1. The Prescription is Nature:
Numerous studies over the years have shown that immersing ourselves in the natural world may have significant health benefits, but could we ever bring this practice into a clinical setting?
Kathy Wills, in her new book, "Good Nature," argues yes and suggests there is "a direct relationship between your sense of sight and recovery rate". In it, she draws on extensive available evidence to show how touching wood makes us calmer and debates why urban sounds are so annoying. She shows the health benefits of being surrounded by nature and applies quantitative data that shows how doctors could prescribe time in the natural environment to accompany their patient’s treatment plans.
2. Giant rats could soon help sniff out illegally smuggled goods:
A new kind of border patrol agent may soon begin work in African ports.
The rodents have been trained to detect elephant ivory and other items from at-risk species and could soon play a significant role in deterring the international wildlife trade. Whilst many ports already employ canines to detect illegal products, rats’ incredible sense of smell and inexpensive care are becoming an increasingly compelling alternative.
3. UK and Australia to collaborate on climate and energy:
Australia and the UK have struck a new deal agreeing to collaborate on climate change and energy initiatives.
Announced in late October, the deal focuses on collaborating to accelerate the development of renewable energy sources through cooperation on technologies including green hydrogen and offshore wind. “This partnership underscores our commitment to powering up the UK with clean energy projects that will benefit communities across the country," Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, adding that the two countries share many things in common, crucially their "determination to improve the lives of working people, drive economic growth and ensure cleaner, more affordable energy.”
4. Improve Your Health in Just a Few Steps:
Whilst introducing fitness practices is something many of us often consider, or think we should start, it often feels daunting and like a very steep slope to success.
However, new findings suggest that introducing just a small amount of physical activity into your daily life, from as little as uphill walking or stair climbing, can help reduce blood pressure. While five minutes of activity a day was estimated to reduce blood pressure, increasing that to just 20-27 minutes would lead to a clinically meaningful reduction in blood pressure.
5. How a heard of rewilded bulls could store carbon:
A rewilding project aims to reintroduce up to 15 Bos Taurus, a breed of huge, wild cattle, to the Scottish Highlands by 2026, with benefits for the climate and biodiversity and enhanced eco-tourism.
The project aims to replicate the ecological role of their ancestors, the aurochs, a species that disappeared from Europe around 400 years ago due to habitat loss and pressures from hunting before disappearing globally three hundred years later.
Before this, they acted as a keystone species on the continent, maintaining a rich mosaic of habitats, including grasslands, forests, and wetlands. Due to their size and behavior, Bos Taurus interact with their environment more than the smaller and less active cattle, creating large grazing areas that contribute to the growth of native plants and creating habitats for wildlife. This boosts species diversity and soaks up carbon dioxide. Because of this, cattle with similar genetics have thus been 'back-bred' to genetically replicate their resemblance and behaviors to their ancestors as closely as possible in the hopes they can help regrow the highlands in a managed way.
