A quiet emergency is unfolding in the skies, oceans, and landscapes that connect our planet. At a major UN wildlife meeting in Brazil, the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), governments agreed to extend protection to 40 more migratory species, from cheetahs and striped hyenas to snowy owls, giant otters, and great hammerhead sharks. Too many of them are slipping toward extinction .

This is not just about animals. Migratory species are the living threads that hold ecosystems together. They pollinate crops, control pests, move nutrients across continents, and sustain fisheries and food systems that millions of people depend on. When they disappear, entire ecological and social networks begin to unravel.

The warning signs are already here. Nearly half of migratory species protected under the UN treaty are in decline, and the pressures are intensifying: habitat loss, infrastructure that blocks migration routes, plastic pollution, industrial fishing, climate change, and even emerging threats like deep-sea mining. These animals don’t belong to one country—they cross borders, oceans, and political systems. That means no single nation can save them alone.

The new protections matter. Species added to the highest level of protection must be strictly safeguarded, their habitats preserved, and the dangers along their migration paths reduced. Others will benefit from coordinated international action: shared research, joint conservation plans between countries, and aligned policies across the world.

What really needs protecting now goes beyond individual species. It’s the invisible highways they depend on: flyways, ocean corridors, river systems, and seasonal habitats, the UN group tells Green Prophet. It’s also the communities living alongside these species, whose knowledge and cooperation are essential to conservation.

 “We came to Campo Grande knowing that the populations of half the species protected under this treaty are in decline. We leave with stronger protections and more ambitious plans but the species themselves are not waiting for our next meeting. Implementation has to begin tomorrow,” said CMS Executive Secretary Amy Fraenkel.

“Expanded protections for cheetahs, snowy owls, giant otters, great hammerhead sharks, and many more, demonstrate that nations can act when the science is clear. Our duty now is to close the distance between what we’ve agreed and what happens on the ground for these animals.”

And it’s the fragile balance between development and nature, especially as energy, transport, and infrastructure expand across the same routes animals have used for thousands of years.

The urgency is clear. Scientists and policymakers at the meeting agreed on stronger plans, but they also acknowledged a hard truth: the animals cannot wait for the next conference. Protection must move from promises to action—on land, at sea, and across borders.

The post 40 more migratory animals need protecting, warns UN group appeared first on Green Prophet.

Koh Phangan, an island in Thailand, is sold as a healer’s paradise. Any day of the week you will find Tantra, yoga, breathwork, rope yoga or ecstatic dance under palm trees at Zen Beach in between the full moon parties and half moon parties. You can spend every day of the week trying to fix yourself. If you are single or in a couple, that works, but not so much with teens.

We came to the island paradise with teens. We did what you do when you first arrive: Muay Thai kickboxing, zip lines, swimming pools, ATVs, swimming until sunset, cooking classes. It worked for a week or so, then it didn’t.

Because teens don’t just want stimulation, they want real things, so we went looking and found the island you don’t see on Instagram.

The island you don’t see

A few turns off the main road and you find another Koh Phangan, one that is not curated. It’s PACS, a center and hospital to heal and rehabilitate stray dogs and cats. There are broken dogs and cats, run over by cars or motorcycles, some neglected by their owners, raw skin exposed on their necks for being chained to a short leash for months.

Janina, from Germany, saw the street dogs on the island 4 years ago and has been coming back to PACS once a week to help out for a day each time.

“I saw them on the streets all the time,” she tells me. “I was angry.”

Now she comes, not to heal herself, but to clean cages, feed animals, wash dogs with skin infections, give company to the cats. The work is repetitive, smelly, physical, and mostly invisible.

PACS — Phangan Animal Care for Strays has been quietly running a catch, spay/neuter, and release program, working to reduce suffering at the source since 2001. It’s not glamorous but population control, wound care, infection management, and prevention.

The rescue effort here started about 25 years ago, near a local school, when injured dogs kept showing up with nowhere to go. Fifteen years ago it became a proper Thai-run foundation. Today it operates as a hospital, relying on donations, Facebook, Instagram, and a fragile pipeline of adoptions.

At PACS, the idea is simple: the well-being of animals reflects the well-being of the community.

The 7-Eleven dogs

On this island of Koh Phangan, dogs have territories and they are micro-economies of survival. There are the “7-Eleven dogs” and you see them everywhere. One usually, hanging outside convenience stores, living off scraps and tourists who think a sausage is kindness. I saw one in the town of Thong Sala, drunk on food, lying outside the entrance, belly full with a ring of sausages around him that he couldn’t bother to eat.

“Every day sausage is not good,” one volunteer tells us. “The food they are given is not healthy to eat every day. Not even for us.”

