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Other Sciences
Ancient tools from South African caves reveal connections between prehistoric peoples
A series of stone tools and the toothbrushes used to excavate them. Credit: Sara Watson In a cave overlooking the oceans on South Africa’s southern coast, archaeologists have discovered thousands of stone tools, made around 20,000 years ago. By examining the small details of the blades and chipped edges of stones, archaeologists can tell how to create the tool. In…
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Earth
Warming in the South Seas means wet west coast
Distance impact on US Winter (DJF) precipitation. Credit: Nature Geoscience (2025). doi:10.1038/s41561-025-01669-5 As global temperatures warm, the southern oceans between Antarctica and other continents ultimately release heat absorbed from the atmosphere, predicting long-term increases in precipitation in East Asia and the western United States, regardless of climate mitigation efforts. These teleconnections between the tropical Pacific and distant regions have been…
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Environment
South Africans flush the toilets with easy-to-drink water. Studying in Cape Town considered using seawater instead
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Once the planet gets hot and freshwater sources dry out, cities and towns cannot continue to continue the global standard of flushing toilets with millions of liters of clean, easy-to-drink water. South Africa’s Water Research Committee recently commissioned a study to use seawater to flush toilets in Cape Town. Teboho Mofokeng, a lecturer in water engineering,…
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Biology
The size of the teeth of South American sea lions reflects historical changes in population abundance
Credit: Ilyn Sosa Druville A new study published in Peerj reveals that the teeth of South American sea lions (Otaria Byronia) have valuable clues on past population dynamics. Researchers from the Instituto de Biología de Organismos Marinos, the Centro para el Estudio de Sistemas Marinos, and the Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco analyzed changes in tooth size…
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Environment
Satellite monitors offshore gas explosion in South China Sea
Overview of the research concept for sensing offshore OG platforms using SDGSAT-1. Credit: International Journal of Digital Earth (2024). DOI: 10.1080/17538947.2024.2441932 A study published in the International Journal of Digital Earth presents a new application of the Sustainable Development Science Satellite-1 (SDGSAT-1) to observe offshore oil and gas platforms. Researchers at the Institute of Aerospace Information (AIR), Chinese Academy of…
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Earth
Volcanic ash as a nutrient source: the impact of the Hunga Tonga eruption on the South Pacific ecosystem
GEOTRACES GP21 cruise track and Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha’apai (HTHH) volcanic eruption scattering volcanic ash. Credit: Nature Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-52904-3 The January 2022 eruption of Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha’apai (HTHH) released approximately 2.9 billion tons of volcanic material into the atmosphere and across the South Pacific. In early 2022, a scientific expedition (GEOTRACES GP21) investigated the impact of this…
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Other Sciences
Study reveals complex impact of state-led urban transformation on South Korean housing communities
(Left) Aerial view of Sangwangsimni. (Right) Chanshin Seungin. Credits: (Left) Križnik/Fakulteta za družbene vede; (Right) Kim et al. doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2021.105433 In East Asia, a quiet change is occurring: gentrification. Urban neighborhoods are undergoing a major transformation, with once-affordable areas now becoming hot spots for upscale living. The process, aimed at making neighborhoods more attractive to wealthy residents, is forcing longtime residents…
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Environment
Why is South America burning?
A helicopter sprays water on a forest fire in the hills of Quito on September 25, 2024. A record wave of wildfires, driven by severe drought linked to climate change and deforestation, is wreaking havoc across South America. The fire killed at least 30 people, blanketed the city in toxic smoke and caused millions of dollars in economic losses. This…
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Earth
Ocean dust identifies oldest ice near South America dating back 1.5 million years
Benthic foraminiferal oxygen isotopes and marine and ice dust records from ODP site 1090, IODP site U1537, Dome Fuji (DF), and Epica Dome C (EDC). Dating back up to 2 million years. Climate cycles are indicated by dominant patterns of 40,000-year, 100,000-year, and irregular mid-Pleistocene transitions (MPTs). Credit: Past Climate (2024). DOI: 10.5194/cp-20-1437-2024 Earth’s climate has experienced significant changes over…
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Environment
Studies have shown that South America is facing an increased risk of heat waves, droughts and fires.
Credit: CC0 Public Domain In parts of South America, the number of extremely hot, dry and fire-prone days per year has tripled since 1970. South America is warming at a similar rate to the global average. However, some parts of the subcontinent are at increased risk of multiple simultaneous extreme weather events. These compound extreme weather events could have amplified…
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