working alongside the <a href="https://www.jhuapl.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory</a>. 



The spacecraft’s design comes from a team effort, with contributions from NASA’s <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Goddard Space Flight Center</a>, <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/marshall/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marshall Space Flight Center</a>, and <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/langley/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Langley Research Center</a>.



From the moment it launched to the day it reaches Europa, the mission is a testament to human ingenuity. A journey spanning billions of miles, propelled by gravity and fueled by curiosity, continues onward - to Jupiter’s frozen moon.



Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Europa Clipper gets a boost from Mars on its way to Jupiter

The vast emptiness of space is anything but empty. It’s...

The bond between a father and daughter shapes emotional well-being and lifelong connections. While love and support have always played a role, modern relationships between fathers and daughters are evolving. 



Connection isn’t always built through grand gestures; sometimes, it’s found in the simplest of movements.



For years, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/parent-children-relationships-are-key-to-lifelong-well-being/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fathers</a> were expected to provide rather than engage, to stand as sturdy figures rather than sit down and listen. But times are changing.



A study from the University of Essex reveals something powerful: physical activity, even just talking about it, can bring fathers and daughters closer. A swim, a bike ride, or a casual game of catch - these are not just exercises, they are bridges.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-strengthening-father-daughter-bonds">Strengthening father-daughter bonds</h2>



Dr. John Day of the University of Essex interviewed 14 women born between 1950 and 1994, uncovering how father-daughter relationships evolved over the decades. His findings highlight how shared movement promotes emotional connection.



“My research shows daughters have always sought for a way to grow closer to their dads, while this has only recently become more of a focus for fathers," noted Dr. Day, an expert in the <a href="https://www.essex.ac.uk/departments/health-and-social-care" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">School of Health and Social Care</a>.



"From a father's perspective, physical activity can simultaneously function as a method of upholding a masculine identity while performing one-to-one parenting, so they feel much more comfortable in this environment.”



The takeaway? Fathers aren’t just finding new ways to bond with their daughters - they’re stepping into a role they might not have known they were missing.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-providers-to-engaged-fathers">From providers to engaged fathers</h2>



Generations tell different stories. Women born in the 1950s described their fathers as providers, present but not always involved. They worked hard and ensured financial stability, but emotional closeness was rare. A father’s love was often implied rather than spoken.



Fast forward to daughters raised in the 1980s and 1990s, and the narrative shifts. Society began embracing the idea that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/parenting-may-help-keep-the-brain-younger/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fathers</a> could be more than just figures in the background. 



They could participate, connect, and engage on a deeper level. Many of these women recalled meaningful moments with their dads - morning jogs, weekend bike rides, or just tossing a ball back and forth.



These weren’t just childhood memories. They were building blocks of trust, comfort, and understanding.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-emotional-closeness-between-fathers-and-daughters">Emotional closeness between fathers and daughters</h2>



Exercise does something that words alone cannot. It removes pressure, allowing conversations to flow naturally. Walking side by side means no forced eye contact - just an open space for thoughts to surface, uninterrupted.



Swimming together means moving at the same rhythm, finding an unspoken sync. Even cycling, with its breathless bursts of effort, creates shared experiences that linger.



But not every daughter welcomed competition. Some women in the study admitted that when their fathers turned casual activities into challenges, they pulled away. The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-paternity-leave-changes-parenting-dynamics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">connection</a> was in the togetherness, not the scoreboard.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-society-s-role-in-the-shift">Society’s role in the shift</h2>



Fathers didn’t change in isolation. Society changed with them. The modern father isn’t just expected to provide; he’s expected to be present - emotionally, mentally, physically. 



In the UK, public health campaigns push for physical activity, not just as a means to stay fit, but as a lifestyle - a value to pass down.



“Key factors associated with fatherhood that have enabled this transformation are the increased prominence of involved fatherhood ideals and physical activity becoming a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/parents-treat-their-children-differently-but-do-they-have-a-favorite/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">parenting</a> and health-related practice that fathers feel comfortable performing and talking about," explained Dr. Day.



"Crucial to this is the UK context, where intimate interdependence is indicative of sought-after relationships and a public health context where physical activity participation is championed to reduce non-communicable disease.”



Fathers today aren’t just showing up for their sons and daughters. They’re engaging, participating, and making an effort to be part of their daughters’ lives in ways that previous generations often didn’t.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-moving-forward-together">Moving forward together</h2>



The study makes one thing clear: movement strengthens bonds between fathers and daughters. And as fatherhood continues to evolve, physical activity will likely remain a cornerstone of these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/parents-who-use-humor-have-better-relationships-with-their-children/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">connections</a>.



The beauty of it is that there’s no wrong way to do it. A jog before dinner, a weekend hike, or a slow stroll through the city streets - it’s all about presence.



Fathers who take the time to move with their daughters aren’t just helping them stay active. They are creating a space where words come easier, emotions feel safer, and love is expressed in a language older than words.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://bristoluniversitypressdigital.com/view/journals/frs/aop/article-10.1332-20467435Y2024D000000052/article-10.1332-20467435Y2024D000000052.xml" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Families, Relationships and Societies</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Fathers and daughters connect deeply through physical activity

The bond between a father and daughter shapes emotional well-being...

In the vast, unseen world beneath our feet, an ancient network of fungi moves carbon and nutrients across underground highways.



Mycorrhizal fungi form intricate partnerships with plants, exchanging resources in ways that help regulate Earth’s ecosystems and atmosphere.



Despite their vital role, much about the complex underground fungi trade has remained a mystery.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mystery-of-fungal-networks">Mystery of fungal networks </h2>



Scientists have long known about this relationship but, until now, they didn’t fully understand how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fungi-engage-in-more-conversations-after-rainfall/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fungi</a> construct these expansive and highly efficient supply chains.



New research, published in the journal Nature, reveals the sophisticated strategies fungi use to transport resources underground.



By tracking half a million fungal highways and the movement of nutrients within them, a team of scientists has mapped out how these brainless organisms make trade decisions, build routes, and manage traffic flow. 



The findings offer insights into how natural systems have solved logistical problems that humans are only beginning to tackle with artificial intelligence.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-critical-role-in-carbon-storage">Critical role in carbon storage</h2>



Mycorrhizal fungi play a crucial role in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/organic-farming-practices-boost-soil-carbon-storage/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon storage</a>, drawing an estimated 13 billion tons of CO2 into the soil each year. This is equivalent to about a third of global energy-related emissions.



More than 80% of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-and-fungi-communicate-using-a-silent-language/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant</a> species rely on these fungi to exchange carbon for essential nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen. 



Despite their massive impact on the planet, little was known about how fungi coordinate this trade without a central brain or nervous system.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dynamic-adaptation-of-fungal-networks">Dynamic adaptation of fungal networks </h2>



Using a custom-built imaging robot, a team of 28 international researchers discovered that fungi construct a lace-like mycelial network that moves carbon outward from plant roots in a wave-like pattern. 



These networks adapt dynamically, controlling the speed and width of their resource highways to optimize efficiency.



Special exploratory branches that act as microscopic "pathfinders," reach into new territory, seemingly prioritizing future trade opportunities over immediate short-term gains.



“We’ve been mapping the decentralized decision-making processes of mycorrhizal fungal networks, exposing a hyper-efficient blueprint for an underground supply chain,” said evolutionary biologist Dr. Toby Kiers of Amsterdam’s Vrije Universiteit.



“Humans increasingly rely on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/neuromorphic-computing-where-ai-meets-human-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AI</a> algorithms to build supply chains that are efficient and resilient. Yet mycorrhizal fungi have been solving these problems for more than 450 million years."



"This is the kind of research that keeps you up at night because these fungi are such important underground circulatory systems for nutrients and carbon."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unlocking-fungal-secrets-with-robots">Unlocking fungal secrets with robots</h2>



To uncover these hidden fungal behaviors, the team developed an imaging robot that ran continuously in Amsterdam, and allowed them to track how fungi reshaped their trade routes over time and space. This condensed what would have taken a century of human observations into just three years.



“We discovered that these fungi are constantly adapting their trade routes, adding loops to shorten paths so they could efficiently deliver nutrients to plant roots,” said Dr. Thomas Shimizu, an expert at the physics institute AMOLF in Amsterdam.



Like a navigation app tracking real-time congestion, the team measured resource flow across the fungal highways. By analyzing over 100,000 particle flows, they observed how fungi regulated traffic to ensure efficient delivery. 



“By using our robot instead of a human being, we cut the lab time from a century to around three years,” Shimizu added.



According to British mycologist Dr. Merlin Sheldrake, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/robotic-insects-may-be-the-future-of-farming-and-plant-pollination/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">robotics</a> is making it possible to study fungal behavior in unprecedented detail, and at an unprecedented scale.



“These techniques open the door to future work to understand the ways that these living, sensing, networks regulate ecosystem function and the Earth’s nutrient cycles," said Dr. Sheldrake.



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



The findings come at a critical time. As CO2 levels in the atmosphere continue to rise, scientists are eager to understand how fungal networks influence carbon storage underground.



Dr. Kiers, who is also the executive director of the Society for the Protection of Underground Networks (SPUN), emphasized the importance of this work.



“Because these fungal networks are key entry points of carbon into global soils, we can now explore what triggers fungi to increase carbon flows underground," said Dr. Kiers.



Just like human supply chains, the efficiency of fungal networks depends on how well they transport resources to the right place at the right time, with minimal waste.



“Understanding how these fungal networks adjust internal flows and resource trading to build supply chains in response to environmental stimuli will be an important direction for future research,” said Dr. Howard Stone, professor of mechanical and aserospace engineering at <a href="https://www.princeton.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Princeton University</a>.



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



The research team is already pushing forward with the next phase of their work. They are developing a new robot that will increase data collection tenfold, allowing them to study how fungal networks respond to environmental changes, including disruptions and rising temperatures.



The question now is whether human-designed supply chains can learn from these ancient fungal strategies. For over 450 million years, fungi have been solving logistical challenges that modern industries still struggle with. 



As technology advances, nature may yet hold the key to making our own systems more efficient, resilient, and sustainable.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-08614-x" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Underground fungal networks are nature's hyper-efficient architects

In the vast, unseen world beneath our feet, an ancient...

The world of wearable technology continues to evolve, bringing new possibilities for health monitoring. What started with step counting and heart rate tracking has now expanded to life-saving features. One of the most significant advancements is the ability of smartwatches to detect cardiac arrest. 



A recent study led by Google Research has demonstrated that a machine learning algorithm can identify sudden pulse loss with remarkable accuracy.



The system, designed to recognize cardiac arrest events, can automatically call emergency services when it detects pulselessness. This feature could be life-changing, especially for individuals who experience cardiac arrest without anyone around to help. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-can-detect-if-your-brain-is-aging-too-quickly/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Early detection</a> and quick medical intervention are key to survival, making this innovation a potential game-changer in emergency response.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenge-of-unwitnessed-cardiac-arrest">Challenge of unwitnessed cardiac arrest</h2>



"Wearable technology has the potential to revolutionize emergency response," noted <a href="https://www.google.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Google</a> Research Team.



Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a major cause of sudden death worldwide. In many cases, survival depends on immediate recognition and rapid <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-system-spots-dangerous-disease-variants-before-they-spread/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">medical response</a>. 



Unfortunately, a significant number of these incidents occur without witnesses, making timely intervention nearly impossible. Studies show that 50–75% of OHCA cases happen with no one around to call for help.



This delay in emergency response greatly reduces the chances of survival. Without CPR or defibrillation within minutes, brain damage can occur, and the likelihood of recovery diminishes rapidly. 



Researchers aimed to solve this problem by creating a system that allows smartwatches to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-future-of-ai-enhancing-patient-safety/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">detect</a> pulselessness automatically. By doing so, they hope to improve survival rates for those who suffer cardiac arrest when no one is there to assist.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-smartwatches-detect-cardiac-arrest">Smartwatches detect cardiac arrest</h2>



To develop a reliable system, researchers trained an algorithm using photoplethysmography (PPG) and motion data. The study involved extensive testing across six distinct groups, ensuring the algorithm worked in both controlled and real-world environments.



The first phase of testing took place in a clinical setting. In an electrophysiology lab, 100 patients undergoing defibrillator testing experienced induced ventricular fibrillation. 



This allowed researchers to gather data on pulseless states. Another 99 participants experienced pulselessness through a tourniquet-induced arterial occlusion model, further refining the algorithm’s ability to detect a loss of pulse.



In addition to clinical trials, the researchers needed to evaluate how the system would perform in everyday life. 



To accomplish this, they collected data from 948 users who wore the smartwatch under normal conditions without experiencing cardiac arrest. This helped the team measure false alarms and refine the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-reveals-the-secret-to-keeping-your-brain-young/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">algorithm’s accuracy</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-testing-in-real-world-conditions">Testing in real-world conditions</h2>



Once the initial data was collected, further testing was needed to assess the system’s reliability in different scenarios. To determine how often false positives occurred, 220 participants wore the smartwatch in their daily routines. 



This group helped establish how frequently the algorithm might mistakenly detect a loss of pulse when no real emergency was happening.



To further validate the system, 135 participants underwent testing in both free-living conditions and controlled settings. These individuals experienced real-world activity while also being exposed to controlled pulseless events through the tourniquet-induced arterial occlusion method. This allowed researchers to compare results across different environments.



A unique part of the study involved professional stunt performers. Twenty-one trained stunt persons simulated out-of-hospital cardiac arrest collapses, helping researchers understand how well the algorithm could detect pulse loss during sudden, high-motion events. 



Since real-world collapses involve unpredictable movements, this test was essential to ensuring the smartwatch could still detect cardiac arrest in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-ai-artificial-intelligence-changing-health-diet-fitness-exercise-approach/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dynamic situations</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-detecting-cardiac-arrest-with-99-99-accuracy">Detecting cardiac arrest with 99.99% accuracy</h2>



The study produced promising results, showing that the smartwatch algorithm could accurately detect pulselessness while keeping false alarms to a minimum. 



The researchers found no significant differences between PPG signals from ventricular fibrillation and those from arterial occlusion-induced pulselessness.



The system achieved a 72% sensitivity rate for motionless pulseless events, meaning it correctly identified cardiac arrest in nearly three out of four cases. Sensitivity for simulated collapses was slightly lower at 53%, reflecting the challenge of detecting pulselessness during high-motion scenarios. 



However, the algorithm’s specificity reached an impressive 99.99%, meaning it generated very few false alarms. The study estimated one false emergency call per 21.67 user-years, a promising figure for real-world application.



When detecting a loss of pulse, the system identified pulselessness within 57 seconds. It then waited an additional 20 seconds to check for user response before initiating an emergency call. 



This short response time could make a critical difference in survival rates, ensuring help arrives as quickly as possible.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-of-wearable-emergency-detection">Future of wearable emergency detection</h2>



Smartwatches equipped with cardiac arrest detection have the potential to save countless lives. 



For individuals who suffer cardiac arrest alone, this technology could be the difference between life and death. By ensuring immediate medical response, smartwatches may soon become essential tools in emergency healthcare.



Despite its high specificity, reducing false positive rates remains a crucial next step. While the algorithm performed well in controlled settings, real-world scenarios can be unpredictable. The researchers acknowledge that more refinements are necessary to enhance accuracy in everyday conditions.



One challenge lies in distinguishing between true pulseless events and temporary pulse irregularities caused by movement, stress, or sensor issues. Continuous data collection from smartwatch users may help improve the algorithm, allowing it to adapt to different conditions more effectively.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-smartwatch-based-health-monitoring">Smartwatch-based health monitoring</h2>



As wearable technology advances, the line between fitness tracking and life-saving medical devices continues to blur. Smartwatches are no longer just tools for step counting and heart rate monitoring - they are evolving into critical health companions.



The ability to detect cardiac arrest autonomously represents a major leap forward in healthcare innovation.



By combining machine learning with real-time health data, researchers are pushing the boundaries of what wearable devices can achieve. The goal is not just to monitor health but to actively respond to life-threatening emergencies. 



With further refinements and broader adoption, smartwatch-based emergency detection could become a standard feature, offering peace of mind to millions.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-08810-9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Smartwatches can now detect cardiac arrest

The world of wearable technology continues to evolve, bringing new...

Deep in the Golden State, a new manzanita shrub species has been discovered, but its survival already teeters on the brink - threatened by the relentless spread of urbanization.



The manzanita, a shining symbol of California's diverse flora, is known for its twisted branches and the incredible resilience it shows in the face of wildfire challenges.



With more than 60 <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/californias-native-wildflowers-can-be-restored-by-raking-dead-grass/">species native</a> to the state, this group of shrubs and small trees plays a crucial role in local ecosystems, providing food and shelter for wildlife.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nipomo-mesa-s-native-treasure">Nipomo Mesa's native treasure</h2>



Researchers have now identified a new species of manzanita to add to the iconic collection. Discovered along the central coast, it has been named Arctostaphylos nipumu to recognize the Nipomo Mesa, where it was found, and to honor its Indigenous heritage.



Amy Litt, a plant biologist at the <a href="https://www.ucr.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California Riverside</a>, expressed her surprise at finding a new species in a highly urbanized district.



"We weren’t expecting to find a new species in such a developed area. But as we examined the plants, we realized the Nipomo Mesa plants were quite distinct. We were subsequently able to show that they not only look different but are genetically unique," noted Litt.



This manzanita species sports a distinct, shaggy grey bark, which differentiates it from the emblematic red bark found on most of its Californian relatives.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unique-adaptations-of-manzanitas">Unique adaptations of manzanitas</h2>



Manzanita species are not just visually striking but also ecologically specialized, with remarkable adaptations that help them thrive in California’s harsh, fire-prone climate.



