We can Usually Agree on Objects’ Appearance, But Why?
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Although our world seems inherently ambiguous at the quantum level, this is not the experience we face in daily life. Researchers have now established a methodology to measure the speed at which objective reality emerges from this quantum ambiguity, lending credibility to the notion that an evolutionary framework can elucidate this emergence.
In the quantum domain, each entity, such as a single atom, exists within a spectrum of potential states and only assumes a definitive, “classical” state upon measurement or observation. Yet, we perceive strictly classical objects devoid of existential ambiguities, and the processes enabling this have challenged physicists for years.
Prominent physicist Wojciech Zurek of Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico introduced the concept of “quantum Darwinism,” suggesting that a process akin to natural selection confirms the visibility of the “fittest” state among numerous potential forms, ensuring successful replication through environmental interactions up to the observer’s perspective. When observers with access to only portions of reality converge on the same objective observation, it indicates they are witnessing one of these identical copies.
Researchers at University College Dublin, led by Steve Campbell, have shown that differing observers can still arrive at a consensus on objective reality, even if their observational methods lack sophistication or precision.
“Observers can capture a fragment and make any measurements they desire. If I capture a different fragment, I too can make arbitrary measurements. The question becomes: how does classical objectivity arise?” he explains.
The research team has redefined the emergence of objectivity as a quantum sensing issue. For instance, if the objective fact pertains to the frequency of light emitted by an object, the observer must acquire accurate data about that frequency, similar to how a computer employs a light sensor. In optimal conditions, this method achieves ultra-precise measurements, quickly leading to a definitive conclusion about the light’s frequency. This scenario is assessed using Quantum Fisher Information (QFI), a mathematical formula that benchmarks how varying, less accurate observational techniques can still attain similar precise conclusions. Gabriel Randy at the University of Rochester highlights this comparison in their recent study.
Remarkably, their calculations indicate that for significantly large fragments of reality, even observers employing imperfect measurements can ultimately gather enough data to reach the same conclusions about objectivity as those derived from the ideal QFI standard.
“Surprisingly, simplistic measurements can be just as effective as more advanced ones,” Lundy states. “This illustrates how classicality emerges: as fragments grow larger, observers tend to agree on even basic measurements.” Thus, this research contributes further to our understanding of why, when observing the macroscopic world, we concur about its physical attributes, such as the color of a coffee cup.
“This study underscores that we do not require flawless, ideal measurements,” adds Diego Wisniacki from the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina. He notes that while QFI is foundational in quantum information theory, its application to quantum Darwinism has been sparse, presenting pathways to bridge theoretical frameworks with established experimental methodologies, like quantum devices utilizing light-based or superconducting qubits.
“This research serves as a foundational ‘brick’ in our comprehension of quantum Darwinism,” states G. Massimo Palma from the University of Palermo, Italy. “It more closely aligns with the experimental descriptions of laboratory observations.”
Palma elaborates that the simplicity of the model used in this study could facilitate new experimental pursuits; however, complex system calculations will be essential to solidify quantum Darwinism’s foundation. “Advancing beyond rudimentary models would mark a significant progression,” Palma asserts.
Lundy conveyed that researchers are eager to transform theoretical findings into experimental validations. For instance, qubits formed from trapped ions could be employed to evaluate how the emergence of objectivity timescale relates to the durations during which these qubits retain their quantum characteristics.
New insights challenge the long-held belief that dark matter was “cold” in the immediate aftermath of the Big Bang. A groundbreaking study from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities and the University of Paris-Saclay reveals that dark matter particles might have been extraordinarily hot and traveling at near-light speeds in the primordial universe, before cooling down during the formative epochs of galaxies and large-scale structures.
Hypothetical dark matter particles. Image credit: University of Adelaide.
For decades, physicists have categorized dark matter based on the velocity of its constituent particles. Cold dark matter is slow enough to clump under gravitational forces, contributing to the formation of galaxies and galaxy clusters.
This categorization is a cornerstone of the standard cosmological model, explaining the universe’s intricate web-like structure.
However, the recent findings indicate that dark matter may have emerged from the hot plasma of the early universe in an ultrarelativistic state—essentially moving at ultra-high speeds—before cooling adequately during the formation of cosmic structures.
This refined perspective broadens the potential behaviors of dark matter particles and expands the pool of candidate particles physicists can investigate through experiments and astronomical observations.
The study concentrates on a critical phase in the early universe known as reheating, which followed an explosive inflationary expansion.
During the reheating phase, the energy fueling the universe’s expansion transformed into a dense hot mixture of particles and radiation.
This discovery suggests that under certain conditions, dark matter produced during this period could exist at speeds approaching that of light while still aligning with the vast universe we observe today.
If validated, these findings could significantly impact ongoing dark matter detection initiatives, including particle colliders, underground detectors, and astrophysical studies.
Moreover, they pose new theoretical challenges regarding the fundamental nature of dark matter and its role in the universe’s evolution.
“Dark matter remains one of the biggest mysteries in physics,” explains Stephen Henrik, a graduate student at the University of Minnesota.
“Historically, one consistent assumption has been that dark matter must be cold at its inception in the primordial universe.”
“Our findings reveal a different narrative. In fact, dark matter may start off as red-hot, but has ample time to cool before galaxies commence formation.”
“The simplest dark matter candidate, low-mass neutrinos, was deemed incompatible decades ago because they could annihilate galaxy-sized structures instead of facilitating them,” states Keith Olive, a professor at the University of Minnesota.
“Neutrinos serve as a prime example of hot dark matter, whose structural formation relies on cold dark matter.”
“If a similar candidate arose during the hot Big Bang, it’s remarkable that it could cool sufficiently to behave as cold dark matter.”
“This new discovery allows us to explore a period in the universe’s history that is very close to the Big Bang,” adds Professor Yann Mambrini, a physicist at the University of Paris-Saclay.
The team’s research has been published in the journal Physical Review Letters.
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Stephen E. Henrik et al. 2025. Ultra-relativistic freezeout: Bridge from WIMP to FIMP. Physics Review Letters 135, 221002; doi: 10.1103/zk9k-nbpj
Over 50 years ago, Jane Goodall amazed the scientific community by discovering that chimpanzees in Tanzania use tools to extract insects from termite mounds—an act previously thought to be exclusive to humans. Her mentor, Louis Leakey, famously remarked, “Now we either need to redefine ‘tool,’ redefine ‘human,’ or accept chimpanzees as humans.”
Today, research supports the notion that a variety of species engage in learning and exhibit cultural behaviors. A recent study published in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, co-led by Philippa Brakes, showcases evidence of cultural learning across species, from whales to wallabies.
For many species, sharing culturally transmitted behaviors is crucial for survival, aiding skill development and adaptability in shifting environments. In the realm of conservation, these insights are beginning to transform practices, from species reintroduction to mitigating human-wildlife conflicts over habitat use.
Moreover, the concept of “longevity conservation” is gaining popularity. Research shows that some of the longest-lived animals have developed remarkable genetic adaptations to cope with extended lifespans while serving as custodians of shared ecological knowledge. Older individuals often possess critical information that aids adaptation to environmental changes. For instance, species like Greenland sharks and giant tortoises reveal biochemical strategies for resisting cancer and cellular repair over centuries.
As our understanding expands, we are compelled to rethink what qualifies a site as a ‘World Heritage Site.’ If whales and birds possess cultural traditions, shouldn’t we regard the loss of their songs and foraging methods with as much seriousness as the loss of human monuments? Although this perspective may seem radical, it is indeed worth considering.
Many indigenous communities have long recognized the knowledge-sharing among species. Collaborative relationships, such as those between killer whales and indigenous hunters in Australia, as well as bottlenose dolphins aiding fishermen in Brazil, illustrate the importance of listening to nature.
Understanding the knowledge shared by other animals can inspire us to rethink controversial technologies like “eradication.” Without elder guides to teach young hybrids migration paths and social norms, revived individuals may struggle to survive in current habitats.
Perhaps the most significant challenge posed by a human cross-cultural perspective is the assumption of human exceptionalism. The more we learn about the cultures of other species, the more we recognize that we coexist with a diverse array of beings, each with their own values and emotions.
It took over 50 years for the importance of non-human cultures highlighted in Goodall’s findings to gain traction among conservation groups. As time progresses, we continue to dismantle the myth of human exceptionalism. We do not need to explore distant galaxies to find intelligent, civilized beings; numerous other cultural life forms already share our planet. Embracing this knowledge can drive the transformative changes necessary to fulfill our commitments as guardians of this rich biocultural diversity.
Philippa Brakes is a behavioral ecologist at Massey University in New Zealand. Mark Bekoff is Professor Emeritus at the University of Colorado Boulder.
As a dedicated nature writer, I strive to nurture a profound connection with the natural world. Observing birds, exploring with children, and discovering beetles beneath fallen logs is what I cherish. Nature embodies complexity and wonder; while I appreciate its beauty, I have never deemed it sacred or considered my relationship with it spiritual.
Yet, current trends indicate I might be overlooking something significant.
The term “nature connectivity” may sound idealistic, yet it is bolstered by a growing body of research. A 2025 study claims that increased feelings of “nature connection” and “oneness with nature” correlate with elevated spirituality and skepticism regarding “science over faith.” Such findings may astonish many in the natural sciences, and they certainly surprised me, but this notion resonates within recent nature-focused literature.
While ancient druids revered nature, cultivating sacred groves of mistletoe and oak, today’s enchantment often unfolds in the nature section of a bookstore, nestled between gardening and self-help. Many of us experience our connection to nature through the act of writing. We become surrogate birders, second-hand botanists, and armchair adventurers. This is perfectly acceptable; life is hectic, and most reside in urban or suburban settings. One of humanity’s great gifts is our ability to be transported through written words to the depths of forests and heights of mountains.
The real concern lies not in how we connect with nature, but in our perception of what we are connecting to. Nature isn’t a fantasy; it occupies the same earthly realm as us, and we are inherently part of it. When viewed through a scientific lens, the natural world remains awe-inspiring and captivating. It is perplexing to separate the beauty of science from a genuine appreciation of nature.
We might benefit from reevaluating our eagerness to extract lessons from nature. Is it possible to learn from moss about unity or understand the repelling forces of grass? Recent naturalists suggest fungi can help us grasp the cycle of life. However, we can also learn troubling lessons from shoebills about the harsh realities of nature, such as expelling weak young or manipulating hosts in dire ways. Seeking wisdom from nature may feel just as rational as consulting ChatGPT for guidance—both resources have extensive insights. Perhaps true enlightenment lies in discovering lessons within ourselves.
Then arises the timeless query: What role do humans play in this ecosystem? Some assert that nature writers need to practice silence. Yet the uncomfortable reality is that all writers appreciate their own voices. We must strike a balance between experiencing the external world and what transpires within us. Both perspectives hold immense value, and the best nature writers skillfully navigate these frontiers, reporting with clarity, expertise, and sensitivity. Broadening the definition of “outside” to include diverse human experiences enriches our narratives.
I hope to see nature writing flourish, embracing its imperfections. I envision it evolving into a richer, more intricate, interdisciplinary tapestry that reflects the dynamic nature of our world, whatever that encapsulates—our realities, the living environment, and our place within it.
What sets quantum computers apart from classical machines? Recent experiments suggest that “quantum contextuality” may be a critical factor.
Quantum computers fundamentally differ from traditional systems by leveraging unique quantum phenomena absent in classical electronics. Their building blocks, known as qubits, can exist in a superposition state, representing two properties simultaneously, which are typically incompatible, or they can be interconnected through a phenomenon called quantum entanglement.
Researchers at Google Quantum AI have conducted several groundbreaking demonstrations using the Willow quantum computer, revealing that quantum contextuality is also significant.
Quantum contextuality highlights an unusual aspect of measuring quantum properties. Unlike classical objects, where attributes are stable regardless of measurement order, quantum measurements are interdependent.
This phenomenon has previously been explored in special experiments with quantum light, and in 2018, researchers mathematically proved its potential application in quantum computing algorithms.
This algorithm enables quantum computers to uncover hidden patterns within larger mathematical structures in a consistent number of operations, regardless of size. In essence, quantum contextuality makes it feasible to locate a needle in a haystack, irrespective of the haystack’s dimensions.
In our experiments, we scaled qubit numbers from a few to 105, analogous to increasing the haystack size. While the number of steps rose with additional qubits, Willow demonstrated superior noise and error management compared to an ideal theoretical quantum computer for the algorithm involved. Notably, it still required fewer steps than traditional computers would need.
Thus, quantum contextuality appears to confer a quantum advantage, allowing these computers to utilize their unique characteristics to outperform classical devices. The research team also executed various quantum protocols reliant on contextuality, yielding stronger effects than previous findings.
“Initially, I couldn’t believe it. It’s genuinely astonishing,” says Adan Cabello from the University of Seville, Spain.
“These findings definitively showcase how modern quantum computers are redefining the limits of experimental quantum physics,” states Vir Burkandani at Rice University, Texas, suggesting that a quantum computer, as a candidate for practical advantages, should accomplish these tasks to confirm its quantum capabilities.
