Naturally Curious

## Episode Summary

In this episode, we cover:

- **Seabird family tree predicts which species accumulate plastic better than diet, global analysis finds** (Phys.org Plants & Animals)

- [Read more](https://phys.org/news/2026-10-seabird-family-tree-species-accumulate.html)

- **Green Sea Turtles Are Making a Remarkable Comeback on the Remote Aldabra Atoll and Around the World. But Their Recovery Is Far From Complete** (Smithsonian Science & Nature)

- [Read more](https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/green-sea-turtles-are-making-a-remarkable-comeback-on-the-remote-aldabra-atoll-and-around-the-world-but-their-recovery-is-far-from-complete-180989710/)

- **Who’s implementing EUDR?** (Mongabay)

- [Read more](https://news.mongabay.com/specials/2026/10/whos-implementing-eudr/)

- **Can planting trees on riverbanks save salmon rivers from global warming?** (Phys.org Biology)

- [Read more](https://phys.org/news/2026-10-trees-riverbanks-salmon-rivers-global.html)

- **Spain’s White-Headed Ducks Have a Signature Color Right in the Name. And That Isn’t Even Their Most Remarkable Hue** (Smithsonian Science & Nature)

- [Read more](https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/spain-white-headed-ducks-signature-color-right-name-that-isnt-even-most-remarkable-hue-180989289/)

---

*Sponsored by Ada, Ago Consulting, and Zen Semiconductor*

## Episode Summary

In this episode, we cover:

- **Organized crime is growing along highway in a pristine section of the Amazon: Study** (Mongabay)

- [Read more](https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2026/10/organized-crime-is-growing-along-highway-in-a-pristine-section-of-the-amazon-study/)

- **Mother bats' hearts beat faster at the sound of their own babies' cries** (Phys.org Plants & Animals)

- [Read more](https://phys.org/news/2026-10-mother-hearts-faster-babies-cries.html)

- **‘Like an alien invasion’: the neon flying squid that can fly in formation above the ocean** (Guardian Animal Behaviour)

- [Read more](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/12/like-an-alien-invasion-the-neon-flying-squid-that-can-fly-in-formation-above-the-ocean)

- **Word choice matters: 'Extinction of plants and animals' raises more concern than 'biodiversity loss'** (Phys.org Plants & Animals)

- [Read more](https://phys.org/news/2026-10-word-choice-extinction-animals-biodiversity.html)

- **Taiwan’s tea growers let nature take back control as climate pressures mount** (Mongabay)

- [Read more](https://news.mongabay.com/2026/10/taiwans-tea-growers-let-nature-take-back-control-as-climate-pressures-mount/)

---

*Sponsored by Ada, Ago Consulting, and Zen Semiconductor*

## Episode Summary

In this episode, we cover:

- **Ancient Pottery Reveals the Earliest Known Traces of Chocolate East of the Mississippi, Painting a Picture of Connection in the Americas** (Smithsonian Science & Nature)

- [Read more](https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/ancient-pottery-reveals-the-earliest-known-traces-of-chocolate-east-of-the-mississippi-painting-a-picture-of-connection-in-the-americas-180989559/)

- **These 15 Adorable Photos of Pandas Will Make You Want to Visit the Zoo Immediately** (Smithsonian Science & Nature)

- [Read more](https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/these-15-adorable-photos-of-pandas-will-make-you-want-to-visit-the-zoo-immediately-180989606/)

- **Scientists uncover the molecular pillars that shape our cells' powerpacks** (Phys.org Biology)

- [Read more](https://phys.org/news/2026-10-scientists-uncover-molecular-pillars-cells.html)

- **Baby manta rays hunker down close to coasts before facing the open ocean's dangers** (Phys.org Plants & Animals)

- [Read more](https://phys.org/news/2026-10-baby-manta-rays-hunker-coasts.html)

- **Venomous primate thought lost to science for nearly a century turns up in gardens and on roads across Indonesia** (Phys.org Plants & Animals)

- [Read more](https://phys.org/news/2026-10-venomous-primate-thought-lost-science.html)

---

*Sponsored by Ada, Ago Consulting, and Zen Semiconductor*

## Episode Summary

In this episode, we cover:

- **Spain’s White-Headed Ducks Have a Signature Color Right in the Name. And That Isn’t Even Their Most Remarkable Hue** (Smithsonian Science & Nature)

