A More Human Way to Train AI

Xiang, A., Andrews, J.T.A., Bourke, R.L. et al. Fair human-centric image dataset for ethical AI benchmarking. Nature, November 2025

A new study introduces FHIBE, the Fair Human-Centric Image Benchmark, the first large-scale, publicly available image dataset designed with ethical AI development in mind. Unlike most existing computer-vision datasets, which are often scraped from the internet without consent, FHIBE contains more than 10,000 images from nearly 2,000 volunteers across 81 countries, all collected with informed consent, privacy protection, and fair compensation.

FHIBE stands out for its global diversity and its exceptionally rich, self-reported demographic details, including age, pronouns, ancestry, and skin tone. Each image is also paired with detailed pixel-level annotations, environmental conditions, and camera metadata. This makes FHIBE the most comprehensive tool to date for evaluating bias in human-focused AI systems—from face detection and pose estimation to visual question answering.

When researchers tested popular computer-vision models on FHIBE, they uncovered both well-known and newly identified biases. For example, models tended to perform better on younger, lighter-skinned individuals and struggled with older adults, darker skin tones, baldness, and even hairstyle variability. These insights show why ethically sourced, diverse datasets are essential: they allow scientists to detect subtle biases that would otherwise remain hidden. FHIBE not only raises the bar for fairness benchmarks but also offers a practical roadmap for how to responsibly build the next generation of AI datasets.

A New Way to Sense Smell—Without Smelling at All

Halina B. Stanley et al. Substitution of human olfaction by the trigeminal system. Sci. Adv., November 2025

Scientists have developed a first-of-its-kind device that helps people who have lost their sense of smell “sense” odors again, without actually restoring real smell. The device works by pairing an electronic nose (a sensor that detects odor molecules in the air) with a tiny electrical stimulator placed inside the nose.

Instead of activating the damaged olfactory system, the device stimulates the trigeminal nerve, another nerve inside the nose that normally senses tingling, irritation, or temperature from things like menthol or chili peppers. The question was: Can the brain learn to use these trigeminal signals as a substitute for smell?

Across four experiments with over 60 volunteers (including people with complete and partial smell loss), the researchers found that participants could reliably detect when an odor was present based on the electrical stimulation pattern. Some could also tell the difference between different stimulation patterns, though this was harder and improved when participants were trained first. The ability to detect the signal did not depend on having a working sense of smell, meaning even anosmic individuals could use the system.

The device does not recreate real smells. But it shows, for the first time, that it may be possible to give patients a practical way to recognize odor categories, like food vs. danger odors, through another nerve pathway. This could be an early step toward a future “smell prosthesis” for people living with permanent smell loss.

Can Positive Memories Help Heal the Brain?

Steve Ramirez. Memories change. But can we change them on purpose? Science Friday, November 2025.

Neuroscientist Dr. Steve Ramirez explains that memories are not fixed snapshots of the past; they are dynamic reconstructions that change slightly each time we recall them. Instead of functioning like recordings, memories behave more like malleable building blocks, which the brain continually updates. This flexibility may even help us imagine the future by combining elements of past experiences.

New research shows that scientists can activate specific memories in mice by stimulating the exact brain cells involved in those experiences. In mice that show depression-like behavior, artificially turning on their positive memories can lift their mood and reduce symptoms, sometimes even long-term. This suggests that memory manipulation could one day support new treatments for mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety.

Humans already experience a natural form of this effect. Simply recalling a joyful or painful memory can change our biology within seconds, altering mood, heart rate, stress hormones, and attention. This natural responsiveness points to the possibility of developing therapies that intentionally harness positive memories.

Future treatments could also target traumatic memories. Instead of erasing them, scientists may be able to reduce their emotional weight, offering new hope for people living with PTSD while preserving the factual memory.

Looking ahead, the field is moving toward a deeper map of memory in the brain, identifying the specific cells involved in certain memories and finding ways to support or restore them. Such work could eventually help treat memory loss in disorders like Alzheimer’s.

Laser Light in Biomaterials?

Rachel Berkowitz. “Peacock feathers can be lasers,” Science, July 2025.

With their impressive long tail feathers and eye-like markings, peacocks have a unique place in the animal kingdom. A recent study has revealed that these amazing birds have a secret: they can emit beams of laser light. According to this study published in Scientific Reports in July 2025, there are tiny reflective structures in these feathers which can amplify light into a laser beam.

Lasers form when the medium’s electrons emit photons and the light is further amplified into a coherent beam in a reflective cavity. Researchers say what they have found in peacock feathers is the “first example of a laser cavity” in the animal kingdom. Physicist Nathan Dawson from Florida Polytechnic University and his colleagues conducted their study on the ordered microstructures within the feathers which produce vivid colors as they reflect light at specific frequencies. Their goal was to see if these microstructures could also function as a laser cavity. To do that, they dyed and then energized the feathers with soft pulses of light.

What they found was not visible to the naked eye, but with lab instruments they detected beams of yellow-green laser light originating from the eye-like markings on the feathers at two distinct wavelengths. Surprisingly, the laser light emitted from differently colored parts of these markings appeared at the same wavelength. According to Dawson, the probability of this is “like rolling two 100-sided dice and always getting 74 from one die and 83 from the other.”

Further research that looks for laser light in biomaterials, according to Dawson, can have ramifications, for instance in medicine, and if put safely into the human body help us with biosensing, medical imaging, and therapeutics.

Reading Each Other’s Minds?

Daryl Austin. “Is ‘twin telepathy’ real? Here’s what scientists say.” National Geographic, August 2025

Twins, a 1988 comedy film, features Arnold Schwarzenegger (6’ 2”) and Danny DeVito (4’ 10”) as two unlikely fraternal twin brothers who were born as a result of a secret genetic experiment. Given their height and other apparent physical – and behavioral – differences, the unlikeliness is impossible to miss.

Many twins, however, especially monozygotic ones, are almost identical in physical appearance. These similarities have fueled myths suggesting a connection between twins that goes beyond shared DNA, physical traits, and mirrored behaviors. One such myth is whether twins can communicate through telepathy. Daryl Austin defines in National Geographic (August 2025) twin telepathy as “the belief that twins – especially identical (monozygotic) ones – can sense each other’s feelings, thoughts, or physical sensations across distance without using the five senses.”

Despite the murkiness in this matter among the scientific community, Austin notes that some recent studies have produced intriguing results. In one of four pairs in a 2013 study published in the Journal of Scientific Exploration, “the non-stimulated twin showed a response that was considered above chance.” In another research in 2024 which involved 91 stimulus trials, 18 stimulation epochs were identified – this is “nearly double the 11 hits expected by chance.” Still, none of these findings qualify as “credible scientific evidence that twin telepathy exists.” The real focus, then, should be on what twins genuinely share: growing up in the same environment, experiences, routines, cultural influences, and genetic traits. According to Joanne Broder, twins are “more likely just demonstrating a communication bond, not reading each other’s minds.”

Password-Protected Brain Implant Decodes Internal Speech

Gemma Conroy. “A mind-reading brain implant that comes with password protection.” Nature, August 2025.

A new study on a brain-computer interface (BCI), or mind-reading device, shows meaningful improvements in accurately decoding internal speech, while safeguarding privacy through a novel password mechanism. The device was tested on four individuals with speech impairments caused by stroke or motor neuron disease. Electrodes placed on the motor cortex recorded neural activity as participants either attempted to speak or silently imagined words and sentences.

The study revealed that both types of speech arise from the same brain region, though signals linked to internal speech are weaker. AI models were then trained to recognize phonemes—the smallest units of speech—from these signals and construct words and sentences from a vocabulary of 125,000 words. The system decoded up to 74% of silently imagined sentences with accuracy comparable to existing BCIs that rely on attempted speech. It also detected spontaneous self-talk, such as silent counting, suggesting the system can capture more natural forms of inner dialogue.

To prevent unintentional decoding of private thoughts, researchers introduced a password trigger to control when decoding begins. When participants imagined the phrase “Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang,” the system recognized it with over 98% accuracy, preventing the unintended translation of private thoughts. This is an important step toward helping people with paralysis or speech loss communicate naturally through thought. The password mechanism helps with privacy protection for real-world use. Researchers aim to explore other brain regions beyond the motor cortex and hopefully improve speed and accuracy to broaden the system’s usefulness for different types of speech impairments.

“O humankind! A parable is struck, so pay heed to it: Those whom, apart from God, you deify and invoke will never be able to create even a fly, even if all of them were to come together to do so...” (all-Hajj 22:73).

