Lion roar could help protect the big cats

A new study has found African lions produce not one, but two distinct types of roars—a discovery set to transform wildlife monitoring and conservation efforts.

Researchers  have identified a previously unclassified "intermediary roar" alongside the famous full-throated roar. The study, published in Ecology and Evolution, used artificial intelligence to automatically differentiate between lion roars for the first time. This new approach had a 95.4% accuracy and significantly reduced human bias to improve the identification of individual lions.

Lion roars are not just iconic—they are unique signatures that can be used to estimate population sizes and monitor individual animals. Until now, identifying these roars relied heavily on expert judgment, introducing potential human bias. Now  new approach using AI promises more accurate and less subjective monitoring, which is crucial for conservationists working to protect dwindling lion populations.

The study establishes that a lion's roaring bout contains both a full-throated roar and a newly named intermediary roar, challenging the long-held belief that only one roar type existed. These findings echo similar advances in the study of other large carnivores, such as spotted hyenas, and highlight the growing potential of bioacoustics in ecological research.

Researchers used advanced machine learning techniques and by implementing this automated, data-driven approach to classify full-throated roars, the team improved the ability to distinguish individual lions. The new process simplifies passive acoustic monitoring, making it more accessible and reliable compared to traditional methods like camera traps or spoor surveys.

Roar Data: Redefining a lion's roar using machine learning, Ecology and Evolution (2025). DOI: 10.1002/ece3.72474

Too much sitting can harm balance and walking, even in young adults

A new study  shows that too much sitting and too little physical activity can weaken balance and walking ability, even in healthy young adults. The research, published in Applied Sciences, highlights why moving more and sitting less is important for long-term mobility and everyday safety.

The results of the study  showed clear differences among activity levels. People who were more active and spent less time sitting had stronger balance and better control while walking, especially when turning. Those who sat for long periods but still exercised regularly showed that physical activity could lessen some of the negative effects of sitting. However, people who sat a lot and moved very little had the weakest balance and the least stable walking patterns.

Kwadwo O. Appiah-Kubi et al, Physical Inactivity and Sedentary Behavior Negatively Impact Postural Balance and Gait, Applied Sciences (2025). DOI: 10.3390/app152212058

Too much sitting can harm balance and walking, even in young adults

A new study  shows that too much sitting and too little physical activity can weaken balance and walking ability, even in healthy young adults. The research, published in Applied Sciences, highlights why moving more and sitting less is important for long-term mobility and everyday safety.

The results of the study  showed clear differences among activity levels. People who were more active and spent less time sitting had stronger balance and better control while walking, especially when turning. Those who sat for long periods but still exercised regularly showed that physical activity could lessen some of the negative effects of sitting. However, people who sat a lot and moved very little had the weakest balance and the least stable walking patterns.

Kwadwo O. Appiah-Kubi et al, Physical Inactivity and Sedentary Behavior Negatively Impact Postural Balance and Gait, Applied Sciences (2025). DOI: 10.3390/app152212058