This Australian moth uses the stars as a compass to travel hundreds of miles
NEW YORK (AP) — An Australian moth follows the stars during its yearly migration, using the night sky as a guiding compass, according to a new study.
When temperatures heat up, nocturnal Bogong moths fly about 620 miles (1,000 kilometers) to cool down in caves by the Australian Alps. They later return home to breed and die.
Birds routinely navigate by starlight, but the moths are the first known invertebrates, or creatures without a backbone, to find their way across such long distances using the stars.
Scientists have long wondered how the moths travel to a place they've never been. A previous study hinted that Earth's magnetic field might help steer them in the right direction, along with some kind of visual landmark as a guide.
Since stars appear in predictable patterns each night, scientists suspected they might help lead the way. They placed moths in a flight simulator that mimicked the night sky above them and blocked out the Earth's magnetic field, noting where they flew. Then they scrambled the stars and saw how the moths reacted.
When the stars were as they should be, the moths flapped in the right direction. But when the stars were in random places, the moths were disoriented. Their brain cells also got excited in response to specific orientations of the night sky.
The findings were published Wednesday in the journal Nature.
It 'was a very clean, impressive demonstration that the moths really are using a view of the night sky to guide their movements,' said Kenneth Lohmann, who studies animal navigation at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and was not involved with the new research.
Researchers don't know what features of the night sky the moths use to find their way. It could be a stripe of light from the Milky Way, a colorful nebula or something else entirely. Whatever it is, the insects seem to rely on that along with Earth's magnetic field to make their journey.
Other animals harness the stars as a guide. Birds take celestial cues as they soar through the skies and dung beetles roll their remains short distances while using the Milky Way to stay on course.
It's an impressive feat for Bogong moths whose brains are smaller than size of a grain of rice to rely on the night sky for their odyssey, said study author David Dreyer with Lund University in Sweden.
'It's remarkable that an animal with such a tiny brain can actually do this,' Dreyer said.
___
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Medscape
an hour ago
- Medscape
Early Talk Therapy After Stroke Tied to Better Psych Outcome
Psychological therapy was associated with significantly reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety among patients with a history of stroke, with greater benefits in those who initiated talk therapy within 6 months of the stroke compared to those who began treatment later, new research showed. METHODOLOGY: Researchers analyzed data from more than 7000 adults with a hospital diagnosis of stroke. All had undergone at least two sessions of poststroke psychological treatment through the National Health Service Talking Therapies program for anxiety and depression in England between 2012 and 2019. Primary outcomes included 'reliable improvement,' defined as a 6-point or greater reduction on the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) or a 4-point or greater reduction on the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7); 'reliable recovery,' which included improvement along with scores below 10 on the PHQ-9 and scores below 8 on the GAD-7; and 'reliable deterioration,' defined as at least a 6-point increase on PHQ-9 or at least a 4-point increase on GAD-7. Secondary outcomes included pre- to posttreatment score changes on the PHQ-9 and GAD-7. TAKEAWAY: After undergoing talk therapy, 71% of patients with a history of stroke and baseline depression or anxiety symptoms had reliable improvement in psychiatric symptoms, and 49% had reliable recovery, while only 7% had reliable deterioration. After treatment, mean PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores decreased by 6.5 and 5.5 points, respectively, indicating moderate reductions in depression symptoms and large reductions in anxiety symptoms. Analysis adjusted for demographics and other covariates showed that patients who initiated psychological services 12 months or more after stroke had 20% lower odds of reliable recovery compared to those who initiated treatment within 6 months of stroke. Compared with a matched sample of individuals who never had a stroke, those with a history of stroke were less likely to reliably recover (odds ratio [OR], 0.9; P < .001) and more likely to reliably deteriorate (OR, 1.2; P = .04), but these differences disappeared after adjusting for physical comorbidities. IN PRACTICE: The study 'strongly supports the effectiveness of primary care psychological therapy as a first-line treatment for common mental health disorders after a stroke,' the researchers wrote. 