When we look at the living world with a contemplative eye and love of knowledge, we can see the presence of remarkable talents different species manifest in their own way. Compared to many of our technological inventions produced by human mind and thousands of years of knowledge and research since the beginning of history, the living beings we see in nature are much more perfect, aesthetically, and ergonomically more useful, more abundant, and much cheaper.

To give a few examples: The design of a dolphin’s snout, which allows it to move easily in the water, is better than the design of the bows of the ships made by humans, which allow them to move freely in the water. The design of a seagull’s wing, which allows it to maneuver in the air, is better than the design of the wing of a fighter jet made by humans. How is it possible to think that a seagull wing came into being by chance, while no one thinks that an airplane wing came into being by chance or by itself?

Now let’s look at a fly, which is one of the millions of living species that exist in the world and which many of us dislike. Let’s consider whether the collective efforts of millions of conscious individuals on Earth could result in the creation of a fly.

In order for a fly to exist, to continue its existence, to protect itself, to feed itself, etc., it must be equipped with many unique qualities. For these qualities to exist, it is necessary to make choices with very sensitive calculations among many possibilities.

A fly flaps its wings an average of 250 times per second. This is not a circular motion, but a back and forth, like a piston. Chitin, which is used in the structure of the wings, is a specially selected, very light, flexible, and durable material. The joints that connect the wings to the body must also be designed very specially. The fact that a motionless fly can suddenly jump out of its place and make very sharp turns requires that its body have an anatomy suitable for such movements. The pistons employed in gasoline engines reciprocate in a back-and-forth motion. Despite the extensive efforts of thousands of engineers spanning over a century, these engines are limited to pistons oscillating at a rate of only 100 times per second. Does it make sense to credit the fly for all these skills?

The fly’s wing has a very special design that allows it to maneuver. The surface of the wing frame consists of chitin rods that provide the tension of the flexible wing and prevent it from wrinkling and bending; it is also covered with a flexible membrane. Unlike vertebrates, insects do not have red blood and vascular systems to carry it. Hemolymph fluid circulates through the cavities of the body. The tracheal tubules, which constitute the respiratory system, carry oxygen and carbon dioxide to all tissues that need it. The trachea network system, which was established for the regular delivery of nutrients to living cells and the collection of waste, is placed in all tissues in a way that can be prepared with very advanced mathematical equations, leaving no cell behind. Who made these optimizations? Did it occur on its own?

In order for its wings to be suitable for the environment in which the fly lives, it should not be affected by different climatic conditions, should not disperse in the rain, should not be worn out due to the acidity or basicity of the food taken by the fly as food, and should be of an ideal size according to the power of its heart. Well, the fly; does he know that his wing has these features?

When our homes are built, the plumbing is laid and the diameter of the pipes does not change, that is, the water pipes do not have the ability to expand or contract according to our needs. It remains the way it was done in the beginning. However, the tracheal tubes, which are spread like a net inside the fly, and the thinner tracheal tubes branching from them, are constantly changing according to the needs of the fly; they expand and shrink.

It is beyond comprehension how the sensitive chitin hairs on its skin transmit even the slightest breeze in the air to the brain; that its tiny five-chambered heart pumps body fluid from back to front at a terrific speed, and that its Malpighi’s tubes do the same job as our kidneys and clean nitrogenous substances produced as toxic waste from the same liquid. As the number of studies on the physiology, anatomy, and biochemistry of the fly increases, we continue to discover new things every day.

Another point to contemplate about the fly is that the material to be used in its construction should be ecofriendly. If the fly is going to live for a month, then the organic material to be used in it should break down very soon after it dies leaving no waste and pollution behind.

The excellent properties of the fly are too many to count. The feeding of a fly is a miracle in itself. It secretes digestive enzymes from its mouth to dissolve and break down the bacteria which it later absorbs; this explains the wisdom why flies are found around droppings.

The fly’s mechanical design, its self-defense mechanisms, how it procreates, the fact that it has hundreds of tools given to perceive its environment, its vision made possible with a few thousand eyes (ommatidium) like a bee comb, its metamorphosis and transformation into a maggot and then a fly, and its contributions to the environment – each uniquely feature that the fly requires a separate expertise.

As the sciences continue to develop day by day, we realize we can only understand a small part of existence. Despite the diligent efforts of countless scholars spanning centuries, the vast expanse of knowledge remains unattained to humanity, as God’s knowledge is infinite.

Saying that a fly could not exist if its wing was not flexible does not explain the fact that a fly’s wing is flexible. If a fly’s wing wasn’t flexible, then the fly would not exist in the first place. A design shows a designer behind it. An engineering work shows an engineer behind it. A quantity measured denotes someone does the measuring. What falls on mankind is to see all the amazing things around us and show our admiration to the Power behind them.

Is the development of modern technology causing people to become programmed octopuses? Are people attempting to do too much at once? Many people learned in school that only octopuses possess independent use of each arm, enabling them to move, touch, and taste with a single motion. Is it a social expectation that people will be able to accomplish the same thing?

In a matter of seconds, an individual might find themselves inundated with a barrage of beeping noises, flashes of blue light, ceaseless vibrations, music ringtones, and instantaneous notifications on a daily basis. How can anyone manage these outside factors while remaining productive? It would be very simple to Google every response to these inquiries, but looking for answers elsewhere would be more interesting. A visit to the neighborhood zoo sounded like a unique place to seek unconventional truth and wisdom.

The journey commenced with a ride on public transportation. Amidst the usual clamor of a city bus, a persistent cell phone ringing and buzzing added to the already jarring ambiance. Though challenging to disregard, for now, savoring the moment seemed the wiser choice. A quick scan of the passengers revealed a collective absorption in their electronic devices, their necks uncomfortably craned. Was anyone else intending to sidestep distractions today? The obvious answer was no. Briefly, the window view held more allure than the bustling scene within the packed noon bus. The familiar congestion of city traffic lay unavoidable. Suddenly, an overcast sky, blossoming flowers, and a gentle, damp grass-scented breeze in the distance beckoned. In a burst of volume, the bus driver announced, ‘Next stop, Zoopark.

Visiting the zoo used to be an exhilarating adventure, a time when the anticipation of seeing monkeys, zebras, and giraffes was all that truly mattered, over three decades ago. Today, however, everything feels different. This excursion has transformed into a search for answers, an endeavor to seek out cosmic signs. The zoo now represents the perfect sanctuary, a place to unwind, disconnect, and detach from the ceaseless technological intrusions that constantly besiege humanity. The first act of bravery for the day involved powering down all electronic devices.

At the entrance of the zoo, a life-size T-Rex, an 18-foot giraffe, and a grizzly bear greeted visitors. These meticulously crafted statues were skillfully assembled using recycled materials. As we queued for entry, a school bus arrived, and excited children rushed towards the plastic figures, embracing them and meticulously examining every detail of their construction. Once inside, a lovely nature park with gardens, lakes, and lawns opened into a beautiful wildlife park. Numerous well-maintained habitats and expansive green areas bore more resemblance to jungles, farms, caves, and verdant woods rather than outdated cages or condemned spaces. Animals strolled freely without posing any threat to visitors or their fellow inhabitants, engaging in playful runs and enjoying peaceful naps or rest in sheltered nooks. The path for visitors was clearly delineated with vibrant arrows, accompanied by the addition of modern metal benches, quaint lakes, wooden bridges, and charming rock pathways. The deer exhibit was the first stop. About forty white-tail deer were grazing together in what appeared to be a man-made forest. There was no running, chasing, snorting, or bleating. They were relaxing, napping, exploring, and just enjoying the view. The environment was serene. Some were sleeping while others strutted around proudly showing off their antlers. It was a calm afternoon, and they loved it.

Reflecting on the past, a biology teacher had once asserted that deer were social creatures known for their ability to relish the present moment. Her words rang true. When walking down a hill, a jungle replica emerged in the background. A magnificent creature was skillfully lying down on a branch. It had the appearance of a large cat. He was light in color with dark spots and was slender but strong. A skeletal rat that dared to approach his food bowl caught his attention. Anyone could see that the leopard was going after him. But he showed no sign of urgency. He waited for the right moment with patience. The fierce animal was carefully positioned, waiting for the right opportunity to attack. He remained still, focusing solely on his goal. No yelling or sudden movements. What a wonderful example of patience, knowing that it will materialize at some point.

