New data suggests that New Zealand may be part of it's own continent, dubbed "Zealandia." For over a decade some scientists have been studying this possibility, finding that Zealandia has many of the characteristics of a continent. For instance, continental minerals such as granite form much of Zealandia's crust. Although much of this landmass is submerged under the Pacific Ocean, it is not seafloor because ocean crust is made of volcanic basalt. Scientists think that at one time this continent was on the surface. If Zealandia were coined to be a continent, it would be the smallest one by far. Zealandia is the Earth's pluto.
Source: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/newly-identified-continent-zealandia-faces-battle-recognition?mode=topic&context=60
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Just two years after reaching its high, Antarctic sea ice extent for the month of January hit a record low. The southern ice cap occupied an area of 4.04 million square kilometers, 1.19 million square kilometers below the 1981 through 2010 average. The exact reasons for the lows are unknown although by now it is widespread knowledge that climate change is a major factor.
Humans should be concerned by this because it is yet another statistic proving the harm that we are doing to our environment. Antarctica is considered a continent and we are doing more damage to it than plate tectonics could. Source: https://www.sciencenews.org/blog/science-ticker/antarctic-sea-ice-shrinks-record-low?mode=topic&context=60 Around the world about 60% of primate species are faced with the threat of extinction. Primates live mainly in tropical and subtropical regions, which are regions facing huge challenges. These regions are some of the most severely affected by climate change, which although doesn't affect primates directly it does affect their ecosystem. A more fragile ecosystem combined with other human influences such as poaching and habitat destruction further endangers these creatures. Humans should be concerned by this because science shows that we evolved from primates, so it is our duty to protect our ancestors from our own carelessness. What is happening to primates now will soon also be happening to other species and eventually to us.
Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/01/170118143757.htm A new study published by researchers at the University of Vermont suggests that consumption of spicy foods may lead to a longer life. The study found that consumption of hot red chilli peppers is associated with a 13% reduction in total mortality. The reason that spicy foods lead to a longer life is not yet known, but some experts believe that capsaicin, the main ingredient that causes spiciness in peppers, helps regulate blood flow and prevent obesity in humans. Past research and ancient traditions show a trend between consumption of spicy food and various health benefits.
Dietary recommendations may now focus more on spicy foods especially for individuals with heart and weight problems. Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/01/170113133047.htm Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere not only affects global temperatures contributing to global warming but it also acidifies our oceans. Ocean acidification is one of the biggest challenges we face with global warming because ocean life is so fragile and delicate that even the slightest of alterations to the ecosystem can have tremendous consequences. New research shows that kelp forests in the ocean may play a role in protecting sea life from the dangers of acidification. Because of photosynthesis kelp forests draw carbon dioxide out of the water producing oxygen in the process. The studies are still new and there's still a lot to be known about the relationship between Kelp and ocean acidification but humans can use all the help we can get when fighting climate change and it's many side effects.
Source: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/arctic-kelp-forests-may-create-summer-refuges-ocean-acidification?mode=topic&context=60 Back in the day, all humans had eyes that were a shade of brown. Recently it was discovered that a genetic mutation 6,000-10,000 years ago is responsible for all the blue eyes we see today. A single genetic mutation in the OCA2 gene literally acts like a light switch for melanin production in the eyes. The mutation makes it so those with the gene cannot produce the required melanin in the eye to get a brown color. They are left with an ugly blue that they must carry with them for the rest of their lives. Because of this single genetic mutation it is determined that all blue eyed humans on the planet are direct ancestors of this one individual.
This goes to show the grand scale that evolutionary time plays in the augmentation of a population. A single person just 6,000-10,000 years ago is now directly responsible for the lives of millions of individuals. Think of where we will be 10,000 years from now with our population of 7 billion.... Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080130170343.htm Wildfires caused by severe drought in the region of Gatlinburg, Tennessee have killed three and injured more than ten. These fires are some of the worst fires the region has ever seen, as they are not accustomed to wildfires. The drought in the area killed or dried out many of the vegetation which served as fuel for a rapidly increasing wildfire.
The lessons we learn from the events unfolding in Tennessee are especially useful to us in California. California is known as wildfire country so we are used to these events and we are in the position where we must be concerned about preventing or controlling wildfires to the best of our abilities. California is also dealing with an exceptional historic drought which has killed much of our vegetation casuing millions of plants to act as fuel for spreading wildfires. We must learn lessons from every wildfire to help control these events in the future. Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/1b5bd5219b072bb9ae3b8f7e2d058f63.htm Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/11/161116120201.htm
As the Ozone layer depletes above us, day in and day out we find new discoveries which further hurt our chances of recovery. In sunlight snow can cause the release of nitrogen oxide gasses which help deplete the ozone layer. Whats more is that it is found that impurities found in Arctic snow (some caused by climate change) can further amplify the process. Researchers found that snow with salt levels similar to those found in the wild released 40-90 percent more nitrogen oxide gas compared to snow which contained no salt. This is important because it is just another problem that humans are going to have to face if we want to fix the damage we have caused to the environment. I worry things are going to become too much to tackle and we will never be able to fix our problems. A new study published by the University of Miami suggests that a current in the Indian ocean is getting wider and wider. The study says that Indian Ocean's Agulhas Current is getting increasingly wide instead of gaining force as it should be. This means that changing wind patterns are spreading out the current instead of strengthening it. Changes in currents could increase future climate change. Recent studies show that ocean currents are a mitigating factor in climate change, as they warm at three times the rate of ocean water.
This has serious implications for humans. This is another bullet point on a never ending list of mitigating factors of climate change which humans are going to have to confront sooner rather than later. We are running out of time to solve our environmental problems and electing officials like Donald Trump is only setting us back. We must push for change now more than ever before it's too late. Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/11/161109133734.htm In response to the growing threat of Kenya's elephant population going extinct, the government's elephant tracking program has outfitted two more elephants with trackers. The program aims to map out elephant's movement patterns to try and understand their behavior. With the data they gather they hope to be able to plan and minimize human contact with these endangered animals which can help protect their fragile population. This is important because the elephant population is a representation of what humans are doing to our environment. Humans are responsible for the scarcity of these animals and we must work to restore the natural flow. Minimizing human contact will not solve all the problems as we must also combat the threat of illegal hunters, as poachers go after these elephants for their ivory tusks.
Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/fe7b45d1850c02d5f8cf8111c07826fe.htm |
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