Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Ban on disposable vapes would affect one in seven young adults in Great Britain


A ban on disposable vapes, currently being considered by the UK Government, would affect one in seven young adults (aged 18-24) in Great Britain, and one in 20 adults overall, according to a new study led by UCL researchers.

Peer-Reviewed Publication

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON






A ban on disposable vapes, currently being considered by the UK Government, would affect one in seven young adults (aged 18-24) in Great Britain, and one in 20 adults overall, according to a new study led by UCL researchers.

The study, funded by Cancer Research UK and published in the journal Public Health, looked at survey responses from 69,973 adults in England, Wales and Scotland between January 2021 and August 2023.

The researchers found the proportion of adults using disposable e-cigarettes rose from 0.1% to 4.9% during that period. The increase was particularly pronounced among 18- to 24-year-olds, with 14.4% using disposable vapes in 2023, as well as among smokers (16.3%) and people who had stopped smoking in the past year (18.2%).

Use among people who had never regularly smoked was relatively rare (1.5%) but was higher among 18- to 24-year-olds, of whom 7.1% used disposable e-cigarettes and had never regularly smoked tobacco.

Lead author Dr Sarah Jackson (UCL Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care), said: “Our study suggests a ban on disposable e-cigarettes would affect an estimated 2.6 million people in England, Wales and Scotland.

“This group includes about 316,000 18- to 24-year-olds who currently use disposables but who have never regularly smoked tobacco. However, it also includes 1.2 million people who currently smoke and would benefit from switching to e-cigarettes completely, and a further 744,000 who previously smoked and may be at risk of relapse.

“While banning disposables might seem like a straightforward solution to reduce youth vaping, it could have substantial unintended consequences for people who smoke.

“In the event of a ban, it would be important to encourage current and ex-smokers who use disposables to switch to other types of e-cigarettes rather than going back to just smoking tobacco.

“In addition, we found disposable use to be particularly prevalent among recent ex-smokers with a history of mental health conditions. This group may require targeted support to help them avoid relapse.”

The research team used data from the Smoking Toolkit Study, in which a different sample of 2,450 adults in Great Britain (who are representative of the general population) are interviewed each month.

They found disposable e-cigarette use was significantly higher among adults living in England than Wales or Scotland (5.3% vs. 2.0% and 2.8% at the end of the study period) and among those from less (vs. more) advantaged social grades (6.1% vs. 4.0%), those with (vs. without) children (6.4% vs. 4.4%), and those with (vs. without) a history of mental health conditions (9.3% vs. 3.1%).

Until recently, the researchers noted, very few adult vapers in Great Britain used disposables, but in 2021 new disposable e-cigarettes entered the market with designs and branding that appealed to young people, causing use of disposables to quickly rise in the UK and elsewhere. These products are available widely, for instance in corner shops, and are promoted via colourful in-store displays.

While they are convenient to use, with a very low upfront cost, they have also become an environmental problem, with millions of the devices reportedly thrown away in the UK each week.

Senior author Professor Jamie Brown (UCL Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care), said: “There is a need for action to reduce disposable vaping among young people who have never smoked. However, trade-offs need to be carefully considered. A ban may discourage use of e-cigarettes among people trying to quit smoking and may induce relapse among those who have already used disposables to quit. Cigarettes are far more harmful to our health and are not currently banned and a ban on disposable e-cigarettes may signal to large numbers of people that these products are worse for our health or that their harm is comparable to that caused by smoking tobacco. I favour a range of alternative policies, in the first instance, allied with rapid evaluation to judge whether these are sufficient to achieve reductions in youth vaping.”

In the paper, the researchers outlined other measures to strengthen the regulation of disposable vapes that had a reduced risk of unintended consequences, such as causing relapse among ex-smokers.

These included prohibiting branding with appeal to children (e.g., bright colours, sweet names, and cartoon characters), prohibiting promotion of e-cigarettes in shops, putting e-cigarettes out of sight and reach of children, and putting an excise tax on disposables to raise the price to the same level as the cheapest reusable e-cigarettes. Defining disposables may prove problematic so a minimum unit price may be more a straightforward alternative to reduce their affordability and is something that could be implemented quickly.

