Round up: Orcas, Grandparents, Traffic nuisances, and another hidden cost of global warming

Biology of Grandparenting This story from Nature Briefing suggests that ovaries take on a second, post‑fertility role — a reminder that life’s purpose isn’t exhausted by reproduction, and that the quiet power of grandparenting may be biologically deeper than we thought:

After the ovaries ramp down their reproductive role, releasing eggs and sex hormones, they might become more important to the immune system. Evidence from people and mice suggest that genes and proteins associated with immune activity are more active and prevalent in postreproductive ovaries — though it’s unclear whether it’s a beneficial change. “We really owe it to women’s health to study this period of time,” says reproductive biologist and study co-author Francesca Duncan. Science | 7 min read Reference: Molecular Human Reproduction paper

Global Premium We’ve had concerns before here about how the rising costs of climate insurance could damage the economy. Of course no single story is conclusive, but this piece from the Guardian appears to be another straw in the wind

Rising cost of insuring against climate crisis will have wider knock-on effects for UK economy | Heather Stewart | The Guardian

Does Traffic drive street crime? As if all that pollution and accidents weren’t enough, a new study suggests that road traffic may be adding to  vandalism, burglary and violence., according to this study in The Conversation

https://theconversation.com/does-traffic-drive-street-crime-our-study-investigated-284977?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Burnhams%2010-year%20plan%20for%20Britain%20-%2038355391

Orcas in Northumbria Recently we penned some pieces about dolphins and other cetaceans for various outlets in Sussex. But the lucky folks up in the North East seem to have something much, much bigger as their prime tourist attraction- actual real life Orcas, reports the Guardian Let’s hope they thrive and maybe a few volunteer to swim south!

‘Exploratory and curious animals’: mysterious rise in orca sightings off Northumberland coast | Marine life | The Guardian

For the record here is our own  humble offering

https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/your-world/sussex-green-living-citizen-science-helps-dolphins-thrive-8646983?utm_source=Sussex+Green+Living&utm_campaign=89

AI isn’t quite ready to take over the world insisted our researchers when they put up this piece from the BBC about events at Ford Motors

Ford rehires human engineers after AI fails to match quality checks – BBC News

Quote of the week

Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.-Proverbs 25:14

#grandparent #insurance #economics #biology #climate change #orca #northumbria #Arificial Intelligence