Hey there, welcome to my blog Mufawad. In this monthly writeup, I try to unveil the latest breakthroughs & uncover tomorrow's possibilities in the field of science. Whether you are a student, a professional, or simply a science enthusiast, this article will provide you with an engaging and informative insights and current updates in scientific world. Plus, as a compliment, you will get a peep into quirky AI images generated by me related to those very particular topics.
So, Let’s delve into the new scientific research that happened in the past month or so and explore the latest technologies that are being created and breakthroughs that were achieved in this field.
In the current blog, you will read about the following science events of the month:
- Brain-Drain Starts From The US Science
- Scientists Behind Obesity Drugs & LHC Research Win Big
- Tree In Panama Seen Inviting Lightening Onto Itself
- Scientists Found Deep Brain Structure That Form Consciousness
- New Drug Makes You Mosquito Proof
- Cells Found To Be Exchanging Mitochondria
- Plastic Creating Brain Rot in Sea-Birds
- Chimps Seen Partying Over Alcoholic Fruit
- Spiders Seen Changing Web Design Based On Noise
- Chewing Gum Found To Have The History Of 10000 Years
.png "Current Science Report: April 2025") |
| Current Science Report: April 2025 |
Brain-Drain Starts From The US Science
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| Image generated by Mufawad using AI |
This climate of uncertainty has led to a dramatic shift in career plans for many scientists. A poll conducted by Nature revealed that 75% of responding US researchers expressed a desire to move abroad. Applications to positions in countries like Canada rose by 41%, while interest in US positions from Canadian researchers dropped by 13%. European institutions have also seen a spike in applications from US-based scientists, while their own researchers are pulling back from seeking jobs in the United States. Chemical engineer Valerie Niemann, for example, left her post at Stanford University for a more stable opportunity at the University of Bern in Switzerland, citing the unpredictability of fellowship funding in the US.
In response to the outflow of talent, institutions across Europe are actively working to provide safe havens. Aix-Marseille University in France launched a €15 million “Safe Place for Science” initiative to support researchers affected by political or institutional pressures in the US. The program was met with overwhelming interest and plans to sponsor 15 researchers in fields like climate science, health, and the environment. Similarly, the Max Planck Society in Germany has introduced the Max Planck Transatlantic Program, aimed at fostering joint research with US institutions and offering opportunities to US-based scientists displaced by funding cuts.
While these initiatives offer hope, European institutions have also raised concerns about their capacity to absorb the influx. Reports from the European University Association point to limited growth and reduced funding across the continent, warning that without adequate support, this brain drain from the US could result in unmet potential or wasted talent. Rym Ayadi of the Euro-Mediterranean Economists Association cautioned that without sustainable funding, competitive pay, and strong institutional backing, Europe could lose out on this unique opportunity.
Interest from US researchers in Asia has also grown, particularly in China, where job postings targeting US scientists have seen a 30% rise in views and a 20% increase in applications. Other Asian countries have reported similar trends. Back in the US, the atmosphere remains tense. Graduate students and postdoctoral researchers are voicing deep concerns about the future of their careers. A February survey by the National Postdoctoral Association found that 43% of respondents felt their positions were threatened, and many reported delays or jeopardy to their research. With diminishing support and growing instability, scientists like Niemann are choosing to relocate and start anew in more supportive environments. Her decision, like that of many others, reflects a broader loss for American science—one that could have long-lasting implications for the nation's global leadership in research.
Courtesy: Nature
Scientists Behind Obesity Drugs & LHC Research Win Big
Five scientists were awarded one of this year’s prestigious US$3-million Breakthrough Prizes for their contributions to the development of the blockbuster weight-loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy. These drugs, initially created to treat diabetes, function by mimicking a hormone called glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), which helps control blood sugar and suppress appetite. The life-changing impact of these drugs was highlighted by Ziyad Al-Aly, a physician-scientist who recently conducted a large-scale study examining their effects, stating that the drugs "truly save lives, change lives, and bring joy back to people’s lives."
The Breakthrough Prize in life sciences was awarded to endocrinologist Daniel Drucker of the University of Toronto, physician-researchers Joel Habener from Harvard Medical School, Jens Juul Holst of the University of Copenhagen, chemist Svetlana Mojsov of The Rockefeller University, and Lotte Bjerre Knudsen from Novo Nordisk. In the 1990s, Drucker and his team discovered that GLP-1 could help animals eat less and lose weight, leading to its eventual use in drug development. Knudsen contributed by stabilizing the drug with fatty acid chains, ensuring it would not break down too quickly once injected. Drucker expressed that the greatest reward from his work is when patients share their success stories, such as losing significant weight and improving their health.
