Seabird poop could have been used to fertilize Peru's Chincha Valley by at least 1250 CE, potentially facilitating the expansion of its pre-Inca society

A new study reveals that seabird guano was a driving force behind the Chincha Kingdom's sociopolitical expansion on Peru's coast. The nutrient-rich bird droppings boosted corn yields and supercharged agriculture, fueling the kingdom's economy, trade, population growth, and regional influence.

Researchers analyzed ancient maize cob fragments to reconstruct agricultural practices from nearly a millennium ago. The study reveals that the Chincha Kingdom used seabird guano as a high-powered fertilizer, transforming a desert landscape into one of the most productive riverine valleys in Peru.

UCLA researchers have found that patients with severe Valley Fever had abnormal immune responses, including overactive or underactive T cells. The team discovered two underlying immune programs that contribute to life-threatening disseminated Valley Fever and developed a new treatment approach using immunomodulation.

Research by University of Washington oceanographers found that whale excrement contains significant amounts of iron, a vital element for phytoplankton growth. The study suggests that the decimation of baleen whale populations may have had larger biogeochemical implications for the Southern Ocean ecosystem.

Researchers discovered seabirds, like streaked shearwaters, drop feces every 4-10 minutes while flying to avoid fouling feathers and attracting predators. This unique habit may help the birds stay clean and fertilize the ocean below with nutrient-rich droppings.

Two Canadian clinical trials have shown that fecal microbiota transplants (FMT) can improve the response to immunotherapy in patients with lung cancer and melanoma. FMT capsules were found to reduce toxic side effects of kidney cancer treatment, potentially leading to improved patient outcomes.