Migrating Wolves, Ancient Fish & A Liver Disease Breakthrough

The Point by Modern Sciences - December 10, 2025

Author

Don Smith
December 10, 2025

By The Modern Sciences Team

December 10, 2025

Happy Wednesday, Cultivators of Curiosity!


Welcome to the 49th volume of The Point by Modern Sciences!


This week, we are exploring how new data is challenging long-held assumptions across history, nature, and medicine. First, we dive into the Pyrenees, where ancient DNA is rewriting the timeline of human influence on mountain ecosystems by centuries. Next, we head to Yellowstone, where researchers have observed wolves breaking the "rules" of denning by carrying their pups on massive migrations to keep up with elk. Finally, we look at a significant medical advancement: a new drug that is showing high efficacy in treating MASH, offering hope for reversing severe liver damage. These stories remind us that whether we are looking at the past or the future, there is always more to discover.

NATURE

Ancient DNA Reveals Early Fish Introduction to High-Mountain Lake in Spain

Ancient DNA from Spain's Lake Redon reveals that fish were introduced as early as the 7th century CE, much earlier than previously believed. The study found DNA from fish parasites, indicating that human activity, possibly through livestock grazing, contributed to this early fish introduction. This challenges the assumption that fish stocking in high-mountain lakes began only in the Middle Ages.



The Point:

  • Fish may have been introduced to high-mountain lakes centuries earlier than believed: Ancient DNA from Lake Redon in the Pyrenees suggests human-mediated fish stocking may have begun as early as the 7th century CE, predating historical records by several centuries.

  • Fish parasites provided indirect evidence of early fish presence: While direct fish DNA was not found, DNA from Ichthyobodo parasites—typically hosted by fish—offered strong evidence of early fish introduction, with a consistent presence emerging around the 9th century CE.

  • Human activity likely shaped isolated ecosystems earlier than assumed: The findings link livestock grazing and other land use to early fish presence in Lake Redon, revealing that human influence on mountain ecosystems began long before the Middle Ages.


NATURE

Wolves carry pups miles to follow migrating elk herds

A new study from the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem reveals a surprising behavior: gray wolves are migrating with their young pups in tow. Researchers found that some packs travel over 20 kilometers to follow migrating elk herds, challenging the long-held belief that predators are tied to their dens. This discovery highlights the dynamic relationship between predators and prey and has significant implications for conservation.



The Point:

  • Wolves move young pups over long distances: Countering the belief that wolves are tied to their dens, some packs near Yellowstone carry pups up to 20 kilometers to follow their main prey, migrating elk.

  • Packs exhibit flexible hunting strategies: The study, using GPS tracking, identified a range of behaviors from staying resident to "commuting" or fully migrating, demonstrating a dynamic "migratory coupling" with elk herds.

  • Findings reveal ecosystem-wide ripple effects: This behavioral plasticity suggests that as climate change alters elk migration, wolf movements, and predator-prey dynamics across the entire Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem may also shift.


HEALTH AND THE BODY

New drug ION224 shows promise against MASH liver disease

A new investigational drug, ION224, is showing significant promise for treating MASH, a severe form of fatty liver disease. A recent Phase 2 clinical trial found that the drug, which blocks a key fat-producing enzyme in the liver, led to significant improvements in liver health for nearly 60% of patients, offering new hope for a targeted and effective therapy.



The Point:

  • A new drug shows promise in treating a common liver disease: ION224 significantly improves liver health in patients with MASH by inhibiting the DGAT2 enzyme, which is responsible for fat production and storage.

  • Clinical trial results demonstrate high efficacy and safety. The Phase 2 study found that nearly 60% of participants on the highest dose experienced improved liver histology without serious side effects or weight loss dependency.

  • Researchers highlight a new therapeutic strategy for MASH: These findings provide the first clinical evidence that blocking DGAT2 is a viable approach, potentially offering a targeted treatment that could reverse liver damage.