Using drones, 17 distinct behaviors of narwhals were captured in the wild. Findings reveal complex behaviors of the Arctic’s iconic whale never seen before. This highly gregarious whale uses its tusk to investigate, manipulate and influence the behavior of a fish, the Arctic char. The study also provides the first evidence of play, specifically exploratory-object play, and the first reports of kleptoparasitism, a “food thief” situation, among narwhals and glaucous gulls.

Air pollution contributes to nearly 7 million premature deaths each year, and its effects go far beyond the lungs. Breathing in wildfire smoke or automobile-related city smog doesn’t just increase the risk of asthma and heart disease—it may also contribute to brain diseases as diverse as Alzheimer’s and autism. Scientists at Scripps Research have discovered how a chemical change in the brain—which can be triggered by inflammation and aging as well as toxins found in air pollution, pesticides, wildfire smoke and processed meats—disrupts normal brain cell function. Known as S-nitrosylation, this chemical change prevents brain cells from making new connections and ultimately results in cellular death, the team discovered.

In a significant development for global climate efforts, a new study in Engineering reveals China’s strategic approach to carbon neutrality. Against the backdrop of the Paris Agreement’s 2°C target, researchers find that China can reach carbon neutrality by 2060 without early reliance on certain costly technologies. This path not only impacts China’s sustainable future but also has far-reaching implications for global climate change, from influencing warming levels to reducing the risk of extreme events.