Latest news with #eLife
Daily Mirror
19 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Toddler escapes horror animal attack after 'chewing venomous snake to death'
Govind Kumar collapsed after biting a cobra to death in Mohachchhi Bankatwa, in India's state of Bihar, where stunned locals are hailing his survival as miraculous A one-year-old boy escaped death after he killed the venomous cobra that attacked him by biting it. The incident occurred in Mohachchhi Bankatwa, a remote village in the Indian state of Bihar, which borders Nepal to the north. The little boy, Govind Kumar, collapsed shortly after the encounter and was rushed to a nearby doctor before being transferred to a hospital in Bettiah. Hospital chief Dr. Duvakant Mishra said: 'Govind was referred here after fainting soon after chewing on the live snake. He was unconscious when he arrived.' According to relatives, the child had somehow gotten hold of the snake while inside his home. His grandma, who watched on in horror as the cobra attacked the tot, screamed and did her best to intervene - but the child had already sunk his teeth into the reptile. 'When she reached him, the snake lay lifeless on the floor and the child had fallen unconscious,' Mishra added. The boy is being closely monitored for signs of him having being bitten. Though there were no immediate symptoms, doctors were on standby to start anti-venom treatment if necessary. Locals, who live in an area known to be in close proximity with wildlife, say this is the first time they've heard of a child overpowering a cobra especially in such a bizarre manner. As Govind recovers under medical supervision, the toddler's survival is being hailed as miraculous given the deadly reputation of cobras in the region. About 300 snake species can be found in India, including 60 extremely poisonous snakes that cause the majority of bite-related fatalities, including saw-scaled vipers, kraits, and Russell's vipers. The "big four" snake species that cause the most snakebites in India are completed by the Indian cobra. In just two decades, from 2000 to 2019, the nation recorded more than a million snake bite deaths, according to a 2020 study published in the journal eLife. Eight of India's 28 states—Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Uttar Pradesh—accounted for more than two-thirds of the deaths that were reported. A similar incident happened in 2022 when a cobra was killed after being bitten by an eight-year-old boy. The snake had wrapped itself round the youngster's arm and bit into his skin. But the boy then turned on the reptile and bit it back. The episode happened in Pandarpadh village a remote area in central Chhattisgarh region of India. Deepak was attacked by the venomous reptile say reports in The New Indian Express. It grabbed on to him while he played outside the family home and spiralled itself around his arm, before biting him and injecting its deadly poison.
CNN
6 days ago
- Science
- CNN
Breakthrough discovery shows that moths listen to plants — and avoid the noisy ones
When a plant is stressed, it doesn't keep quiet about it. You won't hear the plant's cry because it's in the ultrasonic range — too high-pitched for human ears — but, for decades, scientists have been using special devices to listen in. For the first time, a team of researchers in Israel has documented that insects can hear and interpret plants' acoustic distress signals. This finding builds upon the research group's prior work recording sounds that tomato and tobacco plants make when they are dehydrated, said lead study author Rya Seltzer, an entomologist and doctoral student in the department of zoology at Tel Aviv University in Israel. 'The prevailing hypothesis is that these sounds are produced as a result of changes in the plant's water balance within the xylem vessels,' the specialized plant cells that carry water and nutrients upward from the roots to the stem and leaves, Seltzer told CNN in an email. During periods of stress from lack of water, air bubbles form, expand and collapse in xylem tissues. This sequence of events produces vibrations, generating click-like sounds every few seconds that the researchers measured in the acoustic frequency range of about 20 to 100 kilohertz. They estimated these frequencies to be audible to insects at distances up to 16 feet (around 5 meters). (Sound waves at frequencies higher than 20 kilohertz are typically beyond the range of human hearing). The scientists wanted to know if these ultrasonic sounds were being picked up by insects, so they observed the Egyptian cotton leafworm moth (Spodoptera littoralis), which lays its eggs on plant leaves. The study team found these moths tended to avoid noisy, stressed tomato plants. Instead, the insects favored tomato plants that were quieter and therefore in better condition, with leaves that would provide a juicier meal for newly hatched larvae, according to a recent study published in the journal eLife. '(The research) reveals a surprising new way that animals can sense and respond to cues from the environment — in this case, insects picking up sounds from stressed plants,' Dr. Yali V. Zhang, an adjunct associate professor of physiology at the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine, said in an email. Zhang, who studies chemical communication between insects and plants at the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia, was not involved in the study. However, just because the moths hear and react to sounds from dehydrated plants doesn't mean that the plants and moths are holding a conversation, Seltzer said. 