The Breakthrough Prizes, known as the most lucrative awards in science, also recognized other groundbreaking achievements in physics and mathematics. One of the fundamental-physics prizes was awarded to 13,508 physicists from CERN for their contributions to confirming the standard model of particle physics through experiments using the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The LHC team’s work, including discoveries of new particles and studies of antimatter, was praised for its collective effort in advancing our understanding of the universe. Additionally, theoretical physicist Gerard ’t Hooft received a prize for his role in the development of the standard model and his contributions to understanding nuclear forces.
In the field of mathematics, Dennis Gaitsgory was awarded the Breakthrough Prize for his contributions to the Langlands programme, which unites several areas of mathematics, including number theory and geometry, into a cohesive framework.
The Breakthrough Prizes also honored achievements in life sciences, such as the research on multiple sclerosis (MS) by neuroscientist Stephen Hauser and epidemiologist Alberto Ascherio. Hauser’s work in the 1990s identified that B cells, not T cells as previously assumed, were responsible for the damage in MS, despite initial skepticism. Ascherio’s work later confirmed that Epstein–Barr virus infection significantly increases the risk of developing MS. Lastly, molecular biologist David Liu was awarded for his groundbreaking work in gene-editing technology, particularly the use of CRISPR to rewrite DNA. His techniques are being employed in clinical trials to treat various diseases, including leukemia, sickle-cell disease, and high cholesterol.
These Breakthrough Prizes, established in 2012 by Yuri Milner and other tech entrepreneurs, serve as a recognition of transformative scientific advancements, offering not only financial rewards but also widespread acknowledgment of the profound contributions made by researchers in diverse fields.
Courtesy: Scientific American
Tree In Panama Seen Inviting Lightening Onto Itself
Lightning is usually destructive in forests, often killing or damaging trees. However, in Panama’s lowland rainforests, the tonka bean tree (Dipteryx oleifera) may actually benefit from lightning strikes, according to a recent study. Researchers found that while lightning harms other trees and parasitic vines, the tonka bean tree remains largely unaffected. These findings were published in New Phytologist on March 26.
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| Image generated by Mufawad using AI |
Lead author Evan Gora, a forest ecologist, noted that during a decade of research, D. oleifera consistently showed no signs of lightning damage, unlike many other large tropical trees. Since lightning is a leading cause of tree deaths in tropical forests—especially among old, carbon-storing trees—understanding how certain species withstand strikes may offer insight into forest resilience amid climate change.
Using specialized sensors and cameras, scientists tracked nearly 100 lightning events in Panama’s Barro Colorado Nature Monument to identify where strikes occurred. An advanced antenna array detected lightning-generated radio waves, allowing researchers to pinpoint strike locations with high precision. Drones and field surveys then monitored the affected forest areas.
Their analysis showed that D. oleifera reliably resisted damage from strikes. Long-term data further revealed that trees near tonka bean trees were more likely to die than those near other large trees. Each lightning strike killed over 2 metric tons of surrounding tree biomass and destroyed nearly 80% of parasitic vines in D. oleifera’s canopy, helping it outcompete neighbors.
Researchers believe the tree’s high internal conductivity may explain its resistance, allowing electric current to pass through without generating harmful heat—like an insulated wire. As D. oleifera can reach 130 feet in height and live for centuries, it’s likely to be struck multiple times in its lifetime. Each strike may help it by removing competition and boosting canopy access.
This natural advantage could lead to a 14-fold increase in lifetime seed production, significantly enhancing its reproduction. Gregory Moore, a University of Melbourne horticulturist not involved in the study, said such patterns may apply in other ecosystems, including woodlands where tall trees face similar lightning risks.
He noted that tall trees in Australia often survive both bushfires and lightning, sometimes for centuries, even after their crowns are damaged—these trees are known as “stags.”
The researchers now plan to study whether similar lightning-related advantages exist for other species in forests across Africa and Southeast Asia.
Courtesy: Live Science
Scientists Found Deep Brain Structure That Form Consciousness
How consciousness arises in the brain remains one of science’s greatest mysteries. Although most scientists agree that consciousness is a product of multiple brain regions working together, pinpointing the specific areas and connections responsible has proven elusive.