'It is essential for general practitioners and other clinicians working with stroke survivors to screen for depression and anxiety symptoms and refer patients for psychological therapy as early as possible,' the lead investigator said in a press release. SOURCE: The study, led by Jae Won Suh, University College London, London, England, was published online on June 5 in Nature Mental Health . LIMITATIONS: The sample may not have represented all survivors of stroke, especially those with severe impairments or those from underrepresented ethnic backgrounds. The study also lacked detailed data on stroke severity, cognitive or sensory deficits, and prestroke mental health status, as well as information on whether depression or anxiety began before or after the stroke. Information on lifestyle factors and the burden of comorbidities was also limited. DISCLOSURES: This study was funded by the Alzheimer's Society. Some investigators reported having unrelated consulting roles and funding from various organizations. Full details are provided in the original article.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
T1D Exchange Announces 13 Real-World Data Presentations and Posters at the American Diabetes Association (ADA) 85th Scientific Sessions
Studies underscore advances in screening, mental health, health equity, and early intervention in diabetes care. New study examines benefits of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) using glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) therapy. Company strengthens leadership in type 1 diabetes (T1D) and T2D research, with more than 100 publications since 2020. BOSTON, June 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- T1D Exchange, a nonprofit organization that drives meaningful research and improvement in care and outcomes in type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D), today announced that new research using real-world data from its Quality Improvement Collaborative (T1DX-QI) and online patient Registry will be shared during 13 presentations at the American Diabetes Association (ADA) 85th Scientific Sessions being held June 20-23, 2025, in Chicago, Illinois. The studies highlight emerging trends and outcomes in diabetes care, including efforts to improve screening for T1D autoantibodies, technology usage, particularly CGMs, and the increased use of GLP-1 therapies by individuals with T2D. Drawing on data from the organization's Registry of more than 20,000 people with T1D, several presentations offer insights into clinical outcomes as well as the broader impact of the disease, including financial strain, mental health challenges, and comorbid conditions. A full list of abstracts being presented is available here. "We are excited to unveil impactful research driven by our growing T1DX-QI network and robust patient Registry," said David Walton, Chief Executive Officer of T1D Exchange. "By uniting over 60 endocrinology clinics, data from 150,000+ individuals with T1D and T2D, and patient-reported outcomes from people with T1D and their caregivers, we're building a collaborative, evidence-driven knowledge base to expand our capabilities, deepen datasets, and generate insights that improve care for people with diabetes." Key studies include an oral presentation exploring equitable strategies to increase CGM adoption by people with T2D, expanding on prior research in T1D: 276-OR, T1D Exchange Multicenter Study—Increasing CGM Adoption in Type 2 Diabetes on Sunday, June 22, 3:15 - 4:15 p.m. CT in Room W185 A-D Additionally, data from 12 studies will be presented during the General Poster Sessions on Saturday, June 21, Sunday, June 22, and Monday, June 23, from 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. CT in Poster Hall F1. "Many of our presentations this year highlight the strength of our engaged T1D community and the value of our growing Registry. Thousands of participants contributed to research that explores the financial, emotional, and clinical realities of living with T1D," said Wendy Wolf, PhD, Vice President of Registry and Outcomes Research at T1D Exchange. "Our Registry not only provides real-world, patient-reported insights, but also serves as a powerful platform for targeted study recruitment, enabling partners to accelerate research that is closely aligned with patient needs. Our Registry has helped recruit for dozens of research studies, including 16 clinical trials – with more than 10,000 Registry participants enrolled in external studies to date." About the T1DX-QI and the T1D Exchange RegistryThe T1D Exchange Quality Improvement Collaborative (T1DX-QI) brings together 60+ endocrinology clinics across the U.S., collectively treating more than 150,000 people living with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, to identify and address gaps in care and accelerate evidence-based, practical solutions. Participating clinics contribute anonymized patient data and insights from their respective clinics, expanding the collective knowledge base and creating a unified data asset to expedite improvements in care for all people living with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The T1D Exchange Registry is an online longitudinal study that tracks disease progress and gathers information directly from people with type 1 diabetes and caregivers of children with