However, this demonstration does not yet confirm the superiority of quantum technology for practical applications. The 2018 research established that quantum computers are more effective than classical ones only when using more qubits than those in Willow, as well as employing qubits with lower error rates, asserts Daniel Lidar at the University of Southern California. The next crucial step may involve integrating this new study with quantum error correction algorithms.
This experiment signifies a new benchmark for quantum computers and underscores the importance of fundamental quantum physics principles. Cabello emphasizes that researchers still lack a complete theory explaining the origins of quantum superiority, but unlike entanglement—which often requires creation—contextuality is inherently present in quantum objects. Quantum systems like Willow are now advanced enough to compel us to seriously consider the peculiarities of quantum physics.
Credit: European Union, Copernicus Sentinel-2 imagery
Sicily’s Mount Etna, recognized as the world’s most active stratovolcano, is characterized by its tall cone resulting from continuous eruptions of viscous lava. In February, a significant volcanic event led to the eruption of volcanic ash and a lava flow extending three kilometers, prompting a partial airport closure. This dramatic moment was captured by one of the European Space Agency’s Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellites on February 12th.
Iceberg in Inarsuit, Greenland
Credit: Dennis Lehtonen / SWNS
In July, a massive iceberg drifted into the port of Innarsuit, Greenland, casting a shadow over the village of just 180 residents for over a week. Local authorities issued warnings for residents to exercise caution due to the risk of the iceberg collapsing and causing destructive waves, reminiscent of similar incidents in the area in the last decade. As climate change accelerates, the frequency of iceberg calving from glaciers is increasing.
Hurricane Melissa Wreaks Havoc in Jamaica
Credit: Ricardo Makyn/AFP via Getty Images
As one of the most severe storms to hit the Atlantic, Hurricane Melissa registered winds nearing 300 kilometers per hour and dropped an astonishing 76 centimeters of rain on Jamaica on October 28. The storm devastated buildings along the Black River, with initial analyses suggesting climate change intensified Melissa’s winds by approximately 16 kilometers per hour. The year recorded three Category 5 hurricanes, marking a historic frequency.
Extraordinary Tides of the Qiantang River
Credit: VCG/VCG via Getty Images
The Qiantang River in China boasts the world’s highest tidal waves, where incoming tides create waves that can reach heights of up to 9 meters and travel upstream at speeds nearly hitting 40 kilometers per hour. Locals refer to this phenomenon as the “Silver Dragon,” attracting surfers from far and wide to join in the excitement during high tides in Jiaxing City.
Bratten Post-Landslide
Credit: Alexandre Agrusti/AFP via Getty Images
On May 29, the Birch Glacier in the Swiss Alps experienced a severe collapse, resulting in a landslide that deposited approximately 9 million tons of debris. This massive event, equivalent to a magnitude 3.1 earthquake, buried a significant portion of the historic village of Bratten, also damming the nearby Lonza River. Thankfully, the village was evacuated with minimal loss of life. Experts attribute the landslide to thawing permafrost, critical for maintaining mountain stability. Without intervention, up to 90% of Alpine glaciers are projected to disappear by 2100, exacerbated by ongoing carbon dioxide emissions.
Destruction from the Palisades Fire in California
Credit: Mario Tama/Getty Images
In January, rampant wildfires swept through the forested areas north of Los Angeles, notably ravaging regions such as the Pacific Palisades. These devastating fires, considered the costliest in U.S. history, claimed over 30 lives and devastated around 16,000 structures, incurring damages in the hundreds of billions. Critics have pointed to California’s lenient home insurance policies as a factor promoting risky construction near forests, with climate change further extending the wildfire season and increasing the likelihood of intense, dry, and windy conditions.
There has always been a strong interplay between imagination and physics. Albert Einstein crafted his theory of relativity by envisioning a scenario where he chased a beam of light. Erwin Schrödinger famously introduced the idea of cats that are both alive and dead. German mathematician David Hilbert illustrated the paradox of infinity by conceptualizing a hotel with limitless rooms and patrons. Through inventive thought experiments, physicists rigorously examine concepts and deepen their comprehension.
Interestingly, three of the most enduring thought experiments revolve around what is now known as “the devil.” The most recognized is Maxwell’s Demon, conceived in 1867, envisioning a minuscule being endowed with unusual but logical abilities. Together with Laplace’s Devil and Roschmidt’s Devil, these thought experiments continue to baffle physicists today, suggesting that pondering these devils can illuminate some of the most complex principles in physics.
“What’s refreshing and unexpected is that scientists can gain profound insights about reality by engaging in these fictional realms,” says Michael Stuart, a philosopher of science at the University of York, UK. “Many would contend that the essence of science hinges upon such imaginings.”
Laplace’s Devil
The concept of our first demon originated from the mind of French polymath Pierre-Simon Laplace, who was largely influenced by Isaac Newton. In 1814, Laplace posed a straightforward query: “If Newton’s laws can predict the fall of an apple, could we apply the same logic to predict everything?” What if we had perfect knowledge about every particle and object? He invited us to picture a devil—whom he referred to as “intelligence”—that could do exactly that. If it understood the position and momentum of all particles alongside the laws of nature, it could foresee the entirety of the universe’s future. “Nothing would remain uncertain,” he asserted. “The future could be as clear as the past.”
While we may never construct a machine endowed with Laplace’s demonic faculty, envisioning such a being assists in identifying logical inconsistencies in the theory. Does it imply that everything—from planets to humans—is predetermined? Does science assert that the laws of physics dictate all outcomes? Free will may appear to be, at best, an illusion, a mere byproduct of our ignorance.
Fortunately, the essence of the first demon is relatively straightforward to dismantle. Physicists are convinced that no entity could possess the knowledge attributed to Laplace’s demon. First, Einstein’s special theory of relativity establishes that information cannot travel faster than light. Therefore, some events can indeed influence your future, but you remain ignorant at that moment since the information must travel at light speed and lacks time to reach you, thereby nullifying Laplace’s demon.
Even in the event that this devil could access knowledge from every corner of the universe, quantum mechanics introduces another obstacle. Since the 1920s, it has been acknowledged that one cannot simultaneously ascertain both a particle’s position and momentum. Therefore, the devil cannot precisely determine where each particle is or what it is doing; it can only describe the probabilities surrounding particle properties.
Laplace’s tidy particle-by-particle depiction of reality is superseded by a quantum universe, characterized by a vast, fluctuating wavefunction—an abstract mathematical construct that encapsulates all potential outcomes. Even if the devil were able to monitor these outcomes, there remains no certainty regarding which one would ultimately manifest in reality.
The Devil of Roschmidt
Though Laplace’s devil seems to have lost its potency, even more sinister thought experiments lie ahead. The second demon emerged during a period of rapid industrialization, where the steam engine intensified inquiries about heat, energy, and disorder. Austrian physicist Ludwig Boltzmann sought an explanation for entropy—a slippery concept that explains how systems devolve into chaos over time. Sandcastles fall apart, ice melts, and rust forms. Boltzmann believed that zooming into reality and observing the minute components of a larger system, like individual gas molecules filling a room, could clarify this concept.
However, his elder colleague, Austrian physicist Josef Loschmidt, challenged this approach in 1876 by posing a simple yet devastating dilemma. Imagine a universe in which time has halted; all molecules have a defined position and direction of movement. Loschmidt suggested that if you reversed the movement of each particle, you could essentially undo entropy. Roschmidt’s original positing did not mention a “demon,” although later iterations often included a demon that could perceive and freeze all particles, largely due to subsequent developments in the field.
The evolution of steam engines prompted inquiries into heat, energy, and entropy.
Loschmidt’s scenario deeply unsettled physicists as it suggested a time-related paradox. When considered at a microscopic level, reversing particle movement doesn’t seem to result in any contradictions. However, this breaks down at a macroscopic level; as the world seemingly restores itself in reverse, puddles solidify into ice, and shattered vases reassemble. This raises the question: “Why does time appear to flow in only one direction if at the microscopic level we can easily reverse it?”
Subsequent experiments attempted time reversal, much like Roschmidt’s demons. In the 1950s, Erwin Hahn utilized radio waves to temporarily synchronize electric dipoles (such as hydrogen atoms in water) to rotate uniformly, momentarily decreasing the system’s entropy. This seemingly created the illusion of time moving backward. So, did the Roschmidt demon manage to outsmart the concept of entropy?
Not entirely. It is now understood that entropy doesn’t imply that a system must always degenerate into disorder. Some systems can evolve into a more ordered state in a brief span. However, as Hahn demonstrated, entropy ultimately prevails. When the radio beam was switched off, the dipole reverted to chaos.
Why does entropy consistently rise? Scientifically speaking, we believe that the universe began in a highly ordered state with low entropy, where everything was systematically arranged. This constrains progress to one direction: toward chaos. Aside from fostering additional disorder, there are various methods to disrupt an orderly system. This suggests that in theory, Roschmidt’s demon can reverse small particles’ trajectories, albeit contrary to expectations.
“The situation with the second law differs fundamentally from Newton’s second law,” notes Katie Robertson, a philosopher at the University of Stirling in the UK. “Its probabilistic nature suggests that ‘You probably cannot reduce entropy.’”
Ultimately, the probabilities dispelled this demon, but they did little to enhance our understanding. In response to Loschmidt, Boltzmann shifted from the original approach to a more statistically oriented framework, as it succinctly captured the delicate logic of probability. His advanced thinking led to the formulation of the Boltzmann equation, now inscribed on his epitaph.
Maxwell’s Devil
The third and perhaps best-known demon was proposed by Scottish physicist James Clerk Maxwell in 1867, shortly before Roschmidt raised his concerns. Like Loschmidt, Maxwell grappled with the second law of thermodynamics, but he examined the notion of increasing entropy from a different perspective. What if, instead of rewinding the universe, we could intervene in it molecule by molecule? Envision a meddlesome being (later referred to as a demon by physicists like William Thomson) that could manipulate gas molecules trapped in a box divided by a trapdoor. Over time, this entity could violate the second law by segregating faster-moving molecules from slower-moving ones.
Various straightforward “solutions” might come to mind. Perhaps this demon expends energy opening and closing the door. However, theoretically, this “work” can be minimized infinitely. The demon could act as frivolously as desired, yet the paradox persists.
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Scientists can learn a lot about reality by entering these fictional spaces “
Instead, physicists began to suspect that the actual cost wasn’t the energy exerted by the demon, but the amount of information it needed to process. A certain type of memory seems mandatory to record the position and momentum of each molecule. And astonishingly, this memory is finite.
In the 1920s, Hungarian physicist Leo Szilard demonstrated that even a simplified version of Maxwell’s experiment—featuring only one molecule bouncing within a box—could enable a clever demon to extract work from the system. Nevertheless, he posited that this necessitates observing molecules and storing that information, requiring energy in the process.
Ultimately, something must yield. In the 1960s, IBM physicist Rolf Landauer made a crucial point. For the demon to remain functional, it must free up space in memory, generating heat and consequently increasing entropy within the system. The second law remains intact.
Laplace’s demon can predict the future of the entire universe.
George Rose/Getty Images
Moreover, physicists acknowledged that information, akin to energy, constitutes a tangible resource. Gaining insight into a system is not merely a matter of abstract logistics. Under appropriate conditions, information can also serve as fuel. Thus, Maxwell’s demon somehow translates information into work. Today, this demon symbolizes devices that function at the intersection of information and energy. These “information engines” not only challenge conventional wisdom but also hold the potential to convert demonic logic into practical technology. In 2024, researchers devised a quantum variant of the Szilard engine to power batteries within quantum computers. Instead of demons, microwave pulses were employed to displace higher-energy qubits from lower-energy ones, generating an energy differential capable of doing work like a battery.
While we remain distant from utilizing these innovations to charge mobile devices, the aspiration is that these miniature quantum engines will aid in manipulating particles or toggling qubits.
In this light, Maxwell’s demons have not been vanquished at all. Rather, they evolved into concepts that Maxwell could never have envisioned. Not as an infringement upon the Second Law, but as a means to explore the intricate and unexpected ways nature allows us to utilize information as a physical resource.
Collectively, these demons challenge both theoretical limits and intuitive understanding. While some have been tackled, new paradoxes continue to emerge. Yet, these are dilemmas that physicists welcome. These intriguing thought experiments provide scientists with a compelling avenue to push the boundaries of their knowledge.
Super 8 film captured a close-up of a silvery fritillary butterfly
Nature Hunter Films Limited
super nature Ed Sayers hitting UK cinemas in 2026
Ed Sayers, a director of commercials and music videos, has an affinity for Super 8, a film format introduced by Eastman Kodak in 1965, and he’s not alone. This delicate film cassette continues to thrive thanks to a dedicated community of filmmakers worldwide.
What distinguishes Sayers is his organizational skill. His project, super nature, which premiered last month at the London Film Festival, showcases Super 8 footage from 25 countries, contributed by 40 filmmakers and local advocates for nature in their regions.
I must confess that as I looked over the concept of this film, I endured scenes with a sparrow and a household cat for 82 minutes, which I regret.
While the film’s distributor, BFI, boasts of its “green” credentials, the pitch feels a bit lacking despite the feature being a globally-focused documentary with zero air miles. It’s worth noting how uniquely different everything appears through this handheld, low-fidelity medium.
