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In a groundbreaking study, wild chimpanzees have been observed eating and sharing fruit that contains alcohol. Researchers from the University of Exeter set up motion-activated cameras in Guinea-Bissau’s Cantanhez National Park to capture footage of these fascinating creatures.

For the first time, scientists have confirmed that chimps are consuming fermented African breadfruit, which contains ethanol (alcohol). This raises intriguing questions about whether and why our closest relatives deliberately seek out alcohol.

In humans, drinking alcohol leads to a release of dopamine and endorphins, resulting in feelings of happiness and relaxation. Sharing alcohol through traditions like feasting helps form and strengthen social bonds. Could wild chimpanzees be getting similar benefits from eating fermented fruits?

The researchers used cameras to film chimps sharing fermented breadfruits on 10 separate occasions. The fruit was tested for alcohol content, with the highest level found being equivalent to 0.61% ABV (Alcohol By Volume). While this is relatively low, the scientists suggest it may be just the tip of the iceberg, as 60-85% of chimps’ diet consists of fruit, which could lead to significant consumption.

The researchers emphasize that chimps are unlikely to get “drunk,” as this would clearly not improve their survival chances. However, recent discoveries about a molecular adaptation that increased ethanol metabolism in the common ancestor of African apes suggest eating fermented fruits may have ancient origins in species including humans and chimps.

Dr Kimberley Hockings from the University of Exeter notes, “Chimps don’t share food all the time, so this behavior with fermented fruit might be important. We need to find out more about whether they deliberately seek out ethanolic fruits and how they metabolize it.” If so, it suggests the human tradition of feasting may have its origins deep in our evolutionary history.

Anna Bowland’s work was funded by the Primate Society of Great Britain, providing a fascinating glimpse into the behavior and biology of our closest relatives.

The consumption of eight or more alcoholic drinks per week has been linked to signs of brain injury, including memory and thinking problems. A recent study published in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, found that heavy drinkers who consume eight or more drinks per week have a higher risk of developing hyaline arteriolosclerosis, a condition that causes small blood vessels in the brain to narrow.

The study included 1,781 people who had an average age of 75 at death. Researchers examined brain tissue for signs of brain injury, including tau tangles and hyaline arteriolosclerosis. They also measured brain weight and the height of each participant. Family members answered questions about participants’ alcohol consumption.

Researchers divided the participants into four groups: those who never drank, moderate drinkers (seven or fewer drinks per week), heavy drinkers (eight or more drinks per week), and former heavy drinkers. One drink was defined as having 14 grams of alcohol.

The study found that:

* Of those who never drank, 40% had vascular brain lesions.
* Of the moderate drinkers, 45% had vascular brain lesions.
* Of the heavy drinkers, 44% had vascular brain lesions.
* Of the former heavy drinkers, 50% had vascular brain lesions.

After adjusting for factors that could affect brain health such as age at death, smoking, and physical activity, heavy drinkers had 133% higher odds of having vascular brain lesions compared to those who never drank. Former heavy drinkers had 89% higher odds, while moderate drinkers had 60% higher odds.

The study also found that heavy and former heavy drinkers had higher odds of developing tau tangles, a biomarker associated with Alzheimer’s disease, with 41% and 31% higher odds, respectively.

Former heavy drinking was associated with a lower brain mass ratio and worse cognitive abilities. No link was found between moderate or heavy drinking and brain mass ratio or cognitive abilities.

The study’s author noted that impaired cognitive abilities were observed only in former drinkers. Heavy drinkers died an average of 13 years earlier than those who never drank.

In conclusion, the study highlights the importance of understanding the effects of heavy drinking on brain health and implementing preventive measures to reduce heavy drinking. The study was supported by The São Paulo Research Foundation.

The University of Turku, Finland, has conducted groundbreaking research on using bio-based materials to protect solar cells from ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The study aimed to find eco-friendly alternatives to petroleum-based plastics and discovered that nanocellulose treated with red onion dye provides exceptional UV protection. This innovative approach outperformed commercial polyethylene terephthalate (PET)-based UV filters, which are commonly used in the industry.

Researchers at the University of Turku and Aalto University in Finland, along with Wageningen University in the Netherlands, investigated four types of protective films made from cellulose nanofibers. The nanocellulose film treated with red onion extract proved to be the most efficient in blocking UV radiation, protecting 99.9% of it up to 400 nanometres.

The study’s results are significant because they highlight the importance of long-term testing for UV filters. The researchers tested the durability and performance of the filters under artificial light for 1,000 hours, which is equivalent to about a year of sunlight in the open air in central Europe. This testing period showed that the film treated with red onion dye maintained its high transmission rate in the visible light region (80% at longer wavelengths) throughout.

The findings of this study are relevant not only for solar cells but also for other applications where bio-based UV filters are paramount. The researchers envision developing biodegradable solar cell types that can be used as power sources, such as in food packaging. This innovative approach has the potential to benefit various industries and contribute to a more sustainable future.

In an interview, Doctoral Researcher Rustem Nizamov from the University of Turku noted, “Nanocellulose films treated with red onion dye are a promising option in applications where the protective material should be bio-based.” This statement highlights the potential of this technology to revolutionize the way we protect solar cells and other materials from UV radiation.

Professor Kati Miettunen in Materials Engineering at the University of Turku also commented on the study, saying, “The forest industry is interested in developing new high-grade products. In the field of electronics, these may also be components for solar cells.” This quote emphasizes the potential of this technology to have a significant impact on various industries and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Overall, the research conducted by the University of Turku and its collaborators has provided valuable insights into using bio-based materials to protect solar cells from UV radiation. The discovery of nanocellulose treated with red onion dye offering effective UV protection is an exciting development that could have significant implications for various industries and contribute to a more sustainable future.