Understanding Animals With the Help of AI – DW – 05/23/2025
With help from AI, we might learn to talk with animals one day. There's lots to learn, including how they seem to be able to sense natural disasters in advance.
Image: WDR
Do animals sense earthquakes and eruptions in advance?
There are many reports of animals behaving strangely before natural disasters. A herd of goats on Mount Etna shows they could warn of impending eruptions.
Understanding animal 'languages' with a little help from AI
AI is helping researchers identify patterns and decipher communication in animals. Learning how to 'talk' with them could boost animal welfare in a big way.
The livestock medicine that killed India's vultures
In India, farmers giving diclofenac to livestock practically wiped out the country's vultures. With no scavengers left to eat carrion, disease outbreaks rose.
Image: Harald Tittel/dpa/picture alliance
Insect research: Why and when do bees heat up their hives?
To combat varroa mites, honeybees raise the temperature in their hives. But how high does it need to be, and where exactly? Physicists are finding out.
Image: Depositphotos/IMAGO
Why and how do snakes shed their skins?
All snakes regularly renew their outer layer, and molting can take days. Why do they do it? This viewer question comes from Anahita C. in India.
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7 days ago
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Secret leprosy infected the Americas before European arrival – DW – 06/04/2025
European colonizers were thought to have brought leprosy to the Americas, but a new study reveals it existed there for thousands of years and spread by a recently discovered bacteria species. What to know: Leprosy is one of the oldest human diseases and originated in Eurasia or Africa. A new study has found a different species of leprosy-causing bacteria existed in the Americas before European settlement. Scientists once believed Europeans brought leprosy to the American continents via infection from the bacterial species Mycobacterium leprae. But now a new study published in the journal Science reveals that a different form of leprosy-causing bacteria — called Mycobacterium lepromatosis — was already circulating in the Americas for at least one thousand years. Leprosy was therefore already affecting American indigenous peoples well before European colonization. For years, it was believed Mycobacterium leprae bacteria were the only cause of leprosy. That changed with the discovery of a new leprosy-causing Mycobacterium in 2008. Image: public domain Mycobacterium lepromatosis in America The study authors analyzed more than 800 samples taken from ancient remains in Canada and Argentina. The genomes of the bacteria taken from the samples were reconstructed, analyzed, and dated. Comparisons between the samples showed the bacterial genomes were of distinctive branches of the lepromatosis species at each end of the continent. However, they remained genetically similar. This suggested that the bacteria species had spread rapidly across the Americas, probably covering the landmass in just a few hundred years. Leprosy is caused by two bacteria species, not one. Leprosy is an ancient disease Leprosy has been infecting humans for thousands of years. Skeletal records from 2,000BCE have been found in India with traces of the disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. These are matched by textual records of leprosy cases in ancient literature from Indian, Chinese and African civilizations, as well as stories in the Abrahamic religions. Often, these ancient descriptions associated the affliction with stigmas of immorality or ritual uncleanliness. But in 1874 the Norwegian doctor Gerhard Armauer Hansen discovered that leprosy was caused by the microscopic organism Mycobacterium leprae. In 2008, doctors in Mexico found another leprosy-causing bacteria species — Mycobacterium lepromatosis — in a leprosy patient. Before this, it was believed leprae was the only pathogen capable of causing the disease. Now both forms of the bacteria are known to cause it. Leprosy has been stigmatized around the world for thousands of years, but with quick medical treatment, its dangerous symptoms can be reduced Image: Nyein Chan Naing/dpa/picture alliance Europeans spread diseases, leprosy too Nicolas Rascovan, head of the Microbial Paleogenomics Unit at the Pasteur Institut in France led the investigation. He and his colleagues estimate lepromatosis and leprae diverged from a common ancestor about one million years ago. "The diversification happened probably independent of humans," Rascovan told DW. The arrival of the first European fleets to the Americas in 1492 marked the introduction of new