A new study published in Science brings fresh insight into this enigma. Conducted by researchers in China, the study observed neural activity in human participants with electrodes implanted deep within their brains. These individuals performed visual tasks while their brains were monitored, revealing that specific signals in the thalamus—an egg-shaped structure long suspected to relay information throughout the brain—played a key role in determining whether a person was consciously aware of a visual stimulus.
Unlike earlier studies that mainly focused on the brain’s outer cortex, this work sheds light on the lesser-known, deeper brain regions like the thalamus, suggesting that these structures are essential to the formation of conscious perception.
When participants saw an image during the test, wave-like brain signals emerged that were absent when the image was not consciously perceived. These findings support the theory that the thalamus acts as a gatekeeper for awareness, working in sync with the cortex to bring certain sensory information into conscious experience.
What makes the study particularly compelling is its use of electrodes already implanted for medical purposes, allowing researchers to record neural activity with high precision and minimal delay. This is a significant advantage over imaging technologies like MRI, which suffer from time lags and lower resolution.
The results revealed that two specific areas within the thalamus were active only when participants consciously perceived the visual cue. This synchronized activity between the thalamus and the cortex was absent when perception failed to occur, further emphasizing the thalamus’s potential role as a conductor of conscious experience.
This study fits into a broader scientific effort to unravel the complexities of consciousness. While there are several competing theories, all aim to explain how certain sensory inputs are selected for awareness while others are filtered out.
Only a tiny portion of the countless stimuli we receive every moment enters our conscious mind, and understanding why and how this happens is a central challenge in neuroscience. The new findings echo earlier research in mice and monkeys, where similar patterns of thalamus-cortex activity were linked to conscious perception. These parallels between species suggest that the brain may rely on universal mechanisms for awareness, though the specific brain regions involved can vary. Researchers now plan to replicate the experiment in monkeys to further explore which parts of the thalamus are involved and how they interact with other brain areas during perception.
Despite the progress, the full nature of consciousness remains unresolved. The study provides compelling evidence that deep brain structures like the thalamus are not merely passive relays but active participants in creating our conscious experience.
It also demonstrates the value of studying real-time brain activity across multiple layers, both deep and surface, to trace the flow of information as it rises to awareness. Experts in the field, including those not involved in the study, have praised it as one of the most comprehensive investigations into the thalamus’s role in human consciousness.
As science continues to probe the brain’s inner workings, studies like this bring us closer to understanding how the mind perceives, interprets, and interacts with the world.
Courtesy: Singularity Hub
Scientists have come up with a new strategy to control mosquito populations and fight malaria—making human blood poisonous to mosquitoes using a drug called Nitisinone. When mosquitoes feed on this treated blood, they die soon after.
In a study led by the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, researchers found that even low doses of Nitisinone in human blood were lethal to mosquitoes. When three individuals already taking the drug for a genetic disorder were tested, mosquitoes that fed on their blood died within 12 hours.
Nitisinone is already approved for treating certain inherited diseases. It blocks a protein that reduces harmful byproducts in the human body. However, in mosquitoes, this interference proves deadly.
According to microbiologist Lee R. Haines, making blood toxic to biting insects can help prevent the spread of diseases like malaria. The study's results suggest that Nitisinone could become a useful tool in mosquito control efforts.
While the idea is still in early stages, previous attempts using similar drugs raised concerns due to negative effects on other insects and limited success in reducing malaria. The ecological impact of Nitisinone is not fully known, and widespread use may lead to resistance over time.
Researchers tested Nitisinone’s impact on mosquitoes through both lab studies and mathematical models. The drug was effective at killing mosquitoes of all ages, especially older ones more likely to carry malaria.
The concept of using antiparasitic drugs to kill mosquitoes isn’t new. Nitisinone was compared with Ivermectin, which is already used for this purpose. Though Ivermectin kills mosquitoes at lower doses, Nitisinone acts faster and stays in the blood longer, increasing its chances of affecting mosquitoes.
Parasitologist Alvaro Acosta Serrano noted that Nitisinone outperformed Ivermectin in tests. Its longer presence in human blood makes it more practical and potentially more effective in real-world use.
Unlike Ivermectin, Nitisinone doesn’t affect the nervous system, making it less toxic to other insects. Studies suggest ivermectin harms beneficial species, while Nitisinone appears to be safer.