type 1 diabetes. To date, the Registry includes over 20,000 participants in the U.S. These individuals share patient-reported outcomes, including data on disease management. Participants update their information annually, participate in internal research projects, and are connected to external curated research opportunities, including clinical trials. The online Registry is designed to lower barriers to participating in diabetes research, including patient populations often underrepresented in clinical studies. The T1DX-QI and T1D Exchange Registry have contributed to more than 100 publications by T1D Exchange in leading medical journals since 2020. About T1D ExchangeT1D Exchange is a leader in harnessing data to advance diabetes care and outcomes by driving collaborative change. Through real-world evidence and clinical data collection and analysis, its programs provide novel insights that identify gaps in care and refine best practices to improve the lives of those living with diabetes. T1D Exchange supports quality improvement and innovation through its Quality Improvement Collaborative (T1DX-QI), online patient Registry, and data-oriented research services. Through a knowledge-sharing and collaboration-focused approach, T1D Exchange accelerates real-world impact by providing clinicians, researchers, industry partners, and advocates with the resources and services they need for better decision support and population health management. T1D Exchange is a nonprofit organization established in 2010 with ongoing support from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust. To learn more about T1DX-QI member clinics, click here. For more information on the Registry, visit Media Contact:Suzanne McKeeDirector of Marketing, T1D ExchangePhone: 617-671-0429Email: smcKee@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE T1D Exchange Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Health Line
2 hours ago
- Health Line
ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease)
Key takeaways Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a degenerative disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. It causes a worsening loss of voluntary muscle control, which affects movements like talking, swallowing, and walking. There is currently no cure for ALS. However, treatments are available that can reduce symptoms and may help people with ALS to live longer. ALS eventually results in loss of life. People typically live with ALS for 2 to 5 years. Some people will live longer. There is currently no cure for ALS. However, treatments are available that can reduce symptoms and may help people with ALS to live longer. The famous baseball player Lou Gehrig developed symptoms of the condition in the 1930s, and that's why it's also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. What are the causes of ALS? ALS can be classified as either sporadic or familial. Most cases are sporadic. That means no specific cause is known. Familial ALS happens when the condition is inherited from a parent. Only about 5% to 10% of ALS cases are familial. Other causes of ALS aren't well understood. Some factors that scientists think might contribute to ALS include: free radical damage imbalances in the chemical messenger glutamate protein abnormalities, like misfolding nerve inflammation Military veterans are thought to be at higher risk for ALS, though the reasons for this are unclear. Some research suggests that smoking is a risk factor for ALS. Research on other possible environmental triggers is ongoing. Demographic factors Age: The likelihood of receiving an ALS diagnosis increases with age. The onset of symptoms in ALS usually occurs between the ages of 55 and 75, although symptoms can occur earlier. Sex: According to statistics that group people into male and female categories, ALS is more common among males than females. Race and ethnicity: Research suggests that white people are more likely to receive an ALS diagnosis than people of other racial or ethnic groups. According to the National Organization for Rare Diseases, more studies are needed to understand who's affected by ALS globally. How often does ALS occur? Every year, about 5,000 people in the United States receive an ALS diagnosis. Around 30,000 people in the U.S. are currently living with the condition. ALS affects people in all racial, social, and economic groups. A 2016 study suggests that ALS is becoming more common. This may be because the population is aging. What are the symptoms of ALS? Both sporadic and familial ALS are associated with a progressive loss of motor neurons. As motor neurons become damaged, a person with ALS will start to have difficulty with voluntary movements in their limbs, mouth, or throat. There are two main types of ALS. Each one is associated with a different set of symptoms at the time of diagnosis. Limb onset Around 70% of people with ALS have what's known as 'limb onset' ALS. This means that symptoms first appear in the arms or legs. Symptoms in the arms (upper limb onset) include: weakness in hands stiff arms or hands cramps in arms or hands loss of dexterity, fumbling, or dropping objects Symptoms in the legs (lower limb onset) include: trouble with walking or running tripping or stumbling difficulty lifting the front half of the foot when walking, known as foot drop Early symptoms are usually in either the arms or the legs, not both. Limb onset ALS usually progresses more slowly than other types. Bulbar onset 'Bulbar onset' ALS is less common. In this type, ALS first affects a part of the brainstem known as the corticobulbar area. Symptoms include difficulty with speech and swallowing and muscle spasms in the face or throat. There are also rare sub-types of ALS that are defined by other symptoms present at the time of diagnosis. These include respiratory onset ALS when difficulties with the breathing muscles are the earliest sign of illness. Upper and lower motor neurons You have two main types of motor neurons in your body: upper motor neurons and lower motor neurons. They work together to allow your brain to communicate with your muscles to make voluntary movements possible. For example, when you decide to move your finger, your upper motor neurons first send signals from your brain to your spinal cord. Then, lower motor neurons carry signals from the spinal cord to the muscles that move your finger. By definition, ALS affects both upper and lower motor neurons. But the condition may start by affecting one type more than the other, either the upper or the lower. Each type can result in different symptoms. Symptoms of upper motor neuron disease include: involuntary rhythmic muscle contractions, known as clonus rigid muscles (spacticity) overactive reflexes Symptoms of lower motor neuron disease include: limp (flaccid) muscles muscle atrophy spontaneous twitching Weakness happens with both types of motor neuron disease. Progression The earliest symptoms of ALS may include small muscle twitches in your: mouth throat face limbs But it's typical to notice muscle twitches from time to time. They're usually not a cause for concern. In early ALS, muscle twitches are likely to become more frequent over time. Other early signs of ALS may include difficulty performing some everyday tasks. This could mean difficulty climbing stairs or getting up from a chair. It's also possible to have difficulty speaking or swallowing, or weakness in the arms, hands, or legs. You may also notice cramping. Early symptoms tend to be asymmetrical, which means they only happen on one side. As the condition progresses, the symptoms generally spread to both sides of the body. Muscle weakness, weight loss, and muscle atrophy are common. In the late stages of ALS, paralysis of the muscles occurs. Paralysis means the complete loss of voluntary movements. ALS doesn't affect your senses, like seeing or hearing. Bowel and bladder control can be affected in later stages of the disease. ALS is a terminal illness, which means that it eventually results in loss of life. People typically live with ALS for 2 to 5 years. Some people will live longer. Approximately 20% of people live with ALS for over 5 years, and 10% for more than 10 years. The most common life-ending event in ALS is respiratory failure. What body systems are affected by ALS? While ALS specifically affects the motor neurons of the brain and spinal cord, other body systems that rely on these neurons will be impacted as the disease progresses. As the ability to control voluntary muscles declines, functions like breathing, speaking, and moving are affected. ALS progresses differently for everyone. A doctor or neurologist who specializes in the condition can help those with ALS understand what to expect. ALS complications ALS can affect many aspects of daily functioning. These include: Respiratory system and breathing ALS causes the muscles controlling breathing to weaken over time. Breathing is likely to become more laborious. As the respiratory system weakens, the risk of pneumonia increases. Eventually, as the condition progresses, a ventilator may be required to assist breathing. Speaking Muscles in the mouth, jaw, and throat tend to lose strength and mobility. Because of this, it can become hard for a person with ALS to make themselves understood when speaking. In severe cases, some people lose the ability to produce speech. Eating ALS usually affects chewing and swallowing, making eating more difficult. Choking is a possible complication. Weight loss and malnutrition Because eating can become challenging and ALS may cause people to burn calories more quickly, it's common to experience rapid weight loss and undernutrition. Moving Standing and walking will generally become more difficult over time. Some people will have trouble moving their arms. The changes will happen differently for each person. But in general, more muscles will be affected, and the loss of function will become more severe as ALS progresses. Pressure sores are a possible complication as moving becomes harder. Cognition ALS causes cognitive changes in up to 50% of cases. These changes can affect language and executive function. Dementia is possible but less common. In ALS, physical changes to the brain can also cause uncontrollable laughing and crying, known as emotional lability. Some variants of ALS are more commonly associated with cognitive changes, like