Tag Archives: pregnant

Batman Inspires Kindness: Passengers Stand Up for Pregnant Woman on Public Transport

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Feedback is New Scientist A well-known source for the latest in science and technology news. To share feedback on items that may interest our readers, please reach out via email at feedback@newscientist.com.

Crusaders in Capes

It’s been a while since Mrs. Feedback was pregnant, yet she vividly recalls the discomfort of trying to sit on public transport with a belly the shape of a volleyball. Unfortunately, there’s no guarantee that other passengers will yield their seats.

But imagine if Feedback had boarded the bus dressed as Batman? Surprisingly, this could have made a difference. Researchers led by Francesco Panini conducted an experiment and published results from a study on Milan’s subway system in npj Mental Health Research in November 2025. I tried this experiment.

A female team member, donning a prosthetic bump, boarded a train with a lifeguard. Some tests also included a third individual in a Batman costume. The costume featured a distinctive cape, logo, and pointed cowl for easy recognition, although the mask was omitted to avoid scaring passengers.

From photo reviews published in newspapers, it’s clear the costume is more charming than frightening, reminiscent of George Clooney’s outfit in Batman & Robin.

Notably, passengers relinquished their seats to “pregnant” women 67% of the time when Batman was present, compared to only 38% without him. The researchers suggest that “unexpected events may foster prosocial behavior.” Remarkably, many passengers were often unconscious of Batman’s presence; 44% who gave up their seats reported not seeing him.

Feedback posits that perhaps Batman, a lifelong champion of social justice, encourages others to reflect on fairness and decency. However, researchers caution that experiments on social priming often don’t yield consistent results, highlighting the “replication crisis” in social sciences. They emphasize the importance of Batman’s unexpectedness.

The researchers speculate that “psychologists could explore ways to weave ‘positive disruption’ into daily life,” through artistic or theatrical interventions in public spaces that temporarily break routines and foster connections. All of this suggests that impactful feedback “guides” people toward better behavior, but as with social priming, results can be unreliable. Regardless, crafting an eye-catching costume may just be key.

Interestingly, if someone dressed as Batman boarded a train, many would hardly glance twice. Perhaps the Milanese cosplay scene lacks vibrancy compared to other locales.

Please Read

In Feedback, we’ve discussed the trend of academics using pop culture references in paper titles, attempting to draw readers in. It’s a tricky balance, but when successful, it shines. Kudos to Rebecca White and Anna Remington for their 2018 study, “Object Anthropomorphism in Autism: You’ll Be Very Sad If You Don’t Read This Paper.”

This study explores how often autistic and non-autistic individuals anthropomorphize inanimate objects and its emotional consequences. Initially, the feedback made me question our household; our vacuum cleaner remains nameless. However, I recollected that we do name our cars (we sold “Carol” because it was faulty, now we drive “Kitty”).

Clearly, we aren’t alone. When a paper was shared on social media, one user remarked, “We just had a serious debate about whether the robot vacuum is a boy or a girl and what we should name it.” Feedback suggests that the ideal name might be inspired by an iconic character, like Mario’s nemesis, Goomba.

Another commenter said: “I always grab another croissant if there’s nothing left, so no one feels neglected…” Feedback operates similarly but for distinct reasons.

Reviewer 2 Strikes Again

Before academics can publish their work, they must navigate the challenging peer review process, where fellow researchers critique their submissions (often anonymously). Scholars refer to “Reviewer 2” much like ordinary folks talk about infamous figures.

Historian Andre Pagliarini took to social media to report a particularly egregious example of peer review: “First, when rejecting a paper I submitted, Reviewer 2 noted that I had no involvement with a man named Andre Pagliarini.”

As others quickly pointed out, this is a hypothetical scenario. If Pagliarini had cited more of his work, he might have faced accusations of self-promotion or had his paper rejected for lack of originality.

When we hear feedback, we often echo the lines other reviewers wrote in response. “But sir, I am Pagliarini.” If you’re unfamiliar with this joke, count yourself fortunate, as there’s no room for further explanation.

Have a story for Feedback?

You can submit your article to Feedback at feedback@newscientist.com. Please include your home address. This week’s and previous Feedback editions are available on our website.

Source: www.newscientist.com

Mouse ‘Doula’ Aids Pregnant Friend in Childbirth

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Adult mice employed their paws and mouths to assist newborns stuck in the birth canal of pregnant females.

Violet J. Ivan/New York University Grossman School of Medicine

Mice have been observed aiding pregnant females during difficult births, particularly among seasoned mothers. This represents a significant discovery as it marks the first documented instance of such behavior in non-primate animals, broadening our understanding of caregiving behaviors across species.