With malaria still causing over 500,000 deaths annually and resistance to current treatments growing, this new method provides hope. Further research could confirm Nitisinone’s role in safely supporting malaria control without harming humans or ecosystems.
Courtesy: Science Alert
Recent discoveries in cell biology have dramatically reshaped our understanding of mitochondria, long known as the energy-producing organelles inside cells. Traditionally depicted as stationary structures within individual cells, mitochondria are now being recognized as mobile organelles capable of moving between cells. This process, known as mitochondrial transfer, has been observed in a wide range of organisms — from yeast to rodents — and across various cell types including those in the lungs, brain, heart, and immune system.
The reasons for this intercellular movement are still being explored, but research suggests that mitochondrial transfer often serves as a form of cellular rescue. In times of stress or damage, such as during a stroke or severe inflammation, healthy cells may donate their mitochondria to struggling neighbours. These donated mitochondria help revive the recipient cells by restoring energy production and kick-starting vital processes like tissue repair and immune responses. For instance, studies in mice have shown that support cells in the brain (astrocytes) transfer mitochondria to neurons after a stroke, aiding in their recovery. Similar effects have been noted in lung injury and wound healing scenarios.
Beyond emergency situations, mitochondrial transfer might also play a role in everyday cellular maintenance. In the brain, mitochondrial donation appears to help preserve the blood-brain barrier, and in fat tissue, it may support immune cells’ energy needs. Such interactions suggest that mitochondrial mobility could be essential to the health and stability of tissues throughout the body. However, these findings are primarily based on laboratory and animal studies. Whether or not the same processes occur naturally in humans remains uncertain due to technological limitations that prevent direct observation.
While mitochondrial transfer seems beneficial in many contexts, it also has a darker side. Some cancer cells appear to exploit this process by stealing mitochondria from other cells to boost their own energy production and resist immune system attacks. In these cases, mitochondrial transfer may help tumors grow more aggressively and evade treatment. This dual nature of mitochondrial mobility — both helpful and harmful — adds complexity to its biological significance.
Despite the many unanswered questions, researchers are optimistic about the potential to harness mitochondrial transfer for medical treatments. Therapies under investigation include mitochondrial transplantation for genetic disorders and mitochondrial augmentation, where healthy mitochondria are inserted into a patient’s own stem cells before reintroducing them into the body. There is also interest in enhancing immune therapies by boosting T cells with donated mitochondria to make them more effective at fighting cancer.
Underlying this new understanding is an evolutionary clue: mitochondria originated over a billion years ago as bacteria that were engulfed by primitive cells. Their bacterial ancestry may explain their surprising ability to move between cells, much like infectious microbes. Yet, the exact mechanisms that drive this mobility — how mitochondria are sent, received, and integrated — are still poorly understood.
In conclusion, the discovery of mitochondrial transfer is rewriting textbooks and opening new doors in biology and medicine. Though much remains to be learned about why and how mitochondria move between cells, the implications are profound. With continued research, mitochondrial transfer could become a powerful tool in the treatment of diseases and the enhancement of cellular health.
Courtesy: Nature
Seabirds and marine animals are especially at risk from plastic pollution, often mistaking plastic in the ocean for food. Researchers have now identified a disease called ‘plasticosis,’ where plastic ingestion scars seabirds’ digestive tracts.
In a new study, the same team discovered signs of brain damage similar to dementia, along with liver, kidney, and stomach issues in young seabirds called sable shearwaters. These findings were reported in Science Advances.
Sable shearwaters, formerly called flesh-footed shearwaters, are native to the Indian and Pacific Oceans and are classified as “near threatened.” One suspected reason for their population decline is the ingestion of plastic by both chicks and adults.
Study coauthor Jack Rivers-Auty from the University of Tasmania said it was shocking to detect dementia-like signs in chicks under 100 days old. These birds can live up to 37 years, and they had ingested only small amounts of plastic—around a teaspoon and a half.
Using proteomics techniques, the researchers examined disease markers in the blood of chicks from Lord Howe Island in 2023. Though all 31 birds appeared physically healthy, their stomach contents varied in plastic levels.
Unlike earlier studies that mainly focused on the brain’s outer cortex, this work sheds light on the lesser-known, deeper brain regions like the thalamus, suggesting that these structures are essential to the formation of conscious perception.
When participants saw an image during the test, wave-like brain signals emerged that were absent when the image was not consciously perceived. These findings support the theory that the thalamus acts as a gatekeeper for awareness, working in sync with the cortex to bring certain sensory information into conscious experience.