Their waxy, evergreen leaves minimize water loss, while deep roots tap into underground moisture reserves, which allows them to endure <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/megadroughts-are-becoming-more-frequent-and-severe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">prolonged droughts</a>.



Unlike most chaparral plants, manzanitas don’t resprout following a fire. Instead, their hard-shelled seeds require intense heat or smoke exposure to break dormancy and germinate, ensuring their regeneration in fire-swept landscapes.



Beyond their resilience, manzanitas serve as ecological keystones, offering nectar-rich flowers to pollinators like bees and hummingbirds, while their nutrient-dense berries sustain a variety of other birds and mammals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ecological-significance-of-manzanitas">Ecological significance of manzanitas</h2>



Manzanitas contribute to the biodiversity of California and play a crucial part in native ecosystems as sources of food and habitat for wildlife.



The historical value of manzanitas is entrenched in Indigenous tribal culture. Their berries are a source of food, their leaves are harvested for medicine, and their wood provides material for tools and firewood.



The recently discovered A. nipumu is no exception, and adds to the rich and iconic floral legacy of the state.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-manzanita-will-fight-for-survival">New manzanita will fight for survival</h2>



However, the survival of this manzanita species is already under threat due to the impending urban development unleashed by the Dana Reserve Project. 



This recently approved housing development could potentially destroy much of the habitat where this species is located - threatening half of this plant's fragile <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/using-light-to-identify-plant-populations/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">population</a>.



Researchers, including plant geneticist and study co-author Bill Waycott, have alerted local officials to the potential ecological repercussions of the development plans. 



The discovery of A. nipumu has prompted environmental organizations such as the California Native Plant Society to emphasize the ecological significance of the Nipomo Mesa.



These concerns are further amplified by the fact that, like many manzanitas, A. nipumu relies on fire for seed germination. However, its inability to<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/native-wildflowers-that-thrive-after-fire-are-facing-new-challenges/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> resprout after wildfires</a> due to the lack of a protective burl makes it especially vulnerable.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-habitat-restoration-and-genetic-diversity">Habitat restoration and genetic diversity</h2>



Tito Abbo, co-author of the study and graduate student in the Litt lab, pointed out the difficulties associated with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/restoring-wildlife-habitats-may-prevent-the-next-pandemic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">restoring habitats</a>.



Abbo explained that the reintroduction of native species is often facilitated using nursery stock that does not have the same genetic diversity as the wild relatives. Such plants are more vulnerable to disease and environmental stress.



“When you propagate from just a few individuals, you have a limited pool of genetic diversity and potentially less variation in natural plant defenses,” explained Abbo.



With the looming threat of urban expansion, unique habitats like the Nipomo Mesa are faced with destruction. Once their habitats are lost, they are near impossible to restore fully.



The future of A. nipumu remains uncertain, but its official recognition marks a crucial first step, paving the way for essential discussions and efforts toward its preservation.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://phytokeys.pensoft.net/article/139172/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PhytoKeys</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Urban growth threatens newly discovered manzanita species

Deep in the Golden State, a new manzanita shrub species...

The narwhal (Monodon monoceros), a whale native to the Arctic, is famous for its long, spiral tusk. This tusk, actually an extended tooth, can grow up to 10 feet and is most common in males. Throughout history, it has inspired legends of unicorns and fascinated scientists. 



Researchers believe the tusk plays a role in mate selection, but its full purpose remains uncertain. The elusive nature of narwhals makes studying their tusk behavior challenging, as few have witnessed their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/saber-toothed-predators-evolved-the-perfect-fangs-for-hunting/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">activities in the wild</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-narwhals-use-their-tusks">How narwhals use their tusks</h2>



Until recently, much about narwhal behavior remained a mystery. Their social interactions, reproductive habits, and adaptability to environmental changes were largely unknown. 



However, a recent study by <a href="https://www.fau.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Florida Atlantic University</a>’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute and Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans has provided new insights. The research was conducted in collaboration with Inuit communities in Nunavut.



Using drones, the team captured 17 distinct <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/unexpected-discovery-large-sharks-are-hunting-each-other/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">behaviors</a>, revealing how narwhals interact with their environment.



For the first time, scientists observed narwhals using their tusks to influence the behavior of Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus). 



The footage showed narwhals delivering precise strikes with their tusks, stunning and possibly killing fish. These findings offer a rare glimpse into their foraging strategies and interactions with prey.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-playful-and-social-narwhals">Playful and social narwhals</h2>



The study also documented evidence of play among narwhals. Researchers observed what appeared to be exploratory-object play, suggesting these whales engage in activities beyond survival needs.



Some behaviors indicated social learning, where narwhals may teach or influence one another. Individual personality differences among narwhals also became apparent, further demonstrating their complexity.



The study also captured the first recorded interactions between narwhals, fish, and birds. In one case, glaucous gulls (Larus hyperboreus) attempted to steal food from narwhals, showcasing a rare instance of kleptoparasitism.



These interactions reveal the intricate relationships between species in the Arctic ecosystem.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-closer-look-at-narwhal-tusking">Closer look at narwhal tusking</h2>



Study senior author Dr. Greg O’Corry-Crowe is a research professor at FAU Harbor Branch and a National Geographic Explorer.



"Narwhals are known for their ‘tusking’ behavior, where two or more of them simultaneously raise their tusks almost vertically out of the water, crossing them in what may be a ritualistic behavior to assess a potential opponent’s qualities or to display those qualities to potential mates,” said Dr. O'Corry-Crowe.



“But now we know that narwhal tusks have other uses, some quite unexpected, including foraging, exploration and play.”



The study revealed that narwhals exhibit remarkable dexterity with their tusks. They can track moving prey with precision, adjusting their strikes to manipulate the fish. 



The tip of the tusk appeared particularly effective in stimulating responses from fish, allowing narwhals to interact directly with their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cooperative-hunting-does-not-require-complex-thinking-skills/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">prey</a>.



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



“I have been studying narwhal for over a decade and have always marveled at their tusks,” said study co-author Dr. Cortney Watt, a research scientist at Fisheries and Oceans Canada.



“To observe them using their tusks for foraging and play is remarkable. This unique study where we set up a remote field camp and spent time filming narwhal with drones is yielding many interesting insights and is providing a bird’s eye view of their behavior that we have never seen before.”



These discoveries highlight how climate change may influence narwhal behavior. As Arctic conditions shift, new interspecies encounters may become more common, forcing animals to adapt.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-social-learning-and-adaptation">Social learning and adaptation</h2>



“Our observations provide clear evidence of narwhals chasing fish and using their tusks to interact directly with the fish and to influence the fish’s behavior,” said Dr. O’Corry-Crowe.



“Some of the interactions we saw appeared competitive in nature with one whale blocking or trying to block another whale’s access to the same target fish, while others may have been more subtle, possibly communicative and even affiliative. None appeared overtly aggressive.”



Narwhals appear to learn from one another, suggesting that social behaviors could accelerate adaptation to environmental changes. This adaptability will be crucial as Arctic ice patterns shift and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hunting-coyotes-actually-boosts-their-numbers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">prey availability</a> fluctuates.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-importance-of-non-invasive-research">Importance of non-invasive research</h2>



“To understand how narwhals are being affected by and adapting to the changing Arctic, field studies using innovative, non-invasive tools like drones are essential to observe them in their natural environment without disturbing them,” said Dr. O’Corry-Crowe.



“Drones provide a unique, real-time view of their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/does-hunting-fishing-connect-humans-with-nature-or-reinforce-superiority-complex/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">behavior</a>, helping scientists gather crucial data on how narwhals are responding to shifts in ice patterns, prey availability and other environmental changes. Such studies are key to understanding the impact of global warming on these elusive animals.”



This research was supported by <a href="https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/index-eng.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fisheries and Oceans Canada</a>, FAU Harbor Branch, the National Geographic Society, the World Wildlife Fund Canada, the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board, and Natural Resources Canada’s Polar Continental Shelf Program.



The findings offer a new perspective on narwhals, showcasing their intelligence, adaptability, and intricate tusk-related social structures. As climate change reshapes the Arctic, ongoing research will be vital in understanding and protecting these remarkable whales.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/marine-science/articles/10.3389/fmars.2025.1518605/abstract" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Marine Science</a>.



Image Credit: O'Corry-Crowe, FAU/Watt, DFO



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Narwhals use their tusks in completely unexpected ways

The narwhal (Monodon monoceros), a whale native to the Arctic,...

A recent surge of newly identified animal species has sparked excitement among biologists. Strange fish species have emerged in remote Peruvian waters, and unusual relatives of the pacu have surprised experts in the Amazon and beyond.



Dr. Trond Larsen from <a href="https://www.conservation.org/stories/new-discoveries-in-a-changing-landscape-uncovering-alto-mayos-hidden-biodiversity" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Conservation International</a>'s International’s Rapid Assessment Program led field surveys in Alto Mayo, Peru, that unearthed more than two dozen new <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/small-fish-species-are-the-big-catch-of-the-future/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a> - including several fish with curious shapes and habits.



Also contributing to this surge in discoveries is Dr. Marcelo C. Andrade of the Federal University of Maranhão. His investigation of the black-barred pacus revealed multiple cryptic species.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mystery-of-the-blob-headed-catfish">Mystery of the blob-headed catfish</h2>



One of the most surprising finds was a so-called <a href="https://subtbiol.pensoft.net/article/4809/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">blob-headed catfish</a>. It has an enlarged head that puzzled the fish experts on site.



This fish, collected in the Alto Mayo region of Peru, belongs to the armored catfish genus Chaetostoma. It lives among fast-flowing streams, and is in need of critical conservation efforts in order to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-pushing-freshwater-fish-toward-the-poles/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">survive</a>.



Researchers estimate that these catfish rely on specialized feeding mechanisms, although nobody fully grasps the function of that enlarged head. In some spots, local communities had already spotted these fish species long before scientists recognized them.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-south-africa-s-pygmy-pipehorse">South Africa's pygmy pipehorse</h2>



On another front, marine biologists Dr. Louw Claassens and Dr. Richard Smith found a miniature pipehorse in Sodwana Bay, on South Africa’s east coast. This <a href="https://australian.museum/blog/amri-news/sodwana-pygmy-pipehorse/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pygmy pipehorse</a> belongs to a group that includes seahorses and pipefishes.



Colorful and small, the pipehorse stretches barely 2 inches (5 centimeters) in length, and clings to sponges on shallow reefs.



“Its discovery in shallow coastal waters serves as a reminder of how much we still have to learn,” said Graham Short of the California Academy of Sciences.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-one-fish-with-three-different-species">One fish with three different species</h2>



In the inland freshwaters of the Amazon Basin, scientists analyzed a fish that many believed was just one species: the black-barred pacu (Myloplus schomburgkii). More detailed <a href="https://www.ni.bio.br/content/v22n2/1982-0224-2023-0095/1982-0224-ni-22-02-e230095.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">studies</a>, however, revealed that there were three <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fish-species-extinction-risk-five-times-higher-than-past-estimates/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a> with separate ranges.



They include Myloplus aylan in western Amazon blackwater systems, Myloplus schomburgkii across Guiana and Brazilian Shields, and Myloplus sauron, which is confined to the Xingu River. Local fishers once lumped the species together because they share a distinct vertical stripe down the flank and look similar.



One group roams the Rio Negro, featuring a band that is uniform along its length. The second group inhabits black-water tributaries in the western reaches of the Amazon, with a wider bar that broadens at the center.



The third group emerges only in the swift waters of the Xingu River. They bear a narrower bar that tapers toward both ends.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-finding-hidden-fish-species">Finding hidden fish species</h2>



Local communities in Peru, South Africa, and Brazil were crucial collaborators. They guided researchers to hidden spots and unusual habitats where these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-coral-reef-fish-survive-in-the-worlds-warmest-waters/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fish</a> thrive.



These discoveries highlight the importance of environmental DNA, camera traps, and community partnerships in detecting rare species. 



Black-barred pacus are already a valuable part of the ornamental fish trade, with their striking appearance making them popular among aquarium enthusiasts. 



However, beyond their role in the pet industry, these fish hold significant importance for local fisheries, where they contribute to both livelihoods and food security. Many communities depend on them as a reliable source of protein and economic stability.



Efforts are underway to study the diets and population dynamics of these newly recognized fish species. Researchers aim to balance ecological health with economic needs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-the-new-fish-species">Protecting the new fish species</h2>



The research demonstrates how much biodiversity remains undocumented, even in regions impacted by human activity. Scientists emphasize that identifying new species is just the first step - protecting them from habitat destruction and overfishing is the bigger challenge.



Many of these newly identified species live in fragile <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-reveals-catastrophic-decline-in-migratory-freshwater-fish/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecosystems</a> that are under threat from deforestation, mining, and climate change. 



Researchers study these species’ populations and ecological roles to develop stronger conservation policies. Their goal is to protect both the newly discovered fish species and the local communities that rely on them for survival.



Information about the new fish species is published here for <a href="https://www.conservation.org/docs/default-source/publication-pdfs/rap-73-alto-mayo-peru.pdf?sfvrsn=e66add1e_3">Peru</a>,<a href="https://australian.museum/blog/amri-news/sodwana-pygmy-pipehorse/"> South Africa</a>, and the <a href="https://www.ni.bio.br/content/v22n2/1982-0224-2023-0095/1982-0224-ni-22-02-e230095.pdf">Amazon Basin</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

More than two dozen unusual fish species discovered in Peru and the Amazon

A recent surge of newly identified animal species has sparked...

It seems unthinkable that anything could live after tens of thousands of years in hibernation. The discovery of a tiny creature in the Siberian permafrost has sparked conversations about how resilient life can be.



In a recent breakthrough, researchers determined that a worm which had been frozen for about 46,000 years had survived and remained alive. 



Dr. Philipp Schiffer, a group leader in the <a href="https://zoologie.uni-koeln.de/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Institute of Zoology</a> at the University of Cologne, and his colleagues, have been studying how this creature managed to survive well beyond its usual lifespan.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extreme-environment-in-siberian-permafrost">Extreme environment in Siberian permafrost</h2>



Siberia has vast stretches of permafrost, which is soil or sediment that remains frozen for at least two consecutive years. 



The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/permafrost-is-no-longer-permanent-arctic-communities-in-danger/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">frozen ground</a> can extend hundreds of feet below the surface in certain regions, with the cold temperatures preserving anything trapped within its layers.



Conditions in these areas can be challenging for people, but the permafrost forms perfect vaults for preserving animal remains. Thick ice and frigid temperatures keep organic material fresh enough to study thousands of years later.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-putting-life-on-pause">Putting life on pause</h2>



The resurrected worm belongs to a genus known for its ability to enter cryptobiosis, which is a biological strategy where life appears to stop under cold conditions. 



No major metabolic activity occurs in this state, and organisms can endure severe environmental conditions that would normally be lethal.



Biologists have documented cryptobiosis in other creatures, such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/water-bear-tardigrade-fossils-reveal-how-they-survived-several-mass-extinction-events/">tardigrades</a> and certain brine shrimp. The animals halt their usual body functions until they can return to an environment that can support growth and reproduction.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-of-the-frozen-worm">Significance of the frozen worm</h2>



Experts identified the newly studied nematode as Panagrolaimus kolymaensis, a species not previously described in scientific literature. 



Radiocarbon dating showed that the sample was tens of thousands of years old, indicating that this worm spent most of its existence in suspended animation under frozen sediment.



It was retrieved at a depth of about 40 yards (37 meters). This position helped it stay protected in that intense cold, and gave it a chance to be resurrected in modern laboratories, where it resumed normal activity and even produced offspring.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unique-survival-strategies">Unique survival strategies</h2>



According to the researchers, nematodes of this variety usually live for only one or two months. The worm that reawakened in the lab outlived that window by tapping into cryptobiotic powers that are still under investigation.



Special molecules may stabilize cells in these worms, keeping them intact despite extreme dryness or temperature shifts. Similar molecules have been found in other organisms that are known to survive dehydration and freezing.



“No one had thought that this process could last millennia, 40,000 years, or even longer. It is simply amazing that life can begin again after so long, in the state between life and death,” said Dr. Schiffer.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetics-of-the-frozen-worm">Genetics of the frozen worm </h2>



The experts used genome sequencing to confirm that this worm was something different. Its lineage seems to share parts of the genetic toolkit for cryptobiosis with Caenorhabditis elegans, a nematode species that is commonly used in lab research.



Similar stasis has been observed in tardigrades, often called water bears. A 2017 NASA <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/podcasts/houston-we-have-a-podcast/water-bears-in-space/">study</a> noted their capacity to withstand harsh space conditions, suggesting these tiny beings have defense systems against extreme radiation and severe temperature swings.



Certain seeds can also remain viable for years in cold storage and then germinate when conditions improve. Yet the nematode’s frozen stretch lasted far longer than the typical lifetime for most preserved biological samples.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cryptobiosis-in-extreme-environments">Cryptobiosis in extreme environments</h2>



Scientists who focus on deserts, polar regions, and even other planets may look for parallels in cryptobiotic organisms. Environments like the Atacama Desert, known for its dryness, already harbor small <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-find-new-forms-of-life-inside-humans-rna-carriers-obelisks/">life forms</a> that have evolved impressive strategies to handle scarce moisture.



Conditions on Mars and icy moons around Saturn are less welcoming. However, knowledge of how simple creatures cheat time might lead to ideas about extraterrestrial survival or more efficient preservation methods for samples on Earth.