Super 8 resembles, as Sayers puts it in the narration, “someone painted your memories.” This becomes apparent as you adjust to the glare, flare, rocking movements, and shifts in color and tone inherent in this format. The Super 8 world reflects our own—not polished or curated, with imperfect lighting, much like real life.
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Among the film’s many charming moments is the delightful observation that puffins “have the kindest eyes.” “
However, the film is often breathtakingly beautiful, and this production is no exception. Some ambitious shots featuring elusive and wary creatures are challenging to interpret. Just because we catch a fleeting glimpse of them doesn’t imply their value is diminished. One sequence that didn’t resonate with me was the goose migration, which, despite being exquisitely filmed and edited, felt overly clever and “staged” with its setup involving microlights and two cameras. In contrast, lying in a puddle with a plastic bag over my head to shoot snails would make for a great idea.
Contrasting with high-budget nature documentaries, this film seeks to uncover hidden worlds, and while the thirst for new discoveries is compelling, I can’t help but ponder whether viewers will become weary of impeccably-lit, framed, and timed images found in productions like walking with dinosaurs.
super nature offers a refreshing take on the genre. Its structure revolves around its production journey. Each segment (from flamingos to earthworms to corals) comes with a voiceover by each filmmaker, sharing the significance of their footage. Among many delightful moments are descriptions of the sounds puffins make while running (humorous, reminiscent of oversized slippers) and the remark that “puffins have very kind eyes.”
The creators are genuinely inspiring. Some embarked on Super 8 journeys seeking a new perspective after experiencing personal hardships. Others advocate for environmental consciousness, while a few may even brave a cold water faucet (as ibex seem to understand the wisdom of the mountains).
Then we have Sayers’ own narrative. Act 1: The director dreams of documenting the natural world using retro technology and local filmmakers. Act 2: He faces disillusionment, piecing together footage of floods, fires, marshes in Ukraine, and plastic waste. Act 3: The director finds renewed hope, and the playful antics of seals turn the project into a triumph.
It’s a narrative arc as compelling as any, yet entirely predictable in contrast to the footage’s unpredictability.
Simon tooRecommends… Film silent world
Jacques Cousteau and Louis Malle While not the first to depict the deep ocean in color, Cousteau and Malle’s 1956 documentary transformed our perception of two-thirds of Earth.
TV Series walk together dinosaur
Tim Haynes First aired in 1999, this six-part BBC documentary (rebooted in 2025) introduced scientific rigor into its thrilling portrayal of the Mesozoic era.
For centuries, the greatest minds have pondered the concept of time, yet its absolute nature remains elusive.
While physics does not dictate that time must flow in a specific direction or define its essence, it is widely accepted that time is a tangible aspect of the universe.
The two cornerstone theories of modern physics, general relativity and quantum mechanics, perceive time in distinct ways. In relativity, time functions as one coordinate in conjunction with three spatial coordinates.
Einstein demonstrated the intricate relationship between these dimensions, revealing that the flow of time is relative, not absolute. This implies that as you move faster, time appears to slow down in comparison to someone who remains “stationary.”
Interestingly, photons traveling at light speed experience no passage of time; for them, everything occurs simultaneously.
On the other hand, quantum mechanics, which pertains to the macroscopic realm, views time as a fundamental parameter—a consistent and one-way flow from past to future, disconnected from spatial dimensions and entities (like particles).
This divergence creates a conflict between these two prominent theories and poses a challenge for physicists attempting to unify gravitational and quantum theories into a singular “grand unified theory.”
Crucially, neither general relativity nor quantum mechanics defines time as a “field,” a physical quantity that permeates space and can affect particle characteristics.
Each of the four fundamental force fields (gravity, electromagnetism, strong nuclear force, and weak nuclear force) involves the exchange of particles.
These particles can be viewed as carriers of force. In electromagnetism, the carrier is a photon, while strong interactions are mediated by particles known as “gluons.”
Gravity, too, is thought to be transmitted by hypothetical particles called “gravitons,” yet a complete quantum description of gravity remains elusive.
Scientists continue to struggle with the concept of time, which appears to lack tangible properties like discrete chunks – Credit: Oxygen via Getty
Other “fields” confer specific properties to particles. For instance, the Higgs field involves the transfer of Higgs bosons, endowing them with mass.
In the realm of physics, time—regardless of its true essence—differs fundamentally from a “field.” It is not a physical quantity (like charge or mass) and does not apply forces or dictate particle interactions.
Thus, in contemporary physics, time is not characterized by mediating particles as are the four fundamental forces. The notion of “time particles” does not hold relevance.
Remarkably, recent studies indicate that time might actually be an illusion. This intriguing theory emerges from quantum “entanglement,” wherein the quantum states of particles are interlinked, regardless of their spatial separation.
This article addresses a question posed by Brian Roche from Cork, Ireland: “Is it possible for a time particle to exist?”
If you have any inquiries, please connect with us at:questions@sciencefocus.com or reach out viaFacebook,Twitter, orInstagramPage (please include your name and location).
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Jane Goodall researched chimpanzee behavior in Tanzania
Penelope Breese/Liaison
Renowned conservationist Jane Goodall has passed away at the age of 91. For decades, she dedicated her life to studying and advocating for chimpanzees, becoming a preeminent expert on our closest primate relatives and transforming our understanding of humanity. Her legacy is one of profound empathy and commitment to nature. She died from natural causes while on a speaking tour in California, as confirmed by the Jane Goodall Institute in a statement on October 1.
Goodall began her groundbreaking work with chimpanzees in Tanzania’s Gombe Stream National Park in 1960. Her studies made significant contributions to our understanding of their behavior and social structures. Over the next 65 years, she evolved into a passionate advocate and expert, enlightening the world on the similarities between humans and other primates and drawing attention to the challenges faced by chimpanzees and wildlife, including climate change, poaching, and habitat loss.
In 1977, she established the Institute bearing her name, a nonprofit focused on the study and protection of primates and their habitats while fostering a greater public understanding of nature. The institute’s mission has since broadened to include community health initiatives across Africa and conservation efforts aimed at protecting whales. Goodall also played pivotal roles in numerous other environmental projects.
She attributed her success to remarkable patience, stating, “There was a moment when I was feeling despondent and the chimpanzees were evading me, and I had plenty of time in the field. [But] If I had decided to give up, I would never have been able to forgive myself. I couldn’t live with that.” New Scientist 2022.
In her later years, Goodall focused her efforts on global conservation, traveling extensively to spread the message that chimpanzees and all animals share commonalities with humans. She persistently urged us to improve our treatment of the natural world.
Mark Berman (Vermillion, UK; S&S/Simon Element, USA)
Mark Berman is on the verge of initiating a transformation, and I consider myself already aligned with his vision. You might have encountered his insights in New Scientist regarding the remarkable advantages of nature walks, the therapeutic impact of plants, and the enchantment of urban greenery.
If this sounds familiar, you may presume that Berman’s Research couldn’t offer anything new. However, you would be mistaken. Nature and the Heart caters to everyone, regardless of prior knowledge. It’s designed not only to inform and entertain but also to motivate action.
This narrative outlines how a once troubled boy forged a groundbreaking field in environmental neuroscience by transitioning from law studies pursued under his mother’s nursing influence and his father’s legal career to engineering as an undergraduate student.
Central to this is a fortuitous encounter between psychologists Steve and Rachel Kaplan from the University of Michigan, who introduced attentional restoration theory (ART). This concept posits that engaging with nature can help regain our focus, and by the time Berman met them as a graduate student, Kaplan had already amassed substantial evidence to support this theory.
Berman’s audacious plan involved quantifying these effects by analyzing people, their environments, and their interactions through methods including brain imaging, behavioral testing, computational neuroscience, and statistical analyses.
In his book, Berman reflects on his initial experimental proposal, met with skepticism from John Jonides, a cognitive neuroscientist at the University of Michigan, who said, “It’s crazy. It won’t work.”
The author champions a revolution to ‘naturize’ our homes, schools, offices, and cities.
Yet, Berman persevered, uncovering astonishing findings. A mere 50-minute walk in a park significantly improved individuals’ working memory and attention by 20%, irrespective of their enjoyment of the experience or the weather conditions. Remarkably, it was unnecessary for them to actually walk.
This improvement is notable, but why is attention restoration necessary? As Berman highlights, attention is a crucial resource for many cognitive and emotional functions, and our attention is often drained by an overstimulating environment. By restoring this resource, nature acts as a superpower, enhancing intelligence, happiness, reducing stress, increasing productivity, and fostering compassion.
Some of Berman’s discoveries are breathtaking. For instance, individuals suffering from clinical depression gained fivefold benefits from a walk in the park compared to participants in the original study. Moreover, having ten additional trees on a block in Toronto increased residents’ perception of well-being by 1%.
His research also leads to delightful and innovative findings. In one study, his team employed the JPEG standard in digital image compression to analyze how the human brain processes information regarding natural landscapes versus urban settings. This research demonstrated that urban and natural images with similar complexity levels taxed the brain differently, with nature being less taxing. They even created an app to provide “repair scores” for nearby walking routes.
Berman’s research addresses significant inquiries. How does nature capture attention? What scene elements encourage recovery? How can architecture leverage these effects? It also tackles intriguing questions, such as the allure of galley-style fonts (inspired by the curves of serif typefaces) and the appeal of Jackson Pollock’s abstract paintings (which reflect fractals).
Above all, he is driven by a desire to effect positive change. His work serves as a call to action, urging the implementation of a “natural revolution.” “We should fundamentally reevaluate the design of all constructed spaces,” he advocates. “The natural revolution necessitates a serious commitment from people on a grand scale.”
How do environmental hazards associated with production influence costs? What implications does that have for the nation’s economy? Can we quantify the significance of a healthy living environment and the biodiversity surrounding us?
In 2021, Partha Dasgupta, emeritus professor of economics at Cambridge University, authored a comprehensive 610-page report addressing these inquiries for the UK government. His latest work, About Natural Capital: The Value of the World Around Us, aims to broaden its accessibility.
Your opinion of Dasgupta’s success may hinge on your interest in an analytical exploration of economic concepts interspersed with engaging narratives. His core thesis asserts that GDP’s utility in measuring economic success is fundamentally inadequate. Historical advancements in living standards have primarily stemmed from human innovations; as Dasgupta notes, “entrepreneurs have prioritized labor and capital-saving devices over natural savings devices.”
This is particularly evident with the latest advancements in artificial intelligence, a hallmark of humanity’s quest for “labor and capital savings.” High-tech billionaires behind AI tout extraordinary productivity gains, yet the substantial water consumption for the cooling of associated data centers is often overlooked.
Dasgupta notes in his original report that from 1992 to 2014, per capita human capital (encompassing our health, education, and skills) rose by about 13% globally, while per capita natural capital plummeted by nearly 40%. To remedy this disparity, he champions the widespread adoption of a metric for “global wealth per person” that incorporates nature.
The narrative can be further expanded by examining shrimp farms in Vietnam and Bangladesh. Dasgupta elucidates how these operations adversely impact the “natural capital” of those nations, effects that remain unaccounted for in the retail price of shrimp. The establishment of shrimp farms typically necessitates the destruction of mangroves and salt marshes, reducing carbon storage capabilities.
Notably, around 30% of the diet for these shrimp consists of soybeans cultivated in plantations that replace tropical forests. Dasgupta references a case study suggesting that if true environmental costs were factored in, shrimp export prices might rise by 15-20%. Essentially, affluent nations purchasing shrimp may be receiving an unfair bargain.
While I do not profess expertise in economics, I am generally apprehensive about pursuing economic gains at the expense of significant environmental degradation. So, what are the actionable steps we can take? In a concise chapter, Dasgupta proposes a method to value nature adequately. This could involve collecting fees from shipping companies navigating global waters, with proceeds allocated towards job creation to alleviate pressures on ecosystems worldwide.
These concepts resonate intuitively for me, but I find myself seeking more detailed explanations. Dasgupta alludes to the challenges of achieving collective agreement and the lack of enthusiasm surrounding global shipping fees. This is an area where I wished he presented a more impassioned argument. While his ideas are captivating, they lack the urgency many readers might desire.
About Natural Capital provokes a reevaluation of economic perspectives, though I yearn for a more emotive approach. Perhaps this expectation is excessive for such a publication, yet I remain concerned that crucial messages may not resonate with a broader audience.
Jason Arun Mruguez is a writer based in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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A recent study by Professor Victor Pasco from Pennsylvania and his team reveals the method for determining the robust electric field associated with thunder, which collides with molecules such as nitrogen and oxygen, resulting in x-rays that trigger intense storms through additional electrons and high-energy photons.
NASA’s high-population ER-2 plane is equipped with instruments for the fly-eye Earth Intake Mapper Simulator and the Ground Gamma Ray Flash (ALOFT) Mission, which records gamma rays from ThunderClouds (illustrated in purple). Image credit: NASA/ALOFT team.
“Our research provides an accurate and quantitative explanation of the initial processes leading to lightning,” stated Professor Pasco.