Some 7-11 shops tolerate them. In Had Yao, dogs for some reason are allowed to wander inside like locals. In other places, fights break out because outsiders disrupt a fragile territorial balance that only the dogs understand. Those that support the Strays center hope that the pets they take care of will be adopted. In normal situations they treat the animals and when possible release them back to the location where they were first found.

This is the reality PACS works inside, not removing dogs from the ecosystem entirely, but stabilizing it, one animal at a time. While the 7/11 dogs might be lucky to get regular food, the luckiest ones who get their forever home.

We came to walk the dogs

We came to walk the dogs but enough volunteers showed up that day.

So we stayed and pet cats that leaned into our hands looking for love. We met dogs that barked out of fear but then got close to us over time. One had three legs. Another, Pupita, carries a toy in his mouth when she’s nervous. She is looking for her forever home.

Peanut had a spinal chord injury and now works as an emotional support dog for the other dogs. He drags his two back legs around behind him but his situation doesn’t seem to stop his smiles or passion for life. Peanut is looking for his forever home and he’d make a great emotional support pet, says Kim, the assistant on duty.

You don’t explain this to teenagers. You let them see it and touch it.

The people who stay

Salem came from London and works at a retreat on the island. He adopted a dog a few years ago called Mellow, once called Bones. Now he’s adopting another, Syrup. Salem and Syrup were excited about going home together.

“I saw him when he was tiny,” he says. “He came with a bunch of other puppies and one by one they were adopted but he stayed. From the beginning, I liked him.”

That day Syrup, now about 5 months old, was going home. They were going for Syrup’s last walk as a shelter dog. Salem often connects two worlds that don’t usually meet: wellness tourism and animal rescue. He brings his island friends to come to the shelter to walk the dogs.

Then there’s a German man Lungs Hai (name means uncle, and probably a Thai name he adopted) who found a dog chained to a tree (named Tongmung, now Clyde), fed him for three months, and watched his neck become raw and infected from his leash and collar.

At that point the shelter stepped in, according to Thai law, and could take the dog. That was a few months ago and Lungs Hai comes every day for a check in and some cuddles. Clyde’s neck is healing and he is looking for his forever home.

This is not a place for clean endings and not all stories belong in a brochure. A nurse named Kim who shows us around and welcomes us, tells me about the resident pig (my daughter would water down with a hose) that killed nine dogs and broke a volunteer’s leg.

The myth of healing

Koh Phangan will sell you healing in a coconut wearing Lululemon yoga pants. But healing isn’t always soft or pretty. Washing a dog with a skin disease, feeding a cat that might not survive the week.

We didn’t save anything that day but the center showed our teenagers what compassion looks like. The people working and showing up at PACS did that.

If you travel with kids, especially teens, try to build in something uncurated. Last summer we found volunteer opportunities for them in a forest in Canada. If you are traveling look for a place that’s working in the community to better it: because somewhere between the zip line and the beach, between the dance floor and the detox smoothie, there is a quieter education happening to help those who can’t speak at PACS.

How PACS started

PACS (Phangan Animal Care for Strays) was founded in 2001 by a veterinarian named Shevaun. She arrived on Koh Phangan while traveling and was struck by the condition of the animals: they were injured, untreated, and with no veterinary services on the island at the time. Stray population control was often done through culling (killing, as they do in Hebron), and locals had to travel by ferry to Koh Samui just to treat their pets.

So she started small, asking vets back home to send supplies, treating animals for small donations, and using those funds to help strays. From that, PACS grew into what you see today: a hospital, a sterilization program, and a quiet force of nurses, vets and volunteers, trying to stabilize the island’s stray population.

How you can help

PACS runs on small acts that add up.

• Donate through their website – this keeps the clinic running, pays for surgeries, medicines, and daily food.
• Follow and share on Facebook and Instagram – awareness leads to adoptions and support from outside the island.
• Adopt, or help find a home – even sharing a dog or cat’s story can connect them to a forever family. There are people on the island, PACS says, that can help you with pet relocation and adoption to foreign countries much like the cats of Istanbul. Fall in love with a Thai dog or cat? It’s possible to take them home with you.

Not everyone can take a dog home from Koh Phangan. But everyone can do something.

::PACS

The post Koh Phangan’s angels for the dogs and the cats appeared first on Green Prophet.

If you’ve ever picked up plastic on a beach cleanup, you may have held more than trash in your hands. A new study shows microplastics are rapidly colonized by pathogenic and antimicrobial-resistant bacteria — turning tiny plastic pellets, wrappers and bottles littering the beach into traveling vehicles for disease.

RELATED: microplastics in plastic orthodontics aligners 

Microplastics — plastic fragments under 5 mm — now blanket every part of the planet. They are in plastic aligners used in orthodontics, and are in the air we breath. More than 125 trillion pieces drift through the ocean, with more found in rivers, soils, animals, and even the human body.

