## Hedgehogs May Be Talking — We Just Can't Hear Them

For years, we assumed hedgehogs communicated through a repertoire of snuffles, grunts, and snorts. But groundbreaking new research suggests these spiny creatures may have a far richer acoustic world than we ever imagined — one that operates entirely beyond the limits of human hearing.

Scientists have formally measured the hearing range of the European hedgehog for the first time, and the results have surprised even the researchers behind the study.

## What the Research Found

Led by Dr. Sophie Rasmussen at the University of Oxford, the research team collaborated with bio-acousticians — specialists who measure hearing in animals — to design a series of audio pulses and tones. These were played to anaesthetised hedgehogs sourced from a local rescue centre, while researchers monitored the animals' brain activity to determine exactly which sound frequencies they could detect.

The findings were striking. Hedgehogs can hear sounds up to **85kHz** — well into the ultrasonic range. To put that in perspective:

- **Humans** hear up to 20kHz
- **Dogs** hear up to 45kHz
- **Cats** hear up to 65kHz

Anything above 20kHz is classified as ultrasound, meaning hedgehogs are operating in an acoustic realm completely inaudible to us.

### The Secret Is in the Ear Structure

To understand how hedgehogs achieve this, the team constructed a detailed 3D model of a hedgehog's ear. They discovered it contains a rigid chain of small bones that efficiently conducts high-frequency sounds — a mechanism strikingly similar to that found in echolocating bats.

This structural adaptation allows hedgehogs to pick up ultra-high-pitched signals with remarkable clarity, hinting that the animals may be exchanging information through sounds we have never been able to detect.

## Why This Discovery Matters for Conservation

The European hedgehog is classified as near-threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and populations across the UK and Europe have been declining steadily. Thousands are killed on roads each year, many by cars, lawnmowers, and garden strimmers.

Dr. Rasmussen believes this discovery could be a genuine **game-changer** for hedgehog conservation. With a precise understanding of their hearing range, scientists and engineers may now be able to develop targeted ultrasonic repellents — devices that emit sounds hedgehogs find alarming, deterring them from dangerous areas without disturbing humans or domestic pets.

"It's amazing because this allows us to actually build targeted sound repellents that wouldn't bother us or our pets," said Rasmussen.

Interestingly, some vehicles already use ultrasonic whistles to deter large animals such as deer. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) confirmed such devices are widely available to consumers, though Chief Executive Mike Hawes noted that further research is needed to verify their specific effectiveness for hedgehogs.

## Protecting Hedgehogs in Rescue Centres

Beyond road safety, the research has important implications for the thousands of hedgehogs taken into rescue centres across the UK each year. These facilities may unknowingly expose animals to distressing sounds — such as the high-frequency hum of machinery — that humans cannot perceive but hedgehogs can hear clearly.

Understanding their hearing sensitivity could allow rescue centres to create quieter, less stressful environments for recovering animals.

## Are Hedgehogs Secretly Chatty?

Perhaps the most intriguing implication of the study is the possibility that hedgehogs are far more communicative than we realised. Observers have long noticed that hedgehogs appear to interact when they encounter one another — but assumed this was driven by scent rather than sound.

Dr. Rasmussen isn't so sure. "When hedgehogs pass by each other, you can tell that they are interacting. Maybe that's just chemical reactions to smelling each other," she said. "But imagine that they're actually blabbering all the time and we just couldn't hear it."

Further research is now needed to identify which specific sounds trigger a response in hedgehogs — whether sharp, sudden noises or rhythmic pulsating tones prove more effective as deterrents. Researchers are also keen to ensure that any sound-based devices do not discourage hedgehogs from frequenting gardens, which have become a critical habitat as rural landscapes grow increasingly inhospitable.

The full study has been published in the journal *Biology Letters*.

Scientists discover hedgehogs can hear up to 85kHz, far beyond humans. Learn how this breakthrough could transform hedgehog conservation efforts.

Hedgehog Hearing Range Discovered at 85kHz

2a155290-1c83-11f1-a7bf-efb6e72f87e6.jpg

Hedgehogs Can Hear Far Beyond Human Range — And It Could Save Their Lives

## This Week's Most Fascinating Science Stories

From the relationship between physical activity and cognitive health to surprising discoveries about hedgehog hearing, science continues to deliver remarkable insights. The Guardian's science editor Ian Sample sat down with Madeleine Finlay to break down three of the most compelling research stories making headlines this week.

## Exercise and Its Impact on Brain Function

One of the week's standout studies delves into the connection between regular physical activity and brain health. Researchers have been examining how exercise influences cognitive performance and overall neurological well-being. The findings add to a growing body of evidence suggesting that staying physically active isn't just good for the body — it plays a critical role in maintaining and even enhancing how the brain operates. This research has significant implications for public health strategies aimed at reducing cognitive decline.

## Hedgehogs Can Hear Ultrasound — And It Could Save Their Lives

In a surprising zoological breakthrough, scientists have discovered that hedgehogs possess the ability to detect high-frequency ultrasound. This finding opens up exciting possibilities for wildlife conservation, particularly when it comes to protecting these small mammals from road traffic — one of the leading causes of hedgehog fatalities.

### Using Sound to Protect Wildlife

Researchers are now exploring whether ultrasound repeller devices could be strategically deployed near roads to deter hedgehogs from venturing into dangerous areas. If effective, this approach could represent a low-cost, non-invasive conservation method with real-world applications across urban and rural environments alike.

## Can Biased AI Tools Change What You Believe?

The third story tackles a question with profound societal implications: can artificial intelligence influence human beliefs? New research has investigated how biased AI-powered autocomplete tools — the kind embedded in search engines and writing assistants — can subtly shape the opinions and convictions of users over time.

The study raises important questions about transparency, accountability, and the ethical design of AI systems. As these tools become increasingly embedded in daily life, understanding their potential to nudge users toward certain viewpoints becomes critically important for both developers and consumers.

## Why These Stories Matter

Taken together, these three stories reflect the broad and deeply human concerns that modern science continues to address — our health, our environment, and our relationship with technology. Each finding, while distinct in subject, underscores the importance of curiosity-driven research and its power to shape a better-informed world.

Explore how exercise affects brain health, why hedgehogs can hear ultrasound, and how biased AI autocomplete tools may influence human beliefs.