diseases to the Americas. Leprosy — in the form of the leprae bacterium — was among them. Archaeological evidence has shown leprae migrated with human groups out of Africa and into Asia and Europe around 40,000 years ago. Its introduction to the Americas along with other diseases by Europeans devastated indigenous communities and intensified the impact of pathogens that were already circulating before colonization. The discovery of lepromatosis' longer history on the continent further highlights the diversity of pathogens and their complex relationship with humans throughout history, said Rascovan. "Europeans had a very important impact by bringing this new species [leprae] that was absent in America," he said. Indonesian leprosy survivors stepping over social stigmas To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Leprosy track and trace Rascovan hopes the presence of lepromatosis in the archeological record will improve understanding of pre-colonial disease, especially in the absence of written records. In addition, the study helps understand modern cases of leprosy, especially how it could make the jump from animals like squirrels to humans. "Our work is giving the kick start to really start analyzing, monitoring and understanding the diversity of natural reservoirs [disease carriers],' said Rascovan. He said monitoring the disease and preventing spillovers from animals to humans should be a priority. The disease is still prevalent today — 200,000 cases are reported each year globally. Brazil, India and Indonesia still report more than 10,000 new cases annually, according to WHO data. The disease presents as multiple numbing skin lesions. If left untreated, the disease can result in nerve damage, muscle weakness, paralysis and blindness. Today, leprosy can be treated with antibiotics, but ancient sufferers weren't so fortunate. Edited by: Fred Schwaller
DW
23-05-2025
- DW
Understanding Animals With the Help of AI – DW – 05/23/2025
With help from AI, we might learn to talk with animals one day. There's lots to learn, including how they seem to be able to sense natural disasters in advance. Image: WDR Do animals sense earthquakes and eruptions in advance? There are many reports of animals behaving strangely before natural disasters. A herd of goats on Mount Etna shows they could warn of impending eruptions. Understanding animal 'languages' with a little help from AI AI is helping researchers identify patterns and decipher communication in animals. Learning how to 'talk' with them could boost animal welfare in a big way. The livestock medicine that killed India's vultures In India, farmers giving diclofenac to livestock practically wiped out the country's vultures. With no scavengers left to eat carrion, disease outbreaks rose. Image: Harald Tittel/dpa/picture alliance Insect research: Why and when do bees heat up their hives? To combat varroa mites, honeybees raise the temperature in their hives. But how high does it need to be, and where exactly? Physicists are finding out. Image: Depositphotos/IMAGO Why and how do snakes shed their skins? All snakes regularly renew their outer layer, and molting can take days. Why do they do it? This viewer question comes from Anahita C. in India. Broadcasting Hours: DW English SAT 24.05.2025 – 01:30 UTC SAT 24.05.2025 – 07:30 UTC SAT 24.05.2025 – 23:30 UTC SUN 25.05.2025 – 21:30 UTC MON 26.05.2025 – 05:30 UTC MON 26.05.2025 – 14:30 UTC TUE 27.05.2025 – 10:30 UTC TUE 27.05.2025 – 19:30 UTC THU 29.05.2025 – 08:30 UTC Lagos UTC +1 | Cape Town UTC +2 | Nairobi UTC +3 Delhi UTC +5,5 | Bangkok UTC +7 | Hong Kong UTC +8 London UTC +1 | Berlin UTC +2 | Moscow UTC +3 San Francisco UTC -7 | Edmonton UTC -6 | New York UTC -4
Int'l Business Times
28-04-2025
- Int'l Business Times
First Non-Verbal ALS Patient With Elon Musk's Neuralink Brain Implant Creates Video Featuring AI-Cloned Voice
Elon Musk's Neuralink startup designed a surgical robot to implant devices into brains to link them to computers. AFP Smith reiterated that his implant doesn't read his deepest thoughts and only helps him navigate his computer's cursor 'I'm so happy to be involved in something big that will help many people,' Smith said He said the implant has given him 'freedom' and 'hope' as he can now communicate faster The first individual with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) and the third person to receive a Neuralink brain implant has grabbed the attention of X users overnight after he published a video that shared his journey of hope and finally being able to communicate. Brad Smith of Arizona took to X on Sunday to publish a video he created using the brain computer interface that makes him control the mouse on his MacBook. "I rely on it [Neuralink implant] for all communication," he said. Smith Explains How His Implant Works In the nearly 10-minute video, Smith explained how his implant works, describing it as the tool that gave him "hope" and "freedom" as he lives life with ALS. He is also the first non-verbal patient to receive the implant. He noted how his voice in the video is his "original" voice that artificial intelligence cloned using old recordings. Smith thanked his wife, Tiffany, for all her efforts through the years. "She is the key to making Neuralink work," he said. I am the 3rd person in the world to receive the @Neuralink brain implant.1st with ALS. 1st Nonverbal.I am typing this with my brain. It is my primary me anything! I will answer at least all verified users! Thank you @elonmusk! — Bradford G Smith (Brad) (@ALScyborg) April 27, 2025 Before getting the implant, Smith used an "eye gaze computer" to communicate since losing his ability to speak. While the computer is "a miracle of technology," it has been frustrating for Smith as it worked best in dark rooms. With Neuralink, Smith can communicate outdoors and it allows him to "ignore light changes." Smith explained that his implant is only the size of five American quarters in a stack and was implanted in such a way that it avoids his blood vessels "so there is almost no bleeding." Through Bluetooth technology, the implant connects to a computer, which then begins a bunch of processing to ensure that it filters the "noise" to only focus on what Smith prioritizes. AI then processes the data collected via the Neuralink implant and delivers the data to a connected MacBook Pro to decode Smith's intended movements. He noted that the implant doesn't read his "deepest thoughts" or what he thinks about. Instead, it only reads "how I want to move and moves the cursor where I want." Toward the end of the video, Smith said he is working with Neuralink experts to find a way to make him type faster using his implant. He is also learning how to code through the help of Grok, xAI's AI chatbot. He said his Neuralink experience has been "fantastic" and he is grateful to now be able to communicate faster. "It has improved my life so much. I'm so happy to be involved in something big that will help many people," he said. He also thanked Elon Musk, who established Neuralink. The tech titan has also shared Smith's video, which has now logged over 18.5 million views. X Users Rally in Support of Smith Less than 24 hours since Smith posted the video that he made with his Neuralink implant, his post has been shared nearly 7,000 times and has gained 4,300 comments from X users who were ecstatic to ask him questions about his journey. Most of the commenters found inspiration in Smith's story. Praying Neuralink is one step that can help fully cure ALS. Such a terrible disease. One step closer. — Nati Sports (@Nati_Sports) April 28, 2025 Congratulations!First, you now have the superpower to verify that you are not thinking about anything when your wife asks 'what are you thinking about…?' And second, what level of concentration do you need for an action to be executed? Full focus or relaxed? — Herman Högström (@delpirro) April 28, 2025 Many were interested in the potential side effects, while others wondered if Smith feels anything whenever he types with the help of the implant. Have there been any unanticipated side effects? Do private thoughts ever get exposed? — Jack Backes (@jackwbackes) April 28, 2025 How long have you had the implant? Have there been any complications like rejection of any of the electrodes? Is this the same Neuralink the other two recipients received or has it advanced in any way since the initial procedures? — Zak Paine (@RedPill78) April 28, 2025 1) congratulations, holy sh*t.2) is there any sensation or feeling that you are typing or not typing, or is it just free flowing?3) are you able to type as fast as you can think? can you feel a noticeable difference with your brain post implant? head-aches? nothing? — dennis hegstad (@dennishegstad) April 28, 2025 incredible! wow. it may be difficult to answer, but, how does it 'feel' to typing with your mind ? is it like, you almost envision a muscular action, like typing with hands, or is it more similar to visualizing letters, and then the letters appear -- or something else? thanks!! — Danielle Fong 🔆 (@DanielleFong) April 27, 2025 Neuralink recently opened its global patient registry for quadriplegia patients. The company has made significant strides in recent years. Late last year, it received approval for trials in Canada and also took the world's attention after its first Neuralink recipient, Noland Arbaugh, played computer chess early last year. © Copyright IBTimes 2024. All rights reserved.