While humans are recognized as the only animals that consistently assist each other during childbirth due to the challenging nature of the process—characterized by larger-than-average infant head sizes navigating a narrow birth canal—other primates, like black-nosed monkeys and bonobos, have shown instances of mutual aid during births, albeit rarely.

Research conducted by Robert Froemke and colleagues at NYU Langone Health in New York City stumbled upon this behavior while studying the brain activity of mouse subjects during birthing events for a different purpose. They noticed that fellow mice in the cage seemed to assist the birthing mice during their delivery processes.

To delve deeper, scientists genetically modified pregnant mice to lack receptors for oxytocin, a hormone that triggers uterine contractions essential for childbirth. Without these contractions, the mother mouse might struggle to move and face fatal consequences. Consequently, survival for both the mother and her pups becomes more precarious.

In a structured experiment, 10 modified mice were caged individually and each paired with a previously birthing female. A separate group of seven pregnant mice without oxytocin receptors were isolated in their cages.

During delivery, when the modified pregnant mouse could not move, the experienced female stepped in. “She acts like a mini midwife, using her mouth and paws to carefully extract the pups,” shared Dr. Froemke at the Society for Neuroscience conference in San Diego, California. The assisting mouse even broke open the sac surrounding the young, ensuring they could breathe.

A remarkable nine out of ten pregnant mice paired with these midwives successfully birthed, with approximately 90 percent of their pups surviving. By contrast, only one from the isolated group succeeded in giving birth, with all pups not surviving. “Mammals are social creatures, and the primary reason is due to mutual assistance during such vulnerable moments,” Froemke noted. “Even rats experience challenges during childbirth and rearing; their social structures provide support, reflecting traits akin to humans.”

To investigate if the presence of experienced mice was crucial, researchers placed 14 pregnant mice, lacking oxytocin receptors, in a different environment. Seven were coupled with male mice, while four were with females untouched by childbirth and three with females lacking oxytocin receptors. In addition to their role in uterine contractions, these receptors are known to be critical for social interactions.

Assistance from other mice significantly enhanced survival rates

Violet J. Ivan/New York University Grossman School of Medicine

Results revealed that nearly 60 percent of pregnant mice paired with male companions and half of those with non-mother females endured the birthing process. Notably, these non-mother mice did not assist in pulling the pups out; instead, the male mouse mounted the female, exerting pressure to facilitate the birth, while the non-mother female groomed and applied belly pressure similarly. Differences in approaches among groups remain unclear. Of the group with non-oxytocin receptor females, merely one mouse survived.

The pups did not survive due to the unbroken fluid-filled sacs, indicating the necessity for maternal experience for successful outcomes. “I essentially play the midwife role,” Froemke remarked.

The findings bolster the notion that caregiving behaviors may be more prevalent in the animal kingdom than previously acknowledged. For instance, research has shown that rats are capable of administering first aid to their unconscious peers. These new findings suggest that the birthing and nurturing of offspring are pivotal elements shaping animal social dynamics and relationships, according to Froemke.

“Parental care stands as one of the most significant social interactions,” says Bianca Jones Marlin from Columbia University, underscoring the necessity of support during these critical moments.

Froemke speculates that similar midwife-like behaviors might occur among wild rodents and other animals. “Childbirth represents one of the most vulnerable periods in an animal’s life,” he observes. “Due to their need to evade predators, many animals exhibit concealment behaviors, explaining why field researchers see such assistance less frequently in species outside of humans.”

topic:

  • pregnancy and childbirth/
  • animal behavior

Source: www.newscientist.com

Rapamycin could potentially enhance the safety of epilepsy medications in pregnant women

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Sodium valproate is an effective drug for epilepsy, but its consumption is not recommended during pregnancy

Miljan Zivković/Shutterstock

The drug rapamycin may prevent the epilepsy drug sodium valproate from causing developmental problems during pregnancy.

Sodium valproate is used to treat epilepsy, bipolar disorder, and sometimes migraines. Although effective, it is not recommended during pregnancy as it can cause birth defects such as spina bifida and lifelong learning disabilities.

Giovanni Pietrogrande Researchers from the University of Queensland in Australia wanted to understand why sodium valproate could have such an effect. So they used stem cells to create mini-spinal cords called organoids in the lab. These mimic the spine of a fetus during early pregnancy.

When organoids were exposed to sodium valproate, their cells changed in ways that may be associated with risk of congenital disease.

