Human activities, a changing climate and natural disasters are rapidly altering the face of our planet. Now, with NASA’s Images of Change iPad application, users can get an interactive before-and-after view of these changes.
The app presents pairs or sets of images of places around the world that have changed dramatically. Some of these locations have suffered a disaster, such as a fire or tsunami, or illustrate the effects of human activities, such as dam building or urban growth. Others document impacts of climate change such as persistent drought and rapidly receding glaciers. (more…)
Rising water temperatures as a result of climate change may harm already endangered or threatened native freshwater mussels in North America, according to a new U.S. Geological Survey report.
During laboratory tests, USGS scientists and partners found that the heart and growth rates of some species of young freshwater mussels declined as a result of elevated water temperatures, and many died. Freshwater mussels have been compared to the “canary in the coal mine” in that they are indicators of good water and sediment quality in U.S. rivers. They are also important in the aquatic food web, filter large amounts of water and suspended particles, and serve as food for other organisms. The study is published in the December issue of the journal Freshwater Science. (more…)
Zum Abschluss des Elefantengipfels in Botswana sagt Volker Homes, Leiter Artenschutz beim WWF Deutschland:
„Die Botswana-Deklaration zur Bekämpfung der Wilderei und dem Schutz der Afrikanischen Elefanten geht grundsätzlich in die richtige Richtung. Damit die dringend notwenigen Sofortmaßnahmen kein reiner Papiertiger werden, muss die Deklaration schnellstmöglich von allen afrikanischen Staaten mit Elefantenvorkommen und von den asiatischen Abnehmerländern für illegales Elfenbein unterzeichnet und umgesetzt werden. (more…)
Many of the metals needed to feed the surging global demand for high-tech products, from smart phones to solar panels, cannot be replaced, leaving some markets vulnerable if resources become scarce, according to a new Yale study.
In a comprehensive analysis, a team of researchers from the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies (F&ES) evaluated how all 62 metals or metalloids on the periodic table of elements are used in consumer products, and the extent to which each of those metals could be replaced if reserves dwindle or supplies become unreliable. (more…)
ANN ARBOR — Culling vampire bat colonies to stem the transmission of rabies in Latin America does little to slow the spread of the virus and could even have the reverse effect, according to University of Michigan researchers and their colleagues.(more…)
Tiny bits of plastic rubbish could spell big trouble for marine life, starting with the worms, say a team of researchers from the University of Exeter and Plymouth University who report their evidence in a pair of studies in the Cell Press journal Current Biology on December 2.
The marine worms play a key ecological role as an important source of food for other animals.
Work by Stephanie Wright from Biosciencesat the University of Exeter found that if ocean sediments are heavily contaminated with microplastics, marine lugworms eat less and their energy levels suffer. A separate report, from Mark Anthony Browne on work performed at Plymouth University, shows that ingesting microplastic can also reduce the health of lugworms by delivering harmful chemicals, including hydrocarbons, antimicrobials and flame retardants to them. (more…)
Der Kanton Bern will die zu hohe Bettenzahl in psychiatrischen Kliniken abbauen. Dafür braucht es betreute Wohnheime (2. Teil).
Der überdurchschnittlich lange Aufenthalt in den Psychiatrischen Kliniken kommt dem Kanton Bern teuer zu stehen. Doch noch fehlen geeignete Wohnheime. Nun bahnt sich eine Lösung an: Werden Patienten nach der Entlassung weiterhin von der Klinik betreut, dann lassen sich auch Wohnplätze für schwierige Patienten finden. Und dann kann auch der Kanton Bern teure Klinikbetten abbauen. Die Stadt Winterthur hat es vorgemacht. (more…)
