poetry and science

An impressionist oil painting of the Ross Ice Shelf in Antarctica. The scene depicts a vast, frozen landscape with rugged, cracked ice formations stretching into the distance under a moody sky. The dark sea nearby hints at hidden depths, with subtle warmth suggested beneath the ice. Scattered icebergs catch glimmers of light as the sun begins to set, casting a serene, cold glow over the landscape. The brushstrokes are expressive and textured, creating a dynamic, atmospheric impression of the raw beauty of the Antarctic environment.

Beneath the Shelf’s Skin

Warm water under Antarctica’s ice shelves speeds up melting. A Seaglider study provides insights into this process, aiding climate predictions.

A night scene painted in an impressionist oil style, showing bats flying across a softly lit, moonlit sky. The full moon casts a gentle glow over a textured landscape below, with subtle brushstrokes creating an ethereal, mysterious atmosphere. The bats are mid-flight, their silhouettes highlighted against the illuminated night sky, while the terrain below features shadowed trees and fields, blending in gentle, blurred hues characteristic of impressionist art.

A Map of Echoes

Bats use echolocation for long-distance navigation, creating sound-based maps, with vision enhancing accuracy, showing adaptability in challenging environments.

A variety of insects fly in a forest.

Colour Shift

Deforestation drives insect evolution, with species adapting new colours to blend or warn. This rapid, human-driven change reveals wildlife’s resilience and adaptability in transforming ecosystems.

Woodland animals bathe in the moon's light glow.

Tethered by Moonglow

Moonlight influences animal behaviour, with many species adjusting activity, particularly in tropical forest environments.

A vibrant cosmic scene showing asteroids and comets streaking through a colorful galaxy, with bright stars and swirling nebulae surrounding a central glowing star.

The Volatility of Life

Research reveals that most of Earth’s zinc likely came from ancient, unmelted space rocks, shedding light on how planets form.

A vibrant painting depicting numerous warblers in mid-flight over a lush, tranquil meadow with a winding stream, set against a backdrop of soft, pastel-colored skies.

Where Migration Ends

Research on migratory songbirds shows reduced survival due to poor non-breeding conditions, highlighting the impact of climate change on bird populations.

A dense forest scene with fallen trees lying across a deep ravine, surrounded by lush greenery and moss-covered trunks.

Wood Vaulting

Trees naturally capture carbon dioxide, but buried wood in low-oxygen environments offers promising long-term carbon sequestration.

A vibrant desert landscape with rolling orange dunes and sparse vegetation is overshadowed by dramatic red clouds swirling in the bright blue sky, with a tranquil ocean visible in the distance.

The Forge of the Sea

Wind-blown iron dust helps oceans absorb carbon and support life. Its availability changes with distance, affecting climate predictions.

buff-tailed bumblebees surround a plant with a bullseye pattern.

Painting Petals

Flowers use colourful petal patterns to attract bees, with boundaries set early in development, influencing pollinator preferences.

A street lit by artificial light with people stood looking lost.

Lost in the Night Light

Nighttime light exposure has been linked to increased Alzheimer’s disease risk, especially in younger people.