But scientists tell Green Prophet that the danger isn’t just the plastic itself: it’s the Plastisphere, the microbial biofilm that forms on each particle.

A team led by Dr. Emily Stevenson (Plymouth Marine Laboratory & University of Exeter) sent us a new study saying that they found that microplastics in real environmental conditions, from hospital wastewater to coastal waters, carry pathogens and antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacteria at every stage of their journey.

Their study, Sewers to Seas, tested five substrates — bio-beads, nurdles, polystyrene, wood, and glass — placed along a waterway flowing from high-pollution zones toward the sea. After two months, metagenomic analysis revealed: Pathogens and AMR bacteria were found on all plastics, at all sites.

What they found as data

• Polystyrene and nurdles posed the highest AMR risk, likely due to their ability to absorb antibiotics and promote biofilm growth.
• Over 100 unique AMR gene sequences were found on microplastic biofilms — far more than on natural materials like wood.
• Some pathogens became more abundant downstream, riding microplastics from sewage outflows toward beaches.
• Environmental conditions strongly shaped bacterial communities and AMR prevalence.
• Microplastics near aquaculture sites may pose biosecurity risks for shellfish and filter feeders.

Each microplastic particle can act as a miniature, mobile petri dish, transporting superbugs from hospital wastewater to swimming beaches and seafood beds.

“This study highlights the pathogenic and AMR risk posed by microplastics littering our oceans and coasts,” said Dr. Stevenson. “We strongly recommend volunteers wear gloves during beach cleanups and wash hands afterward.”

Prof. Pennie Lindeque added that microplastics “act as carriers for antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, enhancing their survival and spread… each particle becomes a tiny vehicle capable of transporting pathogens from sewage works to beaches, swimming areas and shellfish-growing sites.”

Senior Lecturer Dr. Aimee Murray concluded: “Microplastics aren’t just an environmental issue — they may be spreading antimicrobial resistance.”

The big picture

As microplastics continue to accumulate globally, researchers warn the Plastisphere could worsen the spread of superbugs. The study calls for: better waste management, stronger monitoring of microplastic pathways, urgent reductions in plastic discharge and an integrated strategies across wastewater, healthcare, and marine policy.

The post Microplastics Are Becoming Superbug Highways — New Study Warns Beachgoers to Wear Gloves appeared first on Green Prophet.

Despite kissing carrying cultural and emotional significance in many human societies, up to now researchers have paid little attention to its evolutionary history.

In a new study from Oxford researchers carried out the first attempt to reconstruct the evolutionary history of kissing based on the primate family tree. The results indicate that kissing is an ancient trait in the large apes, evolving in the ancestor to that group 21.5 – 16.9 million years ago. Kissing was retained over the course of evolution and is still present in most of the large apes.

Related: Watch 20 Saudi Arabian men kiss for the first time

The team also found that our extinct human relatives, Neanderthals, were likely to have engaged in kissing too. This finding, together with previous studies showing that humans and Neanderthals shared oral microbes (via saliva transfer) and genetic material (via interbreeding), strongly suggests that humans and Neanderthals kissed one another.

“This is the first time anyone has taken a broad evolutionary lens to examine kissing. Our findings add to a growing body of work highlighting the remarkable diversity of sexual behaviors exhibited by our primate cousins,” says Dr Matilda Brindle, an evolutionary biologist at Oxford’s Department of Biology.

To run the analyses, the team first defined what constitutes a kiss. This was challenging, because many mouth-to-mouth behaviors look like kissing. Since the researchers were exploring kissing across different species, the definition also needed to be applicable to a wide range of animals. They therefore defined kissing as non-aggressive, mouth-to-mouth contact that did not involve food transfer.

Having established this definition, the researchers collected data from the literature on which modern primate species have been observed kissing, focusing on the group of monkeys and apes that evolved in Africa, Europe and Asia. This included chimpanzees, bonobos, and orangutans, all of which have been observed kissing. By integrating evolutionary biology with behavioral data, “we’re able to make informed inferences about traits that don’t fossilise – like kissing. This lets us study social behavior in both modern and extinct species,” says Brindle.

They then ran a phylogenetic analysis; treating kissing as a ‘trait’ and mapping this to the family tree of primates. They used a statistical approach (called Bayesian modeling) to simulate different evolution scenarios along the branches of the tree, to estimate the probability that different ancestors also engaged in kissing. The model was run 10 million times to give robust statistical estimates.

While the researchers caution that existing data are limited – particularly outside the large apes – the study offers a framework for future work, and provides a way for primatologists to record kissing behaviors in nonhuman animals using a consistent definition.