All instincts led visitors to the indoor exhibits as the drizzle started. An ant colony can be seen within a glass enclosure. Who has ever paid such close attention to these tiny creatures? There were hundreds of them! In a coordinated procession, they marched in a single file, each one assisting the other in transporting what appeared to be miniature leaves. Working together diligently, they ensured not a single fragment was left behind. A brief glance revealed their unwavering commitment, as not one of these industrious insects strayed from the orderly line.

Adjacent to the ant farm, a captivating exhibit showcasing spiders immediately captured everyone’s attention. Encased in a notably larger, tempered glass enclosure compared to the ants’, the spiders were scattered amidst a lifelike model rainforest, with the majority skillfully navigating their way up and down miniature trees and leafy shrubs. Their unwavering focus while spinning intricate webs was nothing short of impressive. These resilient creatures exhibited remarkable persistence; if their web was ever disrupted, they diligently mended it, persisting until their work was completed. Despite the fleeting nature of time, they displayed a composed determination, steadily working to achieve their goals, a testament to their admirable resilience.

As visitors departed from the zoo, a prominent, brightly lit announcement caught their attention, introducing the latest addition: the Aqua Aquarium, featuring a brand-new exhibit. Much to their amazement, a 24-inch common octopus was showcased within a colossal tank. The observers were left in awe of the mollusk’s remarkable dexterity, effortlessly multitasking with each of its limbs. How do they manage to eat and swim while seamlessly changing their skin hue? What an impressive display of abilities! It was evident they were flaunting their prowess. This served as a stark reminder that humans, despite their efforts to minimize distractions, are truly unable to multitask simultaneously; this exclusive skill is reserved only for members of this exceptional species.

The bus ride back was notably more tranquil, prompting a medley of contemplations. Deliberately disconnecting from the external world proved to be surprisingly delightful. An unanticipated sense of liberation permeated the atmosphere. Choosing to embrace and savor the present moment, unencumbered by technology and its array of distractions, revealed a realm of boundless possibilities. Why should anyone allow texts, calls, voicemails, emails, and other forms of communication to wield control over their lives? Switching these modes on and off should never instill feelings of obligation or guilt.

When is multitasking necessary to demonstrate our dedication or efficiency? Each individual can make sensible choices about their actions and timing. Why must technology emerge victorious every time? Responses will undoubtedly vary. Nonetheless, one should consciously opt to unwind, exercise self-discipline, and embrace the present moment, irrespective of external distractions, to truly prioritize their concentration. It is crucial to bear in mind the significance of addressing each task individually as it arises. It sounds simpler said than done.

Upon reflection, the tranquil demeanor of the deer at the zoo encapsulated the essence of this sentiment. There was no rationale for fretfulness or hastened existence. Every action, be it feeding, resting, or socializing, adhered to a specific schedule. The magnificent leopard exemplified the virtue of prudence and the importance of methodical planning. No one should be subjected to undue stress by attempting to conclude tasks quickly and simultaneously. The concept of taking one step at a time emerges as a straightforward strategy for accomplishing any objective.

Reminiscing about the distant echoes of the lions’ resounding roars as we passed by their enclosure, an immediate connection was established with their courage. Taking a day off from work to recalibrate and prioritize life required a substantial degree of determination. While it may be a challenging decision to make, everyone should contemplate it. Pausing momentarily to relish life’s smaller joys felt truly extraordinary.

Recognizing the value of collaborating with others to prevent burnout was a hard lesson to grasp. Ants shared the load and carried it collectively rather than individually. Observing the ants’ collective burden-sharing approach underscored the significance of dividing any task into manageable segments, thereby facilitating a more straightforward focus on individual elements. Allocating dedicated time for concentrated and efficient work entails setting aside unproductive pursuits. Striving for daily productivity is a commendable objective. Furthermore, honing the skill of identifying personal triggers and acknowledging the factors that divert one from their path is an important skill to develop. It’s essential to be surrounded by things that are significant and have an impact. It may be spending time with loved ones, engaging in hobbies, playing with pets, reading a good book, meditating, doing yoga, or anything else that gives a feeling of happiness and fulfillment.

Today was perfect. A visit to the zoo and reconnecting with nature served as a reminder that prioritizing tasks is integral to maintaining focus and minimizing distractions. Managing and adapting to distractions is an ongoing commitment. Disengaging from all electronic devices was undoubtedly challenging; mastering this skill requires practice. Allocating dedicated time slots in one’s schedule can facilitate uninterrupted focus and task completion. Ultimately, it is all about consciously redirecting attention towards significant and meaningful endeavors.

People of discernment should contemplate on the fact that, from the microcosm to the macrocosm, there is a highly systematic process of cleaning and recycling despite continuous movements and mind-boggling circulations. Numerous beings, from huge stars to single-celled bacteria or from vultures to white blood cells, are employed as cleaners.

In the 21st century, as humans we have contaminated the lands, seas, and even outer space, and, so far, we have recycled only 9 percent of the plastics we have produced [1]. It is estimated that the plastic waste in dump sites would reach 35,000 times the weight of the Empire State Building by 2050 [2]. Humankind is incapable of properly performing our cleaning and recycling duties despite all our knowledge, skills, and technology. In comparison, the Earth was in a clean and orderly state before the human intervention has reached its current level.

Cosmic cleanliness and the role of Jupiter

This process of cleaning and purifying occurs all across the universe as stars go through various stages during the lifetime designated for them. Asteroids are swept by planets and placed into certain orbits, and even light cannot escape from a black hole’s gravity. A seven-year study by 100 astronomers and published in 2016 found that stars facilitated the cleaning of the universe by collecting star dust [3]. In a sense, stars work like huge vacuum cleaners to absorb cosmic particles, ensuring that galaxies are cleaner.

Scientists note that Jupiter, 1,321 times larger in volume and 318 times heavier in mass than the Earth, has the duty of acting as a shield to protect our planet from asteroids [4]. If asteroids with a diameter up to 10 meters escape the giant planet’s gravitational field, they are eaten up by the Earth’s atmosphere through friction. NASA reports that there is no record of any person killed by an asteroid, and the likelihood of a big asteroid hitting the Earth for the next several centuries is calculated as extremely low [5]. The creation of suitable conditions for the life on Earth is strongly connected to the size and location of Jupiter.

Self-cleaning of the atmosphere and skies washed by rainfall

Air pollution is a very thought-provoking example of how human beings mismanage available resources with their proclivity for interfering with everything. A 2011 study revealed that the atmosphere is much more capable of self-cleaning than previously thought [6]. It was found that air pollution declined due to quarantine measures implemented during the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, the nitrogen dioxide levels decreased by 30 percent in the United States, and 49 percent in Rome, making stars more visible to the naked eye [7].

When water evaporates, it leaves sediments behind, and water vapor is stored in clouds that are capable of holding tons of water. When needed, this vapor turns back into water and falls down on the earth in the form of rainfall that also clears away the dust particles hanging on the air. This is another process of purification. Having cleaned the air, the water is then filtered through different layers of soil, becoming purer, and it is eventually made available as groundwater that can be safely consumed by human beings.

Water as universal solvent

What sets water apart from other liquids, in addition to its numerous miraculous characteristics, is that many substances can easily dissolve in water. As such, water is referred to as a universal solvent, in scientific parlance. Water molecules are formed with positively charged hydrogen ions (H⁺) bonded to negatively charged hydroxide ions (OH^–); they have a polar chemical structure. This allows water to be pulled by different molecules. Thus, chemical substance such as minerals and food molecules attached to water molecules are carried away with water [8], and in this way, water acts both as a cleaning and shipping agent. Water ensures the dissolution of the molecules required for our bodies. Working in perfect harmony with our kidneys, it also fulfills the duty of transporting waste materials produced as a result of metabolic activities to excretion organs and discharging them out of the body.

Bacteria: heroes of recycling

The fungi feeding on radiation at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, the worms collecting poisonous heavy metals, and the bacteria decomposing the oil leaking into the sea are some of the examples of nature’s janitors. Bacteria, in particular, are the heroes of recycling on Earth. In carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphor cycles, bacteria ensure that these elements are turned into forms that can be easily used by plants and animals. In performing their duty of filtering and refining, bacteria break up dead organisms, giving nitrogen to the soil in the form of ammonia and to the atmosphere through denitrification [9].