The researchers noted that their data might under-estimate prevalence of disposable vape use. This is because survey respondents were asked which type of e-cigarette they mainly used, so people who used disposables as a secondary product were not captured.

In addition to Cancer Research UK, the study received support from the UK Prevention Research Partnership.

Avoiding cloudy messaging: Vape prevention campaigns face challenges


Flinders University researchers say that cohesive and collaborative action from preventive health communicators and organisations is needed to inform young people about the devastating harms of vaping.


Peer-Reviewed Publication

FLINDERS UNIVERSITY

Vaping prevention health communication campaign example materials 

IMAGE: 

VAPING PREVENTION HEALTH COMMUNICATION CAMPAIGN EXAMPLE MATERIALS: (A) NSW HEALTH CAMPAIGN MEDIA AND TOOLKIT, ADAPTED, BASTION AGENCY; (B) LUNG FOUNDATION AUSTRALIA CAMPAIGN, ADAPTED, SABIO AGENCY AND (C) US FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION CAMPAIGN, ADAPTED, FDA RESOURCE LIBRARY.

view more 

CREDIT: HEALTH PROMOTION INTERNATIONAL -HTTPS://ACADEMIC.OUP.COM/HEAPRO




Flinders University researchers say that cohesive and collaborative action from preventive health communicators and organisations is needed to inform young people about the devastating harms of vaping.

“Despite awareness of the potential harms, recreational vaping is increasing among younger people with our South Australian participants seeing vaping as ‘cleaner’ and less harmful than cigarettes,” says Flinders University’s Dr Joshua Trigg.

“We know that nicotine vapes are highly addictive and expose people to harmful chemicals, respiratory irritants, and toxic substances.  In order to discourage young people from picking up a vape, we need to understand what messaging they will best respond to,” says Dr Trigg.

Vapes, or e-cigarettes, are lithium battery-powered devices that heat liquids containing solvents, nicotine, flavourings and other chemicals, volatile compounds, and ultrafine particles into an aerosol that are inhaled into the lungs.

Flinders University researchers investigated the impact of different vaping prevention public health media campaigns among young South Australians aged 16–26 years to help determine what will work best in vaping risk messaging.

Participants of the study were shown example materials from three vaping prevention campaigns and resource  sets: ‘The Real Cost, ‘Do you know what you’re vaping’ and ‘Unveil what you inhale’ to assess whether they were easily understood, appropriate, relevant, credible and effective.

“We know that health communication campaigns are an established tool for emphasising the dangers associated with vaping.  By studying the impact of these campaigns more closely, we can improve future messaging to reduce and deter the use of vapes by young people,” he says.

Those who do vape and those who don’t, reacted in different ways to the campaigns. Those who didn’t already vape responded better to explicit messaging and shock tactics about the health risks associated with vaping.  Whereas those who already vaped responded better to information challenging the notion that vapes are healthier than smoking cigarettes.

“We found that young people are likely to engage more with campaigns that consider the real life experiences, social contexts, and negative consequences associated with vaping.  These experiences drew more interest and were more thought provoking to young South Australians,” Dr Trigg says.

“Bright visual design elements that represented health and wellbeing drew the attention of both groups of young people, with participants reiterating the benefits of using online and media resources to deliver preventative media campaigns. Campaigns now tend to adopt a ‘mobile first’ design approach, to target their audiences where they consume media” he says.

“In future, it is important that vaping prevention messaging considers those who already vape and those who do not, and clearly address the potential dangers and side-effects of inhaling a combination of chemicals.  Young people need to understand that nicotine vaping is not a risk-free alternative to smoking cigarettes,” he adds.

The research – “Vaping harms awareness messaging: exploring young South Australians’ responses to vaping prevention campaign materials”, by Joshua Trigg, Ola Ela, Jacqueline Bowden, Ashlea Bartram, Clinton Cenko, and Billie Bonevski – has been published in the journal Health Promotional Internationalhttps://doi.org/10.1093/heapro/daad145

It’s time to address the high rate of Australians with disabilities addicted to smoking


Peer-Reviewed Publication

FLINDERS UNIVERSITY





According to a new analysis, almost a quarter of Australians with disabilities smoke when compared to just 12.6% of the wider population.

While the number of Australians smoking is declining, the barriers for people with disabilities mean targeted support is needed to develop healthier habits.