Cryptobiosis involves shutting down vital processes without losing structural integrity. Genetic pathways that enable such suspension might have applications in food preservation or even organ transplants.



If scientists isolate the genes that protect cells against freezing, future technologies could incorporate them into strategies for stabilizing delicate tissues. Biomedical researchers are always searching for ways to minimize damage from cold storage or dehydration.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-legacy-of-the-frozen-worm">The legacy of the frozen worm</h2>



The original specimen has died, but its offspring remain alive in controlled conditions. This provides more opportunities for tests on how these <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/nematodes/">nematodes</a> handle rehydration, changes in temperature, and prolonged hibernation.



Genetic comparisons with other species may shed light on whether these traits developed once in nematode history or evolved in multiple lineages separately. Either way, the results challenge the idea that living things cannot pause for millennia.



Experts see the next research steps involving experiments that identify proteins or sugars that replace water in the worm’s cells during dormancy. They could also investigate new forms of cryptobiosis in other deep-freeze environments, such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stability-of-antarctica-is-threatened-by-submarine-canyons/">Antarctic glaciers</a>.



Evolutionary biologists might expand research into older permafrost samples. If more ancient specimens are discovered, scientists may gain a better understanding of how life on Earth endures in these harsh and extreme conditions.



The study is published in <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosgenetics/article?id=10.1371/journal.pgen.1010798" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLOS Genetics</a>.



Image Credit: Shatilovich et al, 2023, PLOS Genetics



-----



Like what you read?<a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/"> Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on<a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/"> EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by<a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/"> Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Frozen worm comes back to life after 46,000 years

It seems unthinkable that anything could live after tens of...

Modern technology has changed the way humans observe wildlife. Mini cameras placed in backyards and natural landscapes now capture unexpected activities from the animal world. These tiny devices reveal the secret lives of creatures that often go unnoticed. 



From bears rummaging through garbage bins to deer wandering suburban streets, these glimpses into nature have fascinated millions.



While these videos often go viral for entertainment, scientists have recognized their potential for research. A group at the <a href="https://www.uri.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Rhode Island</a> has taken this idea further. They created a massive dataset of animal images, not just for curiosity, but for science. 



The goal was to understand how animals behave at different times of the day and how human presence affects their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/animals-secretly-reshape-landscapes-in-powerful-ways/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">activity patterns</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-the-activity-of-400-mammals">Studying the activity of 400 mammals</h2>



To build a more detailed picture of animal habits, researchers launched the Global Animal Diel Activity Project. They gathered data from 20,080 camera trap sites across 38 countries and six continents. 



The study included over 400 mammal species, making it one of the largest camera-based research projects in existence.



This ambitious project involved more than 200 scientists worldwide. They analyzed 8.9 million animal observations to create a massive collection of activity estimates. The results were surprising. 



Less than half of the species studied matched the activity classifications found in reference books. Many animals exhibited <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-humans-and-animals-keep-experimenting-even-when-theres-no-need/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">different behaviors</a> than previously thought, challenging long-standing assumptions about their activity cycles.



The study was led by Brian Gerber, a research ecologist at <a href="https://www.colostate.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Colorado State University</a>, and Kadambari Devarajan, a research fellow at the University of Rhode Island.



The findings provide new insights into how animals adapt their behaviors based on environmental and human influences.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unpredictable-patterns-in-animal-activity">Unpredictable patterns in animal activity</h2>



The study revealed that many animals do not strictly follow diurnal or nocturnal behavior patterns. Instead, their activity changes based on location, environmental conditions, and human presence. 



Gerber was surprised by the extent of this variation. "I expected some variation, but basically most species that we had adequate data on showed that they would change their diel activity.”



For example, American black bears did not follow a consistent schedule. In some locations, they were diurnal, meaning they were active during the day. In others, they were cathemeral, meaning their activity was scattered across both day and night. 



This flexibility suggests that animals may not be as rigid in their routines as previously believed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-wildlife-project">Global wildlife project</h2>



Gerber’s interest in diel activity began 18 years ago when he was studying fossas in Madagascar. He noticed that these animals did not always behave according to expected patterns. This observation led to years of curiosity about how different species adapt their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-is-tracking-endangered-animal-habitats-from-space/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">activity</a> to their surroundings.



By 2017, while working at the University of Rhode Island, Gerber developed a method to analyze diel activity across many species. 



Collaborating with other researchers, he designed a large-scale study to explore how animal behavior changes in different environments. 



The resulting dataset included species from a wide range of habitats, including deserts, rainforests, tundras, and savannas.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-influence-on-animal-behavior">Human influence on animal behavior</h2>



One of the most significant findings of the study was the impact of human presence on animal activity. Researchers compared data from urban and wild areas to see how species responded to human influence. 



They found that a third of the species studied altered their activity patterns in response to human development.



Some species became more nocturnal, likely to avoid human contact. Others adapted by becoming more diurnal, possibly to take advantage of new food sources or reduced predator threats. This shift in behavior demonstrates that animals are not just reacting to natural environmental changes but also to human activity.



Gerber explained how this discovery challenges traditional classifications. “The most striking thing is that when you are taught an animal is diurnal or is nocturnal, that is not always correct."



“Many terrestrial mammals will be diurnal sometimes and nocturnal or cathemeral other times. When you see a nocturnal species during the day, this is perhaps not as unusual as you might think.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-animal-activity-and-external-pressures">Animal activity and external pressures </h2>



Conventional classifications label animals as diurnal, nocturnal, crepuscular (active during twilight), or cathemeral. These labels suggest that activity patterns are fixed traits. However, the research team found that these classifications are more fluid than previously thought.



Devarajan emphasized that animal behavior is shaped by both evolution and immediate environmental conditions. A species’ activity schedule is not simply a biological trait but also a response to external pressures.



Light availability, human development, and habitat changes all play a role in shaping when animals are active.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shifts-in-animal-activity">Shifts in animal activity </h2>



The study found that only 39% of the species studied matched their expected diel classification. This means that most animals showed flexibility in their behavior.



A striking 74% of species changed their activity patterns in response to human influence. For instance, the striped skunk, gray fox, North American porcupine, and snowshoe hare became more nocturnal in areas with higher human impact. This shift likely helps them avoid human disturbances and predators.



The team also discovered that light availability affected diel plasticity. In some cases, urban lighting caused nocturnal species to become more active during the day. This adaptation highlights the complex ways in which animals respond to their surroundings.



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



Understanding diel activity is essential for wildlife conservation. Animal activity <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/old-and-wise-animals-are-essential-for-the-survival-of-species/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">patterns</a> influence population tracking, conservation planning, and hunting regulations. Knowing when species are most active can help researchers develop better protection strategies.



As environmental changes accelerate, some species will adapt their activity patterns, while others may struggle. Gerber stressed the importance of recognizing how these shifts affect animal survival.



“Recognizing the fitness consequences of species’ diel phenotype plasticity and lack thereof is an important next step to understand the impacts of environmental change and can help direct conservation actions,” said Gerber.



This study provides a deeper understanding of how animals navigate a changing world. As habitats continue to shift, scientists must continue monitoring how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-animal-will-replace-humans-as-earths-dominant-species-this-scientist-has-an-idea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species adapt</a>. 



The knowledge gained from projects like this can help guide future conservation efforts and ensure the survival of many species.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.ado3843" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Hundreds of mammals show how humans influence animal activity

Modern technology has changed the way humans observe wildlife. Mini...

Giraffes are well-known for their towering height, which lets them munch on leaves from tall trees with ease. For a long time, experts assumed their unique diets shaped the communities of bacteria in their intestines.



But now, researchers have discovered something different. They found that the type of <a href="https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Microbiome" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microbiome</a> is more closely tied to the giraffe’s <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/giraffes-hate-slopes-and-its-threatening-their-survival/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a> than to the specific plants it consumes.



“We expected that giraffes with similar diets would also have similar microbiomes, but we found no such connection. Instead, we saw that giraffes seem to maintain species-specific microbiomes,” said Elin Videvall from <a href="https://www.uu.se/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Uppsala University</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-giraffe-diets">Studying giraffe diets</h2>



In a joint effort with researchers from Brown University, the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2351989425000812" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">team</a> compared samples from reticulated, Masai, and northern giraffes in Kenya. By analyzing DNA traces of plants in droppings, they got a snapshot of which vegetation each individual had eaten.



Similar <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/srep14567" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">approaches</a> have been used in other ruminants to see how gut bacteria adjust based on different foraging behavior. However, these giraffes turned out to challenge the typical assumption that diet directly shapes the bacterial makeup in the digestive tract.



The giraffes showed wide variation in the plants they had consumed. Despite this variety, their gut bacterial communities stayed linked to their respective <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/giraffes-are-suffering-a-silent-extinction-and-need-more-protection/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a>.



Scientists suggest there might be a genetic or evolutionary explanation behind this pattern. It raises questions about how each species manages to keep its own microbial signature, even under different local conditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vital-role-of-gut-microbes">The vital role of gut microbes</h2>



The <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/us/universitypress/subjects/life-sciences/animal-behaviour/giraffe-biology-behaviour-and-conservation?format=HB&amp;isbn=9781107034860" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ruminant digestive</a> system depends on bacteria to break down tough fibers and release nutrients from plant cells. Giraffes belong to this group, and their gut microbes helps them thrive on foliage.



Variation in these microorganisms can influence a giraffe’s health in surprising ways. They might affect anything from metabolism to disease resistance.



All three species involved in the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2351989425000812" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a> are endangered. Identifying their diet preferences can guide wildlife managers in preserving vital plant species for giraffe forage.



Protecting feeding grounds that hold the right foliage will help to maintain stable populations of these threatened species. Knowledge of their dietary patterns could also shape decisions on habitat restoration.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-giraffe-diets-are-adaptable">Giraffe diets are adaptable</h2>



The scientists noted that each giraffe <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/giraffes-gained-their-long-necks-for-food-not-sex/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a> adapts to the resources available in its territory. This adaptation means two groups of the same species can end up eating quite different plants.



Geographical factors like rainfall patterns and soil composition influence the vegetation. Those factors, in turn, affect the daily diet of these tall browsers.



Many people assume that giraffes are just one species with a few variations, but that’s not the case. Each <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960982216307874">group</a> has its own traits, including distinct coat patterns.



These differences apparently go deeper than appearances. Their gut microbiomes also seems to diverge in ways that reflect evolutionary paths rather than dietary patterns.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-insight-into-giraffe-diets">New insight into giraffe diets</h2>



This research has practical benefits for wildlife caretakers. If a sick or rescued giraffe needs a diet plan, understanding species-specific gut bacteria may help.



Efforts that keep giraffes in reserves or sanctuaries may rely on more targeted feeding. That could reduce digestive problems and raise survival rates for those under human care.



“We began this study as an international collaboration between academics and conservation professionals. We hope our research can provide better insight into giraffe diets and help support the conservation of giraffes,” said Tyler Kartzinel from Brown University.



Working together across different institutions can push research forward. It also aligns resources so that threatened animals can get the help they need when it matters most.



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



Scientists continue to explore how environment and genetics influence the microbiome in other large herbivores. This knowledge could apply to related <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-giraffe-day-2024-a-towering-celebration-of-the-gentle-giants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a> that face similar challenges in the wild.



There is also an interest in harnessing gut bacteria to support reintroduction programs. If certain microbes enhance survival, that might be a tool for future conservation efforts.



Giraffes remain a treasured part of the African landscape, and preserving them involves more than just fences and guard patrols. It requires understanding how their bodies function at every level.



This study highlights that a giraffe’s inner workings may not follow the rules we see in other animals. Figuring out what drives this pattern is a puzzle researchers plan to keep investigating.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2351989425000812" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Global Ecology and Conservation</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Giraffes have gut bacteria that are unaffected by their diet

Giraffes are well-known for their towering height, which lets them...

Giant pandas are full of contradictions. Their distinctive black-and-white fur makes them instantly recognizable, yet it's their diet that puzzles scientists the most. Despite having a digestive system adapted for meat, they survive almost entirely on bamboo.



For most animals, diet follows anatomy. Herbivores have complex stomachs to break down plant fibers, while carnivores have short, simple intestines for digesting protein-rich meat. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/national-panda-day-recognizing-the-beauty-and-fragility-of-wildlife/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pandas</a>, though, seem to defy this rule. Their guts resemble those of meat-eaters, yet they munch on bamboo for hours every day.



How do they pull this off? Over time, they’ve developed physical features - pseudo thumbs for gripping stalks, flat molars for crushing tough fibers. But physical traits alone don’t explain how they extract enough nutrition from such a limited diet.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-can-genes-adapt-to-diet">Can genes adapt to diet?</h2>



Every living thing runs on genetic instructions. DNA stores the blueprint, while RNA carries out the tasks. Among the many types of RNA, one stands out in this case: microRNA (miRNA). Tiny but powerful, microRNA is capable of controlling which genes get activated.



Scientists recently made a startling discovery - miRNA from plants can enter <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/animals-secretly-reshape-landscapes-in-powerful-ways/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animals</a>’ bodies through food. 



This raises an intriguing question: Could bamboo-derived miRNA influence giant pandas at the genetic level? If so, their diet might be reshaping their biology in ways no one had expected.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bamboo-s-influence-on-pandas">Bamboo’s influence on pandas</h2>



A team of Chinese researchers set out to investigate whether plant miRNA from bamboo makes its way into pandas’ blood and affects their genes.



“We showed that plant-derived miRNAs are present in the blood of giant pandas. Our study proved that bamboo used as food for giant pandas does affect the change of giant pandas’ feeding habits," said Dr. Feng Li of <a href="https://www.cwnu.edu.cn" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">China West Normal University</a>.



This suggests something incredible - <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ancestors-of-giant-pandas-had-a-completely-different-diet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pandas</a> aren’t just physically adapted to eating bamboo. Their genes might be changing in response to their diet.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-bamboo-alters-panda-biology">How bamboo alters panda biology</h2>



The researchers didn’t just speculate. They took blood samples from seven pandas - three adult females, three adult males, and one young female. 



When the experts analyzed the samples, they found 57 different miRNAs that likely came from bamboo.



“MiRNA in bamboo can enter giant pandas’ bodies through diet, be absorbed by the intestine, enter the blood circulation, and then regulate when the giant panda’s RNA transfers information, thus playing a role in regulating the gene expression of giant pandas,” explained Dr. Li.



This means that plant-derived miRNAs don’t just float around uselessly in the bloodstream. They take part in critical biological processes - growth, metabolism, immune response. More than that, they seem to influence how pandas experience food itself.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-regulation-of-taste-and-smell">Regulation of taste and smell</h2>



For pandas, taste and smell are essential. Their diet consists of a single food source, so choosing the right bamboo - nutrient-rich, fresh, and safe to eat - is a matter of survival. It turns out miRNA may be helping with that, too.



“MiRNA in bamboo is also involved in the regulation of smell, taste, and dopamine pathways of giant pandas, all of which are related to their feeding habits,” said Dr. Li.



As pandas eat more bamboo, certain miRNAs build up in their system. Over time, these molecules fine-tune their ability to detect the best bamboo - perhaps even making them crave it. 



This could explain how pandas, despite being genetically wired for a carnivorous diet, have fully embraced their bamboo-based lifestyle.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-not-all-pandas-are-affected-equally">Not all pandas are affected equally</h2>



One of the most intriguing aspects of this study? The differences between <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/meet-melita-panda-the-black-and-white-crustacean-shrimp/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pandas</a>. 



The researchers found that miRNA levels varied depending on the panda’s age and sex. Some miRNAs, particularly those involved in reproduction, were only present in certain groups.



“Only miRNAs that can specifically play a role in regulating gene expression can remain in the body, and those that do not play a role will be expelled,” noted Dr. Li.



This suggests that miRNA doesn’t affect every panda in the same way. Some molecules influence feeding habits, while others may shape reproductive health or immune function. 



The idea that diet-derived miRNA could have such wide-ranging effects is opening up new possibilities for research.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-could-this-change-animal-science">Could this change animal science?</h2>



If bamboo miRNA affects the genes of pandas, could other plants influence other species? Could certain foods help regulate immune responses, metabolism, or even disease resistance in animals?



“Plant miRNAs may also participate in regulating the animal immune system, enhancing animals’ disease resistance,” said Dr. Li.



If scientists can understand how plant-derived miRNA works, they might develop better diets for endangered animals - or even improve human nutrition. Imagine eating food not just for calories and vitamins, but for its ability to directly influence genetic expression.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-research-on-pandas-and-bamboo">Future research on pandas and bamboo</h2>



There’s still so much left to learn. Scientists need larger studies, more samples, and deeper genetic analysis to fully confirm the role of plant miRNA in pandas. Right now, the evidence is compelling, but not conclusive.



“The giant panda is a very precious national treasure in our country, and blood samples are not easy to get. If possible, we hope to collect blood samples of young pandas who have not yet eaten bamboo for research, and perhaps get more surprising results," concluded Dr. Li.



This research hints at a new frontier in biology - where diet doesn’t just influence health but actively shapes genetic expression. The story of pandas and bamboo is still unfolding, and it may be just the beginning of a much bigger scientific breakthrough.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1509698/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Veterinary Science</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Giant pandas' taste for bamboo is literally written in their genes

Giant pandas are full of contradictions. Their distinctive black-and-white fur...

In the hidden corners of the world, caterpillars and ants have a remarkably specialized relationship. The caterpillars secrete a sweet, nectar-like substance that ants feed on, and the ants often protect the growing caterpillars from predators.