Exercise, Hedgehog Hearing & AI Beliefs: Top Science Stories

large_4140.jpg

medium_4140.jpg

small_4140.jpg

thumbnail_4140.jpg

4140.jpg

How Exercise Boosts Brain Health, Hedgehog Ultrasound Discoveries, and AI's Influence on Human Beliefs

## Scientists Discover Hedgehogs Hear Ultrasound — And It Could Save Their Lives

A groundbreaking study has revealed that hedgehogs possess the ability to hear ultrasonic frequencies far beyond the range of human hearing, opening the door to a potentially life-saving technology that could keep these beloved mammals safely away from roads and garden machinery.

### The Road Traffic Crisis Facing Hedgehogs

Hedgehog populations across Europe have suffered a sharp and troubling decline over recent decades. A significant contributing factor is road traffic — with estimates suggesting that vehicles are responsible for killing as many as one in every three hedgehogs. Finding an effective, non-invasive deterrent has become a conservation priority, and this new research may finally offer a practical solution.

### How the Study Was Conducted

Researchers from the University of Oxford, working alongside colleagues based in Denmark, tested the auditory capabilities of 20 hedgehogs that had been rehabilitated at Danish wildlife rescue centres. The team measured auditory brainstem responses by attaching small electrodes to the animals, which captured electrical activity passing between the inner ear and the brain as bursts of sound were played through a loudspeaker.

Published in the journal *Biology Letters*, the findings confirmed that hedgehog brainstems responded to sounds spanning a frequency range of 4 to 85kHz. This demonstrates a clear capacity to perceive ultrasound — defined as frequencies above 20kHz. To put this in perspective, humans can hear up to 20kHz, while dogs are capable of detecting sounds up to approximately 45kHz.

### Unique Ear Anatomy Unlocked

The research team went a step further by conducting high-resolution micro-CT scans of a hedgehog's ear to construct a detailed, interactive 3D anatomical model. This revealed previously undocumented structural features that help explain the animal's impressive hearing range.

The scans showed that hedgehogs have exceptionally small, dense bones in the middle ear, along with a partially fused connection between the eardrum and the first of these bones. This structural arrangement stiffens the bone chain, making it highly efficient at transmitting high-pitched sound — a characteristic typically associated with echolocating bats and other mammals that rely on ultrasound to navigate and hunt.

### A New Era of Hedgehog-Safe Technology

Armed with this knowledge, scientists believe it is now feasible to engineer devices that emit ultrasonic signals capable of deterring hedgehogs from hazardous environments. Potential applications include ultrasound repellers fitted to cars, as well as garden equipment such as lawn mowers and strimmers — all of which pose a serious risk to hedgehogs that often shelter in grass or roadside vegetation.

Importantly, because hedgehogs detect frequencies significantly higher than those audible to dogs, it should be possible to design repellers that do not disturb or distress household pets.

### What Comes Next

Dr. Sophie Lund Rasmussen, the study's lead author and an assistant professor at the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit at both the University of Oxford and the University of Copenhagen, outlined the team's ambitions going forward.

"Having discovered that hedgehogs can hear in ultrasound, the next stage will be to find collaborators within the car industry to fund and design sound repellents for cars," she said. "If our future research shows that it proves possible to design an effective device to keep hedgehogs away from cars, this could have a significant impact in reducing the threat of road traffic to the declining European hedgehog."

With hedgehog numbers continuing to fall, the development of ultrasound-based deterrent technology could represent one of the most practical and scalable conservation tools to emerge in years.

New research reveals hedgehogs can hear ultrasonic frequencies, raising hopes that repeller devices could dramatically reduce hedgehog road deaths across Europe

Ultrasound Repellers Could Protect Hedgehogs From Roads

large_2500.jpg

medium_2500.jpg

small_2500.jpg

thumbnail_2500.jpg

2500.jpg

Could Ultrasound Technology Save Hedgehogs From Deadly Roads?

## Earth's Moon Given the All-Clear as Asteroid Threat Is Ruled Out

Scientists have officially confirmed that a large asteroid previously flagged as a potential hazard will not strike the moon — putting to rest concerns that a collision could send dangerous debris into Earth's orbital neighbourhood and disrupt critical satellite infrastructure.

### From 'City Killer' to Distant Pass

First detected in December 2024, asteroid 2024 YR4 quickly grabbed the attention of the global scientific community. Early calculations suggested the 100-metre-wide space rock carried a 3.1% probability of striking Earth in 2032 — briefly earning it the title of the most threatening asteroid identified in decades. While follow-up observations eliminated any direct risk to Earth, they introduced a new concern: a 4.3% chance the asteroid was on a collision course with the moon.

A lunar strike, while posing no direct physical danger to people on Earth, raised alarms among experts. The debris field generated by such an impact could potentially interfere with the satellites we rely on daily for GPS navigation, weather forecasting, and global communications.

## James Webb Space Telescope Delivers Definitive Answers

With 2024 YR4 rapidly moving away from Earth and growing too faint for most instruments to detect — estimated to be four billion times dimmer than the faintest star visible to the naked eye — scientists had originally anticipated waiting until 2028, when the asteroid would return within observable range, before refining its orbital path.

However, an international team of astronomers identified two narrow five-hour windows in February during which the James Webb Space Telescope could successfully detect and track the object. Those observations proved decisive. The data allowed scientists to precisely calculate the asteroid's trajectory, confirming that 2024 YR4 will safely bypass the moon with a clearance of more than 20,000 kilometres (approximately 12,400 miles).

### A Scientific Opportunity — But One Best Left Untaken

Not everyone in the scientific community greeted the news with pure relief. Colin Snodgrass, Professor of Planetary Astronomy at the University of Edinburgh, acknowledged that a controlled lunar impact — under different circumstances — would have offered a rare research opportunity.

"It would've been a very interesting science experiment, but probably, given the small risk of debris, it wouldn't be one we'd want to try out," Snodgrass said. "Some of us in the scientific community might be a little disappointed."

## A New Era of Asteroid Surveillance

The episode highlights the growing capability of next-generation observatories to monitor near-Earth objects with unprecedented precision. Instruments like the James Webb Space Telescope and the forthcoming Vera Rubin Observatory are dramatically expanding humanity's ability to spot and track potentially hazardous asteroids.