Bacteria, making up more than three-fourths of the known species, have been performing this duty of decomposing and recycling perfectly for millions of years. “If it were not for this cleaning, sweeping and careful tending, in one year a hundred thousand animal species would have been choked on the face of the earth,” Bediuzzaman Said Nursi notes [10]. For instance, the number of eggs laid by the progeny of a single housefly in five months exceeds five trillion. In other words, the progeny of a housefly weighing about 1 percent of 1 gram can produce an army of houseflies weighing 80,000 tons [11]. If only dead bodies of houseflies were not cleaned, it would be impossible to live on Earth.

Vultures as cleaners

Vultures are another group of animals that fulfill the duty of cleaning. It was calculated that a single vulture provides waste removal services worth about $11,600 during its lifetime. As the number of vultures declined in Asia, the population of wild dogs increased by 5.5 million, and cases of rabies skyrocketed; some 47,000 people died [12].

Cleaning factories in our bodies

The human body, too, features a never-ceasing process of cleaning, purification, and repair. Every breath we take, or every pulse of our heart, is part of this biological and chemical cleaning process. White blood cells go after bacteria and purify the blood like a predator stalking its prey [13]. Our tears contain antimicrobial molecules that can directly kill several pathogenic organisms [14]. Macrophages patrolling under our skin are like garbage trucks that collect damaged cells and bacteria [15].

All these systems and many similar ones in our bodies are astonishing manifestations of infinite wisdom and consciousness. Freeing the mind from doubts or polishing the heart with the light of belief are among spiritual manifestations of this principle of cleanliness in humans.

“The universe is a vast, constantly working factory and the globe of the earth a hostel and guesthouse which is continually filled and emptied. Generally, factories, hostels and guesthouses which are thus used become much dirtied and soiled with filth, debris and rubbish, and putrid matter accumulates in all parts of them. They cannot be occupied unless they are kept with care and cleaned and swept; human beings are overwhelmed by the dirt. The factory of the universe and guesthouse of the earth, however, are totally pure, clean and spotless, and completely unsoiled, untainted and fresh; there is nothing unnecessary, nothing without benefit, not a random piece of dirt to be found. Even if there is apparently, it is quickly thrown into a transformation machine and cleaned“[16].

References

1. European Space Agency (ESA), 2017, “Dealing with space debris”, youtu.be/eYVsVRgiS0w
2. Laura Parker, “Here is how much plastic trash is littering the Earth”, National Geographic, 2018, www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/plastic-produced-recycling-waste-ocean-trash-debris-environment
3. Sky News, “Stars Hoover Up Cosmic Dust To Clean Universe”, 2016, news.sky.com/story/stars-hoover-up-cosmic-dust-to-clean-universe-10333797
4. “NASA’s Mission Juno. Why study Jupiter?” www.missionjuno.swri.edu/origin?show=hs_origin_story_jupiters-influence
5. “The Probability of Collisions with Earth”, www2.jpl.nasa.gov/sl9/back2.html
6. “Atmosphere’s self-cleaning capacity surprisingly stable.” ScienceDaily, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/01/110106145434.htm
7. S. Borenstein, “As People Stay Home, Earth Turns Wilder and Cleaner”, APNews, 2020. apnews.com/article/environment-ma-state-wire-united-states-il-state-wire-az-state-wire-726ff63bb43bdca65e41625b1e223040

8. “Water,” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water
9. “Bacterial World”, Museum of Natural History, University of Oxford, 2018, www.oum.ox.ac.uk/bacterialworld/
10. Bediüzzaman Said Nursi, Flashes, 30th Flash, trans. Şükran Vahide, Istanbul: Sözler Neşriyat A.Ş., 2009.
11. “Housefly,” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Housefly.
12. J. Law, “Why We Need Birds (far more than they need us)”, 2019, www.birdlife.org/news/2019/01/04/why-we-need-birds-far-more-than-they-need-us/
13. David Rogers, “Neutrophil Chasing Staphylococcus Aureus”, Vanderbilt University, www.youtube.com/watch?v=HToFRGVNap8&ab_channel=Cleu
14. A. M. McDermott, “Antimicrobial Compounds in Tears. Experimental eye research,” 2013, 117, 53–61. doi.org/10.1016/j.exer.2013.07.014
15. Kimberly Repp. “Ouch – Body Defense and Repair”. ASU – Ask A Biologist. 21 February, 2015. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/explore/when-body-attacked
16. Nursi, ibid.

The relationship between nature’s physical and metaphysical dimensions have been under debate since time immemorial. The nature we see as the deterministic functioning of the laws of physics and chemistry—which we call “causes”—include such phenomena as the rain falling, the sun’s warmth, plants germinating in the bosom of the earth, and geological faults rupturing in the earth’s crust. How are these events represented in the spiritual realm? What do these events correspond to in the metaphysical dimension? These are not the subject of objective science, but many scholars with a conscience and a rich inner life speak about the connection between the events in the physical world and phenomena in the metaphysical world. Said Nursi, for instance, draws a connection between natural disasters or celestial calamities and human transgressions [1]. Are physical, geological, ecological, and biological factors, such as the decline of the ecosystem or the emergence of pandemics, a veil covering the real cause, that we cause suffering and inflict harm? Do our behavior trigger disasters? Are we “offending” nature?

Urbanization, modernism, and the ecosystem

Most ecologists and environmental organizations state that the earth’s ecosystem is gradually deteriorating. With more than half of the world’s population now living in cities—not to mention the increase in electronic devices, changing living conditions, and even changes in children’s perception of play—people’s opportunities for direct contact with nature are diminishing. The uncontrolled development of so-called modernity has negative effects on physical health, mental abilities, and peace of mind, as well as on the relationship between humans and nature. Signals of global biodiversity loss are evident all over the world.

In an ecosystem polluted by various elements such as pesticides and insecticides—which are supposedly produced to protect plants—as well as hormones, synthetic fertilizers, and industrial waste, birds that feed on poisoned insects have shorter lives. Other major topics of ecological discussion include the manifold impacts of pollution in water, soil, and air, sporadic but remarkably severe solar flares, and other atmospheric and meteorological phenomena, and the role of humankind in disrupting the balance of the life-sustaining ecosystem.

Are birdsongs distorted?

The decline in bird populations in North America is estimated at around three billion in the last 50 years. On websites, ornithologists list the species in swift decline. This decline means changes in the living environment of bird communities—and the disappearance of the familiar sounds of spring. Sounds in nature, especially birdsongs, are phenomena inherent to human nature and play an important role, like flowers and trees, in maintaining our connection with and reflection of nature. The widespread decline in bird flocks and the change of species in particular regions also imply the change of the sound patterns and acoustic properties of nature.

Vanishing species

Research on plants and animals that are extinct or facing extinction almost unanimously state that every aspect of life on earth is deteriorating. Take this detail from a significant research article published on November 2, 2021 [2]: Simon Butler and Catriona Morrison of the University of East Anglia, co-authors of the study that involved around thirty researchers and covered the whole of Europe and North America, determined that as the ecosystem deteriorates, bird populations decline on a global scale and melodic diversity gradually diminishes in nature’s vocal repertoire. Given the statistics of over 200,000 bird melodies studied, birds have not just declined in number, but in the variety and richness of notes they sing, too.

For a moment, imagine yourself at a concert, listening to a familiar song but without wind instruments in the orchestra; the melody would not sound as rich as it normally is. This is what is happening in the nature.

Birdsong and its effect on the soul

We perceive all the experiences we have in the bosom of nature with our sensory organs. We perceive the taste of apples, the smell of melons, the crispness of grapes, the riot of colors of flowers—all with our senses. However, sounds especially have a special place among these. There are studies on the effect of natural sounds on our moods and their ability to reduce pain and stress. The effects on the soul of the sounds of rain, wind, leaves, waves, and streams have been studied by measuring sound characteristics such as frequency, rhythm, intensity, and amplitude. To see the effect of birdsong on the human soul, just think of the many poems written about it, such as John Keats’ “Ode to a Nightingale.”

The breakthrough of voice recording technology

According to researchers, disruptive changes in bird and insect habitats suggest that, in the long term, both bird and soundscape diversity will continue to decline. Since the ability to record audio has only existed for around a century, archival recordings of bird melodies are at most a century old and are not clear enough for professionally extracting frequency patterns. To track how melodies have changed over time, it is necessary to examine songbirds’ past vocal repertoires.