“It connects the underlying physics of X-rays, electric fields, and electron avalanches.”
In their study, Professor Pasco and colleagues employed mathematical modeling to validate and elucidate field observations related to photoelectric phenomena within the Earth’s atmosphere.
This phenomenon, known as terrestrial gamma-ray flashes, consists of invisible, naturally occurring bursts of x-rays along with their associated radio emissions.
“By creating a simulation that mirrors the observed field conditions, we offered a comprehensive explanation of the x-rays and radio emissions occurring inside Thunderclouds,” added Professor Pasco.
“Our research illustrates how electrons, accelerated by lightning’s strong electric field, can generate x-rays upon colliding with air molecules like nitrogen or oxygen, leading to an avalanche of electrons that create high-energy photons to initiate lightning.”
Through their model, the researchers analyzed field observations gathered by various research teams utilizing ground-based sensors, satellites, and high-altitude surveillance platforms to simulate thunderstorm conditions.
“We elucidated the mechanisms of photoelectric events, the triggering conditions for electron cascades in thunder, and the sources of diverse radio signals detected in clouds preceding a lightning strike,” explained Professor Pervez.
“To validate the lightning initiation explanation, I compared our findings with previous models, observational studies, and my own investigations into lightning bolts, specifically intercompact cloud discharges that typically occur within limited regions of Thunderclouds.”
This process, termed photoelectric feedback discharge, models the physical conditions where lightning is likely to happen.
The equations employed to develop the model are available in the published papers, enabling other researchers to apply them in their own studies.
Besides elucidating the onset of lightning, the scientists clarified why ground-level gamma-ray flashes can often occur without the accompanying light and radio emissions that signify lightning in rainy conditions.
“In our simulations, the high-energy X-rays generated by relativistic electron avalanches create new seed electrons driven by photoelectric phenomena in the air, rapidly amplifying these avalanches,” Professor Pasco remarked.
“Moreover, while this runaway chain reaction is generated in a compact volume, it can happen across a varied range of intensities, often with minimal optical and radio emissions but detectable X-ray levels.”
“This explains why these gamma-ray flashes originate from regions that are visually dim and appear silent in wireless frequency.”
The team’s findings will be published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres.
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Victor P. Pasco et al. 2025. The photoelectric effect in the air accounts for the initiation of lightning and the occurrence of terrestrial gamma rays. JGR Atmosphere 130 (14): E2025JD043897; doi: 10.1029/2025JD043897
The latest nature documentary from Apple TV+, Wild Ones, offers an insider’s perspective, showcasing three expert efforts in a series that truly deserves attention.
The opening narration reminds us that nature faces dire threats, with around 150 species disappearing daily. The mission of the film is to “find, document, and protect” six of the most endangered species, aiming not only to raise awareness but also to prompt action from local officials to prevent extinction.
Camera Trap Specialists Declan Burley, Wildlife Cameraman Vianet Djenguet, and Expedition Leader Aldo Kane embark on a global journey to capture footage of the world’s rarest wildlife.
The first episode leads them into the Malaysian jungle, searching for a rare tiger. Subsequent episodes will take viewers to the Gobi Desert in Mongolia to find Gobi Bears, and onto tracking the Javan rhinos, the Gabon gorilla, and Caucasian leopards, in addition to marine life such as the North Atlantic right whale Eubalaena glacialis.
This series employs advanced technology like drones and thermal imaging to produce breathtaking visuals of the animals and their environments. The untouched rainforests of Malaysia—often further from human contact than places visited by astronauts—are just part of the previously unseen natural world that Wild Ones uncovers.
However, the success of the documentary hinges on Burley, Djenguet, and Kane’s emotional engagement, which keeps viewers invested in the animals’ fates. Their reactions, whether witnessing an elusive leopard or the plight of whales caught in nets, leave an indelible mark on the audience.
Seeing three on-screen experts doing their job will hook stubborn fans of the genre
In a poignant moment deep within Taman Negara National Park, Burley reviews footage from a hidden camera, initially excited about capturing a rare Malayan tiger, only to discover that the creature has been maimed by a poacher’s trap.
Burley shares the footage with Djenguet and Kane, his connection to the animals rendering him visibly emotional. Local experts point out that such striking images are vital, sparking action from viewers worldwide. The trio understands their role, but the distress it causes them is undeniable.
While the emotional weight is palpable, the episodes’ lengths and scripted interactions sometimes disrupt the flow. Occasional forced humor and dramatic elements can dilute the impact, making the experience feel less authentic.
Nonetheless, as the series progresses, Burley, Djenguet, and Kane become more at ease on camera, captivating dedicated fans with their expertise and drawing in audiences eager for authenticity.
This series stands out in the realm of nature documentaries, providing an intimate look at the emotional turmoil, physical challenges, and the enduring patience required to produce such content. With dozens of cameras stationed in perilous locations, team members must meticulously return for footage, sometimes after months.
Ultimately, capturing footage of these endangered animals in Wild Ones is not just a visual feast; it’s a compelling call to action aimed at preserving these species for future generations.
Gregory Wakeman is a Los Angeles-based author.
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A research team from Durham University, the University of Hawaii, and the University of Liverpool suggests that dark dwarfs are theoretical objects driven by dark matter, created from the cooling process of brown dwarfs.
An AI representation of a dark dwarf. Image credit: Gemini AI.
Currently, we understand that dark matter exists and how it behaves, but we are still unsure of its true nature.
In the last half-century, various theories have emerged, but gathering sufficient experimental evidence remains a challenge.
Some of the most well-known candidates for dark matter include weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPS), which are substantial particles that interact very slightly with ordinary matter. They pass through unnoticed, do not emit light, and reveal themselves only through gravitational effects.
This form of dark matter is essential for the existence of dark dwarfs.
“Dark matter interacts with gravity, allowing it to be captured by stars and accumulate within them,” explained Professor Jeremy Sachstein from the University of Hawaii.
“If this occurs, it may also interact internally, leading to annihilation and energy release that heats the star.”
A nuclear fusion process occurs at the star’s core, generating significant heat and energy, which allows a typical star to shine.
Fusion happens when a star’s mass is sufficient for gravity to compress matter toward the center intensely enough to initiate reactions between the nuclei.
This process releases a tremendous amount of energy, which is perceived as light. Although dark dwarfs also emit light, they do not do so through nuclear fusion.
“Dark dwarfs are low-mass objects, roughly 8% of the solar mass,” noted Professor Sachstein.
“Such small masses are insufficient to trigger a fusion reaction.”
“Consequently, these objects are prevalent in the universe but typically emit only dim light, being classified as brown dwarfs by scientists.
However, if brown dwarfs reside in regions with a high concentration of dark matter (such as the center of the Milky Way), they can evolve into different entities.
“These objects gather dark matter that enables them to transform into dark stars,” Professor Sachstein stated.
“The greater the surrounding dark matter, the more can be captured.”
“And as the dark material accumulates within the star, more energy is generated through its annihilation.”
“For a dark dwarf to exist, dark matter must consist of heavy particles that engage strongly with one another to produce visible matter.”
“Alternative candidates proposed to explain dark matter, such as axions, ambiguous ultralight particles, or sterile neutrinos, are too light to yield the expected effects on these objects.”
“Only massive particles capable of interacting with each other and annihilating to produce visible energy can facilitate the emergence of dark dwarfs.”
However, this hypothesis lacks substantial value without a definitive method of identifying dark dwarfs.
Therefore, Professor Sachstein and his team have suggested distinctive markers.
“There were a few indicators, but lithium-7 presents a unique scenario,” Professor Sachstein mentioned.
“Lithium-7 combusts readily and is rapidly depleted in regular stars.”
“Thus, if you identify an object resembling a dark dwarf, you should search for the presence of lithium, as it would be absent if it were a brown dwarf or something similar.”
The team’s study will be published in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics.
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DJUNA CROON et al. 2025. Dark Dwarf: A theoretical dark matter-driven star-like object awaiting discovery at the Galactic Center. jcap 07:019; doi:10.1088/1475-7516/2025/07/019
From molten lava coursing through ice-covered landscapes to sharks gracefully swimming in crystal-clear turquoise waters, viewing nature from an aerial vantage point provides a breathtaking perspective on our planet’s terrain and wildlife.
Welcome to the inaugural International Aerial Photographer of the Year Competition. This contest invited both professional and amateur photographers from around the globe to submit their entries, which were judged against high standards (yes, pun intended).
The first prize was awarded to Joanna Steidle, a professional drone pilot and artist. Her remarkable photograph, along with other prominent entries from the competition, can be explored below.
plane! plane! – David Mielowski
The airplane’s shadow dances over the vibrant waters of the Hat Lagoon in Western Australia. Photo: David Mielowski/The Inaugural International Aerial Photographer of the Year
Flamingo and Pelican – David Swindler
A pelican wades through a sea of flamingos. Photo by David Swindler/The Inaugural International Aerial Photographer of the Year
Smoking Skull – Daniel Binigarcia
The cooling lava of Iceland’s Fagradalsfjall volcano created a skull-like formation, evoking a spooky scene. Photo: Daniel Bini Garcia/First International Aerial Photographer of the Year
Elephant of Flow – Murray Evans
A herd of elephants roaming the Basanga plains in Kafue National Park, Zambia. Photo: Murray Evans/The Inaugural International Aerial Photographer of the Year
Austfonna Ice Cap – Thomas Vijayan
An aerial view showcasing the Bråsvellbreen glacier, part of the Austfonna ice cap in Svalbard, Norway. Photo: Thomas Vijayan/The Inaugural International Aerial Photographer of the Year
Laguna Hedionda – Ignacio Palacios
Laguna Hedionda in Bolivia, notable for its diverse flamingo species, beautifully captured from the sky. Ignacio Palacios Photography/First International Aerial Photographer of the Year
Salt Works IV Eye – Daniela Tonmar
A drone capture showing salt extraction operations along Australia’s coral coast. Daniela Tommasi/The Inaugural International Aerial Photographer of the Year
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Tahogait Volcano – Javier Garcia
The Tahogait Volcano (Montañarajada) in La Palma, Spain erupted on September 19, 2021, leading to widespread destruction. Photo: Javier Garcia/The Inaugural International Aerial Photographer of the Year
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Twisted Owl – Colin Leonhardt
An aerial perspective of the Alumina Mine Tapered Dam near Collie, Western Australia. Photo: Colin Leonhardt/The Inaugural International Aerial Photographer of the Year
Tidal Flora – Peter Harrison
Joseph Bonaparte Bay Marine Park in Australia’s Northern Territory is sculpted by formidable tides that flow through shallow, muddy flats. Photo: Peter Harrison/The Inaugural International Aerial Photographer of the Year
Recover – AelKermare
An aerial snapshot capturing a volcano’s energy as lava engulfs icy pathways in Iceland—documenting the nation’s sixth volcanic eruption in three years. Photo: Ael Kermare/The Inaugural International Aerial Photographer of the Year
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Celestimpur – Daniel Writer
The colorful hot springs, geysers, and bubbling mud pots of Yellowstone National Park, USA, create intriguing patterns. Photo: Daniel Reiter/First International Aerial Photographer of the Year
Eternal Harmony – Rositsa Dimitrova
The rugged terrains and rivers of Iceland are beautifully showcased in this stunning aerial capture. Photography by Rositsa Dimitrova/The Inaugural International Aerial Photographer of the Year
Sunrise on Mars – Taylor Duncan
This image of Bentonite Hills in Utah, USA, unveils a landscape reminiscent of Mars, shaped by time and water. Photograph by Taylor Duncan
International Aerial Photos of the Year – Ignacio Palacio
The mesmerizing anti-crepuscular rays in Cono de Arita, Argentina created by the sun’s light converging due to atmospheric phenomena. Ignacio Palacios Photography/First International Aerial Photographer of the Year
Winner of International Aerial Photographer of the Year – Joanna Steidle
A dynamic aerial shot of a spinner shark creating a gateway amidst a school of menhaden fish in the Atlantic Ocean near Southampton, New York, USA. Photo by Joanna Steidle/First International Aerial Photographer of the YearHumpback whales gracefully submerge beneath the Atlantic’s surface after surfacing for air. Captured near Southampton, New York, USA. Photo by Joanna Steidle/First International Aerial Photographer of the YearA captivating aerial image of rays stirring the sand as they glide along the ocean floor near Southampton, New York, USA. Photo by Joanna Steidle/First International Aerial Photographer of the Year
In his intriguing new book, Nature’s Memories: Behind the Scenes of the World’s Natural History Museum, Jack Ashby, assistant director of the University Zoology Museum in Cambridge, UK, describes the museum as a peculiar space. It represents societal meanings and the natural chronicles of our ecosystems and environments. However, these records are often fundamentally flawed and misleading.
Ashby emphasizes the museum’s role, particularly in natural history, as an extensive catalog of past life on our planet. Its original purpose was to document everything from flora to fauna and enhance our understanding of the natural world.
Times have changed. As Ashby reveals in this captivating work, he critiques the shortcomings of museums, challenging our preconceived notions. Notably, much of our natural history remains hidden in poorly lit storage rather than publicly displayed.
