Study finds drugs in sharks near Eleuthera Island
A study conducted near Eleuthera Island in the Bahamas found that 28 out of 85 sharks tested positive for drugs, including caffeine and painkillers, indicating human impact on marine environments. The research, led by biologist Natascha Wosnick from the Federal University of Paraná, suggests that contaminants may enter the sharks' systems through sewage or diver activity, with caffeine being the most prevalent substance. The findings also revealed metabolic changes in the sharks, raising concerns about the broader implications of chemical pollution in seemingly pristine areas.
Neanderthals Used Birch Tar for Antibacterial Wound Treatment
Dr. Tjaark Siemssen from the University of Cologne and the University of Oxford and colleagues have demonstrated that birch tar, long utilized by Neanderthals as a tool adhesive, possesses antibacterial properties effective against Staphylococcus aureus, a common wound infection. Their study, published in PLOS One, suggests that Neanderthals may have employed birch tar not only for tool-making but also for treating wounds, aligning with practices observed in some Indigenous communities today. This research highlights the complexity of Neanderthal healthcare practices during the Ice Age.
