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A groundbreaking study published in Nature Communications reveals that the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), a major driver of global climate variability, could undergo a dramatic transformation as the planet continues to warm. Scientists from South Korea, the USA, Germany, and Ireland warn that ENSO may intensify sharply and synchronize with other global climate systems by the end of the century, reshaping global temperature and rainfall patterns. Using advanced high-resolution climate models, researchers found that within the next 30 to 40 years, ENSO could shift from its current irregular El Niño and La Niña cycles to a more stable, rhythmic pattern marked by stronger sea surface temperature swings. “In a warmer world, the tropical Pacific can reach a tipping point, switching from...

A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences introduces a groundbreaking forecasting method called “epimodulation,” which could help health systems better predict and prepare for epidemic peaks. Developed by researchers at the University of Texas at Austin, the approach gives models a more intuitive understanding of how epidemics naturally evolve improving accuracy when predicting the most critical stage of an outbreak. During an epidemic, decision-makers often struggle to determine when infections will peak, how many people will need care at once, and how long hospitals will remain under strain. Traditional models tend to falter at these turning points. The new method addresses this by embedding basic epidemiological principles such as how immunity build...

In an astonishing paleontological breakthrough, miners in Alberta, Canada, have unearthed a 110-million-year-old dinosaur fossil so remarkably preserved that it includes skin, armor, and even internal organs. The discovery, belonging to a nodosaur named Borealopelta, has left scientists stunned at the level of detail, providing an unprecedented glimpse into dinosaur biology and fossilization processes. The fossil was discovered by accident at the Suncor Millennium Mine near Fort McMurray. Instead of hitting rock, miners stumbled upon what appeared to be the stony outline of a massive creature. When paleontologists examined it, they realized they had found one of the best-preserved dinosaur specimens ever. Now displayed at the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Alberta, the nodosaur an armored p...

A new study has shed light on how offshore wind turbines and marine infrastructure may threaten millions of migrating birds crossing open ocean routes in North America. Using radar data from U.S. coastal weather stations, researchers found that songbirds migrate over narrow windows of time in spring and fall, flying at lower altitudes than they do over land sometimes within the height range of turbine blades. The study, published in the Journal of Applied Ecology analyzed radar data from 16 weather stations between 2014 and 2023. It revealed that 20–40% of bird traffic occurs below 300 meters the height range of many offshore turbines suggesting that collisions could be a real risk. However, scientists say this danger can be reduced with “dynamic management,” meaning wind farms could te...

India has emerged as the world’s fourth-largest contributor to forest carbon removals, absorbing an average of 150 million tonnes (Mt) of carbon dioxide per year between 2021 and 2025, according to the latest Forest Resources Assessment by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Forests across the globe continue to play a vital role in mitigating climate change, collectively removing about 3.6 billion tonnes of CO₂ annually during the same period. Despite ongoing deforestation averaging 10.9 million hectares per year global forest loss has slowed compared to the 1990–2000 period when it stood at 17.6 million hectares annually. Russia, China, and the United States lead the world in carbon sequestration from forests, with mean annual removals of 1,150 Mt CO₂, 840 Mt CO₂, and ...

As the number of visitors to Uttarakhand’s revered Char Dham shrines Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri continues to rise each year, a new study has cautioned that these fragile Himalayan sites can sustain only a limited number of tourists per day to prevent ecological damage. Published in the journal Scientific Reports the study estimates the maximum sustainable daily visitor capacity at 15,778 for Badrinath, 13,111 for Kedarnath, 8,178 for Gangotri, and 6,160 for Yamunotri provided the government implements strict sustainability measures such as proper waste management, restricting vehicle access, and developing eco-friendly infrastructure. The researchers from institutions including the G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, recommend that the government...

The Union government has undertaken restoration and conservation of around 22,560 hectares of mangrove land under the Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI) in the last two years, according to official data. Launched on June 5, 2023, MISHTI aims to restore degraded mangrove forests, promote afforestation, and enhance the resilience of India coastal ecosystems. The scheme was first announced in the Union Budget for 2023–24 to strengthen coastal biodiversity and support sustainable livelihoods. As per the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change, the initiative has covered 22,560.34 hectares across 13 states and Union Territories during 2023–24 and 2024–25 through collaborative plantation and restoration efforts. Gujarat has emerged as th...

The Great Wildebeest Migration one of nature grandest spectacles, sees millions of wildebeest, zebras and gazelles travel between Tanzania’s Serengeti and Kenya’s Maasai Mara each year in search of fresh grazing lands. This 800-1,000 km journey fuels an entire ecosystem feeding predators, fertilising soil, sustaining grasslands and supporting local communities that depend on rangelands and tourism. Understanding how many animals take part is crucial, as any change in their numbers can have ripple effects on predators, vegetation and livelihoods. Traditionally, scientists have relied on aerial surveys to estimate the wildebeest population, which has been pegged at around 1.3 million. Aircraft fly over the region in straight transects to count herds and extrapolate totals a method that, w...

Cloud seeding a process of injecting chemical substances into clouds to induce artificial rain is gaining traction in India as a potential solution for droughts, pollution, and water scarcity. Cities like Delhi have recently turned to this weather-modification technique to improve air quality during severe pollution spells. What is cloud seeding? Cloud seeding involves introducing small particles, known as seeding agents, into the atmosphere. These particles act as nuclei for water vapor to condense around, forming droplets or ice crystals that can trigger rainfall. It’s used to accelerate precipitation, reduce pollution, and enhance water availability. In India cloud seeding is increasingly seen as a way to combat air pollution and fog, especially in Delhi winter months. Artifici...

The Supreme Court’s latest verdict on street dogs has refined its earlier stance of blanket removal, now focusing only on ‘aggressive’ and rabid animals. The ruling marks a crucial step toward balancing public safety with animal welfare and wildlife conservation, offering an opportunity to address both cruelty and chaos through better systems rather than fear-driven responses. While much of the debate focuses on urban settings, experts say the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, must be equally applied in rural areas which not only face rabies risks but also hold most of India’s wildlife. Conservationists warn that unchecked dog populations in villages and protected area buffers are severely threatening biodiversity. According to global studies, free-ranging dogs have already con...