Readers will soon discover the significance of the areas typically off-limits to the public. Ashby notes that there are approximately 70,000 flowering plant species worldwide that scientists have yet to fully describe.
The book delves into the preservation processes for animal skeletons, highlighting how flesh is removed for conservation, how insects are prepared for display, and how taxidermy is conducted. These behind-the-scenes insights are among the book’s most intriguing aspects. Ashby also points out the unrealistic representation of frogs due to shrinkage and features a segment on a renowned glassmaker recognized for creating lifelike floral reproductions.
Yet, the lack of representation extends beyond plants. Ashby highlights the biases in what we learned during school trips to such institutions. He cites a 2008 study indicating that merely 29% of mammal displays and 34% of bird exhibits in natural history museums feature females, resulting in a limited understanding of habitat contributions. This imbalance can be attributed to the more visually appealing male specimens and the fact that those who collect and exhibit are predominantly male and often white Westerners.
Ashby advocates for addressing the misrepresentation issue within museums, asserting that our education about nature is severely lacking due to the biases of past generations. Many male mammalian skeletons are misrepresented in museum displays due to curatorial choices that remove pelvic bones.
Though the book was published prior to the intentional dismantling of American scientific institutions, it reflects the prevailing anti-expert sentiment. This makes it all the more vital to read. We must reflect on what is excluded from museum exhibits as seriously as we do what is included.
As Ashby asserts, “The work that is being done at the Natural History Museum is more crucial than ever, and the role that must be played in order to safeguard the future of humanity is just beginning to unfold.”
Chris Stokell Walker is a science writer based in Newcastle, UK.
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Traditionally, we envision particles as tangible objects—tiny, point-like entities with specific properties like position and velocity. In reality, however, particles are energetic fluctuations within an underlying field that fills the universe, and they cannot be directly observed. This concept can be quite perplexing.
This article is part of our special focus on concepts, examining how experts interpret some of the most astonishing ideas in science. Click here for more information.
Furthermore, there exists a layer of complexity due to quasiparticles, which arise from intricate interactions among the “fundamental” particles found in solids, liquids, and plasma. These quasiparticles possess fascinating properties of proximity, suggesting the potential for exotic new materials and techniques, challenging our established notions of particles.
“When discussing what particles are, the topic can become quite convoluted,” states Douglas Natelson from Rice University in Houston, Texas. He describes quasiparticles as “excitations in a material that exhibit many characteristics associated with particles.” They can have relatively well-defined positions and velocities and can carry charge and energy. So why aren’t they considered actual particles?
The answer lies in their existence. Natelson likens this to fans performing “waves” in a stadium. “We can observe the waves and think, ‘Look! There’s a wave, it’s of a certain size, moving at a specific speed.’ But those waves are essentially a collective phenomenon, resulting from the actions of all the fans present.”
To create a quasiparticle, physicists often manipulate materials like metal substrates subjecting them to extreme temperatures, pressures, or magnetic fields. Subsequently, they study the collective behavior of the intrinsic particles.
One intriguing phenomenon recognized in the 1940s involved a “hole,” which describes a lack of negative electrons that should normally be present. By analyzing these holes as if they were independent entities, researchers were able to develop semiconductors that power modern laptops and smartphones.
“Essentially, modern electronics hinge on both electrons and holes,” remarks Leon Balents from the University of California, Santa Barbara. “We continuously utilize these quasiparticles.”
Over the years, we have uncovered an entire spectrum of exotic quasiparticles. Magnons emerge from spin waves, a fundamental quantum property related to magnetism. Cooper pairs, present at low temperatures, can transmit charge without resistance in superconductors. The list expands, continually growing as physicists predict and observe peculiar new types with strange names, such as pi tons, fractures, and even wrinkles.
Among the more thrilling discoveries is the non-Abelian anyon. Unlike typical particles, these quasiparticles possess the ability to retain memory of how they were altered.
The practicality of these quasiparticles remains uncertain, according to Balents. Nonetheless, major companies like Microsoft have heavily invested in research involving quasiparticles.
The ongoing investigation raises fundamental questions about particle nature itself. If quasiparticles exhibit particle-like characteristics, one must consider whether the “fundamental” particles (e.g., electrons, photons, quarks) might emerge from a more profound underlying framework.
“Are what we classify as fundamental particles truly elementary, or could they be quasiparticles arising from more basic fundamental theories?” ponders Natelson. “An eternally looming question.”
Explore more articles in this series via the links below:
Nature of science journals aims to highlight the complexities of academic publishing.
In an editorial released on Monday, the journal revealed it will include a peer review file with the papers it plans to publish. This will grant reviewers insight into the behind-the-scenes process where authors respond to revisions.
Publishing peer review files has been an option in Nature since 2020, but as of Monday, it has become a standard practice.
“Our goal is to demystify what many refer to as the ‘black box’ of science and clarify how research papers are developed. This aims to enhance transparency and foster trust in the scientific process. We believe that publishing peer reviewer reports enriches scientific communication and contextualizes how results and conclusions are reached.”
Opening the peer review process is becoming increasingly common among scientific journals, but Nature stands out as one of the largest and most influential in adopting this practice.
Peer review occurs once scientific research is submitted to a reputable journal, where field experts evaluate the work for issues such as flawed inferences, poor research practices, and data errors. These external experts provide feedback to journal editors and authors, known as the Judge Report.
“Peer review enhances the quality of the paper,” the editorial states. “The dialogue between authors and reviewers should be regarded as a significant component of the scientific record, crucial to research andits dissemination.”
Nature’s updated process automatically publishes judge reports and author responses. Journal practices evolve particularly when public trust in science wanes; a Pew Research Center poll indicates that trust in scientists fell approximately 10 percentage points from 2019 to 2024, with only 45% of Americans considering scientists to be effective communicators.
Michael Eisen, a former editor of the scientific journal Elife and a proponent of reforming the scientific publishing process, believes Nature’s decision marks a significant step towards greater transparency in the field.
“It’s valuable for the public to witness the process,” Eisen stated. “Much of the criticism stems from misunderstanding, which often arises from a lack of transparency surrounding scientific processes.”
Eisen suggests this move could help skeptics recognize the rigorous scrutiny applied to critical topics.
“For instance, if people observe the thorough examination vaccine-related studies undergo, it can help them better understand and assess the context of scientific findings,” Eisen noted.
At the same time, this transparency may help to mitigate the sensationalism often associated with striking findings.
“It may help dispel the notion that once a paper is published, it is infallible and that all questions have been resolved,” Eisen added.
He also mentioned that Nature could publish reviewer comments on manuscripts that were ultimately rejected.
“The truly transformative step would be to disclose reviews for all submitted papers,” Eisen remarked. “While it’s insightful to understand the questions raised in reviews of accepted papers, it is equally important to see why certain papers were rejected by the journal.”
In 2012, retired consultant Dianne Hoffman began observing Tom. For five hours each day, she tuned in to Harriet and Ozzy’s behaviors, a pair residing at Dunrobin Ranch in Montana.
The couple was broadcast live as they nested Ospreys and tended to their eggs. Although the eggs never hatched, the Ospreys occupied the nest for a few months before finally leaving.
“I believe they’ve gone through grief,” says Hoffman, now 81.
The webcam at Dunrovin Ranch provides an intimate view of Ospreys nesting and raising chicks during the summer. Photo: Dunrovin Ranch
Hoffman was coping with her grief from losing her husband, brother, and father, and watching the live stream allowed her to “reconnect with the world.”
“It was a very dark time,” she shares. Ozzy passed away in 2014, but she continues to monitor the nest and its current inhabitants for an hour each day. “I can’t think of anything that has positively impacted my life from the Internet more than these cameras.”
Over the past 20 years, nature-centered live streams situated near nests, watering holes, burrows, and landscapes have proliferated, made possible by affordable cameras and remote internet connections that deliver resilient natural feeds. The allure of nature’s drama, or occasionally the lack thereof, captivates viewers.
Sweden’s live annual footage of the Moose relocation has garnered attention. Photo: SVT/AP
The seventh season of the television series, Great Moose’s transition from the Swedish broadcaster SVT, featured 20 days of continuous live footage, drawing millions of viewers. Norwegian NRK broadcasted 18 hours of salmon swimming upstream and 12 hours of fire dancing.
In an increasingly urbanized world, where many are glued to screens, the disconnect from nature is palpable. “We’ve found that while technology can distance us from nature, it can also uniquely connect us to it,” a researcher articulated in a recent publication.
Later, another study revealed that nature live streams “enhance the lives of those unable to leave their homes and those distanced from natural environments.”
Researchers at the University of Montana first deployed a camera in 2012, focusing on Harriet and Ozzy’s nest. At the end of the breeding season, owner Suzanne Miller turned it off, but numerous viewers urged her to keep it running. “[They said] Please, don’t switch it off. We want to see your ranch,” Miller explains, as people became invested in the happenings beyond the nest.
Hoffman stated that the livestream has provided solace during her tough times, and she still observes it daily for an hour. Photo: Rachel Wisniewski/The Guardian
Initially, Miller found it bizarre that someone would dedicate time to mundane tasks like cleaning the paddock. “I felt really odd at first,” she recalls. However, she later added three more live streams of the river, paddock, and bird feeders. Only after she fell ill and was confined to home for six months did she grasp the worth of these streams and became just as captivated by the farm’s live content.
If someone leaves the gate open, viewers promptly notify the ranch. Members once witnessed a horse’s tragic demise after a vet fell on ice and broke its neck, the horse’s head resting peacefully on Miller’s lap as it passed. “Many viewers are elderly and are dealing with death in their own lives,” she notes. “It opened dialogues about mortality.”
The stream has attracted 275 paid subscribers, many of whom have never visited the farm. It costs $8 a month to subscribe, with a bulk of the audience being seniors or those with mobility challenges. Some members have even had their ashes scattered on the property without ever having set foot on the farm.
Numerous platforms enable viewers to communicate and exchange messages through discussion boards. Established in 1994, Fog Cam claims to be the oldest continuously operating webcam worldwide. This webcam shares images every 20 seconds and showcases the fog enveloping San Francisco.
South Africa’s Lion pride is a crowd favorite, with millions tuning in to their live streams. Photo: African
“If you can dream it, there’s likely a live stream for it,” states Rebecca Mauldin, an assistant professor at the University of Texas at Arlington. “Although this is a new area of research, it’s not a new phenomenon. Millions of people are captivated by nature live streams.”
However, these streams offer more than mere entertainment. Research indicates they have health benefits as well. A forthcoming study reveals that nature-centric live streams lead to increased happiness among some elderly residents in care homes, enhancing mood, relaxation, and sleep. A previous study involving Dunrovin’s webcams suggested they brought about “significant positive changes” for nursing home inhabitants and could serve as an “innovative and effective method” for improving their overall health.
“I’ve realized that this isn’t exclusively for the elderly. There are many reasons nature may not be easily accessible,” Mauldin adds.
The Africam Live Stream features cameras stationed across the continent, capturing footage of animals such as this herd of giraffes from Namibia. Photo: African
Numerous webcams are operational across 35 national parks in the U.S. The Giant Panda Cam showcases animal activity at the Smithsonian National Zoo, while you can observe wildlife through Africam. In the UK, wildlife trusts operate 25 live webcams, with the Peregrine Falcon Cam on Leamington Spa’s City Hall gaining 160,000 views in 2024.
In isolated areas, webcams provide alternatives for those unable to visit in person. Scomer Island, off the Welsh coast, streamed live footage of its 42,000 terns, receiving 120,000 views in 2024.
The Channel Islands Research Colony hosts around 5,800 pairs of North Gannets from February to October each year. Photo: Warwickshire Wildlife Trust
They also serve as a means to gain insights into animal behavior. Conservationists rely on a Live Cam designed for areas that are inaccessible to the public, thus preventing human disturbance. “One of our trainees spotted the first seal pup born at the sanctuary via the camera: a tiny, fluffy white pup surrounded by adults,” recounts Georgia de John Clendart, Marine Officer of the Cumbrian Wildlife Trust.
For certain birds, like the Osprey, permanent cameras also function as CCTV. “Osprey cams primarily serve security purposes and act as deterrents for those who seek to protect these endangered birds and their nests,” explains Paul Waterhouse, Reservation Officer at the Cumbrian Wildlife Trust.
The Osprey Nest Cam at Rutland Water Nature Reserve has shown 33 females and 33 males caring for 27 chicks together since 2015. Photo: Rutland Osprey Nest Cam Live Stream
Mauldin’s research indicates that nature live streams aid in relaxation and help place people’s concerns into perspective.
“It sheds light on human curiosity. We have a desire to learn; we cherish unpredictability—sometimes it’s mundane, sometimes it’s extraordinary. It’s a yearning to connect with the world surrounding us,” she states.
What to Watch
Ready to dive into the world of online nature viewing? Here are six of the most popular live streams to get started:
Bears Going Fishing: From late June to July, bears gather at Brooks Falls, Alaska, to catch migrating salmon. Up to 25 bears can sometimes be seen on screen simultaneously (if you’re eager for a preview, check out this two-hour video as a teaser).
