Animal Co-Culture, a Potential Ocean Exoplanet, and Olive Oil Hangover Myths

Major insights:

• Introduction of Co-culture Concept: In an opinion piece in Trends in Ecology & Evolution, researchers Cédric Sueur and Michael Huffman propose the concept of "co-culture" to describe how different animal species share and mutually influence cultural behaviors, going beyond mere observation and imitation.

• Significance of Co-culture: Co-culture holds significance as it challenges the conventional belief that culture is exclusive to a single species and highlights the interdependence of behaviors among various species. Examples include human-honeyguide relationships in Africa and cooperative scavenging between ravens and wolves, demonstrating that such cultural interactions can enhance survival and drive evolutionary changes.

• Implications and Future Research: The researchers suggest exploring co-culture in urban environments, where humans and animals mutually influence behaviors and adaptations. Understanding these interactions could provide valuable insights into the interplay of cultural and genetic evolution, with potential applications in conservation and urban planning.

Salient points:

• Potentially Life-Sustaining Exoplanet: The newly discovered exoplanet LHS 1140 b, identified using the James Webb Space Telescope, could be the first exoplanet outside our solar system with a potentially life-sustaining ocean. It is one of the few known exoplanets situated in the "Goldilocks zone," the ideal distance from its star to support liquid water, which is essential for life.

• Characteristics and Proximity: Previously believed to be a gas giant, scientists have reclassified LHS 1140 b as a rocky "super-Earth," larger than Earth but smaller than Uranus. It is 1.7 times the size of Earth and has 5.6 times its mass. It is located 48 light years away, a relatively close distance in astronomical terms.

• Observations and Further Research: Observations reveal that LHS 1140 b lacks the thick hydrogen and helium atmosphere of a gas giant, suggesting significant amounts of water that could constitute 10 to 20 percent of its mass. Researchers plan to use additional time on the Webb telescope to confirm the presence of an atmosphere and detect carbon dioxide, which would indicate the potential for liquid water and life-supporting conditions.

Principal observations:

• Unproven Hangover Cure: The popular idea of taking a shot of olive oil before drinking alcohol to prevent hangovers lacks scientific evidence. Research does not support the claims that olive oil can coat the stomach and slow alcohol absorption, so we should approach this theory with skepticism.

• Alcohol Absorption and Metabolism: Although fatty foods like olive oil can slow down the stomach's absorption of alcohol, the small intestine absorbs most of it. Additionally, olive oil does not influence the liver's alcohol metabolism, which primarily causes hangover symptoms.

• Effective Hangover Prevention: Proven methods to prevent hangovers include staying hydrated, eating a nutritious meal before drinking, consuming alcohol in moderation, and replenishing lost electrolytes and nutrients after drinking. These approaches are more effective than relying on the unproven olive oil method.