Stem cells could save endangered species
Engineering stem cells from the tissues of endangered animals such as
the northern white rhino — and extinct ones such as the woolly
mammoth — could allow scientists to revitalize these species.
Reprogramming cells taken from living animals or museum specimens
could turn them into sperm or eggs that could carry on the species’
lineage.
Other research efforts are exploring whether genome engineering could
add diversity to a species’ gene pool or add features such as resiliency
to the effects of climate change.

Bats have built-in anti-virus defence
A study of 20 bat genomes has revealed immune adaptations that make
them almost invincible to viral infections.
Many of these adaptations were shared by every species researchers
studied, suggesting that they emerged in a common ancestor of all bats
— and at around the same point that fossil evidence has suggested they
evolved powered flight.
Why the two seem to have co-evolved isn’t clear, but could be related to
the metabolic demands of flying, which lead to the production of toxic
chemicals in their bodies.
The adaptations could help bats cope with the toxicity, with immunity to
viruses as a bonus.

Gut bacteria team up to make sex hormones
Some species of bacteria in our gut microbiome can make sex hormones
called progestins from a type of steroid in bile.
Researchers identified genes in the bacterial species Eggerthella lenta
and Gordonibacter pamelaeae that let them make the conversion, but
when they cultured these species from human feces, the bacteria refused
to perform.
The addition of a strain of gut-friendly E. coli kick-started the progestin
production line, which the team determined was because the reaction
relies on the dissolved hydrogen gas the E. coli happily provides.

Why scratching that itch feels good
In mice, scratching activates an immune response that helps to protect
the skin against harmful infections, which could also explain why
humans find a good scratch satisfying.
When mice scratched itchy patches on their ears, the tissue swelled, and
pain-sensing neurons released a molecule that attracts immune cells
called neutrophils.
Mice prevented from scratching with a ‘cone of shame’ had less swollen
ears with fewer immune cells in them.
Those that scratched were also less likely to have the potentially
dangerous bacterium Staphylococcus aureus on their ears, which
suggests that scratching has anti-bacterial benefits.

Trump’s climate plan is bad for the US
Researchers have begun plugging US president Donald Trump’s energy
and climate policies into their models, and the early results suggest far-
reaching environmental, health and economic consequences.
Among these estimates for the effect on the United States, by 2030, of
Trump administration’s policies:
? 2–4 billion tonnes more carbon dioxide emissions than what would
otherwise occur
? 4 million net jobs lost as a result of a broad repeal of current
energy and climate policies
? Several thousand premature deaths a year because of increased air
pollution
? Energy prices rise for most people because of a lack of investment
in renewables, which have lower operating costs
? At worst, Trump’s policies and abandonment of the Paris
agreement could erode the global appetite for climate action
It’s not clear whether Trump will be able to accomplish his goals.
Market forces are turning the tide towards green energy, and US
businesses and local governments might push back against the loss of
climate investments that Congress approved in 2022 as part of the
Inflation Reduction Act.

Trump strikes at climate, environment
This story is from the Washington Post.
? Scientists in the United States are watching in horror as federal
government agencies strip their websites of mentions of climate
change. Some researchers have found that their own research
papers have been removed. (The Guardian | 5 min read)
? The Trump administration has rescinded a pledge of US$4 billion
to the United Nation’s Green Climate Fund. The fund is used to
help countries in the developing world develop clean-energy
programs and adapt to a changing climate. (Politico | 2 min read)
? More than 300 employees have left the EPA in the wake of the
Trump administration’s attempts to make radical changes to the
agency. These include scrapping a program to protect those
communities hit by air pollution and closing environmental justice
offices. (ProPublica | 11 min read & 10 min read)
? Staff at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA) have been told to cease contact with foreign nationals,
which includes work on international treaties and catch limits. At
the same time, staff working for the DOGE task force, led by
entrepreneur Elon Musk, have taken over NOAA internal web
pages.

For these, and other wildlife, nature, and environmental news items, go
to www.nature.com/nature/
Thanks, Alan,