Latest news with #MaeveCampbell
Channel 4
06-07-2025
- Science
- Channel 4
Frozen sperm vault bringing animals back from brink of extinction
Producer: Maeve Campbell In just a few years, we'll be able to make a new tiger from a vat in a lab in the Shropshire fields – at least that's the hope. Talk about playing God – and all in the name of saving our most endangered species from extinction. But god needs to get to work, say some. 70 percent of species have been lost since the 1970s. We are moving through the dying – the sixth Great Extinction – caused almost completely by humans. Nature's Safe has its lab a few miles southeast of sleepy, prosperous Whitchurch in rural Shropshire. Chairman and founder, Tullis Matson, started out in the family stud farm inseminating mares. He then realised our endangered biodiversity was screaming more urgently, and he set up this charity. 'This is cryogenics. That's what we do here. I mean, we call it cryo- conservation.' – Tullis Matson Lifting the lid on frozen animal species' DNA, at minus 80 degrees Celsius. A lifeline, they say, to saving our rarest species from extinction. 'This is like a nuclear bunker in this room. We've got the genetics of some of the rarest animals out there stored, cryo-frozen in time, basically waiting to be thawed out in 10, 20 or maybe 1,000 years' time, and bring those cells back to life within about 30 seconds, which is quite incredible, what science and cryo science, or cryo conservation, can actually do to many of our endangered species that are literally on the brink. They're on a cliff edge. So I believe we have to do something. This runs alongside normal conservation efforts,' says Matson In Svalbard, Northern Norway, a frozen seed bank of the world's plants is slowly assembling. But the Shropshire operation is the only place in Europe where freezing of animal species – sperm, eggs, and, crucially, skin samples – is happening at scale. They've just passed the 300 species mark, and it is skin which unlocks the cryogenic future. I suddenly find myself asking Tullis if he could maybe make me four new Scottish wildcats, teetering on the edge of extinction oblivion. Well, not yet, but it is coming in a few years, is the answer. Shropshire is the only place in Europe where freezing of animal species – sperm, eggs, and skin – is happening at scale. Skin has the whole DNA of that particular animal. And when we freeze that down, we can freeze its entirety, and then when we bring it back, we can turn that skin cell eventually into a sperm or into an egg. They've done it in mice, and the technology will evolve. I don't know whether to be ecstatic or terrified. Right now here there is a push to conserve red squirrels. For the first time in Europe, their cells have been successfully grown here. And that initial stage is actually relatively straightforward. The more challenging stage is, once you get stem cells, you then divert it into a different cell type, from which semen or eggs could emerge. And that's the more complicated stage. That's the bit where the research and development really needs to come through for different species. A few miles away, Janet King successfully breeds magnificent Shire horses. She also has two wild cats, a species whose DNA already lies frozen in the nearby lab, but her red squirrel breeding enclosure lies empty. They failed to breed. So she's donated some red squirrel skin DNA to the lab. 'Sometimes you can go into like a downward spiral and it becomes fewer and fewer animals. The gene pool becomes smaller and smaller, and by doing the work that Nature's Safe is doing is protecting species for the future, whether it's this year, next year, five years, 20 years, 50 years' time. If it's needed, it is there. It's banked. It could still be a route back for us.' Growing brand new red squirrels remains just a few years' off, but the lab has already produced new coral – an animal, not a plant. It's now being matured in a London museum for potential reintroduction to depleted wild reefs. The application of all this for wild species in the biosphere is obvious then, but there's also a domestic dimension to all this – the preservation of rare breeds like Suffolk Punch horse, for example, currently being worked on here. There is universal agreement here and among the wider conservation movement, though, that this can only ever be a small part in the global fight against species extinction, an absolute last possible resort. A word for warning from Craig Bennett, CEO of The Wildlife Trusts. 'Let's be really wary of any of those tech bros out there who think there's some kind of simple tech silver bullet solution to the loss of nature.' – Craig Bennett 'What we need is thousands of different efforts to restore nature at scale and to do it at pace and at scale and with a sense of urgency and political will and political leadership to make it happen. Be wary of anyone that offers you a simple solution to a complex problem.' Over at the lab, Tullis totally agrees with that sentiment. One day soon, we will be able to make a new snow leopard, white rhino, red squirrel, you name it, from a frozen vat in Shropshire. It's coming. 'We never want to have to use these tanks in a way. We hope we don't have to dive into them, because you're only diving into them if you have to. But I fear we will have to, at some point. A hundred per cent, we have to be using these new technologies without a shadow of a doubt. Otherwise, I'm afraid we're going to see many of our species disappear in front of our eyes.' All sides agree successfully preventing extinction rests on preserving wild habitat. Above all, if we have to use cryogenics, it will be indeed the very last resort, and also a sign of our failure. Authorities crack down on illegal wildlife trade Nature takes back control in the Lake District Is the new planning bill a licence to destroy wildlife?
