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Forest loss is forcing endangered primates to interbreed
A recent study reveals a startling development for two endangered primate species in Bangladesh. Phayre's langurs and capped langurs might be headed for an unexpected twist in their evolutionary tale - hybridization. Langur hybridization in Bangladesh A research team led by Tanvir Ahmed, a PhD student at the German Primate Center, took on the monumental task of studying langur populations in northeastern Bangladesh. Over a five-year period, from 2018 to 2023, the researchers chipped away at the mysteries hidden within these populations. Out of the 98 langur groups studied, the experts discovered that 8 were mixed groups that consisted of both Phayre's and capped...
Drones reveal hidden biodiversity in rainforest canopies
Drones are transforming our understanding of biodiversity by exploring the treetops of rainforests, where much life has remained hidden. These high, dense canopies are home to countless organisms, yet they have been difficult to study due to their inaccessibility. For years, researchers have known that the branches and leaves are teeming with life, but uncovering it has posed a significant challenge. Now, drones equipped with innovative technology offer a non-invasive way to collect environmental DNA (eDNA) from the treetops, providing crucial insights into the species that live there. This breakthrough marks a pivotal moment in rainforest research, allowing scientists to decode...
Draco mission spacecraft is built for spectacular destruction
Draco, the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Destructive Reentry Assessment Container Object mission, aims to solve one of space’s enduring mysteries: what exactly happens to defunct satellites during their fiery descent back to Earth. This unique mission will gather crucial data on satellite reentries, helping scientists better understand the process while contributing to ESA’s broader goal of environmental stewardship in space. Cleaning up space, one reentry at a time The issues of space debris are becoming increasingly pressing. Keeping Earth's orbits clean and devoid of expired satellites is a necessary step to prevent the creation of more space debris. The European Space Agency...
Forests are more resilient to change than we thought
Forests are at the forefront of climate change research, where new discoveries continually challenge established views. As vital ecosystems that regulate carbon levels, water cycles, and biodiversity, forests have long been considered highly vulnerable to the effects of rising global temperatures and pollution. However, recent scientific findings have brought a new perspective to this issue. Researchers have uncovered data suggesting that the risks posed to forests by climate change and human pollution may not be as dire as previously thought. These results offer hope that forests, with their complex plant-soil interactions, may possess greater resilience in the face of environmental stressors...
Enduring mystery: AI discovers 303 more line drawings carved into the Nazca Desert
The Nazca Desert, a barren and windswept landscape in southern Peru, holds one of the world’s greatest archaeological enigmas -- an intricate collection of colossal drawings that stretch across the arid plains. Known as the Nazca Lines, these ancient geoglyphs, carved into the earth more than two millennia ago, have fascinated historians, archaeologists, and adventurers alike. Spanning hundreds of square miles and stretching hundreds of feet in diameter, they depict a variety of animals, plants, and mysterious symbols. Though the exact purpose of these designs remains a subject of debate, their sheer scale and complexity suggest they were deeply meaningful to the...
How does climate change affect deer? It’s complicated
You may wonder, how climate factors such as temperature, rainfall, snow, and extreme weather events impact wildlife. More specifically, how do our friendly forest rovers, the deer, respond to changes in climate? Scientists recently conducted a comprehensive study based on 20 years of research on 10 main deer species in boreal and temperate regions: moose, roe deer, wapiti, red deer, sika deer, fallow deer, white-tailed deer, mule deer, caribou, and reindeer. The team analyzed a whopping 218 articles to draw conclusions on the effects of climate change on the behavior, physiology, and population dynamics of these creatures. Climate change impacts on deer The climate,...
Elephant seals have genetic scars from intense hunting
An international research team has explored the profound genetic impact of hunting on northern elephant seals. The experts found genetic scars in the animals, which were once hunted to near extinction. The findings of the study, published in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution, reveal that these genetic effects have persisted for many decades after the seals barely escaped extinction. Elephant seals on brink of extinction At the turn of the 20th century, northern elephant seals were nearly wiped out by hunting, with their numbers dwindling perilously. The experts noted that extensive hunting by commercial sealers between 1810 and 1860 largely eliminated the northern...
