A cure for cancer may be swimming 2,200 meters (~7,200 feet) below the surface of the Arctic and North Atlantic oceans. Greenland sharks (Somniosus microcephalus) are deep-dwelling animals who live to be ~400 years old in the wild without a shred of medical care. The secret to their longevity is likely in their genes that fend off cancer.
An international team of 28 scientists recently published a paper mapping the Greenland shark’s genome. And the results are astonishing. The shark’s genome has two remarkable features: many duplicate genes give the shark an enhanced ability to repair damaged DNA, and their genome has an altered p53 protein that makes the protein more robust. What do those two things have to do with cancer? As it turns out, everything!
Damaged DNA and cancerDamaged DNA that isn’t repaired causes mutations in genes that regulate how a cell grows and divides. This damage causes cell growth to skyrocket uncontrollably leading to tumors, a.k.a. cancer. There are many ways DNA can be damaged — UV rays from the sun when we don’t wear sufficient sunscreen, tobacco smoke, exposure to toxic chemicals, aging, and the normal processes of living.
Most of the time and for most of our lives, our bodies recognize the damaged DNA and either repair the cell or purge that cell through our natural waste processes, kicking the damaged cell out of our bodies so it never causes problems. However, these damaged cells can be sneaky and hide, or the amount of damage can be very extensive, making it difficult for our bodies to repair or remove all of it.
The Greenland shark’s enhanced ability to repair damaged DNA is an incredible adaptation that helps prevent cancer. Knowing that DNA damage is such an asset for the shark’s longevity further spurs our cancer research to seek out new treatments and therapies to enhance human abilities to repair DNA damage.
p53 protein and cancer The p53 protein is a powerhouse in the bodies of almost every animal. p53 is a tumor suppressor, protecting cell DNA from damage, initiating repairs when it detects damaged DNA, and kicking damaged cell out of the body when necessary. Greenland sharks have a more robust p53 protein than other animals, allowing them to be more highly attuned to protect against and repair DNA damage.
Biomimicry, nature preservation, and biodiversity conservation is vital for human health Among its many attributes, nature is a research lab, pharmacy, library, and archive. The species with whom we share this planet hold the answers to every question we have. It takes time, effort, and funding to study nature and find these answers.
By employing biomimicry (the emulation of nature’s design genius, such as the adaptations of the Greenland sharks that give them such great longevity), protecting nature, and safeguarding biodiversity, we are providing ourselves with a source of unlimited creativity, knowledge, and wisdom. Our lives, and the lives of all beings, are intricately intertwined. Nature will help us thrive if we care enough to help nature survive.
Black-backed woodpecker. National Park Gallery. Public domain photograph by National Park Service.
For most animals, including humans, wildfires represent a dire threat. The smoke-filled skies and relentless heat leave little room for survival. But against all odds, in the natural world, fires don’t always signal death. For a select few creatures, they actually signal an opportunity—a gateway to survival and even proliferation. These creatures, adapted to the flames, have evolved extraordinary traits to navigate and thrive in fire-scorched environments. From fire-seeking beetles to flame-spreading birds, their stories reveal the unexpected resilience and ingenuity of life in the face of destruction.
1. Pyrophilous Beetles
Pyrophilous (or “fire-loving”) beetles are nature’s fire chasers. Beetles like those of the Melanophila genus (commonly known as fire beetles) can locate forest fires from astonishing distances—up to 80 miles away. Their infrared sensors detect heat, while finely tuned smoke receptors in their antennae guide them toward the source of the flames.
But why seek out fire?
For these beetles, a scorched forest is the perfect nursery. The intense heat weakens a tree’s defenses, making it easier for the beetles to lay their eggs under the bark. The larvae, free from the competition of other insects and predators, feast on the decaying wood. This burned environment provides a sanctuary for growth and ensures the continuation of their lifecycle.
Interestingly, Melanophila beetles are not alone in their fire-seeking pursuits. Other insects, like the Australian fire beetle (Merimna atara) also make the most of fire-damaged forests. They are drawn to the scent of burning eucalyptus trees, where they lay their eggs in the tree’s charred remains. However, these beetles don’t just swoop in to capitalize on scorched earth; they also play a pivotal ecological role. By breaking down charred wood, these insects accelerate the recycling of nutrients back into the ecosystem, enriching the soil and paving the way for new plant growth.