“While kissing may seem like an ordinary or universal behavior, it is only documented in 46% of human cultures,’ said  Catherine Talbot, co-author of the study who works at the Florida Institute of Technology. “The social norms and context vary widely across societies, raising the question of whether kissing is an evolved behavior or cultural invention. This is the first step in addressing that question.”

Now that you are primed for kissing, make those chapped lips ready with a chemical free lip balm from Dr. Bronners.

The post Who gave the first kiss? appeared first on Green Prophet.

In a key moment for global nature policy, the world’s governments have sketched the roadmap for the first collective review of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) — the landmark pact adopted in 2022 to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030.

At the 27th meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA-27) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), held in Panama City, Parties agreed that the upcoming global review must be “facilitative, not punitive” — designed to build momentum and accountability rather than impose sanctions. The organization has used the acronym CBD, one of the key molecules in cannabis. Don’t be confused.

The meeting, attended by 800 delegates from around the world, focused on shaping the outline of the global progress report on the KMGBF’s 23 targets for 2030 — the targets which all 196 Parties to the CBD approved in 2022. The session also emphasised tighter coordination across climate, biodiversity and desertification treaties — underscoring a growing recognition that nature-loss, greenhouse-gas emissions and dry-land degradation are interlinked crises needing unified solutions.

As Panama’s Environment Minister, Juan Carlos Navarro, stated: “science-based decisions that deliver concrete results for people and life on Earth.” The agreed blueprint will guide the review process towards measurable outcomes and meaningful policy shifts rather than box-ticking.

The review – scheduled for 2026 in the lead-up to COP 17 (Yerevan, Armenia, October 2026) – will be anchored around five core axes:

1. Assess how countries are developing and implementing biodiversity plans, how inclusive and regionally representative they are, and how coordination, support and capacity-building are working.
2. Measure collective progress toward the KMGBF’s 23 global targets, comparing national and global goals, assessing successes, challenges and contributions from non-state actors.
3. Evaluate progress toward the Framework’s four overarching goals: summarising data and indicators, linking to targets, and offering science-based, non-binding options to address obstacles.
4. Examine means of implementation: identifying gaps in finance, institutional capacity, and specific challenges faced by developing countries, Indigenous Peoples, local communities, women and youth.
5. Review global cooperation: how multilateral agreements, institutions and non-governmental actors contribute to advancing the Framework’s vision for nature.

In the words of CBD Executive Secretary Astrid Schomaker: “This review is a vital checkpoint for the world’s commitment to nature. It allows us to see, with evidence and transparency, how far we’ve come … and where we must accelerate.” Still, she cautioned: “We’re running out of time … We must speed up our efforts and move towards taking action.”

Why This Matters for CleanTech, Finance & the Middle East-North Africa (MENA) Region

For the cleantech and sustainability sector — especially in the MENA region and emerging markets — this review sends critical signals that nature-positive investments will increasingly be measured not just by carbon outcomes, but by biodiversity, ecosystem service, and community outcomes as well.

Trade-offs between climate mitigation, land use and biodiversity are under scrutiny — meaning renewable energy, agritech, restoration and finance innovations must integrate biodiversity risk and opportunity. Developing countries, women, youth and Indigenous or local communities are now front and centre in measuring progress — policy, finance and technology must align accordingly.

Regional collaboration across climate, biodiversity and land-degradation architectures is gaining traction. Firms and funds operating in the MENA region should watch how cooperation, data-sharing and financing evolve.

For investors and entrepreneurs, the 2026 review offers a milestone for aligning new business models, green bonds or nature-based finance with emerging global biodiversity standards and expectations.

The upcoming KMGBF review is more than bureaucratic box-checking. It is a strategic inflection point: whether countries will shift from ambition to delivery, whether the private sector and civil society scale nature-positive business models, and whether global architecture for biodiversity, climate and land degradation will evolve toward coherence.

For the MENA region — facing climate stress, rapid land-use change, water scarcity and ecosystem vulnerability — this means stepping up. Governments, investors, start-ups and NGOs must align to the emerging agenda: biodiversity as a core pillar of sustainable development and climate action, not a side-note.

If we seize this moment, the 2026 review can catalyse a new wave of finance (see Green Finance mechanisms in the UAE), innovation and policy coherence — and move us closer to the vision of a nature-positive world by 2050. If not, the checkpoint risks becoming another missed opportunity while ecosystems, livelihoods and economies continue to degrade.

Biodiversity primer articles on Green Prophet

Where is the world’s most biodiversity? Follow the rain

How plants buffer against climate change (drylands biodiversity)

Yemen’s Socotra is the Galapagos of the Indian Ocean

How SPNI is Rewilding Cities and Rebuilding Resilience

A Guide to Rewilding Your Cities

Coral reefs and light pollution

Forests can bounce back after acid rain

Tropical forests are chemical factories

Sinkholes and Shrinking Shores: The Race to Rescue the Dead Sea

When greenwashing overwrites ecology at the superadobe Majara Residence, Hormuz Island

The post Biodiversity Blueprint Set for 2026 appeared first on Green Prophet.