Extreme heat impacts our daily routines and transportation
Climate change has triggered a surge in increasingly frequent and intense heated episodes globally, raising a crucial question: how does extreme heat affect our daily routines, travel habits, and overall quality of life? A new study sheds light on this pressing issue, offering valuable insights into how individuals and communities adapt to rising temperatures. Heat's impact on human behavior A team of experts from Arizona State University (ASU), the University of Washington, and the University of Texas at Austin have collaborated on an insightful study. The research sheds light on the compelling necessity for policy changes as urban areas worldwide scramble to deal with...
Sloths are struggling to survive climate change
The world we live in is changing. And those changes aren't just affecting us humans - they're impacting the wildlife we share our planet with, too. One such creature, the famously unhurried sloth, is finding itself pinned against a wall of survival - a race against the clock of climate change it can't outrun. In a recent study titled "Sloth Metabolism May Make Survival Untenable Under Climate Change Scenarios," researchers expose a challenging future for these slow-moving creatures of Central and South America. Sloths and their environment Before we dive into the dire situation these animals face, let's get up close and...
NASA’s Cold Atom Lab is revolutionizing quantum science in space
NASA's Cold Atom Lab aboard the International Space Station has achieved something truly remarkable. For the first time, researchers have utilized ultra-cold atoms, cooled to near absolute zero (minus 459 degrees Fahrenheit), in the unique environment of space to detect subtle vibrations and gravitational waves around the space station. By observing these minute fluctuations in the fabric of space-time, scientists could drive significant advancements in both fundamental science and future technologies. What is the Cold Atom Lab? Launched to the space station in 2018, the Cold Atom Lab is about the size of a mini-fridge. Operated by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in...
Largest asteroid in our solar system used to be an ocean planet
For over two centuries, Ceres has captivated astronomers as the largest asteroid in our solar system. Discovered in 1801 by Giuseppe Piazzi, this dwarf planet nestled in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter has long been a subject of intrigue and study. Recent research, however, is shedding new light on Ceres, challenging our previous understanding of its composition and history. The findings suggest that Ceres may harbor a substantial amount of water ice beneath its surface, painting a picture of an ancient ocean world. Rewriting the story of asteroid Ceres Traditionally, scientists believed that Ceres was relatively dry, estimating its ice content...
Can we meet climate targets with carbon capture technology?
As the world races to meet critical climate targets set by the Paris Agreement, carbon capture and storage (CCS) has emerged as an essential technology for reducing global warming. CCS is designed to capture carbon dioxide and store it deep underground, with applications that range from curbing industrial emissions to achieving negative emissions through processes like bioenergy with CCS (BECCS) and direct air capture. The slow pace of carbon capture technology However, despite its promise, a growing body of research highlights a concerning gap between the current pace of CCS deployment and the scale needed to meet these climate goals. Without...
Childhood obesity rates are surging worldwide
Since 1990, childhood obesity has significantly increased on all continents, nearly doubling in prevalence. Although the United States currently has the highest prevalence, many other nations are not very far behind. Childhood obesity worldwide For instance, in Southern European countries such as Greece, Italy and Spain, 10 to 15 percent of children are obese, and, although Eastern European countries have for the moment slightly lower rates, they are experiencing a rapid surge which may soon match Southern Europe. At a global level, Asia has almost half of all overweight children under five, while Africa has one-quarter of such children. Finally, in Latin America,...