What makes the study particularly compelling is its use of electrodes already implanted for medical purposes, allowing researchers to record neural activity with high precision and minimal delay. This is a significant advantage over imaging technologies like MRI, which suffer from time lags and lower resolution.
The results revealed that two specific areas within the thalamus were active only when participants consciously perceived the visual cue. This synchronized activity between the thalamus and the cortex was absent when perception failed to occur, further emphasizing the thalamus’s potential role as a conductor of conscious experience.
This study fits into a broader scientific effort to unravel the complexities of consciousness. While there are several competing theories, all aim to explain how certain sensory inputs are selected for awareness while others are filtered out.
Only a tiny portion of the countless stimuli we receive every moment enters our conscious mind, and understanding why and how this happens is a central challenge in neuroscience. The new findings echo earlier research in mice and monkeys, where similar patterns of thalamus-cortex activity were linked to conscious perception. These parallels between species suggest that the brain may rely on universal mechanisms for awareness, though the specific brain regions involved can vary. Researchers now plan to replicate the experiment in monkeys to further explore which parts of the thalamus are involved and how they interact with other brain areas during perception.
Despite the progress, the full nature of consciousness remains unresolved. The study provides compelling evidence that deep brain structures like the thalamus are not merely passive relays but active participants in creating our conscious experience.
It also demonstrates the value of studying real-time brain activity across multiple layers, both deep and surface, to trace the flow of information as it rises to awareness. Experts in the field, including those not involved in the study, have praised it as one of the most comprehensive investigations into the thalamus’s role in human consciousness.
As science continues to probe the brain’s inner workings, studies like this bring us closer to understanding how the mind perceives, interprets, and interacts with the world.
Courtesy: Singularity Hub
New Drug Makes You Mosquito Proof
Scientists have come up with a new strategy to control mosquito populations and fight malaria—making human blood poisonous to mosquitoes using a drug called Nitisinone. When mosquitoes feed on this treated blood, they die soon after.
In a study led by the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, researchers found that even low doses of Nitisinone in human blood were lethal to mosquitoes. When three individuals already taking the drug for a genetic disorder were tested, mosquitoes that fed on their blood died within 12 hours.
Nitisinone is already approved for treating certain inherited diseases. It blocks a protein that reduces harmful byproducts in the human body. However, in mosquitoes, this interference proves deadly.
According to microbiologist Lee R. Haines, making blood toxic to biting insects can help prevent the spread of diseases like malaria. The study's results suggest that Nitisinone could become a useful tool in mosquito control efforts.
While the idea is still in early stages, previous attempts using similar drugs raised concerns due to negative effects on other insects and limited success in reducing malaria. The ecological impact of Nitisinone is not fully known, and widespread use may lead to resistance over time.
Researchers tested Nitisinone’s impact on mosquitoes through both lab studies and mathematical models. The drug was effective at killing mosquitoes of all ages, especially older ones more likely to carry malaria.
The concept of using antiparasitic drugs to kill mosquitoes isn’t new. Nitisinone was compared with Ivermectin, which is already used for this purpose. Though Ivermectin kills mosquitoes at lower doses, Nitisinone acts faster and stays in the blood longer, increasing its chances of affecting mosquitoes.
Parasitologist Alvaro Acosta Serrano noted that Nitisinone outperformed Ivermectin in tests. Its longer presence in human blood makes it more practical and potentially more effective in real-world use.
Unlike Ivermectin, Nitisinone doesn’t affect the nervous system, making it less toxic to other insects. Studies suggest ivermectin harms beneficial species, while Nitisinone appears to be safer.
With malaria still causing over 500,000 deaths annually and resistance to current treatments growing, this new method provides hope. Further research could confirm Nitisinone’s role in safely supporting malaria control without harming humans or ecosystems.
Courtesy: Science Alert
Cells Found To Be Exchanging Mitochondria
Recent discoveries in cell biology have dramatically reshaped our understanding of mitochondria, long known as the energy-producing organelles inside cells. Traditionally depicted as stationary structures within individual cells, mitochondria are now being recognized as mobile organelles capable of moving between cells. This process, known as mitochondrial transfer, has been observed in a wide range of organisms — from yeast to rodents — and across various cell types including those in the lungs, brain, heart, and immune system.