Initiated to expand this research to a much wider area, a project collected regular late spring and early summer measurements and recordings made by volunteer ornithologists active at over 200,000 stations in Europe and North America. These were compiled into annual tables by bird species and number of individuals recorded. Annual bird count data from two websites [3] were combined with the recordings of over 1,000 species from Xeno Canto, an online database of bird songs to reconstruct historical vocal patterns. First, all downloaded sound files were standardized by truncating 25 seconds. Later, files of the individual members of the same species were added, and the contribution of each species was demarcated within the collective sounds. The acoustic properties of these sound patterns were then quantified using four indices designed to measure the energy, frequency, and temporal distribution of vibrations. These indices were used to measure the complexity and diversity of the songs collectively, like the variety of instruments in an orchestra. Dr. Butler summed up their findings as a widespread decline in the intensity of acoustic diversity and natural sound patterns resulting from changes in the composition of the different species that make up bird communities.

The “orchestra” of nature is rapidly losing both its players and its instruments. In general, there are about 10,000 species of birds, of which about 4,000 are songbirds. This number includes birds that do not sing or that have unpleasant voices, for they are a part of the acoustical range of a certain location. Depending on their breeding and feeding periods, the songs of some species may have a certain prevalence and prominence. For example, losing birds like the lark (Alauda arvensis) or the nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos), of which rich and complex melodic lines enliven the concerts we are accustomed to in spring, will have an impact greater than losing birds like crows and gulls whose voices are not as pleasing to our ears.

This research elucidates that over the last 25 years in Europe and North America, there has been a steady decline in the density of acoustic diversity and sound patterns, along with a decline in the number of species and individuals. As a consequence of these losses, one of the fundamental ways humans interact with nature is in chronic decline. Hence, it has been revealed that the “music” we listen to in the spring, in the open air, and in the forest, has become poorer and weaker, almost like music performed by a debilitated orchestra. Is the decline and disappearance of birds and their melodies merely a biological and ecological consequence? Or is it a metaphysical and spiritual dimension of the ruthless cruelties being perpetuated in the world and a harbinger of the apocalyptic destruction of the earth’s ecosystem by humanity? Isn’t it worth reflecting more deeply on this issue?

Notes

• Bediüzzaman Said Nursî, Sözler [The Words], Istanbul: Sahdamar Yayinlari, 2010, s. 799; Emirdag Lâhikasi, Istanbul: Sahdamar Yayinlari, 2010, s. 29.
• C.A. Morrison, A.Z. Auninš ve S.J. Butler, “Bird population declines and species turnover are changing the acoustic properties of spring soundscapes”, Nature Communications, vol. 12, article number: 6217, 2021.
• North American Breeding Bird Survey (www.usgs.gov/centers/eesc/science/north-american-breeding-bird-survey) ve Pan-European Common Bird Monitoring Scheme (pecbms.info).

When the first color TV entered in our lives in the 1980s, it made a huge difference. It was only a few of our neighbors who had one, and we always wanted to go to him to watch cartoons in color, which was much more fun than in black-and-white. Younger generations who are reading this article were directly introduced to color television, so they probably could not fully realize its value.

The same is perhaps true of nature. We have come to know the nature, trees, flowers, fruits, vegetables, rocks, and animals all in their own beautiful colors – that’s how we have observed them since we were born, so sometimes we are not aware of their value. Can we imagine oranges, apples, strawberries, tomatoes, eggplants, daisies, magnolias, tulips, and roses without color? We cannot describe colorlessness, so we use “black” and “white” to express the contrast.

Colors of plants

Part of the earth is covered with snow in winter. Almost black and white during this period, our world becomes colorful with spring’s arrival and reminds us of the resurrection after death. In different seasons, almost every shade of color parades before our eyes: the white, yellow, red, and pink of roses, tulips, carnations, apples, and plums. Yet, how do these colors emerge? How do plants—whose only contact is dark soil and colorless air and water—attain their colors?

As with inanimate objects, the color reflected by plants depends on their pigment [1] molecule. Usually yellow and red in color, there are three types of carotenoids (biological pigments): carotene, lycopene, and xanthophylls. The green color in several fruits and vegetables come from chlorophylls. Flavonoids are substances that give plants their white, light-yellow color. Anthocyanins are color pigments that range from pink to purple. Anthoxanthin are pigments that give colors like white and cream. Tannins are substances that turn red and solidify when heated with acid.

The correlation between colors and pollination

Plants are an indispensable part of the food chain and nature’s balance. Pollination [2] is essential for the reproduction and growth of flowering plants. Although the wind and some animals are instrumental in pollination, this task is largely assigned to bees and similar small insects. The colors of flowers also matter to attract the attention of bees. Bees fulfill a vital role in the pollination and subsequent fertilization of flowers, while there are also flowers purposely not pollinated by bees. For example, since bees cannot distinguish the color red, they cannot pollinate flowers having this color. Some red plants such as laurel, red carnations, and wild flax, which do not have other colors, are pollinated by other insects. Since the nectar of these plants is located deeper in their bodies, insects such as butterflies with long mouthparts like proboscis have the duty to reach for them. As in this example, all living beings have been given certain skills and potentials in order to do certain tasks so the ecosystem and the symbiosis between plants and animals can be maintained.

Anthocyanins

Anthocyanins are the largest group of pigments, and they color plants on the red, blue, and purple spectrum. Anthocyanins are the pigments that make several fruits and vegetables such as raspberries, blackberries, sour cherries, damson plums, purple carrots, red cabbages, beets, eggplants, red radishes, pomegranates, tree strawberries, black and red grapes, and many more.

Anthocyanins have properties other than color. These water-soluble substances are also highly-potent antioxidants which prevent the oxidation of vital molecules in the cell and the oxidation of the cell itself. Studies have even shown the inhibitory effect anthocyanins have on cell growth in some types of cancer. Studies conducted at the University of Michigan have revealed the positive effect these substances have on relieving muscle pain, lowering sugar levels, and reducing fat in the liver.

Anthocyanins obtained from some fruits and flowers are also used as colorants in various foods.

Anthocyanins absorb visible light with wavelengths between 400-800 nm, and the reflected part is seen as color. There are over 600 anthocyanins known today. Flowers can also accumulate a mixture of anthocyanin types, resulting in numerous color variations. Thus, these pigments function as masterpieces of art in hundreds of thousands of different shades of red, blue, and purple.

Changes in the molecular structure of the cited substances is what lies behind plants’ having thousands of different colors and shades. With the differentiation of the R1, R2, and R3 groups shown in the figure, anthocyanin absorbs different ranges of light and gives the plant different colors. These molecules’ structures change at the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. When the groups indicated by (R) in the figure are replaced by hydrogen (H), hydroxide (OH), or alkyl (R), the color changes. If a green leaf turns yellow at first and red later, it means these chemical changes are taking place in its molecules.

While we watch the colorful flowers and fruits spread before us without knowing these details, the pigment molecules, dispatched like officers or soldiers in the background, repeat the same chemical processes every year, fulfilling their duties in full submission. Hundreds of publications on anthocyanins attempt to both reveal the intricacies of this system and illuminate the functions of these molecules within the cell.

Color vision

It has been found that a healthy human eye can distinguish approximately one million colors. How is this possible?

After passing through the cornea, pupil, and lens of the eye, the incoming light falls onto the retina, the wall of the eye’s posterior dark chamber. Special cells here, resembling very complex electronic circuits, convert light into electrical signals and transmit them to the brain. This is an immensely complex system in which the light energy is converted into electrical energy of certain intensities, and as a result an image is formed in the brain. Photoreceptor (light receptor) cells in the retina are of two types: cone- and rod-shaped. Cone cells are designed for color vision, while rod cells are designed for black-and-white vision. The task of these two types of cells is to convert the light falling on them into electrical signals. Humans have three types of cone cells (blue, green, red) that react differently to various wavelengths of light. Each cell has a different sensitivity to light. The wavelength of light to which blue cone cells are most sensitive is about 430 nanometers, green cone cells about 530 nm and red cone cells about 560 nm.

Our eyes were not created with the capacity to perceive all the wavelengths that exist as colors. Therefore, animals can see certain color wavelengths we cannot. Wavelengths such as infrared and ultraviolet can be seen as colors by some animals. For example, one study found four types of cone cells in the eye of the broad-tailed hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus) [3]. This hummingbird also appears to detect ultraviolet wavelengths invisible to humans. Scientists think this may play a vital role in their feeding and predator avoidance behavior.

The wonderful harmony of colors we see on earth and in the sky soothes our souls and gives us peace.

