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Categories: Environmental: Ecosystems, Offbeat: Space
Published Bear genes show circadian rhythms even during hibernation
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source The internal clocks of grizzly bears appear to keep ticking through hibernation, according to a genetic study. This persistence highlights the strong role of circadian rhythms in the metabolism of many organisms including humans. The genetic study confirmed observational evidence that bears' energy production still waxes and wanes in a daily pattern even as they slumber for several months without eating. The researchers also found that during hibernation the amplitude of the energy production was blunted, meaning the range of highs and lows was reduced. The peak also occurred later in the day under hibernation than during the active season, but the daily fluctuation was still there.
Published Climate change effects hit marine ecosystems in multiple waves, according to marine ecologists
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source A new approach to examining the effects of climate change on marine ecosystems may provide a more accurate understanding of climate change responses -- and predictions for future consequences -- according to a new article. The paper highlights the interplay between the trend of climate warming and the fluctuations in local temperature. These two properties cause atypically warm events such as marine heatwaves to occur with increasing frequency and magnitude.
Published Clearing mangroves makes 'muddification' worse
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Clearing mangroves to stop estuaries getting clogged with mud actually makes the problem worse, new research shows.
Published New scientific study reveals the crucial role of herbivorous fishes and sea urchins in restoring Caribbean coral reefs
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source A new study presents crucial findings on the feeding preferences of herbivorous fishes and the sea urchin Diadema antillarum in Little Cayman. The study sheds new light on the dynamics of these herbivores and their impact on the resilience of Caribbean coral reefs.
Published Surveilling wetlands for infectious bird flu -- and finding it
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Recently, morning omelets and holiday dinners have gotten more expensive. One likely cause is bird flu, outbreaks of which led to the deaths of millions of chickens and turkeys from infection or culling in 2022, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and which still demands rigorous monitoring of wild populations. Now, researchers have developed a method that detected infectious bird flu virus in wetlands frequented by waterfowl.
Published With unprecedented flares, stellar corpse shows signs of life
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source After a distant star's explosive death, an active stellar corpse was the likely source of repeated energetic flares observed over several months -- a phenomenon astronomers had never seen before, astronomers report.
Published James Webb Space Telescope detects water vapor, sulfur dioxide and sand clouds in the atmosphere of a nearby exoplanet
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Astronomers have used recent observations made with the James Webb Space Telescope to study the atmosphere of the nearby exoplanet WASP-107b. Peering deep into the fluffy atmosphere of WASP-107b they discovered not only water vapor and sulfur dioxide, but even silicate sand clouds. These particles reside within a dynamic atmosphere that exhibits vigorous transport of material.
Published Previously unknown luminescence revealed in ten deep sea species and an order of sea cucumbers
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers present evidence of previously unknown luminosity in 10 deep-sea species, suggesting underestimated diversity. These new discoveries include a member of the order Molpadia, which was previously thought not to be luminescent. The authors stress the importance of considering the ecological role of bioluminesence and the need for conservation.
Published 'Bouncing' comets could deliver building blocks for life to exoplanets
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source How did the molecular building blocks for life end up on Earth? One long-standing theory is that they could have been delivered by comets. Now, researchers have shown how comets could deposit similar building blocks to other planets in the galaxy.
Published Using eclipses to calculate the transparency of Saturn's rings
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source A student has measured the optical depth of Saturn's rings using a new method based on how much sunlight reached the Cassini spacecraft while it was in the shadow of the rings.
Published Non-native species likely to continue spreading in North America, Australia and Europe
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Naturalized species, which are not native but have established themselves in new locations, have the potential to spread even further to suitable habitats in many parts of the world, reports a new study.
Published Forecasting microbiomes for sustainability and health
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Microbial communities, or microbiomes, are essential for safeguarding human and environmental health through the most widely used biotechnological process on our planet: biological wastewater treatment. However, the process itself is subject to constant changes, difficult to sustain over long periods of time and emits significant amounts of greenhouse gases.
Published Europe was not covered by dense forest before the arrival of modern humans
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source For decades, we believed that outside ice ages Europe was mostly covered by dense forest before the arrival of modern humans. Now, a new study shows that there was far more open and semi-open vegetation than conventionally expected.
Published Galactic 'lightsabers': Answering longstanding questions about jets from black holes
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source The one thing everyone knows about black holes is that absolutely everything nearby gets sucked into them. Almost everything, it turns out. Astrophysicists have now determined conclusively that energy close to the event horizon of black hole M87* is pushing outward, not inward. The researchers have also created a way to test the prediction that black holes lose rotational energy and to establish it's that energy that produces the incredibly powerful jets.
Published Faster Arctic warming hastens 2C rise by eight years
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source The Arctic is currently warming nearly four times faster than the global average rate. The new study aimed to estimate the impact of this faster warming on how quickly the global temperature thresholds of 1.5C and 2C, set down in the Paris Agreement, are likely to be breached.
Published Scientists uncover aurora-like radio emission above a sunspot
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Astronomers have detailed radio observations of an extraordinary aurora-like display -- occurring 40,000 km above a relatively dark and cold patch on the Sun, known as a sunspot.
Published North Atlantic's marine productivity may not be declining, according to new study of older ice cores
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source To paraphrase Mark Twain, reports of declining phytoplankton in the North Atlantic may have been greatly exaggerated. Analysis of a Greenland ice core going back 800 years shows that atmospheric chemistry, not dwindling phytoplankton populations, explains the industrial-era ice core trends.
Published Wildfire, drought cause $11.2 billion in damage to private timberland in three Pacific states, study finds
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Wildfires and drought have led to $11.2 billion in damages to privately held timberland in California, Oregon and Washington over the past two decades, a new Oregon State University study found.
Published No scientific evidence for cognitively advanced behaviors and symbolism by Homo naledi
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source A new study casts doubt on claims that Homo naledi, a small-brained hominin dating to between 335-241,000 years ago, deliberately buried their dead and produced rock art in Rising Star Cave, South Africa. Recent articles suggested the recent excavations at the Rising Star Cave system provided evidence of at least three burial features, two in the Dinaledi Chamber and a third in the Hill Antechamber cavity. The group of experts have now called for a deeper dig into the science behind the findings.
Published Tracking down quantum flickering of the vacuum
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Absolutely empty -- that is how most of us envision the vacuum. Yet, in reality, it is filled with an energetic flickering: the quantum fluctuations. Experts are currently preparing a laser experiment intended to verify these vacuum fluctuations in a novel way, which could potentially provide clues to new laws in physics. A research team has developed a series of proposals designed to help conduct the experiment more effectively -- thus increasing the chances of success.