Bats on the Move: During the day, Bracken Caves, Texas, USA, is tranquil, but as evening descends, you can witness the mass exit of 20 million Mexican free-tailed bats from the cave in search of food.
Baby Storks: The Knepp Estate in Sussex, UK, is nurturing a population of white storks that began breeding in 2020 after being absent for centuries. The live stream captures the four fledglings, Isla, Ivy, Issy, and Ivan, with current footage of them sharing a small dead rabbit.
Osprey Love Island: This resembles a popular reality show, featuring four Osprey couples vying for space within a single nest at Lowes Wildlife Reserve in Scotland. After weeks of rivalry and scheming, two birds secure the prime spot and appear ready to lay eggs.
Elephant Watering Hole: This live stream captures the bustling environment at the watering holes in Tembe Elephant Park along the South Africa-Mozambique border, where elephants, lions, rhinos, and buffalos frequently pause for a drink. As darkness falls, the camera’s night vision reveals a serene world filled with moths and fireflies.
Live Jelly Cam: The Jellyfish Cams at the Monterey Bay Aquarium provide a mesmerizing experience as you immerse yourself in the tranquil realm of Eastern Pacific sea nettles. Witness the jellyfish drifting gracefully as their tentacles rhythmically pulse.
And if you’re already a passionate viewer, feel free to share your favorite live stream in the comments below.
Explore more on extinction here, and follow Guardian App biodiversity journalists Phoebe Weston and Patrick Greenfield.
The air is filled with birds chirping, and the land is a tableau of soft greenery and gentle light. This is Ho’oulu ‘āina, a 100-acre reserve with an unusual twist. It is linked to a community health center and is where patients come to heal the land and themselves.
As climate change accelerates and the Trump administration abandons the fight, Ho’oulu ‘āina is an example of how people in all 50 red and blue states are working to restore land, clean waterways, reduce pollution and protect wildlife.
50 states, 50 revisions This is a series about local solutions to environmental issues. I’ll come more this year.
Twenty years ago, Ho’oulu ‘āina was ignored and overrunned with trash and invasive plants. But today it is thriving.
And then, volunteers and patients who spent a long time there, removing non-enemous plants and growing vegetables, fruits and herbs, experienced body and soul recovery.
There is Growing research It shows that spending time in nature can improve mental, physical and cognitive health.
Older people who once relied on canes and pedestrians have regained some mobility. Diabetics have seen their glucose levels drop. The depressed teens woke up brightly. In Hawaiian, the name Ho’oulu ‘āina means “growing for the land.”
“Many people within the health centre saw the land as a way and a kind of tool to improve human health,” said Puni Jackson, program director at Ho’oulu ‘āina. But for the native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders who make up the majority of clinic patients, the connection to nature is both familial and profound, Jackson said. “It’s a sacred relationship,” she said.
Ho’oulu ‘āina is a 10-minute drive from the clinic, a bushy road, crossing a wooden bridge, above a rugged dirt driveway leading to grassy fields adjacent to the forest. The land features bread and banana trees, medicinal plants and taro, organic gardens, low-haired buildings, and a small pharmacist who watches patients by Jackson, an indigenous medical practitioner of Hawaii.
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A favorite thing about Monster Hunter is that despite its name, it often feels more like a prey than a predator. Armed with swords several times with your own size and weight, you often go beyond time to become an incredible creature in this action game. The weather will often beat you at Monster Hunter Wild next week. As storm clouds gather, the daily hunt of relatively unthreatened creatures brings you a scary lightning dragon that will eat you for breakfast. The monsters intertwined with each other, tearing them with their teeth and claws as they turn their tails towards the hill.
Over the past few weekends, players have practiced Wilds in the Beta Test, trying out exquisite character creators and several hunts against the scary lions (doshaguma) and overgrown poisonous chickens (gypseros). As someone old enough to play these games on the PlayStation 2, I’ve been distorted uncomfortably with my fingers with my fingers as the PlayStation appeared in portable during the overseas grades of Japan. Ta. What was once a hard, dense game that hid all the thrills behind the barricades of a Mushroom Rally Quest, is now fluid, charming and globally popular. The 2018 entry, Monster Hunter World, broke Capcom records, reaching sales of 203 million people.
Ryozo Tsujimoto, the series producer and son of Capcom founder Kenzo Tsujimoto, has been with Monster Hunter since the early 00s, when Capcom’s online gaming designer. Obviously it still excites him. He is in front and center of many Wild promotions. “It’s really good to see our team play so many people playing games at the same time,” he told me at a recent Tokyo Game Show. “There are many things we can discover by watching players pick up and try out the game. It’s something we don’t see in our own tests. So we can see how players are responding. And we have some masks of the developer team at the booth.”
The main innovation in Wild is how monsters interact with each other. Previously, herbivores were Potter about herd grazing, but only the addition of the current generation consoles has been able to create a seamless ecosystem where teams meet each other and get caught up in the war on the grass. “To have the creatures travel together realistically is challenging in terms of making it look plausible,” says Wiles manager Yuya Tokuda. “If they all moved perfectly in sync, it would be a bit creepy and unconvincing as animal behavior in the pack. But if each monster was a complete wildcard like before, then it would be. It would be unacceptable to keep everything together. While each creature has personality, hitting the balance between herd and puck actions is a lot of work, and we do nothing I had to make sure not to do that.”
www.theguardian.com
Are you an insect fan? Please leave now: Victory image Royal Insect SocietyThe 2024 photography competition has been announced.
This year's close-up creature selection has a very terrible appearance beetle, unfortunate mummy hornet, and a unique monochrome butterfly. However, according to the judge, the most interesting picture was a photo of Gnart's egg (not Srek's parent Relative, but a robbery). This image, snapped by Benjamin Salb, is introduced in incredible details of the crimson eyes of the bug wide set.
The overall winner of the “Under 18” category was Alexis Tinker Zabara, a 17-year-old German photographer, and was an image of a big woman's jagged bug waiting for her prey on the flower head.
The Royal Insect Society exists to enhance the general understanding and gratitude of insects and the diverse and important roles they play in our global ecosystem.
Environmental category insects
A close-up photo of Bacillus Aricasninf with photos taken in a mountain near Athens, Greece. Photo: Panagiotis Dalagiorgos/RES
Insect portrait category
Dogbuttle (Geottle Pidae) taken in a dunes in a dunes in the UK. Photo: Ben James
Overall runner-up
BRACONIDAE, a parasitic insect, has attacked the Drepanosiphum Platanoidis. The sparrow larva from the aphids has built a COCO like a disc under the “mummified” body. Photo: Rupert Lees/RES
Insect behavior category
The process known as “spawning agents” depicts egg spawning. Photos by Jamie Spenceory/RES
Smartphone category
The blue clown butterfly (Ricanpa Rinji) took a rest on a dazzling dynamic pattern wings with the sun rays and shot it on a smartphone. Photo: SRITAM KUMAR SETHY/RES
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Why does a butterfly fly straight?
Winners in the category of less than 18 seconds
A big woman's jagged ambush bug (PHYMATINAE) is waiting for a tangible flower head prey. Photographed at Montreal, Canada. Photo: Alexis tinker-tsavalas/res
Environmental category insects
The phenomenal spring sun of the dark blue URE covered between daisies at daisy involves the wings and refracts by Lee Frost/RES.
Environmental category insects
A small flower bee (ANTHOPHORA SP) is sitting on the flower of corn margold. Photo by Ryan Dale/RES
Environmental category insects
Curculio GLANDIUM taken in the oak leaves by Matthew Thomas/RES
Environmental category insects
A backlight shot of the Mediterranean Mantis (Iris Oratoria) on the sunrise. Photographed with Greece Sikinos. The reflection of the sun in the Aegean Sea looks like a background, but Mantis in the foreground gives an abnormal perspective. Photo: Panagiotis Dalagiorgos/RES
Insect portrait category
Ecememnius hornet appearing in the sun of the morning sun. Photo: Matthew Thomas/RES
Insect behavior category
This common red soldier Beatle (Rhagonycha Fulva) has taken off its wings. Photo: MARC BrouWer/RES
Insect portrait category
A portrait of a fascinating blue long horn beetle (anoplophora zonator). Photo by Douglas Bar/RES
Environmental category insects
A kind of grasshopper known as Taeniopoda Eques, a western horse pose posed with cactus. Rosemary Haleem/RES
Overall winner
This is a very detailed image of a living Gnat Ogre (HOLCOCEPHALA FUSCA) taken in the field. Photo: Benjamin Salb/RES
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Image of the strange and most wonderful wildlife of this year this year
Credit for my newfound fascination with Ultraviolet (UV) light goes to fellow diarist Kate Blincoe. She recently expressed her excitement over the UV torch I gifted her, and now she sees the world in a whole new light.
UV light is a high-energy, short-wave light that is typically invisible to the naked eye but can be harmful to many organisms. Life on Earth thrived underwater during the late Proterozoic Era until the formation of the protective ozone layer 15 km to 30 km above us.
When a UV torch is pointed at a plant or animal at night, it triggers molecular interactions that result in the emission of lower-energy light within the visible spectrum. This fluorescence transforms ordinary parts of our environment into vibrant psychedelic scenes. For instance, a sandstone wall can appear as a red sheet (algae) intermingled with glowing lime (lichen).
Spiky sphagnum moss under UV light (left) and normal light. Photo: Mark Cocker
Photography capturing UV-induced transformations requires a comparison of before and after images to illustrate the remarkable changes. One such marvel is the metamorphosis of the golden saxifrage, which turns a lightwood embankment into a sparkling meadow of white and green, evolving into a pool of crimson confetti under the UV torch.
One of my favorite sights is the moss on an old quarry surface adorned with prickly foliage. By day, they present a lush bed of greenery, with central florets encircled by drooping side buds like oversized vegetative spiders. However, under UV light, these plants transform into a vibrant ensemble of lavender, aquamarine, turquoise, purple, and pink hues.
Upon receiving these UV-altered images, a friend questioned their significance, akin to how Henry David Thoreau pondered the beauty of a rainbow in December 1855. Thoreau believed that the world’s splendor far surpassed what meets the eye and that every raindrop had the potential to manifest as a rainbow. He asserted that beauty and music were not exceptions but integral aspects of life. The UV torch merely offers a fresh perspective on the divine enchantment surrounding us.
Tree-planting projects help tackle the climate crisis, but they can also impact water supplies
Cost Photo/NurPhoto
The major environmental, social and economic crises facing the world today, including biodiversity, climate change, health, food, and water, are closely linked, and we must work together to tackle them. has many advantages. However, focusing on just one issue can exacerbate other crises.
This is the conclusion of a major report compiled by 165 researchers from 57 countries and approved by 147 governments over the past three years.
United Nations conventions on issues such as biodiversity and climate focus on these issues separately. “So what we will do now in this report, which has not been done before, is to combine all of these and make sure that looking at these crises individually is not only inefficient, but actually the real danger. “It's about showing what's involved,” he says. paula harrison He co-chaired the evaluation process for the report at the UK Center for Ecology and Hydrology. “Action is urgent, but unless we act in a way that takes these interdependencies into account, we will create new problems or exacerbate existing ones.”
Mr Harrison said the scientific studies assessed for this report provide strong evidence that there are a number of actionable actions that can have beneficial effects on all five areas simultaneously. . These include conserving and restoring mangrove forests, improving soil health and carbon content, creating early warning systems for all kinds of hazards, reducing the risk of disease spread from animals to humans, and universal health insurance. It includes international cooperation on technology related to the problem.
There is a trade-off. Actions that have broad benefits are not the same as actions that are the best solution to a particular problem, she says.
“What you can’t do is get the best value possible at the same time,” Harrison says. “While we cannot optimize food production without negatively impacting everything else, we can take a balanced approach that benefits all.”
Harrison gives the example of planting trees to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. If the focus is solely on climate, the trees selected are likely to be fast-growing non-native species that do not support wildlife and affect water supplies by taking up too much water. However, if a project takes a more holistic approach, it may choose native tree species that use less water and increase biodiversity. “It may not sequester as much carbon, but it will add a lot of value to other aspects of the system,” Harrison says.
There are also economic benefits to integrated approaches that help conserve biodiversity and achieve other goals. nexus reportMore than half of the world's gross domestic product ($50 trillion), as it is officially known, states that it is moderately to highly dependent on nature.
“The unaccounted costs of our current approach to economic activity, including climate change impacts on biodiversity, water, health, and food production, are estimated to be at least $10 trillion to $25 trillion per year. It has been.” Pamela McElwee The other co-chair, a professor at Rutgers University in New Jersey, said in a statement.
“There is a lot of evidence that there are very strong and growing biophysical risks to economic prosperity and financial stability if we continue the way we are,” Harrison said.
says the report is very ambitious Anne LarigoderlyExecutive Director of IPBES. Its purpose is to provide the science and evidence needed to support the achievement of other international conventions, such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and the Paris Agreement on climate change. , she says.
In London, where I live, you forget about white Christmas. The best I can hope for is a storm of pathetic flakes. So this year I’m on a mission to make my own snow. It’s not just snow. To maximize the effect of the festival, we want to create the world’s largest snowflake.