In the dense, storm-soaked rainforests of Panama, a new ecological mystery has been cracked open by lightning—and it’s pointing straight to the tonka bean tree (Dipteryx oleifera). A recent study reveals that these tall, unassuming trees might be using lightning as a secret weapon to wipe out nearby competition.

“Seeing that there are trees that get struck by lightning and they’re fine was just mind blowing,” Evan Gora recalled. Over time, the team encountered other D. oleifera trees thriving after getting hit, so they decided to take a closer look.

Published in New Phytologist, the research led by forest ecologist Gora of the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies shows that tonka trees can survive lightning strikes that kill surrounding trees and vines, giving them a competitive boost in the long game of forest survival. “There’s a quantifiable, detectable hazard of living next to Dipteryx oleifera,” said Gora in an interview with Science News.

How Does a Tree Survive Lightning?

Lightning is one of the leading natural causes of tree death in tropical forests. The raw voltage and heat from a strike can instantly boil sap, splinter wood, and reduce a once-living organism to charcoal. But not tonka trees.

Using a custom-built system of sensors and cameras, Gora and his team recorded 18 confirmed lightning strikes over a three-year period. Not only did D. oleifera often take the brunt of the strikes, it consistently survived, while neighboring trees and parasitic vines wrapped around its trunk perished.

This self-sacrificial behavior isn’t just a fluke—it appears to be a strategic evolutionary edge. Over a tonka tree’s lifetime, researchers estimate that its ability to outlive competitors via lightning could lead to a 14-fold increase in seed production. Read the full study in New Phytologist

Why This Is So Cool (And So Important to Science)

Evolutionary Ingenuity: This could be one of the first documented cases of an organism using a natural destructive force to its advantage, like an ecological superpower. It’s akin to a fire-adapted species, but with lightning as the fire.

New View on Forest Dynamics: Lightning is often overlooked in forest ecology. Gora’s work adds a new dimension to understanding tree mortality and regeneration in tropical ecosystems, where every inch of canopy matters.

Potential Applications in Climate Modeling: As lightning strikes are expected to increase with global warming (NASA study), understanding how trees respond could help model how rainforests may change—especially regarding species composition and carbon storage. Colin Price does this with lightning as well, using cell phones.

Smart Tree Strategy: While other trees avoid becoming conductors, the tonka might actually attract lightning by growing taller or modifying their structure to be more conductive—though more research is needed to confirm this behavior.

“This is a reminder that survival in the rainforest is about more than just growing fast or tall. It’s about playing the long game—even if that game includes dancing with lightning,” said Gora.

Tonka Beans: Vanilla Alternative with a Toxic Twist

Tonka beans, the seeds of the Dipteryx odorata tree native to South America, have long fascinated chefs and perfumers for their sweet, complex aroma. Rich in coumarin, a natural compound that smells like vanilla with hints of almond, cinnamon, and clove, tonka beans have often been used as a cost-effective substitute for vanilla, especially when vanilla prices soar. In culinary settings, just a small amount of grated tonka bean can flavor desserts, chocolates, and cocktails with an intoxicating scent.

However, the story of tonka beans carries a darker note. Coumarin, while naturally occurring, is toxic in high doses. Consuming large amounts can lead to liver damage and, in extreme cases, death. As a result, the United States banned the use of tonka beans in food back in 1954.

Despite this, tonka beans remain legal for use in perfumery and are still prized in gourmet circles elsewhere in the world, particularly in European fine dining, where Michelin star chefs use them carefully in small, regulated quantities.

Interestingly, the amount of coumarin one would need to consume to risk serious harm is far greater than what is typically found in a single dish. Still, because coumarin toxicity is cumulative and unpredictable among individuals, the FDA has maintained its strict stance.

Today, tonka beans occupy a curious niche: a forbidden ingredient that has gained a cult following among adventurous cooks, symbolizing both the allure and danger of natural flavors.

If the idea of trees using lightning to kill the competition blew your mind, check out these other wild, science-backed nature stories from Green Prophet:

Why Wombats Have Cube-Shaped Poop: Scientists finally figured out how wombats shape their poop into perfect cubes — it’s all in their intestines. Read it on Green Prophet

Plants Can Scream When They’re Stressed: researchers found that tomato and tobacco plants emit ultrasonic sounds when under stress. Read it on Green Prophet

The post Tonka Bean Trees Attract Lightning to Win the Rainforest Arms Race—And Science Thinks That’s Electrifying appeared first on Green Prophet.