The researchers looked for reasons for this and found that activity in one of the cell's signaling pathways, called mTOR, indicates that cells are aging. This is a process in which cells stop growing but do not die, but instead continue to release chemicals that can cause inflammation.

Rapamycin, which was initially developed as an immunosuppressant but has some promise for anti-aging effects, also targets the mTOR pathway.

In another experiment, researchers exposed a new set of spinal cord organoids to a combination of sodium valproate and rapamycin and found that no aging occurred. They then replicated this test in zebrafish larvae and found that the cells similarly did not undergo senescence and showed no signs of the changes that occur when exposed to sodium valproate alone.

Rather than doctors discontinuing sodium valproate if an epileptic patient is pregnant or may become pregnant, someday doctors may be able to prevent the negative effects of sodium valproate by combining it with rapamycin. Pietro Grande says. Human studies are needed to make this recommendation.

Frank Vajda The University of Melbourne says sodium valproate is “a critically important drug and the single most effective treatment for generalized seizures, where abnormal electrical activity begins in both halves of the brain at the same time.”

“I think this is a very important paper that could lead to a return to the level of importance that this drug had before its side effects were discovered,” he says.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Evidence shows pregnant sharks are preyed on by larger sharks

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Prior to giving birth, the pregnant porbeagle shark was expected to give birth soon, when one of the two tracking tags attached to the shark by marine scientists resurfaced near Bermuda.

Surprisingly, the tag emerged much earlier than anticipated. It had been affixed to the 7-foot-long shark only 158 days prior, after conducting an ultrasound scan off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, in October 2020. The tag was supposed to remain attached for about a year.

“Something seemed amiss,” stated Brooke Anderson, a shark researcher at Arizona State University during that time.

The second tag, which was designed to transmit a signal when the shark’s fin breached the surface, never sent a signal again.

Data collected from the retrieved “pop-off” tag revealed an unusual pattern: for the initial five months, the depth and temperature information appeared normal for this species, but then deviations started to occur.

“Unexpectedly, temperatures suddenly spiked and remained high even at depths of 600 meters,” recounted Anderson.

The diving patterns of the creatures also became peculiar.

Of the 11 porbeagle sharks that researchers tagged, eight were pregnant, including this one.
John Dodd

“All the data pointed in one direction: she had been consumed,” remarked Anderson.

The researchers ascertained that the irregular readings from the tag were due to it having been inside another animal’s stomach for several days.

Their conclusions were detailed in a study published in the Frontiers in Marine Science journal, shedding light on the fact that porbeagle sharks are being preyed upon by much bigger animals.

Naming a few possible predators, the researchers narrowed down their suspects based on biological characteristics – the data didn’t align with a mammal like a killer whale, leading them to focus on warm-blooded sharks with some heat-generating capacity.

“The predator needed to elevate its body temperature above the ambient water, have the size to inflict damage on the porbeagle, and reside in the area of the predation,” explained Anderson.

The researchers inferred that a great white shark or mako shark likely devoured the pregnant porbeagle, temporarily swallowing the tag.

“Our estimation is that it was a mature female great white shark, possibly exceeding 15 feet in length,” disclosed Anderson.

Previously, the notion that porbeagle sharks might fall prey to larger creatures had not been considered, she added.

Originally, their team aimed to track pregnant porbeagle sharks during their gestation period and pinpoint where they typically give birth.

Across two Atlantic seasons, they located and tagged a total of 11 porbeagle sharks, hauling each one onto the boat, treating them with aerated seawater, and concealing their eyes with wet towels.

“We operated like a NASCAR pit crew,” described Anderson. Eight of these sharks were pregnant.

Their expectations didn’t encompass uncovering a profound deep-sea mystery.

Matt Davis, a marine resources scientist from the Maine Department of Marine Resources not involved in the research, acknowledged that the study’s conclusions were plausible.

This incident underscores the continued need for scientific exploration of mid-depth ocean life and predator-prey interactions, added Davis.

The porbeagle shark is categorized as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Overfishing activities began in the 1960s, causing a population decline of 75 to 80 percent by 2001, as per Anderson.

While the species is recuperating due to fishing regulations, their longer lifespan and lower reproductive rate mean a protracted recovery process.

“We must continue tagging and monitoring these sharks to understand the frequency of such incidents,” emphasized Anderson regarding the predation. “In an instant, this critically endangered species lost not just its essential breeding females, but all its developing offspring as well. It is crucial to grasp both the frequency and impact of such events.”

Their research could play a pivotal role in restoring a healthy shark population in the Atlantic, where sharks prey on sharks.

Source: www.nbcnews.com