“And whatsoever He has created for you on earth of varying colors (and diverse forms and qualities): surely in that is a sign for people who reflect and are mindful.” (The Qur’an, 16:13)

Notes

1. Colorant organic or inorganic molecule.
2. Pollination is the process by which pollen produced in the male organ of the plant is transported to the apex of the female organ on various occasions. Mary Caswell Stoddard et al., “Wild hummingbirds discriminate nonspectral colors”, PNAS, June 15, 2020117 (26), 15112–15122, www.pnas.org/content/early/2020/06/09/1919377117

The pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is a fruit with abundant seeds and a perfect packaging. A vital food and medicine provider across different civilizations for thousands of years, the pomegranate has a different taste depending on variety and maturity. It may taste very sweet, very sour, or sharp. Botanically, it is a fleshy fruit from the berry group with an ovary from a single flower and typically has several seeds. The crown jewel of the fruit world, the pomegranate is widely consumed due to its nutritional properties, benefits, and taste. Unlike many fruit trees, both male and female pomegranate flowers are produced on the same tree, meaning the male flower can pollinate other flowers on the same tree or other trees.

Astonishing due to its extraordinary packaging system, the pomegranate has been grown in the tropical regions of India, Asia, the Mediterranean, and Africa for centuries. Since ancient times, is has been a symbol of fertility and has been depicted in different arts throughout history. The fruit has different meanings in various beliefs and religions and is introduced in three verses in the Qur’an, where it is called rumman. “There are (unseen) fruits, dates and pomegranates in (these two paradises)” [1]. Mentioned in the verse as a fruit of paradise, it can be consumed fresh and used in the manufacture of medicine and dyes. It can also be processed into pomegranate molasses, syrup, seed oil, fruit juice, or vinegar. In the Indian alternative medicine system (Ayurveda), the pomegranate is considered “a pharmacy in itself.” And while it is widely used as a hemostatic and antimicrobial agent in Persian traditional medicine, its husk has been used to cure asthma, chronic diarrhea, dysentery, and intestinal worms. Its juice has been used in the treatment of aphthae and ulcers in India, Tunisia, and Guatemala [2]. Bediuzzaman gives pomegranate as an example to portray God’s blessings upon us: “While the pomegranate tree contents itself with muddy and turbid water, it feeds its fruit with a pure drink from the treasure of Divine Mercy” (The Seventeenth Gleam, Eighth Note). “For by exhibiting a wise beauty of art, as well as meaningful and subtle ornament, that amaze all minds, it has displayed a work of art like an ode in praise of the All-Majestic Maker. Look carefully at pomegranates and ears of corn, for example” (Thirtieth Word). There is an exclusive art and wisdom in each fruit bestowed from our Lord’s treasury of mercy.

The pomegranate husk

The red-violet husk has two parts: the outer part (hard, pericarp) and the inner part (white, spongy, mesocarp). The mesocarp is where the inner wall grains (aryls) are attached. Inner membranes are arranged in unsymmetrical chambers for the aryls. The husk makes up approximately 30-40% of the fruit. It contains phenolic compounds, flavonoids, tannins, and phenolic acids as well as punicalagin (a toxin-repellent substance), with its distinctly high antioxidant effect. Thanks to this feature, the pomegranate husk is widely used in the pharmaceutical industry for its anti-carcinogenic and antibacterial effects. Research showed strong antibacterial activity in the active ingredients of the pomegranate husk, especially against E. coli, E. faecalis, S. aureus, and B. subtilis [3]. It has also been shown that it may have a potential effect in the prevention and treatment of obesity as well as against fungi such as Aspergillus flavus [4]. The pomegranate husk, which we usually discard, is known for its helpful effects against diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases [5]. It also has higher antioxidant potential than the pulp, seed, and juice extracts. This is one of the best proofs nothing is useless or worthless. Some studies have shown that husk extract may be beneficial against diseases such as Alzheimer’s and dementia thanks to its memory-enhancing effect. As per findings, it also reduces blood sugar (glucose), cholesterol and its derivatives, and increases hemoglobin levels [6]. The pomegranate husk can be made into tea or consumed as spice additive.

Pomegranate seeds

Drawing attention with their resemblance to blood cells, pomegranate seeds get their red hue from polyphenols. These antioxidants can help destroy free radicals, protect cells from damage, and reduce inflammation. They sustain the skin health, and support the heart and veins to be healthy and flexible, and keep blood values at normal levels. Pomegranates contain three times more antioxidants than green tea and other fruit juices due to the punicalagin found in their seeds [7]. Pomegranate seeds are also rich in vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, iron, potassium, phosphorus, sodium, and zinc.

In some cultures, the pomegranate represents fertility. This may be in relation to the fact that they contain hormones that support reproduction—another reason could be that there are as many as 600-1000 pomegranate seeds in one pomegranate. Oxidative stress has been revealed to cause egg dysfunction and reduction of fertility in women. Pomegranates help reduce oxidative stress and may increase fertility. Pomegranate seeds can increase testosterone levels in men and estrogen hormone levels in women [8].

Specially packaged in their membrane called pericarp, the pomegranate seeds (aryls) are presented to us as a delicious healing store [9]. Besides easing stomach ailments, the pomegranate seeds also help regulate blood circulation and alleviate heart-related problems, dental problems, osteoarthritis, anemia, and diabetes.

Pomegranate juice

While the consumption of fruit juice is not advised in functional medicine due to fructose and pulp-free content, pomegranate juice is allowed. Pomegranate juice contains anthocyanin, glucose, ascorbic acid, ellagic acid, gallic acid, catechin, amino acids, iron, and minerals. Since ancient times, pomegranate has often been recommended for digestive system disorders. Recent studies reveal the improvement of cardiac functions in patients who drink pomegranate juice every day for three months [10]. Pomegranate juice has also been discovered to reduce colon cancer cells and prevent the development of prostate tumors in men and breast tumors in women [11]. Pomegranate juice is the best juice for heart health. As studies have shown, pomegranate juice improves blood flow, prevents hardening and thickening of the arteries, and can slow the growth of plaque and the accumulation of cholesterol. However, pomegranate may react negatively with blood pressure and cholesterol medications like statins [12]. Those who are on medication should consume pomegranate juice with caution. Pomegranate juice can heal inflammation in the intestines and can help solve digestive problems [13]. Since it contains 28-30% tannins, the pomegranate husk is also used in fabric dyeing and ink production, especially in leather.

The beauty and elegance of the pomegranate flower also heralds the taste and benefits of the fruit still in formation. The pomegranate, with its myriad forms, is a source of healing from cancer to diabetes, from blood pressure to heart diseases, from cosmetics to antibacterial and antimicrobial diseases. It is a fruit that should be consumed in abundance, especially in fall and winter. Pomegranate Gives many reasons for us to ponder over the many blessings we are bestowed with in this world.

References

1. Holy Qur’an, 55:68.
2. Khwairakpam, A. D., Bordoloi, D., Thakur, K. K., Monisha, J., Arfuso, F., Sethi, G., … & Kunnumakkara, A. B. (2018). Possible use of Punica granatum (Pomegranate) in cancer therapy. Pharmacological research, 133, 53-64.
3. Moneim, A. E. A. (2012). Antioxidant activities of Punica granatum (pomegranate) peel extract on brain of rats. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, 6(2), 195-199.
4. Wu, D., Ma, X., & Tian, W. (2013). Pomegranate husk extract, punicalagin and ellagic acid inhibit fatty acid synthase and adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 adipocyte. Journal of Functional Foods, 5(2), 633-641.
5. Moneim, A. E. A. (2012). Antioxidant activities of Punica granatum (pomegranate) peel extract on brain of rats. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, 6(2), 195-199.
6. Radhika, S., Smila, K. H., & Muthezhilan, R. (2011). Antidiabetic and hypolipidemic activity of Punica granatum Linn on alloxan induced rats. World Journal of Medical Sciences, 6(4), 178-182.
7. Gil, M. I., Tomás-Barberán, F. A., Hess-Pierce, B., Holcroft, D. M., & Kader, A. A. (2000). Antioxidant activity of pomegranate juice and its relationship with phenolic composition and processing. Journal of Agricultural and Food chemistry, 48(10), 4581-4589.
8. Al-Dujaili, E., & Smail, N. (2012, March). Pomegranate juice intake enhances salivary testosterone levels and improves mood and well-being in healthy men and women. In Endocrine Abstracts(Vol. 28). Bioscientifica.
9. About the membranes, Ali ibn Abu Talib said, “Eat the pomegranate with its membrane, for it cleanses the stomach” (Ahmed ibn Hanbal, V, 382).
10. Sahebkar, A., Ferri, C., Giorgini, P., Bo, S., Nachtigal, P., & Grassi, D. (2017). Effects of pomegranate juice on blood pressure: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Pharmacological Research, 115, 149-161.
11. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/12-proven-benefits-of-pomegranate#TOC_TITLE_HDR_6
12. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/pomegranate
13. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318385

Constant progress within science and technology helps shed light on secrets related to life as well as wisdom and the real purpose behind many phenomena. Science also helps us to realize that many events we assume to be unconnected actually exist in harmony and solidarity with each other.