The reasons for this intercellular movement are still being explored, but research suggests that mitochondrial transfer often serves as a form of cellular rescue. In times of stress or damage, such as during a stroke or severe inflammation, healthy cells may donate their mitochondria to struggling neighbours. These donated mitochondria help revive the recipient cells by restoring energy production and kick-starting vital processes like tissue repair and immune responses. For instance, studies in mice have shown that support cells in the brain (astrocytes) transfer mitochondria to neurons after a stroke, aiding in their recovery. Similar effects have been noted in lung injury and wound healing scenarios.
Beyond emergency situations, mitochondrial transfer might also play a role in everyday cellular maintenance. In the brain, mitochondrial donation appears to help preserve the blood-brain barrier, and in fat tissue, it may support immune cells’ energy needs. Such interactions suggest that mitochondrial mobility could be essential to the health and stability of tissues throughout the body. However, these findings are primarily based on laboratory and animal studies. Whether or not the same processes occur naturally in humans remains uncertain due to technological limitations that prevent direct observation.
While mitochondrial transfer seems beneficial in many contexts, it also has a darker side. Some cancer cells appear to exploit this process by stealing mitochondria from other cells to boost their own energy production and resist immune system attacks. In these cases, mitochondrial transfer may help tumors grow more aggressively and evade treatment. This dual nature of mitochondrial mobility — both helpful and harmful — adds complexity to its biological significance.
Despite the many unanswered questions, researchers are optimistic about the potential to harness mitochondrial transfer for medical treatments. Therapies under investigation include mitochondrial transplantation for genetic disorders and mitochondrial augmentation, where healthy mitochondria are inserted into a patient’s own stem cells before reintroducing them into the body. There is also interest in enhancing immune therapies by boosting T cells with donated mitochondria to make them more effective at fighting cancer.
Underlying this new understanding is an evolutionary clue: mitochondria originated over a billion years ago as bacteria that were engulfed by primitive cells. Their bacterial ancestry may explain their surprising ability to move between cells, much like infectious microbes. Yet, the exact mechanisms that drive this mobility — how mitochondria are sent, received, and integrated — are still poorly understood.
In conclusion, the discovery of mitochondrial transfer is rewriting textbooks and opening new doors in biology and medicine. Though much remains to be learned about why and how mitochondria move between cells, the implications are profound. With continued research, mitochondrial transfer could become a powerful tool in the treatment of diseases and the enhancement of cellular health.
Courtesy: Nature
Plastic Creating Brain Rot in Sea-Birds
Seabirds and marine animals are especially at risk from plastic pollution, often mistaking plastic in the ocean for food. Researchers have now identified a disease called ‘plasticosis,’ where plastic ingestion scars seabirds’ digestive tracts.
In a new study, the same team discovered signs of brain damage similar to dementia, along with liver, kidney, and stomach issues in young seabirds called sable shearwaters. These findings were reported in Science Advances.
Sable shearwaters, formerly called flesh-footed shearwaters, are native to the Indian and Pacific Oceans and are classified as “near threatened.” One suspected reason for their population decline is the ingestion of plastic by both chicks and adults.
Study coauthor Jack Rivers-Auty from the University of Tasmania said it was shocking to detect dementia-like signs in chicks under 100 days old. These birds can live up to 37 years, and they had ingested only small amounts of plastic—around a teaspoon and a half.
Using proteomics techniques, the researchers examined disease markers in the blood of chicks from Lord Howe Island in 2023. Though all 31 birds appeared physically healthy, their stomach contents varied in plastic levels.
.jpeg "Plastic Creating Brain Rot in Sea-Birds") |
| Image generated by Mufawad using AI |
Comparing the birds, the researchers found significant changes in 202 of 745 blood proteins. Birds with more plastic had high levels of cell proteins like GAPDH and LDH outside cells, suggesting cell damage from plastic.
They also found lower levels of albumin, a liver-made protein, in birds with more plastic—hinting at possible liver or kidney issues. Moreover, levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), vital for memory and brain function, were also reduced.
This is concerning because young shearwaters must remember the location of their island and burrow for years while they forage far away. A drop in BDNF could impair memory and the ability to recognize songs used for communication.
Laura Dagley, a proteomics expert not involved in the study, called the findings alarming and emphasized the need for further research to confirm the long-term impacts. It’s still unclear if these effects persist into adulthood. Researchers are now studying adult birds in the same colony to investigate further.
Veterinarian Shane Burgess sees the shearwaters as "sentinel species"—animals that alert us to broader environmental dangers. Both he and Dagley support further research on other bird species affected by plastic pollution.
