Science

Expert Warns of Water Contamination Threat in LA Following Wildfires

Credit: DepositphotosThe wildfires in the Los Angeles area have destroyed thousands of structures, many of which were homes, and firefighters are still working to control the infernos. Parts of Pacific Palisades, Altadena, Pasadena, and other California communities are now left unrecognizable.As evacuation orders are lifted, residents returning to their homes should prioritize ensuring access...

2024 Officially Declared Hottest Year, Surpassing 1.5°C Limit

Flames and smoke from the Palisades Fire on 9 January 2025. Credit: PixabayThe year 2024 set a new global record as the warmest on record, marking the first calendar year where global temperatures exceeded 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.The announcement was made on Friday by the Copernicus Climate Change Service, the European Union's Earth observation...

Study Reveals Widespread Presence of Microplastics in Common Seafood

Credit: PixabayMuch like a salmon returning to its spawning grounds, ocean plastic is making its way back to its source.In the Pacific Northwest, a region famous for its seafood, researchers have discovered particles from human waste and pollution in the edible tissue of nearly every fish and shellfish they sampled.Out of the 182 fish...

How Santa Ana Winds Intensify California’s Wildfires

Credit: PixabayHurricane-force Santa Ana winds roared down the mountains near Los Angeles on January 7, 2025, driving wildfires into multiple neighborhoods and creating a harrowing spectacle.By January 9, thousands of homes and buildings, including multiple schools, had been destroyed, and at least five lives were lost. Authorities called for the evacuation of over 180,000...

Weather Whiplash Driving LA’s Wildfire Could Lead to Record-Breaking Costs

Firefighters battle fires razing beachfront homes along Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu in the Palisades Fire. Credit: PixabayBy the next morning, flames had consumed 2,925 acres of the Pacific Palisades in what is being called Southern California's worst wildfire since 2011.Three additional fires have erupted in the region, including the Eaton Fire, which has...

Ancient Antarctic Ice Uncovers Spike in Wildfires During Past Climate Changes

Credit: PixabayMicroscopic bubbles preserved in ancient Antarctic ice have uncovered periods of increased global wildfires that align with abrupt climate changes.Although climate shifts are typically marked by temperature fluctuations, alterations in tropical rainfall, and methane spikes, the role of wildfires had remained unrecognized until now."We weren’t specifically searching for evidence of wildfires," explained lead...

Genetic Modification Uses Mosquito Semen as a Tool for Population Control

Mosquitoes spread dangerous diseases like dengue and malaria to hundreds of millions of people each yearInstitute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.Credit: PixabyMosquitoes in Australia attempting to mate are in for a rough time, as genetic modifications are making their semen toxic. This is part of a new mosquito population control strategy being tested by...

The US Surgeon General Warns That No Amount of Alcohol Is Safe to Consume

Credit: PixabayThe US Surgeon General has issued an advisory stating that no level of alcohol consumption is considered safe.A report based on a comprehensive review of scientific studies links alcohol to an increased risk of various cancers, with breast cancer in women being most affected, followed by cancers of the digestive system.The review reveals...

Air Pollution from the Roman Empire May Have Reduced Europe’s IQ

Credit: DepositphotosAt its height, the Roman Empire's influence spanned across land, sea, and even the skies. During the peak of Roman imperialism, air pollution became so widespread that researchers now believe it may have caused significant neurological damage across much of Europe, including what is now Great Britain.Ice-core data from the Arctic reveals that...

Proteins Linked to Loneliness in Your Blood May Threaten Your Health

Credit: PixabayHumans are naturally social creatures, thriving on connection, communication, and shared experiences that shape our identities and create a sense of belonging. However, in today’s fast-paced, digital world, feelings of loneliness and social isolation have become disturbingly widespread.The World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted the widespread nature of loneliness, with approximately 25 percent...