This interesting relationship, which exists between ants and the larvae of some species of the Riodinidae family (metalmark butterflies), is so particular that each species of caterpillar interacts with only one species of ant.



Scientists have now investigated the complex mechanisms of this mutualistic partnership. 



They show that chemical signals and sweet secretions determine whether the ant response is one of protection or destruction.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-caterpillar-protection-from-ants">Caterpillar protection from ants</h2>



In tropical forests, caterpillars provide an important food source to many insectivores. Caterpillar mortality is inevitably high, unless the adult butterfly lays its eggs on a plant that is inhabited by the correct species of ant. 



The research was conducted by Luan Dias Lima during her postdoctoral studies at the University of São Paulo’s Ribeirão Preto School of Philosophy, Sciences, and Letters (<a href="https://www.ffclrp.usp.br/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FFCLRP-USP</a>). 



The ants and caterpillars were collected at the Serra das Araras Ecological Station in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso.



The researchers analyzed the chemical signals produced by caterpillars. The goal was to understand how ants can identify specific types of caterpillars as those to protect or those to kill.



The findings suggest that this relationship is delicately balanced as each <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/treasure-map-will-help-experts-find-new-ant-species/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species of ant</a> recognizes only one species of caterpillar as worthy of protection. 



The ants will kill any other caterpillars, even if they secrete the sweet liquid that is believed to promote protection.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chemical-signals-and-sweet-secretions">Chemical signals and sweet secretions</h2>



In the experiments, the researchers focused on caterpillars of the species&nbsp;Juditha molpe, which live in harmony with ants of the species&nbsp;Dolichoderus bispinosus.



The team also studied caterpillars of the species&nbsp;Nymphidium chione, which are found only where there are ants of the species&nbsp;Pheidole biconstricta.



They analyzed the cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) present on the ants, caterpillars and plants. CHCs are chemical compounds that are found in the coverings of plants and insects, and play a vital function in waterproofing, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/natures-silent-language-decoding-the-chemical-signals-of-insects/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">communication</a>, and species recognition.



"We found insect and plant CHCs to be quite different from each other. In caterpillars, they signal food for ants. The caterpillars in our experiment offered a sweet secretion, allowing them to be recognized and protected by specific ant species," explained Lima, the study’s first author. 



This sugary secretion not only promotes recognition but also cements the partnership between these species by offering the ants a source of food. 



In return for the nectar, the ants defend the caterpillars from predators, thus improving their chances of survival.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-ants-turn-hostile">When ants turn hostile</h2>



However, when the researchers mixed up the ant-caterpillar pairings, the harmonious alliance turned hostile, and destroyed the delicate balance that sustains this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-symbiotic-relationships-evolve-between-species/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">symbiotic relationship</a>.



At first, the unfamiliar ants showed little interest in the caterpillars, seemingly indifferent to their presence. They ignored them until they discovered the caterpillar organ that secretes the nectar, which momentarily piqued the ants' curiosity.



Their curiosity soon turned to aggression, however, and they began to behave erratically, opening their mandibles and biting the larvae. What started as a potential new alliance quickly devolved into a deadly confrontation.



"Almost all of the caterpillars were killed during this pair-switching treatment. Soldiers of the species P. biconstricta even used their strong mandibles to cut J. molpe into pieces," said Lima.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-importance-of-the-right-partnership">The importance of the right partnership </h2>



Why are caterpillars relying on ants when things can go so badly wrong? It turns out that ant protection is so important to the caterpillars that adult female butterflies lay eggs only on plant species colonized by the right ant species.



The life of the developing young caterpillars depends on their protection from ants. Without this protection, predators would destroy them.



In the future, the scientists aim to investigate whether CHCs also serve as a deterrent against other natural enemies like parasitoids.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolution-of-caterpillar-ant-relationships">Evolution of caterpillar-ant relationships </h2>



The exclusivity of these caterpillar-ant partnerships raises intriguing questions about their evolutionary origins. 



Scientists suggest that these relationships may have developed through a long process of co-evolution, where both species adapted to each other over time.



One theory proposes that ancestral caterpillars, once vulnerable to predation, evolved the ability to secrete nectar as a survival strategy, and gradually refined their chemical signals to align perfectly with specific ant species.



In turn, ants learned to recognize these caterpillars as a valuable food source, strengthening the mutual dependence between them.



The evolution of such specialized interactions likely resulted from a long history of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lifes-rules-natural-selection-change-significantly-often-daphnia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">natural selection</a>. 



Caterpillars that failed to match their chemical profiles to local ants faced higher risks of mortality, while those that adapted found a niche where they could thrive.



By studying these ancient alliances, researchers hope to uncover broader patterns in insect evolution and symbiosis, and to shed light on how cooperation between different species shapes ecosystems.



Also contributing to the study were <a href="https://www5.usp.br/english/institutional/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of São Paulo</a>, the <a href="http://www.ufrgs.br/english/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul</a>, and the <a href="https://ufal.br/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Federal University of Alagoas</a>.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1744-7917.13474" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Insect Science</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Ants and caterpillars have a great working relationship, until it isn't

In the hidden corners of the world, caterpillars and ants...

Few ocean mysteries capture as much fascination as&nbsp;whale songs, the melodies produced by giant sea creatures. Recent findings suggest these&nbsp;whale songs&nbsp;can offer unique clues about shifting conditions deep below the surface.



Scientists have long recognized that <a href="https://us.whales.org/whales-dolphins/what-is-baleen/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">baleen whales</a> emit structured <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-whales-use-songs-to-hide-from-predators/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sound signals</a> to maintain contact across staggering distances. 



These signals may also serve as a key to understanding variations in whale foraging patterns, according to a new study led by John Ryan from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (<a href="https://www.mbari.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MBARI</a>).



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



Whales are prodigious singers, creating long, complex melodies that can last for hours and even change over time, almost like a hit song evolving. 



Scientists believe whales use these songs to attract mates, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-whales-use-songs-to-hide-from-predators/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">signal danger</a>, or even just socialize. What’s wild is that these sounds can travel for miles underwater, thanks to the way sound waves move through the ocean.



But whale songs aren’t just about romance and chit-chat - they also reveal a lot about ocean health. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humpback-whales-have-moved-their-singing-rituals-away-from-shorelines/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Noise pollution</a> from ships, drilling, and sonar disrupts whale communication, making it harder for them to find each other and navigate. 



Some researchers even think whales might be adjusting their songs to compete with human-made noise. 



Studying these songs helps scientists understand whale behavior, migration patterns, and even changes in the environment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-whale-songs-and-prey-availability">Whale songs and prey availability </h2>



The researchers monitored the songs of blue, fin, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-helps-humans-have-20-minute-conversation-with-humpback-whale-named-twain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">humpback whales</a> for six years. Their analyses uncovered major fluctuations in how frequently these songs appeared, pointing to links between shifting prey availability and whale vocal behavior.



One significant discovery involved <a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/humpback-whale" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">humpback whales</a>, whose song detections rose from 34% to 76% of days over the study period. 



The experts noted that this shift coincided with local jumps in key prey resources, such as krill and anchovy, and took place as humpbacks demonstrated an ability to switch food sources.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-monitoring-shifts-in-whale-songs">Monitoring shifts in whale songs</h2>



Whale vocalizations are recorded by <a href="https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/hydrophone.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hydrophones</a>, which are underwater microphones designed to pick up <a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/tags/acoustics" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sounds</a> traveling through the ocean. 



These instruments have become vital tools for conservation efforts, because they operate around the clock and can capture subtle changes in whale presence.



Some whales produce <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1748-7692.2008.00208.x" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">songs</a> not only for social bonding but also as a way to sense one another’s proximity and intentions. 



Shifts in these signals can reveal how whales cope with changing ocean temperatures, prey availability, and competition.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-feeding-habits-in-flux">Feeding habits in flux</h2>



The new findings highlight how dynamic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/whale-songs-share-very-similar-patterns-with-human-language/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">whale</a> diets really are. Humpbacks, in particular, are known to pivot between different types of prey when certain species decline or relocate.



The investigators found that rising anchovy stocks eventually joined earlier surges in krill populations. This sudden turn in food supply matched an upward trend in humpback whale songs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-whale-songs-and-ocean-health">Whale songs and ocean health</h2>



“Surprisingly, the acoustic behavior of baleen whales provides insights about which species can better adapt to changing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-helps-humans-have-20-minute-conversation-with-humpback-whale-named-twain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean conditions</a>. Our findings can help resource managers and policymakers better protect endangered whales,” said Ryan.



Although song patterns can be influenced by whale migration schedules and local population sizes, the strongest factor was the allure of abundant prey. 



This correlation suggests that whale songs might function as an unexpected barometer of ecosystem health.



These results may motivate future projects to use passive acoustic monitoring as an early alert system for changes in marine life. 



Interpreting whale song data in real time could help managers identify potential feeding hotspots or track unusual shifts in the food web.



Whales occupy higher levels in the food chain. When something affects their prey, whales respond in noticeable ways that can reverberate across the entire ecosystem.



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



The study’s approach might encourage researchers to explore additional ocean basins for similar patterns. 



Gathering data from many regions could strengthen our grasp on how large-scale events, such as warming water or temporary food shortages, alter whale behavior.



Other investigations might look at the interplay between <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/acoustic-tagging-helps-decode-whale-communication/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">whale</a> communication and environmental stressors. 



Since whales project sound across great distances, these vocalizations can offer clues on changing conditions far beyond the immediate listening area.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bridging-humans-and-whales">Bridging humans and whales</h2>



Whale songs offer a unique way to engage the public in ocean health, resonating even with those on land. 



These vocalizations emphasize whales' reliance on a balanced food chain, promoting a deeper connection to marine ecosystems.



Scientists emphasize that new acoustic methods open doors for more frequent and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humpback-whale-travels-farther-than-any-mammal-ever-recorded/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">less intrusive monitoring</a>. This technology can strengthen marine conservation and give whales a better chance to thrive.



Beyond assessing whales, hydrophone systems also detect an array of ocean sounds. Ships, seismic activity, and the movements of other marine creatures all appear in audio recordings.



Each acoustic signal contributes to a growing library of ocean noise. As we learn to interpret the data, these songs and calls can fill in the blanks about habitat quality and species interactions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-whale-songs-reveal-ocean-changes">Whale songs reveal ocean changes</h2>



Studying year-to-year changes in whale songs reveals not just the presence of these huge, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/add-humpback-whales-to-list-of-animals-that-build-and-use-tools/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">highly-intelligent animals</a> but also the stability of their feeding grounds. 



These musical signals can serve as markers of subtle transformations in an ecosystem that is often hidden from casual view.



Researchers hope continued listening efforts will help people appreciate how finely tuned whale populations are to changes in their environment. 



With more attention on acoustic monitoring, we may eventually predict and manage the obstacles faced by these gentle giants.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0318624" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLOS One</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Whale song complexity continues to astound scientists with each new discovery

Few ocean mysteries capture as much fascination as&nbsp;whale songs, the...

Smiling,Young,Couple,Embracing,While,Looking,At,Smartphone.,Multiethnic,Couple

Love is often seen as a driving force in human relationships, but could it also shape intelligence in the animal kingdom? Scientists have uncovered a surprising connection between cognitive abilities and mating success.



These tiny fish, originally from Central America, are now found in waters worldwide. The new research suggests that intelligence in males plays a crucial role in reproductive success, much like in human relationships where wit and charm often make a difference.



The study reveals that male mosquitofish with better problem-solving skills are more successful in finding mates. This challenges traditional ideas that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-study-intelligent-life-is-likely-very-common-throughout-the-universe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">intelligence</a> in animals primarily evolves for survival. 



Instead, it suggests that brainpower can be just as valuable in securing a mate as it is in avoiding predators or finding food.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-role-of-male-intelligence-in-reproduction">Role of male intelligence in reproduction</h2>



Male mosquitofish are not just competing for food and shelter; they are also competing for partners. 



<a href="https://www.anu.edu.au" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Australian National University (ANU)</a> researchers found that males capable of solving complex tasks had a higher chance of mating than their less-intelligent counterparts. This suggests that intelligence provides a direct reproductive advantage.



Lead author Dr. Ivan Vinogradov explained that cognitive abilities likely evolved because they helped males locate and attract females, increasing their chances of producing offspring. 



This process, known as sexual selection, plays a crucial role in shaping intelligence in certain <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/large-flightless-birds-are-more-intelligent-than-we-realized/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-intelligence-beyond-survival">Intelligence beyond survival</h2>



For many years, scientists believed that intelligence in animals evolved primarily through natural selection. Smarter animals had better chances of survival because they could find food, escape predators, and adapt to new environments.



“Evolution of intelligence in animals has long been thought to have been driven by natural selection. Animals that were better at problem solving were more adept at gathering food, finding shelter, and avoiding predators and hence lived longer,” Dr. Vinogradov explained.



“They then passed on these genes to their offspring, helping future generations become smarter over time."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bottom-line-intelligence-is-attractive">Bottom line - Intelligence is attractive</h2>



But there is another possible explanation for the evolution of intelligence: the quality of braininess is attractive to the opposite sex. 



A better brain might help an <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/if-aliens-could-detect-earth-what-would-they-see/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animal</a> find more mates, have more sex, and eventually produce more offspring.



Dr. Vinogradov and his collaborators suggest that intelligence in mosquitofish may partly have evolved through sexual selection as well. 



Usually, the pressure of sexual selection is stronger on males than females because, at any given time, there are more males seeking mates than there are females ready to breed.



During this form of selection, traits that boost mating and fertilization success become more common over generations, as the genes for the traits are passed on to offspring. 



“Our study suggests that intelligence in mosquitofish isn’t only driven by their need to find food or avoid predators, but also by the complex challenges of finding love. This shows that, much like humans, love conquers all,” remarked Dr. Vinogradov.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cognitive-abilities-of-mosquitofish">Cognitive abilities of mosquitofish</h2>



To understand how male intelligence affects mating success, researchers designed a series of underwater tests. These tests assessed the problem-solving abilities of male mosquitofish. 



The fish had to navigate mazes, figure out how to move around transparent barriers, and remember different colored spots. Those that completed the challenges were rewarded.



The study tracked the reproductive success of each male over two months. The researchers recorded how many offspring each fish produced when competing for mates. 



The results were striking - mosquitofish that excelled at problem-solving tasks had significantly higher reproductive success than those that struggled with the challenges.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-smarter-males-more-offspring">Smarter males, more offspring</h2>



After performing over 2,000 paternity tests, the scientists confirmed their hypothesis. Intelligence scores were positively correlated with reproductive success in male mosquitofish. 



The males that performed well in cognitive tests mated with more females and produced more offspring than those that failed the tests.



“Our findings imply that the evolution of cognitive abilities may have been driven by sexual selection for males who gained more mating opportunities,” study co-author Professor Michael Jennions said.



“Something about these males seemingly gave them an edge in securing mating opportunities. Perhaps females recognized and preferred smarter males, or maybe smarter males were better at chasing the females and forcing them to mate, a common, if unpleasant, practice in mosquitofish."



More observations and analyses are needed in order to establish differences in the mating behavior of the smarter males. 



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



These findings challenge traditional views on how intelligence evolves. While many scientists have focused on its survival advantages, this study highlights the potential role of mate selection in shaping <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-animal-will-replace-humans-as-earths-dominant-species-this-scientist-has-an-idea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cognitive traits</a>.



Intelligence may not only be about problem-solving for survival but also about improving an individual’s chances of reproduction.



The study also raises questions about how females perceive intelligence in potential mates. If smarter males are more successful in mating, it suggests that females may have preferences that go beyond physical traits. 



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



The study, published in Nature Ecology and Evolution, was conducted by researchers from Australia, Germany, and South Africa. 



The next step is to investigate how, exactly, intelligence influences mating success. Do females recognize intelligence in a mate, or do smarter males use their cognitive skills to outmaneuver their rivals?



Future research could explore whether this pattern holds in other species. If intelligence plays a role in mate selection beyond mosquitofish, it could reshape our understanding of how cognitive abilities evolve in the animal kingdom.



This research suggests that intelligence is not just about survival - it is also about attraction. 



Much like in human relationships, wit and problem-solving skills may help individuals find love and pass on their genes. In mosquitofish, as in life, intelligence may be one of the most valuable traits a male can have.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-025-02645-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Ecology and Evolution</a>.&nbsp;



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Animal intelligence did not evolve due to natural selection

Love is often seen as a driving force in human...

In the wild, every meal is a gamble. Animals like lizards must constantly weigh&nbsp;their&nbsp;options - play it safe or take a risk. The wrong choice could mean starvation. But the right one? A feast.



For some creatures, survival is about consistency. They take the sure thing, never gambling on an uncertain future. Others, when faced with starvation, throw caution to the wind.



A recent study led by Maria Thaker, professor at the Centre for Ecological Sciences (<a href="https://ces.iisc.ac.in" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CES</a>) at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), reveals that certain tropical lizards fall into the latter category. Under the strain of hunger, they roll the dice - risking it all for a chance at a bigger meal.



The study challenges a long-standing belief. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/desert-lizards-struggle-as-global-warming-raises-their-energy-needs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Reptiles</a> have often been dismissed as slow, instinct-driven animals. But this research suggests otherwise. These creatures, despite their cold blood, are surprisingly calculating. They don’t just react; they strategize.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hunger-makes-lizards-take-risks">Hunger makes lizards take risks </h2>



Scientists call it the “risk-sensitive foraging hypothesis.” The idea is simple: hunger changes how animals approach risk. When full, they opt for reliable food sources, even if they’re small. When starving, they chase bigger, uncertain rewards.