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
7 Ways Gen Z Is Turning Social Media Trends Into Smart Finance Choices
To Gen Z, social media is not just a tool for entertainment. To them, social media is their guidance in life when it comes to things like finances. With just a swipe, they're picking up viral trends and flipping them into money-saving strategies that keep their wallets happy. Read More: Find Out: As the cost of living keeps climbing, this tech-savvy generation isn't just keeping up–they're finding creative ways to spend less while still living well. From swapping clothes to hacking grocery bills with TikTok meal-prep challenges, Gen Z is proving that smart spending doesn't mean sacrificing style or experience. Financial expert Tim Maurer sums it up best: Gen Z is a sharp, financially aware group that refuses to spend carelessly. Every dollar matters to them, and they're making moves to cut unnecessary costs while still enjoying life. Let's break it down. Their budget-conscious mindset is especially clear when it comes to fashion. Even though the fashion industry is worth over $105 billion, Gen Z people have shown that trendy doesn't have to mean expensive. Instead of buying expensive, short-lived trends, Gen Z is opting for second-hand clothes. Vinted, Depop, and Poshmark are currently popular marketing apps for second-hand clothes. Unlike the older generations, they have normalized buying second-hand and even made it stylish to do so. It is trendy to shop from these apps because they flood social media with phrases like 'Come thrifting with me' or 'thrift hauls.' Apart from thrifting, this generation is engaged in clothes swapping — a very budget-friendly option popularized through social media. The younger generation exchanges clothes instead of buying new ones, cutting costs on clothing by attending organized swap events. Another thing they do is upcycling, which is turning old clothes into fresh, trendy outfits. Forbes contributor Maeve Campbell says it's best — they express individuality without touching their wallets. Some popular hashtags attracting millions and advancing this trend are #Upcycling and #ThriftFlip. Another popular trend among Gen Z in fashion is capsule wardrobes. Inspired by minimalist lifestyles, this young generation believes in owning a few but high-quality pieces of clothing. They are inspired by their attitudes of effortless mixing and matching of clothes. Learn More: Gen Z is also opting to cook more instead of going out. For a long time, going for a meal and meeting a friend for tea or coffee in an overpriced café was trendy, but Gen Z people are turning away from this. A survey conducted by Fortune showed that more than 70% of Gen Zs prefer cooking and eating at home to going to fast foods, high-end cafes, and hotels. Home cooking is steadily becoming appealing with the influence of TikTok meal prep challenges. Gen Z constantly shares creative ways of preparing affordable, delicious and healthy meals. Gen Z has created a new social media movement called a budget-friendly grocery shopping spree. The hashtags that characterize this movement are #CheapEats and #GroceryHacks. These hashtags showcase food purchasing strategies like buying in bulk, shopping at discount retailers, and using digital coupons. Moreover, Gen Zs have a DIY coffee brewing movement that has gained momentum lately. This saves a lot of money in the long run, especially compared to spending $5 per day on coffee. When it comes to travelling, Gez Z considers cheaper means of transport to be adventurous, a sharp contrast to that of the other generations. They prefer biking, walking, or taking public transport instead of owning private cars or travelling luxuriously. Social media makes budget-friendly travel trendy because people enjoy documenting and sharing their journeys in videos and pictures. Another affordable approach this generation has embraced is work-exchange programs. For instance, Work Away and World Packers have programs that allow people to travel and stay in a different country. In return, they pay with their labor. Gen Z is also starting to use travel credit card rewards to pay for flights and hotels, which also reduces travel expenses. One thing that stands out is that this generation is the hustle. They consider the traditional 9-to-5 employment unappealing. And more and more are embracing flexible working hours and multiple sources of income. Moreover, they are taking advantage of technological advancements. They use technology to monetize their skills through social media and other online platforms. More and more Gen Z people are selling products online and working as writers, graphic designers, and social media managers. Content creation is now a new and popular means of earning income among Gen Zs. CNET discovered that over 44% of Gen Zs earn money through online content creation. The group has learned to have different sources of income. And for a stable income, many Gen Zs do not rely on a single employer. Gen Z prefers working online as contract workers and freelancers. The gig economy is very popular among young adults today. The rest of society should see that Gen Z's revolutionized approach to work is not only financially advantageous. This working style gives them authority over work-life balance and ensures that they have a constant flow of income from many sources. Gen Z has mastered the art of having fun without breaking the bank on entertainment. Most Gen Z people share family accounts instead of spending money on paying for multiple streaming services simultaneously. More and more people are using free alternatives like Pluto TV or YouTube to get entertained. At the same time, they also cut costs through DIY movie nights, board game nights, and potluck dinners. Since social media is their primary tool, digital platforms like TikTok and Pinterest are often full of budget-friendly party ideas. Note that sharing information is their tradition. Keeping up with what is posted on social media helps them know places to enjoy free entertainment. You can easily find free events on these platforms, like community activities, concerts, and museum admissions. They enjoy themselves fully in these free events, proving that a vibrant social life is possible without financial constraints. Gen Z is cutting costs on wellness without compromising on self-care. Instead of expensive skincare products, they're embracing DIY skincare using natural ingredients. Home workouts are the 'thing' for Gen Z as well. Instead of paying to go to the gym, people prefer using YouTube fitness programs. Sometimes, they share workouts on their social media accounts. Apps like Nike Training Club are 'a must-have.' For those who want to use technology, bodyweight exercises, dance workouts, and popular yoga programs are available on TV, the internet, and social media. Financial literacy isn't just a skill — it's a priority. However, rather than sitting through seminars and workshops, Gen Z is learning money management through TikTok and YouTube influencers. This generation is also starting to use tools to help them save and budget. An example of this is micro-investment apps like Acorns, which allow you to invest small amounts over time. The major takeaway from this generation is the need for a paradigm shift. The change in mindset allows them to look at things differently from older generations. They embraced responsible spending, tracked expenses, and valued experience over material possessions. Gen Z has proved that one can achieve financial stability and live a quality life with little income. One can make wise financial decisions by taking advantage of social media and scaling down. More From GOBankingRates6 Big Shakeups Coming to Social Security in 2025 This article originally appeared on 7 Ways Gen Z Is Turning Social Media Trends Into Smart Finance Choices Sign in to access your portfolio