One hump or two? Feisty camels might have a bad rap, but their milk is low in fat, and full of vitamin C and iron. The next thing to hit Whole Foods?

At the tail end of breastfeeding week, we thought we’d draw attention to another kind of milk widely touted in the Middle East to be the magical elixir of health.

A staple of their diet, along with dates, camel milk has long provided Bedouins with the proteins, carbohydrates, and vitamins necessary to survive a desert-dwelling existence.

And unlike cow’s milk, which creates allergies in many consumers, camel milk is blessedly allergen free. Camelicious bottles this humped concoction in different flavors and sizes that are available at supermarkets throughout Dubai.

1. The healthier choice:

Considered to be the closest substitute for mother’s milk, camel milk is not only low in fat and full of vitamin C, but it doesn’t curdle in the stomach. Therefore, it’s easy for the body to process it.

2. The Bedouins swear by it:

Travel to any Bedouin home, and you’re likely to find a camel nearby. After giving birth, mama camel can easily produce 5 liters of milk a day, though friendly coercion and good diet can stimulate more production. The Bedouins insist on the milk’s holistic properties, as indeed, it was used as a moisturizer and sunscreen as well as food. The Bedouin have plenty of health hacks. Find lots more here.

3. Free range:

The Emirates Industry for Camel Milk And Products (EICMP) Have Diversified Camel Stock, which is relatively free range.

No business in their right profit mind would admit to dodgy conditions for their animals, but the company Camelicious claims that their animals are happy and healthy. In addition, the camels bred for milk are  interbred with camels from Pakistan, Oman, and Saudi Arabia, producing a superior genetic strain.

4. Camel milking is potentially more humane:

Camels are typically milked for 12-16 months after giving birth, before they are encouraged to breed again; the equipment used to milk them is designed to be safe for their udders and to avoid mastitis – a common condition among dairy cows.

5. Camel milk tastes good too!

Free of cow’s allergens, and milder than goat’s milk, camel milk just might be the perfect compromise. It’s not too sweet, and drinking it won’t cause an upset stomach either.

6. No chemicals added:

With 5 times the amount of Vitamin C in camel’s milk, and full of iron, camel’s milk needs no nutritional help. It has a shelf life of 5 days before pasteurization, after which it will survive for up to 3 weeks. Camel’s milk is just as versatile as other milk, used as it is to produce low-fat varieties of cheese, chocolate, and a fermented delicacy that is used in areas that lack refrigeration.

So, put away your carton of steroid-infused cow’s milk and genetically modified soy, and find yourself a liter of choco-camel milk instead. That is, for those who observe Ramadan, after the sun has set.

Fermented camel milk products include chal or shubat in Central Asia and Iran, khoormog in Mongolia, garris in Sudan, suusac in Kenya, leben (lben) in Arab countries, and ititu and dhanaan in Ethiopia

Updated, Feb 2025

More Food and Health News From the Middle East:

Chemicals Colouring Our Food – A Rainbow to Avoid

Organic Farms Growing in Dubai

Interview With Locavore Expert Leda Meredith

The post Six “Green” Reasons To Drink Camel’s Milk appeared first on Green Prophet.

As suburbs grow and cottage country expands, how do mammals fare with humans encroaching on wild spaces?  Tracking coyote movement in metropolitan areas shows the animals spend lots of time in natural settings, but a new study suggests the human element of city life has a bigger impact than the environment on urban coyote survival.

Researchers monitoring coyotes in Chicago found that habitat – areas with relatively high levels of vegetation cover and low levels of human infrastructure – did not influence coyote survival in positive or negative ways. Instead, areas densely populated with humans were associated with longer coyote lifespans. This means coyotes lived longer around people than out in the wild.

“What we found was really interesting, in that the societal characteristics seem to play a much more important role in predicting coyote survival time than the environmental characteristics,” said Emily Zepeda from The Ohio State University. “And then we found this positive effect of human population density on survival time. Both of those things are unexpected because we usually associate human activity with detrimental effects on wildlife.”

The study was published recently in the journal Urban Ecosystems.

The data comes from the Urban Coyote Research Project, a long-term study of coyote ecology in the Chicago Metropolitan Area led by Stan Gehrt, a wildlife ecologist at Ohio State and senior author of the new paper.

Gehrt and colleagues estimate that 4,000 coyotes live in Chicago, one of the largest metropolitan areas in North America. Gehrt’s previous behavioral, genetics and biological studies offer hints at how coyotes have adjusted to life in the city. This new work sought to identify the diverse urban factors that help or hinder their ability to survive.

Tracking data on the movement of 214 coyotes living in the Chicago area between 2013 and 2021 was used for the study. The duration of each coyote’s tracking period served as a proxy of its survival time.

