189 years after import, possums damage half of trees in rare New Zealand forest

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Australia’s Green Triangle forests grew; wetlands now face falling water levels

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11-year-old inventor builds $38 moss filter that removes up to 95% of lead

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Deer Learn To Ignore Deterrents: Human shouts scare best; habituation soon blunts effect

Research indicates that loud human noises and bright lights were effective in driving deer and elk away from crops, while predator sounds and dog barks didn’t have the same effect. Over a period of six weeks, these animals became accustomed to the deterrents, especially those near human activity. Researchers recommend diversifying stimuli and introducing consequences to keep these animals from adapting.

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Crayfish invaded Crater Lake 100+ years ago; newt now vanishing from 95% shore

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Scientists turn human poop into concrete that gets 42% stronger

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Meet Vivian Liu, the 17-year-old who turned origami into a kindness movement across 50 nations

Vivian Liu has turned origami into a powerful global movement for kindness. Thousands of passionate young volunteers are making beautiful paper art to support those facing hardships. With more than 300 chapters in 50 countries, Origami For Good empowers youth with leadership skills and environmental consciousness, proving that even the smallest handcrafted items can create a profound and positive impact across the globe.

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Sea otters returned to a California estuary; eelgrass expanded 600%, marsh-edge erosion slowed 69%

Sea otters returned to California’s Elkhorn Slough in 1984 when pollution had severely affected its ecosystem. Their recovery triggered changes across the food web, helping eelgrass beds expand by 600%. A later study found marsh-edge erosion slowed by an average of 69%, as otters reduced populations of root-eating crabs.

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Klamath River salmon reclaim 88% of historic range after dams are removed

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Antarctica gained 695 billion tons in 2021-23 as tropical warmth drove heavy snowfall

Between 2021 and 2023, Antarctica experienced a notable gain in ice mass, primarily driven by exceptional snowfall in East Antarctica. This unusual occurrence, influenced by warmer tropical ocean temperatures, caused atmospheric disturbances that transported moisture southward. Although this gain temporarily countered ongoing ice loss in other regions, it does not signify a change in Antarctica's long-term trend of declining ice mass.

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AI predicts fusion plasma instability 200 ms early, stops it in time

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Wolves moved to an island to rebuild its ecosystem; researchers found out whether it worked

Wolves that have been reintroduced to Isle Royale National Park are successfully forming a self-sustaining population. Over the span of five years, researchers noted significant increases in both growth and reproduction rates among these relocated wolves. With more than eighty percent likelihood of enduring survival, the restored wolf community demonstrates promise.

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Scientists tagged 14,000 endangered moths with paint and glue; none turned up, and that may be good news

In a groundbreaking study, researchers have tagged over 14,000 Bogong moths in the Snowy Mountains of Australia. However, after extensive tracking efforts, none have been recaptured, suggesting potential populations larger than previously assumed. Alternatively, these moths might be utilizing undiscovered migration routes. The ongoing project remains crucial for understanding the ecology of these endangered insects.

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In 1952, Mary Tsingou programmed a Los Alamos experiment that helped change modern physics

In the 1950s, Mary Tsingou Menzel played a pivotal role in solving a complex physics problem using one of the earliest computers. Initially recognized only in a footnote for her computational work, her contributions to the Fermi-Pasta-Ulam problem have since gained fitting recognition. A true trailblazer in computational physics, she worked silently yet effectively in the realm of national security science.

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Nevada's solar panels helped a rare desert plant produce 10 times more fruit

Recent observations indicate a remarkable uptick in rare threecorner milkvetch plants on a solar project site. The solar panels have positively influenced water distribution, nurturing these desert dwellers. The growth and increased flowering of these plants result from strategic construction techniques and panel arrangement, showcasing how eco-friendly solar initiatives can be integrated with fragile desert environments.

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Scientists recreated ancient Chinese bronze casting with 3D printing in under 40 hours

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In 1967, Nasa flew flour beetle pupae into space; wing abnormalities rose from 29.9% to 44.8%

Nasa's Biosatellite II experiment studied flour beetle pupae in space. Radiation exposure significantly increased wing abnormalities in these insects. Ground control beetles showed fewer developmental issues compared to flight samples. The mission also noted a longer pupal period for flight samples. This difference was attributed to temperature changes, not weightlessness itself.

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Scientists found a new fungus in giant panda poop; DNA confirmed it as a new species

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After Brecksville Dam was removed, free-flowing habitat linked to Lake Erie more than doubled to 71 km

A restored Lake Erie wetland saw millions of aquatic animals after reconnection to waterways. High-resolution sonar tracked over 3.4 million fish movements into and out of the marsh. Fish utilized the habitat throughout the day and night, showing continuous usage patterns. This research provides clear evidence of how aquatic species use restored coastal habitats. The findings inform management decisions for Great Lakes coastal wetland restoration efforts.

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Rat-free Lundy sees puffin numbers soar as more than 40,000 seabirds return

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