Iraq"s marshes are dying, and a civilization with them
Mohammed Hamid Nour is only 23, but he is already nostalgic for how Iraq's Mesopotamian marshes once were before drought dried them up, decimating his herd of water buffaloes......»»
Deciphering the patterns of human settlements on the Ordos Plateau
The Ordos Plateau, a distinctive geomorphic entity in China, has been a cradle of human civilization since the late Paleolithic era. Its unique geographical and climatic conditions have fostered a rich tapestry of human history, reflected in the sett.....»»
Sparrows uniquely adapted to Bay Area marshes are losing their uniqueness
The temperate climate of the San Francisco Bay Area has always attracted immigrants—animals and humans—that have had unpredictable impacts on those already living in the area......»»
Study finds S. aureus" surface-sticking ability not evenly distributed over cell envelope
Infections caused by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus have a significant impact on human health, with tens of thousands of hospital patients dying every year from infections due to the S. aureus "superbug." Stopping the spread of bacteria like S......»»
Ancient Amazon Civilization Developed Unique Form of "Garden Urbanism"
Traces of an ancient civilization that had a unique urban infrastructure with cities set amid fields have been rediscovered in the Amazon.....»»
Study finds biodiversity impacts of agricultural deforestation have inherent and predictable geographical differences
Agriculture is the foundation of human civilization and a prime example of our impact on Earth. Almost 40% of our planet's ice-free land surface, most of which was previously forested, is now dedicated to agriculture. As our demand for food increases.....»»
Genome database for desiccation-tolerant plants released
Desiccation is typically fatal for plant vegetative tissues, but a small number of land plants have evolved vegetative desiccation tolerance (VDT), allowing them to dry without dying through a process called anhydrobiosis......»»
Cosmic chemistry unveils stellar dance: ALMA telescope discovers hidden orbit secrets
A team of international scientists, armed with the powerful ALMA telescope array in Chile, has unraveled the cosmic mysteries surrounding a dying star, revealing an intricate celestial dance shaped by unusual chemistry......»»
How writing "made us human"—an "emotional history" from ancient Iraq to the present day
Evidence suggests that writing was invented in southern Iraq sometime before 3000BC. But what happened next? Anyone interested in this question will find How Writing Made Us Human by Walter Stephens both an enjoyable and stimulating read. It offers w.....»»
Avian supergene study explores the evolutionary paradox behind the unusual mating strategies of the ruff
In the colorful world of avian courtship, the ruff (Calidris pugnax) is in a league of its own. Breeding in marshes and wet meadows across Eurasia, the males of this medium-sized sandpiper species are well-known for their distinctive mating strategie.....»»
Understanding climate tipping points
As the planet warms, many parts of the Earth system are undergoing large-scale changes. Ice sheets are shrinking, sea levels are rising and coral reefs are dying off......»»
Epic sci-fi saga "Foundation" will return to Apple TV+ for a third season
The quest to rebuild civilization following the collapse of the Galactic Empire will continue, as Apple has announced that it will renew "Foundation" for a third season.'Foundation' renewed for a third season"Foundation" is based on the Isaac Asimov.....»»
Predicting the fate of shallow coastal ecosystems for the year 2100
A new study of shallow-water ecosystems estimates that, by 2100, climate change and coastal land usage could result in significant shrinkage of coral habitats, tidal marshes, and mangroves, while macroalgal beds remain stable and seagrass meadows pot.....»»
Does Monarch: Legacy of Monsters signal the slow death of the cinematic universe as we know it?
Monarch: Legacy of Monsters is a frequently entertaining adventure series, but it also feels like a relic of an era that's either dead or dying......»»
Scientists Have Been Freezing Corals for Decades. Now They"re Learning How to Wake Them Up
Deep-frozen corals, cryopreserved in the hope of restoring ocean ecosystems, are growing up. Could the futuristic technique eventually save dying reefs?.....»»
Why are dead and dying seabirds washing up on Australian beaches in hundreds?
In October and November, horrified beachgoers often find dead and dying muttonbirds washing up in an event called a seabird "wreck.".....»»
Creepy "Raging Grace" trailer teases an immigrant working for a terminally ill man
The trailer for "Raging Grace", Paris Zarcilla's gothic horror about an immigrant working for a dying man, has dropped online. A gothic horror with its roots in the class divide, Paris Zarcilla's Raging Grace follows an undocumented Filipino im.....»»
Nasty drought in Syria, Iraq and Iran wouldn"t have happened without climate change, study finds
A three-year drought that has left millions of people in Syria, Iraq and Iran with little water wouldn't have happened without human-caused climate change, a new study found......»»
Civilizations are probably spreading quickly through the universe, researchers claim
The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) has always been plagued by uncertainty. With only one habitable planet (Earth) and one technologically advanced civilization (humanity) as examples, scientists are still confined to theorizing where.....»»
Analysis finds diversity on the smallest scales in sulfur-cycling salt marsh microbes
At the surface, salt marshes and their windswept grasses can look deceptively simple. But those marshes are teeming with biodiversity, from the insects and migrating birds in the air all the way down to the microbes that live in the soil. Scientists.....»»
Can golden retrievers live longer? Researchers find gene associated with longevity in the breed
Golden retrievers are one of the most popular breeds of dogs. But research shows they have up to a 65% chance of dying from cancer. In a new study, University of California, Davis, researchers set out to find if certain genetic factors could help the.....»»