

Ancient Chinese Poems Reveal the 1,400-Year Disappearance of a Smiling River Spirit
Publishing in Current Biology, a team led by Zhigang Mei of the Chinese Academy of Sciences analyzed 724 poems dating back as far as the year 618 to reconstruct the historical range of the Yangtze finless porpoise, a freshwater species once revered in Chinese folklore for its intelligence and seeming smile. Their findings are sobering: the porpoise’s habitat has shrunk by at least 65% over the past 1,400 years, with the steepest declines occurring in the last century.
Adapting to water temperature changes: the smart "coat" of Yangtze finless porpoise
Discover how cetaceans like dolphins and whales masterfully regulate their body temperature in water, 25 times more conductive than air. Their secret lies in a remarkable subcutaneous blubber layer, adapting to cold and warmth like a cozy jacket. Chinese researchers used ultrasound to unveil changing blubber thickness in Yangtze finless porpoises as water temperature shifts, shedding light on appetite's role. This intricate interplay between energy intake, blubber, and temperature beckons further exploration, offering insights into cetaceans' adaptive prowess and potential conservation strategies. Explore the science in Water Biology and Security.