Kiska, Canada's last captive orca, died this week at Marineland after twelve years of isolation. Find out why animals rights groups want Marineland prosecuted, and how Kiska's story reflects changing attitudes toward our treatment of animals.
Category: Nature
Mother Tree Skeptics Call for More Study
The mother tree hypothesis suggests that trees form networks to share resources and communicate using fungi growing in their roots. Find out why a new study questions the evidence for this idea and calls for better experiments to uncover the truth.
Earth’s Inner Core Falling Behind Planet’s Rotation
Earth’s inner core appears to be slowing down relative the speed of our planet’s rotation on its axis. Find out how this affects our magnetic field and shortens the length of a day on our world.
Photosynthesis Signaling May Boost Crops, Cure Cancer
Photosynthesis signaling within plant cells is fundamental to life. Find out how a new discovery explains what triggers the process, potentially boosting crop yields and even helping cure cancer.
Biodiversity Conference Commits to Protect 30% of Natural World
A UN biodiversity conference called COP15 has ended with a deal involving 196 countries. Find out why environmentalists are hailing it as a landmark agreement, and what it will take to put its terms in place.
Reforestation Plans Require More than Saying “Plant More Trees”
Reforestation plans play a central role in global strategies to solve the climate crisis. Find out why simply getting millions of saplings into the ground doesn’t deliver long-term success.
COP27 – What’s at Stake for the Climate and the Planet
COP27, the UN’s annual meeting on climate change, starts November 6. Find out what’s on the agenda and why success at this gathering is essential to humanity’s future
Ecosystem Stability Determined by Two Simple Factors
Ecosystem stability has three phases, a bit like ice, water and steam. Find out how a new study explains how ecologists could predict these phases by gathering only two simple pieces of information.
European Rivers Drying Up from Climate Change
European rivers are at their lowest levels in over 500 years. Find out why this is a problem for the global economy and for ecosystems throughout Europe.
Beaver Fossil Sheds Light on Mammal Evolution
A beaver fossil found in western Montana is the oldest such specimen ever discovered. Find out how this 30-million-year-old missing link is helping to explain the astonishing diversity in mammal species on our planet.Like all Canadians, I think of the beaver as an important symbol. It’s our national mascot, and the fur trade involving the … Continue reading Beaver Fossil Sheds Light on Mammal Evolution