Nature
Industrial pollution once ravaged the Adirondacks − decades of history captured in lake mud track their slow recovery
Industrial pollution once ravaged the Adirondacks − decades of history captured in lake mud track their slow recovery A study by paleolimnologists found that lakes in the Northeast U.S., including those in the Adirondack Mountains, have recovered from industrial metal pollution since the Clean Air Act was enacted in 1963. The researchers extracted sediment cores […]
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National parks are key conservation areas for wildlife and natural resources
National parks are key conservation areas for wildlife and natural resources The United States’ national parks have an inherent contradiction between protecting fragile wild places and ensuring public enjoyment. The parks are crucial for research and conservation efforts, containing diverse environments such as volcanoes, glaciers, and ecosystems that face various challenges like climate change and […]
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A toxicologist’s guide to poison ivy’s itch and bee stings’ burning pain – 2 examples of nature’s chemical warfare
A toxicologist’s guide to poison ivy’s itch and bee stings’ burning pain – 2 examples of nature’s chemical warfare **Poison Ivy:** Poison ivy contains an oily chemical called urushiol that causes an allergic reaction in most people, leading to a rash that can be mild or severe. Symptoms appear 12-48 hours after exposure and can […]
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This tropical plant builds isolated ‘apartments’ to prevent battles among the aggressive ant tenants it relies on for survival
This tropical plant builds isolated ‘apartments’ to prevent battles among the aggressive ant tenants it relies on for survival Researchers have discovered that certain tropical plants, such as Squamellaria, build isolated “apartments” to prevent battles among aggressive ant tenants that rely on them for survival. The plants’ unique structure, called a domatium, is divided into […]
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War, politics and religion shape wildlife evolution in cities
War, politics and religion shape wildlife evolution in cities Human cultural practices, including religion, politics, and war, can shape wildlife evolution in cities, leading to genetic drift, population differentiation, and changes in ecosystem dynamics. The construction of walls around religious buildings in Oviedo, Spain, led to the isolation of fire salamander populations on either side, […]
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Plants in hospital rooms may enhance recovery
Plants in hospital rooms may enhance recovery Researchers at Texas A&M University found that hospital rooms designed with natural elements like indoor plants, green décor, and views of nature significantly enhance relaxation and mental clarity in simulated patients. The study used immersive virtual reality (VR) to simulate hospital environments for 188 participants over the age […]
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Galápagos tomatoes are evolving in ‘reverse’
Galápagos tomatoes are evolving in ‘reverse’ Scientists have discovered that Galápagos tomatoes are evolving in “reverse” by reverting to a more primitive genetic state, producing ancient chemical defenses similar to those found in eggplant. The study, published in Nature Communications, suggests that this reversal may be a case of reverse evolution, where organisms re-acquire features […]
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Some plants create their own pesticide, but there’s a downside
Some plants create their own pesticide, but there’s a downside Scientists have discovered that some plants produce their own pesticide called isoprene, which can repel insects and make them less susceptible to pests. Isoprene production in plants is triggered by stress, such as heat or injury, and can also be activated by environmental changes like […]
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Increasing northern wildfires will actually slow climate change
Increasing northern wildfires will actually slow climate change A new study finds that increasing northern wildfires will actually slow global warming by 12% globally and 38% in the Arctic over the next 35 years. The increase in boreal fires, primarily due to climate change, has been underestimated in previous climate models, which have kept fire […]
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Circadian ‘clocks’ show humans are seasonal creatures
Circadian ‘clocks’ show humans are seasonal creatures New research shows that humans’ circadian clocks are influenced by seasonal changes in daylight hours, suggesting that we are indeed “seasonal creatures” despite modern conveniences. The study, which analyzed data from thousands of medical residents, found that people’s sleep schedules and circadian rhythms adjust to the changing amount […]
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