With pressure that crushes most underwater rovers, water below freezing, and pitch-black conditions, the deep ocean has scarcely been explored. Only a select few scientists have traveled to the deepest trench in the world’s oceans and little is known about the organisms that dwell there. Approximately 26% of the seafloor has been mapped, leaving the […]
Dark oxygen and metal bricks on the deep seafloor Read More »
Everything on Earth has fallen victim to plastic pollution, from our oceans to our food. Consequently, our bodies have accumulated unprecedented amounts of nanoplastic concentrations in organ tissues, including the critical cardiovascular, lung, and nervous systems. Today, scientists continue to uncover more distressing effects of microplastic exposure in the human body. Increased accessibility and inexpensiveness
Nothing left untouched, not even the brain Read More »
In recent years, bird flu cases have been skyrocketing. This highly infectious and deadly strain of avian influenza has not only infected thousands of poultry birds across Europe, North America, Africa and Asia, but has spread to wild birds too. The flu has even spread to mammals such as sea lions, foxes, skunks and cats.
Bird flu on the rise: A looming threat to wildlife and humans Read More »
In the heart of Gotham City, a quiet crisis looms, echoing through the shadows. “I’m whatever Gotham needs me to be,” Batman once declared — a testament not only to his unwavering commitment to the city but also to the vital role played by its often-overlooked guardians: the bats. These remarkable creatures, nature’s unsung heroes
Opinion: Gotham’s lost guardians Read More »
In the coastal waters of the northeast Pacific, what were once biodiverse and dense kelp forests have now become barren wastelands ravaged by an uncontrollable menace. There is currently an overwhelming number of sea urchins present in kelp forests along the west coast of the United States. Here, these urchins decimate the ecosystem by grazing
It started when park managers began the process of wolf extermination due to their destruction of domestic livestock within Yellowstone National Park. This self-centered decision led to a cascade of change in the food web which drove entire animal species toward endangerment. Only after the extinction of gray wolves within the region nearly 100 years
The extermination and reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone National Park Read More »
In a nation where one in four citizens do not believe in climate change, it can feel impossible for climate communicators to convince the American people of its dangers. However, they may have an unexpected tool in their arsenal: strength in numbers. In August 2024, a study from Nature Human Behavior found that more people
How facts can fight climate denial Read More »
In recent years, the practice of shinrin-yoku — also known as forest bathing — has garnered worldwide attention for its psychological and physiological benefits. It is well known that spending time in nature and practicing mindfulness can each profoundly improve overall health. A growing body of research supports the idea that their convergence into a
The science of forest bathing: Nature’s prescription Read More »
As the primary malaria vector of sub-Saharan Africa, the Anopheles gambiae mosquito is the deadliest animal in the world. In 2022, there were an estimated 249 million malaria cases worldwide. Global malaria cases have increased annually since 2015, with countries in Africa facing the majority of case increases. Recent progress has stalled, and many are
To be or not to be: The ethics of the deliberate extinction of Anopheles gambiae Read More »