Tasting Geckos
Geckos can use their tongue to differentiate their own odour from that of other members of their species.
poetry and science
Exotic Dangers in the Urban Forest
Small perching birds, such as blue and great tits, avoid breeding in urban areas where there are many non-native trees. Their chicks also weigh less the more non-native trees there are in the vicinity of the nest.
Vanishing Stripes
COVID-19 lockdowns have been used to show that vehicle traffic on major roads impedes tiger movements, but also that tigers can respond quickly to reductions in human pressures.
Cut out the Fireworks
Popular fireworks should be replaced with cleaner drone and laser light shows to avoid the highly damaging impact on wildlife, domestic pets, and the broader environment.
Gardeners of the Forest
If elephants, which are already critically endangered, become extinct, the Central and West African rain forest – the second largest on Earth – would lose 6-9% of its ability to capture atmospheric carbon, exacerbating planetary warming.
Unnecessary Deaths by Fire
Each year, 20,000 premature deaths in the United States are caused by the smoke from human-ignited fires.
A Lungful of Flying Lead
Children living near a small airport in Santa Clara County, California have been found to have concerning levels of the poisonous metal lead in their blood.
Sunburnt Algae
Climate change threatens endangered marimo algae balls with extinction through deadly sunburn.
Deep-sea Soot
Up to one a half million tonnes of carbon, soot, and other particles from combustion end up in deep-sea trenches every year.
A Lethal Climate
For the first time, hotter days brought about by climate change have been linked to an increased risk of shootings in the United States.