Snodgrass noted that this improved detection power comes with a caveat. "We might get these brief scares slightly more often," he said, "but we also have the technology to track these things much better and will normally be very quick to rule them out."

### ESA Reaffirms Commitment to Planetary Defence

The European Space Agency's Planetary Defence team, part of its broader Space Safety programme, responded to the confirmed findings with cautious reassurance. "The moon is safe, 2024 YR4 poses no danger, but the work continues," the agency stated, emphasising that ongoing surveillance of near-Earth objects remains a top priority.

The goal, ESA made clear, is straightforward: ensure that if a genuine threat ever does emerge, the world will not be caught off guard.

Scientists confirm asteroid 2024 YR4 will safely miss the moon in 2032, passing over 20,000km away. Here's how the James Webb Telescope solved the mystery.

Asteroid 2024 YR4 Will Not Hit the Moon, Scientists Confirm

large_2899.jpg

medium_2899.jpg

small_2899.jpg

thumbnail_2899.jpg

2899.jpg

No Lunar Impact: Scientists Confirm Asteroid 2024 YR4 Will Miss the Moon

## AI Data Centres Set to Jump the Grid Queue — But at What Cost?

The UK government is moving forward with proposals that would give artificial intelligence data centres priority access to the national electricity grid, a move designed to accelerate the country's AI ambitions. However, the plan has drawn sharp criticism from housing industry leaders, who warn it could bring new home construction to a grinding halt in many parts of the country.

## The Growing Crisis in Grid Connections

At present, every new infrastructure project — whether a hospital, an industrial facility, or a housing estate — must join a shared waiting list to secure an electricity connection. That queue has expanded at an alarming rate, growing by 460% in just the first half of 2025. The surge has been driven overwhelmingly by the energy-intensive demands of AI data centres, leaving some legitimate projects staring down wait times measured in years rather than months.

Energy regulator Ofgem flagged the issue back in November, noting that demand had already blown past even the most optimistic forecasts. Perhaps more concerning, the regulator identified a significant number of speculative applications clogging the queue — projects without adequate funding, confirmed planning permission, or secured land rights — effectively blocking genuinely viable developments from progressing.

## Government's Proposed Fix: A Priority Fast Lane

To address the bottleneck, the government is consulting on a framework that would allow so-called "strategically important" projects to bypass the standard queue. Under the proposals, ventures deemed to offer the greatest economic returns and job creation potential would be elevated. This category is expected to include AI infrastructure, electric vehicle charging hubs, and industrial operations transitioning away from fossil fuels toward electric power.

AI Minister Kanishka Narayan defended the direction of travel, stating that delivering data centre infrastructure depends on reliable grid access, and that the proposed reforms would help the UK "move at pace to seize AI's potential to help build a wealthier and fairer Britain."

Simultaneously, Ofgem is exploring tighter entry criteria for the queue itself, aiming to weed out speculative applicants and ensure only credible projects secure a place.

## Home Builders Sound the Alarm

The Home Builders Federation (HBF) has responded with considerable unease. The organisation's executive director, Steve Turner, expressed frustration that residential developments were absent from the list of priority infrastructure, particularly given the country's well-documented housing shortage.

"As we continue to face into a housing crisis, it is frustrating that regulatory, planning and policy arrangements effectively prioritise energy-intensive data centres over energy-efficient homes for families," Turner said.

He went further, warning that without priority status, housing development in grid-constrained areas would face what amounts to an "effective moratorium on new homes."

This warning is not merely theoretical. London Assembly members raised identical concerns in December, with the Planning and Regeneration Committee reporting that several housing schemes in west London had already been temporarily stalled after local grid capacity was exhausted.

## Data Centres Already Hold Significant Advantages

It is worth noting that AI data centres are not starting from a disadvantaged position. They already benefit from preferential planning treatment, having been designated as critical national infrastructure — a status that shields them from being blocked by local objections. The new proposals would layer grid priority on top of that existing advantage.

The UK is currently home to nearly 500 data centres spread across the country, collectively supporting digital services ranging from banking transactions to online gaming. Together, they account for approximately 2% of national electricity consumption. However, that figure is set to climb sharply. According to the national grid operator, electricity demand from data centres could increase by as much as six times between now and 2050 as AI processing requirements continue to escalate.

## Balancing Innovation With Essential Infrastructure

The debate cuts to the heart of a difficult policy tension: how should a government balance the allure of cutting-edge technological investment against the basic, enduring need for housing? With the UK's housing crisis showing no signs of easing and grid capacity under unprecedented strain, the decisions made in this consultation period could have lasting consequences — both for the country's AI ambitions and for the families waiting for homes to be built.

UK government plans to prioritise AI data centres on the electricity grid could stall new housing developments, home builders warn amid growing grid capacity cr

AI Data Centres vs New Homes: The Grid Priority Debate

f206da40-1c9b-11f1-8f3c-8366692412b1.jpg

AI Data Centres Could Block New Housing, Industry Leaders Warn

## Pet Flea Treatment Chemicals Detected at Dangerous Levels in UK Waterways

Researchers have uncovered compelling new evidence that chemical compounds found in common pet flea treatments are heavily contaminating rivers throughout Wales, posing a serious threat to aquatic life and freshwater ecosystems.

A major three-year scientific study identified the pesticides imidacloprid and fipronil — both commonly used in spot-on flea treatments — in more than three-quarters of river water samples taken across nine Welsh waterways. Alarmingly, concentrations exceeded safe ecological thresholds in nearly half of all samples collected from urban locations.

## How the Chemicals Are Entering River Systems

Researchers from Cardiff University's Water Research Institute spent three years analysing 62 sampling points across Wales to trace the journey these pesticides take from household pets into natural waterways.

The study identified a clear "down the drain" pathway as the primary route of contamination. When pet owners wash their animals, clean bedding, or simply rinse their hands after applying spot-on treatments, chemical residues are carried through household drainage systems and ultimately discharged into rivers.

"What we think happens is that people applying spot-on treatments to dogs, cats, rabbits or ferrets then either wash their animal in the shower, wash their animal's bedding, or wash their hands," explained Professor Steve Ormerod, who led the research. "Through those down-the-drain routes, the chemicals reach small urban streams in particular."

The problem is compounded by an estimated 500,000 properties across the UK believed to have misconnected sewers — where domestic appliances or bathrooms are incorrectly plumbed into surface water drains rather than foul sewers. Discharges from wastewater treatment plants further add to the chemical load entering river systems.