Courtesy: C&EN
Chimps Seen Partying Over Alcoholic Fruit
Humans have long gathered to enjoy food and drink in social settings, strengthening bonds through shared meals and celebratory drinks. Now, research suggests that our closest living relatives—wild chimpanzees—may also engage in similar bonding behavior through shared consumption of mildly alcoholic fruit. A team of researchers led by scientists from the University of Exeter observed wild chimpanzees in Guinea-Bissau’s Cantanhez National Park sharing fermented African breadfruit, which contains small amounts of alcohol. These moments were captured using motion-activated cameras and revealed chimpanzees engaging with the fermented fruit in ways that appeared deliberate and socially significant.
.png "Chimps Seen Partying Over Alcoholic Fruit") |
| Image generated by Mufawad using AI |
While the alcohol content in the fruit was relatively low—up to 0.61% ABV—it was enough to potentially produce a light, beer-like buzz, especially given the large quantities the chimpanzees were seen consuming. According to researcher Kimberley Hockings, chimpanzees could eat kilograms of the fruit daily, possibly leading to subtle intoxicating effects. What’s notable is that food sharing is not a constant behavior among chimpanzees, so the observed sharing of these fruits might carry particular social value.
Anna Bowland from Exeter’s Centre for Ecology and Conservation points out that in humans, alcohol consumption can lead to the release of dopamine and endorphins, contributing to feelings of happiness and relaxation. Shared drinking experiences in humans, such as during feasts, are known to enhance social cohesion. The researchers now wonder whether chimpanzees might be experiencing and benefiting from similar effects when they share ethanolic fruits.
The study observed sharing behavior among chimpanzees of various ages and sexes. In one instance, two adult females ignored a large piece of unfermented breadfruit in favor of a smaller, fermented one. In another, three adult males engaged in competitive but ultimately inclusive behavior around a ripe piece of fruit, highlighting complex social interactions linked to the fruit. While earlier studies, including a 2015 paper by Hockings, documented chimpanzees stealing and consuming human-made palm wine—sometimes becoming rowdy—the current research suggests that naturally fermented fruits play a different role, possibly contributing to social bonding rather than disruptive behavior.
The findings, published in the journal Current Biology, raise intriguing questions about the evolutionary roots of feasting. Could the human tradition of communal feasting stem from a shared ancestor with chimpanzees? While more data is needed, Hockings suggests that this could represent an early evolutionary form of feasting. She emphasizes that further research is required to determine whether chimpanzees actively seek out fermented fruit and how they metabolize alcohol, but the early evidence is promising. Though the number of documented observations is small, it could open the door to a new field of study exploring the deeper origins of human social and cultural practices.
Courtesy: Guardian
Spiders Seen Changing Web Design Based On Noise
Urban noise pollution from traffic, aircraft, and construction is pushing some spiders to adapt by weaving webs that alter how vibrations travel through them, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
These spiders, particularly funnel-weaving species, rely on web vibrations to detect prey, predators, and mates. In urban areas where noise levels are consistently high, such webs seem to be spun differently—likely to filter out irrelevant background noise and preserve critical vibratory information.
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| Image generated by Mufawad using AI |
The researchers found that urban spiders, exposed regularly to loud, manmade noise, tend to build webs that reduce environmental vibration, suggesting an effort to "soundproof" their sensory environment. In contrast, rural spiders, less accustomed to such interference, appear to weave webs that amplify specific vibrations, possibly to focus on important signals when suddenly faced with a noisy setting.
The study indicates that past exposure to noise—possibly even inherited from previous generations—shapes how spiders modify their webs in response to their acoustic environment.
This form of behavioral flexibility highlights an underappreciated adaptability in arachnids. While many animals are known to change the way they produce sounds to cope with noise pollution, this study sheds light on how some may also adapt the way they receive sound.
The discovery opens up new avenues for understanding how non-verbal communication in animals evolves in response to rapidly changing habitats, especially in urbanized areas. Researchers now aim to investigate the precise mechanisms by which spiders adjust their webs to filter or amplify sound, potentially offering broader insights into the sensory adaptation strategies of other species as well.
