Ben Davidson, a space weatherman at SuspiciousObservers, recently discussed the effect of the sun’s activity on Earth. Sunspots, plasma filaments, and coronal holes are all continuing to be active, and the impacts of this activity have been felt here on Earth. Geomagnetic storms have been ongoing and, potentially, more are coming today. Two important papers […]
Scientists studying the Permian-Triassic mass extinction have found that ecosystems can suddenly tip over, and many scientists think that the current losses of biodiversity are the start of a new mass extinction. – The Guardian: “Ecosystem collapse ‘inevitable’ unless wildlife losses reversed.” Steve Woodhall, a butterfly expert, is outraged. He argues that this is precisely […]
PORT SHEPSTONE – In a recent episode of Water Woes UGU, Professor Anthony Turton clarified the law and its implications for UGU District Municipality and its activity on the Umzimkulu River. According to Section 21 of the National Water Act, any unlicensed alteration of the bed, bank, or flow of a river in South Africa […]
Do you want to extend your getaway for the upcoming long weekend? South African National Parks (SANParks) is offering a 40% discount on new online bookings for stays between (and including) Tuesday 23 and Wednesday 31 March 2021 at a selection of parks and camps. The discount is available to new bookings made online from […]
At least 15 types of amazing animals were sacrificed to pave the way for mankind to reach for the stars. The real pioneers of space are animals. Scientist don’t always want to talk about it for good reason. Read more on Interesting Engineering.
A new paper suggests that the vibration of a frog’s lungs feeds back into the frog’s eardrums, reducing their sensitivity to certain frequencies in a process that scientists think is similar to how noise-cancelling headphones work. Read more on Popular Science.
Here’s what the animal kingdom can teach us about disease prevention. A new review paper, out today in Science, combs the scientific literature to tease out some of the ways that disease outbreaks can shift social behaviour, in both humans and in other animals. “[Animals] have evolved really interesting, intricate behavioural strategies to deal with pathogens,” says lead […]
USA – Several great apes at San Diego Zoo have been given an experimental Covid-19 vaccine designed for animals after an outbreak among gorillas there. Four orangutans and five bonobos each had two doses of a jab made by Zoetis, a veterinary pharmaceutical firm. Eight gorillas at the zoo became the first great apes in […]
Twenty young Nile crocodiles have been recaptured after the reptiles escaped from a commercial breeding farm in Bonnievale in the Western Cape. Read more on The Citizen.