Flinders University and Cancer Council NSW health experts are recommending new strategies to tackle the alarming smoking rate through targeted government policies, data collection on smoking and training for disability support workers on tobacco prevention strategies.

The experts have assessed strategies that can address increased risk factors that result in higher rates of smoking among people with disabilities. These include socioeconomic challenges that make nicotine replacements unaffordable such as higher unemployment and living on income support.

Physical restrictions and a shortage of trained professionals to support their efforts to quit make the challenge even harder, according to the researchers.

Cancer Council NSW Tobacco Cessation Coordinator and lead author of the paper, Tiana Vourliotis, said a comprehensive approach including smoking cessation services, co-designed programs, and targeted policy initiatives is imperative to reduce the prevalence of tobacco use.

Published in the Australian & New Zealand Journal of Public Health, the researchers recommend innovative prevention strategies that can close the disparity in smoking rates, including:

  • Offering support to stop smoking within disability services
  • Training for healthcare providers and support workers on effective strategies
  • Consistent policy across Australian states
  • Further collection of smoking data

Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute Director and study co-author, Professor Billie Bonevski, says the decrease in the numbers of people who smoke in Australia is not consistent across the whole of society and there remains a significantly higher smoking prevalence among people experiencing social, economic, or cultural disadvantage.

 

“People with disabilities encounter various obstacles, including lower socioeconomic status, unemployment, and difficulties accessing affordable quit-smoking support. Physical barriers and a shortage of trained professionals make the challenge even greater, hindering their ability to quit smoking,” says Professor Bonevski.

“Despite these big challenges, we know that informed policymaking and a dedication to positive health outcomes can drive meaningful reductions in smoking rates for people with disabilities.”

The federal government last year introduced new laws aimed at curbing smoking and addiction to tobacco in Australia using health warnings on packaging.

But this research has recognised the importance of providing choice for people with disabilities with the aim of fostering supportive environments for quitting, particularly in health and residential settings where they reside.

“Our commitment to addressing high smoking rates among people with disabilities in Australia can set a precedent for global efforts when it comes to developing targeted strategies and paving the way for a healthier future for the entire population.”

 

A pathway to environmental restoration: Sustainable strategies for cesium removal from radioactive wastewater


Peer-Reviewed Publication

HIGHER EDUCATION PRESS

News organizations may use or redistribute this image, with proper attribution, as part of news coverage of this paper only 

IMAGE: 

NEWS ORGANIZATIONS MAY USE OR REDISTRIBUTE THIS IMAGE, WITH PROPER ATTRIBUTION, AS PART OF NEWS COVERAGE OF THIS PAPER ONLY.

view more 

CREDIT: HIGHER EDUCATION PRESS LIMITED COMPANY




The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, triggered by the earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011, resulted in a severe release of radioactive materials, including cesium, from the damaged nuclear reactors. The loss of cooling capabilities led to partial meltdowns in the reactor cores, releasing a substantial amount of cesium-137 (Cs-137) and cesium-134 (Cs-134) into the environment. The release of Cs-137, in particular, poses environmental and human health hazards due to its long half-life and high mobility in the environment. Environmentally, Cs-137 contributes to radioactive contamination and can lead to soil degradation and ecosystem disruption. In terms of human health, prolonged exposure to Cs-137 radiation increases the risk of cancer, particularly affecting the thyroid. Long-term effects may include chronic radiation damage, impacting immune and reproductive systems.

The removal of cesium from radioactive wastewater remains a challenging task due to several factors. The complex chemical nature of cesium makes its effective removal a technologically demanding process. Furthermore, the sheer volume of radioactive wastewater generated, especially in the aftermath of nuclear accidents like the Fukushima disaster, adds to the complexity. Large-scale treatment processes are needed to handle the substantial quantities of contaminated water, and the choice of an appropriate method must consider factors such as efficiency, cost, and environmental impact. 