Potential factors the researchers predicted would affect urban coyote survival included a mix of societal and environmental characteristics: neighborhood median income, human density and demographics; and road density, parks and golf courses, and “disturbed” regions dominated by infrastructure and vacant land. These factors were analyzed alongside the coyote monitoring data in a statistical model to determine their relationships with survival time.

The results showed a positive relationship between survival rate and human population density – at low human densities, coyote survival was generally low. The data also revealed an interaction between neighborhood income and density: In areas with low human density, median income was not significantly associated with survival, likely due to the absence of humans. However, at moderate and high levels of human density, coyotes in lower-income areas were 1 1/2 times more likely to survive to age 2 than coyotes in high-income areas.

“We’ve hypothesized that population density may have a positive effect because it’s actually providing resources like human-related structures or food that allow coyotes to weather the harsh conditions of the winter, which is a major mortality factor for Chicago coyotes,” Zepeda said.

Plentiful resources might become problematic, she said, when the food and shelter, combined with more vegetation and less pollution in high-income areas, draws a crowd of coyotes – which leads to higher disease transmission and fighting over territory.

“There might be more individuals in those areas, but survival time may be shorter there,” she said. “You might die younger in an area where there are a lot of competitors.”

The findings build on growing evidence that societal processes that benefit and marginalize human populations trickle down to urban ecosystems – suggesting that the presence, or lack, of humans, and the conditions in which they live, has potential to override natural influences on urban wildlife.

And yet, it was surprising not to find a connection between natural habitats and longer survival, Zepeda said, because “anecdotally, we see really high densities of coyotes in nature preserves and urban parks. That’s often where you see coyotes in the city if you see them at all.”

Researchers can only speculate, but Zepeda said it could mean the habitat categories on city maps aren’t specific enough or that hunting and trapping is more common in natural settings. Or it could simply be a sign of how crafty coyotes are.

“It could speak to how adaptable they are that they might prefer natural habitat, but at least in terms of survival, they can do just as well in more urbanized areas,” she sad.

::Urban Coyote Research Project

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Are you among those who have a love-hate relationship with cow’s milk? From childhood memories of milk mustaches to adult debates over health impacts, cow’s milk has been a staple in many diets. But how beneficial is it for human consumption? Let’s break down the pros and cons so you can make an informed choice. The team at Mike Hammer Moving swears by it, but is it the right choice for you?

Nutritional Benefits

Cow’s milk is packed with essential nutrients. It’s a rich source of calcium, which is vital for strong bones and teeth. Additionally, it provides protein, which is crucial for muscle growth and repair. The vitamins in cow’s milk, such as vitamin D, vitamin B12, and riboflavin, contribute to overall health and wellness.

But that’s not all. Cow’s milk also contains potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure, and phosphorus, which plays a role in energy production. These nutrients make cow’s milk a powerhouse for those looking to maintain a balanced diet.

However, it’s essential to consume it in moderation. While these nutrients are beneficial, too much of anything can be harmful.

Bone Health

One of the primary benefits of consuming cow’s milk is its positive impact on bone health. Calcium and vitamin D, found abundantly in cow’s milk, are critical for maintaining bone density and preventing osteoporosis.

Regular consumption of cow’s milk during childhood and adolescence can lead to stronger bones in adulthood. This is particularly crucial for individuals at risk of bone-related issues, such as the elderly or those with a family history of osteoporosis.

But remember, while cow’s milk can support bone health, it should be part of a varied diet that includes other calcium-rich foods like leafy greens and fortified plant-based milk.

Convenience and Availability

Cow’s milk is widely available and affordable. It’s a staple in grocery stores, making it easy for consumers to incorporate it into their diets. Whether you’re looking for whole milk, skim milk, or lactose-free options, there’s something for everyone.

The convenience of cow’s milk extends beyond just drinking it. It’s a versatile ingredient used in cooking and baking, from creamy soups to fluffy pancakes. Its availability and versatility make it a go-to choice for many households.

However, the convenience of cow’s milk should not overshadow the importance of considering individual dietary needs and preferences.

Lactose Intolerance and Digestive Issues

Not everyone can enjoy cow’s milk without experiencing discomfort. Lactose intolerance is a common condition where individuals lack the enzyme lactase, needed to digest lactose, the sugar found in milk. This can lead to symptoms like bloating, gas, and diarrhea.

For those with lactose intolerance, consuming cow’s milk can be a challenging experience. Fortunately, there are lactose-free options available, which provide the same nutritional benefits without the digestive discomfort.

It’s crucial to listen to your body and choose alternatives if cow’s milk doesn’t agree with you. Plant-based milk, such as almond, soy, or oat milk, can be excellent substitutes.

