Plastics Are Devastating the Guts of Seabirds
New research shows that seabirds’ ingestion of the pollutant scars their insides—a new disease called “plasticosis”—and may disturb their microbiomes......»»
Attacks on health care during war are becoming more common, creating devastating ripple effects
The head of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has warned attacks on health-care workers, patients and facilities "must not become the norm.".....»»
170 dead in Nepal floods after relentless monsoon rains
Residents of Nepal's flood-hit capital returned to their mud-caked homes on Sunday to survey the wreckage of devastating floods that have killed at least 170 people across the Himalayan republic......»»
104 dead in Nepal floods after relentless monsoon rains
Residents of Nepal's flood-hit capital returned to their mud-caked homes on Sunday to survey the wreckage of devastating floods that have killed at least 104 people across the Himalayan republic......»»
More than 60 dead from storm Helene as rescue, cleanup efforts grow
Rescuers struggled on Saturday with washed-out bridges and debris-strewn roads in the search for survivors of devastating Storm Helene, which killed at least 63 people across five states and caused massive power outages......»»
"We"re desperate": Mexico"s Acapulco relives hurricane nightmare
Residents of Mexico's beachside city of Acapulco were reeling Friday after a hurricane left at least five people dead and neighborhoods underwater in a region still recovering from a devastating storm last October......»»
"I need to go": Floridians make final preparations for Hurricane Helene
Across the northern Florida coast, most small towns were deserted on Thursday, with stores closed and windows boarded up to protect against the high winds and potentially devastating storm surge of Hurricane Helene......»»
Citizen scientists help discover microplastics along the entire German coastline
The global production of plastics and the resulting plastic waste has increased to such an extent that plastics have become ubiquitous in our environment. Plastics of various sizes are also found along the German North Sea and Baltic coasts......»»
Climatologists develop more accurate El Niño Southern Oscillation forecasts
Australian climatologists closely monitor atmospheric and oceanic conditions to assess the risk of El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events occurring, which can lead to devastating natural disasters, however these predictions have become somewhat.....»»
Deadly flooding in Central Europe made twice as likely by climate change
Human-caused climate change doubled the likelihood and intensified the heavy rains that led to devastating flooding in Central Europe earlier this month, a new flash study found......»»
"Pig butchering" fraud: The link between modern slavery, torture and online crime
Netflix documentary "The Tinder Swindler" tells the story of a fraudster who convinces women he met on a dating app to "loan" him large sums of money. It shows the devastating financial damage and psychological trauma online romance fraud can inflict.....»»
"Convergence" growing on global plastics treaty: UN environment chief
The UN environment chief said Sunday she was beginning to see convergence on the world's first binding treaty on plastic pollution despite differences on production caps and a tax-like plastic fee......»»
Can AI help save our planet?
Last year was the hottest on record. Around the world, we are witnessing more extreme events—from massive forest fires to floods to "hot tub'" ocean temperatures—with devastating consequences for human life and our planet's biodiversity......»»
"Pirate birds" force other seabirds to regurgitate fish meals. Their thieving ways could spread lethal avian flu
It's not easy finding food at sea. Seabirds often stay aloft, scanning the churning waters for elusive prey. Most seabirds take fish, squid, or other prey from the first few meters of seawater. Scavenging is common......»»
Vaporizing plastics recycles them into nothing but gas
Polypropylene and polyethylene can be broken down simultaneously. Enlarge (credit: Derek Berwin) Our planet is choking on plastics. Some of the worst offenders, which can take decades to degrade in landfills, are polypro.....»»
Hawaii hikers report exploding guts as norovirus outbreak hits famous trail
First the Grand Canyon, now an eruption around the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. Enlarge / The Kalalau Valley between sheer cliffs in the Na Pali Coast State Park on the western shore of the island of Kauai in Hawaii, United State.....»»
Highly-sensitive beaks could help albatrosses and penguins find their food
Researchers have discovered that seabirds, including penguins and albatrosses, have highly-sensitive regions in their beaks that could be used to help them find food. This is the first time this ability has been identified in seabirds......»»
Plastics: navigating the maze of dizzying acronyms
Plastics are all around us—from food packaging and drinking bottles to the insulation in our homes......»»
Losses due to cryptocurrency and BEC scams are soaring
Every type of fraud is on the rise, and 2023 was a particularly devastating year for victims of cryptocurrency and business email compromise (BEC) scams, according to the FBI. Cryptocurrency fraud Based on complaints filed to FBI’s Internet Cri.....»»
Team develops new tool to map fossil fuel emissions from space
University of Minnesota researchers have developed a new tool to measure ethane from space, leading to a better understanding of fossil fuel emissions worldwide. Ethane is commonly found in natural gas and is primarily used in plastics manufacturing......»»
Fighting wildfires with legislation: Preparing congressional staffers to craft effective solutions
The most effective tool to combat devastating wildfires may be the pen. Writing effective legislation will be key to slowing and even reversing the growth in destructive conflagrations throughout the Western U.S......»»