Birds and mammals have demonstrated this behavior. But reptiles? They’ve largely been overlooked. After all, many can slow their metabolism and enter a state of torpor when food is scarce. But tropical <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reptiles-provide-new-clues-about-the-diets-of-extinct-animals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lizards</a> don’t have that luxury.



“Reptiles can slow down their metabolism a lot. So, in food-scarce times like winter, they go into torpor (hibernation) to avoid starving to death,” explained Professor Thaker.



“In the tropics, however, reptiles are exposed to warm temperatures all year round and cannot slow their metabolism down enough to get through tough (food lean) times. We expected that lizards in the tropics should have evolved the ability to assess food options, because if they don’t, they may risk starving to death.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-starving-lizards-make-riskier-choices">Starving lizards make riskier choices</h2>



To test this, the researchers turned to the rock agama (Psammophilus dorsalis), a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deforestation-threatens-the-future-of-8-in-10-lizards/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lizard</a> commonly found in and around cities like Bengaluru. These small, fast-moving reptiles navigate both natural and urban landscapes, making them ideal for studying adaptive behavior.



The team devised a straightforward test. First, they split the lizards into two groups. One group received plenty of food, while the other received nothing for 48 hours. 



Next, both groups were presented with a choice. One option offered two mealworms, guaranteed. The other was a gamble - either zero or four mealworms. Would hunger change their decisions?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-risk-taking-lizards">Risk-taking lizards</h2>



The results showed that well-fed lizards stuck to the safe bet - two mealworms, no surprises. But the starved lizards? They took the risk, picking the unpredictable option far more often.



“We found that well-fed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-lizard-day-2024-celebrating-our-scaly-companions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lizards</a> played it safe, opting for the guaranteed two mealworms option,” said study lead author and PhD student Avik Banerjee.



“On the other hand, starved lizards took greater risks, frequently choosing the variable option which has the potential to get them four mealworms. Remarkably, both groups of lizards ended up with similar net food gains by the end of the trials, indicating that the different strategies worked.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-survival-strategy-not-a-fluke">A survival strategy, not a fluke</h2>



The study reshapes how we see reptile decision-making. Unlike their cold-climate cousins, which rely on metabolic slowdowns, tropical lizards must stay active. Their survival depends on making smart, timely choices.



And this goes beyond instinct. The lizards remembered their options, assessed the risks, and made choices based on their needs. That’s strategy, not reflex.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lizards-remember-past-choices">Lizards remember past choices</h2>



For decades, intelligence has been linked primarily to mammals and birds. But <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lizards-rely-on-trees-so-what-happens-when-they-disappear/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reptiles</a> are proving to be far more complex than previously assumed.



“We think that humans have an excellent ability to assess our environment and take calculated risks when needed. But lizards can too,” said Professor Thaker.



“The fact that the rock agamas can remember different options and make appropriate choices to secure their survival is rather cool. We are surrounded by very clever and calculating animals.”



Lizards, often overlooked, might just be thinking more than we ever gave them credit for. And if they can weigh risks and rewards - who knows what else they’re capable of?



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsbl.2024.0628" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Biology Letters</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Lizards take bigger risks when they are hungry

In the wild, every meal is a gamble. Animals like...

More than 99% of birds can fly, but some species have lost this ability over time. Penguins, ostriches, and kiwis evolved into flightless forms, adapting to their specific environments. 



A recent study published in the journal Evolution examines how birds transition from flight to flightlessness. 



The researchers compared the feathers and bodies of flightless birds with their closest flying relatives, identifying which traits change first.



These findings provide insights into evolutionary processes and help determine whether extinct birds were flightless.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-some-birds-stop-flying">Why some birds stop flying</h2>



All <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bird-evolution-timeline-pushed-back-20-million-years-by-baminornis-zhenghensis-discovery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">birds</a> that are flightless today descended from ancestors that could fly.



“Going from something that can't fly to flying is quite the engineering challenge, but going from something that can fly to not flying is rather easy,” noted Evan Saitta, a research associate at the <a href="https://www.fieldmuseum.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Field Museum</a> in Chicago and lead author of the study.



Birds often lose the ability to fly when they settle in predator-free islands. Without evolutionary pressure to escape threats, they gradually adapt to a ground-based lifestyle. Another common reason for flight loss is a shift to semi-aquatic living. 



Penguins, for instance, “fly” underwater using their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-birds-brains-evolved-to-enable-them-to-fly/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wings</a>, leading to significant changes in their feathers and skeletons.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-flight-loss-in-modern-birds">Flight loss in modern birds</h2>



Saitta, primarily a paleontologist, took advantage of the Field Museum’s vast bird collections. 



“I suddenly had access to all these modern birds, and it made me wonder, ‘What happens when a bird loses the ability to fly?’” 



Measuring various feather characteristics, Saitta compared preserved skins of 30 flightless species and their closest flying relatives. He also examined more distant species to expand the dataset.



Previous studies show when different flightless birds diverged from their flying ancestors. Ostriches lost flight much earlier than the Fuegian steamer duck. Their feathers reflect this difference. 



“Ostriches have been flightless for so long that their feathers are no longer optimized for being aerodynamic,” said Saitta. Their long, shaggy feathers serve different purposes, such as insulation and display.



In contrast, the Fuegian steamer duck, which lost flight more recently, retains feathers similar to those of flying ducks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-feather-evolution-after-flight-loss">Feather evolution after flight loss</h2>



Saitta was surprised at how long flightless <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bird-wings-inspire-improvements-in-airplane-safety/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">birds</a> retained flight-adapted feathers. Logically, one would expect unnecessary feather traits to change quickly. However, his postdoctoral advisor Peter Makovicky offered another explanation.



“Pete pointed out that when trying to understand why a modern bird looks the way it does, you can’t just think about natural selection or relaxation thereof. You have to also consider developmental constraints,” said Saitta.



Feathers develop in a strict sequence that is difficult to alter. When birds lose flight, their feather features disappear in the reverse order they evolved.



Feather evolution follows a predictable pattern. Flight feathers first evolved in dinosaurs and became increasingly complex. When a bird loses flight, these adaptations vanish in reverse order. 



Some recent features, like asymmetric flight feathers, disappear quickly. However, fundamental feather structures take much longer to change.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-skeleton-changes-occur-first">Skeleton changes occur first </h2>



Saitta and his team also found that certain body features change more quickly than feathers. 



“The first things to change when <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/songbirds-talk-to-each-other-during-migration/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">birds</a> lose flight, possibly even before the flight feathers become symmetrical, is the proportion of their wings and their tails. We therefore see skeletal changes and also a change in overall body mass,” explained Saitta.



Skeleton changes occur before feather modifications because bones require more energy to grow. Evolution prioritizes reducing these costs first. 



“Let’s say a bird species lands on an island where they are able to safely live on the ground and don’t need to fly anymore. The first things to go are going to be these big, expensive bones and muscles, but feathers are cheap, so there’s less active selection to change them,” said Saitta.



Maintaining a flight-ready skeleton is a larger evolutionary burden than retaining unnecessary feathers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fossilized-flightless-birds">Fossilized flightless birds</h2>



This study aids paleontologists who study fossilized birds and feathered dinosaurs.



“Flight didn’t evolve overnight, and flight, or at least gliding, was possibly lost many times in extinct species, just as in surviving bird lineages. Our paper helps show the order in which birds’ bodies reflect those changes,” said Saitta.



Fossilized feathers alone may not indicate whether an ancient bird could fly. Instead, researchers should first examine body mass and wing proportions. 



These traits change before feathers do. If skeletal features suggest flight loss, feather asymmetry can provide further confirmation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-past-research-on-flight-loss">Past research on flight loss</h2>



Saitta’s study aligns with earlier research on feather changes after flight loss. 



“The good news is that because I came at this question from a different angle, we got results that are very consistent with a lot of the previous research, but I think maybe a little bit broader than if I had approached the question with a more specific focus,” said Saitta.



By analyzing both skeletal and feather changes, this research offers a more complete understanding of how and why birds lose the ability to fly. It also provides valuable tools for identifying flightlessness in extinct species, adding another layer to the study of avian evolution.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://academic.oup.com/evolut/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/evolut/qpaf020/7997201?redirectedFrom=fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Evolution</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Why some birds lose the ability to fly

More than 99% of birds can fly, but some species...

Bigger creatures have long baffled scientists who study cancer. For decades, a widespread view called Peto’s paradox suggested that an animal’s size had no bearing on cancer risk. But now, a recent study is challenging that idea.



The researchers examined data from 263 species spanning amphibians, birds, mammals, and reptiles. They found a clear connection between bigger bodies and higher cancer rates, discrediting Peto’s paradox after 45-years.



The study was led by Professor Chris Venditti from the University of Reading, in collaboration with experts at University College London and The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-animal-size-affects-cancer-risk">Animal size affects cancer risk </h2>



it was previously believed that larger animals had somehow avoided the increased cancer risk associated with more cell divisions. However, this new research shows that size does matter when it comes to cancer <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cancer-cells-collaborate-to-survive-challenging-conditions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">likelihood</a>.



“Everyone knows the myth that elephants are afraid of mice, but when it comes to cancer risk, mice are the ones who have less to fear," said Professor Venditti.



"We’ve shown that larger species like elephants do face higher cancer rates - exactly what you’d expect given they have so many more cells that could go wrong."



Past assumptions relied on limited samples and anecdotal observations. This broader dataset allowed scientists to see patterns that were previously overlooked.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cancer-rates-in-birds-and-reptiles">Cancer rates in birds and reptiles </h2>



Birds and reptiles can keep growing throughout their lives. This continuous growth made them valuable subjects for comparing cancer rates across distinct life cycles.



Larger birds, such as certain parrots, showed higher prevalence of tumors than smaller counterparts. Yet some outliers, like the <a href="https://www.bushheritage.org.au/species/budgerigars#:~:text=The%20Budgerigar%20is%20a%20colourful,weigh%2030%20to%2040%20grams." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">common budgie</a> (Melopsittacus undulatus), had significantly higher rates than researchers had predicted.



Reptiles displayed a similar pattern, with bigger species experiencing more frequent malignancies. This consistency underlines the role of body size in shaping cancer <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/breakthrough-cancer-cells-have-a-molecular-switch-that-could-be-rewired-to-behave-normally/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vulnerability</a> across different branches of the animal kingdom.



Advanced methods helped confirm these insights, offering a more precise look at how growth patterns connect to cancer risk. The researchers accounted for each species’ unique evolution, revealing unexpected similarities among distant groups.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-elephants-evolved-defenses-to-cancer">Elephants evolved defenses to cancer</h2>



Elephants stood out as a prime example of animals with ample body mass yet moderate tumor rates. To clarify this paradox, scientists point to tumor-suppressor genes that help keep cell growth under control.



Elephants share a cancer risk comparable to tigers, which are only a fraction of their size. The difference suggests that evolving larger bodies can go hand-in-hand with specialized protective mechanisms.



“When species needed to grow larger, they also evolved remarkable defenses against cancer. Elephants shouldn’t fear their size - they developed sophisticated biological tools to keep cancer in check,” said study co-author Dr. Joanna Baker.



Earlier assumptions missed this subtle adaptation. Now, experts see how evolution crafts various genetic safeguards that allow a massive animal to thrive without facing sky-high <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/our-lifetime-cancer-risk-may-be-established-before-we-are-born/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tumor rates</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unusual-winners-and-losers">Unusual winners and losers</h2>



Some smaller species show unexpectedly high cancer rates, while others barely register the disease. 



The budgie’s elevated incidence highlights that size alone isn’t the only factor at play. The naked mole rat is famously resistant to tumors and appears to break the rules in the other direction. 



Experts hope that such biological oddities will expose fresh avenues for cancer research and interventions.



"Finding which animals are naturally better at fighting off cancer opens exciting new paths for research. By studying these successful species, we can better understand how cancers develop and potentially discover new ways to fight the disease,” said study lead author Dr. George Butler.



Scientists note that each anomaly teaches them about the intersection of environment, genetics, and disease. Pinpointing how certain species sidestep tumors might yield game-changing breakthroughs down the road.



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



Some large animals hold clues about keeping cancer in check despite massive cell counts. Comparing these biological tactics could suggest strategies to fortify human cancer defenses.



Medical researchers are intrigued by the possibility of applying elephant-like safeguards to human treatments. Understanding how extra tumor-suppressor genes function might spark more targeted therapies.



Similar logic applies to any species that has found a way to curb destructive cell <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/secrets-of-cancer-cell-death-may-transform-treatment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">growth</a>. Larger bodies offer a test case for how cells can multiply under tight regulation, hinting at new approaches for medicine.



Insights from reptile or bird physiology may also inspire creative treatments. With so many species showing unique immune or genetic responses, researchers are digging deeper into nature’s own solutions.



Overall, this discovery overturns a longstanding notion and reinforces the idea that more cells do come with bigger risks. It also highlights the incredible ways that nature deals with challenges as animals grow in size.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2422861122" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS)</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Animal size and cancer risk: Surprising new details have emerged

Bigger creatures have long baffled scientists who study cancer. For...

Mice sometimes surprise researchers in the lab. When a young mouse spots another lying still, it may paw at its comatose friend, chew on its snout, or even yank its limp tongue aside.



<a href="https://keck.usc.edu/faculty-search/li-zhang/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Li Zhang</a> at the University of Southern California and his colleagues have been looking into these interactions. 



They captured <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adq2677" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">footage</a> of lab mice confronting a familiar cage mate that had been anesthetized and was unresponsive.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rescue-behavior-in-mice">Rescue behavior in mice</h2>



“They start with sniffing, and then grooming, and then with a very intensive or physical interaction,” related Li Zhang.



Scientists observed grooming and mouth-focused nibbling. Some mice targeted the unmoving partner’s mouth area, pulling its tongue out in an attempt to clear the airway. 



These same actions occasionally turned up in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deer-mice-shed-light-on-adaptive-evolution/">mice</a> that were interacting with companions that had passed away.



Researchers noticed how these stereotypical gestures tapered off once the still mouse revived and regained motion. 



They also found that a mouse gave more attention to an unresponsive peer that was recognizable than to one that was a stranger. 



This distinction suggests that familiarity plays a role in prompting these rescue-like behaviors.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-insight-from-other-animals">Insight from other animals</h2>



Large mammals such as chimpanzees, dolphins, and elephants have been recorded aiding group members that are in trouble. 



Some dolphins have guided a distressed pod mate to the surface so it could breathe, which has long intrigued scientists who study social behaviors in marine animals. 



Elephants have also been known to support injured relatives. These examples suggest that lending a helping hand isn’t always limited to humans.



Rodents, however, can be trickier to monitor in the wild. Mice prefer concealed spaces and often scatter at the slightest hint of danger. That makes it challenging to film them tending to an ailing group member outside the lab.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-role-of-oxytocin-in-rescue-behavior">Role of oxytocin in rescue behavior</h2>



These rescue-like gestures appear linked to the presence of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oxytocin-is-crucial-beyond-its-role-as-the-love-hormone/">oxytocin</a>, a hormone that influences bonding in many species. The new study detected active oxytocin-releasing neurons in the amygdala and hypothalamus. 



These brain regions, known to handle emotion and social behavior, lit up when mice recognized a cage mate in distress. 



“If we extended the observation window, maybe the success rate could be even higher,” said team member <a href="https://keck.usc.edu/faculty-search/huizhong-tao/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Huizhong Tao</a>, also from USC.



Additional evidence showed that turning off these neuron signals or blocking their ability to dispatch oxytocin reduced the mice’s apparent attempts to help. 



Activating the same neurons produced more grooming and nibbling.



The link between this hormone and nurturing conduct has come up in past research, supporting the view that many mammals share some wiring for caring.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-importance-for-group-survival">Importance for group survival</h2>



Scientists think these behaviors might help keep social groups together and improve survival. Young <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mice-pass-the-mirror-test-does-that-mean-they-are-self-aware/">mice</a> that responded to a motionless mate saw that partner bounce back to normal sooner than those left alone. 



That small difference might affect how groups function in their natural habitats, where every second can be a matter of life or death.



Some researchers say caution is needed when drawing big conclusions. Animals often do things that look human-like, but motives can be complicated. 



Still, these lab findings give hints that even small creatures might care more about their companions than we once believed.



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



Many animals rely on social bonds for carrying out different activities, from defense to nurturing infants. 



This study raises the possibility that more species have built-in behaviors that benefit the whole community. 



Researchers suspect that similar patterns might exist in other species but remain unnoticed because of how tough it is to observe these moments in the wild.



Oxytocin is a hormone found in many vertebrate species and the researchers suggest that it could underpin an innate emergency response to assist an unresponsive group member. 



This revival behavior may thus be widely present, particularly among social animals.



The discovery that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/male-mice-turn-to-female-mice-to-avoid-fights-keep-social-peace/">mice act as tiny caregivers</a> prompts new questions. Scientists plan to test if there are variations among different strains of mice. 



Some want to see if environmental factors, such as stress or crowding, affect how likely mice are to step up for a comatose mate.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adq2677" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>.



-----



Like what you read?<a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/"> Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on<a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/"> EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by<a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/"> Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Mice offer first aid to unconscious companions

Mice sometimes surprise researchers in the lab. When a young...

The world's appetite for seafood is growing, and the industry is racing to keep up. 



A new study suggests that farming seafood from the ocean - known as mariculture - could be expanded to feed more people while reducing harm to marine biodiversity at the same time. However, success depends on careful planning.