In a recent paper by Prof. Shuting Zhuang and Prof. Jianlong Wang, two common methods for cesium removal have been reviewed in detail: adsorption and membrane separation methods. Adsorption emerges as a highly effective method for treating radioactive wastewater with low radionuclide concentrations but spanning a significant volume. The primary focus is on advancing adsorbents that are both highly efficient and cost-effective for removing Cs+. Various materials, including inorganic (such as hexacyanoferrates, carbon-based materials, clay minerals, geopolymers, MOFs) and organic (resins, Cs+-imprinted polymers, macrocyclic ligands) substances, as well as biological materials (microbes, industrial and agricultural wastes, biopolymers), have been explored for Cs+ removal, with hexacyanoferrate recognized for its exceptional adsorption capacity and selectivity.

Membrane separation, particularly reverse osmosis (RO), stands out as an effective technique for cesium ion separation. RO membranes with smaller pores can efficiently retain cesium ions, offering advantages like commercialization, high efficiency, and water fluxes. Despite these advantages, membrane methods generate concentrated retention liquid that needs treatment due to higher concentrations of radioactive nuclides. Additionally, prolonged operation poses challenges to the radiation stability of membrane materials.

Ongoing research and technological advancements are essential to develop sustainable and cost-effective methods for treating contaminated water and mitigating the environmental impact of cesium discharge. Given the significance and complexity of removing cesium ions, Prof. Zhuang and Prof. Wang’s article has provided us with an overview of recent progress in this field. Interested readers are welcome to read the full article in the journal of Frontiers of Environmental Science and Engineering (Volume 18, Issue 3).

Their work is published in the journal Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering on December 11, 2023.

 

A virus that infected the first animals hundreds of millions of years ago has become essential for the development of the embryo


Peer-Reviewed Publication

CENTRO NACIONAL DE INVESTIGACIONES ONCOLÓGICAS (CNIO)

Nabil Djouder, head of the Growth Factors, Nutrients and Cancer Group at CNIO 

IMAGE: 

NABIL DJOUDER, HEAD OF THE GROWTH FACTORS, NUTRIENTS AND CANCER GROUP AT CNIO

view more 

CREDIT: ANTONIO TABERNERO / CNIO




  • At least 8% of the human genome is genetic material from viruses. It was considered ‘junk DNA’ until recently, but its role in human development is now known to be essential
  • Researchers at the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO) describe for the first time the role of these viruses in a key process in development, when cells become pluripotent few hours after fertilization
  • The finding, published in Science Advances, is relevant for regenerative medicine and for the creation of artificial embryos

All animals have evolved thanks to the fact that certain viruses infected primitive organisms hundreds of millions of years ago. Viral genetic material was integrated into the genome of the first multi-cellular beings and is still in our DNA today. Researchers from the CNIO (Spanish National Cancer Research Centre) describe now in the journal Science Advances for the first time the role played by these viruses in a process that is absolutely vital for our development, and which occurs a few hours after fertilisation: the transition to pluripotency, when the oocyte goes from having two to four cells.

Before this step, each of the two cells of the embryo is totipotent, i.e. it may develop inside an independent organism; the four cells of the next stage are not totipotent but are pluripotent, because they can differentiate into cells of any specialised tissue of the body.

For Sergio de la Rosa and Nabil Djouder, first author and senior author respectively, the finding is relevant for the field of regenerative medicine and for the creation of artificial embryos, as it opens up a new way to generate stable cell lines in the totipotency phases. Djouder leads the  Growth Factors, Nutrients and Cancer Group at the CNIO.

We are 8% retrovirus

Genetic material from the now so-called 'endogenous retroviruses' was integrated into the genomes of organisms that may have been drivers of the Cambrian explosion, a period more than 500 million years ago when the world's seas underwent a biodiversity boom. Over the past decade, genetic sequences from these viruses have been found to make up at least 8-10% of the human genome.

“Until recently, these viral remnants were considered to be 'junk DNA', genetic material that was unusable or even harmful," explains De la Rosa. "Intuitively, it was thought that having viruses in the genome could not be good. However, in recent years we are starting to realise that these retroviruses, which have co-evolved with us over millions of years, have important functions, such as regulating other genes. It's an extremely active field of research”.

The transition from totipotency to pluripotency, a question of pace

The research published in Science Advances shows that the MERVL endogenous retrovirus sets the pace in embryo development, especially during the specific step of the transition from totipotency to pluripotency, and explains the mechanism that makes this happen.

"It is a totally new role for endogenous retroviruses," says Djouder. "We discovered a new mechanism that explains how an endogenous retrovirus directly controls pluripotency factors".