ALS-frontotemporal spectrum disorder. Mood It's typical to feel a range of emotions when coping with a serious illness. Managing symptoms and life changes caused by ALS can be emotionally difficult. For some people with ALS, these changes can result in anxiety and depression. If you're living with ALS and notice changes in your daily functioning, talk with your doctor and healthcare team. Medication and support can help maintain quality of life, even as symptoms progress. Does ALS affect thinking? Cognitive changes are common among people with ALS, affecting between 30% and 50% of those with the disease. The changes are usually classified as mild to moderate. Difficulty with reasoning, planning, and slowed thinking are among the most common cognitive symptoms of ALS. Behavioral changes like emotional lability (uncontrollable laughing and crying) are also possible, even if cognition is otherwise unaffected. It's less common, but ALS-related dementia can also occur if there's cell degeneration in the frontotemporal regions of the brain. How is ALS diagnosed? ALS is usually diagnosed by a neurologist. There's no specific test for ALS. The process of establishing a diagnosis can take anywhere from weeks to months. An ALS diagnosis may be considered if someone has nerve and muscle health concerns that get worse over time. A doctor will watch for increasing symptoms like: muscle weakness muscle atrophy twitching cramps rigid tissue, known as contracture These symptoms can also be caused by a number of other conditions. Therefore, a diagnosis requires your doctor to rule out other health concerns. This is done with a series of diagnostic tests, including: an EMG test to evaluate the electrical activity of your muscles nerve conduction studies to test your nerve function an MRI scan that shows which parts of your nervous system are affected blood tests to evaluate your general health and nutrition Genetic tests may also be useful for people with a family history of ALS. How is ALS treated? Many different areas of functioning can be affected as control over voluntary movements declines. Treatments and supports are available to address most symptoms. A team of doctors and specialists often work together to treat people with ALS. Specialists involved in the ALS team might include: a neurologist who is skilled in the management of ALS a doctor who specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation (physiatrist) a dietitian a gastroenterologist an occupational therapist a respiratory therapist a speech therapist a social worker a psychologist a pastoral care professional a doctor who specializes in palliative care Family members should talk with people with ALS about their care. As the condition progresses, some people may need support when making medical decisions. Connecting with a local ALS society can help people with ALS and their families access resources and support. Assistive devices Assistive devices like braces, mattresses, and wheelchairs can reduce pain by supporting the body in a more comfortable position. Some people may need nutritional support, like a feeding tube (enteral feeding). As speech becomes more difficult, communication tools provide another way to express thoughts and needs. Options include communication boards and electronic assistive communication devices. If you're considering assistive devices, it's best to consult with your healthcare team to find the right options for you. Medications Two medications — riluzole (Rilutek, Tiglutik, Exservan) and edaravone (Radicava) — are approved for the treatment of ALS. Riluzole appears to reduce a particular kind of nerve damage called glutamate-induced excitotoxicity. It can slow the progression of respiratory symptoms and prolong life by several months. Edaravone (Radicava) appears to help with ALS symptoms by reducing oxidative stress. It can slow the progression of ALS, especially for those in the early stages of the condition. Other medications may be used to treat the symptoms of ALS. Some of these medications include: mexiletine and baclofen, for muscle cramps and spasms nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and morphine, for pain management dextromethorphan/quinidine (Nuedexta), for emotional lability As of 2020, more than 40 potential new medications for ALS are being studied. Clinical trials for stem cell therapy are also underway. But stem cell therapy hasn't yet been proven to be an effective treatment for ALS. Nonmedical treatments Your doctor may recommend therapies like heat treatments, exercise, and physical therapy to reduce ALS symptoms. These should only be undertaken as directed by your healthcare team. Massage, meditation, and other complementary and alternative therapies may also help with relaxation and comfort. Before starting any nonmedical treatment, it's important to discuss it with your doctor. What is the long-term outlook for people with ALS? There's currently no cure for ALS. But medication and supportive care can improve quality of life. Make it a priority to discuss new or changing symptoms with your healthcare team. Proper treatment and support can help those with ALS live happily and comfortably for as long as possible.
