Chantal Hartle

Untertitelung des ZDF für funk, 2017 Die Forschung, die in dem neuen Wissenschaftsmagazin veröffentlicht wurde, zeigt, dass diese individuellen Markierungen auch die Temperatur der Tiere beeinflussen können. Teams aus der Universität Zürich und der Universität Bristol haben mehr als 800 wilde Masai-Giraffen in Tansania über einen achtjährigen Zeitraum studiert.

Sie fanden, dass Kälber und ältere Männer mit größeren Spots mehr möglich waren, wenn die Temperaturen ungewöhnlich niedrig waren. Jeder Teppich eines Giraffenkotens enthält ein Netzwerk von Blutwesseln, die helfen, sie zu konservieren oder zu erheben, abhängig von ihrem Umfeld. Die Forscher denken, das könnte erklären, warum größere Spots in kälteren Temperaturen besser überleben.

Im Gegensatz zu sehr heißem Wetter fanden sie, dass männliche Giraffen und Kühe mit kleineren Spots verbesserte Überlebensmöglichkeiten. Forscher sagen, dass zu viel Wärme, die von Sonnenlicht absorbiert wird, die Möglichkeit der Giraffen, ihre Temperatur zu regulieren, die Tiere mit größeren Spots zu Hypothermie auslösen könnte.

Wenn es um ältere Frauen ging, hatten die Spots-Patternen wenig Auswirkungen auf Überlebensmöglichkeiten. The team found that they were more likely to stay in groups with their calves and not roam around as much as male giraffes, making them less exposed to extreme weather.

Maria Brañas Morera was born in the US in 1907 before emigrating to Spain as a child. She lived through two world wars, the Spanish Civil War, a flu pandemic and COVID-19. She previously spoke about her healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, a Mediterranean diet and eating three yogurts a day.

Maria Brañas Morera even volunteered to help scientists at the University of Barcelona understand how she had lived so long. Researchers started analysing her DNA before her death, as genetics professor Manel Estela told the BBC last year.

That was then, but the complete findings have revealed something even more extraordinary. The scientists found that her genes allowed her cells to behave as if they were 17 years younger than they actually were. They discovered that her gut bacteria closely resembled that of a child and that she had low levels of unhealthy cholesterol.

It was a combination of these lucky genetics and a healthy lifestyle that seemed to explain why Maria Brañas Moreira was able to live well beyond a century. This is thought to be one of the most extensive research projects into a so-called supercentenarian, someone above the age of 110.

The researchers in Barcelona hope the findings will help those aiming to develop medications and treatments for age-related illnesses.

For Paul, though, there was only one real complaint when the pub ran out of sausages. He joked that it was atrocious, saying he was gutted there was no pork sausages, no more English breakfast. Chantal Hartle reporting.

Back home in Australia's Northern Territory, Paul and Naomi Wright are used to average temperatures of around 30 degrees Celsius in December. They wanted to experience snow in winter and chose to end their round-written trip in the North Yorkshire Dales. But perhaps they didn't expect quite as much snow.

The couple were among 23 guests, six staff members and a dog who were stuck inside the pub. But they made the most of their extended holiday. Paul pulled his first pint of beer and built his first ever snowman. Naomi found plenty of things to keep herself busy too.

Yeah, party last night. That party resulted in some guests feeling a little tender the following day, according to staff. Pub manager Nicole Hayes said it was wonderful to see the friendships that had formed.

And this isn't the first time for the Tanhill Inn. In 2021, 60 people who came to the pub to watch an Oasis tribute band ended up trapped there for three days because of heavy snow. Thankfully, staff are prepared for these situations and make sure they have enough accommodation, fuel and food to get them through. Naomi said her family were well looked after by their hosts.