The researchers found that the locations and ways in which mariculture is expanded will determine whether it helps or harms the environment.



The findings, published in the journal Nature Ecology &amp; Evolution, highlight both the risks and opportunities of growing this industry.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-science-of-sustainable-mariculture">The science of sustainable mariculture</h2>



The study was led by Deqiang Ma, who conducted the research as a postdoctoral scholar at the <a href="https://umich.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Michigan</a>.



“We can achieve this sustainable mariculture development,” said Ma. "With strategic planning, we can achieve the goal of conserving <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/good-news-ocean-oxygen-loss-may-ultimately-reverse/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine species</a> while meeting the global demand for the expansion of mariculture.”



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mariculture-is-highly-sustainable-and-climate-friendly/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mariculture</a> is a type of aquaculture focused on farming saltwater seafood, such as fish and shellfish. In 2020, it contributed about 20% of the seafood consumed globally, providing a critical source of protein for billions of people.



As the demand for seafood production increases, mariculture is expanding rapidly. To understand its impact, Ma and an international team of researchers developed a model to analyze the potential effects of mariculture growth on over 20,000 marine species.



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



The team’s model created a baseline for mariculture’s current impact and simulated how it could change by 2050 under different scenarios. 



The researchers also factored in two climate change models - RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 - which assume varying levels of warming and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/greenhouse-gas-emissions-reach-another-all-time-high/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">greenhouse gas emissions</a>.



In the best-case scenario, where new farms are built in areas with the least environmental impact, seafood production could soar.



“Bivalve production could increase by 2.36-fold and finfish could increase by 1.82-fold compared to current production - projections of what is needed to meet global demand - but the global mariculture impacts would decrease by up to 30.5% under the best-case scenario,” Ma said.



However, the worst-case scenario painted a starkly different picture. If new farms are built in the most ecologically sensitive areas, the damage to marine biodiversity could be more than four times worse than if farms were placed randomly.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-importance-of-smart-expansion">The importance of smart expansion</h2>



This study highlights the need for thoughtful planning, said senior study author Neil Carter, an associate professor at the University of Michigan.



“It is critically important to leverage the growing insights across disciplines, whether it’s <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/clear-and-dynamic-visuals-are-important-when-presenting-climate-change-science/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change science</a> or economics or marine production,” Carter said. “All these different facets had to come together from other sources in order to make these forecasts.”



The research team included experts from the University of Washington, the University of Freiburg in Germany, Hokkaido University in Japan, and the University of California, Santa Barbara. 



Their collaborative effort highlights the complexity of mariculture expansion and the need for coordinated decision-making.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-expanding-seafood-farming">Expanding seafood farming</h2>



Large-scale studies like this come with challenges, noted co-author Benjamin Halpern, a professor at UCSB. “But I’ve done this kind of work a lot in my career, and the payoffs can be enormous."



“The cross-disciplinary nature of the questions that can be addressed and the ability to look at them for every patch of ocean in the world makes the research much more relevant and impactful to society and the scientific community.”



The researchers emphasize that this study is just the beginning. More data and refined models will be needed to fine-tune sustainable mariculture strategies for the future.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-approach-varies-by-region">Best approach varies by region</h2>



One key takeaway is that there is no universal solution. The best approach varies by region. What works in the South Pacific may not be ideal for coastal Europe.



Additionally, even the best-case scenario has trade-offs. In all scenarios examined, mariculture expansion negatively impacted some <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-mammals-in-the-us-are-highly-vulnerable-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine mammals</a>, such as whales, seals, and sea lions. 



Understanding these trade-offs is essential for policymakers who must balance food security with conservation goals.



“With these insights, we can see that it’s not a foregone conclusion that the expansion of an industry is always going to have a proportionally negative impact on the environment,” Carter said. 



“So the next part of this is getting policymakers and communities to interact with each other to figure out how we can actually implement some of these ideas to reduce those impacts and to prioritize marine biodiversity.”



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-025-02650-6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Ecology &amp; Evolution</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Boosting seafood production while protecting biodiversity

The world's appetite for seafood is growing, and the industry...

Birds have long been symbols of freedom and resilience, soaring through the skies and thriving in diverse environments. From the icy tundras to tropical rainforests, birds have developed survival strategies that allow them to endure the challenges of their surroundings. 



Some species live at a rapid pace, reproducing as quickly as possible before their short lives end. Others take a slower approach, prioritizing longevity over frequent reproduction. 



These strategies have evolved over millions of years, but the accelerating impacts of climate change could alter the balance.



A recent study led by Michigan State University (<a href="https://msu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MSU</a>) scientists explores how environmental conditions shape bird behavior. By analyzing nearly 7,500 non-migratory species, the researchers uncovered patterns that link climate variability to survival choices.



The study raises important questions about how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bird-evolution-timeline-pushed-back-20-million-years-by-baminornis-zhenghensis-discovery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">birds</a> will navigate a future defined by rising global temperatures and unpredictable weather patterns.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-birds-use-strategies-based-on-climate">Birds use strategies based on climate</h2>



Every bird species faces unique challenges depending on where it lives. In regions with extreme seasonal fluctuations, birds must act fast to ensure their lineage continues. 



These species, including finches and cardinals, reproduce quickly, placing more energy into raising offspring than into their own long-term survival. Their strategy relies on numbers - if enough young birds make it to adulthood, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/large-flightless-birds-are-more-intelligent-than-we-realized/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a> persists despite high mortality rates.



On the other hand, birds that inhabit areas with gradual, long-term climate variations tend to play a different game. These species, such as the sulfur-crested cockatoo, prioritize endurance. 



They live longer, often skipping breeding during harsh years, knowing they will have opportunities to reproduce when conditions improve. This approach allows them to hedge their bets, ensuring that their offspring have a better chance of survival.



Study lead author Casey Youngflesh is a former postdoctoral researcher in MSU’s Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior Program.



“A lot of factors drive key components of life history,” said Youngflesh. “We wanted to synthesize these global data resources to see what environmental factors shape biodiversity.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-analysis-of-bird-survival">Global analysis of bird survival</h2>



To understand these patterns, the research team compiled a vast dataset of bird species from across the world. This effort represents one of the most comprehensive studies of resident <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bird-extinctions-shatter-the-harmonious-balance-of-nature/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">birds</a>, offering insights into how they respond to different environmental conditions. 



By examining temperature variability across both short and long timescales, the researchers could determine which birds were more likely to take risks and which played the long game.



Birds in highly unpredictable climates, where temperatures shift dramatically within a single year, tend to invest in reproduction as soon as possible. 



They cannot afford to wait for better conditions because the future remains uncertain. These birds live by a philosophy of seizing the moment, ensuring their genetic legacy continues despite the risks.



Conversely, birds facing climate changes that unfold over decades or centuries adapt in a more measured way. They rely on longevity as their advantage, opting to survive tough periods rather than gamble on uncertain reproduction. 



This trade-off highlights the diversity of evolutionary strategies in response to environmental challenges.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alarming-pace-of-climate-change">Alarming pace of climate change </h2>



Although long-lived birds can withstand bad years by delaying reproduction, they also face a significant drawback. Their ability to adapt is slower than that of short-lived <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earliest-modern-bird-lived-in-antarctica-69-million-years-ago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a>. 



Climate change is happening at an unprecedented pace, raising concerns about whether these survival strategies of birds will remain effective.



“If you only live a couple years, one bad year isn’t a big problem,” Youngflesh said. “But if you have two or more bad years in a row, you are in trouble. In variable, unpredictable environments, it may pay to live a long time.”



If extreme weather events become more frequent and erratic, even birds with historically successful strategies may struggle to keep up. The question remains: will evolution be fast enough to match the speed of environmental change?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-patterns-across-ecosystems">Patterns across ecosystems</h2>



The study’s findings extend beyond any single region, revealing broad trends across different ecosystems. 



Birds in boreal forests, grasslands, and tropical jungles all show similar responses to climate variability. Whether in dense forests or open plains, the balance between risk-taking and patience plays a crucial role in shaping survival.



Phoebe Zarnetske of the director of the Institute for Biodiversity, Ecology, Evolution, &amp; Macrosystems (<a href="http://Institute for Biodiversity, Ecology, Evolution, &amp; Macrosystems (IBEEM)" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IBEEM</a>) at MSU. She emphasized the importance of these global patterns.



“This study provides important insights about the roles that climate change and variability have in shaping the patterns of life on Earth,” said Zarnetske, noting it was a prime mission behind IBEEM’s funding of the study.



“Importantly, an interdisciplinary approach - combining insights from ecology and climate science - was key to uncovering how organisms respond to climate variability.”



The research raises new questions about how different bird populations will survive in the future. If some species struggle to adapt, their ecosystems could undergo significant shifts, altering food webs and interactions among species.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-role-of-extreme-weather-events">Role of extreme weather events</h2>



Interestingly, the study revealed that precipitation did not play a major role in determining birds’ survival strategies. However, co-author and climate scientist Lala Kounta pointed out that more extreme weather events, such as heatwaves and droughts, could add new pressures that researchers need to explore further.



“You have to understand these foundational theories before you can predict how things are going to change,” said IBEEM data scientist Kelly Kaspar. 



“Seeing through all the noise and finding patterns is critical, and this has been a rare opportunity to work with different disciplines – I’m in fisheries and wildlife, others are in integrated biology, geography, climate studies. There’s a lot of different expertise here.”



By integrating data from various fields, researchers can gain a clearer picture of how climate affects biodiversity on a global scale.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-of-bird-populations">Future of bird populations</h2>



The study sheds light on the intricate relationship between climate change and bird survival <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/habitat-and-evolution-shape-the-unique-sounds-of-birds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">strategies</a>. While some species may adapt quickly, others could face significant challenges as their traditional behaviors become less effective. 



Scientists continue to explore these patterns, hoping to predict which species will thrive and which may struggle to keep pace with rapid environmental shifts.



Birds have adapted to changing conditions for millions of years, but the coming decades will test their resilience like never before. As climate change accelerates, their ability to make strategic decisions will determine their fate in an unpredictable world.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/ele.70077" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ecology Letters</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Birds adapt their survival strategies to climate change

Birds have long been symbols of freedom and resilience, soaring...

The Arctic’s frozen expanse is home to one of nature’s most awe-inspiring creatures - the polar bear. For thousands of years, these formidable hunters have roamed the ice, perfectly adapted to their brutal environment.



But today? Survival has never been harder for polar bears. Climate change, melting ice, and human activity threaten their very <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/polar-bears-are-suffering-from-an-energy-deficit-due-to-lack-of-food-access/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">existence</a>.



Each year on February 27, International Polar Bear Day serves as a wake-up call. Founded by Polar Bears International in 2011, this day isn’t just about admiration - it’s about action. 



The timing of Polar Bear Day isn’t random. It aligns with a crucial period when mother bears and their newborn cubs rest in dens, preparing for their first steps into a world that’s changing too fast.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-harsh-start-to-life">A harsh start to life</h2>



Deep beneath the Arctic snow, polar bear mothers curl around their newborn cubs, shielding them from the cold. Cubs arrive helpless - blind, tiny, barely weighing a pound. Their survival depends entirely on the warmth and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ice-doesnt-stick-to-polar-bear-fur-but-why/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">safety</a> of the den.



Spring brings their first test. Emerging into the Arctic, they face an environment shifting under their paws. 



Rising temperatures, erratic weather, and encroaching human activity make survival even more precarious. Many of the safe denning sites of the past no longer exist.



“Keeping moms and cubs safe while also addressing climate change is a critical part of our work on behalf of polar bears - and your support can make a real difference,” noted officials from <a href="https://polarbearsinternational.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Polar Bears International</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-polar-bear-habitats">Protecting polar bear habitats</h2>



Scientists and conservationists race to safeguard these bears, but challenges mount. Research is vital - tracking den locations, monitoring bear movements, and identifying emerging threats. 



One of the most pressing concerns is industrial expansion. Oil and gas operations, road construction, and increased shipping traffic disrupt denning mothers.



 The consequences may be devastating. If disturbed too soon, a mother may abandon her cubs - leaving them to perish.



And here’s the shocking part: current industry surveys fail to detect more than half of active dens. That means countless mothers and cubs remain at risk.



New technology offers hope. Researchers are testing advanced thermal imaging and AI-driven mapping to pinpoint hidden dens with greater accuracy. If successful, these innovations could protect critical habitats before it’s too late.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-international-polar-bear-day-matters">Why International Polar Bear Day matters</h2>



International Polar Bear Day isn’t just another “awareness day.” It’s a demand for change. Today is about supporting research, pushing for stronger environmental policies, and educating people about the harsh reality of climate change.



Polar <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/polar-bears-are-struggling-to-survive-longer-summers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bears</a> have walked a thin line between survival and extinction before. Scientists believe they evolved around 150,000 years ago, perfectly adapted to their icy world. But humans nearly wiped them out.



For millennia, Indigenous Arctic communities coexisted with polar bears, hunting them sustainably. That balance was shattered in the 1700s when European, Russian, and North American hunters arrived. Unchecked slaughter pushed the species toward collapse.



By the mid-20th century, another enemy emerged: fossil fuel-driven climate change. Despite repeated warnings, industrial expansion continued unchecked. The ice melted, and the Arctic landscape transformed.



In 1973, a turning point arrived - the United States, Denmark, Norway, and the former USSR signed the International Agreement on the Conservation of Polar Bears. The treaty banned commercial hunting and marked the first step toward protecting these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/polar-bear-conservation-leaps-forward-with-new-tracking-technology/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animals</a>. But was it enough?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-science-tells-us-now">What science tells us now</h2>



Decades of research have deepened our understanding of polar bears. Long-term studies in Alaska and Svalbard reveal alarming trends - rising cub mortality rates, shrinking sea ice, and increased human-wildlife conflict.



One study looked at how mothers respond to disturbances. The results? Even minor disruptions can cause a denning mother to flee, dooming her cubs. 



Another investigation exposed the failure of oil industry surveys to locate active dens, raising concerns about drilling projects in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-part-of-a-bigger-fight">Part of a bigger fight </h2>



There’s still time to make a difference. If we reduce carbon emissions now, sea ice can regenerate, giving polar bears a chance to recover and thrive in their natural habitat.



Polar bears aren’t just symbols of the Arctic. They are keystone predators, essential to the region’s delicate balance. 



Their disappearance would ripple through the ecosystem, impacting other species and Indigenous communities who have lived alongside them for generations.



But let’s be real - this isn’t just an Arctic problem. The loss of sea ice accelerates global warming. Less ice means less sunlight reflected away from Earth, which raises temperatures worldwide. Rising seas threaten coastal cities.



Unstable weather patterns disrupt food supplies. Protecting polar bears is part of a much bigger fight.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-take-action-on-polar-bear-day">Take action on Polar Bear Day</h2>



International Polar Bear Day isn’t about feeling helpless - it’s about action. Raising awareness is a powerful first step. Conversations spark change, and education fuels advocacy. Sharing information keeps the urgency alive.



Supporting conservation efforts strengthens long-term solutions. Donations help fund critical research and protection programs. Every contribution - big or small - plays a role in safeguarding these animals.



Reducing carbon footprints is another way to make a difference. Adjusting thermostats, choosing energy-efficient appliances, and driving less all contribute to lower emissions.



Advocacy remains crucial. Understanding environmental policies and demanding accountability from leaders can help to ensure that conservation stays a priority. Public support influences stronger legislation to protect Arctic wildlife and combat climate change.



The Arctic is changing fast, but there’s still hope. Through science, conservation, and global collaboration, we can make a difference. 



For millennia, polar bears have thrived in one of the harshest environments on Earth, adapting to extreme conditions. But this challenge is beyond adaptation - they can’t face it alone. Their future hinges on the choices we make now.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

International Polar Bear Day: Keeping moms and cubs safe

The Arctic’s frozen expanse is home to one of nature’s...

Animal emotions can be difficult to decipher, but advances in technology may bring them into clearer focus. A new machine-learning model suggests it can distinguish between positive and negative emotional states in various animals.



These findings could change how we handle livestock and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/animals-and-possibly-even-insects-have-emotions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wildlife</a>. After meticulously analyzing distinct calls from cows, pigs, and other relatives, the team realized that certain acoustic signals indicate mood shifts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-voice-patterns-and-animal-emotions">Voice patterns and animal emotions</h2>



A research team led by Professor Élodie F. Briefer at the <a href="https://www.ku.dk/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Copenhagen</a> introduced artificial intelligence to a large library of farm-animal sounds, hoping to identify subtle clues that reveal emotional states.



Machine learning is a computational approach that learns from examples. In this project, the technology compared audio features like pitch and loudness across different calls.



Trained on thousands of recordings, the system recognized which sounds relate to pleasant or unpleasant experiences. The technology reached 89.49% accuracy in discerning the emotional expressions of seven ungulate species.



These animals produce vocal cues that sometimes share evolutionary roots. Researchers suggest that certain voice patterns have remained stable over time, shedding light on how communicative signals might develop across related creatures.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-ai-distinguishes-animal-emotions">How AI distinguishes animal emotions</h2>



The researchers noticed that vocal changes often accompany shifting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chick-emotions-shed-new-light-on-animal-welfare/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">emotional conditions</a>. They found that duration, pitch range, and energy distribution were particularly telling.



For example, a short call might hint at excitement, while a slower call might reflect unease. This approach could help veterinarians and caretakers catch early warning signs of stress.



