EurekAlert! Staff Picks
Each week, our team members share their favorite recent news releases, stories that caught their eye, sparked their curiosity, or made them think. We hope you’ll find them just as interesting!
Madalyn Stratton
Editorial & Membership Coordinator
New diseases were among the many things introduced to the Americas from European settlers. Though new research from the University of Lausanne shows evidence that there were more pathogens in the region long before European contact than many, myself included, previously thought. Scientists have recovered a genome of a bacterium from human remains dating back roughly 5,500 years whose subspecies is associated with four modern treponemal diseases. This discovery has pushed back the genetic record of this species of pathogen by more than 3,000 years.
There are still many mysteries around when or how the different forms of the disease came about. The DNA recovered from the bacterium does not match any known forms that cause disease today, which shows that this form diverged very early on from the others, a split estimated to have happened around 13,7000 years ago. This research provides valuable insight into the diversity of pathogens that existed in the Americas much earlier than we previously thought, and my serve to help scientists prepare for future developments of disease emergence.
There has been recent speculation on the validity of “blue zones,” or regions where there are notably higher cases of longevity. However, a recent study co-authored by Dr. Steven Austad from the American Federation for Aging Research confirms the scientific validity of these zones.
This study references recent public discourse which questions the truth behind the record-keeping and suggests the potential for instances of fraud. However, authors of the study argue that these concerns were already considered in the development of the methods used to identify potential blue zones. Four regions showed an unusually high probability of individuals aged 90 and up with the information confirmed through records and demographic systems.
Blue zones are defined by patterns of longevity in the population rather than individual cases or outliers. As patterns change, the study also emphasizes that blue zones can lose their status with modernization, migration, and lifestyle changes that may disrupt the patterns of longevity. New blue zones emerge around the world while others, such as Okinawa and parts of Nicoya, lose patterns of longevity.
Dr. Austad argues that the appearance and disappearance of blue zones strengthen their scientific value and allows researchers to do further research on the factors that can influence healthy aging. This news release was great in explaining recent public perceptions of blue zones and how the study used this as an opportunity to expand further on the methodology and reinforce its scientific validity.
A news release from the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County ends a longtime dispute over the existence of the Nanotyrannus. A multi-institutional team of researchers looked at the throat bone in the specimen and compared it to other similar species and the T. Rex. They found that though the Nanotyrannus was smaller, it was fully grown and distinct from the larger T. Rex.
Researchers are able to get an idea of an animal’s maturity by measuring the organization of the tissue in cross-sections of their bones. The initial hypothesis was that the bone belonged to a juvenile T. rex, so the bone structure was expected to show the animal was still growing. But after closer examination of the neck bone, it indicated the animal was near maturity and no longer growing.
This study is important in understanding the growth of different species and their accurate identification. The discovery of the Nanotyrannus gives us better insight on the ecosystem and depiction of Late Cretaceous North America. Now we know that the T. rex was not the sole predator and likely competed with the Nanotyrannus!
A news release from Osaka Metropolitan University discusses a new culture medium that allows stem cells from dogs to change into heart muscle cells. There are certain diseases that are similar between dogs and humans, which means these cells could have potential use in medicine.
These cells are typically difficult to study due to their sensitivity to culture conditions and risk losing their ability to develop or develop into the wrong type. However, an international team of researchers led by Professor Shingo Hatoya of the Graduate School of Veterinary Science at Osaka Metropolitan University has developed a culture medium that allows stem cells to develop into heart muscle cells.
The cells can be developed into heart muscle cells and would allow researchers to study how they are affected by new compounds. This would result in incredible development in drug development!
It is typically understood that invading queens will fight and kill the existing queen herself to take over a colony. However, new research from Kyushu University in Fukuoka Japan details a new strategy in which an invading ant queen compels the colony to attack their own queen before taking her place. This was an interesting discovery because it was first made by first author of the paper, Taku Shimada, in his blog, ‘AntRoom.’ Assistant Professor Keizo Takasuka from Kyushu University found the post three years later and wanted to document the discovery.
The parasitic queen used two chemical sprays, suggested to be formic acid, against the host colony queen to incite a lethal attack from the host to their queen. After the host queen’s death, the parasitic queen is accepted by the colony and begins laying her own eggs. The formic acid is commonly used by ant species to warn comrades of predators, but in this case, deceives the colony to attack their queen. The host and parasite are not closely related, but belong to the same genus, which is known for two origins of social parasitism. This is an example of convergent evolution, where unrelated species develop similar traits.
This release includes fascinating imagery depicting the parasitic ant queen inciting the attack on the host queen. There is also a link to a video to see the ants in action! The background to the study is also an interesting case on how other types of media, in this case a blog post, can lead to new scientific discoveries!
A news release from the University of Copenhagen highlights three new toad species that skip the tadpole phase of life and instead give birth to live toadlets. The tree-dwelling toads from Africa have developed internal fertilization and are able to give birth away from water. This is a rare trait that only a few frog species from South America and southeast Asia have developed. Textbooks and common knowledge consider the lifecycle of frogs as a standard process from eggs to tadpoles to froglets to adults. But there is more variety to their reproduction than you may think!
