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Category: Nature and Biodiversity

Historic Plant Remains Found in Kenya Reveal Agricultural Origins

In a groundbreaking study, ancient plant remains have been discovered near Lake Victoria in Kenya, offering new insights into early farming practices in equatorial eastern Africa. This exciting discovery confirms the long-held belief that this region was crucial for early agriculture, even though there was previously no physical evidence of ancient crops.

Archaeologists and academics from various institutions collaborated to create the most extensive and well-dated archaeobotanical record from interior East Africa. This region had not previously yielded ancient plant remains. The research clarifies the origins of early plant farming in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, a vast and diverse area.

“There are many stories about how agriculture began in East Africa, but not much direct evidence of the plants themselves,” said Natalie Mueller, an assistant professor of archaeology at Washington University in St. Louis. At Kakapel Rockshelter, Mueller and her team found an extensive collection of plant remains, including many crops.

This historical discovery highlights a history of diverse and adaptable farming systems, challenging stereotypes about Africa. Of particular importance are the cowpea remains found at Kakapel, dating back 2,300 years. Cowpea, thought to have originated in West Africa, marks the earliest known arrival of a domesticated crop in eastern Africa.

“Our findings at Kakapel reveal the earliest evidence of domesticated crops in east Africa, showing the interactions between local herders and incoming Bantu-speaking farmers,” noted Emmanuel Ndiema from the National Museums of Kenya.

Located near the Kenya-Uganda border, north of Lake Victoria, Kakapel Rockshelter is a nationally recognized archaeological site. Its rich deposits span over 9,000 years of human occupation, offering unique insights into the evolution of human societies.

“Kakapel Rockshelter is one of the few sites in the region where we can see such a long sequence of occupation by diverse communities,” said Steven T. Goldstein, an anthropological archaeologist at the University of Pittsburgh. The research is significant for various fields, including historical linguistics, plant science, genetics, African history, and domestication studies.

July 12, 2024
HD 189733 b: The Rotten Egg-Scented Gas Giant Near Earth

Have you ever wondered about what a gas giant might smell like? HD 189733 b is considered as a nearby exoplanet that stinks like rotten eggs. This intriguing scent comes from hydrogen sulfide, a gas known for its foul odor. The discovery of this gas on HD 189733 b, a Jupiter-sized exoplanet, has scientists wondered with excitement.

HD 189733 b orbits a star relatively close to us, making it a good subject for study. According to research from Johns Hopkins University, this planet is rich in hydrogen sulfide.

The lead researcher and an astrophysicist at Johns Hopkins Dr. Guangwei Fu shared his thoughts: “Hydrogen sulfide is a major molecule we predicted but hadn’t confirmed outside our solar system. It is a stepping stone to understanding more about different types of planets and their formation.”

Located just 64 light-years away, HD 189733 b is practically in our cosmic backyard. It is the closest “hot Jupiter” we can observe transiting its star, with a rapid two-Earth-day orbit. This proximity makes HD 189733 b an ideal candidate for studying exoplanetary atmospheres. Such research could revolutionize our understanding of atmospheric dynamics in distant worlds.

Discovered in 2005, HD 189733 b earned the nickname ‘hot Jupiter’ due to its similar chemical makeup to Jupiter but much higher temperatures. Its weather conditions are equally shocking, with winds powerful enough to sweep glass-like silicate particles sideways, creating a truly alien meteorological event.

“HD 189733 b is not only a gas giant but also a ‘giant’ in exoplanet studies as one of the first transiting exoplanets ever discovered,” Fu noted. These high-speed winds, reaching up to 5,000 miles per hour, cause the glass rain to lash horizontally, making the weather on HD 189733 b hazardous and spectacular.

This unique scenario highlights the diversity of exoplanetary climates and the violent nature of some celestial bodies. Understanding these extreme weather patterns provides invaluable insights into the complex interactions between planets and their stellar environments.