This new action mechanism involves URI, a gene that Djouder's group is researching in depth. Years ago, it was discovered that if URI is deleted in laboratory animals, embryos do not even get to develop. De la Rosa wanted to find out why, and which is how its link to the MERVL retrovirus was discovered.

A smooth transition

The findings show that one of the functions of URI is to enable the action of molecules essential for acquiring pluripotency; if URI does not act, neither do the pluripotency factors, and the cell remains in a state of totipotency. It turns out to be an endogenous retrovirus protein, MERVL-gag, which modulates the action of URI.

The researchers found that during the totipotency phase, when there are only two cells in the oocyte, expression of the MERVL-gag viral protein is high; this protein binds to URI and prevents it from acting. However, the levels gradually change, so that the levels of MERVL-gag viral protein go down and URI can enter into action: pluripotency appears.

As De la Rosa explains, "It's a smooth transition. When there is a high expression of viral protein, there are fewer pluripotency factors; as ERV expression decreases, URI stabilises such factors”.

Symbiotic co-evolution

“Our findings reveal symbiotic co-evolution of endogenous retroviruses with their host cells in order to guarantee the smooth and timely progression of early embryonic development," explain the authors in Science Advances.

In other words, the three-way relationship between the viral protein, URI and pluripotency factors is finely modulated, "to allow sufficient time for the embryo to adjust and coordinate the smooth transition from totipotency to pluripotency and cell lineage specification during embryonic development," concludes Djouder.

 

One in five Colorado bumblebees are endangered, new report says


Reports and Proceedings

UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO AT BOULDER

Colorado's native pollinators are in decline 

IMAGE: 

THE HIGH COUNTRY BUMBLE BEE IS A UNCOMMON, HIGH-ELEVATION SPECIES NATIVE TO COLORADO.

view more 

CREDIT: ADRIAN CARPER/CU BOULDER




On a cliffside at Mesa Verde National Park in southern Colorado, a fuzzy bee was industriously gnawing at the red sandstone. Making a loud grinding sound, the insect used its powerful jaws to drill tunnels and holes in rocks, where it would build a nest for raising offspring. 

The bee, known as Anthophora pueblo, is a type of digger bee native to Colorado. Discovered less than a decade ago, the bee has quickly become Adrian Carper’s favorite pollinator. 

“This is just one example of how crazily diverse our native bees are,” said Carper, an entomologist in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Colorado Boulder and the CU Museum of Natural History. 

But those pollinators are in peril as a result of human activities, according to the first comprehensive report on Colorado’s native pollinating insects published by Carper and his collaborators earlier this month. 

The report summarized research on native pollinators in Colorado and found that in the last 35 years, populations of some pollinator species in the state have dropped by more than half. About 20% of Colorado’s 24 native bumblebee species are currently seeking federal protection by the Endangered Species Act due to a significant decline in their populations. 

“That’s a huge alarm call, and that’s only for species we have good data for,” Carper said, adding that this is likely an underestimate of the danger Colorado’s native pollinating insects are facing. 

In addition to bees and butterflies, other insects like beetles, flies and even mosquitoes also pollinate—many of them remain understudied. The report highlighted data from the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, where even in a well-protected high-elevation meadow, the number of insects living there has dropped by 61% over the last 35 years.

Native pollinators are critical to Colorado’s ecosystem, agriculture and tourism industry.  

For example, the world-famous Rocky Ford cantaloupes, native to the small town in southeastern Colorado, are best pollinated by the state’s native squash bees. These bees have evolved special hairs to carry the cantaloupe’s particularly large pollen grains. In contrast, honeybees lack these special hairs and are inefficient at pollinating cantaloupe flowers.

“Our native bees have co-evolved with our native plants. We recreate in our beautiful high alpine mountains, because they are covered in colorful wildflowers, which wouldn’t be there if they didn't have our native pollinators to help them reproduce. Additionally, those native plants are integral to our rangelands, supporting over $5 billion worth of livestock across the state,” Carper said. 

According to the report, habitat loss, pesticides, climate change and non-native species including honeybees, are the main threats to native pollinators’ survival. 