- [Read more](https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/spain-white-headed-ducks-signature-color-right-name-that-isnt-even-most-remarkable-hue-180989289/)

- **Country diary 1926: Amorous impulse sends insects on a nuptial flight** (Guardian Animal Behaviour)

- [Read more](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/24/country-diary-1926-amorous-impulse-sends-insects-on-nuptial-flight)

- **Open-source workflow makes spatial proteomics easier to use** (Phys.org Biology)

- [Read more](https://phys.org/news/2026-10-source-workflow-spatial-proteomics-easier.html)

- **Glowing plants reveal immune responses around infection sites via two colors** (Phys.org Biology)

- [Read more](https://phys.org/news/2026-10-reveal-immune-responses-infection-sites.html)

- **Water, carbon & the ‘tree of life’: Interview with Venezuela’s guardian of morichales** (Mongabay)

- [Read more](https://news.mongabay.com/2026/10/water-carbon-the-tree-of-life-interview-with-venezuelas-guardian-of-morichales/)

---

*Sponsored by Ada, Ago Consulting, and Zen Semiconductor*

## Episode Summary

In this episode, we cover:

- **Extractive industries threaten global goal to protect 30% of nature by 2030, report finds** (Mongabay)

- [Read more](https://news.mongabay.com/2026/10/extractive-industries-threaten-global-goal-to-protect-30-of-nature-by-2030-report-finds/)

- **Critics call for halt to road construction in Mexico’s Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve** (Mongabay)

- [Read more](https://news.mongabay.com/2026/10/critics-call-for-halt-to-road-construction-in-mexicos-sian-kaan-biosphere-reserve/)

- **Orangutans prefer food associated with sounds of laughter, study suggests** (Guardian Animal Behaviour)

- [Read more](https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/oct/21/orangutans-prefer-food-laughter-sounds-study)

- **Bangladesh’s climate migrants are arriving in cities unprepared to protect them** (Mongabay)

- [Read more](https://news.mongabay.com/2026/10/bangladeshs-climate-migrants-are-arriving-in-cities-unprepared-to-protect-them/)

- **Two Indigenous Brazilians denied their language interpreter at election voting booth** (Mongabay)

- [Read more](https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2026/10/two-indigenous-brazilians-denied-their-language-interpreter-at-election-voting-booth/)

---

*Sponsored by Ada, Ago Consulting, and Zen Semiconductor*

## Episode Summary

In this episode, we cover:

- **Another mining-linked pollution incident raises alarm over Zambia’s Kafue River** (Mongabay)

- [Read more](https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2026/10/another-mining-linked-pollution-incident-raises-alarm-over-zambias-kafue-river/)

- **A little bird told her: scientist wins $100,000 prize for decoding birdsong** (Guardian Animal Behaviour)

- [Read more](https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/jun/26/human-animal-communication-step-closer-scientist-wins-prize-for-decoding-birdsong)

- **Not all rattlesnakes are alike: Research suggests personality influences how rattlesnakes use their venom** (Phys.org Plants & Animals)

- [Read more](https://phys.org/news/2026-10-rattlesnakes-alike-personality-venom.html)

- **Dam Removals Are Bringing Fish Back Across the Northeastern United States, Striking Down One Tiny Barrier at a Time** (Smithsonian Science & Nature)

- [Read more](https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/dam-removals-are-bringing-fish-back-across-the-northeastern-united-states-striking-down-one-tiny-barrier-at-a-time-180989679/)

- **Ants break a basic rule of biology to help them adapt to new environments** (Phys.org Biology)

- [Read more](https://phys.org/news/2026-10-ants-basic-biology-environments.html)

---

*Sponsored by Ada, Ago Consulting, and Zen Semiconductor*

## Episode Summary

In this episode, we cover:

- **New optogenetic tool inhibits activity in neurons and heart muscle cells** (Phys.org Biology)

- [Read more](https://phys.org/news/2026-10-optogenetic-tool-inhibits-neurons-heart.html)

- **Serengeti hyenas manage to keep clans stable as climate change alters animal migrations** (Phys.org Biology)

- [Read more](https://phys.org/news/2026-10-serengeti-hyenas-clans-stable-climate.html)

- **Nature has a new Noah’s Ark moment at the biodiversity summit (commentary)** (Mongabay)