July 12, 2024
New Study Explores Dark Comets and Their Mysteries

Did you know that up to 60% of near-Earth objects could be dark comets? These mysterious space travelers orbit our sun and might have helped bring water to our planet. Dark comets likely contain or once contained ice. A new study from the University of Michigan supports this idea. Aster Taylor, a U-M graduate student in astronomy led the study. Taylor’s curiosity about the frosty secrets of the asteroid belt drove their research.

The asteroid belt, for those unfamiliar, is a region between Jupiter and Mars filled with rocky asteroids. Since the 1980s, scientists have suspected that these asteroids might hold hidden ice. Taylor’s findings strengthen this suspicion.

Taylor couldn’t confirm if dark comets delivered water to Earth but suggested it could be a way to bring ice from other parts of the solar system to our planet. “We don’t know if these dark comets brought water to Earth. But there’s still debate on how Earth’s water arrived,” Taylor said. “Our work shows there’s another way to get ice from the solar system to Earth.”

Dark comets are puzzling. They combine traits of asteroids and comets. Asteroids, which are close to the Sun, lose any ice through sublimation, becoming rocky bodies without ice. They have stable orbits and lack the coma or tails seen in comets.

Comets have a fuzzy cloud called a coma, formed by sublimating ice carrying dust. This gives them a glowing look through telescopes. They have elongated orbits that take them far from and close to the Sun.

Taylor’s study looked at seven dark comets and estimated that 0.5 to 60% of near-Earth objects could be these bodies. These dark comets probably come from the asteroid belt. Taylor explained that the near-Earth environment changes quickly over ten million years. Near-Earth objects don’t stay in their orbits long and are continuously replaced by a larger source.

July 11, 2024
The Impact of Bettongs and Potoroos on Australia’s Biodiversity

Australia is famous for its unique and diverse wildlife but few animals are as important to the country’s ecological balance that’s why marsupial family is going to be siginificant for the nature. Marsupials are often called “ecosystem engineers” because of how much they help the environment through their foraging habits.

Their varied diet also helps many plant species survive and thrive. However, the number of these native marsupials is dropping, and their ecosystems are suffering. A team of top experts in ecology and evolution at Flinders University has decided to study this issue.

Dr. Rex Mitchell, a research associate in the College of Science and Engineering at Flinders University, said the first goal of the study was to understand how tough the foods are that these foragers eat.

This information is key to their survival in conservation areas, new reserves, and even in planning diets for those in captivity. Dr. Mitchell stressed the need to maintain the distinct populations and habitats of bettongs and potoroos to support biodiversity and healthy ecosystems in Australia.

The researchers conducted fieldwork in the New England region of NSW and the Simpson Desert in South Australia to measure the toughness of the food in the diets of bettongs and potoroos. They compared these findings with commercially available alternatives to find possible substitutes or additional food sources.

While understanding the dietary needs of marsupials is crucial, another big part of their conservation involves tackling habitat loss and predation. Urban expansion, farming, and climate change continue to invade the natural habitats of bettongs and potoroos, making it harder for these marsupials to survive. Additionally, introduced predators like foxes and feral cats are a serious threat to the survival of these small marsupials.

July 11, 2024
Killing Barred Owls: Can It Save the Spotted Owl from Extinction?

In an effort to save the endangered spotted owl, U.S. wildlife officials have proposed a very surprising plan to kill nearly half a million barred owls. Can the balance of nature be very restored by tipping the scales so drastically or are they thinking wrong?

According to a report from the Associated Press (AP), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service targets to increase the declining spotted owl populations in Oregon, Washington, and California. The agency’s documents showing us a plan to diminish up to 450,000 barred owls and they will take 30 years.

Spotted owls have been struggling to survive in that region. Their larger cousins, barred owls, have moved from the eastern U.S. into their West Coast territory and it is threatening their existence due to competition for resources.

The Fish and Wildlife Service Oregon state supervisor Kessina Lee highlighted the critical nature of the situation. “Without actively managing barred owls, northern spotted owls will likely go extinct in all or the majority of them, in spite of collaborative conservation efforts,” Lee stated.

Previous efforts to protect the spotted owls focused on preserving their forest habitats and sparking debates over logging but managing to slow their decline. The rise of barred owls has undermined thfese efforts significantly.

