Monday, June 22, 2026

Month: April 2020

ClimateEcosystemsEnvironmental Science

A humble sponge in Indonesia may be creating cancer medicine

Collaborators in the United States and Indonesia knew that an Indo-Pacific sea dwelling sponge produced medicinally important chemicals – they now report that those products may also treat cancer.

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Environmental Science

Seeking Common Ground…Using Earthworms

Nearly everyone on earth has seen an earthworm squirming on the sidewalk after a rainstorm but are we all seeing the same species? A group of researchers wants to understand the similarities in urban earthworm populations in cities around the world. If there are the same species on opposite sides of the ocean, what does this mean for biodiversity within the urban ecosystems many of us call home?

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Environmental Science

Invader in red: the impacts of the red-eared slider turtle across the globe

I’ve always been a big fan of animals. I love visiting pet shops and looking at all the cool animals. However, movement of animals via the pet trade has resulted in the introduction of exotic wildlife to many ecosystems globally. A particularly widespread invader is the red-eared slider turtle. Read on to find out how these invaders in red have spread and whether policy has been effective in controlling them.

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CitiesEnvironmental Science

Sound the Alarm: Traffic noise increases predation threat to prairie dog colonies

Humans are noisy, especially in cities. Traffic noise may challenge the ability of prairie dogs to detect predators and warn other prairie dogs. Prairie dogs increase vigilance and flight response when our noise may mask the sounds of predators.

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Environmental Science

What is Earth’s tree carrying capacity and how might it mitigate climate change?

Author: Samantha E Andres ARTICLE: Bastin, Jean-Francois, et al. “The global tree restoration potential.” Science 365.6448 (2019): 76-79. DOI: 10.1126/science.aax0848

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ClimateEnvironmental Science

Water vapor and Covid-19: The viral threat of cold, dry weather

Even before Covid-19, most people were acutely aware of the viral threat of winter. Seasonal colds seem to be more abundant during the winter while the widely broadcasted threat of flu season and subsequent chore of annual flu vaccinations are predictable components of late fall. However, I have also had my fair share of exceptional warm weather colds. I have encountered a collection of rumors as to why viral infections such as the common cold and influenza are statistically worse during the winter, but I have never really done enough research to actually believe any of them, or care, for that matter. Insert Covid-19.

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