'It's important to clarify that we observed an interaction — not communication,' she added. 'It's crucial to understand that plants likely produce these sounds passively and are not actively trying to communicate with insects.' When the scientists presented female moths with a choice between a dried-out tomato plant and a fresh one, the moths flocked to the fresh plant to lay their eggs. But the team wanted to understand whether the sounds from the dehydrated plant were a factor in the moths' selection. The researchers built an arena consisting of two boxes. In one box, they played recordings of plants' distress sounds, while the other box was silent. In the experiment, moths gravitated to the noisy box, and scientists theorize that it's because the sounds suggested that they would find a living plant there. This preference vanished when the scientists deafened the moths, leading to the conclusion that moths were listening to the plants before they made their choices, the study authors wrote. In another experiment, the researchers again offered the female moths a selection of two tomato plants. This time, both plants were hydrated, but one was near a speaker playing ultrasonic stress sounds. The result: More of the moths picked the quieter plant. A third experiment tested whether the egg-laying females were influenced by other acoustic cues, such as those of male moths, who produce ultrasonic courtship clicks. It found that when male moths' calls were broadcast from one side of the arena, females 'showed no significant preference' as to where they lay their eggs, according to the study. Together, these experiments told the researchers that the moths were listening to and recognizing sounds made by plants — and that they were using that acoustic information to make decisions about those plants for their reproduction, Seltzer said. Insects have been capable of detecting ultrasonic sounds since at least the Eocene epoch (55.8 million to 33.9 million years ago). However, the researchers were surprised to see that the moths recognized the plants' ultrasonic signs of distress, Seltzer said. Even though female moths in the experiments had never laid eggs before — and therefore had no prior experience deciphering acoustic cues from plants — they not only recognized plant sounds, but preferred quieter plants for their first time egg-laying. 'It's a really cool and surprising discovery!' Zhang said. 'We've known for a long time that plants give off smells when they're in trouble, like when they're being eaten by bugs or are thirsty. These smells help attract helpful insects or scare away pests,' he said. 'What's new here is that sound may give extra information — like a warning signal — especially when there's no smell or the smell is hard to detect. ' Plant acoustics is an area of growing interest for scientists, and preliminary work suggests that sound-making is widespread, Seltzer said. Future research could investigate the use of acoustic monitoring to understand how stress affects plant health and could identify potential applications for agricultural pest control. 'I believe this is just the beginning of discoveries in this field,' Seltzer said. 'There are countless organisms that can hear in these frequencies, and potentially many more plant sounds we haven't discovered yet,' she added. 'This is definitely just the tip of the iceberg.' Mindy Weisberger is a science writer and media producer whose work has appeared in Live Science, Scientific American and How It Works magazine. She is the author of 'Rise of the Zombie Bugs: The Surprising Science of Parasitic Mind Control' (Hopkins Press). Sign up for CNN's Wonder Theory science newsletter. Explore the universe with news on fascinating discoveries, scientific advancements and more.
CNN
6 days ago
- Science
- CNN
Breakthrough discovery shows that moths listen to plants — and avoid the noisy ones
When a plant is stressed, it doesn't keep quiet about it. You won't hear the plant's cry because it's in the ultrasonic range — too high-pitched for human ears — but, for decades, scientists have been using special devices to listen in. For the first time, a team of researchers in Israel has documented that insects can hear and interpret plants' acoustic distress signals. This finding builds upon the research group's prior work recording sounds that tomato and tobacco plants make when they are dehydrated, said lead study author Rya Seltzer, an entomologist and doctoral student in the department of zoology at Tel Aviv University in Israel. 