Fossils of the oldest-known ancestors of most living mammals, including human beings, have been unearthed in southern England.
Scientists who identified the specimens say they are the earliest undisputed fossils of mammals belonging to the line that led to humans.
They date back 145 million years.
Nov 03, 2017
Coral Reefs Can Adapt to Climate Change
According to a study, cool-water corals can adapt to a slightly warmer ocean, but only if global greenhouse gas emissions are reduced.
Researchers found that some corals in the normally cool waters of the Cook Islands carry genetic variants that predispose them to heat tolerance.
Oct 31, 2017
Global Atmospheric CO2 Levels
The concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere increased at record speed last year to hit a level not seen for more than three million years.
The new report has raised alarm among scientists and prompted calls for nations to consider more drastic emissions reductions at the upcoming climate negotiations in Bonn.
Oct 30, 2017
Dip in Emissions from Firecrackers
The level of emissions from fireworks fell by around 40 per cent during Diwali festivities this time as compared to 2016.
The SAFAR (a central government air quality monitoring agency) study concluded that, as a whole, the Diwali period (October 18-22) was the cleanest since 2014. Level of particulates did shoot up a day after Diwali, but the dispersion was quicker and air quality attained the pre-Diwali level within three days.
Oct 28, 2017
Peatland Plants Adapting Well to Climate Change
Peatland plants account for just three per cent of the Earth’s surface but play a major role in offsetting carbon dioxide emissions.
A team of scientists has discovered that the plants that make up peat bogs adapt exceptionally well to climate change.
As per experts, even though certain species in a peat bog’s plant ‘community’ might disappear because of the effect of rising temperatures and increasing levels of atmospheric sulphur and nitrogen, their place will be taken by other species with different environmental preferences but a similar biological ‘function’.