2. Woodpeckers
For certain woodpeckers, fire-scorched forests are not just habitats but lifelines. Species such as the black-backed, red-cockaded, and white-headed woodpeckers depend on post-fire landscapes to survive. When wildfires clear the dense understory of forests, they leave behind standing dead trees, or snags, which are prime real estate for these birds.
The black-backed woodpecker (Picoides arcticus) is particularly adept at thriving in these conditions. Its diet consists largely of the larvae of wood-boring beetles, which proliferate in recently burned forests. By foraging in these areas, the woodpeckers control insect populations and contribute to the balance of the ecosystem.
The red-cockaded woodpecker (Leuconotopicus borealis), a threatened species, and the white-headed woodpecker (Picoides albolarvatus) offer two other compelling examples. These birds rely on mature pine forests that experience periodic low-intensity fires. Fire prevents the growth of competing vegetation and maintains the open, savanna-like conditions these woodpeckers need to nest and forage for food.
In fact, it was even observed that when natural fires were suppressed, red-cockaded woodpecker populations plummeted. Conservationists have since employed controlled burns to mimic natural fire cycles, helping these birds reclaim their niche in the ecosystem.
Fire lessons for us
Fires radically and permanently transform everything they touch. Once something is touched by fire, it is never the same again. The chemical reactions are irreversible.
Since my apartment building fire that happened in 2009, I’ve thought a lot about this idea of the change and rebirth that follows destruction. I was never the same after my fire. It was a long road to heal after that terrible incident.
I used to think of my fire as the worst day of my life. Now, I think of it as one of the best. That experience made me a writer. That experience destroyed my fragile mental health and was the impetus to get the therapy I had needed since I was a child. I was forged in that fire in a way that I would need when I later encountered other challenges such as the pandemic, cancer, losing my beloved Phineas, and difficult career changes.
Yes, it made me resilient, but at a terribly steep price. On the other side of it now, with distance and time, I can see the value. However, I can’t say I’m eager to go through something like that again. And yet, when I look around at our world today, I think we may not have a choice. The proverbial fires are being set. Like the animals that have to adapt to their habitat changed my fire, I think we may find ourselves in a similar position in the not-to-distant future. We may be there already.
I don’t know how we’ll adapt to a new world order as these animals have done. I have a lot of questions, and I’m trying to live my way into the answers. What is my role in the midst of the fire? What will remain? How will we pick up the pieces and build something new from them? How will what we build from what remains help those who come after us? How can we use nature as a guide and collaborator in our rebuilding?
In this moment in time, I’m looking for comfort and advice in nature and books. I recently read The Finnish Way: Finding Courage, Wellness, and Happiness Through the Power of Sisu by journalist Katja Pantzar. A Canadian with Finnish heritage, she moved to Finland for work. What she never expected and found is that embracing the Finnish lifestyle would radically transform her mental and physical health. Curious to see if I could adopt these lessons myself in my Brooklyn life, this is what I’ve tried and how it’s going:
Nature heals
Finns spend time outside in all sorts of weather all year long, even when the days are short and cold. They bike to work. They go out of their way to take the scenic route, spending as much time in nature as they can. They take winter swims (or dunks!) in the frigid sea followed by warm and cozy saunas. Cold water dips have been shown to have health benefits: circulation, reduced inflammation, and enhanced mood, along with a possible boost to the immune system. (However, if you have heart issues, please consult a doctor before trying cold water swimming.)
People in Finland put away their technology and embrace being together with others, often outside and in natural settings. They see nature as a generous neighbor. Yes, it takes effort and time, but the benefits far exceed the work and planning required to experience them.
Once Pantzar took on this view of nature, and practices like cold water swims and warm saunas, she noticed her mental and physical health improve. She felt clear-headed and physically stronger. Her gratitude for nature grew. Her relationships flourished.
My take:
I’m fortunate to live close to Prospect Park in Brooklyn. It’s a sprawling green space of over 500 acres. I’ve been trying to get there more often, even when it’s cold, either before or after work or at lunch time. I’ve also been trying to spend time in nature with others, a walking meet up.
