WOW – WORM POWER AND PLASTICS!

Scientists don’t understand exactly how omega-3 EFAs benefit the brain. These healthy fats help balance inflammation, which is likely crucial for long-term cognitive resilience. Ensuring optimal omega-3 intake could support healthy neuronal membranes, potentially helping brain cells to e lowly white wax worm – the larval form of the greater wax moth – may prove a mighty ally when handling Earth’s growing and seemingly intractable problem with plastics. Researchers found that the species’ drool breaks down hard, sturdy polyethylene many times faster than other currently used approaches. e bene ts of white wax worm saliva to break down plastic is phenomenal news. Plastic recycling is somewhere between a fraud and a farce, leaving most of us unaware of how so much carefully sorted plastic ends up not in reuse but in land lls. And not because they cannot be recycled. e issue is many are composed of several polymer types, so it is almost impossible to recycle di erent plastics communicate better. Omega-3s may also help ward off the shrinkage in brain size that tends to happen with advanced age. together as they melt at di erent temperatures.

At WV magazine, we rarely jump for joy, but this study made it hard for us to contain our excitement!

Even if we don’t fully comprehend how essential fats benefit our grey matter, the hopeful take-home message here is that parts of the brain may have the potential to be improved at any stage of life. In addition to omega-3 intake, other research shows that regular exercise, mindfulness, and an antioxidant-rich diet can preserve brain health and function throughout our lifespans.

Yet, the white wax worm’s drool could lead scientists to new ways of biodegrading plastic. According to a report by the BBC, there are two enzymes in white wax worm saliva that can work at room temperature and do more destruction to plastic in just an hour than years of outdoor weathering. e worm’s trick, the researchers say, is that its saliva expeditiously gets oxygen into PE plastics that are notoriously tough to oxidize.

New techniques inspired by worm drool research could result in industrial processes for degrading plastic. But they could also someday spur the creation of small kits that might be used at home to deal with our own plastic waste.