No Time Off For Euros

Scientists generally agree that human activity is increasing the severity, frequency and duration of extreme weather events in Europe. Most recently, 5 people were reported to have died when fierce winds, floods and landslides hit France, Italy and Switzerland (https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jun/30/dead-after-storms-lash-france-switzerland). Europeans dont, however, seem to be quickly learning their lesson. Concomitant elections seem to favour a tranche of climate change deniers. The impact of the massive 'greenhouse gas' emissions generated by the UEFA football competition (spread over the whole of Germany) and the Glastonbury Pop concerts, have hardly received a comment!

What's In a Critter's Name? 206. Bufflehead

These ducks are said to get their name, simply because they appear to have a large head, relative to their body size.

What's In a Critter's Name? 205. Shelduck

This bird's name is thought to be derived from 'shield duck'. This seems a reference to its bill, that extends to the forehead, like a shield.

What's In a Critter's Name? 204. Kudu

Kudu (Koedoe in Afrikaans) is said to derive its name from the sound its hooves make, as it lopes away from danger.

Seeing the Changes 2060

On the Bynea/Penclacwydd border, Marsh mallow (Alphaea officinalis) and Hemp agrimony (Eupatorium cannabium) were in bloom. Spotted my first Red admiral (Vanessa atalanta) of the year.

No Smoke?

The UK's Tobacco and Vaping Bill was intended to be a legacy policy. It would have annually added 1 year to the age at which folk could legally buy cigarettes. Cigarette smoking, although reduced in incidence, still causes ill-health and early deaths in the UK. Nicotine is a highly addictive drug and its current legality is largely a historical accident. The outgoing government dropped the bill. It's now revealed that the world's four big tobacco companies (UK's Imperial Brands; British American Tobacco; Japan Tobacco International and Phillip Morris International), used their wealth to counter the bill. Some threatened legal challenges. Others funded politicians and tame 'think tanks' to oppose the measure (https://www.theguardian.com/business/article/2024/jun/29/rishi-sunak-smoking-ban-bill-backlash-tobacco-firms). Money talks! It certainly has a much louder voice than the health advocates. It's amazing how rich, self-interested companies can exploit 'nanny state' claims, to continue their damaging sales. The tobacco companies, of course, have form in this type of activity. There's nothing 'fair' about preserving their right to increase an addicted 'customer's' risk of an early death!

What's In a Critter's Name? 203. Dromedary

Dromedary is from the Late Latin 'dromedarius' simply meaning 'a kind of camel'. It's ultimately via a Greek root 'dromos kamelos' (running camel).

What's In a Critter's Name? 202. Capuchin monkey

These primates were named, because the dark fur on their heads, resembles the cowl or headdress of a Capuchin monk.

What's In a Critter's Name? 201. Caddis fly

In the 15th Century, the term 'cadyss' was used for cotton or silk cloth but a connection to this insect has not been established.

Mammoth Extinction: Wild and Woolly?

The Woolly mammoth once roamed across vast areas 0f Ice-Age Europe; Asia and even the fringes of North America. The global climate, however, started warming about 12,000 years ago. Human hunters also became a serious threat. This resulted, about 10,000 years ago, in Woolly mammoth dying out on all mainland areas. Rising sea levels, however, had resulted in a 'pocket population' being cut off on the Arctic's Wrangel Island. Remarkably, the Woolly mammoth survived in this location for another 6000 years. This isolated population, of course, had been subject to a 'bottlenecking' event, resulting in inbreeding and low genetic diversity. It had generally been assumed that 'genomic meltdown' alone, caused the final Woolly mammoth extinction on Wrangel Island. A new genetic analysis suggests, however, that a freak event must also have been involved. This could have been the arrival of a new pathogen or an extreme storm. Low genetic diversity wouldn't have helped the animals deal with new challenges. The population was, however, doing quite well, until it suddenly disappeared. Multiple factors, consequently, seem to be implicated in this extinction event.

Seeing the Changes 2059

Common Sea-lavender (Limonium vulgare) was flowering in Bynea by the Loughor estuary.

What's In a Critter's Name? 200. Thrip

Thrip is a direct transliteration of an Ancient Greek word, meaning 'woodworm'.

What's In a Critter's Name? 199. Locust

Locust is derived from the Vulgar Latin 'locusta', meaning 'grasshopper'.

What's In a Critter's Name? 198. Cricket

The cricket takes its name from the Old French 'criquet', meaning 'to creak or rattle'. It's, of course, a reference to its call.

Keep Taking the Tablets?

A US study followed nearly 400,000 adults, with no serious chronic diseases, for 20 years. Folk taking daily multivitamins, were actually marginally more likely to die in the study period, than counterparts who didn't pop these pills (https://www.theguardian.com/science/article/2024/jun/26/daily-multivitamins-may-increase-risk-of-early-death-major-study-finds). Daily multivitamins, clearly didn't make subjects live longer. There's, however, suggests that vitamins are useful in specific cases/ slow age-related cognitive decline. In general, however,"multivitamins overpromise and underdeliver". Perhaps folk would be better advised to eat healthy food, containing micro- and macro-nutrients and fibre, with limited saturated fat and cholesterol? Multivitamins are, however, big business. In the UK, for example, they are worth £0.5 billion per year!

Should Ultra Processed Foods Carry Health Warnings?

In some countries, ultra-processed foods (UPFs) make up very high proportions of the diet. These foods have been linked to a wide range of negative health issues. One expert presenter at the International Congress on Obesity, has now suggested UPF packaging should carry health warnings, like those seen on cigarette packets (https://www.theguardian.com/global/article/2024/jun/27/ultra-processed-foods-need-tobacco-style-warnings-says-scientist). No tobacco product (including vapes) has a beneficial effects on the user. All, consequently, merit their negative packaging. There's no doubt the general public also needs better advice on the dangers of UPFs. There is, however, a great variation in the processing of these food products. Folk do need food, meaning it can't be claimed that a USP has no benefits. Many of the issues surrounding these products, emanate from their encouraging over-eating; their lack of fibre and vitamin/trace element deficiencies. It would clearly be very difficult to think of a graphic medical image that would honestly be appropriate for all UPFs. Education, rather than labels, might be the best route?

What's In a Critter's Name? 197. Ant lion

Predictably, the Ant lion or 'doodlebug' gets its name, because its larva feasts mainly on ants.

What's In a Critter's Name? 196. Mussel

Mussel was derived from the Middle English 'muscle' and the Late Latin 'muscula'. These are, perhaps, ultimately from the Latin 'musculus' (little mouse).

What's In a Critter's Name? 195. Cockle

This bivalve may have got its name directly from its heart-shaped shell. It could also be from the Latin diminutive of heart, namely 'corculum'.

Seeing the Changes 2058

In Loughor, Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) was blooming. In Bynea, White melilot (Melilotus alba); Ribbed melilot (Melilotus officinalis) and Great mullein (Verbascum thapsus) were in flower. There, Yponomeuta cagnagella moth also fed on Ragwort.

What's In a Critter's Name? 194. Cuttlefish

This cephalopod's name is derived from the Old English 'cudele'. It may be linked to the Old Norse 'koddi' (cushion) and the Middle Low German 'kudel' (rag).

What's In a Critter's Name? 193. Winkle

Winkle is derived from the Middle English 'wykles', meaning 'small creatures'.