What’s that in my nest? How the evolutionary arms race between cuckoos and hosts creates new species

Jun 03, 2024 11:12 am UTC| Nature

How do new species arise? And why are there so many of them? One possible reason is the arms race between animals such as predators and parasites, and the victims they exploit. Many predators and parasites have evolved...

Space Science Series

Tonga’s volcanic eruption could cause unusual weather for the rest of the decade, new study shows

May 30, 2024 23:11 pm UTC| Nature

Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haapai (Hunga Tonga for short) erupted on January 15 2022 in the Pacific Kingdom of Tonga. It created a tsunami which triggered warnings across the entire Pacific basin, and sent sound waves around the...

Climate Change Series

‘Cape of Storms’ – climate researchers explain Cape Town’s recent extreme weather

May 30, 2024 23:10 pm UTC| Nature

A severe storm hit South Africas Western Cape province between 6 and 9 April 2024, with extreme winds gusting at up to 135km/h. The storm left a trail of destruction across Cape Town and surrounding areas at least 1,500...

How extreme weather will affect the insurance and energy sectors

May 29, 2024 02:52 am UTC| Insights & Views Business Nature

When Storm Isha hit Northern Ireland and northern Britain in January 2024, wind gusts of almost 100mph caused widespread damage to property. This strong extra-tropical cyclone also influenced both the insurance and energy...

Horn of Africa droughts: how a network of groundwater bores could help – study

May 27, 2024 06:21 am UTC| Nature

The Horn of Africa recently suffered its worst drought in almost half a century, and its sixth failed rainfall season in a row. Fifty million people were directly affected and 100 million more were indirectly affected....

South Africa: Gold mine pollution is poisoning Soweto’s water and soil – study finds food gardens are at risk

May 24, 2024 10:27 am UTC| Insights & Views Nature

For 140 years, gold mines in Johannesburg, South Africa have been leaking wastewater contaminated with heavy metals. The acid mine drainage from Johannesburgs estimated 278 abandoned mines and 200 mine dumps includes...

A pest of our own making: revealing the true origins of the not-so-German cockroach

May 21, 2024 07:51 am UTC| Nature

German cockroaches thrive in buildings all over the world. Theyre one of the most common cockroach species, causing trouble for people both here and overseas. But in nature, theyre nowhere to be found. Just how this...