Our world is like a giant aquarium: 71% of its surface is covered with water, and it has a lamp, a heater, and air pumps, and there are biological systems for cleaning and food supplies.

This giant aquarium covers a surface area of 361 million square kilometers; its volume is 1.3 billion cubic kilometers, and it has an average depth of around 3,700 meters—and a maximum depth of 10,994 meters (the Mariana Trench). A wide range of interesting creatures, each having unique biological characteristics—from 30-meter-long whales to microscopic plankton [1]—live within this magnificent aquarium. Since the Sun lights up only the upper zones of the seas, the remaining majority is always in darkness. Certain temperature and depth ranges provide natural living environments for certain species.

The night lamp

Bright moonlight is a significant factor for the growth of larval fishes [2]. When the moonlight emerges, the larval fishes approach the surface of the sea while the predators that feed on them simultaneously move to the bottom.

In a study carried out on the larval fishes of the sixbar wrasse (Thalassoma hardwicke), in the family Labridae, known for its thick lips, it was found that their growth rate was maximized with the rise of the moon—i.e., when the first half of the night was dark, and the second half of the night was bright. Yet, the light mentioned here was not just light from any source, but the light coming from the rising moon. It was also found that lunar phases were significant, too: the new moon provided the most efficient time period for growth whereas the full moon was the least efficient time for growth. In addition, cloud-covered nights had a negative effect on growth.

Upon the emergence of moonlight, the zooplankton, the tiny animals on which the sixbar wrasse feeds most, approach the surface, while the lantern fishes, a major predator, stay deep under the sea. Meanwhile, the plankton called “Noctiluca scintillans” emit blue light under the moonlight via a chemical process called bioluminescence. In lamps invented by mankind, a significant portion of energy dissipates in the form of heat; bioluminescent fish and plankton lose no energy. It was also found that the ecosystem is harmed by the intensive artificial light and surface pollution in coastal cities. It is certain that more effective ways of managing of fisheries needs to be developed.

The heater

The heater of this magnificent aquarium is the Sun. The amount of light that penetrates into the oceans and seas depends on the position of the Sun at any given moment, as well as the density of the water. Most of the sunlight that hits the surface of the water is reflected back. The red wavelengths are absorbed by water molecules in the top few meters of the water. The yellow and green wavelengths can penetrate a bit deeper, while the blue and purple wavelengths can penetrate as deep as 1 km. On the other hand, the blue surface color is the result of a variety of factors, such as dissolved chlorophyll.

The water in the part of the oceans below 1,100 meters, called the “deep zone,” is colder and consists of almost 80% of the total ocean volume. The average temperature of the world’s oceans is only 3.9 °C.

The upper 200 meters of the ocean, called the “sunlight zone,” is the part of the ocean where photosynthesis takes place, and it is also the zone which contains most of the biodiversity. The plants that live in the parts of the ocean deeper than the sunlight zone are unable to photosynthesize. For the survival of life in the depths, another source of heat is granted, in addition to the Sun. This source consists of the hydrothermal (hot water) channels that extend from magma to the ocean floor. Hydrothermal vents, containing mostly sulfur compounds of volcanic origin and fine-grained clay minerals, form the basis of special ecosystems, where the organisms are specially created to live in such environments.

The oceans and seas are equipped with unseen water pipelines. These are the ocean currents, which have been perfectly designed to bring food and increase the diversity of species. They also help create global heat transmission, which plays a dominant role in shaping the climate of many of Earth’s regions. One of the most striking examples of this is the hot water current called the Gulf Stream. The circulation of hot water guided by this stream along a specific course makes northwest Europe much more temperate than any other region at the same latitude.

The food

“And We have sent down iron, in which is stern might. And it has a lot of benefits for humankind. So that God may mark out those who help (the cause of) God and His Messengers, though they do not see Him. Surely God is All-Strong, All-Glorious with irresistible might” (Al-Hadid, 25).

The common opinion about the phrase “We have sent down” in the Qur’anic verse above is that the iron in our world came from the gigantic stars in space. Heavy metals like iron are created at the cores of giant stars. Iron can only be produced in giant stars, which are much larger than the Sun, at temperatures up to a several hundred million degrees. The Sun’s temperature of about 15 million degrees does not suffice to form iron. When the amount of iron in these stars exceeds a certain level, the star cannot withstand it and explodes—also called a “supernova.” Meteoroids that contain iron are dispersed into space, and they travel until they are caught in the gravity of a celestial body and merge with it. Not only iron but also other elements such as nickel (⁵⁹Ni) came to our world from outside the solar system.

Another opinion suggests that thousands of small and large meteoroids, known colloquially as shooting stars, scatter by colliding with our atmosphere and descend to the Earth in the form of dust. Asteroids enter the atmosphere at a very high speed, are heated due to friction and burn to pieces, with a significant portion of them turning into dust. Iron atoms abundant in this dust are a source of food for plankton in the oceans, which have a vital role in the production of most of the oxygen produced through photosynthesis, and thus in the life chain on Earth. This dust is an important source of the iron that the plankton need for photosynthesis.

Iron-rich grains of sand that reach the oceans after sandstorms in great deserts are assigned the same duty: ensuring the proliferation of phytoplankton, followed by a plenitude of fish in certain periods.

According to a study carried out by the Marine Mammal Institute at Oregon State University [3], the blue whale, one of the largest mammals, feeds on krill [4], one of the smallest creatures; krill feed on zooplankton, which in turn feed on phytoplankton. In other words, the beginning of the chain of life is connected to the existence of plankton, while the viability of plankton depends on the iron sent from space by meteors, like food provided to an aquarium tank.

This magnificent aquarium, which is home to about 230,000 identified species iso far, still has secrets waiting to be discovered. According to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 95 percent of the ocean floor is yet to be explored. Today, the surface of Mars is better known than the deep oceans. Due to risks such as the high pressure, more people have gone into space than to the deep ocean floor.

As scientific developments progress, it is understood that a thing is not just what it seems, and life is full of wise and hidden purposes that we do not know or understand. The sheer interconnection of the visible and invisible parts of the entire ecosystem continues to amaze fair-minded scientists. The connection between moonlight and the unicellular plankton that produce bioluminescence, the magnetic protective shield that produces the aurora borealis, and shooting stars that provide sustenance to some sea creatures in the form of iron dust, are perfect scenes offered for our observation.

Notes

1. Microscopic creatures that aquatic animals feed on.
2. Jeffrey Shima et al. Lunar rhythms in growth of larval fish. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 2021, 288. 20202609. 10.1098/rspb.2020.2609.
3. “PNAS Study: Migrating blue whales rely on memory more than environmental cues to find prey”, today.oregonstate.edu/news/pnas-study-migrating-blue-whales-rely-memory-more-environmental-cues-find-prey
4. “Krill”, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krill

Why have many people suddenly quit eating fish? Is dumped fishing gear the largest polluter of our oceans? (Spoiler Alert: Yes) (2 & 16). Seaspiracy, A Netflix documentary about commercial fishing and its impact on ocean life has garnered celebrity endorsements and fan outcries alike. Tom Brady, arguably the best football player of all time, called the documentary a must-watch. The cause for the immense emotional reaction is how wasteful practices, lack of regulation, and illegal fishing are destroying sea life and the oceans for the sake of increased profits for greedy corporations. Foreseeing the horrible consequences of continuing current commercial fishing industry practices, the director asks the audience to stop eating fish to save our marine ecosystems.

Critics have argued some of the statistics in the film are misleading (13). Additionally, it is unclear how the film will affect world seafood consumption as it is not easy for a person to change their diet if they have been eating seafood for decades. Not only is this unrealistic but it simultaneously makes us avoid the actual perpetrators of these crimes, the commercial fishing industry at large. Leaning into veganism pushes the responsibility away from a corrupt, sometimes criminal industry, and onto 200 million Netflix subscribers. The film could have been much more impactful if the conclusion had focused on increasing regulations and, through civil discourses and legal pressure, holding commercial fishing corporations accountable for the damage that they are doing.

More than half a million “tonnes of nets, long lines, pots, traps, plastic fishing crates etc. used in commercial fishing are dumped and discarded at sea” annually (2). Although a small part of this is due to overcrowded fisheries, most of this littering is done to conceal illegal fishing activities (2). Modern commercial fishing gear is very strong and effective—at times a bit too effective for the health of ocean life, as fish and birds that are not targets are frequently caught. Bycatch is when unintended or low commercial value ocean life is caught and then released back into the ocean. For example, in commercial fishing, every year more than 300,000 whales and dolphins are killed as bycatch (17). By the time these whales and dolphins are released back into the ocean they are either dying or already dead. Not only is this a matter of conscience, but one does not need to be an animal lover to recognize the critical role whales play in our delicate ecosystem. Valuable nutrients like iron, nitrogen, and phosphorus found in fecal plumes of whales stimulate the production of phytoplankton which is the base of many marine food chains. Phytoplankton is extremely important for the ocean as it generates energy through photosynthesis. This energy then gets distributed to the whole marine ecosystem as the phytoplankton are eaten. For example, phytoplankton get eaten by zooplankton, which is a crucial nutrient source for many species such as krill, fish, marine mammals, and other marine invertebrates (3). The animal welfare institute suggests whales to be “fully protected from commercial and “scientific” whaling, bycatch in fishing gear, and other threats to their survival, so that they can fulfill their role in helping to sustain the planet and humankind” (3).

Is there a solution for this? Well, “proven solutions do exist, such as modifying fishing gear so that fewer non-target species are caught or can escape. In many cases, these modifications are simple and inexpensive.” For example, j-shaped hooks kill non-targeted species such as turtles because they cause internal bleeding or suffocation when ingested. Circle hooks on the other hand are only effective against target species such as tuna and swordfish. Unfortunately, these solutions are not widely applied, mainly due to concerns about profitability and lack of regulation as well as a lack of research and development funding (4). In addition, most of the commercial fishing industry isn’t motivated by preventing the unnecessary death of wildlife as much as it is by profits. In addition, regulations are hard to enforce due to fishing vessels being alone on the ocean for most of their time at sea. However, if we want future generations to enjoy seafood, there must be some revisions and adjustments to how we treat the ocean and its inhabitants.

Another example of wastefulness in the commercial fishing industry is related to “continued demand for shark fin soup, dumplings, and other shark fin dishes,” as Tabrizi explained in his documentary. In the documentary, these luxury dishes are shown to be “served in restaurants around the world perpetuating the practice of finning, resulting in an estimated 73 million sharks being killed each year for their fins alone. Because of the high commercial value of shark fins and the relatively low value of shark meat, fishermen often take only the fins and leave the rest of the body behind—another extremely cruel and wasteful practice. Typically, sharks are finned alive: brought aboard fishing vessels to have their fins sliced off, then thrown back into the sea, where they suffocate, bleed to death, or are eaten by other animals. Appallingly, the animals are usually conscious through much of the ordeal (5). This situation also affects the marine ecosystem at large because sharks are apex predators in many ecosystems and their disappearance causes “dangerous imbalances” according to the Animal Welfare Institute (5). Since sharks are apex predators, they change their diet based on what’s available. Consequently, sharks are credited with preventing any one species from monopolizing, thus ensuring biodiversity (18).

Fortunately, there are solutions and companies that are willing to act. Thai Union, the world’s biggest tuna processor (6), is committed to more sustainable and socially responsible seafood. Since 2017, they are reducing fish aggregating devices which are free floating devices that result in the unnecessary death of sharks, turtles, and juvenile tuna. They also committed to ensuring independent observers are aboard all fishing ships to ensure compliance with legal and ethical codes. Since longline vessels are risk-prone in terms of bycatch like seabirds, turtles, and sharks, they are changing to pole-line or troll-catching techniques (7). Because pole lining is more labor-intensive, it will also have the potential to create more jobs. However, most corporations will likely see it as an extra cost to their business if they are not invested in the long-term advantages of fishing industry reform. In addition to creating various reforms in the fishing industry, it will be just as critical to change the culture around the industry to create long-term buy-in (8). These reforms are crucial to leaving a sustainable future for coming generations.

The commercial fishing industry is also intertwined with organized crime, which is very harmful to the global commitment to sustainable fishing and the health of marine life (9). “In a recent review over half of the countries (30/53 top fishing countries) assessed for compliance with illegal and unreported fishing in the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO UN) Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries were awarded fail grades (less than 4/10)” (10). Illegal fishing destroys ecosystems which will make the world uninhabitable for future generations and “does not respect national and international actions designed to reduce bycatch and mitigate the incidental mortality of marine animals such as sharks, turtles, birds and mammals” (10).

There is also considerable discourse from religious leaders regarding ocean conservation. The Dalai Lama stressed the importance of nonviolence while voicing his support for the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society’s goal of preventing whalers from harming whales (11). Bal tashḥit is the Jewish prohibition against wastefulness and destruction and is regarded as an ethical principle by Jewish environmentalists. The prohibition against wastefulness also exists in Christianity and Islam. These viewpoints offer common ground for the East and West (12).

Regulation through certification has been seen as a solution for the lack of law enforcement oversight in many countries, but it requires funding for oversight by law enforcement, such as the example from Thai Union. Some activists support abstaining from eating fish, but in a statement, Oceana, an NGO campaigning for ocean protection, stated “choosing to abstain from consuming seafood is not a realistic choice for the hundreds of millions of people around the world who depend on coastal fisheries—many of whom are also facing poverty, hunger and malnutrition” (13).

If we don’t cause any unnecessary pain for fish, don’t catch stuff we’re not going to sell or eat, don’t harm the environment, and follow governmental regulations, fishing is a benevolent way of feeding humans. Unfortunately, these rules are generally not followed by the fishing industry around the world. Nevertheless, instead of cutting fish out of our diet, I think we should put pressure on governments and the fishing industry through legal and civic means to uphold the guidelines set by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (14). Let’s hope for sustainable fishing and for marine ecosystems to stay healthy for future generations.

Sources

• https://www.gentside.co.uk/netflix/seaspiracy-has-convinced-thousands-of-viewers-to-stop-eating-fish_art7131.html
• https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/nov/06/dumped-fishing-gear-is-biggest-plastic-polluter-in-ocean-finds-report
• https://awionline.org/awi-quarterly/fall-2017/whale-effect-ocean-life-ecological-and-economic-value-cetaceans
• https://www.worldwildlife.org/threats/bycatch
• https://awionline.org/content/shark-finning
• https://vegconomist.com/companies-and-portraits/tides-turn-as-worlds-biggest-tuna-processor-recognises-that-future-of-seafood-is-plant-based-and-cell-based/
• https://www.thaiunion.com/en/newsroom/press-release/505/thai-union-commits-to-more-sustainable-socially-responsible-seafood
• https://oceana.org/blog/attention-shoppers-pole-and-line-today%E2%80%99s-eco-friendliest-label-canned-tuna
• https://oceanpanel.org/sites/default/files/2020-08/Organised%20Crime%20in%20the%20Fisheries%20Sector%20Full%20Paper%20Final.pdf
• [26, Pitcher TJ, Pramod G, Kalikoski D, Short K (2008) Safe Conduct? Twelve Years Fishing under the UN Code. Gland: WWF.]
• https://www.seashepherd.org.uk/news-and-commentary/news/sea-shepherd-acknowledges-the-guidance-of-his-holiness-the-dalai-lama.html
• https://fountainmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Yoreh_Tanhum_S_2014_PhD-b3e.pdf
• https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/mar/31/seaspiracy-netflix-documentary-accused-of-misrepresentation-by-participants
• https://www.fao.org/3/ba0022t/ba0022t.pdf)(https://www.fao.org/3/i0816t/i0816t.pdf
• Netflix Seaspiracy (highly recommend watching it): https://www.netflix.com/title/81014008
• https://www.seashepherdglobal.org/latest-news/marine-debris-plastic-fishing-gear/
• https://www.forksoverknives.com/wellness/seaspiracy-viral-new-netflix-documentary-5-takeaways-fishing/
• https://envhumanities.sites.gettysburg.edu/es225b-spring19/public-perception-of-the-great-white-shark/ecological-importance-of-the-great-white-shark/