Nigeria’s Hadejia wetlands are a vital stopover for migrating birds: new survey records species found in the park: The Hadejia Wetlands National Park in north-western Nigeria is a vital ecological treasure, designated as both a globally important wetland (Ramsar site) and an Important Bird Area, a site recognised internationally for conserving birds. Spanning 297km², the …
We found a germ that ‘feeds’ on hospital plastic – new study: Amparo Garcia/Shutterstock.com Plastic pollution is one of the defining environmental challenges of our time – and some of nature’s tiniest organisms may offer a surprising way out. In recent years, microbiologists have discovered bacteria capable of breaking down various types of plastic, hinting …
Ghana’s first genetically modified crop: why we created a new cowpea variety, how we tested it and what we found: Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) is an indigenous and staple crop in sub-Saharan Africa, but it has an enemy: an insect called the legume pod borer (Maruca vitrata). This pest can cause yield losses of more than …
First fossil hyena tracks found in South Africa – how expert animal trackers helped: “The art of tracking may well be the origin of science.” This is the departure point for a 2013 book by Louis Liebenberg, co-founder of an organisation devoted to environmental monitoring. The connection between tracking in nature, as people have done …
Dinosaur tracks, made 140 million years ago, have been found for the first time in South Africa’s Western Cape: Guy Plint examines one of the dinosaur tracks, which is above his head. Annemarie Plint, CC BY-NC-ND Dinosaurs have captured people’s imagination ever since their bones and teeth were first scientifically described in 1822 by geologist …
We studied drug-resistant bacteria on hospital surfaces in six countries. This is what we found: Antimicrobial resistance happens when bacteria and other microbes that can cause infections gain the ability to resist treatment by antibiotics or other antimicrobial medicines. Pneumonia, urinary tract infections and sepsis are some of the infections that are usually treated with …
Sudan’s catastrophe: farmers could offer quick post-war recovery, if peace is found: More than a year of conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces has weakened the country’s fragile economy. This is in addition to triggering a humanitarian crisis, loss of lives, property destruction and income disruptions. Even before the current …
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Rare megamouth shark found in east Africa for the first time – why so little is known about it: A rarely seen megamouth shark (Megachasma pelagios) was recently spotted in east Africa for the very first time. It was recorded in a market in Zanzibar, where it was being sold after being captured and killed. …
Five Christmas fashion trends we should bring back – and may be found in your wardrobe already: Dazzle camouflage costume ball at the Chelsea Arts Club in 1919. Wikimedia, CC BY Christmas is a season for partying and dressing up. Sequins, Santa hats and ugly Christmas jumpers abound. Each event seems to demand a new …
We think we have found a cause of pregnancy sickness, and it may lead to a treatment: Pregnancy sickness is believed to affect 7 in 10 women. Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock Sickness in pregnancy, or hyperemesis gravidarum, is common and is thought to affect seven out of ten women at some time in their pregnancy. But, …
We calculated the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions from people breathing out – here’s what we found: Jaromir Chalabala / shutterstock The UK population collectively breathes out about 1,100 tonnes of the greenhouse gases methane and nitrous oxide every year. That’s one key finding from our new research. Those breath emissions are a mere 0.05% and …
PFAS forever chemicals found in English drinking water – why are they everywhere and what are the risks?: husjur02/Shutterstock PFAS chemicals (per-and poly fluoroalkyl substances), also known as forever chemicals, are rarely out of the news at the moment. The latest concern about this chemical group is their presence in drinking water in England. The …
Weird and wonderful things lost then found inside the human body: Lisa F. Young/Shutterstock Doctors in Missouri recently made a startling discovery. A 63-year-old patient who went for a routine colon screening was found to have an intact fly in his colon. The doctors had no idea how the fly survived the perilous journey through …
Rishi Sunak is wrong: we polled the British public and found it largely supports strong climate policies: The UK’s Tory government is rolling back climate legislation and is continuing to fund the expansion of domestic oil and gas reserves. Our new research suggests this might be based on a misreading of public opinion. Since winning …
Great Fire of London: how we uncovered the man who first found the flames: The Great Fire of London by Josepha Jane Battlehooke (1675). Museum of London If you had been in London on September 2 1666, the chances are you’d remember exactly where you were and who you were with. This was the day …
A mystery disease hit South Africa’s pine trees 40 years ago: new DNA technology has found the killer: An unidentified fungal killer swept through a South African pine plantation in the 1980s. Rodger Shagam In the 1970s and 1980s, pine trees growing in various forestry plantations in South Africa’s Western Cape province began to die …
Popular nasal decongestant found to be ineffective by US drugs regulator – what it means for the UK: A.D.S.Portrait/Shutterstock An advisory panel of the US Food and Drug Administration has found that a drug used in the majority of cold and flu products to treat blocked noses does not work. The panel noted that phenylephrine, …