Threat To Science
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Is Global Scientific Progress Under Threat? Why China Is Central To It
Amid heightened tensions between the US and China, the two countries signed a bilateral science and technology pact on Dec 13, 2024. The event was billed as a "renewal" of a 45-year-old pact to encourage cooperation, but that may be misleading.
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Study Warns Saltwater Intrusion Threatens Global Coastal Groundwater by 2100
A NASA-DOD study indicates that by 2100, 77% of global coastal aquifers will face saltwater intrusion due to rising sea levels and reduced groundwater recharge. This phenomenon, caused by shifting fresh and saltwater dynamics, threatens water quality, agriculture, and infrastructure. Low-lying regions, including Southeast Asia, the U.S. Eastern Sea...
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Bird Flu Poised To Spark The Next Global Pandemic, Experts Warn Of Rising Risks
Scientists identify mutation that could facilitate H5N1 "bird flu" virus infection and potential transmission in humans.
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Polar Bears in Alaska Face Rising Pathogen Threats Due to Climate Change
Polar bears in the Chukchi Sea are increasingly exposed to pathogens like Toxoplasma gondii, brucellosis, and canine distemper due to warming climates. Researchers revealed a significant rise in pathogen antibodies in polar bears since the 1990s, linking this trend to reduced sea ice, altered diets, and human interaction. The findings raise concern...
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California Announces Plan to Protect Joshua Trees from Wildfires and Climate Change Threats
A new plan released by California's Department of Fish and Wildlife outlines strategies to protect Joshua trees from threats including wildfires, human development and climate change. The plan includes land conservation, wildfire management and relocation of trees where necessary. It aims to safeguard the species for the future amid rising temperat...
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ISS Successfully Executes Collision Avoidance Maneuver Amid Rising Space Junk Threat
The International Space Station (ISS) conducted its 39th collision avoidance maneuver to evade space debris from a 2015 satellite breakup. The adjustment in orbit prevented a potential close encounter within 2.5 miles of the ISS. Experts attribute increasing debris risks to factors such as satellite fragmentation events and solar activity. Measures...
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Space Debris Accumulation in the Stratosphere Threatens Major Environmental Risks
The growing presence of satellite space junk, as more satellites enter Earth's orbit, has raised concerns about environmental impacts. Pollution from burnt-up satellites contributes to changes in atmospheric chemistry, with metals like aluminium potentially harming the ozone layer. Scientists warn that satellite re-entries are contributing to a ris...
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This Creature Could Take Over Earth If Humanity Disappears, Scientists Warn
As humanity faces existential threats, scientists have speculated which species could rise to dominance in the event of human extinction.
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Could a Supernova Threaten Earth’s Survival? Here's What You Need to Know
Supernova explosions have the potential to harm Earth’s atmosphere, particularly the ozone layer. However, no stars close enough to cause damage are currently identified. The risks are low, but gamma-ray bursts, caused by neutron star mergers, may pose an even greater threat in the future.
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Scientists Discover World's Largest Coral Discovered in Solomon Islands
A giant coral reef, the largest ever recorded, has been discovered in the Solomon Islands, measuring 111 feet wide and 104 feet long. This reef is estimated to be 300-500 years old, offering a vital habitat for marine life. Scientists are concerned about the threats it faces, including overfishing and climate change, both of which could jeopardize ...
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Bio-Based Fibres Might Be A Bigger Environmental Threat Than Plastics, New Study Finds
A study from the University of Plymouth and University of Bath raises concerns about bio-based fibres. While often marketed as eco-friendly, these fibres may cause greater ecological harm than conventional plastics. Exposure to viscose and lyocell, commonly found in clothing and wet wipes, resulted in high mortality rates in earthworms, crucial for...
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Animals Fear Humans More Than Lions In South Africa's Wild: Study
Over 10,000 recordings showed that 95% of animals reacted more strongly to human sounds than lion roars, challenging the belief that animals would habituate to humans in non-hunting environments.
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New Study Reveals Weaker Atlantic Current Could Mitigate Arctic Warming
Recent research from UC Riverside reveals that a weakening Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) could limit Arctic temperature increases by up to 2 degrees Celsius by the end of the century. While this slowdown may offer some relief, ongoing threats to Arctic wildlife and potential global weather disruptions remain a serious concern. ...
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Doomsday Arctic Vault, The World's Backup Gene Bank, Sees Surge In Samples
An Arctic seed vault on Norway's Spitsbergen island received new samples last week from the largest number of depositors since 2020, reflecting fear about the threat of conflict and climate change to food security.
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This Short-Horned Lizard Squirts Toxic Blood From its Eyes
The Greater Short-Horned Lizard, often called the "horny toad," is notable for its unique defensive strategies. When threatened, it can squirt a jet of blood from its eyes, reaching distances of up to 5 feet. This startling display confuses predators and provides a crucial escape opportunity. Additionally, the lizard can inflate its body, appearing...