Health Concerns

While cow’s milk offers numerous benefits, there are potential health concerns to be aware of. Some studies suggest that high consumption of cow’s milk may be linked to an increased risk of certain health conditions, such as heart disease and certain cancers.

The saturated fat content in whole milk can contribute to elevated cholesterol levels, which is a risk factor for heart disease. Additionally, some research indicates that excessive dairy intake might be associated with an increased risk of prostate and ovarian cancers.

However, it’s important to note that these studies are not conclusive. Moderation and a balanced diet are key to minimizing potential health risks.

Environmental and Ethical Considerations

The environmental impact of dairy farming is another factor to consider. Dairy farming contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, and land degradation. The carbon footprint of producing cow’s milk is significantly higher than that of plant-based milk alternatives.

Ethical concerns related to animal welfare are also prevalent in the dairy industry. Issues such as the treatment of cows and the separation of calves from their mothers raise questions about the ethical implications of consuming cow’s milk.

Additionally, water pollution is a significant environmental issue linked to dairy farms. Dairy farms generate large volumes of wastewater containing manure, chemicals, and other pollutants that can contaminate local water supplies if not properly managed. This pollution can lead to the degradation of aquatic ecosystems, harm to wildlife, and potential health risks to humans. To address these issues, dairy farms can adopt several strategies for effective wastewater treatment. For more detailed information and solutions tailored to dairy farms, read this article on Dairy Wastewater Treatment.

For environmentally conscious and ethically minded individuals, exploring plant-based milk alternatives can be a way to align dietary choices with personal values.

Conclusion

The debate over cow’s milk is multifaceted, with strong arguments on both sides. From its nutritional benefits and positive impact on bone health to potential health risks and environmental concerns, cow’s milk presents a complex picture.

Ultimately, the decision to consume cow’s milk should be based on individual needs, preferences, and values. Whether you’re a fan of traditional cow’s milk or prefer plant-based alternatives, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.

Next time you’re sipping on your favorite beverage, remember to consider what’s best for you. The team at Mike Hammer Moving might love their daily dose of cow’s milk, but your choice should reflect your unique dietary needs and lifestyle.

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A 62-year-old man with end-stage renal failure has become the first living person to receive a pig kidney transplant at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, USA. The world has made advances in transplants since we reported a human uterus transplant in 2011.

The kidney was taken from a miniature pig carrying a record 69 genomic edits, which were aimed at preventing rejection of the donated organ and reducing the risk that a virus lurking in the organ could infect the recipient.

So far, the patient is recovering well and the pig kidney is producing urine and showing other signs of a working organ. This early success has raised researchers’ hopes for larger clinical trials involving pig organs. It follows from news last week that surgeons say they have transplanted a genetically modified pig liver into a person for the first time.

Transplanting pig organs into humans, a process known as xenotransplantation, presents challenges stemming from both biological and ethical considerations.

Biologically, the differences between pig and human physiology pose significant obstacles to successful organ transplantation. While pigs can be genetically engineered to reduce the risk of organ rejection, there are still fundamental disparities in immune compatibility and physiological function between the two species. For instance, the human immune system might recognize pig cells as foreign and mount a vigorous immune response, leading to organ rejection.

Pig organs may carry the risk of transmitting infectious diseases to humans, such as porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs), which are integrated into the pig genome. Despite efforts to mitigate this risk through genetic modification and stringent screening processes, concerns persist about the potential for cross-species transmission of pathogens.

Pigs are used in heart valve replacement in humans. The valve from the pig is completely cleaned from biological factors that would cause an immune response, but complex organs can’t be dealt with in this way.

Read Also: Beard transplants a growing trend

From an ethical perspective, the prospect of using pig organs raises complex moral questions, particularly for religious communities such as Muslims and Jews. Both religions have dietary laws that prohibit the consumption of pork, and while the transplantation of pig organs may not necessarily violate these laws directly, it raises concerns about the sanctity of human life and the permissible limits of medical intervention.

According to Judaism it is allowed and you are even allowed to eat pork in medicine if it will save your life.

In Islam, Imam Ibn Uthaymeen permitted it when he was asked about putting an artery from a pig into a person’s heart, and he replied by saying, “There is nothing wrong with it, and one should look at what is most suitable for his heart because this is not food, and this is out of necessity.”

Our source says, “It is clear here that it is permissible to benefit unless one finds benefit in a pure thing. If the benefit is found in a pure thing, it is forbidden to benefit from what is impure.

Some vegans may view xenotransplantation as an exploitation of animals.

Looking ahead, the horizon of xenotransplantation remains both promising and uncertain. Advances in genetic engineering and immunosuppressive therapies offer hope for overcoming biological barriers to pig-to-human organ transplantation.

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