The dilemma now is whether sacrificing one bird species is necessary to save another. Critics argue that this approach can divert from more sustainable conservation strategies. Wayne Pacelle is founder of Animal Wellness Action, voiced strong disapproval.

“The Fish and Wildlife Service is turning from protector of wildlife to persecutor of wildlife,” Pacelle said, predicting the program will fail as more barred owls will migrate into areas where others have been killed. The barred owl strategy leader Robin Bown works for the Fish and Wildlife Service and he noted that about 4,500 barred owls have been removed since 2009.

July 9, 2024
A Parrot’s Tale: How Nigel Forgot English and Learned Spanish

Many people have heard parrots talk in human languages. But how many have seen a bird become a multilingual expert? You can imagine if a parrot learned the English password to guard a house’s safe, and then one day you hear it using the Spanish password! Today, I’ll share some amazing information about such a grey parrot.

One of the wonders of zoology is the birds’ talking system. Birds can learn anything humans teach them to say, whether it’s English, Spanish, French or Hindi or any other language. Sometimes people even use a bird’s language as a password for safes. A man in Britain loves African grey parrots and kept one with him for a long time.

He loved the bird so much and named the bird Nigel. After much effort, he taught Nigel to speak English fluently. But then, suddenly, his beloved parrot disappeared without any clue and that was very surprising.

The man was really heartbroken and searched everywhere but couldn’t find his beloved Nigel. Four years had passed. Then, he got the parrot back from a person in the US. Nigel recognized his old master without any problem.

But something was different. The bird no longer spoke English. After observing for a while, the man realized Nigel was speaking Spanish. The bird had completely forgotten English. Nigel now only speaks excellent Spanish and the old man was again surprised to see such change in his bird.

July 9, 2024
How COVID-19 Lockdowns Helped Humpback Whales Thrive

Life under the sea is full of simple pleasures away from the busy world of humans. During the COVID-19 pandemic, something unexpected happened like lockdowns helped humpback whales very much. A team from the University of Queensland, led by Dr. Jake Linsky, found something interesting. The lockdowns had a calming effect on humpback whales migrating off Australia’s east coast.

Dr. Linsky, from UQ’s School of Environment, studies these whales at Moreton Bay Research Station. He uses drone photos and samples to check the whales’ health. These whales have recovered well from whaling in the past. The team wanted to use new tools to see how healthy they are.

“We used drone photos and samples to check the health of eastern Australian humpback whales near North Stradbroke Island during their migration in 2020 and 2021,” Dr. Linsky said. “This whale group has recovered well from past whaling, so we wanted to use the best tools to check on their health.”

“We also used small boats to get close to the whales and collect tiny samples of skin,” he added. Lower cortisol levels mean less stress. Why did this happen? Dr. Linsky thinks it’s due to changes in climate and less human activity during the pandemic.

“Several things happened during this time, like climate shifts to La Niña and big changes in human activity due to the pandemic.” “Our gene tests suggest whales might be reacting to fewer pollutants in their feeding waters.”

“Other studies found similar stress hormone drops in whales on the other side of Antarctica. Our results show this might be true for the whole Southern Ocean.” These findings are important for making rules to protect whales and other sea life.

Less human activity during lockdowns and lower cortisol levels support creating protected marine areas and stricter rules on boat traffic and pollution. By reducing human stressors, we can make safer places for these amazing creatures.

July 7, 2024
Plastic Waste: Hidden Threat from Oceans to Norwegian Shores

Plastic pollution is a rising global crisis that spares no spot on our planet. From the deepest oceans to the pristine coastlines of Norway, traces of plastic waste are an unfortunate sight. This waste represents the intruder of a dangerous disgusting pollutant, yet it reflects a far-reaching systemic problem demanding global attention.

Scientists have been warning for years what out-of-control plastic pollution could do and have been cautioning that immediate steps be taken, while global plastic production and consumption levels saw a rise. The country of Norway, with its strict environmental stand, is proposing an international pact to decrease the flow of plastics into the environment. Yet, what is also important to point out is that even Norway adds to the plastic pollution.

