2023 Was Hottest Year On Record | The NASA Satellite Studying Plankton

Mosquito Strategy

Brazil is tackling a severe dengue fever outbreak by releasing mosquitoes infected with Wolbachia bacteria. Jason Dinh explains that these mosquitoes, nicknamed "wolbitos," are less likely to transmit dengue to humans. The bacteria are passed on to their offspring, increasing coverage with each generation 1.

Brazil is fighting back by releasing these mosquitoes that are infected with a bacterium called wolbachia. They've nicknamed them wolbitos, and they've shown that these mosquitoes that are infected with Wolbachia are actually less likely to transmit dengue to people.

--- Jason Dinh

This strategy has shown promising results, with cities like Nidaroi experiencing significantly fewer cases compared to areas with smaller-scale trials 1.

   

Animal Behavior

The peculiar behavior of sibling cannibalism in Eurasian hoopoes may offer reproductive advantages. Jason Dinh describes how researchers discovered that nests with an extra egg fledged more birds, suggesting a benefit to this gruesome practice 2.

Sibling cannibalism actually does have reproductive benefits. As long as you're on the right side of the eating equation, I'll say.

--- Jason Dinh

Additionally, the evolutionary advantage of whale menopause is explored, revealing that menopausal whales live significantly longer, potentially favoring mutations that extend life after reproduction 2.