To confirm this drainage pathway, researchers tracked caffeine alongside the flea treatment chemicals, making this the first study to scientifically establish how the pesticides travel from homes into waterways — ruling out the simpler explanation of dogs swimming directly in rivers and lakes.

## Devastating Impact on River Wildlife

The findings paint a stark picture of ecological damage. In Roath Brook, a small waterway running through Cardiff, chemical concentrations reached up to 45 times above safe levels — the highest recorded across all study sites.

"It was quite staggering to see these chemicals in concentrations that are ecologically significant and toxic enough to start harming river wildlife," said Molly Hadley of Cardiff University's Water Research Institute.

The consequences for freshwater invertebrates have been severe. Researchers documented a 90% decline in certain mayfly and caddisfly species at affected sites, along with a 30% reduction in two additional mayfly species. Since aquatic insects form the foundation of river food chains, scientists warn the broader ecological fallout could be substantial.

"Imidacloprid and fipronil are universal pesticides — if you start introducing those into river environments, you risk triggering the collapse of entire ecosystems because invertebrates underpin everything within them," Hadley cautioned.

Both chemicals are already banned for outdoor agricultural use in the UK due to their environmental impact, yet they remain freely available and widely used in domestic pet care products. More than 3.5 million doses of spot-on flea treatments are sold annually across the UK.

## Vets Shift to Risk-Based Approach

In response to mounting environmental concerns, the British Veterinary Association (BVA) has revised its guidance on the routine use of spot-on flea treatments. Where vets previously recommended year-round preventative application, they are now advocating for a more tailored, needs-based approach.

Dr Gwen Rees, junior vice president of the BVA in Wales, described flea treatment use as "something vets are thinking about a lot" at present.

"Each animal is going to have different circumstances and face a different risk of picking up fleas — it depends on the weather, whether your cat goes outside, and so on," she said. Consulting a vet can help owners determine whether treatment is genuinely necessary or whether alternative, more environmentally responsible options are available.

## Calls for Broader Action

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) acknowledged the research, stating the findings would directly support its ongoing work to monitor river health and tackle pollution sources. Welsh Water confirmed the contamination does not affect drinking water quality.

The Welsh study builds on a growing body of evidence emerging from rivers across England, and follows the publication in 2025 of a UK-wide strategy aimed at better understanding and addressing chemical contamination from pet treatments.

For pet owners, the key takeaway is straightforward: speaking with a vet before routinely applying flea treatments could make a meaningful difference — not just for the health of individual animals, but for the health of the rivers and wildlife communities we all share.

Scientists warn pet flea treatment chemicals are contaminating Welsh rivers at dangerous levels, harming aquatic wildlife and disrupting freshwater ecosystems.

Pet Flea Chemicals Found at Toxic Levels in UK Rivers

b168f9b0-1c59-11f1-a128-9b485282528f.jpg

Pet Flea Treatments Are Poisoning UK Rivers at Alarming Rates, Scientists Warn

## Southampton Space Institute: A New Chapter for UK Space Innovation

The University of Southampton has taken a bold step toward securing Britain's place among the world's leading space nations, launching a dedicated Space Institute designed to harness cutting-edge research, drive technological innovation, and cultivate the next generation of space professionals.

The initiative arrives at a pivotal moment for the UK, as the country's space sector continues its impressive trajectory — currently valued at £17 billion annually — with strong government backing to accelerate further growth.

## Bringing World-Class Expertise Under One Roof

The Southampton Space Institute consolidates the university's internationally recognised research groups and state-of-the-art facilities into a single, focused organisation. Its remit spans the development of next-generation space technologies, space policy debate, and long-term sustainability of operations beyond Earth's atmosphere.

Inaugural Director Professor Matt Middleton highlighted the university's deep-rooted legacy in the field, noting that Southampton has been educating students in aircraft and satellite design since 1959 — a heritage now spanning over six decades.

"We will be drawing on our expertise in electronics, fundamental science, astronautics, artificial intelligence, and many other disciplines to enrich the UK space industry and support the national space strategy," Middleton stated.

## Strengthening Regional and National Space Networks

A cornerstone of the institute's strategy is its collaboration with Space South Central, the UK's largest regional space cluster. This partnership connects the University of Southampton with more than 130 space-related businesses spread across Hampshire, Surrey, and the Isle of Wight, creating a powerful ecosystem of academic and commercial innovation.

Building on what the university describes as its "65-year heritage of education and research in space science, aeronautics, and astronautics," the institute is well-positioned to serve as a bridge between academic discovery and real-world industry application.

## Over £1 Million in UK Space Agency Funding Secured

In a significant financial vote of confidence, the university's scientists recently received more than £1 million in funding through the UK Space Agency's (UKSA) National Space Innovation Programme.

The awarded funding will be directed toward two pioneering projects:

- **A plasma torch system** designed to simulate the extreme thermal stress that spacecraft endure during atmospheric re-entry.
- **A sustainable water-based propulsion system** for satellites, reflecting growing demand for environmentally responsible solutions in space operations.

These projects underscore the institute's dual commitment to technological advancement and sustainable space exploration.

## A Vision for Economic Growth and Sustainable Space

Professor David Parker, a prominent UK space policy expert and former Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, collaborated closely with Professor Middleton to establish the institute. Together, they share an ambitious vision rooted in both local and national impact.

"Our goal is to drive sustainable, local and national economic growth by becoming one of the top UK universities for space education, novel space science, technology, and the application of space data here on Earth," Parker explained.

Professor Middleton reinforced the broader social and economic case for the institute, emphasising that the space industry "needs the expertise of a university like Southampton to train the next generation, create new jobs and companies, and ensure that space is sustainable in the long term."

## Hampshire Positioned at the Forefront of Britain's Space Future

With its combination of academic prestige, industry partnerships, government-backed funding, and a clear strategic vision, the Southampton Space Institute represents a significant leap forward — not just for the university, but for Hampshire and the wider UK space economy. As Britain continues to invest in its space ambitions, Southampton looks set to play an increasingly central role in shaping what comes next.