It’s going to be a challenge. Guinness World Records Diameter 38cm, thickness 20cm. This incredible phenomenon was recorded in Montana in January 1887, when rancher Matt Coleman reported seeing snowflakes “larger than milk bread” during a violent storm. To be sure, some experts are skeptical. “If this was falling from the sky, they would probably need to wear crash helmets,” said Douglas Mair, a glaciologist at the University of Liverpool in the UK. Nevertheless, Guinness World Records claims that modern sources corroborate the record.
But wait a minute! There is a postscript. The largest snowflake was 10 millimeters. “A snowflake is a single ice crystal,” says Ken Libbrecht, who took the record-breaking photo in Ontario, Canada, in December 2003. The textbook image of a Christmas snowflake is actually a complete snowflake, but a snowflake is made up of several crystals joined together. So you might be able to break the record by creating the world’s largest snowflake instead. How difficult would it be? “You could grow ice crystals from water vapor,” says Libbrecht, whose lab at the California Institute of Technology makes “designer” snowflakes. “But if you want to look like a snowflake, and you want to actually make a symmetrical snowflake, that’s a tall order.” Obviously, I need help.
The finalists for the Close-Up Photographer of the Year have been revealed, showcasing some incredible, bizarre, and highly magnified images.
From cute baby wallabies seeking refuge in their mother’s pouch to birds feeding their offspring in unique ways, these photos capture the intricate beauty of nature up close.
Founded by Tracy and Dan Calder, Close-up Photographer of the Year (CUPOTY) aims to celebrate the marvels of close-up nature photography, including macro and micro shots. The winners will be announced in January 2025, but in the meantime, we’ve picked some of our favorites from this year’s shortlist.
Insect Category
Four bees drinking water during a Texas drought. Photo by Jose Madrigal/CUPOTY
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Animal Category
Young wallabies trying to snuggle into their mother’s pouch for warmth and shelter. Photo by Pedro Jalque/CUPOTY
Butterfly and Dragonfly Category
A blue dragonfly (Enallagma civile) flying over the sea. Photo by Jose Madrigal/CUPOTY
Animal Category
A snakebird (Anhinga anhinga) parent feeding her three offspring unconventionally. Photo by Jackie Schletter/CUPOTY
Underwater Department
A basket star (Asteronychidae) holding onto an orange sponge. Photo by Ofek Liepaz/CUPOTY
Animal Category
The Malabar sliding frog (Rhacophorus malabaricus) trying to escape a Malabar pit viper (Craspedocepalus malabaricus). Photo by Pavan-Kumar/CUPOTY
Arachnids Category
A mother wolf spider hunting with her offspring. Photo by Lane Kirstein/CUPOTY
Invertebrate Portrait Department
Distinct caterpillar of the lobster moth (Stauropus fagi). Photo by Jose Manuel Royce Real/CUPOTY
Fungi and Slime Mold Division
Mushroom slime mold covered in sand particles. Photo by Jamie Spensley/CUPOTY
Animal Category
A tick on the head of a cross forest dragon (Gonocepalus klossi). Photo by Aloys Pichard/CUPOTY
Insect Category
Two male stag beetles (Lucanus cervus) competing for a mate. Photo by Ivanenko Svetlana/CUPOTY
K. Miller, R. Hart/California Institute of Technology/IPAC
A strange star that has confused researchers for decades now makes sense. It turns out that it is not a single star, but two companion stars.
“Previously, it was thought that this brown dwarf was meaningless. We wondered if we were doing something horribly wrong, or if our models were horribly wrong. I was worried. But no, everything is fine. I just have friends.” timothy blunt at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Maryland.
Now, two research teams have used instruments from the W.M. Keck Observatory in Hawaii and the Very Large Telescope in Chile to solve the mystery of the first brown dwarf.
Brown dwarfs are “failed stars” in that they have too little material and are too hot to sustain nuclear fusion. Instead of shining brightly for thousands of years, they dim in the night sky like planets. The first brown dwarf, called Gliese 229B, was discovered in 1995 and had an inexplicably large mass. Jerry Xuan I worked on one of the studies at the California Institute of Technology.
Gliese 229B is estimated to have about 71 times the mass of Jupiter, and a star born at that size, even if it were as old as the universe, would cool down and become faint enough to see us. That would have never happened, said participant Brandt. One of the research team. This has led some researchers to suggest that Gliese 22B is a very faint pair of stars, but until now there has been no conclusive evidence.
Xuan said this was because two fellow brown dwarfs, Gliese 229Ba and Bb, were unusually close together, and very precise observations were needed to see them both. However, observations by both teams confirmed that they exist separately, orbiting each other every 12 days, and are always about 16 times the distance between Earth and the Moon.
He says that revealing the dual identity of Gliese 229B may be the start of a trend. samuel white book He was part of a research team at the California Institute of Technology. “There are probably a lot of binary systems that have been hiding in front of us all this time,” he says.
Xuan said he has already selected several other brown dwarfs to study more precisely. Brown dwarfs resemble both exoplanets and stars, so understanding how many of them are actually twins could shed light on the formation of these other objects as well. Maybe.
Bottlenose dolphins have an open mouth and a facial expression that resembles a smile.
Zoomarin, Italy
Dolphins seem to make open-mouthed expressions most often when being watched by playmates, suggesting that such expressions may be similar to human smiles.
Although we often recognize these as smiles, there is little research into dolphin facial communication.
Want to know more? Elisabetta Palagi Researchers from the University of Pisa in Italy analyzed the behavior of 22 captive bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). It takes place in two wildlife parks: Zoomarine Rome in Italy and Planete Sauvage in Port-Saint-Père, France.
Over 80 hours of footage, the team observed a total of 1,288 open-mouthed facial expressions during social play sessions. More than 90 percent of these events occurred during play between dolphins, and the rest occurred during dolphin-human interactions.
Animals were more likely to adopt an open-mouthed expression when their face was within the playmate’s field of view, 89% of the time it was displayed in this situation. When their playmate saw the smile, they smiled back 33% of the time.
“One might argue that dolphins imitate other people’s open-mouthed facial expressions purely by chance, as they are often engaged in the same activity or situation,” Paragi says. “But this does not explain why recipients are 13 times more likely to imitate another dolphin’s open-mouthed expression within one second when they actually see the original expression.”
Other animals, such as monkeys, wolves, and meerkats, may relax and open their mouths to make a “playful face,” but whether this is driven by emotion or a way to communicate intent remains unclear. There is a discussion.
“Is the dolphin’s open-mouthed expression conveying an emotional mood, or is it simply used to tell others, ‘Don’t be scared, we’re just playing!’, or both?” It’s not easy to determine whether that’s the case,” Palagi said. .
She says the study can’t say conclusively whether it’s comparable to a human smile. “We do not claim that a single study will reveal the communication strategies of dolphins during play. However, we would like to open up new areas of research that also take into account visual elements.”
Luciana Moller Researchers from Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia, say that dolphin open-mouth behavior occurs in a variety of situations, including aggressive, sexual, and social interactions. This means that it can’t necessarily be interpreted as a smile, as this is a very versatile signal.
She notes that making sounds could have been a factor in the dolphins opening their mouths, but the study did not examine acoustic recordings.
Another drawback is that they studied small groups of dolphins in captivity, so their behavior may not reflect their behavior in the wild.
“Free-living dolphins have much more space to interact and chase each other while playing, and are often found in waters with poor visibility,” Moller says. . “Visual signals may to be as effective as acoustic signals in these situations.”
IIt’s not often that I get excited about the announcement of a new podcast, but in the past few weeks, that’s happened not once but twice. The first was the podcast debut of Gracie Nuttall, sister of the late cancer activist Laura Nuttall. Dead Siblings Association
She’s teamed up with the founder of Sibling Support Charity to take an intimate look at what it’s like to lose a brother or sister. Room to grieve
The show was created by two mothers who met after losing their children to cancer to help others cope with grief, and what it lacks in production value it more than makes up for with its altruism, courage, and honesty in its treatment of themes like getting through difficult anniversaries and how the experience of loss changes over time.
This week we also have a less inspiring historical analysis of toilets, which, alongside a quirky topical satire from the makers of Have I Got News for You and an immersive attempt to bring birdwatching to hipsters, is one of those films that’s more likely to leave you snorting with laughter than dampening your handkerchief.
Alexi Duggins Deputy TV Editor
This week’s picks
Sissy Spacek co-stars with Owen Wilson and Schuyler Fisk in the film Tom Slick: Mystery Hunter. Photo: Rebecca Cabbage/InVision/AP
Starring Owen Wilson, Sissy Spacek, and Schuyler Fisk, the story is about “the most interesting man you’ve never heard of.” Wilson relishes playing Slick, a legendary scientist, intrepid explorer, and sometime spy who recounts his many adventures. His granddaughter Liv (Fisk) and her mother Claire (Spacek) hunt for the Yeti and find hidden tapes detailing Slick’s exploits facing off against notorious bank robber Machine Gun Kelly. Hannah Verdier
A sponge on a stick, thunderbolts in the bum and a devil in the toilet bowl: delving deep into history’s U-curves can reveal fascinating facts. Dr. David Musgrove teams up with a team of historians to explore Roman, Medieval, Tudor, and Victorian toilet habits in a four-part series that reveals a lot about the past. HV
Is Donald Trump’s running mate interesting? And that Is there ever a photo more destined for history than Ed Miliband eating a bacon sandwich? Created by the team behind Have I Got News for You to fill the gap between the TV series, this show is predictably stimulating and full of jokes. Alexi Duggins
In this immersive birdwatching series, hipster amateur ornithologist Matt Spracklen goes on weekly walks with bird experts. The first episode of Season 2 is a relaxed and fun listen as he visits Sherwood Forest with Springwatch wildlife experts. The bottom line? A common way to identify a bird is by its “sem” (the overall impression you get of the bird’s shape, movement, etc.). advertisement
Elizabeth Day knows a thing or two about writing a bestselling novel, but in this insightful how-to series she takes a backseat and hands the reins over to literary powerhouses novelist Sarah Collins, agent Nell Andrew, and publisher Charmaine Lovegrove. First, how to know if your idea is worth pursuing. Holly Richardson
There is a podcast
Poseidon is one of the gods featured in “Let’s Talk About Myths, Baby!” Photo: Cristiano Fronteddu/Alamy
this week, Charlie Lindler 5 best podcasts Ancient HistoryFrom comedic takes on the stories they don’t teach you in school from the star of Horrible Histories, to timeless, myth-busting adventures.
Dengue fever is currently endemic in 100 countries, putting half of the world’s population at risk. The threat has increased dramatically, with the number of dengue fever cases increasing tenfold between 2000 and 2019, and the number of cases hitting an all-time high in 2023.
Bangladesh, Peru and Burkina Faso have all seen record outbreaks in the past 12 months, while France, Italy and Spain have also reported cases of mosquito-borne dengue fever.
What’s causing this? Scientists say global warming is making space more hospitable to insects, and that climate change is fueling the rise in this mosquito-borne viral disease. As mosquitoes become more common, we expect the time to outbreak of dengue fever to shorten and the transmission season to lengthen.
This is a worrying situation.But that’s what the sponsoring team decided world mosquito program There is a possible solution. They suggest treating mosquitoes with bacteria that can prevent the development of viruses in the body.
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What are the symptoms of dengue fever?
There’s a good reason dengue fever has been labeled “breakbone fever.” 80% of cases are asymptomatic, but when symptoms develop, symptoms include high fever, muscle and joint pain, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, nausea, and vomiting.
Symptoms begin 4 to 10 days after infection and can last from 2 days to up to a week. DHF (severe dengue fever) manifests as severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, bleeding gums or nose, blood in the stool or vomit, pale, cold skin, and fatigue. Doctors can only alleviate these symptoms because antiviral drugs are not available.
How does dengue spread?
Dengue fever is spread through the bite of an infected female mosquito. Aedes aegypti, typically found in tropical and subtropical regions. Originating from the forests of West Africa, Aedes aegypti They spread around the world during the African slave trade and have continued to hitchhike as a means of human transportation ever since.
other Aedes Other species can also transmit dengue fever, although to a lesser extent. The highly invasive Asian tiger mosquito is the likely cause of dengue infections in Europe. Unlike malaria mosquitoes, which usually bite at night and can be prevented with insecticide-treated bed nets, dengue mosquitoes bite during the day and are very difficult to control.
Mosquitoes are now highly urbanized creatures, admirably adapted to coexist with humans, their preferred blood source. In cities, stagnant water is key to survival, providing spawning grounds and habitat for aquatic larval and pupal development. Mosquitoes breed in small puddles in garbage, used tires, and man-made containers such as flower pots. Thus, humans have been the main driving force behind the success of the dengue mosquito.
How can we fight the spread of infection?
Dengue prevention requires a multipronged attack on mosquitoes, with a focus on insecticide spraying. However, insecticide resistance is developing in mosquito populations around the world, threatening their effectiveness.
what else? Control strategies also include adaptations to eliminate breeding sites or prevent reproduction. Aedes aegypti Prevent spawning in stagnant water (remove debris that could trap water and install covers on water storage containers).
