Urgent action is needed to protect endangered species, human health and industry from the impacts of the Caspian Sea shrinking, research led by the University of Leeds has found.
Ancient tools from a South African cave reveal connections between prehistoric people
In a cave overlooking the ocean on the southern coast of South Africa, archaeologists discovered thousands of stone tools, created by ancient humans roughly 20,000 years ago. By examining tiny details in the chipped edges of the blades and stones, archaeologists are able to tell how the tools were made...
How much food can the world grow? International team calls for new yield potential estimates
Agronomists question statistical methods used to predict yield potential and 'yield gaps' for major crops. In some cases, yield potential is overestimated, while in others it can be underestimated. It's important to have accurate information so that worldwide agriculture can meet the food demands of the growing global population.
Eight or more drinks per week linked to signs of injury in the brain
Heavy drinkers who have eight or more alcoholic drinks per week have an increased risk of brain lesions called hyaline arteriolosclerosis, signs of brain injury that are associated with memory and thinking problems, according to a new study.
Sink or Swim: The fate of sinking tectonic plates depends on their ancient tectonic histories
New findings provide a greater understanding of plate subduction, or how tectonic plates slide beneath one another. This recycling of surface materials and volatile elements deep into the Earth's interior, can impact long-term climate stability, atmospheric balance, and the habitability of our planet over billions of years.
Prehistoric rhinos lived in super-herds
Rhinos that flourished across much of North America 12 million years ago gathered in huge herds, according to a new study.
HKU Ecologists Lead International Effort to Understand Declining Insect Biodiversity in the Tropics
A team of ecologists from The University of Hong Kong (HKU) are leading an international initiative to investigate the decline of insect populations in the world’s tropical forests.
Tree Rings Track Atmospheric Mercury Cheaply
Wild fig tree rings offer a cheap method for tracking toxic atmospheric mercury, a byproduct of gold mining in the Global South, according to a study conducted in the Peruvian Amazon and published April 8 in the journal Frontiers in Environmental Science.
World’s Largest Study Reveals the Long-Term Health Impacts of Flooding
The world’s largest and most comprehensive study of the long-term health impacts of flooding – via analysis of over 300 million hospitalisations records in eight countries prone to flooding events, including Australia – has found an increased risk of 26 per cent of all diseases serious enough to require hospitalisation.
Growing Risk of ‘Thirstwaves’ as the Planet Warms
The atmosphere is getting thirstier.