The University of Southampton launches its Space Institute to support the UK's £17bn space industry through research, innovation, and the next generation of tal

Southampton Space Institute Joins UK's £17bn Space Sector

42ad1660-1be0-11f1-9a61-1b759d532334.jpg

Southampton's New Space Institute Set to Propel the UK's £17 Billion Space Industry Forward

## The Surprising Drinking Habits of Wild Chimpanzees

Deep in a Ugandan rainforest, a UC Berkeley Ph.D. student spent 11 days doing something most researchers rarely have to consider: chasing chimpanzee urine. Aleksey Maro, a doctoral candidate in integrative biology, knew that the early morning hours were his best window of opportunity.

"Just like people, the first thing they do when they wake up is they go pee," Maro explains. That simple biological routine became the foundation for a revealing new study published in *Biology Letters* — one that sheds light not just on chimp behavior, but potentially on the deep evolutionary roots of human alcohol consumption.

## Ripe Fruit, Fermented Sugars, and Ethanol

The central question Maro and his team set out to answer was straightforward: when wild chimpanzees eat ripe, fermenting fruit, are they actually absorbing meaningful amounts of alcohol? Previous research had already confirmed that fruits commonly found in chimp diets across Uganda and Côte d'Ivoire contain measurable levels of ethanol. But consuming ethanol-laden fruit is one thing — metabolizing it is another.

To find out, the research team employed several creative collection techniques. Some urine samples were carefully pipetted off leaves where chimps had urinated. Others were gathered using a more daring method: holding a plastic bag stretched over a forked branch beneath a chimp and catching the stream mid-flow.

"You need to make sure that you are not going to be splashed," says Sharifah Namaganda, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Michigan who assisted in the fieldwork. Despite the challenges, she notes that a freshly caught plastic-bag sample is the gold standard — uncontaminated and collected before the animals move on.

## What the Urine Revealed

The results were striking. Of 19 chimpanzees included in the study, 17 tested positive for ethanol in their urine. At least 10 of those samples reflected alcohol concentrations comparable to what a human would register after one or two standard drinks.

The chimps were primarily feasting on African star apple, a fruit also consumed by humans, known for its sweet flesh and unusual latex content that Maro describes with amusement: "You chew it and as you eat the fruit, you get a little bubble gum."

On average, chimpanzees consume around ten pounds of fruit pulp daily — meaning consistent exposure to fermented sugars is entirely plausible as a routine part of their diet.

## The Drunken Monkey Hypothesis

These findings connect directly to a broader theory in biological anthropology known as the **drunken monkey hypothesis**. The idea proposes that primates developed an evolutionary affinity for the scent and taste of alcohol because fermentation signals the presence of ripe, calorie-dense food.

"In primates, it could be that when you smell alcohol, that means that's where the sugars are," Maro explains. Over millions of years, this association between alcoholic aroma and nutritional reward may have been hardwired into primate biology — and by extension, into our own.

This ancient preference, Maro suggests, may help explain why modern humans are so readily drawn to alcohol. "It could represent a profound mismatch between the way we live today and the way we evolved," he says. While early primates encountered alcohol only in small, naturally occurring amounts, humans today can concentrate and consume it at dramatically higher levels.

Interestingly, the affinity for fermented substances may predate primates entirely. Maro points to fruit flies, which have evolved to lay their larvae specifically in fermenting fruit pulp — with a clear preference for the more alcohol-rich varieties.

## Expert Reactions and What Comes Next

Researchers outside the study were largely enthusiastic about the findings. Matthew Carrigan, an evolutionary biologist at the College of Central Florida, called it "a wonderful study" that builds meaningfully on earlier work. While he acknowledged the sample size is modest, he praised the methodology: "It nicely supports what earlier studies have alluded to. This takes it one step further and is measuring the output."

Cat Hobaiter, a primatologist at the University of St. Andrews, suggested the research could open entirely new lines of inquiry — not only into chimpanzee behavior, but into the evolutionary origins of human social rituals and cultural traditions surrounding alcohol consumption.

For Maro, the immediate next step is determining whether chimps are deliberately seeking out ethanol-containing fruits or simply encountering alcohol as a byproduct of eating ripe produce. If the animals are actively pursuing fermented food based on its aroma or taste, the parallels with human behavior become considerably more compelling.

The answer could bring us one step closer to understanding one of humanity's oldest and most complex relationships — with a substance that may have been part of our ancestral diet long before we ever thought to brew it ourselves.

New research finds wild chimps regularly consume alcohol via fermented fruit, offering fresh clues about the evolutionary origins of humanity's attraction to dr

Why Chimps Eating Fermented Fruit May Explain Human Drinking

large_jpeg

medium_jpeg

small_jpeg

thumbnail_jpeg

jpeg

Do Chimps Get a Buzz? How Fermented Fruit May Explain Humanity's Love of Alcohol

## How Jeffrey Epstein Used Elite Scientists to Rebuild His Public Image

A 2006 gathering of elite physicists in the U.S. Virgin Islands offers a revealing window into how convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein systematically cultivated relationships with some of the world's most celebrated scientific minds — using his wealth as the ultimate calling card.

### A Submarine Ride and a Star-Studded Conference

Nearly 100 feet beneath the turquoise Caribbean waters, the late Stephen Hawking peered through a submarine porthole at coral reefs and tropical fish in March 2006. Strapped securely in his wheelchair and accompanied by a nurse, the legendary astrophysicist was experiencing his first-ever underwater journey — made possible entirely through Epstein's financing.

The submarine excursion served as the grand finale to an invitation-only week-long conference that Epstein funded, drawing approximately 20 of the planet's foremost physicists to the Virgin Islands. Among the attendees were three sitting Nobel laureates and three additional scientists who would later claim the prestigious honor.

Getting Hawking aboard the submarine — chartered from a private tour company — was no small feat. A winch system was carefully deployed to lower him in his wheelchair through the vessel's main hatch. Theoretical physicist Lawrence Krauss, who organized the event, even donned scuba gear and dove underwater just to wave at Hawking through the porthole. "I was just so happy because he'd never been underwater," Krauss later recalled.

In a 2017 text message exchange, Epstein reflected on the moment with characteristic irreverence, claiming he had improvised a solution to secure Hawking in the submarine for what he described as "great fun."

### The "Confronting Gravity" Conference

The event, titled "Confronting Gravity," was officially promoted as a forum for exploring fundamental questions in physics and cosmology. Marketing materials described it as an opportunity for participants to engage in serious scientific discourse while also relaxing on the beach and visiting Epstein's nearby private island.

