Elephant teeth: how they evolved to cope with climate change-driven dietary shifts
Oct 16, 2023 09:11 am UTC| Nature
Seeing elephants in the wild is a timelessly awe-inspiring experience. There are only three living species today: the African savannah elephant, African forest elephant, and Asian elephant. They are the remnants of a...
Oct 16, 2023 09:10 am UTC| Nature
In 1981, scientists discovered that female fish exposed to high temperatures developed testes instead of ovaries. Since then, over 1,100 studies on different animal species, including 400 on freshwater fish, have found...
Slime after slime: why those biofilms you slip on in rivers are vitally important
Oct 16, 2023 09:09 am UTC| Nature
You might have noticed it after sliding on a rock in a Melbourne creek. Or it could have been wading through a Northern Territory waterhole. Its slime, and our rivers are full of it. Thats a good thing. Wherever there...
How clouds protect coral reefs, but will not be enough to save them from us
Oct 15, 2023 04:03 am UTC| Nature
Coral reefs are vital ecosystems for people and coastal communities. They provide food and livelihoods and protect coastlines from storms, contribute to local economies and preserve cultural heritage. However, warming...
If we protect mangroves, we protect our fisheries, our towns and ourselves
Oct 12, 2023 07:34 am UTC| Nature
Mangroves might not look like much. Yes, they can have strange aerial roots. Yes, theyre surrounded by oozing mud. But looks can be deceiving. These remarkable shrubs and trees are nurseries for many species of fish,...
Oct 12, 2023 07:29 am UTC| Nature
Seawater intrusion is the movement of saline water from the ocean or estuaries into freshwater systems. The seawater that has crept up the Mississippi River in the summer and early fall of 2023 is a reminder that coastal...
Even temporary global warming above 2℃ will affect life in the oceans for centuries
Oct 11, 2023 03:44 am UTC| Nature
There is growing consensus that our planet is likely to pass the 1.5℃ warming threshold. Research even suggests global warming will temporarily exceed the 2℃ threshold, if atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) peaks at levels...
There’s an extra $1 billion on the table for NT schools. This could change lives if spent well
Political donations rules are finally in the spotlight – here’s what the government should do