'The prevailing hypothesis is that these sounds are produced as a result of changes in the plant's water balance within the xylem vessels,' the specialized plant cells that carry water and nutrients upward from the roots to the stem and leaves, Seltzer told CNN in an email. During periods of stress from lack of water, air bubbles form, expand and collapse in xylem tissues. This sequence of events produces vibrations, generating click-like sounds every few seconds that the researchers measured in the acoustic frequency range of about 20 to 100 kilohertz. They estimated these frequencies to be audible to insects at distances up to 16 feet (around 5 meters). (Sound waves at frequencies higher than 20 kilohertz are typically beyond the range of human hearing). The scientists wanted to know if these ultrasonic sounds were being picked up by insects, so they observed the Egyptian cotton leafworm moth (Spodoptera littoralis), which lays its eggs on plant leaves. The study team found these moths tended to avoid noisy, stressed tomato plants. Instead, the insects favored tomato plants that were quieter and therefore in better condition, with leaves that would provide a juicier meal for newly hatched larvae, according to a recent study published in the journal eLife. '(The research) reveals a surprising new way that animals can sense and respond to cues from the environment — in this case, insects picking up sounds from stressed plants,' Dr. Yali V. Zhang, an adjunct associate professor of physiology at the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine, said in an email. Zhang, who studies chemical communication between insects and plants at the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia, was not involved in the study. However, just because the moths hear and react to sounds from dehydrated plants doesn't mean that the plants and moths are holding a conversation, Seltzer said. 'It's important to clarify that we observed an interaction — not communication,' she added. 'It's crucial to understand that plants likely produce these sounds passively and are not actively trying to communicate with insects.' When the scientists presented female moths with a choice between a dried-out tomato plant and a fresh one, the moths flocked to the fresh plant to lay their eggs. But the team wanted to understand whether the sounds from the dehydrated plant were a factor in the moths' selection. The researchers built an arena consisting of two boxes. In one box, they played recordings of plants' distress sounds, while the other box was silent. In the experiment, moths gravitated to the noisy box, and scientists theorize that it's because the sounds suggested that they would find a living plant there. This preference vanished when the scientists deafened the moths, leading to the conclusion that moths were listening to the plants before they made their choices, the study authors wrote. In another experiment, the researchers again offered the female moths a selection of two tomato plants. This time, both plants were hydrated, but one was near a speaker playing ultrasonic stress sounds. The result: More of the moths picked the quieter plant. A third experiment tested whether the egg-laying females were influenced by other acoustic cues, such as those of male moths, who produce ultrasonic courtship clicks. It found that when male moths' calls were broadcast from one side of the arena, females 'showed no significant preference' as to where they lay their eggs, according to the study. Together, these experiments told the researchers that the moths were listening to and recognizing sounds made by plants — and that they were using that acoustic information to make decisions about those plants for their reproduction, Seltzer said. Insects have been capable of detecting ultrasonic sounds since at least the Eocene epoch (55.8 million to 33.9 million years ago). However, the researchers were surprised to see that the moths recognized the plants' ultrasonic signs of distress, Seltzer said. Even though female moths in the experiments had never laid eggs before — and therefore had no prior experience deciphering acoustic cues from plants — they not only recognized plant sounds, but preferred quieter plants for their first time egg-laying. 'It's a really cool and surprising discovery!' Zhang said. 'We've known for a long time that plants give off smells when they're in trouble, like when they're being eaten by bugs or are thirsty. These smells help attract helpful insects or scare away pests,' he said. 'What's new here is that sound may give extra information — like a warning signal — especially when there's no smell or the smell is hard to detect. ' Plant acoustics is an area of growing interest for scientists, and preliminary work suggests that sound-making is widespread, Seltzer said. Future research could investigate the use of acoustic monitoring to understand how stress affects plant health and could identify potential applications for agricultural pest control. 'I believe this is just the beginning of discoveries in this field,' Seltzer said. 'There are countless organisms that can hear in these frequencies, and potentially many more plant sounds we haven't discovered yet,' she added. 'This is definitely just the tip of the iceberg.' Mindy Weisberger is a science writer and media producer whose work has appeared in Live Science, Scientific American and How It Works magazine. She is the author of 'Rise of the Zombie Bugs: The Surprising Science of Parasitic Mind Control' (Hopkins Press). Sign up for CNN's Wonder Theory science newsletter. Explore the universe with news on fascinating discoveries, scientific advancements and more.