- [Read more](https://news.mongabay.com/2026/10/nature-has-a-new-noahs-ark-moment-at-the-biodiversity-summit-commentary/)

- **Bering Sea heat wave linked to a surprising boom in the number of hybrid crabs** (Phys.org Plants & Animals)

- [Read more](https://phys.org/news/2026-10-bering-sea-linked-boom-hybrid.html)

- **Scientists are growing human brain tissue in living mice—could this make their welfare harder to assess?** (Phys.org Plants & Animals)

- [Read more](https://phys.org/news/2026-10-scientists-human-brain-tissue-mice.html)

---

*Sponsored by Ada, Ago Consulting, and Zen Semiconductor*

## Episode Summary

In this episode, we cover:

- **Octopus and cuttlefish suckers may have evolved by repurposing ancient developmental genes** (Phys.org Biology)

- [Read more](https://phys.org/news/2026-10-octopus-cuttlefish-suckers-evolved-repurposing.html)

- **Male seahorse pouch proteins may help remove toxic waste from developing embryos** (Phys.org Biology)

- [Read more](https://phys.org/news/2026-10-male-seahorse-pouch-proteins-toxic.html)

- **Sustainable silvopasture is popular with U.S. farmers despite waning financial supports** (Mongabay)

- [Read more](https://news.mongabay.com/2026/10/sustainable-silvopasture-is-popular-with-u-s-farmers-despite-waning-financial-supports/)

- **In Nepal, AI builds on local knowledge to help prevent tiger attacks** (Mongabay)

- [Read more](https://news.mongabay.com/2026/10/in-nepal-ai-builds-on-local-knowledge-to-help-prevent-tiger-attacks/)

- **Wildfire in Indonesia’s Mount Bromo National Park kills 4 firefighters** (Mongabay)

- [Read more](https://news.mongabay.com/2026/10/wildfire-in-indonesias-mount-bromo-national-park-kills-4-firefighters/)

---

*Sponsored by Ada, Ago Consulting, and Zen Semiconductor*

## Episode Summary

In this episode, we cover:

- **Bank credit remains scarce in Bangladesh where climate risks are highest** (Mongabay)

- [Read more](https://news.mongabay.com/2026/10/bank-credit-remains-scarce-in-bangladesh-where-climate-risks-are-highest/)

- **A Belgium-sized area of Amazon wetland has been converted, and losses are climbing** (Mongabay)

- [Read more](https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2026/10/a-belgium-sized-area-of-amazon-wetland-has-been-converted-and-losses-are-climbing/)

- **Early growth differences help explain which beech trees survive forest competition** (Phys.org Plants & Animals)

- [Read more](https://phys.org/news/2026-10-early-growth-differences-beech-trees.html)

- **Fundraising to protect oceans, forests and other key nature sites falling short ahead of UN summit** (Mongabay)

- [Read more](https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2026/10/fundraising-to-protect-oceans-forests-and-other-key-nature-sites-falling-short-ahead-of-un-summit/)

- **Close social bonds help wild jackdaws hold feeding spots but come with waiting costs** (Phys.org Plants & Animals)

- [Read more](https://phys.org/news/2026-10-social-bonds-wild-jackdaws.html)

---

*Sponsored by Ada, Ago Consulting, and Zen Semiconductor*

## Episode Summary

In this episode, we cover:

- **No DREAM, fewer offspring: Protein complex may play key role in plant fertility** (Phys.org Plants & Animals)

- [Read more](https://phys.org/news/2026-10-offspring-protein-complex-play-key.html)

- **On the front line of ocean conservation off Portugal's Madeira** (Phys.org Biology)

- [Read more](https://phys.org/news/2026-10-front-line-ocean-portugal-madeira.html)

- **Removing rats and restoring native plants could help atolls withstand rising seas** (Phys.org Plants & Animals)

- [Read more](https://phys.org/news/2026-10-rats-native-atolls-seas.html)

- **Red-sensitive pigments in mantis shrimp eyes act as reversible light switches** (Phys.org Biology)

- [Read more](https://phys.org/news/2026-10-red-sensitive-pigments-mantis-shrimp.html)

- **What evolved first—our brain or gut?** (Phys.org Biology)

- [Read more](https://phys.org/news/2026-10-evolved-brain-gut.html)

---

*Sponsored by Ada, Ago Consulting, and Zen Semiconductor*