I’m about a 20-minute subway ride from the ocean. However, there’s no sauna close by so I’ve not done the cold plunges in the open water. Instead, at the end of my morning shower, I turn the water to cold and try to bear 10 seconds. Though I can’t say I love the cold water, I have found them helpful. From the first time I tried this, I felt a rush afterwards. Something about doing this makes me smile. I feel alert and ready to take on the day.
Doing things that are difficult carries a certain level of pride and accomplishment. When we realize we can do hard things, our confidence grows. Whether that’s a cold-water swim, a strenuous hike or bike ride, learning a new skill, or simply getting through a long and difficult winter, there is joy to be found in overcoming obstacles and challenges. We don’t need to shy away from something because we’re afraid of failing, nor because we’re complete beginners trying to find out way. We can embrace that, one step at a time.
My take:
I really love being a beginner. I’m always trying to do new things, with varying degrees of success and learning! Whether it’s learning a new language, cooking and baking, in my writing and paper collage work, a new academic pursuit, or new sports, workouts, and physical challenges, I approach things with curiosity. The older I get, the more comfortable I am saying, “I have no idea how to do this but I’m just going to see how it goes.” I’ve especially loved taking on tasks that I initially think are way too difficult for me to do. I like practice. I like seeing progress and improvement, however small. And when I do make it up that mountain, the views are really spectacular.
Food and exercise
When it comes to diet and exercise, Finns take a sensible approach. They eat more vegetables and fruit than anything else. They bake movement and exercise into their everyday routines. And they make it all fun and engaging. Feeding themselves and exercising is not work; they’re essential to their well-being and a source of joy.
My take:
Having been through cancer, I have seen how what I eat and how I exercise can improve my health outcomes. I got through cancer treatment and continue to get through my current medication side effects largely through diet and exercise rather than taking more medications with even more side effects. My medications impact my muscles, joints, mental health, bone health, and everyday life. They’re not a picnic to manage, but I find when I eat well and move more, I feel better, and the side effects are lessened. Being in good physical shape also helps my medications be as effective as possible. Diet and exercise are within my control, and therefore empowering. Though I’m an omnivore, I’m a plant-based eater and I love cooking and baking. I exercise every day. For my health, I gave up alcohol. I’ve never felt better!
Body-mind communication
One of the many things I admire about the Finns is their growth mindset at every age. They understand the connection between their minds and bodies as part of their culture. Reducing stress is a big part of their motivation of how they live their lives.
My take:
In different chapters of my life, I’ve gone back and forth on whether the body influences the mind more than the mind influences the body. Now I see them as truly equal partners. Sometimes, my mind helps my body level up. Other times, embracing physical challenges helps clear and calm my mind. Their partnership makes me whole.
Though I live over 4,000 miles from Finland, this book helped me bring a bit of the Finnish lifestyle to Brooklyn. I’m excited to keep exploring and to see where this all leads.
Have you ever thought about bees as your life or career coaches? As an aspiring beekeeper, I’m fascinated by how these incredible creatures live and work. Their hives are a model combination of structure and flexibility.
Experts versus generalists
Some bees are genetically predisposed to have certain talents making them suitable for specific jobs. Others prefer to learn new skills and have new experiences, so they may hold a whole host of different jobs. Some have multiple jobs at the same time. Most bees are generalists; they cycle through different jobs at different stages of their lives and depending upon what the hive needs at any one time.
By nature, I’m curious and have an interest in a lot of different areas. None of us is just one thing. We contain multitudes. We can live our lives spherically, in many different directions, and be better for it.
Unified by a common purpose
While each bee has their talents and preferences, all of them work in service of their hive. They have one guiding mission – to perpetuate the health and longevity of their hive long after any one individual has passed away. For example, middle aged bees usually begin foraging. However, if the population of the hive needs to increase to maintain its health, a middle-aged bee will delay the foraging portion of their lives in favor of tending to the brood of baby bees (known as larvae.) Similarly, if the population of the hive is booming and more foragers are needed to collect nectar, pollen, and water to keep the hive healthy, she will begin to forage sooner than middle age.
This reminds of looking at our career choices through three lenses: what are we good at, what does the world need, and what do we enjoy doing? What is our higher purpose, and how do our lives and careers serve that purpose?
