UNIVERSE OF NATURE

Antarctica, now a vast expanse of ice, was once a lush tropical paradise teeming with life. Around 90 million years ago, in the mid-Cretaceous period, this southernmost continent was covered in dense rainforests and home to a diverse range of species, including dinosaurs. In 2017, a groundbreaking discovery was made near the Amundsen Sea in West Antarctica. Researchers from institutions in Germany and the UK, including the Alfred Wegener Institute and Imperial College London, drilled into the seabed near the Pine Island and Thwaites glaciers. They extracted sediment cores that contained remarkably well-preserved forest soil, pollen, spores, and root systems. The findings provided compelling evidence of a temperate rainforest in Antarctica during the Cretaceous period. Dr Johann Klages, a geologist at the Alfred Wegener Institute and lead author of the study, said the discovery was significant: “The preservation of this 90-million-year-old forest is exceptional, giving us a glimpse into...

Although often seen as a global leader in the fight against climate change, Paris remains locked into a dependency on fossil fuels. The growing reliance on liquefied natural gas (LNG), falsely touted as a “clean” alternative, is raising serious concerns. New research shows that imported LNG produces significantly more CO₂ pollution than coal, contradicting claims of its environmental benefits. Despite global concern about climate change, including in Paris and the UK, demand for energy continues to grow. While renewables such as wind and solar are expanding, they are not yet replacing fossil fuels on the scale needed. This is leading to a rise in global CO₂ emissions, worsening the climate crisis. The consequences of climate change are clear. Extreme weather events such as the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, California, are being driven by droughts and changing climate patterns. Paris, the UK and the rest of the world must recognise that climate adaptation requires not just incre...

When it comes to sharing a home with furry friends, keeping the air clean can be a challenge. Pets bring joy, but they also bring fur, dander, and allergens. Investing in the right air purifier can make all the difference, providing a healthier environment for both you and your pets. What to look for in an air purifier for pets : 1. High-efficiency filtration: Choose an air purifier with a HEPA filter to capture fine allergens like pet hair. 2. Washable pre-filter: Helps trap larger particles like pet hair and extends the life of the main filter. 3. Air quality sensor: A built-in sensor adjusts fan speed based on real-time air quality, ensuring consistent efficiency. 4. Ionizer option: Devices with an optional ionizer can further reduce airborne particles. 5. CADR rating: Look for a high clean air delivery rate (CADR) that provides effective cleaning in large spaces. Why choose advanced air purifiers? Modern air purifiers not only provide multi-stage filtration, but also offer features...

For an unprecedented 450 days from 2023 to early 2024, global ocean temperatures broke records, triggering powerful hurricanes and raising alarm among scientists. While some of the heat surge can be attributed to El Niño, recent research suggests that 44 percent of this unprecedented warming was due to the oceans absorbing heat at an accelerated rate. The records set in 2023 and broken in 2024 caught researchers by surprise. In 2023, ocean temperatures rose 0.6°C (1.1°F) above the 1981-2010 average. This figure is even more worrisome given that land temperatures are rising faster than ocean temperatures. This dramatic increase has profound implications for ocean health. Warming oceans are affecting everything from coral reefs to global fisheries, threatening ecosystems and economies. According to Christopher Merchant, a leading climate scientist, the long-term effects are even more worrisome, including rising sea levels, more destructive storms and increased wildfires. The data is clea...

Are you ready to uncover the secrets of ancient civilizations and the wonders of the natural world? These six unique museums offer treasures, stories, and experiences you won’t find in any other museum. From rare archaeological finds to fascinating natural exhibits, each museum has something truly special to offer. 1. Heraklion Archaeological Museum (Heraklion, Greece) Key Find: The Phaistos Disc, a mysterious artifact with undeciphered symbols, dating back to 1700 BC. Visitor Insight: “A journey through Minoan history like no other!” Ticket Price: $12 2. Museo del Oro (Bogotá, Colombia) Key Find: Pre-Columbian gold artifacts, including the famous Muisca raft. Visitor Insight: “A golden opportunity to explore Colombia’s rich cultural past!” Ticket Price: $5 3. The Field Museum (Chicago, USA) Key Find: Sue the T-Rex, the most complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton ever discovered. Visitor Insight: “Perfect for families and history buffs!” Ticket price: $25 4. Egyptian Museum (Cairo, Egypt)...

The health of our planet and its people is deeply interconnected. The new UN health system offers timely guidance on how to tackle disease in developing countries, ensuring a healthier future for all. In regions such as Africa, Asia, the Americas and Europe, environmental instability has led to health crises. But the intersection of nature and innovation provides a way forward. Renowned professors stress the importance of reconnecting with nature not only for prevention but also for sustainable treatment. Diseases such as malaria, respiratory diseases and water-borne diseases are common, but solutions exist. Natural treatments, enhanced by modern science, are often cost-effective. For example, herbal medicines from sustainable sources can be available for as little as US$10 per treatment. With expert guidance and actionable strategies, developing countries can improve their health outcomes without overwhelming their economies. Reimagining health means embracing nature and empowering co...

For centuries, wild cats have roamed Ukraine, playing a crucial role in the balance of its ecosystem. From the mysterious Carpathian lynx to the elusive steppe wildcat, these majestic creatures deserve our attention more than ever. In this article, we explore the lives, diets, and habitats of Ukraine’s rarest wild cats, as well as the threats they face due to war and environmental challenges. Top 5 Rare Wild Cats of Ukraine 1. Carpathian Lynx (Lynx lynx carpathicus ) Habitat: Carpathians Diet: Predatory, feeds on roe deer and hares. Conservation status: Vulnerable. Significant threats include deforestation and poaching. 2. Steppe cat (Felis lybica ornata) Range: Steppes and forest-steppe zones. Diet: small rodents, birds and reptiles. Conservation status: declining due to habitat destruction. 3. European cat (Felis silvestris silvestris) Range: Forests of western Ukraine. Diet: small mammals and birds. Conservation status: threatened with extinction due to hybridization with domestic c...

The dodo, a flightless bird that disappeared from Earth more than 300 years ago, remains a symbol of human-caused extinction. But can science bring the dodo back to life? Some experts believe it is possible. The science of resurrection Advances in genetic engineering, such as CRISPR technology, have opened the door to de-extinction projects. By analyzing DNA extracted from the remains of the dodo, scientists are aiming to reconstruct the bird's genome and potentially revive the species, using related birds like pigeons as surrogates. Leading institutions and experts Prestigious universities such as Harvard and the University of Copenhagen are at the forefront of such research. Dr. Beth Shapiro, an evolutionary biologist at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and Dr. George Church, a geneticist at Harvard, are among the key figures in the de-extinction field. The Cost of Bringing Back the Dodo Reviving an extinct species is an ambitious and expensive endeavor, estimated to run...

Have you ever dreamed of stumbling upon a gold mine and striking it rich? While it may seem like a treasure hunter’s fantasy, new gold deposits are still being discovered today. But how did these precious veins of gold form deep inside the Earth? A groundbreaking study led by scientists including Adam Simon of the University of Michigan is shedding light on this mystery. It turns out that gold is perfectly content to be stuck in the Earth’s mantle. However, under certain conditions, it forms a unique complex called gold-trisulfur (Au(S3)). This reaction occurs when gold comes into contact with sulfur-rich ions, unlocking its potential to move closer to the Earth’s surface and form the deposits that prospectors are seeking. The discovery offers a revolutionary understanding of how gold migrates and accumulates, providing insight into Earth’s geological processes and potentially guiding future exploration efforts. Why it matters This knowledge could change the way we search for gold, mak...