Thanks to the high-resolution study provided by Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) scientists and their colleagues with the help of the Norwegian Air Research Institute (NILU). We now have a complete, detailed mapping of the complex plastic cycle down to each type of product and polymer in Norway. But, being green, Norway discharges around 15,000 tons of plastic into the environment each year.

The new study found that an enormous 758 thousand tons per year of plastic ends up on the Norwegian market, with 632 thousand tons as waste. Though nearly half this amount is burned, just 2.4% goes into the environment. Yet this “small” amount means an average of 2.8 kg per capita.

The most significant contributors to macroplastics were considered to be consumer packaging, such as bottles and bags. On the other hand, one of the highest contributions to microplastics came from tire abrasion, especially from electric and hybrid cars. Production of such items continues to remain at high levels, although a focus remains on decreasing the amount that is released. We just consume more than we can gather. Thus, it is necessary to cut down on plastic use to stop the pollution at its roots.

July 7, 2024
Gold Beneath Waves: Seawater’s Role in Precious Metal Formation

Close your eyes and you can imagine a world in which gold is present in the cracks of the seafloor. Scientists have found an important way that seawater helps form gold and it is considered one of our planet’s most precious materials. A team of scientists journeyed to the northwestern British Columbia, where they set out to gather and study ancient ore-bearing rocks.

The deposit was initially formed in a submarine oceanic island arc about 183 million years ago, brought up from below by plate tectonic processes. The detailed study showed that the ancient geological artifacts were the result of the powerful oceans. The researchers tracked how seawater eventually percolated into the Earth’s crust. Researchers in his group determined how seawater had made its way down into the Earth’s crust. They combined with ore fluids before this interaction forged gold.

The research study’s co-author is Anthony Williams-Jones, who is a professor at McGill University in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences. “These rocks, dating back to the Early Jurassic period, are hosted in volcanic and sedimentary formations,” said Professor Williams-Jones. “Using high-resolution mass spectrometry, we decoded their unique chemical signatures. The finding of seawater-triggered gold is surprising.”

Finding gold in curdled milk
This discovery is not a standalone revelation. It follows a find from about six months back when the gold formation was discovered to be surprisingly akin to milk curdling, a widespread and well-understood process. Gold nanoparticles come together like proteins in milk.

Scientists more found that it lies with the sodium ions abundant in seawater. Sodium ions spur the gold nanoparticles to coalesce with a similar effect as the process of acid-making in the souring of milk. “In our new study, we found that sodium ions in seawater cause gold nanoparticles to clump together and it is acting like the acid in the souring of milk, and eventually forming gold veins,” said lead author Duncan McLeish.

July 7, 2024
Lima: The City That Defies Rain for 900 Years

We are well known for several kinds of natural calamities, including low rain, heavy rain, storms, typhoons, and tidal waves. But there is a city on this earth without rain for nine hundred years. Its city is Lima which is known as the capital of Peru. It is believed that this city is witnessing the effects of unusual climate change worldwide.

Experts blame the geographical location of the town as the reason behind no rain. The amount of rainfall in the Sahara desert is higher than in the capital of Peru. You can think of it as the driest region in the world. Fresh and green plants are still standing here which is interesting as there is no rain. The city is calm and foggy throughout the year. During cold weather, the temperature reaches up to 16 degrees Celsius. The temperature does not exceed 23 degrees Celsius during summer.

Most houses in the city do not have roofs because of the lack of rain. The sea is at its side; therefore, there is no problem with water. The total population of this city is 90 lakhs. Most people here are of Japanese descent. There are also people of European descent living here.

The capital city, Lima still standing despite not raining for 900 years. Most say that it is the ‘wonder city.’ It lies between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes Mountains. This city contains its own culture and bears a rich history. It is the rainiest city in Peru. Less than 7.6 mm of rainfall in the entire year is considered a rainless city. Because it equals no rain, this city has not seen any lightning or heavy rain for such a long time.

July 7, 2024