Krauss, who was then affiliated with Case Western Reserve University, organized the gathering and pitched it in advance emails as a small, exclusive, all-expenses-paid workshop. To attract top-tier talent, he strategically name-dropped high-profile invitees, including Hawking, Nobel Prize-winning physicists David Gross and Frank Wilczek, 1999 Nobel laureate Gerard 't Hooft, and Kip Thorne, who would later claim the Nobel Prize in 2017.

"To get good people, you've got to have a hook," Krauss acknowledged.

The strategy paid off. MIT physicist Alan Guth, who first proposed the groundbreaking theory of cosmic inflation, attended and described it as a legitimate and impressive gathering. "It included many of the big names in cosmology and gravitational theory at the time," he told NPR.

Attendees stayed at the upscale Ritz-Carlton in St. Thomas, where daily sessions explored cutting-edge topics such as gravitational wave physics — a subject that would later become central to the field. Several scientists also participated in a public lecture at a nearby college.

Epstein himself viewed the conference as a personal milestone, reportedly listing it among his top five professional achievements. Speaking to a local publication at the time, he took full credit for assembling the group. "They say Newton discovered it but no one knows what it is," he said of gravity, adding, "There is no agenda except fun and physics, and that's fun with a capital 'F'."

### Building a Scientific Network Through Philanthropy

The Virgin Islands conference was far from an isolated event. It was part of a broader, calculated strategy by Epstein to embed himself in elite scientific circles through generous funding. His interests ranged widely — from theoretical physics and evolutionary biology to computer science — and he bankrolled conferences, research initiatives, and individual scientists across multiple disciplines.

"Jeffrey was interested in interesting people," Krauss told NPR, describing Epstein's motivations.

Krauss himself maintained a relationship with Epstein spanning nearly 15 years. He later led the Origins Project at Arizona State University, which received partial funding from Epstein, before retiring from ASU in 2019 following multiple sexual misconduct allegations. Krauss has consistently denied those allegations.

### The Fallout Reaches Science's Upper Echelons

The revelations surrounding Epstein's connections have sent shockwaves through the scientific community, much as they have through politics and the arts. At Harvard University alone, genomics pioneer George Church, physicist Lisa Randall, and mathematics and biology professor Martin Nowak have all faced intense public scrutiny over their associations with Epstein. NPR reached out to all three for comment but received no response.

The repercussions have extended well beyond Cambridge. Nobel Prize-winning molecular biologist Richard Axel stepped down as co-director of Columbia University's Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, while Yale computer science professor David Gelernter was suspended from teaching duties pending a university review of his conduct.

Perhaps most strikingly, even after Epstein entered a guilty plea in 2008 for soliciting prostitution and procuring a minor for prostitution, a number of scientists and academics continued to accept his support or maintain communication with him — in some cases right up until his 2019 arrest on federal sex-trafficking charges.

### Scientists Recall Epstein's Low Profile

Interestingly, several attendees of the 2006 conference recall Epstein as a largely invisible presence during the event itself. MIT's Alan Guth and Princeton University's Jim Peebles — who would receive the Nobel Prize in physics in 2019 — both noted that Epstein barely registered on their radar during the week.

"As far as I'm aware, although I was never thinking of it, Epstein was never in my eyesight at any time during the conference," Peebles recalled.

For the scientists involved, the conference appeared to be a legitimate and intellectually stimulating event set against an unusually scenic backdrop. "It was a little more exotic, a little more colorful, a little more natural beauty than just sitting in a restaurant in a hotel," Guth reflected — an assessment that, in hindsight, takes on a far more troubling dimension.

Jeffrey Epstein funded elite science conferences and forged ties with Nobel laureates, including Stephen Hawking, to rehabilitate his public image.

How Epstein Used Nobel Scientists to Rebuild His Image

How Jeffrey Epstein Leveraged Nobel-Winning Scientists to Rehabilitate His Reputation

## Private Space Firms Keep Artemis Dream Alive Amid NASA Shake-Up

It started as an ordinary Friday morning at the Colorado offices of space startup Lunar Outpost. Then CEO Justin Cyrus learned that NASA's newly appointed administrator, Jared Isaacman, had called an unscheduled press conference — and everything changed.

Cyrus runs one of the many private contractors quietly but critically supporting NASA's Artemis program, the ambitious initiative aimed at returning humans to the lunar surface for the first time since 1972. So whatever Isaacman had to say, it mattered.

What he hadn't anticipated was a sweeping restructuring of NASA's entire lunar landing strategy. The agency announced it was shifting its first crewed moon landing to Artemis IV, now targeting a 2028 launch — a significant revision driven by technical setbacks, ballooning costs, and mounting pressure to streamline its approach.

## A Stunning Announcement With Far-Reaching Consequences

The Artemis program has long been shadowed by delays and budget overruns stretching into the billions. Critics have argued NASA was attempting too much simultaneously, and the agency's latest announcement acknowledged as much, triggering widespread questions among its commercial partners about what comes next.

Yet for Cyrus, the news carried an unexpected silver lining.

Assuming no further delays, Lunar Outpost's Mobile Autonomous Prospecting Platform — known as Mapp — will now travel alongside the Artemis IV astronauts. The compact, technology-dense rover was designed specifically to scout the lunar surface and lay vital groundwork for long-term human habitation on the moon.

"Humans will be back on the moon for the first time in over 50 years, and one of our rovers will be right there alongside them," Cyrus said. "For us, selfishly, that's a pretty exciting prospect."

He added that NASA's revised plan, which promises higher mission frequency and a more focused roadmap, ultimately benefits companies like his. "It's fantastic that NASA has concrete plans on how they can accelerate things. Rovers and robotic systems are critical to permanence on the moon — and with Mapp, we are full steam ahead."

## A Startup Built for the New Space Age

Founded in 2017 by Cyrus — an aerospace industry veteran — and two colleagues, Lunar Outpost has grown into a compelling example of the evolving public-private partnership model reshaping modern space exploration.

The company's portfolio includes several rover designs of varying size and capability, developed for NASA missions to both the moon and, eventually, Mars. Its flagship project, the Eagle Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV), has been described as the most capable crewed and cargo transport ever built for human spaceflight. A full-scale prototype drew significant attention at Kennedy Space Center's visitor center last year.