Bacterial toxins are also applied to bodies of water to kill mosquito larvae. These strategies are labor intensive because it is difficult to identify, treat, and eliminate all breeding sites. Therefore, new methods of mosquito control are desperately needed.
The World Mosquito Program (WMP) has devised a non-chemical and non-GMO-based approach for dengue control. Bacteria called Wolbachia which occurs naturally in many insect species; Aedes aegypti.
WMP was found to be “infected”. Aedes aegypti and Wolbachia Prevented the onset of dengue virus in adult women. From a logistical point of view, this method is self-sustaining. Wolbachia It can spread to wild populations because it infects eggs through mating.
WMP reports a significant decrease in dengue cases. Aedes aegypti carry Wolbachia has been released.given that Aedes aegypti Since Zika and Chikungunya viruses are also transmitted, WMP has developed a potential “three-for-one” method of disease control.
It’s no exaggeration to say that mosquitoes are the most hated insects, but despite their notoriety, only a handful of the 3,500 species of mosquitoes transmit disease. They are also important to the ecosystem.
Mosquitoes are a food source for fish, frogs, reptiles, bats, and birds, and they are also pollinators, as male insects suck nectar from flowers (only females drink blood). The WMP approach is species-specific and targeted only. Aedes aegyptiThis is in contrast to the “blunt force” approach with insecticides, which can affect insects other than the target.
The climate change trajectory we are currently on is leading to rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns, which will benefit this terrifying little insect and her viral cargo. Therefore, we need as many weapons as possible in our arsenal to combat the growing global dengue threat.
All living things must eat in some way…whatever the shape of their mouth. And there are some truly bizarre mouths in the animal kingdom. Some of the most unusual examples are enough to surprise you.
Unfussy Eater
Striped mackerel
Photo credit: Alex Mustard/naturepl.com
Most animals are relatively picky, preferring only plants or only meat, and tend to rely on one strategy when foraging or hunting.
Mackerel are unusual in that they use two different feeding methods, filter feeding and particulate feeding, and switch between them opportunistically as needed. Particulate feeding involves capturing each prey item individually, like sharks and penguins.
Filter feeding is the way bivalves and baleen whales eat, and requires scraping bits of food out of the water. Mackerel uses the underside of its gills. The gills have overlapping bone hooks called gill akirs. As a makeshift sieve to catch prey suspended in the water.
All fish have gill rakers, and variations in their appearance are sometimes used to identify species. When the prey is small and numerous, such as in a swarm of plankton, filter feeding can yield more food with minimal effort.
For large prey or sparse prey, it is better to feed with particulate bait. Even when surrounded by thousands of other fish in schools, mackerel keep their bellies full by not being too picky about how they eat.
Rapid Inflation
Gulper eel
Photo credit: Norbert Wu / Minden / Naturepl.com
Food is scarce in the deep sea, so the animals living there must cherish every meal. Few animals take this as seriously as the gulper eel. Gulper eels are also known as pelican eels because they share similar characteristics with birds.
Gulper eels have huge, loosely hinged mouths that are about a quarter of their body length. Their mouths are paper-thin, fragile, and unwieldy, so they hide their mouths when not feeding. Gulper eels have long, whip-like tails, but they are not fast enough to chase prey.
Instead, they float and wait, camouflaged in the darkness of the deep ocean. When a school of crustaceans or squid approaches, the eel lunges forward, quickly opening its origami mouth and swallowing large amounts of water.
After the attack, the eel’s mouth becomes fully inflated, making it look silly, like a candy or a balloon. It then slowly pushes excess water out of its gills before swallowing its unlucky prey. We are obsessed with this distinctive feature.
Bottom Feeder
Sea urchin
Photo credit: Sergio Hanquet / Naturepl / Nature in Stock
The mouth of a sea urchin is on the underside, which is probably the least unusual way to eat a sea urchin. The interior of a sea urchin is a complex pyramid-shaped structure made of hard calcareous calcium carbonate. Substances also found in corals.
The pyramid is made up of triangular plates, each with a hook-shaped tooth at the end. Like the crane machines found in old arcades, the pyramid can move up and down and tilt. You can also move each plate to scrape, grab, dig, and even smash rocks.
The individual plates are ground while sliding against each other, so they are ready for cutting at any time. The entire device is precisely controlled by a network of wire-like muscles. With the help of powerful jaws, sea urchins greedily eat food. A single colony of these spiny starfish relatives can destroy an entire kelp forest by chewing through rocks and uprooting seaweed.
The sea urchin’s biological claw machine, properly called Aristotle’s lantern, is so unique that it has inspired engineers to design new machines to scoop up soil samples on Mars.
The Ultimate Underbite
Cookie cutter shark
Photo courtesy of NOAA Image Library
Back in the 1970s, several U.S. Navy submarines returned from missions with damaged sonar equipment. Initial fears about the enemy’s new weapon disappear when the culprit turns out to be a cookie-cutter shark.
Cookie-cutter sharks, as their name suggests, leave perfectly round cuts in large fish and marine mammals (as well as the rubber covers of submarine sonar domes). These parasites make a living by stealth and deception, floating underwater until something big and tasty approaches.
They sneak up on you and hug you with their thick, fleshy sucker lips. The shark locks itself in place. It digs in with its thin upper teeth and cuts through the flesh with the razor-sharp teeth of its lower jaw. Twisting and turning, they move their mandibles back and forth like a bandsaw, cutting out perfectly round discs of flesh before sneaking back into the dark depths of the ocean.
Cookie-cutter sharks are harmless to humans and merely a pest to their larger prey, but they occasionally cause nuisance to marine activities, damaging unprotected equipment and communication cables.
Monster Mouth
Lamprey
Photo credit: Blue Planet Archive
Several Hollywood creatures, including the sandworm Dune, the kraken Pirates of the Caribbean, and from the Sarlacc Return of the Jedi, a stylized version of a lamprey’s mouth. There’s something deeply unsettling about the concentric rings of sharp teeth that reach deep into the black depths of a monster’s throat.
In reality, lampreys are evolutionarily ancient animals that separated from other vertebrates more than 500 million years ago, before jaws and bones evolved. Lampreys can latch on to large fish, whales, and even sharks using a combination of suction and hooks made of keratin (a protein that claws are made of).
Lampreys spend several days using their sharp, piston-like, rough tongues to burrow into the flesh of their prey and suck in its blood and body fluids. Lampreys’ frightening appearance and unpleasant lifestyle have given them a bad reputation.
In fact, lamprey larvae are important members of the ecosystem, filtering river water and sediment like bivalves, and are also an important food source for benthic predators such as sturgeon.
A Large Plate of Food
Humpback whale
Photo credit: John Cornforth
Humpback whales only eat between spring and fall, when they vacation in the Arctic and Antarctic waters where prey is abundant. With stomachs to fill and time limited, they rely on a creative strategy known as “bubble net hunting” to get the job done.
Humpback whales often travel in groups, diving beneath their prey and then slowly rising to the surface in a spiraling motion while blowing bubbles. The bubbles scare and confuse small fish called krill and crustacean prey like shrimp.
With the help of long fins, the whale rotates more and more tightly, concentrating future prey in dense masses near the water surface. Eventually, they take turns lunging forward, opening their mouths and punching through the solidified prey, swallowing tens of thousands of liters in one gulp.
Whales force water through their mouths, filtering it through sieve-like baleen plates on the roof of their mouths. Fish and krill are trapped inside strong, flexible hairs, ready to be swallowed whole by hunters.
Sawtooth Throat
Leatherback turtle
Photo credit: Tui De Roy/naturepl
Leatherback turtles spend most of their lives in the open ocean, tracking prey into deep water during the day and shallow water at night. They are always on the lookout for jellyfish, their favorite food, but will also eat other soft snacks, such as squid and small crustaceans.
Leatherbacks act like natural pest control, controlling jellyfish populations and protecting juvenile fish and beaches from nuisance swarms, as each leatherback turtle eats hundreds of kilograms of jellyfish per day.
Jellyfish are squishy, so they can be difficult to track down, especially if they don’t have teeth or claws. Leatherback turtles use their delicate, scissor-like jaws to cut jellyfish into easily digestible pieces. Additionally, the leatherback’s throat is lined with backward-pointing spines that prevent slippery prey from escaping once captured (jellyfish can survive being cut in half, after all).
Leatherbacks can also eat poisonous organisms such as jellyfish, so the spines likely provide some protection from the stinging cells of their prey.
Nutcracker
Paku fish
Photo credit: Jean-claude Soboul/Nature.pl
Yes, cheese! The pakuu fish has many flat, square teeth in its mouth, giving it a human-like smile. Pakuu fish, also known as “vegetarian piranhas” because of their body shape and color, prefer freshwater “trail mix” rather than raw meat.
Their molar-shaped teeth do an excellent job of crushing the hard shells of nuts and seeds that irritate other animals, and provide a reliable source of fat and protein despite their plant-based diet. To do. Paku fish are the gardeners of the Amazon, playing an important ecological role in dispersing seeds across river tributaries and floodplains.
The most famous of Pacu’s fish, the tambaqui, can grow to the size of a golden retriever. At 1 meter (3 ft) long and 30 kg (66 lb), it is the second largest fish in the Amazon after the arapaima.
Tambaqui is a popular food in South America and is often sold in bone-in cuts like pork ribs. They also appear on the exotic pet market, but they require experienced keepers and really huge aquariums to thrive.
Cat Got Your Tongue?
Penguin
Photo courtesy of Alamy
Penguins are agile underwater predators, flying around like torpedoes while chasing fish. And squid. But how do they keep their prey from squirming and escaping their grasp?what is the answer The birds are already in the mouth.
A penguin’s mouth and tongue are covered with hard, backward-facing spines called papillae. This is the same function that makes a cat’s tongue feel like sandpaper. However, you don’t want to be licked by a penguin. Not only are the spines large, but they are also sharp (they bleed easily if you lick them).
The spines help bite into slippery prey and transport it to the bird’s throat. A penguin’s tongue is also very muscular, so it’s probably used to push and manipulate food into its mouth, just like in humans. However, unlike us, penguins do not have the genes to detect sweet, bitter, and umami (umami) tastes, so they cannot taste the fish they eat.
Scientists think penguins lost their sense of taste because they didn’t use their senses. Not only do penguins swallow their food whole, but the proteins needed to send taste signals to their brains malfunction in cold temperatures.
If you have encountered a friend who started the day cheerful and then turned grumpy, you know the power of contagious emotions. It’s easy to find yourself feeling down when you’re around someone who is also feeling low. But the good news is that the opposite is also true. Your friend’s cheerful demeanor could help lift your spirits when you’re feeling sad.
Psychologists suggest that when people interact, they often mimic each other without even realizing it. This can include body language, speech patterns, and facial expressions, especially when interacting with people they know and care about.
These processes often involve effective communication and mutual understanding. One way we understand others’ emotions is by simulating those emotions in our own minds. The result is that we can “infect” each other with our emotions.
But who wins in these emotional interactions? Whether you succumb to someone else’s sadness or they catch your happiness may come down to their and your expressiveness and level of receptivity.
Emotional expressiveness and suggestibility vary from person to person. Those who laugh a lot when they’re happy are more likely to infect their friends with their happiness. Similarly, friends who are suggestive and mimic facial expressions are more likely to catch your smile and start feeling happier.
Facial expressions are not the only way to convey emotion. For example, fear has an odor, and there is evidence that smelling the sweat of an anxious person can trigger activity in parts of the brain involved in empathy and emotional processing.
And emotions can also be contagious through social media. People exposed to more negative posts are more likely to post negative content themselves.
When encountering emotions that differ from your own, your experience may depend on your investment in that person. When we care about someone, we are more likely to mirror their emotions. On the other hand, encountering conflicting emotions from strangers may be more difficult to handle.
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An artist’s rendition of the Magellanic Star Stream, depicting the Small and Large Magellanic Clouds, the Milky Way’s nearest neighbors, is shown in the diagram. The gaseous Magellanic Stream swirls behind the galaxies, spreading across the southern sky as they move, with 13 red giant stars discovered within the stream.
Astronomers from the Center for Astrophysics at Harvard University and the Smithsonian University have solved a 50-year-old mystery by identifying stars within the Magellanic Stream. The discovery helps reveal the distance to the stream, providing new insights into the history and characteristics of our galaxy and its neighbors.
The study, published in the Astrophysical Journal, showcases the discovery of 13 stars within the stream and their unique characteristics that place them precisely within the mysterious structure. The stars’ distances and chemical compositions offer clues to the formation of the Magellanic Stream and the interactions of the Magellanic Clouds with the Milky Way.
By conducting a spectroscopic analysis of distant Milky Way stars, researchers were able to determine their chemical makeup and velocity, ultimately allowing them to identify stars within the Magellanic Stream. This discovery also sheds light on the origin and gravitational pull of the stream, as well as its potential role in the future formation of new stars within the Milky Way.
The Magellanic Stream, which acts as a supplier of cold neutral gas for the formation of Milky Way stars, also holds valuable insights into the composition of galaxies and the distribution of dark matter. Further study of the stream and additional discoveries of stars are expected to provide more surprises and lead to a deeper understanding of our galaxy’s outer reaches.
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