DON'T EVER GIVE UP
Book Review: The Ripple Effects of Climate Breakdown in Nature by Erica Goode There is a moment in Verdi’s Requiem when the hushed, somber tones that end the first movement give way to the lacerating chaos of the second. The Verdi scholar Julian Budden once described this second movement, the Dies Irae (literally, “day of […]
Do spiders dream? What about cuttlefish? Bearded dragons? Researchers are finding signs of multiple phases of sleep all over the animal kingdom. The ‘active’ sleep phases look very much like REM. By Carolyn Wilke Young jumping spiders dangle by a thread through the night, in a box, in a lab. Every so often, their […]
The Race to Protect Endangered Condors Against Deadly Bird Flu by Rene Ebersole Early March last year, an endangered California condor — one of less than 350 of its kind surviving in the wild — perched on an Arizona cliff-face staring into space for days. It’s probably sick from lead poisoning, thought Tim Hauck, the […]
5 ways to celebrate and support honey bees (BPT) – Did you know honey bees are responsible for over 35% of the foods you eat, as well as the honey you enjoy? Honey bees are vital to the health of the planet and to the food chain, as they are necessary for pollinating more than […]
2023-10-23 Leaning into Indigenous knowledge on climate change Native peoples attuned to the natural world have long collected detailed environmental information. Now scientists are cataloging these observations and learning how they’re affecting Indigenous communities globally. By Chris Baraniuk It used to be that when the warm nights came each summer, Frank Ettawageshik would […]
Plastic Pollution and the Importance of Plastic Recycling By Ann Liu In our modern age, plastic, a seemingly indispensable material, shapes countless facets of our daily lives. From the food packaging that preserves our groceries to the devices we communicate with, the ubiquity of plastic is undeniable. However, with convenience comes […]
2023-08-28 The living things that feast on plastic Scientists are scouring garbage sites around the world for bacteria, fungi and even insects that harbor enzymes that could be harnessed for breaking down various polymers. It’s early days, but if the efforts can be efficiently scaled-up, such biological recycling could put a dent in the plastic waste […]
Biodiversity and Health Healthy communities rely on well-functioning ecosystems. They provide clean air, fresh water, medicines and food security. They also limit disease and stabilize the climate. But biodiversity loss is happening at unprecedented rates, impacting human health worldwide, according to a state of knowledge report jointly published by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and […]
How Climate Change Impacts Birds, Their Feeding Habits and How to Help from Home (Joan Casanova) Bird feeding is a common practice in the United States, with more than 59 million Americans participating, according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. In addition to providing aesthetic and recreational benefits, bird feeding can have positive impacts […]
2023-02-17 How dangerous was the Ohio chemical train derailment? An environmental engineer assesses the long-term risks Several cars that contained hazardous chemicals burned after the Feb. 3, 2023, derailment. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Andrew J. Whelton, Purdue University Headaches and lingering chemical smells from a fiery train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, have left residents worried […]