Managing career transitions
Though a worker honeybee only lives for a month or two, she often holds many jobs in that time and sometimes has more than one job at once. As soon as she emerges from her cell, a young bee gets to work around the hive, cleaning brood cells (including the one from which she just emerged) so that the queen bee can lay new eggs. Younger bees work inside the hive (like a child learning to do chores around the house) and older, more experienced bees work outside the hive, foraging for nectar, pollen, and water. Bees are never afraid to try something new, to be beginners. They are secure in their abilities, and they believe in one another’s abilities.
Whenever I’m trying something new, I think of bees and try to have the courage and confidence they have. Being part of a team means we’re never alone in our work. We’re all in it together.
Caring for the next generation
Taking care of their community is the north star for bees. Caring for future generations is the whole reason they do what they do. A nurse bee feeds and cares for thousands of developing bees, as well as the adult bees in the hive. Nurse bees also build new comb while caring for their bee family and build it with surprising speed. It’s a collaborative effort, with each bee playing their part in service to all the other bees and their collective future.
No one is an island. Taking care of each other in our community is also a way to take care of ourselves.
Minding their home
In addition to building comb, some bees are especially skilled at helping to maintain the temperature and humidity of the hive as weather conditions change. A hive is a dynamic place. When the temperature rises or plummets, or when drought sets in, environmentally inclined bees get to work using their bodies to heat and cool the hive so that their home and the bees who live there remain in tip top shape.
It’s easy for us to be heads-down on our work and consumed with our own lives. It’s worth taking a look around and seeing how we might be able to help the whole system in which we operate. We’ll be better off, and so will our neighbors, if the whole system works better for everyone.
Adventure awaits
As stated before, middle-aged bees begin the foraging chapter of their lives. They start by taking some test flights close to the hive to get their bearings. Within a matter of hours, they get the lay of the land and begin foraging for nectar, pollen, and water. What they collect, how much they collect, how many foraging trips they take per day, how far they travel, and if they attempt to multi-task by collecting more than one kind of material in a single trip depends upon the needs of the hive and the depth of the bee’s experience. Once she arrives back at her hive with the goods, she passes them off to receivers at the entrance of the hive before she either takes a rest or heads back out to forage again.
We spend a lot of time in our comfort zone. Getting out into the world gives us new perspective and benefits our community when we return with new knowledge and new experience.
Communication
The exchange of goods between foragers and receivers is thought to be a time for the bees to communicate. It’s possible that the receiver is letting the forager know what’s happening around the hive so that the forager is able to head out into the world to collect what the hive needs. The forager is letting the collector know what’s happening outside the hive.
If a forager is waiting a long time for a collector to take what she’s brought back, she will also begin to recruit more bees inside the hive to act as collectors, maximizing the efficiency of all of the foragers. She has agency to create a change. Foragers only travel from sunrise to sunset, and sleep through the night, so time is of the essence during daylight hours. Communication keeps the hive humming, literally and figuratively.
Our communities are healthier and happier when communication flows freely between members. Tell your stories and listen to the stories of others. We’re all better off when we share.
Rest
While we’ve given the proverbial title of worker bee to someone who’s always busy, bees prioritize rest for a very good reason – a tired bee doesn’t communicate nor navigate as well as a rested bee. The world is a treacherous place. To survive and thrive, and help her hive do the same, a bee must be well-rested and well-fed.
How many times do we tell ourselves, “Just push through,” when what we really need is to rest and recharge? Make like a bee and take a break. Nourish yourself. You’ll feel and work better when you take better care of yourself.
Looking to the future
No one home will suit a hive forever. While many bees spend their lives tending to the present needs of the hive, someone has to be on the lookout for what’s next. Scouts, who know the neighborhood well from their foraging, are consistently searching for the next home, and the next food and water sources. They will sometimes overnight in a new place to check it out as a potential future home for her hive. Once a home is chosen by the hive, a scout leads the entire swarm to that home, as she is one of the only bees in the hive to have ever been there.
While it’s important to be present, there’s also value to looking ahead every so often, too. Where might we want to go? What might be a future area of learning and experience for us? How might we refill the well?
So often the way we live and work is out of sync with how nature operates. How might our lives and careers be transformed if we took a page out of the bees’ book, establishing a flexible structure in our lives, careers, and communities that takes care of every member and allows every member to contribute?
