Month: February 2026

    NEW DELHI: Scientists have confirmed the discovery of a previously unknown species of dragonfly in the low-lying coastal farmlands of Kerala, marking a significant addition to India’s biodiversity. The species has been named Lyriothemis keralensis and is commonly referred to as the Slender Bombardier. The identification comes after more than ten years of field research and analysis. The findings were published in the International Journal of Odonatology following extensive examination of both live specimens and historical records. The dragonfly was first observed in 2013 in the Varappetty region of Kothamangalam in central Kerala. At the time, researchers believed it belonged to Lyriothemis acigastra, commonly known as the Little Bloodtail, a species typically fou...

    High on the edge of the Tibetan Plateau, a vast expanse of dark-blue solar panels stretches across what was once an unforgiving alpine desert. Located in China’s Qinghai Province, the country largest cluster of solar farms is now capable of producing nearly 17,000 megawatts of electricity, making it one of the most powerful solar installations in the world. Beyond its role in clean energy generation, new scientific evidence suggests the project is also transforming the fragile desert ecosystem beneath it. The Qinghai solar cluster spans semi-desert terrain at elevations close to 3,000 metres, where extreme cold, strong winds and scarce rainfall have historically limited both human activity and vegetation. The hub includes multiple large-scale installations, most nota...

As carbon dioxide levels continue to rise in the atmosphere, scientists have long believed that forests would grow faster, absorb more carbon, and help slow climate change. The idea seemed logical: plants use carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight to produce sugars and grow. More carbon in the air should mean more growth. But real-world forests are not responding the way simple theories once predicted. Long-term measurements from forests across the world show a mixed and often confusing picture. In some places, tree growth has increased slightly. In others, it has stayed flat or even declined. This inconsistency has left scientists questioning why higher carbon dioxide does not consistently translate into stronger forest growth and higher carbon storage. A new study by researchers from ...

    As plastic pollution mounts worldwide and extreme heat continues to damage road infrastructure, engineers are turning to an unexpected solution: mixing recycled plastic into asphalt. New research and real-world trials suggest that plastic-infused roads could last longer, resist cracking under high temperatures and reduce the burden of plastic waste choking landfills and waterways. Globally, more than 400 million tonnes of plastic are produced each year, yet less than 10% is recycled. Much of the remainder is burned, dumped or carried into rivers and oceans. At the same time, cities across hot regions are spending billions repairing roads damaged by heat, traffic and ageing materials. Researchers now say one problem could help solve the other. Turning plastic waste...

    More than one lakh people pouring into Bikaner on February 2 was not just a protest against the cutting of a tree. The massive mobilisation to save the Khejri (Prosopis cineraria) marked a growing alarm across western Rajasthan over the rapid transformation of the Thar Desert’s fragile ecology and social fabric. Protesters demanded firm legal assurances from the state government to halt the felling of Khejri trees until a clear conservation framework is put in place, reflecting anxieties that go far beyond a single environmental dispute. At the surface, the agitation is directed at the unchecked expansion of large solar energy projects in border districts of Rajasthan. But beneath this immediate trigger lies a complex web of structural, ecological and cultural concer...

    For years, scientists watching deep-sea footage were left baffled by a strange, softly glowing creature drifting through the ocean’s darkest depths. It did not crawl like typical sea slugs, appeared almost jelly-like, and displayed a rare ability to shed parts of its body and regenerate them later. Now, after extensive research and technological advances, scientists have confirmed that the elusive organism is a previously unknown species of deep-sea nudibranch. The discovery marks a significant milestone in marine science, shedding light on the hidden biodiversity of the deep ocean and highlighting how much of Earth’s life remains undocumented. The glowing nudibranch had been captured repeatedly by remotely operated vehicles exploring the ocean’s “midnight zone,” ...

    A new study has shown that social media and citizen science platforms can play a crucial role in tracking the consumption of sharks and rays in India, revealing patterns and species records that traditional scientific surveys often miss. By analysing thousands of online posts shared over nearly two decades, researchers uncovered evidence of widespread interaction with rare, endangered, and legally protected marine species along India’s coast. The research was conducted by scientists associated with InSeason Fish, an initiative that promotes sustainable seafood consumption, and universities in India and abroad. The study examined 1,293 posts related to sharks and rays uploaded between 2004 and 2022 across six platforms, including social media and citizen science websi...

    Mangrove forests across the world are increasingly seen as frontline defenders against climate change, coastal erosion and extreme weather. Yet despite growing investments and global pledges, a large number of mangrove restoration projects continue to fail. New evidence from projects spanning Africa, Asia and the Americas shows that success often depends on an overlooked factor strong intermediary organisations that bridge the gap between local communities, science and funding. Across tropical and subtropical coastlines, mangroves protect shorelines from storm surges, store large amounts of carbon and support fisheries and livelihoods. However, experts estimate that up to 70% of mangrove restoration projects in some regions have low survival rates, with seedlings dyi...

    As Italy prepares to host the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, a growing reality threatens the very foundation of winter sports: climate change. Rising temperatures, shrinking snow seasons and unreliable snowfall are increasingly challenging the idea of what a “winter” Games even looks like. Across the Northern Hemisphere, winter seasons have shortened over the past five decades, with low-elevation regions warming nearly twice as fast as the global average. The result has been widespread declines in snowpack, forcing cancellations of international ski and snowboard events and raising concerns among athletes, organisers and scientists alike. Athletes sound the alarm as snow becomes unreliable The impacts are already visible on the competi...

    In a decisive move aimed at preventing landslides and construction-related disasters, the Kerala government has mandated slope stability reports for all construction activities in hilly and steep terrains. The rule requires that the assessment be conducted only by government-notified agencies before any building permit is issued. The amendment follows judicial intervention, after concerns were raised over unscientific excavation and unchecked construction in ecologically fragile regions of the state. Court directive drives stricter safety norms The revised provision, introduced under the Kerala Minor Mineral Concession Rules, comes in response to a High Court directive issued during a public interest litigation. The court had flagged the absence of scientific e...