Courtesy: Independent
Chewing Gum Found To Have The History Of 10000 Years
Somewhere between 9,500 and 9,900 years ago, three teenagers in ancient Scandinavia were chewing on what we would now recognize as an early form of chewing gum. They were gnawing on birch bark tar, a sticky substance derived from birch trees. Millennia later, archaeologists discovered these chewed wads and analyzed them. The findings were astonishing — not only could researchers identify what the teens had recently eaten, such as red fox, hazelnuts, deer, and apples, but they also found evidence of poor oral health. This remarkable discovery, published in Scientific Reports in 2024, is one of the oldest examples of chewing gum in the archaeological record, though by no means the only one.
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Chewing gum, it turns out, is a near-universal human behavior that developed independently across many ancient cultures. According to anthropologist Jennifer Mathews of Trinity University, gum chewing has deep roots around the globe. In ancient Mexico, the Maya and later the Aztecs chewed chicle, a natural latex harvested from the sapodilla tree. This same material would eventually become the basis for the modern chewing gum industry, as detailed in Mathews' 2009 book, Chicle: The Chewing Gum of the Americas, From the Ancient Maya to William Wrigley. The Aztecs also used natural bitumen — a sticky, tar-like substance that washed ashore — either alone or mixed with chicle. It was so ingrained in their culture that they even had rules about who could chew it in public: only young children or elderly women. In other regions, people chewed resins from local plants — mastic in ancient Greece, terebinth in Central Asia, and spruce gum among Indigenous Americans. These materials weren’t chosen at random; they solved real problems people faced in their environments.
One of the main reasons gum caught on was its usefulness in maintaining oral hygiene. In the absence of modern dental care, chewing substances like mastic and chicle helped clean teeth, freshen breath, and maintain some level of mouth cleanliness. Mathews explains that the naturally sweet, woodsy flavors of these gums likely masked unpleasant odors from food residue. Even today, sugar-free gum can promote oral health, though overuse can potentially lead to jaw problems.
But gum wasn’t only about hygiene. It also helped people deal with hunger and thirst when food and water were scarce. Research shows that chewing gum can suppress appetite and reduce food intake. In addition, modern psychological studies suggest that gum chewing may enhance memory, focus, and alertness — and even reduce stress and anxiety in some cases. However, the evidence is mixed, and some of the supportive studies were funded by gum companies, which may bias the findings.
Chewing gum’s modern popularity can be traced in part to its military connections. During World War I, William Wrigley Jr. — founder of the Wrigley company — convinced the U.S. military to include gum in soldiers’ rations to support dental hygiene and morale. This helped popularize chewing gum globally, especially as returning soldiers brought the habit home. The first flavored, mass-produced gums were made from chicle in the 19th century. Thomas Adams, an American inventor, began experimenting with chicle at the request of exiled Mexican leader Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, who wanted to compete with rubber. T Adams failed to make rubber but found success selling flavored gum, patenting a gum-making machine in 1871 and launching the popular Black Jack brand.
As demand for chewing gum skyrocketed, chicle harvesting became unsustainable. Sapodilla trees are slow-growing and yield limited latex. Overharvesting can cause them to dry out and die. The work itself is also risky, requiring harvesters to climb trees and collect sap across large forest areas. By the 1950s, Wrigley and others began looking for alternatives, eventually turning to synthetic materials.
Today, most commercial chewing gums are made from petroleum-based synthetics like polyethylene (used in plastic bags), butyl rubber (found in bike tires), and polyvinyl acetate (used in glues). These gums also contain softeners, waxes, and flavorings. A significant downside to these synthetic bases is the potential for microplastic ingestion. A study presented at the American Chemical Society’s 2024 meeting revealed that a single stick of gum can release hundreds of tiny plastic particles during chewing. A separate 2016 study also found that gum chewing can increase exposure to phthalates — chemicals in plastics linked to serious health issues, especially for pregnant women and children.
What happens to microplastics in the body is still unclear. They’ve been found in nearly every human tissue tested and are present in our air, food, and water. While avoiding them entirely is nearly impossible, knowingly chewing plastic raises health concerns. Even Mathews, while researching her book, switched to natural gums. Unfortunately, the recent ACS research suggests that even natural gums like chicle and wax may also contain microplastics, possibly due to environmental contamination or processing methods.
In the end, chewing gum reflects a shared human habit that spans millennia — a habit that began with practical needs and evolved into a global industry. But with its modern synthetic form comes new challenges, particularly regarding health and environmental impact. Whether natural or synthetic, the gum we chew today carries a complex legacy rooted in ancient tradition and modern science.
Courtesy: Popular Science
