Articles for category: News

fire in the middle of the field

Did You Know Earth’s Core is Leaking Gold? Here’s Why!

Jan Otte

Benevolently hidden beneath our feet, the core of Earth is a seething sphere of molten and solid metal bursting with gold, platinum, and other precious metals. Scientists thought these treasures were locked away permanently, buried under thousands of miles of rock decades ago. New studies, however, point to something quite remarkable: gold is leaking from ...

A group of elephants running in mud

The Silent Crisis: How Losing Experienced Elephants Threatens Their Societies

April Joy Jovita

A new study revealed that the loss of experienced elephants disrupts knowledge transfer between generations, putting elephant societies at risk. Older elephants, particularly matriarchs, play an important role in guiding herds, teaching survival skills, and maintaining social cohesion. When these individuals are removed due to poaching, habitat destruction, or translocation, elephant populations suffer long-term consequences ...

Humpback whale jump and splash

The Hidden Role of Whale Urine in Marine Ecosystems

April Joy Jovita

Recent research has uncovered an overlooked but vital contributor to ocean health—whale urine. While whale feces have long been recognized for their role in nutrient cycles, new findings reveal that urine plays an equally significant part in sustaining marine ecosystems. By transporting essential nutrients across vast regions, whales act as ecosystem engineers, influencing biodiversity and ...

person in white long sleeve shirt holding blue ceramic plate with brown soup

Did You Know Nanoplastics Are Rewiring Bacteria? Here’s Why We Should Worry

Jan Otte

Nanoplastics are little plastic bits smaller than a speck of dust abound in our food, water, even our bodies. Scientists are now, however, finding something far more disturbing. These microscopic toxins might be rewiring dangerous bacteria, transforming them into more lethal forms than they are mere passive contaminants. According to a ground-breaking University of Illinois ...

Close-up of an echidna exploring a grassy field in Manly, Australia.

What’s Hiding Inside an Echidna’s ‘Pseudo-Pouch’? Scientists Just Found Out

Jan Otte

The distinctive spiky, egg-laying mammals called Echidnas can be found in the wild. They feed their babies without nipples, and then carry their babies in a slender “pseudo-pouch” that is created by muscle contractions. The mysteries of the microbial life that reside within this bizarre pocket of life are being revealed by cutting-edge research carried ...

Detailed macro shot of a mosquito on human skin, highlighting nature and insect life.

Is the UK Ready for Tropical Diseases? West Nile Virus Discovery Raises Concerns

Jan Otte

Tropical diseases like dengue and West Nile virus were far-off hazards for decades, limited to warmer climates far from Britain’s temperate coastlines. But this week a startling revelation by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has disproved that presumption: fragments of West Nile virus (WNV) have been found in UK mosquitoes for the first time. ...