Traverse

Traverse

Category: Environment 1

Chimpanzees Use Plants as Medicine: A Breakthrough in Animal Behaviour and Pharmacology

Scientists have observed wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes troglodytes) consuming plants that have anti-bacterial and pain-relieving properties to heal themselves. They conducted detective work in the forests of Uganda, studying injured or sick animals and gathering evidence to construct a case. There were 13 members of the team who were botanists, ecologists, ethnopharmacologists, parasitologists and primatologists.… Continue reading Chimpanzees Use Plants as Medicine: A Breakthrough in Animal Behaviour and Pharmacology

Study Confirms Meteorite Caused Crater in India

In the vast desert of Kutch district, northwest India, where salt is harvested in colorful rectangular ponds, a circular feature in the otherwise flat Banni Plains has intrigued scientists for over a decade, with suspicions that it resulted from a meteorite impact remaining unconfirmed until recently. This crater, named Luna after the nearest village, measures… Continue reading Study Confirms Meteorite Caused Crater in India

Pigeons to Be Put on the Pill

The contraceptive pill revolutionized human society in the 1960s, ushering in the sexual revolution. Now, scientists are aiming to bring similar transformative effects to wildlife control. Trials are underway in the United Kingdom and other European countries to administer contraceptives to animals such as pigeons, squirrels, and wild boar. Deer and invasive parakeets are also… Continue reading Pigeons to Be Put on the Pill

Let there be night: how light pollution is destroying our sky

{Owen Humphreys PA}

What if you never saw the stars again? In fact, you’ve probably never seen a real night sky in your entire life due to the damage that urban areas have on the light. We all find a starry night mesmerising. So why do we all ignore the immense issue that is progressively getting worse: Light… Continue reading Let there be night: how light pollution is destroying our sky

“We’re predicting that we’ll lose around 99 percent, possibly at least all the emperor penguins by the end of this century — that’s 75 years from now.”

{British Antarctic Association/Reuters}

Record low sea ice in late 2023 led to breeding failures in one-fifth of Antarctica’s emperor penguin colonies. Emperor penguins suffered mass breeding failures due to record low sea ice in 2023, according to scientists with the British Antarctic Survey. “We’re predicting that we’ll lose around 99 percent, possibly at least all the emperor penguins… Continue reading “We’re predicting that we’ll lose around 99 percent, possibly at least all the emperor penguins by the end of this century — that’s 75 years from now.”

Electric vehicles will start to cut emissions and improve air quality in our cities – but only once they’re common

The first electric car (1832)

Electric vehicles are often seen as the panacea to cutting emissions – and air pollution – from transport. Is this view correct? Yes – but only once uptake accelerates. Despite the recent boom in EV purchases, they’re still a tiny minority of the cars on the road. We would get more immediate benefit by focusing on electrifying… Continue reading Electric vehicles will start to cut emissions and improve air quality in our cities – but only once they’re common

Lions in South Africa are being poisoned for their body parts

There are only around 22,000 lions left in Africa, compared to about 100,000 in 1965. Kruger National Park has some of the best access to wild animals in all of Africa and is possibly the most famous game reserve in the continent. South African National Parks – Sanparks – has acknowledged that poachers have poisoned… Continue reading Lions in South Africa are being poisoned for their body parts

Devon residents must boil tap water to avoid parasitic disease

Residents of Devon have been instructed to boil tap water before drinking it after 46 confirmed cases and over 100 suspected cases of parasitic disease in the water. The primarily waterborne parasite, cryptosporidium, informally known as “crypto”, can cause cryptosporidiosis, impacting between 3,000 and 6,000 people in the United Kingdom every year, with symptoms developing… Continue reading Devon residents must boil tap water to avoid parasitic disease

G7 nations commit to phasing out coal by 2035 but leave room to extend that deadline

Energy and environment ministers of the Group of Seven leading industrialised nations have committed to phase out coal power by 2035 Energy and environment ministers of the Group of Seven leading industrialized nations committed Tuesday to phase out coal power by 2035, marking the first time the G7 has explicitly referenced a phase-out, but left flexibility… Continue reading G7 nations commit to phasing out coal by 2035 but leave room to extend that deadline

Toilet snakes becoming a growing problem in Australia after heavy rains

Following heavy rains and flash flooding in various regions of Australia, toilet snakes have become a growing concern for residents. The inundation of floodwaters has forced snakes and other animals into built-up areas, causing them to seek refuge in unexpected places, including toilets and bathrooms. This phenomenon has sparked widespread attention on social media and… Continue reading Toilet snakes becoming a growing problem in Australia after heavy rains