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Is Global Scientific Progress Under Threat? Why China Is Central To It
Amid heightened tensions between the US and China, the two countries signed a bilateral science and technology pact on Dec 13, 2024. The event was billed as a "renewal" of a 45-year-old pact to encourage cooperation, but that may be misleading.
-
Study Warns Saltwater Intrusion Threatens Global Coastal Groundwater by 2100
A NASA-DOD study indicates that by 2100, 77% of global coastal aquifers will face saltwater intrusion due to rising sea levels and reduced groundwater recharge. This phenomenon, caused by shifting fresh and saltwater dynamics, threatens water quality, agriculture, and infrastructure. Low-lying regions, including Southeast Asia, the U.S. Eastern Sea...
-
Bird Flu Poised To Spark The Next Global Pandemic, Experts Warn Of Rising Risks
Scientists identify mutation that could facilitate H5N1 "bird flu" virus infection and potential transmission in humans.
-
Polar Bears in Alaska Face Rising Pathogen Threats Due to Climate Change
Polar bears in the Chukchi Sea are increasingly exposed to pathogens like Toxoplasma gondii, brucellosis, and canine distemper due to warming climates. Researchers revealed a significant rise in pathogen antibodies in polar bears since the 1990s, linking this trend to reduced sea ice, altered diets, and human interaction. The findings raise concern...
-
California Announces Plan to Protect Joshua Trees from Wildfires and Climate Change Threats
A new plan released by California's Department of Fish and Wildlife outlines strategies to protect Joshua trees from threats including wildfires, human development and climate change. The plan includes land conservation, wildfire management and relocation of trees where necessary. It aims to safeguard the species for the future amid rising temperat...
-
ISS Successfully Executes Collision Avoidance Maneuver Amid Rising Space Junk Threat
The International Space Station (ISS) conducted its 39th collision avoidance maneuver to evade space debris from a 2015 satellite breakup. The adjustment in orbit prevented a potential close encounter within 2.5 miles of the ISS. Experts attribute increasing debris risks to factors such as satellite fragmentation events and solar activity. Measures...
-
Space Debris Accumulation in the Stratosphere Threatens Major Environmental Risks
The growing presence of satellite space junk, as more satellites enter Earth's orbit, has raised concerns about environmental impacts. Pollution from burnt-up satellites contributes to changes in atmospheric chemistry, with metals like aluminium potentially harming the ozone layer. Scientists warn that satellite re-entries are contributing to a ris...
-
This Creature Could Take Over Earth If Humanity Disappears, Scientists Warn
As humanity faces existential threats, scientists have speculated which species could rise to dominance in the event of human extinction.
-
Could a Supernova Threaten Earth’s Survival? Here's What You Need to Know
Supernova explosions have the potential to harm Earth’s atmosphere, particularly the ozone layer. However, no stars close enough to cause damage are currently identified. The risks are low, but gamma-ray bursts, caused by neutron star mergers, may pose an even greater threat in the future.
-
Scientists Discover World's Largest Coral Discovered in Solomon Islands
A giant coral reef, the largest ever recorded, has been discovered in the Solomon Islands, measuring 111 feet wide and 104 feet long. This reef is estimated to be 300-500 years old, offering a vital habitat for marine life. Scientists are concerned about the threats it faces, including overfishing and climate change, both of which could jeopardize ...
-
Bio-Based Fibres Might Be A Bigger Environmental Threat Than Plastics, New Study Finds
A study from the University of Plymouth and University of Bath raises concerns about bio-based fibres. While often marketed as eco-friendly, these fibres may cause greater ecological harm than conventional plastics. Exposure to viscose and lyocell, commonly found in clothing and wet wipes, resulted in high mortality rates in earthworms, crucial for...
-
Animals Fear Humans More Than Lions In South Africa's Wild: Study
Over 10,000 recordings showed that 95% of animals reacted more strongly to human sounds than lion roars, challenging the belief that animals would habituate to humans in non-hunting environments.
-
New Study Reveals Weaker Atlantic Current Could Mitigate Arctic Warming
Recent research from UC Riverside reveals that a weakening Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) could limit Arctic temperature increases by up to 2 degrees Celsius by the end of the century. While this slowdown may offer some relief, ongoing threats to Arctic wildlife and potential global weather disruptions remain a serious concern. ...
-
Doomsday Arctic Vault, The World's Backup Gene Bank, Sees Surge In Samples
An Arctic seed vault on Norway's Spitsbergen island received new samples last week from the largest number of depositors since 2020, reflecting fear about the threat of conflict and climate change to food security.
-
This Short-Horned Lizard Squirts Toxic Blood From its Eyes
The Greater Short-Horned Lizard, often called the "horny toad," is notable for its unique defensive strategies. When threatened, it can squirt a jet of blood from its eyes, reaching distances of up to 5 feet. This startling display confuses predators and provides a crucial escape opportunity. Additionally, the lizard can inflate its body, appearing...