Exoplanet reveals the fate of Earth in 8 billion years from now
The discovery of a rocky exoplanet located 4,000 light years away in the Milky Way provides a possible preview of Earth's fate billions of years from now when the sun transforms into a white dwarf -- leaving a frozen Earth drifting beyond Mars' orbit. This distant planetary system was identified by astronomers from the University of California, Berkeley, using observations with the Keck 10-meter telescope in Hawaii. The fate of the sun-Earth system The planetary system mirrors what scientists predict for the eventual fate of the sun-Earth system: a white dwarf, about half the mass of the sun, and an Earth-sized companion orbiting...
Soil bacteria makes flowers more attractive to pollinators
Bacteria that reside in soil and help plant roots fix nitrogen can significantly boost the reproductive capacity of certain plants by making the flowers more attractive, according to new research. The study focuses on Chamaecrista latistipula, a legume in the Fabaceae family, which includes beans and peas. Soil bacteria and plant flowers Soil bacteria enhance the attractiveness of the plant's flowers to pollinators through a type of mutualistic relationship. In mutualism, both organisms benefit - plants receive more nutrients, and microorganisms such as bacteria or fungi thrive. Chamaecrista latistipula is a shrub native to regions of Bolivia, Brazil, and northeast Argentina, where it grows...
Plant-based jet fuel could revolutionize aviation
We live in a world that is slowly but steadily beginning to realize the toll of climate change. The ticking clock of global warming no longer falls on deaf ears, especially in the realm of aviation, where the carbon footprint of jet fuels is anything but minuscule. Researchers at Washington State University (WSU) have potentially found a way to transform agricultural waste into jet fuel. Green revolution in aviation fuel The findings, published in the journal Fuel Processing Technology, reveal the remarkable possibility of of turning plant cell components - more specifically, lignin polymers - into sustainable jet fuel. It's like hitting two...
Earth’s crust is ‘dripping’ under Turkey
Satellite data has unveiled a captivating geological phenomenon beneath the Central Anatolian Plateau of Türkiye -- the Konya Basin, shaped by dripping of Earth's crust. This hidden geological marvel has intrigued scientists for years, prompting further investigation into its underlying causes. After extensive analysis and data collection, a comprehensive study has finally revealed the secrets of the basin’s mysterious subsidence. The research, led by a team of dedicated earth scientists from the University of Toronto, is casting new light on the fascinating dynamics of our planet's plate tectonics. Dripping of Earth's crust The scientists have successfully combined experimental simulations with extensive geological, geophysical,...
Dead coral skeletons prevent reefs from recovering
The intricate structure of coral reefs creates a vibrant underwater ecosystem, bustling with life. Ironically, this same complexity can hinder coral recovery after disturbances, as researchers studying reefs in Moorea, French Polynesia, have discovered. Network of coral skeletons The experts found that the network of dead coral skeletons left behind by bleaching events disrupts critical processes, ultimately preventing the reefs from regenerating. These dead structures protect seaweed from herbivores, allowing it to rapidly colonize and outcompete young coral. The findings, published in the journal Global Change Biology, highlight how the aftermath of disturbances can alter a reef's recovery trajectory. Coral reef disturbances Coral reefs are dynamic systems...
Fish called “sea robins” have real legs that they use to both walk and taste things
An evolutionary quirk exists in today's world, but it lives in the ocean, so most of us will never actually be able to see it with our own eyes. But that doesn't make it any less incredible! Sea robins are a species of fish that took to walking on the ocean floor instead of just swimming around like its relatives -- and ended up growing legs to do so. Sea robins and their walking legs exhibit an evolutionary anomaly that has transformed it from being a usual swimmer to an outstanding walker. This creature has sprouted legs similar to those of a...
Airline flights may be slowed down intentionally to fight climate change
Have you ever sworn under your breath as your flight is delayed or you've been sitting on the runway for ages? Or maybe you have vibrated with unease just thinking about being so high up in the air in a chunk of metal, especially with the thought of a slower flight? You are not alone, and you may not find comfort in recent research on air travel. Scientists propose that we should all sit a little longer in that seat in the skies for the sake of our planet. The researchers suggest that aircraft should fly 15% slower to help curb carbon...
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