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Insects can hear when plants talk, finds groundbreaking study
Did you know that stressed plants make sounds and insects can actually hear them? A new Israeli study reveals that when tomato plants are under stress, they emit high-frequency sounds that moths can detect. And yes, those moths make smarter decisions because of it. Welcome to the wild world of plant-insect acoustic communication, a concept that's flipping science on its head. Researchers from Tel Aviv University have now confirmed that insects listen when plants talk. This discovery doesn't just sound cool, it could transform how we understand agriculture, ecology, and pest control forever. What the study reveals about insects listening to plants This isn't science fiction—it's ultrasonic reality. In a peer-reviewed study published in eLife, scientists found that tomato plants under stress (like from drought or dehydration) release ultrasonic sounds, like clicks or pops. These sounds are far above the range of human hearing—but perfectly audible to certain insects, especially moths. Here's what the researchers found: Plants emit ultrasonic distress sounds when they're under stress, especially from dehydration or physical damage. Moths actively avoid these 'noisy' plants, opting to lay their eggs on quieter, healthier plants instead. This behaviour disappears when the moths' hearing is impaired, proving they are reacting to sound—not smell or sight. How do plants talk? When a tomato plant is water-stressed, it emits dozens of ultrasonic clicks per hour—compared to just one or two when healthy. These sounds are likely the result of internal tension in the plant's vascular system. While the plants may not 'intend' to communicate, the sound gives away their internal state. And that's where things get wild: insects are eavesdropping on plants. The study used: Ultrasonic microphones to record plant emissions Controlled moth behaviour experiments to track how moths responded to recorded plant sounds Tests on deafened moths to confirm the sounds—not visuals or smells—were responsible for the behavioural shift Why this study is a game changer Redefines plant communication Until now, we thought plants mainly 'communicated' through chemical signals. This adds a new acoustic layer to plant behaviour that scientists never expected. Proves insect auditory response to plants This is the first-ever evidence that insects detect and act on sounds made by plants—a discovery with enormous ecological significance. Revolutionizes pest control possibilities Imagine using ultrasonic plant sounds to keep pests away—no chemicals, no traps, just clever audio. This is the future of sustainable farming and crop protection. The implications are massive. If insects listen to plants, what other species might be tuned in to these secret signals? Could farmers use this knowledge to trick pests—or even detect plant stress early? Tel Aviv University's findings kick open a new field of plant bioacoustics, and we're just scratching the surface. As researchers explore other species and ecosystems, don't be surprised if your garden gets even chattier. Also read| How to protect wooden furniture from moisture during monsoons: Maintenance tips that work
The Hindu
20-06-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
Science for All: Krill don't have jet lag, thanks to their circadian rhythm
(This article forms a part of the Science for All newsletter that takes the jargon out of science and puts the fun in! Subscribe now!) Krill (Euphausia superba) are transparent marine organisms. Each krill is the size of a matchbox but they travel the open seas in swarms of several thousands. They are prey to millions of seals, penguins, and whales in the Southern Ocean, a rapidly warming water body whose temperature has significant effects on tropical rainfall. All organisms have an internal clock called the circadian rhythm that syncs with the day/night cycle. If the natural cycle is interrupted, so is the rhythm. This is why you have jet lag. Yet krill have been found to have a circadian rhythm that ticks on even when their days and nights are distorted. Researchers from Germany and the U.K. recently reported this finding in eLife. Every day, krill move to the surface of the ocean and back down to feed and fend off predators. This collective swimming is called diel vertical migration (DVM). They tend to move towards the surface at night and to the depths during the day. The study took a closer look at the mechanism that drives DVM. 'We know that krill move up and down in the water column each day which also has important implications on nutrient cycling and carbon sequestration, but we don't know what mechanism governs this behaviour. This study sheds light on that, and will help us better understand and conserve this incredible species,' Matthew Savoca, a research scientist at the Hopkins Marine Station of Stanford University and who wasn't involved in the study, said. In 2024, the team developed a device called Activity Monitor for Aquatic Zooplankter (AMAZE). It's an observation incubator with 80-cm-long acrylic glass columns. Laser light is passed through the columns. When krill swim through them, they interrupt the laser light, which a detector records to track the krill's movement. For the experiment, the researchers collected krill from the Bransfield Strait and the South Orkney Islands located about 800 km and 1,250 km southeast, respectively, from the bottom tip of South America. They divided the samples into two groups. The first was immediately transferred to AMAZE, which simulated the natural durations of day and night around the islands. Some days were short (5.5 hours) and others much longer (15 hours). Then the krill were placed in complete darkness for 4-8 days. The scientists observed the second group of kill in their natural conditions using hydroacoustics, then they were moved to AMAZE and kept in darkness. Researchers studied the second group in conditions corresponding to the four seasons. Krill's DVM activity increased towards the night and decreased during morning hours. Notably, the scientists found that when DVM began or ended was fixed to daytime and nighttime whenever they happened, rather than to particular hours of the day. In fact the krill maintained the same DVM patterns even in complete darkness. If the days were long, the krill fed for fewer hours. And if nights were longer, they fed for longer and in phases. As krill move across the ocean via currents, they influence the lives of many other creatures around them. Lukas Hüppe, a doctoral researcher at the University of Würzburg in Germany and coauthor of the study, expressed optimism about the findings' implications for the Southern Ocean ecosystem, which centres around this species. 'The findings provide novel insights into the mechanistic underpinnings of daily and seasonal timing in Antarctic krill, a marine pelagic key species, endemic to a high-latitude region,' the researchers wrote in their paper. 'Mechanistic studies are a prerequisite for understanding how krill adapt to their specific environment and their flexibility in responding to environmental changes.' Manaswini Vijayakumar is interning with The Hindu. From the Science pages Question Corner What is synthetic aperture radar? Find out here Flora and fauna
