EurekAlert! Staff Picks

While watching Finding Dory, I remember feeling sad that Dory couldn’t remember where she came from. I never considered how memory loss might affect real ocean animals. Now, a new study shows that stranded dolphins may suffer from Alzheimer’s-like brain damage, possibly linked to toxins from harmful algal blooms. Scientists detected neurological signs such as amyloid plaques, tau tangles, and other markers also found in human Alzheimer’s patients. It is a reminder that illnesses we often think of as uniquely human can affect other species and that environmental changes may be quietly impacting marine life in unexpected ways.

Turns out, fish have a lot to say! Researchers from the FishEye Collaborative developed a new tool called UPAC‑360 to capture underwater surround sound and pair it with 360° video, allowing them to figure out which fish are making which sounds. They've already identified 46 vocal species, including some that were never known to make noise at all. It’s an intriguing glance into how technology is opening up entirely new dimensions of life beneath the surface.

I never thought of wildlife as part of our disease early warning system, especially the idea of getting a push alert from a wild animal warning of a possible outbreak. The study introduces an interesting new framework that uses biologging technology to track animal behavior and detect early signs of disease, potentially giving us a head start on future pandemics. It's a powerful reminder that public health and wildlife conservation are more connected than we often realize.

From the University of Chicago Medical Center comes the amazing story of Laura Valentine, a 35-year-old woman born with a rare and complex combination of heart and organ conditions who underwent a successful dual heart and liver transplant at UChicago Medicine. Despite the odds, Laura not only survived the complex surgery but is now thriving. She’s engaged, earning a doctorate, training for a 5K, and even climbed 94 flights of stairs just months after her transplant. What makes this story stand out is its blend of medical innovation, strength, and human connection. Laura’s optimism, her daughter’s touching question ("Will you still love me with a new heart?"), and her commitment to helping others make this more than a medical success. It’s a feel-good story of determination and hope.

This study from the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior is interesting because it tells how female bonobos maintain power through alliances despite being physically weaker than males. These coalitions allow females to outrank males and shape the social hierarchy. As Martin Surbeck, the study's first author, said, "It’s exciting to find that females can actively elevate their social status by supporting each other." This study challenges the usual male-dominated power structures seen in other species and shows how powerful female solidarity is in bonobos.

A new study shows that short-term exposure to air pollution can make it harder to focus, recognize emotions, and perform everyday tasks—like grocery shopping! This is fascinating because it highlights how something as invisible as air pollution can directly impact our daily lives and mental sharpness, even in the short run.