“This breakthrough provides solid evidence that AI can decode emotions across multiple species based on vocal patterns. It has the potential to revolutionise animal welfare, livestock management, and conservation, allowing us to monitor animals’ emotions in real time,” said Briefer.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-benefits-of-identifying-animal-emotions">Benefits of identifying animal emotions</h2>



Farm operators face recurring health and behavioral problems in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-emotions-evoke-different-responses-in-dogs-and-pigs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">herds</a>. They may observe restlessness, poor feeding, or other signals that something is wrong.



“Understanding how animals express emotions can help us improve their well-being. If we can detect stress or discomfort early, we can intervene before it escalates,” said Briefer.



The new system could streamline daily observations. Advanced software might track changes automatically and alert staff when animals require a closer look.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-broader-implications-of-the-study">Broader implications of the study</h2>



Some studies link emotional sounds in other mammals to evolutionary communication patterns. Darwin once discussed how shared traits might hint at common expressions of fear or pleasure in various creatures.



Finding parallels across different calls could offer insights into the building blocks of human language. It might illustrate how emotional intonation became a key ingredient in social bonding.



Investigators view this data as a starting point for ongoing research on animal emotions. It could spark fresh perspectives on how animals form social bonds or defend territories.



“We want this to be a resource for other scientists. By making the data open access, we hope to accelerate research into how AI can help us better understand <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/international-animal-rights-day-2024-honoring-animals-with-justice/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animals</a> and improve their welfare,” concluded Briefer.



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



These findings rely on carefully curated audio samples. Not every farm or field environment has perfect recording conditions.



Background noise, overlapping calls, and varying mic quality might hamper real-world performance. Researchers are working to refine the model for practical settings.



Experts also emphasize that decoding emotion is only part of the story. True well-being involves physical health and social needs.



Some farm scenarios involve high-density housing or specialized feeding routines. Technology that provides real-time feedback could help address issues before they become critical.



Future studies may explore if similar approaches apply to other groups, such as primates or marine mammals. Broader comparisons could test the limits of animal emotions and vocal expression similarities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-better-grasp-on-animal-emotions">A better grasp on animal emotions</h2>



Industry leaders show interest in solutions that simplify monitoring. Automation might give them more time for direct interaction with animals.



The technology could be adapted for sanctuaries, zoos, or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/recognizing-emotions-in-horses-can-improve-their-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wildlife</a> reserves. Each environment poses different hurdles in terms of space and animal grouping.



A better grasp of emotional signals might also shape ethical guidelines. Stakeholders can decide if certain practices are beneficial or harmful based on real-time metrics.



Artificial intelligence has come a long way in analyzing patterns. This venture into animal emotions might be another step that redefines how we see other beings.



The outcome might encourage more humane systems that appreciate the subtle ways that animals express themselves.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S258900422500094X" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">iScience</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Animal emotions can be decoded through voice recognition

Animal emotions can be difficult to decipher, but advances in...

Young salmon swimming through the San Joaquin River make vital adjustments in their route and timing to improve their odds of surviving a perilous journey. 



Recent research has uncovered how these young fish exploit different parts of the river at specific times of day to avoid predators and cut down on energy costs.



The study was led by Mike Gil, an assistant professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the <a href="https://www.colorado.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Colorado Boulder</a>. The findings reveal the dynamics behind the adaptive behaviors of juvenile salmon.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-decline-in-salmon-numbers">A decline in salmon numbers</h2>



“The salmon fishery in the San Joaquin River delta area is on the verge of collapsing,” said Gil, the paper’s first author. 



“We know these juvenile salmon are getting wiped out on their migration to sea. We need to know why and how this is happening, and if there are opportunities to leverage conservation practices.”&nbsp;



Many of these salmon endure their first year in a portion of the river where they were born, and then <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-has-unpredictable-effects-on-salmon-migration/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">migrate</a> hundreds of miles to reach the ocean’s richer feeding grounds.&nbsp;



Later, as adults, they retrace their path upstream to spawn, perpetuating a cycle that has long supported both the fish population and local fisheries.



According to the <a href="https://wildlife.ca.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">California Department of Fish and Wildlife</a>, the number of Chinook salmon migrating in the fall through the Sacramento and San Joaquin river systems has plummeted from 872,669 in 2002 to 79,985 in 2022, reflecting an alarming 90% decline in just twenty years.



While elevated water temperatures, poor <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rivers-at-risk-climate-change-is-diminishing-global-water-quality/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">water quality</a>, and the presence of dams all pose significant risks, humans have also introduced non-native predators - namely striped and largemouth bass - that claim a large percentage of juvenile salmon.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracking-the-journey-of-young-salmon">Tracking the journey of young salmon</h2>



In an effort to discern how these fish respond to their numerous threats, Gil’s team placed tracking devices in 424 juvenile Chinook salmon, along with 23 striped bass and 17 largemouth bass.&nbsp;



They lined the riverbanks with detection gear to monitor the fish’s activities over two months, capturing a detailed view of predator attacks, salmon movement patterns, and how these two forces interact.



From this data, the researchers confirmed that salmon move farther at night than during daytime - a pattern that had previously been noted but not deeply explained.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-young-salmon-modify-their-routines">Young salmon modify their routines</h2>



The team’s tracking revealed the reason behind this nocturnal tendency. By day, the predatory bass prefer to patrol the middle of the river, which also happens to be where salmon can ride the strong current downstream and conserve the most energy.&nbsp;



Unfortunately, the fish also face greater danger there when the sun is up, as hungry bass congregate in that mid-river channel to intercept them.&nbsp;



Faced with that threat, young salmon have modified their routine: they cover greater distances mid-river only when it’s dark, taking advantage of lower predator activity.&nbsp;



During the day, these vulnerable fish swim closer to the riverbanks - even though the weaker currents in shallow water mean they expend more than twice as much energy to make progress.&nbsp;



“Intuitively, one would think these fish should just be taxiing right down the middle of the river all the time, so they can get out to the ocean and get away from all these terrifying predators as fast as possible. But that’s not what we saw,” said Gil.&nbsp;



“Our study suggests that bass activities are forcing these fish to adopt a different strategy.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-facing-predators-at-dawn-and-dusk-nbsp">Facing predators at dawn and dusk&nbsp;</h2>



Another noteworthy finding was that predator attacks peaked around dawn and dusk. “These fish seem to really pick up on changes in ambient lighting,” Gil said.&nbsp;



Because striped bass have relatively large eyes, they maintain a visual edge in dim conditions, while salmon, with smaller eyes, struggle to see well in twilight.&nbsp;



As a result, these early-morning and late-evening hours become particularly dangerous for juvenile salmon seeking to slip by their hunters.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-insights-for-salmon-conservation">Insights for salmon conservation</h2>



Protecting salmon in the San Joaquin River is paramount, especially given the historic collapse in salmon populations that is unfolding.&nbsp;



Understanding the fish’s nuanced responses to predator behavior can help direct conservation efforts.&nbsp;



Even small adjustments in human management strategies, such as limiting light pollution around the river corridor at night, could offer salmon a stronger advantage in moving under cover of darkness.&nbsp;



“We as humans are quite limited in our understanding of how animals in the wild behave. By better understanding this, we can make the most informed decisions about how to keep these species around,” Gil said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complex-picture-of-coping-strategies-nbsp">Complex picture of coping strategies&nbsp;</h2>



One avenue for improvement lies in examining whether minor changes in water flow or releases from dams can shift the timetable of salmon migration, potentially helping the fish slip through the delta under conditions that reduce bass predation.&nbsp;



Resource managers and conservationists can also investigate the impact of removing or reducing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cats-have-become-one-of-the-worlds-most-invasive-predators/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">invasive predators</a> in targeted areas. Each approach, if carefully assessed, could raise survival rates enough to keep the population from collapsing further.



By unraveling the timings and tactics underlying salmon migration, this study paints a more complex picture of how an imperiled species copes with multiple stressors.&nbsp;



The fish must contend not only with environmental hurdles - such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-temperatures-increase-scientists-plan-slow-down-rising-heat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rising temperatures</a> - but also with an altered predator landscape shaped by human intervention.&nbsp;



Their strategy of traveling under the cover of night is a stark example of adaptation, but it also illuminates just how fragile the balance between predator and prey has become.&nbsp;



With salmon runs hanging in the balance, measures to synchronize conservation goals with the fish’s finely tuned behaviors may be the key to reversing the ongoing decline.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ele.70068" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ecology Letters</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-ralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Young salmon outsmart predators on their journey to the sea

Young salmon swimming through the San Joaquin River make vital...

Our planet is full of life, and among its tiniest inhabitants, nematode worms play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance.



A recent study has shed light on the surface chemistry of these worms, providing us with an image of how these creatures interact with their environment and each other.



The research could potentially lead to a better understanding of evolutionary adaptations. The study may also be instrumental in countering parasitic infections.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nematodes-at-the-molecular-level">Nematodes at the molecular level</h2>



Scientists in the School of Pharmacy at the <a href="https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Nottingham</a> have taken a closer look at nematodes under the magnifying glass.



Using a powerful new mass spectrometry imaging system, they focused on Caenorhabditis elegans and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/simple-worms-can-make-complex-decisions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pristionchus pacificus</a>, two species of nematode worms.



The researchers sought to analyze the worm's distinctive surface chemistry and evaluate how its skin influences its physiology and behavior.



The results showed that nematode surfaces are primarily oily or lipid-based, and form a complex chemical landscape.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tiny-creatures-with-big-scientific-value">Tiny creatures with big scientific value</h2>



Nematode <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-have-discovered-worms-that-kill-tarantulas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">worms</a>, as unsightly as they might seem to some, inhabit almost every environment known to us, from soil and water to plants, seeds, and even humans and other animals.



Nematode infections can lead to severe cases with serious health complications.



“Nematodes are an excellent model for human biology and are considered to be some of the most completely understood animals on the planet – especially in terms of genetics, neurology and developmental biology," said Dr. Veeren Chauhan, the lead researcher for this study.



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



Dr. Chauhan noted that we share around 60-70% of our DNA with these worms, so any new discoveries about them can significantly enhance our understanding of human biology and can contribute towards solving global <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/living-fossils-could-inspire-advancements-in-human-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">human health</a> challenges.



"Using world-leading mass spectrometry facilities, we studied the surface chemical properties of nematodes throughout their development," said Dr. Chauhan.



"This allowed us to track molecular changes in detail and observe how surface chemistry differs during development, varies between species, and, importantly, influences their interactions with one another."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-breakthrough-in-chemical-imaging">Breakthrough in chemical imaging</h2>



The 3D-OrbiSIMS instrument was critical in this research because it provided an unprecedented level of molecular detail.



As one of the most advanced tools for high-resolution chemical imaging, it enables scientists to analyze biological surfaces with extraordinary precision.



The University of Nottingham was one of the first institutions in the world to obtain a 3D-OrbiSIMS instrument, solidifying its role in pioneering molecular imaging research. 



This cutting-edge technology allows mass spectral molecular analysis across a wide range of materials, including both hard and soft matter, biological cells, and tissues.



By combining high surface sensitivity, mass resolution, and spatial precision with a depth profiling sputtering beam, 3D-OrbiSIMS has transformed our ability to study microscopic organisms. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-composition-of-nematode-skin">Composition of nematode skin</h2>



The study revealed that lipids make up approximately 70-80% of the molecular composition of nematode surface skin.



Furthermore, the researchers found that nematode surface chemistry changes over time, as the worms go through different life stages.



These findings offer new insights into nematode biology and the interactions of these worms with their environment. The results would not have been possible without the power of advanced chemical imaging.



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



Beyond their structural role, the surface lipids of nematodes are proving to be central to their survival and interactions. 



“Discovering that these worms have a predominantly oily, or lipid-based, surface is a significant step in understanding their biology. These lipid surfaces help maintain hydration and provide a barrier against <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bacteria-and-imprint-new-era-dna-transformation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bacteria</a>, which are essential for their survival," noted Dr. Chauhan.



"What is also very interesting is that these lipids appear to serve as chemical cues that influence interspecies interactions, such as predation." 



"For example, the predatory behavior of Pristionchus pacificus is guided by physical contact with the surface lipids of its prey, Caenorhabditis elegans, and alterations in these lipids can increase the susceptibility of the prey to predation."



Dr. Chauhan noted that gaining this level of understanding of the surface chemistries of these worms and how they influence interaction and survival opens up new areas of scientific discovery and could ultimately help in developing strategies to fight <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/declining-moose-populations-linked-to-brain-eating-parasitic-worms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">parasitic worms</a> and the diseases that they cause.



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



The findings extend beyond fundamental biology, opening new avenues for applied research in parasitology, agriculture, and medicine.



Understanding the chemical makeup of nematode surfaces could lead to innovative strategies for disrupting parasitic life cycles, protecting crops from harmful nematodes, and even developing biomimetic materials that replicate their lipid-based defenses. 



As scientists continue to explore these microscopic yet complex organisms, their unique surface chemistry may hold the key to addressing significant challenges in human and environmental health.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/jacs.4c12519" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JACS</a>.



Image Credit: University of Nottingham - Veered Chauhan



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Nematodes use chemistry to survive and communicate

Our planet is full of life, and among its tiniest...

We all dread the arrival of mosquito season, with their buzzing antennae heralding the irritating prick and maddening itch that haunt countless nights. Yet, could this much-maligned insect hold the key to a major advance in disaster response?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mosquito-signals-pioneer-disaster-detection">Mosquito signals pioneer disaster detection</h2>



A multidisciplinary team of scientists from <a href="https://www.purdue.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Purdue University</a> is now turning the tables on our understanding of mosquitoes.



Specifically, the team is conducting an in-depth look at the tiny creature's antennae and their sensitivity to vibrations, which may prove pivotal in predicting natural disasters such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earthquakes-have-long-lasting-impacts-on-forests/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">earthquakes</a> and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tsunamis-are-preceded-by-changes-in-magnetic-fields/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tsunamis</a>.



"We’re still in the early stages but we’re pretty optimistic that we’ll at least learn a great deal," says Professor Pablo Zavattieri from Purdue's College of Engineering who conducted the investigation along with Jerry M. and Lynda T. Engelhardt.



"Taking inspiration from nature and using it to advance scientific research has been a core feature of engineering since the very beginning," he explained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cracking-the-code-of-mosquito-hearing">Cracking the code of mosquito hearing</h2>



Mosquitoes, most of which are without traditional ears, rely heavily on their antennae to "hear" their way through life. These <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-device-identifies-mosquitoes-using-only-sound/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">antennae</a> help them locate critical sounds, even amid the distracting noises of their own wingbeats.



The research has focused on the arrangement, morphology, and sensory hairs on these antennae. These adaptations are thought to enhance a mosquito's auditory sensitivity and selective response to environmental cues.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/mosquito-antennae_ct-scan_credit-Purdue_1s.webp" alt="This CT scan is a close-up of the structural features of a male mosquito's antennae. Purdue University researchers are studying these features to see if they could inform the design of acoustic sensors. Credit: Purdue University / Phani Saketh Dasika" class="wp-image-1960778"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">This CT scan is a close-up of the structural features of a male mosquito's antennae. Purdue University researchers are studying these features to see if they could inform the design of acoustic sensors. Credit: Purdue University / Phani Saketh Dasika</figcaption></figure>



“Using advanced micro-CT imaging to create high-fidelity CAD models for finite element analysis, we found that the architectural features of mosquito antennae enable species- and sex-specific acoustic target detection, even amid nontarget signals like their own wingbeats,” researcher Phani Saketh Dasika said.



“Our findings also suggest that mosquito antennae are <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mosquitoes-use-thermal-infrared-vision-to-track-and-bite-humans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">capable of detecting</a> a broader range of frequencies than previously thought, though not all of these may be actively utilized.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-big-ears-of-the-urban-jungle">The big ears of the urban jungle</h2>



The team’s efforts to mimic the responses of antennae from different mosquito species to varying sounds have led to more revealing discoveries.



"By modeling and contrasting the response of the antenna of species of mosquito using sound for different purposes - hearing mates or eavesdropping on frogs - we were able to tease apart features modulating hearing sensitivity and tuning," explained Professor Bernal of Purdue's College of Science. 



"Understanding how these structures work is the first step toward developing acoustic sensors inspired by their sensitive antennae," she added. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-mosquito-antennae-sensors-matter">Why mosquito antennae sensors matter</h2>



But it's not just about acoustic sensors. The research has a broader societal impact. 



Professor Zavattieri believes that the insights gained from examining mosquito antennae could inform the development of smart noise-canceling materials. 



These could range from soundproofing panels for buildings to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-artificial-intelligence-noise-canceling-headphones-listen-one-voice-crowd/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">noise-canceling headphones</a>, and even acoustic cloaking devices.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/mosquito-antennae_mosquito-head-antennae_3d-printed_credit-Purdue_1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/mosquito-antennae_mosquito-head-antennae_3d-printed_credit-Purdue_1s.webp" alt="Purdue University professor Pablo Zavattieri holds a 3D-printed mosquito head. His team is recreating mosquito antennae to better study their sensitivity to vibrations, which may improve how natural disasters are monitored and detected. Credit: Purdue University / Drew Stone" class="wp-image-1960780"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Purdue University professor Pablo Zavattieri holds a 3D-printed mosquito head. His team is recreating mosquito antennae to better study their sensitivity to vibrations, which may improve how natural disasters are monitored and detected. Credit: Purdue University / Drew Stone</figcaption></figure>



“Imagine urban environments equipped with bio-inspired sensors, akin to ‘big ears,’ capable of discerning specific sounds amid the hustle and bustle of city life,” said Zavattieri.



