August 2024 - NGM Single Copy

NGM AUGUST 2024
THE WONDER OF BATS
Bats are evolutionary champions. They are the only flying mammals and the only mammals on land that use sophisticated echolocation. Unusual for small-bodied mammals, some bat species display astounding longevity: Only 19 mammal species live proportionately longer than humans and 18 are bats. Bats have unique immune systems that allow them to tolerate a variety of microbial invaders. Thanks to this suite of exceptional attributes, bats are found in ecosystems across the globe; the roughly 1,400 known species make up about 20 percent of all mammals. Other features in this issue include:
• Explore Anti-Inflammation to explore our body’s most basic immune response and the new ways scientists are learning to tackle and harness it.
• Examine the history, heritage, and environmental importance of the Seine with the spotlight on Paris for the 2024 Summer Olympic games.
• A look at how math and physics drive seashell formation.