More than 4 million miles of roads crisscross the US. So it’s little surprise that roadkill makes up a big chunk of the country’s animal deaths: By 1998 it had surpassed hunting as “the leading direct human cause of vertebrate mortality on land.” Today, wildlife officials in California are concerned that vehicle collisions are killing […]
Earth’s stinkiest flower is threatened with extinction
As their giant petals open, the blooming of flowers in the genus Rafflesia brings with them an overwhelming odor mimics the smell of rotting flesh. While their pungent stink might keep humans away and attract flies, a study published September 19 in the journal Plants People Planet found that 67 percent of the habitats for […]
‘Spectacular’ new orchid species is pollinated by moths
Despite their reputation for being easy for aspiring plant parents to destroy, orchids can be found all over the planet. There are more than 25,000 known species of these plants, with more discovered every year. An international team of scientists have now found a new species of orchid in Madagascar with an impressive nectar spur […]
Watch: Three bald eagles could hatch any day now
All eyes are on two new avian internet celebrities and their cozy home in Southern California. Three bald eagle chicks could hatch any day now from their nest atop a Jeffrey pine tree overlooking Big Bear Lake in the San Bernardino Mountains east of Los Angeles. Onlookers from near and far can follow along via […]
NASA and Google Earth Engine team up with researchers to help save tigers
Less than 4,500 tigers remain in the world, according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Habitat loss continues to pose an immense existential threat to the planet’s largest cat species—a problem compounded due to the animals residing in some of Earth’s most ecologically at-risk regions and landscapes. To better monitor the […]
This ancient farming practice could get a boost from the US farm bill
This article was originally featured on Nexus Media and Ambrook Research.. On a clear morning in April, after milking his seven cows, Tim Sauder looked over the pasture where he had just turned the animals out to graze. Like many dairy farms, Sauder’s fields swayed with a variety of greenery: chicory, alfalfa and clover. But they […]
A new robotic seed can wriggle into soil to harvest climate data
Soil is one of the most crucial, if not underrated, elements of daily life—it’s essential for growing the food and resources we rely on, combats drought, protects against flooding, and can sequester carbon dioxide for years to come. But, the dirt beneath our feet is constantly under threat due to rising temperatures and biodiversity loss […]
You Could Finally Stop Paying For That Landline You Never Use
Paying for a landline connection could soon become a thing of the past under proposals suggested by the culture minister. Ed Vaizey said paying around £18 to £25 a month for line rental was “outdated”. Describing the system as an “analogue billing system in a digital world,” he told the BBC: “If the companies come up with […]