The first toad species capable of live birth was discovered in 1905 and thought to be the only one. After conducting more research on the evolution and genetic diversity of these frogs, first author Christian Thrane from the University of Copenhagen, was able to bring awareness to these new species. This study not only provides more insight to different evolutionary directions of certain species but could also have important implications for conservation. Many of these species exist in small habitats that are threatened by deforestation, mining, and climate change. With threatened habitats and most of the Tree toads on the brink of extinction, the group of researchers are concerned about the impacts this will have on biodiversity and the future of these species.
A new species of the jellyfish known as the man-of-war has been discovered by a student-led research group from Tohoku University. A new species of Physalia which was named Physalia mikazuki after a Sendai samurai, Date Masamune, known for the crescent moon on his helmet. There are four other known species of Physalia, so the researchers recorded any and all features that were unique. There was previously assumed to be only one genus of the jellyfish in the area, but after the careful analysis, and matching DNA sequences, it was revealed that there had always been two species, the difference had just gone unnoticed until now.
This jellyfish had previously never been seen this far north. To understand why, researchers used simulations of ocean currents and found that warm currents have likely begun to extend farther north, bringing the jellyfish with them. The discovery of the new jellyfish species, with a particularly nasty sting, shows how important it is for researchers and the public to be aware of changes in the ocean’s ecosystem. These changes can result in new appearances of otherwise unexpected organisms.
Much like second author Yoshiki Ochiai, the striking blue jellyfish is what initially caught my eye. The text was well structured, summarizing the key findings in the first paragraph, following with a captivating perspective of the researcher’s process in making this discovery. The release concluded with quotes from the author that tied in public relevance, which communicates the importance of the study to journalists and the general public.
Researchers at Utrecht University look into why earthquakes still occur in regions that tectonically, should have low activity. There are regions in America, France, and the Netherlands where there is a shallow subsurface which allows the faults to become stronger when they start to move. In theory, this should make it impossible for earthquakes to occur. However, while faults in shallow the subsurface are expected to be stable, earthquakes still happen.
When this movement happens, it is usually the result of human activity. These shallow faults have previously been stable and have not moved for millions of years. During this time of inactivity, the faults can gradually “heal” and build up extra strength. So, when movement does happen, the faults can release that stored energy in a single seismic event.
This can be an issue as people living in areas where earthquakes rarely occur, they may lack infrastructure that would withstand earthquakes. Since they are also occurring near areas of human activity, this could be a greater hazard than natural earthquakes, which typically occur deeper underground. It was interesting that once these earthquakes do occur, they return to a stable state. This research will be incredibly important for ensuring safe geothermal energy extraction, underground storage, and earthquake risk assessment.
Promoting conservation efforts, especially in the case of important pollinators like bats, has always been an interest of mine! In this release from The Company of Biologists, research from the University of New England, Australia, suggests that efforts to support the bat population could be unintentionally dangerous. Bat boxes are set out to give bats a place to roost and encourage them to stay in certain areas. These boxes are often designed to stay warm to provide bats a comfortable place to rest. However, in warm weather, the boxes have been exceeding safe temperatures for their survival. If the bat box has been set in a spot exposed to full sun, rising temperatures could cause the box to exceed 122 degrees Fahrenheit or 50 degrees Celsius. The rise in temperatures could be fatal while the bats are sleeping and unable to relocate.
This was incredibly eye-opening to me, as I live in an area with high temperatures and hadn't considered how much planning should really go into setting up bat houses or similar conservation practices. I have been thinking about setting up bat houses on my property to encourage bats to hang around and help with pest control and pollination, so this news release helped me get a better idea of risks and best practices!
When I was pregnant, like many other expecting parents, I looked for every method and tip to promote my baby’s development. In a study from the University of Cambridge, researchers found that a good type of gut bacteria in pregnant parents could help! The study looked at the placentas of mice with the gut bacteria compared to those without it. More complications occurred in the pregnancies of mice without the bacteria present, which shows that the gut microbiome affects the placenta and can significantly impact pregnancy!
It is incredible to see the many factors that contribute to the health of the parent and the baby during pregnancy as more research comes out. This study could change the outcome of many pregnancies by testing the gut biome for potential complications and allow for early intervention. For instances of gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, miscarriage, and stillbirth could potentially be avoided by the use of probiotic supplements.
With all the risk and uncertainty in pregnancy, it would be amazing to see the types of intervention made possible by this research!
Scientists from the Graduate University for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI, found that shortfin mako sharks were warming up before diving deep to hunt for food. Scientists attached data loggers to the sharks to track the temperatures of the water, their bodies, and the depths of their dives. Though the sharks are a species found in warm water, they swim to deeper waters where more prey are found. Scientists found that their body temperature decreased slowly while descending to cold waters, but increased much quicker when rising to warmer water at the surface. But rather than just swim to warm waters to recover from the cold, one shark prepared for its dive by warming up beyond the surrounding water to stay in warm in cold water for a longer period! This is a fascinating ability of regulating their body heat that is not seen in other fish species, and it was incredibly interesting to see a shark prepare for its journey to deep water!