“In times of crisis - such as earthquakes or other disasters - these sensors become invaluable, swiftly detecting faint signals of distress and guiding rescue efforts to those in need.”



The team currently focuses on developing antennae through 3D printing, using a range of materials and sizes for frequency testing. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mosquito-antennae-and-the-future">Mosquito antennae and the future</h2>



Building on these groundbreaking insights, the research team is taking the next steps in transforming laboratory discoveries into practical, life-saving technologies. 



Their innovative approach may not only enhance existing earthquake and tsunami detection methods but also transform crisis response in densely populated areas.



The vision is to equip urban buildings and public spaces with sensors that are modeled after mosquito antennae, and are capable of continuously monitoring subtle vibrations and detecting potential disaster events well before conventional methods.



Collaborations with technology developers and urban planners would be necessary to prototype these sensor networks under controlled conditions. 



Moreover, the insights derived from studying mosquito acoustics hold promise for advancing noise-cancellation technology and acoustic cloaking devices, thus broadening the impact of this research even further.



As the project moves forward, the humble mosquito is set to evolve from a common nuisance into a symbol of innovative progress and resilience, offering new hope for disaster preparedness and urban safety.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1742706124007414?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Acta Biomaterialia</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Mosquito antennae inspire next-gen natural disaster sensors

We all dread the arrival of mosquito season, with their...

Honeybees are renowned for their intricate waggle dance, a specialized form of communication that directs nestmates to valuable food sources.&nbsp;



The basic idea is simple: after returning to the hive, a forager bee performs a dance in which the angle of movement indicates the direction of food, and the duration of the “waggle run” conveys the distance.&nbsp;



If the display succeeds, observer bees become recruits, flying out to locate the advertised resources.&nbsp;



However, despite millions of years of evolutionary refinement, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bees-perform-waggle-dance-to-share-the-location-of-food/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">waggle dance</a> does not always work. Researchers have long been puzzled by why some recruited bees fail to find the food their nestmates enthusiastically promote.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-the-honeybee-dance-nbsp">Studying the honeybee dance&nbsp;</h2>



In a recent study, a team led by associate professor Margaret Couvillon from <a href="https://www.vt.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Virginia Tech</a>’s Department of Entomology set out to investigate what drives waggle dance success or failure. 



Working with co-researcher and former PhD student Laura McHenry, they uncovered new insights into the role that individuality plays in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/major-cause-of-honeybee-mortality-can-be-easily-reduced/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">honeybee</a> communication. 



By analyzing how unique dance styles can affect the outcome of foraging missions, the scientists found that variety - not uniformity - often leads to better recruitment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-some-waggle-dances-fall-short">Why some waggle dances fall short</h2>



Although the waggle dance has been studied for over 80 years, many facets of it remain mysterious. Bees move through the hive with excitement, shaking their abdomens and buzzing their wings to “tell” others where to go.&nbsp;



Yet the precision of this communication can sometimes leave much to be desired. Even if the directions appear clear, it is common for newly recruited foragers to miss the target. What might be causing these failures?



“Although the waggle dance itself is fascinating, my lab has additionally been intrigued about waggle dance miscommunication, or the hows and whys behind the failure of the dance recruitment,” Couvillon said.&nbsp;



This line of inquiry motivated her and McHenry to design experiments that tracked individual bees, their dance styles, and how these styles translated into <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fish-foraging-behavior-changing-climate-warming-waters/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">foraging</a> success.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-setting-up-the-experiment">Setting up the experiment</h2>



To unravel the secrets of honeybee miscommunication, Couvillon and McHenry devised a controlled setup using clear-walled observation hives.&nbsp;



By making the hive walls transparent, the researchers could capture high-definition video of the dance floor. Individual bees were tagged so the team could monitor which foragers arrived at the food source, watched a dance, and later performed their own version of the waggle dance for others.



First, certain bees were trained to gather from an artificial feeder placed at a known distance and direction from the hive. These trained bees returned to share their discovery, dancing in front of others to highlight precisely where the recruits should fly.&nbsp;



If a new, tagged bee reached the feeder after viewing a dance, the researchers examined the video footage to identify which dancer had successfully recruited them. Step by step, the investigators could pinpoint the specific waggle run that led to a forager’s triumph.



Initially, Couvillon hypothesized that bees whose dance styles closely matched each other might generate more consistent, accurate directions.&nbsp;



Under that scenario, recruits would easily interpret similar movements and glean an unambiguous sense of distance. But what the data revealed was something else entirely.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-overshooting-the-mark">Overshooting the mark</h2>



When the team reviewed the footage, they discovered that successful foraging recruits often came from dances that overshot the true distance.&nbsp;



Instead of telling nestmates to stop exactly where the food was located, these dances had slightly lengthier waggle runs.&nbsp;



The result? Recruits traveled past the feeder, then had a second opportunity to notice it on the way back. This “double chance” approach appeared to boost the overall likelihood of success.



By contrast, bees that performed dances describing the precise distance did not always see such robust success.&nbsp;



The research suggests that in a dynamic and unpredictable environment, a little extra distance in the waggle run might be an advantage, increasing the chance that bees will encounter the resource eventually.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-honeybee-dance-diversity">Honeybee dance diversity</h2>



Overall, these findings highlight how unique individual styles benefit the colony. Far from undermining communication, variation in waggle dance expression may improve group outcomes.&nbsp;



If every bee performed the dance identically, the success rate might drop, as foragers would rely on one strict formula. But with multiple interpretations and slight “errors” in distance, recruits gain repeated opportunities to locate the food.



“We’ve known for a while that behavioral and genetic diversity benefit honeybees, allowing for superior thermoregulation, disease resistance, growth, and foraging,” said Couvillon. “Now we have also seen that diverse communication enhances recruitment success.”



This discovery adds another layer to the importance of individual variation in social insects. Much like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-asexual-ants-maintain-genetic-diversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">genetic diversity</a> provides resilience against disease, communication diversity can enhance how effectively colonies exploit their environment. 



In the end, a colony filled with slightly different dance styles stands a better chance of finding the best resources consistently - and ensures fewer bees come back empty-handed.



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



The results open new avenues of investigation into honeybee communication and social organization. Future research could examine exactly which factors lead some bees to overshoot the target, or how colonies adjust dance strategies under changing conditions, such as resource scarcity. 



Could environmental stressors push bees toward more conservative or more exaggerated dances? Do certain hive conditions encourage either uniformity or diversity in waggle dance expression?



Whatever scientists uncover, one thing seems clear: the honeybee waggle dance remains a marvel of collective intelligence.&nbsp;



By embracing the quirks and individualities of each dancer, honeybee colonies harness the power of distinct signals to enhance foraging success.&nbsp;



Through dance, they build resilience and adaptability, ensuring that the next generation can keep the colony humming along - one step, one waggle at a time.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960982224017159" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a>. 



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-ralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Honeybees use creative dance moves to help others find food

Honeybees are renowned for their intricate waggle dance, a specialized...

A branching coral under pressure from heat and physical damage appears to gain crucial support from a particular reef-dwelling crab, offering fresh insight into how positive species relationships can shield corals from multiple hazards.&nbsp;



These findings reveal a protective role for the crustaceans when corals face intense stress, highlighting the possibility that cooperative interactions may bolster the resilience of vulnerable reef habitats.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reef-dwelling-crabs-and-foundation-corals">Reef-dwelling crabs and foundation corals </h2>



Published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2024.2936" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the Royal B Biological Sciences</a>, the study emphasizes that corals are what ecologists call “foundation species,” forming the bedrock of entire ecosystems.&nbsp;



Study first author Julianna Renzi conducted the research as a graduate student at the Duke University Marine Laboratory, part of the <a href="https://nicholas.duke.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nicholas School of the Environment</a>.



“Foundation species like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/breaks-in-ancient-coral-growth-reveal-earths-climate-past/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">corals</a> create the base of an ecosystem: They form structures that other species use for shelter, they modify the local environment, and they provide food for other organisms,” said Renzi.



“Learning how these species respond to stress can help us design better strategies to conserve them - and, in turn, other species that rely on them - in an era of global change.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mutualism-and-overlapping-stressors">Mutualism and overlapping stressors </h2>



Renzi concentrates on the concept of mutualism, in which two species each benefit from interacting with the other. Much existing research focuses on how one beneficial partnership mitigates a single threat, such as higher ocean temperatures. 



However, few studies have explored whether such alliances can ease multiple overlapping stressors. 



In this case, the team selected a branching coral known as Acropora aspera from a research zone in Australia’s <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coral-bleaching-has-reached-catastrophic-levels-on-the-great-barrier-reef/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Great Barrier Reef</a> during a period of elevated water temperatures.&nbsp;



Within controlled seawater tanks, the scientists subjected coral samples to different stress combinations, including physical wounding, harmful algae, and the presence of Cyclodius ungulatus (the hoof-clawed reef crab).&nbsp;



Coral tissue loss over a month served as the main measure of coral health, allowing the team to see precisely which factors worsened damage and which helped the coral endure.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unexpected-benefits-for-wounded-corals">Unexpected benefits for wounded corals</h2>



The data indicated that high temperatures alone instigated tissue loss, but the extent depended heavily on other conditions. 



Corals placed alongside harmful algae were six times more likely to suffer serious tissue loss, while those housed with reef crabs had more than a 60% lower chance of severe damage. 



Even more unexpected was how strongly the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hidden-crab-diversity-discovered-in-coral-reefs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">crabs</a>’ presence helped corals that had sustained wounds. Those corals displayed significantly less tissue loss than uninjured corals sharing tanks with crabs, and also less tissue loss than wounded corals without crab companions.&nbsp;



While corals lacking crabs sometimes saw injuries expand, corals with crab neighbors rarely experienced further deterioration around the wounds.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reef-crabs-removing-algae">Reef crabs removing algae</h2>



To unravel what motivated the crabs to linger near wounded coral, the researchers examined their behavior in more detail. They noticed that, in laboratory tests, the crustaceans avoided live coral tissue, instead feeding in regions where tissue had recently been lost.&nbsp;



Observations on the reef revealed that areas of algae disappeared faster around corals with wounds, leading the investigators to suggest that reef crabs and other organisms might be methodically removing algae in these damaged spots, effectively tidying up the coral surface.



Another key question arose: what attracts crabs to fresh wounds in the first place? Renzi and colleagues propose that the injured coral releases a nutritious mucus that proves enticing.&nbsp;



“Corals probably experience small wounds, like the ones we used in this study, relatively frequently from fish bites and physical abrasion. These wounds are probably not super detrimental, but they may be enough to release this mucus and attract coral-associated organisms, like C. ungulatus,” said Renzi.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mutualism-and-heat-stress-resistance">Mutualism and heat stress resistance</h2>



The conclusions back an ecological view that beneficial interspecies interactions, or mutualisms, can become particularly vital when the environment imposes significant hardships.&nbsp;



“This work challenges a paradigm about corals,” said Brian Silliman, Rachel Carson Distinguished Professor of Marine Conservation Biology at the Nicholas School, who advised Renzi during her master’s work.&nbsp;



“The temperature at which corals succumb to heat stress is generally thought to be innate and inflexible. But this work shows that an intricate biological partnership greatly increases the ability of corals to resist heat stress. The crabs don’t affect heat tolerance directly - rather, they appear to remove the stress of injury by cleaning coral wounds.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reef-crabs-working-under-pressure">Reef crabs working under pressure </h2>



The researchers note that these discoveries hold promise for coral reef restoration, since introducing mutualistic crabs to newly planted colonies could reduce tissue loss from infection and disease. 



One broader lesson is that nature sometimes operates more cooperatively than commonly assumed. 



“We often think of the world as ‘dog-eat-dog’ and assume organisms are constantly competing against each other in effort to survive,” Renzi said. “But in cases like these, positive species interactions may be really important for survival. Evolutionarily, looking out for number 1 may also mean looking out for number 2.”



Altogether, this study suggests that reef-dwelling crabs could prove key to helping certain branching corals remain healthy, even under the combined pressures of heat and injury. 



By highlighting such mutually beneficial partnerships, the findings pave the way for innovative approaches to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/protecting-coral-reefs-is-a-matter-of-humans-rights/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reef conservation</a> and underline the value of collaborative ties in the marine realm.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-ralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Reef crabs help heat-stressed corals survive

A branching coral under pressure from heat and physical damage...

Polar bear cubs are hidden away for months inside snowy dens. Their mothers nurse them in these quiet spaces, giving the tiny cubs a chance to grow before they set foot on the cold spring ice.



A team of esearchers led by the <a href="https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/home/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Toronto Scarborough</a> have spent multiple years monitoring different dens in a remote region of the Arctic. 



The experts installed remote cameras to see exactly when and how often <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/polar-bears-are-suffering-from-an-energy-deficit-due-to-lack-of-food-access/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">families</a> emerged. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-polar-bear-dens-and-cub-survival">Polar bear dens and cub survival</h2>



A <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/centers/alaska-science-center/science/polar-bear-maternal-denning" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">maternal den</a> is not just a warm hideout for the cubs. It also allows them to develop muscles and thick fur in relative safety.



Many bears excavate dens in hilly spots where snow piles up, creating hidden alcoves. Inside, the female takes a long rest, ensuring the cubs gain enough weight before they face the outside world.



Scientists have observed that these dens can regulate temperature to some degree, offering needed protection from Arctic storms. This microclimate appears to help newborns stay healthier for those crucial first weeks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-impacts-on-polar-bear-dens">Climate impacts on polar bear dens</h2>



The Arctic is <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-022-00498-3">heating</a> about four times faster the global average. This has contributed to thinning sea ice and shifts in weather patterns.



“Polar bear mothers are having increasing difficulties reproducing due to climate-driven changes,” said Dr. Louise Archer, lead author of the study from U of T Scarborough. 



The polar bears are responding to these pressures as best they can, but unpredictability in snow cover may alter den stability.



A shorter winter season could force earlier den exits in some areas. When cubs leave too soon, they may be less prepared to follow their mother in search of seals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-glimpses-from-camera-traps">Glimpses from camera traps</h2>



The cameras caught a variety of behaviors, like a mother stepping outside to sniff the air while cubs remained behind. Sometimes the cubs hopped out with her, often staying close to her side.



These snapshots help <a href="https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/jwmg.22725" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">scientists</a> match the precise timing of outdoor activity with temperature readings from <a href="https://atstrack.com/tracking-products/gps-satellite.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">satellite telemetry collars</a>. The videos create a fuller picture of what life looks like at each den site.



Remote monitoring also shows that cubs rarely wander without their mother, even near the den entrance. For young <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ice-doesnt-stick-to-polar-bear-fur-but-why/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bears</a>, this companionship provides a layer of defense and teaching.



“This study provides a rare glimpse into one of the most vulnerable and critical periods in a polar bear’s life, offering insights that can help guide our collective conservation efforts,” said Dr. Megan Owen, Vice President of Wildlife Conservation Science at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shifting-behavior-and-cub-mortality">Shifting behavior and cub mortality </h2>



Each family follows its own schedule, which can shift from year to year.&nbsp;Some families linger around the den area longer than others. This behavior might be tied to temperatures or the mother’s overall condition after months of fasting.



If changing winters consistently prompt earlier den exits, cubs might face harsher outdoor conditions. Once they leave, they become far more dependent on sea ice to locate prey.



In many regions, less than half of polar bear cubs reach adulthood. As denning routines unravel, cub mortality is set to increase.



Industrial expansion adds another concern. Noisy activity could disrupt denning, prompting mothers to move or leave prematurely.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-boosting-conservation-efforts">Boosting conservation efforts</h2>



Scientists are integrating collar data, long-term temperature tracking, and camera footage to inform wildlife agencies. These resources offer a toolkit for spotting early warning signs of stress on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/polar-bear-conservation-leaps-forward-with-new-tracking-technology/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">polar bear</a> reproduction.



By detecting changes in maternal den use, specialists can plan safer buffer zones in sensitive locations. “Studies including observational data at polar bear den sites have been few,” said Dr. Jon Aars, senior researcher at the Norwegian Polar Institute.



The research also helps local communities and industries schedule operations that minimize contact with newborn cubs. It’s a practical step toward ensuring that mothers stay in place until their young can handle Arctic conditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-polar-bear-den-areas">Protecting polar bear den areas </h2>



Polar bears rely on stable ice for hunting, but they also need reliable snow for den construction. The entire cycle depends on a balance that is now under pressure from rapid warming.



Collaboration between organizations like Polar Bears International, the Norwegian Polar Institute, and San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance demonstrates a shared commitment to understanding these trends. The more that experts can learn, the better they can guide policies that protect cubs through their most fragile months.



Researchers continue refining camera technology and other remote methods. They hope these insights will broaden awareness and shape decisions that keep den areas undisturbed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-denning-time-is-crucial">Why denning time is crucial </h2>



The images of tiny bears stepping onto the snow are stirring. Yet each moment outside the den represents a big shift in a young <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/polar-bears-are-struggling-to-survive-longer-summers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bear’s life</a>.



Gaining muscle strength and adjusting to the climate take time, especially for altricial cubs that are born underdeveloped. An early departure could lessen their chances out on the ice, where finding the right prey is already no small task.



The hope is that protective measures can give these polar bear families a fair shot. After all, a thriving generation of cubs hints at a better future for the species.



The study is published in <a href="https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/jwmg.22725" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Journal of Wildlife Management</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Polar bear cubs are emerging earlier from dens

Polar bear cubs are hidden away for months inside snowy...

species in Uranoscopidae

News coming your way