Nature – Page 11 – PossibleThreat Articles

Microscopic evidence sheds light on the disappearance of the world's largest mammals

October 2, 2019 0 Comments Climate, Early Climate, Early Humans, Earth Science, Endangered Animals, Environmental Awareness, Extinction, Human Evolution, Nature

Understanding the causes and consequences of Late Quaternary megafaunal extinctions is increasingly important in a world of growing human populations and climate change. A review highlights the role that cutting-edge scientific methods can play in broadening the discussions about megafaunal extinction and enabling insights into ecosystems and species-specific responses to climate change and human activities.

News Science

Species could buffer reproduction against climate change through sperm and egg plasticity

October 2, 2019 0 Comments Climate, Environmental Awareness, Environmental Policy, Evolutionary Biology, Extreme Survival, Global Warming, Mating and Breeding, Nature

New research shows that beetles have evolved sophisticated mechanisms to reproduce despite warmer temperatures. They have evolved mechanisms that allow their sperm and eggs to quickly cope with increasing environmental temperature variation. And this could help species buffer themselves against climate change.

News Science

Safeguarding the world's largest tuna fishery

October 2, 2019 0 Comments Ecology, Fish, Fisheries, Geography, Global Warming, Nature, Oceanography, Sea Life

New research has used a combination of records from captains and scientific observers, FAD tracking data, ocean models and cutting edge simulation methods to reveal for the first time the trajectories and potential impact FADs may have on fisheries around Pacific island nations.

News Science

African evidence support Younger Dryas Impact Hypothesis

October 2, 2019 0 Comments Asteroids, Comets and Meteors, Early Climate, Endangered Animals, Fossils, Geography, Global Warming, Nature, Near-Earth Object Impacts, New Species, Origin of Life, Space Exploration, Space Telescopes

A team of scientists from South Africa has discovered evidence partially supporting a hypothesis that Earth was struck by a meteorite or asteroid 12,800 years ago, leading to global consequences including climate change, and contributing to the extinction of many species of large animals at the time of an episode called the Younger Dryas.

News Science

Inspired by Northern clingfish, researchers make a better suction cup

October 2, 2019 0 Comments Civil Engineering, Energy and Resources, Engineering and Construction, Fish, Marine Biology, Materials Science, Nature, Sea Life

Scientists, inspired by the clingfish's suction power, set out to develop an artificial suction cup that borrows from nature's design. Their prototype actually performed better than the clingfish.

News Science

Why are there no animal species with three legs?

October 2, 2019 0 Comments Charles Darwin, Early Humans, Evolution, Evolutionary Biology, Human Evolution, Life Sciences, Nature, Trees

If 'Why?' is the first question in science, 'Why not?' must be a close second. Sometimes it's worth thinking about why something does not exist. Such as a truly three-legged animal. At least one researcher has been pondering the non-existence of tripeds.

News Science

Preventing future forest diebacks

October 2, 2019 0 Comments Environmental Awareness, Environmental Policies, Extinction, Forest, Land Management, Nature, Ocean Policy, Rainforests, Trees

Removing dead trees from the forests and reforesting on a large scale: this is the German Federal Government's strategy against 'Forest Dieback 2.0', researchers say. Ecologists call for other solutions.

News Science

Limited seed availability, dry climate hamper post-wildfire forest recovery

October 2, 2019 0 Comments Botany, Exotic Species, Forest, Nature, Rainforests, Seeds, Trees, Wildfires

A lack of tree seedling establishment following recent wildfires represents a crucial bottleneck limiting coniferous forest recovery in the western US, new research finds.

News Science

Planes and vehicles main culprits masking iconic natural sounds in peaceful national parks

October 2, 2019 0 Comments Acoustics, animals, Disaster Plan, Dolphins and Whales, Energy and Resources, Energy Policy, Environmental Policies, Nature, Travel and Recreation

A team of scientists characterized the predominant human noise sources in 66 national parks in the US, in an effort to help parks better manage the noise problem.

News Science

Mob mentality rules jackdaw flocks

October 2, 2019 0 Comments Animal Learning and Intelligence, animals, Behavioral Science, Biology, Birds, Nature, Wild Animals, Zoology

Jackdaws are more likely to join a mob to drive off predators if lots of their fellow birds are up for the fight, new research shows.