Researchers from Huntsman Cancer Institute found that individuals with multiple tattoos may have less risk of skin cancer. Conversely, the team noticed that those with only one tattoo had an increased likelihood of having melanoma. At first, it was thought that those with tattoos would have an increase in skin cancer risk due to potential heavy metal exposure and irritation from tattoo sessions, but it was really interesting to see that the risk was lower for those with multiple tattoos! There is speculation that those with multiple tattoos take sun protection precautions to keep tattoos from fading, but more research is needed to understand the pattern. I have a few tattoos myself, so it is really fascinating to consider if I may be mitigating my risk in my own tattoo care!
Color changing mold on cheese rinds offers a fascinating, and delicious, opportunity to see evolution in action! Researchers from Tufts University collected samples of mold growing on Bayley Hazen Blue rinds from the Jasper Hill caves, where they are left to ripen. Upon returning to the cave for more samples, they noticed the mold had changed from green to white! The mold was green from a gene that produces melanin, but to save energy, stopped melanin production causing the mold to turn white. It is so interesting that researchers were able to see this process happening over just a few years. Now, researchers can study the mold and look into its genetic diversity at the same time as contributing to new attributes in the cheese!
Microplastics have become a major concern in recent years with its presence in drinking water, food, and even in our own bodies. Researchers from the University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy have found these plastics can collect in the brain and cause Alzheimer’s disease-like symptoms. Assistant professor Jaime Ross and her team conducted an experiment exposing groups of mice with different genetic indicators of Alzheimer’s disease to microplastics. The results showed that male and female mice experienced different symptoms of cognitive decline, similar to what we see in humans. With how prevalent micro- and nanoplastics are, her research will hopefully inspires more research and regulation regarding plastic use!
Northwestern University scientists have created a new tool to help track infant development as early as 16 days old! As a new mom, making sure my daughter is meeting her goals and developmental milestones is my primary focus and this is an incredibly helpful toolkit to make available to families. The existing tool to track an infant's development began at three years old, which made early intervention difficult. This new NIH Baby Toolbox aims to be widely available and measure the development in children too young to answer questions. It can be difficult to keep track of each developmental leap as a parent, and even more so to get the necessary support should your child require extra help. It is amazing to see this kind of tool be made available for babies at such a young age so that early intervention is possible!
As someone who always manages to let their phone die, this release from the University of Ottawa stood out to me! Researchers from uOttawa in collaboration with Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, found a way to measure and compare batteries’ performance to develop long-lasting betavoltaic batteries. This advancement could allow pacemakers to run for a lifetime without depletion, batteries to function in extreme conditions, and provide a more sustainable source of energy!
A news release by Kyoto University details an unexpected comeback from the brink of extinction in red headed wood pigeons. Although the population of this pigeon fell drastically low, it made a quick comeback after its primary predator - the feral cat - was removed. This was unexpected due to the low genetic diversity of the species after inbreeding due to low population. However, researchers found that a harmful mutation common in other wood pigeons was lower in this small population of the red headed wood pigeons. With how difficult it is to bring a species back even with devoted conservation efforts, it is amazing that a feature of its population decline actually enabled its revival!
This release from the Frontiers tells an interesting story of how a reading robot became part of the family for many households. A robot designed to help preschoolers with reading was introduced to 20 families in 2021 and by 2025, almost all still had their robot. It had become a point of nostalgia, comfort, or even like a member of the family for many. In a time when technology is shaping so much of the world we live in, it was so interesting to see other ways assistance technology can be integrated into people’s lives; even as intimately as family!
A news release by the National Institutes of Natural Sciences describes the discovery of an object beyond Pluto that provides more insights into the outer Solar System. The object, currently labeled as 2023 KQ14, has a peculiar orbit that is different from other objects of its kind. The FOSSIL team’s simulations of 2023 KQ14’s orbit, some of which utilized National Astronomical Observatory of Japan’s PC cluster, suggest that the orbit has been maintained for at least 4.5 billion years. These observations imply ancient astronomical events that contribute to our understanding of the history of the Solar System. It is interesting how this could imply that a ninth planet may have existed but was potentially pushed out of the Solar System.
Microplastics are a recent point of concern in conversations about plastic waste and its impact on the environment. This news release by Kaunas University of Technology was informative in how it broke down the different challenges in combating plastic waste. With an increased use in plastic worldwide, pollution from plastic use has made its way into water supplies, different food sources, and even the most unexpected places such as breast milk. One of the main challenges faced with dealing with plastic waste is outdated waste management. I was surprised to learn that even with the increased plastic use, new regulations have only just been proposed. The EU has a goal of reducing plastic waste overall, but a significant challenge is dealing with the plastic waste that already exists. With increased and more efficient recycling efforts, the target is to recycle 55 percent of plastic waste by 2030.