While we grapple with the battle that lies ahead in our country, I’m finding joy, solace, and rest when I need it in nature. I’m fortunate to live in a neighborhood in New York with a lot of green space. I’m close to Brooklyn’s Prospect Park and my neighborhood’s streets are lined with towering London Plane trees that are nearly 130 years old.
When I walk outside of my apartment, I always pause to look at the trees on my block. They have seen so much change, and have continued to rise, to survive. In my meditations, I imagine myself as one of them, reaching ever upward toward the light.
As I was coming home last week, I saw a small vine, climbing up the side of one of the London Plane trees. Small and purposeful, determined to defy gravity through its efforts, on tiny step at a time. How can we keep moving forward, reaching up, even as forces attempt to drag us back?
Crocuses
On a particularly cold day, I saw the crocuses pushing through the bare, frozen ground. They would not be kept from the sun any more. It was time to bloom. I saw them in a small garden at Bowling Green near the ferry terminal, waiting for my friend, Ashley, so we could go together to Ellis Island. (More on that adventure in a separate post.)
“Aren’t they beautiful?” I heard a man’s voice say.
“They are,” I replied as I turned to face him. “Crocuses are small and mighty flowers.”
“What did you call them?” he asked me.
“Crocuses,” I repeated. “They’re the first flowers to bloom. They tell us spring will be here soon.”
“You mean they tell us we made it? We made it through winter?” he asked.
I laughed. “Yes, that’s right. We made it.”
We high-fived. “I learned something today. Miss, God bless you. I’m gonna tell the people who take care of this garden about this.”
I’m stilling think about this man’s joy as he realized we had made it through, that perhaps our best days are still ahead of us. How can we hang onto that idea in the midst of turmoil?
Daffodils in Prospect Park
March’s flower is the daffodil. As a March baby, I always associate their arrival with my birthday. It’s also the official flower of New York City. My dear soul dog, Phineas, loved to put his beautiful, formidable snoot right into them when we’d walk together in Central Park so they always remind me of his beautiful spirit.
My soul dog, Phineas, smelling daffodils in Central Park
On my way to an appointment on Thursday, the first day of spring, I smiled as I saw legions of daffodils swaying in the soft wind. Nothing would keep them from heralding a new season. Nothing would keep them from their joy. Not the rain or the cold or the grey skies. They were born to sing. So are we.
Open up your medicine cabinet and have a look around. You may have the latest cancer treatment front and center—aspirin. Yep. Good ole regular aspirin that costs ~$0.05 per tablet.
The discovery of aspirin’s nature roots dates back to ancient civilizations. Sumerians, Egyptians, and Greeks used willow bark as a pain reliever. The 18th- and 19th-century ushered in a host of developments that led to modern day aspirin. In 1763, English clergyman Edward Stone observed willow bark reduced fevers. In 1828, German chemist Joseph Buchner isolated salicin as the active chemical in willow bark. In 1853, French chemist Charles Gerhardt synthesized salicylic acid, a derivative of salicin. In 1897, German chemist Felix Hoffmann, working for the Bayer company, synthesized acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), a more stable and less irritating form of salicylic acid. He named the new compound “aspirin,” a combination of the words “acetyl” and “spiraea,” a plant related to willow. Bayer patented aspirin on March 6, 1899, and began marketing it as a pain reliever and fever reducer.
Fast forward 126 years, almost exactly to the day. Scientists have now uncovered how aspirin works to stop some cancers such as breast, bowel, and prostate from spreading (known as metastasis.) Metastasis, the spread of cancer cells from primary tumors to distant organs, is the cause of 90% of cancer deaths globally.
When cancer first spreads, there’s a window of opportunity for treatment when cancer cells are particularly vulnerable. By stimulating the immune system during this window of time, aspirin could prevent spread and recurrence in patients with early cancer. The study, published on March 5, 2025 in the journal, Nature, will support ongoing clinical trials in humans, to work out who is most likely to benefit based on the many different aspects of tumors (known as biomarkers.) It’s also important to note that aspirin is known to increase bleeding risk and can cause extreme stomach upset and toxicity so this treatment must only be done under the recommendation and supervision of a medical team.
