Breaking Waves: Ocean News

Australian scientists genetically engineer common fly species to eat more of humanity’s waste

admin — Wed, 24 Jul 2024 09:00:07 +0000

Black soldier flies could help cut planet-warming methane produced when organic waste breaks down, Macquarie University team says

Komodo dragons have iron-coated teeth, scientists find

admin — Wed, 24 Jul 2024 09:00:07 +0000

Reptile’s teeth found to have covering that helps keep serrated edges razor sharp and resistant to wear

With their huge size, venomous bite and the fantastical connotations of their name, Komodo dragons seem like the stuff of legend.

Now, that status has been elevated further: scientists have discovered that their teeth are coated with a layer of iron that helps keep their serrated edges razor sharp.

Reality TV contestant apologises for killing and eating protected New Zealand bird

admin — Wed, 24 Jul 2024 06:39:05 +0000

An American contestant on Race to Survive has apologised for eating a weka, a large, brown flightless bird known for its curiosity

Things got a little too real on the reality TV show Race to Survive when one of the contestants killed and ate a protected New Zealand bird species, prompting a warning from authorities.

Hydrothermal eruption in Yellowstone National Park sends sightseers fleeing

admin — Wed, 24 Jul 2024 05:43:52 +0000

Video posted online shows people running away to escape the explosion at Biscuit Basin, which is now closed to visitors

A surprise hydrothermal explosion in Yellowstone national park has sent sightseers running for safety, after steam and dark-coloured rock and dirt shot up high into the sky.

The eruption happened around 10am local time on Tuesday in Biscuit Basin, a collection of hot springs a couple miles north of the famous Old Faithful Geyser.

Australia’s environment could be fixed and threatened species saved for just 0.3% of GDP, experts say

admin — Wed, 24 Jul 2024 03:30:08 +0000

Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists estimates $7.3bn a year for 30 years could avoid most extinctions, repair soils and restore rivers

Royal family to replace helicopters after flights cost more than £1m last year

admin — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 23:01:04 +0000

Two new AgustaWestland AW139s will be in use this year as total annual travel bill rises from £3.9m to £4.2m

The royal family spent more than £1m on journeys by helicopter last year, and will take delivery of two new ones to replace those they have used for the past 15 years.

In total, royals made 170 helicopter journeys, costing a total of £1,096,300, official accounts reveal, with the total travel bill last year rising to £4.2m from £3.9m.

Wild sharks off Brazil coast test positive for cocaine, scientists say

admin — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 18:38:42 +0000

Latest research shows how illegal drug consumption by humans is harming marine life

Wild sharks off the coast of Brazil have tested positive for cocaine, according to new study by Brazilian scientists, in the latest research to demonstrate how illegal drug consumption by humans is harming marine life.

Supporters of arrested Sea Shepherd founder say parallels with Julian Assange are ‘disturbing’

admin — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 17:24:57 +0000

Allies of the 73-year-old anti-whaling activist Paul Watson have said that prison time would amount to a ‘life sentence’

The arrest of the anti-whaling activist Paul Watson in Greenland – where he could face extradition to Japan – has been condemned as “politically motivated” by supporters, who compared the case to the detention of the WikiLeaks founder, Julian Assange.

“The parallels are disturbing,” said Omar Todd, chief executive and co-founder of the Captain Paul Watson Foundation (CPWF).

A window of opportunity for climate change and biodiversity

admin — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 16:33:53 +0000

World leaders must take advantage of a pivotal window of opportunity for forging a much-needed joined-up approach to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss, say scientists. Without this, work on tackling either crisis could inadvertently harm progress on the other.

Sunday was world’s hottest ever recorded day, data suggests

admin — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 16:27:32 +0000

Preliminary data from Copernicus suggests temperature records were shattered, taking world into ‘uncharted territory’

World temperature records were shattered on Sunday on what may be the hottest day scientists have ever logged, data suggests.