### A Rocky Start for Mapp

Despite the company's momentum, Mapp's journey to this point has been far from smooth.

The rover was originally scheduled to analyze dust and soil near the moon's south pole last year, providing critical data for a potential lunar base. In March, it did reach the moon aboard Intuitive Machines' Athena lander — making history as the first commercial exploration rover to touch down on the lunar surface.

But the mission ended in frustration. The Athena lander toppled during landing, trapping Mapp inside. The rover transmitted fully operational signals back to Lunar Outpost's headquarters in Golden, Colorado, but was physically unable to deploy as its batteries gradually drained.

"It got to the moon, it survived the tough landing, and unfortunately, we just couldn't get it out of the garage," Cyrus said. "It makes it hurt just a little bit worse."

For the more than 200 employees who had spent years building and testing the rover, it was a deeply difficult moment — one the company has since channeled into renewed determination.

## Eyes Forward: Hardware Ready, Team Focused

Since the failed deployment, the Lunar Outpost team has worked methodically to prepare Mapp for its next opportunity. Progress continues across the broader company as well, including development of power generation systems, oxygen-producing technology for space habitation, and robotic arm systems designed to assist in moon base construction.

Crucially, Cyrus says the team has learned to maintain focus in an industry defined by constant change.

"If my workforce is watching what's going on each and every day, worrying about how it's going to impact their schedules, they wouldn't be getting much done," he said. "We have a pretty positive working relationship with constant change. It sounds a little weird, but you just kind of get accustomed to it."

That doesn't mean leadership ignores major developments. On announcement days like the recent one, Cyrus still addresses his team directly. "I still have to go talk to them — 'Hey, guys, this is good, this is a positive thing.'" But the underlying culture, he says, is one of steady, heads-down progress.

## Five Moon Missions and Counting

Looking ahead, Lunar Outpost's pipeline is substantial. The company has five lunar missions already confirmed, with a potential Artemis-related announcement regarding the Eagle LTV expected within weeks.

"It's a step-by-step vision over the next five years," Cyrus said. "I think it's going to be fun. In fact, I think it's going to be an absolute blast."

As NASA recalibrates its lunar ambitions, companies like Lunar Outpost represent the resilient, innovative backbone of the new space economy — proof that the partnership between government space agencies and private enterprise is not only viable, but essential to humanity's return to the moon.

NASA reshapes its Artemis lunar strategy, but private contractors like Lunar Outpost are pressing ahead with rovers and tech for a 2028 moon landing.

NASA Artemis Contractors Push Forward With Lunar Plans

large_3264.jpg

medium_3264.jpg

small_3264.jpg

thumbnail_3264.jpg

3264.jpg

NASA's Artemis Contractors Push Forward as the Agency Reshapes Its Lunar Return Strategy

## Scientists Lift the Veil on Britain's Caribbean Deep-Sea Mysteries

For generations, the deep waters surrounding Britain's Caribbean island territories have remained largely unexplored and poorly understood. That has now changed dramatically. A landmark scientific expedition has brought back breathtaking evidence of underwater mountain ranges, colossal sinkholes, pristine coral ecosystems, and marine species that have never before been documented by science.

### A Historic Voyage Into the Unknown

Operating around the clock for six consecutive weeks aboard the British research vessel RRS James Cook, a team of scientists pushed their equipment to its limits — capturing footage and data at depths reaching 6,000 meters (approximately 19,700 feet). Their mission took them through the waters surrounding the Cayman Islands, Anguilla, and Turks and Caicos.

Navigating these waters presented its own serious challenges. Researchers were forced to depend on outdated maps riddled with inaccuracies and conspicuous gaps. Despite these obstacles, the team pressed forward, and the results have astonished even the most experienced marine scientists.

The UK Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) partnered exclusively with BBC News to share the expedition's footage and findings with the public.

### Creatures That Science Had Never Recorded

Among the expedition's most exciting revelations was the discovery of marine life previously unknown to science. A swimming sea cucumber was observed but has yet to be formally identified. The team also documented a pelican eel equipped with a luminescent pink tail that flashes red to attract prey, a barreleye fish whose tubular eyes point skyward to detect the silhouettes of passing food, and a dragonfish bearing a glowing lure beneath its chin.

In total, researchers catalogued nearly 14,000 individual specimens representing approximately 290 distinct marine species — though further scientific analysis will be required to validate all findings.

"Just yesterday we found a kind of swimming sea cucumber, and we still don't know what it is," said Dr. James Bell, who led the expedition. "The diversity we've encountered is really, really astonishing."

The Cayman Islands, Anguilla, and Turks and Caicos are already home to 146 species found nowhere else on Earth, and this expedition is expected to expand that list considerably.

### An Underwater Mountain Teeming With Life

One of the expedition's most dramatic moments came while navigating an uncharted underwater mountain known as Pickle Bank, located north of Little Cayman island. Rising from a depth of approximately 2,500 meters (8,200 feet) to just 20 meters (65 feet) below the ocean surface, the seamount posed genuine navigational risks.

"We're not sure how close to it we are. It's quite difficult to map it without running the risk of running aground," Dr. Bell noted as the ship carefully traced the mountain's outline.

Camera footage captured a vivid scene — a mountainside blazing with color, featuring golden towers of coral alongside brain-shaped coral formations, gorgonian whip coral sheltering darting fish, orange sea sponges, and ancient black coral. Researchers identified this site as one of the healthiest and most biologically diverse reefs in the entire Caribbean region.

Critically, the reef shows no signs of stony coral tissue loss disease, a condition that has devastated reefs throughout the Caribbean. Scientists believe the reef's depth and the mountain's steep topography have effectively shielded it from both disease and the ocean warming driven by climate change — conditions that have damaged an estimated 80% of the world's coral systems since 2023.

### Mapping the Ocean Floor — A Monumental Task

Using deep-sea cameras and echo-sounding equipment deployed from the ship, the team successfully mapped nearly 25,000 square kilometers (9,700 square miles) of ocean floor and captured more than 20,000 photographs, including images of glowing lanternfish and otherworldly cephalopods.

Dr. Bell offered a sobering comparison to underscore how little humanity knows about its own oceans: "We know the surface of Mars or the Moon better than we know the surface of our own planet. You can send a satellite around them and map them in a matter of weeks. We can't do that for our ocean. We have to map it bit by bit using acoustic instruments on ships."