“Most immunotherapies are developed to treat patients with established metastatic cancer, but when cancer first spreads there’s a unique therapeutic window of opportunity when cancer cells are particularly vulnerable to immune attack. We hope that therapies that target this window of vulnerability will have tremendous scope in preventing recurrence in patients with early cancer at risk of recurrence.”
Aspirin is less expensive than antibody-based therapies, so more accessible globally. It also has fewer side effects than many cancer treatments and could therefore be better tolerated by patients to protect and preserve quality of life without compromising other aspects of a person’s health.
I have a long day of medical appointments with my oncology team at NYU’s Perlmutter Cancer Center next week on March 25th. (These are my regular check-ups and include the administration of some of my medications that I have to have done by my medical team.) I’ll absolutely discuss with them the potential of aspirin to help keep me cancer-free, and keep you updated on their response. I love to participate in research studies – not only does it help me, but it also helps me pay forward all of the benefits I’ve received from others who participated in research that make my treatments possible. Curing cancer takes a village, and maybe someday, a daily dose of aspirin.
Soon, lavender’s scent won’t be the only reason it causes you to take a deep inhale. In addition to soothing your mind, it’s about to revolutionize the way we store clean energy.
Sodium-sulfur batteries are an alternative to lithium-ion batteries. Unlike lithium and cobalt, sodium and sulfur are abundant, easily obtained, and relatively easy to recycle. However, these batteries can’t store nearly as much energy as lithium-ion batteries, and their storage capacity is degraded even further after a few charging cycles. The challenge for scientists has been how to create a battery that has the benefits of lithium-ion batteries and sodium-sulfur batteries without the downsides of either. Lavender, or more specifically linalool, to the rescue!
“By taking a creative look at nature, we are finding solutions to many of the challenges posed by the energy transition, “ said Paolo Giusto.
Nature to the rescue, again. As a society, we need to recognize that nature is not something to by dominated by our egos, but rather a wider guide, teacher, and partner to help us improve the lives all beings while caring for the one planet we all share.
For most species, including humans, wildfires represent a dire threat. But against all odds, fire’s fast-moving flames, smoke-filled skies, and relentless heat don’t always signal death in nature. Some species have evolved extraordinary adaptations to turn destruction into an opportunity — a gateway to survival and even proliferation. Their stories reveal how nature’s resilience and ingenuity can flourish in the face of destruction, and how following their lead can help us do the same.
1. Pyrophilous (“fire-loving”) beetles
Commonly known as fire beetles, these species have infrared sensors that detect heat, and antennae receptors that detect smoke. Together, these sensors and receptors guide them to the fires from up to 80 miles away. But why would a beetle want to fly into the fire?
Scorched forests provide them with everything they need to help create the next generation — the intense heat lifts the bark from the tree trunks where the beetles lay their eggs; without competition from other insects and free from the threat of predators, the larvae have the decaying wood as an abundant food source.
These beetles also jump start the rewilding process after a fire to help rebuild the ecosystem. As they break down the decaying wood, they speed up the recycling of nutrients into the soil and accelerate the growth of new plants and trees.
How can we put the beetle’s adaptations to work for us? Studying the structure of their sensors and receptors could help engineers and designers develop tools to help us identify fires from long-range distances, allowing us to deploy fire fighters and resources earlier and more quickly to extinguish them sooner and more effectively. These beetles also teach us that within the ashes of destruction lie opportunities for something new to grow and begin the process of rebuilding.
2. Woodpeckers
Black-backed, red-cockaded, and white-headed woodpeckers see post-fire landscapes as tasty buffets. They feast on the beetle larvae abundant in these areas. The woodpeckers keep the beetle populations under control to balance the newly forming ecosystems recovering from wildfires. The open, grassland conditions that are present in the early stages of forest recovery are perfect places for woodpeckers to nest and forage for food.
Woodpeckers show us that places that don’t look perfect can often be perfect for our needs.
3. Redwood trees
After a fire, redwood trees sprout new seedlings. This process is known as epicormic sprouting. They store energy in dormant buds under their bark. Even after centuries, these buds can sprout. They also sprout new growth from the roots of burned trees. This ability to resprout from dormant buds and from their roots, even after the tree dies, gives redwoods an advantage over tree species that reproduce through seeds alone.