Insects are cold-blooded animals that rely on the environment to regulate their body temperature. Many pollinators might not tolerate higher temperatures, and extreme weather events like droughts and floods could wipe out insect habitats. Climate change also affects when and how many plants are flowering, influencing the availability of nectar and pollen, which are the key sources of food for pollinators. 

Despite being an important agricultural pollinator, the western honeybee is a non-native species to Colorado. But with a growing interest in beekeeping, Colorado has seen a surge in the numbers of urban honeybee hives in recent years. Research has shown that these honeybees could compete with native bees for food, and potentially spread diseases and parasites. 
 
“We need to better educate beekeepers on subjects like disease management and swarm control to mitigate honeybees’ impacts on native pollinators,” Carper said.

The report highlighted priorities for the state to conserve native pollinators, including creating and connecting patches of habitat to allow pollinators to move between areas, and reducing pesticide use. 

For individuals, there is also room for action, Carper said. 

“Planting with native plants in our own backyards can certainly support our native pollinators.”

 

Humpback whales move daytime singing offshore, research reveals


Peer-Reviewed Publication

UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA

Visual surveys from land station 

IMAGE: 

ANKE KÜGLER, MARC LAMMERS, ISABELLA CANEPA (STUDENT) AT THE OLOWALU LAND STATION CONDUCTING VISUAL SURVEYS. 

 

view more 

CREDIT: ADAM PACK




Humpback whale singing dominates the marine soundscape during winter months off Maui. However, despite decades of research, many questions regarding humpback whale behavior and song remain unanswered. New research revealed a daily pattern wherein whales move their singing away from shore throughout the day and return to the nearshore in the evening. The findings were led by the University of Hawaiʻi, in partnership with NOAA’s Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, and published in Royal Society Open Science

“Singers may be attempting to reduce the chances of their song being drowned out among the cacophony nearshore when whale numbers are high,” said Anke Kügler, lead author of the study who was a doctoral student in the Marine Biology Graduate Program at UH Mānoa at the time of the research. “Further, we documented humpback whales moving closer to shore around sunset, possibly to avoid the offshore evening chorus of other animals.”

By using a combination of underwater listening devices and visual surveys, the research team was able to track both the physical movements and the acoustic patterns of whales in the high-density breeding grounds found in Hawai‘i. 

“This dynamic onshore-offshore movement of singers may be aimed at increasing the efficiency of the whales’ acoustic display, ensuring that other whales hear their songs,” said Marc Lammers, study co-author and research ecologist with NOAA’s Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.

“This is the first effort of its kind, to our knowledge, in which we used specialized acoustic sensors to localize individual singers relatively close to shore to understand daily variations in the distance to shore of these nearshore singers, their spacing, and their movement behavior,” said Kügler. “This helped contextualize the visual results and overcome some of the limitations from the land-based visual observations of movement.”

Humpback whale song is presumed to play an important role for breeding. The new findings highlight the significance for male singers of an environment that is teeming with acoustic commotion. Through their approach, the team identified potential drivers for the daily onshore-offshore migrations—nearshore environments that are too crowded with whales during the day and offshore areas that are too noisy with the chorus of other animals in the evening.  

“Discussions of noise pollution related to marine mammals have been dominated by concerns over anthropogenic noise,” said Kügler. “Potential acoustic masking from natural sources, including one whale masking another whale’s song, has been mostly overlooked. By exploring possible drivers of the observed patterns, we add to our understanding of how animals that rely on acoustic signals adopt behavioral strategies to mitigate masking from loud environments.”

Humpback whales are ecologically, economically, and culturally significant in Hawai‘i and their singing is iconic around the world.

“It is our collective kuleana (responsibility) to be the koholā’s (humpback whales) stewards,” said Lammers. “This and future work contributes to fulfilling the Sanctuary’s management plan by developing and implementing crucial research on humpback whales and their habitats to help maintain a healthy, sustainable population.”

In addition to Kügler and Lammers, co-authors on the study include Adam Pack, professor of psychology and biology at UH Hilo, founder and director of the UH Hilo Marine Mammal Lab and co-founder of the LOHE bioacoustics lab; and Aaron Thode and Ludovic Tenorio-Hallé at Scripps Institute of Oceanography, University of California.

Singing whake (IMAGE)

UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA

Humpback whale chorus off Maui, Hawai'i (AUDIO)


UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA