Alex Ritson

So these chicks, they're relying solely on their parents to be going out and foraging and collecting food for them. So it's their parents that are mistakenly picking up plastic as food. And there's a few reasons why that is. The first, we see our adults favor pieces that are blue or white.

So these chicks, they're relying solely on their parents to be going out and foraging and collecting food for them. So it's their parents that are mistakenly picking up plastic as food. And there's a few reasons why that is. The first, we see our adults favor pieces that are blue or white.

So we're thinking that it's visually mimicking prey that they should be eating, whether that be fish or squid. But secondly, plastic that's been in the ocean for a really long time tends to accumulate oils and things like that. So it's getting the scent of that it could be fish or squid. So we did a blood test on these birds and we were looking at the proteins.

So we're thinking that it's visually mimicking prey that they should be eating, whether that be fish or squid. But secondly, plastic that's been in the ocean for a really long time tends to accumulate oils and things like that. So it's getting the scent of that it could be fish or squid. So we did a blood test on these birds and we were looking at the proteins.

And proteins can be a great hallmark for organ function and health. And one of the markers that we did see was that that stomach lining is breaking down. And that's not surprising. You know, you've got these huge chunks of plastics floating around in your stomach that are bound to be piercing or rubbing quite intensely on that stomach lining.

And proteins can be a great hallmark for organ function and health. And one of the markers that we did see was that that stomach lining is breaking down. And that's not surprising. You know, you've got these huge chunks of plastics floating around in your stomach that are bound to be piercing or rubbing quite intensely on that stomach lining.

So we saw a decline in a protein that's called BDNF, and this is associated with the neurons within a brain. And in human research, this has been a sign of early stages of cognitive decline within elderly people. And within birds, this protein has been found to impact the development of their song.

So we saw a decline in a protein that's called BDNF, and this is associated with the neurons within a brain. And in human research, this has been a sign of early stages of cognitive decline within elderly people. And within birds, this protein has been found to impact the development of their song.

Now, if anyone's seen a documentary about a seabird colony, you'll know that it's a really loud place and it's really critical that these birds can make a beautiful and complex song, but then be able to find their partner within a really noisy colony. So we think that the decline in this protein that we found in the high plastic chicks. might impact their breeding success moving forward.

Now, if anyone's seen a documentary about a seabird colony, you'll know that it's a really loud place and it's really critical that these birds can make a beautiful and complex song, but then be able to find their partner within a really noisy colony. So we think that the decline in this protein that we found in the high plastic chicks. might impact their breeding success moving forward.

We do find microplastics within their stomach. And we have found, you know, in other samples that the liver and the kidney are impacted by microplastics. So it is definitely possible that microplastics could be at play.

We do find microplastics within their stomach. And we have found, you know, in other samples that the liver and the kidney are impacted by microplastics. So it is definitely possible that microplastics could be at play.

Yeah, definitely. Proteins are an excellent thing to work with. They're highly conserved across all animals and we're working with really abundant proteins and we know they're quite conserved across different species. So, you know, we actually could see these symptoms and signs in other species that do consume plastic as well as humans.

Yeah, definitely. Proteins are an excellent thing to work with. They're highly conserved across all animals and we're working with really abundant proteins and we know they're quite conserved across different species. So, you know, we actually could see these symptoms and signs in other species that do consume plastic as well as humans.

So what's his legal status? Can the Trump administration actually deport him?

So what's his legal status? Can the Trump administration actually deport him?

Hi, BBC Global podcast team. Big thanks for your excellent work. My question to you regarding the war in Ukraine is, in light of the US decision to suspend providing military aid, meaning no more attackers, I'm curious whether the UK, France and Germany can supply Ukraine with sufficient ammunition of such kind to fill in the gap. Could you provide some insight into this? Thank you very much.

Hi, BBC Global podcast team. Big thanks for your excellent work. My question to you regarding the war in Ukraine is, in light of the US decision to suspend providing military aid, meaning no more attackers, I'm curious whether the UK, France and Germany can supply Ukraine with sufficient ammunition of such kind to fill in the gap. Could you provide some insight into this? Thank you very much.

Hi, BBC Global podcast team. Big thanks for your excellent work. My question to you regarding the war in Ukraine is, in light of the US decision to suspend providing military aid, meaning no more attackers, I'm curious whether the UK, France and Germany can supply Ukraine with sufficient ammunition of such kind to fill in the gap. Could you provide some insight into this? Thank you very much.

This is The Happy Pod from the BBC World Service.