Redwoods developed this adaptation to prepare for difficult times, giving them the best chance of propagating the next generation, even if the trees themselves wouldn’t live to see that future themselves.
These three species are exemplars of how to survive and thrive through difficulties and disturbances. Right now, we’re facing multiple, painful challenges in our world. Feelings of hopelessness and helplessness are understandable. Life on Earth has existed for nearly 4 billion years, and nature has faced a constant barrage of challenges throughout and adapted. Beetles, woodpeckers, and redwoods are three examples of how to rise to and overcome challenges: always seek opportunity everywhere, even and especially in the places that don’t sparkle and shine; contribute and be part of the rebuilding community; in times of plenty, prepare for times of scarcity.
When the student is ready, the teacher will appear. Nature has the lessons we need to learn. We can benefit from nature’s nearly 4 billion years of accumulated wisdom if we are willing to put aside our own egos. Are we ready and willing to be nature’s students?
If you’ve benefitted from the medications Ozempic, Wegovy, and others like them to treat diabetes and support weight management, thank the Gila monster. They have a hormone (exendin-4) that controls their blood sugar and delays the stomach from emptying, prolonging feelings of fullness. It’s similar in chemical composition to our GLP-1 hormone that performs the same functions in our bodies. However, the Gila monster’s exendin-4 allows them to stay healthy while eating only 5 to 10 times per year.
This ability to fast for long periods of time without impacting their health piqued the interest of endocrinologist Dr. John Eng and his team of researchers in the 1980s and 1990s. They set out to discover if a medication that mimics exendin-4 would help humans manage their blood sugar and weight.
A component of their venom, the Gila monster’s exendin-4 while similar to our GLP-1 was found by Eng and his team to be effective for much longer. In clinical trials, one injection of a medication inspired by exendin-4 helped diabetics keep their blood sugar under control for an entire week and decreased their appetite, helping them to lose weight, too.
Though it took decades of testing and evaluation, exenatide, a synthetic version of exendin-4 was approved by the FDA in 2005 to treat Type-2 diabetes. Research continued to evaluate it as a treatment for obesity and weight management. That research led the creation of semaglutide, the active ingredient in the drugs Ozempic and Wegovy.
Unfortunately, this creature who survived the catastrophic asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs is steadily being wiped out by us. Their population is declining due to the pet trade and the destruction of habitat from agriculture and urbanization despite the fact that without them, the multi-billion-dollar drugs Ozempic, Wegovy, and others wouldn’t exist.
Nature, and the species with whom we share this one planet, are intricately tied to our health and well-being. Stories like that of the Gila monster and Ozempic remind us that nature is a research lab, pharmacy, archive, library, concert hall, and constant source of inspiration. When we threaten the lives of other species, we compromise our own opportunities to live well. There’s no getting around it: We are a part of nature, not apart from nature. How bright our future will be depends on how much we respect and safeguard the natural world, and the health of the ecosystems within which we all live.
Image created by Christa Avampato with Canva Magic Media
When you think about ways to improve the health of human babies, you may not immediately think of helping bats stay healthy. You should. The journal Science published a shocking paper linking a rise in human infant mortality to a declining bat population.
Plagued by an outbreak of the deadly white-nose syndrome, a fungal disease that kills bats, North American bat populations are dropping. This means there are fewer bats to eat insects that infest crops. That’s caused farmers to use more chemical insecticide. This insecticide leaches into crops, land, and water. This toxin has increased infant mortality. It’s also lowered crop yields, decreasing farmers’ crop revenue and the availability of fresh fruits and vegetables.
This is just the latest study to show how the health of ecosystems is directly linked to human health and the economy. As much as I’d love for municipalities and companies to care about the planet because we depend on nature for our survival, as climate communicators and nature advocates we often have to make the economic business case to protect the environment. Studies like the one in Science linking bats and infant mortality provide a solid example of how to quantify the cost and value of biodiversity and ecosystem health.
I often hear the media vilify animals like bats without recognizing the vital role they play in our lives and in nature. If we can’t get people to care about bats because they are sentient beings and a part of nature, maybe now we can get people to care about them because they affect babies, the food supply, and our economy. If that’s the argument that works, it’s the argument I’ll make, backed up with research-based science and facts.
Christa Avampato 