### A Towering Ridge and a Massive Blue Hole Discovered

In the waters off Turks and Caicos, researchers uncovered two extraordinary geological features that had never appeared on any existing nautical charts.

The first was a vast mountain ridge — 3,200 meters (10,500 feet) high and stretching 70 kilometers (45 miles) along the seabed west of Gentry Bank. This enormous underwater formation had been entirely absent from official sea maps.

The second discovery was equally dramatic: a massive vertical sinkhole, or blue hole, located approximately 75 kilometers south of Grand Turk Bank. Formed when an ancient underwater cave collapsed, the structure measures roughly 300 meters (980 feet) wide and plunges to 550 meters (1,800 feet) below sea level.

"Imagine taking an ice cream scoop out of the sea floor — that's what we saw," said Dr. Bell. Scientists believe its steep walls may make it the deepest blue hole in the Caribbean, potentially rivalling Belize's world-famous Great Blue Hole.

While blue holes are typically devoid of life due to oxygen-poor conditions, cameras lowered into this newly found sinkhole revealed small sponges, a species of large spatangoid urchin, and a variety of fish — suggesting this particular formation may support more life than expected.

### Ancient Coral and Hidden Reefs Off Anguilla

North of Anguilla, the research team followed up on long-standing local rumors circulated among fishermen who had occasionally hauled up coral fragments in their nets. Investigating these accounts, scientists confirmed the existence of a 4-kilometer (2.5-mile) reef adorned with vibrant coral mosaics set within expansive sponge gardens.

Perhaps most remarkably, the team discovered black coral specimens believed to be thousands of years old — placing them among the most ancient coral ever recorded anywhere on the planet.

"It tells us that these environments are really pristine and healthy," Dr. Bell said.

### Racing to Protect What Has Been Found

The significance of these discoveries extends well beyond scientific curiosity. The UK government shares responsibility for protecting nature in its Overseas Territories, and up to 90% of Britain's unique biodiversity is found in regions like these. Scientists are now calling for urgent action to safeguard these environments from the mounting threats of climate change and ocean pollution.

Deep-water and mesophotic reefs — those situated beyond the reach of recreational diving — are of particular scientific interest because steep underwater terrain can channel nutrient-rich water toward the surface, creating productive ecosystems that support diverse marine life and serve as crucial feeding grounds.

"This is the first step into environments people have never seen, and in some cases didn't know existed," Dr. Bell concluded. With the ocean still largely uncharted, the expedition serves as a powerful reminder that Earth's greatest unexplored frontier may not be in outer space — but right here, beneath the waves.

Scientists discover underwater mountains, ancient coral, a massive blue hole, and never-before-seen sea creatures in Britain's Caribbean territories.

Deep-Sea Expedition Reveals Hidden Caribbean Wonders

36d191f0-1978-11f1-801d-ed3cff6bf876.jpg

Extraordinary Deep-Sea Expedition Uncovers Hidden Worlds Beneath the Caribbean

## Bristol Water Embraces Ancient Hedge Laying to Restore Wildlife Habitats

In a remarkable blend of historical craftsmanship and modern conservation, Bristol Water has launched an ambitious biodiversity initiative at Blagdon Lake — a 440-acre reservoir and trout fishery nestled within the Mendip Hills of Somerset. The project draws on the centuries-old practice of hedge laying to restore and enrich the natural ecosystems surrounding this ecologically significant site.

### What Is Hedge Laying and Why Does It Matter?

Hedge laying is a traditional rural craft that involves carefully trimming the base stems of hedgerow plants and repositioning them horizontally along the hedgerow line. Far from simply being a decorative practice, this technique serves a deeply functional ecological purpose. By allowing sunlight to penetrate the lower sections of hedgerows, it encourages thick, upward regrowth — creating dense, layered habitats that offer vital shelter and nesting opportunities for a wide range of species.

In contrast, conventional hedge maintenance, which often relies on heavy mechanical cutting equipment, frequently strips hedgerows of their density, leaving behind sparse, unstructured growth that offers little protection or habitat value for local wildlife.

### A Site of Special Scientific Interest Gets a New Lease of Life

Blagdon Lake holds the designation of a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), making the careful management of its surrounding landscape a matter of genuine national importance. Bristol Water's decision to adopt hedge laying as part of its land stewardship strategy reflects a growing recognition that sustainable, nature-friendly practices must take precedence over convenience.

To date, approximately 1,800 metres of hedgerow have been carefully laid by the specialist team. However, work will be paused during the bird nesting season to ensure that no disturbance is caused to nesting species or other vulnerable wildlife — a thoughtful concession that underscores the project's commitment to responsible conservation.

### The Expert Behind the Initiative

Leading the hedge laying team is Mike Reed, a seasoned specialist in the craft. Reed has spoken passionately about the urgency of the project, highlighting the precarious state of many familiar British species.

*"So many of our farmland and countryside birds are endangered, as are hedgehogs, so creating these spaces for them to live and nest in is more important than ever,"* he explained.

Reed also expressed pride in the cultural dimension of the work, noting that hedge laying carries a strong local tradition and that he relishes the opportunity to pass the skill on to a new generation of practitioners through this collaborative project.

### A Two-Year Transformation in the Making

The full project is expected to span two years, during which time ecologists and conservationists anticipate a meaningful return of wildlife to the area. The revitalised hedgerows are expected to provide critical winter cover for birds, hedgehogs, and insects — species that have seen significant population pressures in recent decades due to habitat loss.

Simon Hughes, Treescape Officer at Bristol Water, expressed enthusiasm for what lies ahead: *"It won't be long before we will start to see a complete transformation in the hedgerows, and it's exciting for all of us at Bristol Water to be a part of creating this significant and important change."*

### A Model for Conservation-Led Land Management

This initiative signals a broader shift in how water companies and land managers might approach their environmental responsibilities. By investing in proven, traditional methods rather than relying solely on modern machinery, Bristol Water is setting a compelling example of how heritage techniques can deliver powerful, lasting results for both biodiversity and community wellbeing.

As pressure on British wildlife continues to mount, projects like this offer a hopeful reminder that sometimes, the most effective solutions are those that have been quietly perfected over generations.

Bristol Water uses centuries-old hedge laying techniques to restore wildlife habitats at Blagdon Lake SSSI in Somerset, protecting birds, hedgehogs and insects.