Recently, scientists have seen concerning changes in the ocean’s Gulf Stream. The Gulf Stream is an ocean current that helps to regulate the temperatures of Europe. Climate change affects all of our planet’s processes, but the changes in the Gulf Stream could have devastating effects on Europe and the world. An Important Current Source: Wikimedia Commons / RedAndr The Gulf Stream is an extremely important part of maintaining Europe’s temperatures. The current of warm water flows up the East Coast of North America and across the Atlantic Ocean to Europe. The Gulf Stream is affected by the climate. The power…
Author: Nicole McFadden
A team of University of Wisconsin-Madison scientists have made an enormous advancement in their pursuit to create a clean, reliable, and powerful source of nuclear energy. Existing nuclear technology creates a large amount of radioactive waste. This new approach may not only change the way nuclear energy is produced, but also the entire future of energy. The Importance of Energy Source: Pixabay / PublicDomainPictures Virtually everything we rely on today needs energy to operate—cars, phones, computers, microwaves, refrigerators, and so many other objects we interact with day-to-day. Every year, the amount of energy we need goes up. However, generating energy…
Science fiction writers and physicists alike have long-explored the idea of distant and amazing space travel beyond our solar system. Interstellar travel would enable space explorers to discover stars, exoplanets, and other celestial phenomena like black holes. There is no law of physics that prohibits interstellar travel, but it would be very difficult. However, there have been many proposed methods, some of which are more likely to work than others. What is Interstellar Travel? Source: Pixabay / Pexels Interstellar travel is the hypothetical travel of spacecraft between celestial bodies, like stars, solar systems, or galaxies. There is an enormous amount…
A group of researchers have recently found evidence of an ancient and unique red dye in a cave. The dye was made from a special insect, and the textiles are some of the oldest red-dyed cloth researchers have found. However, the fabric is more important than just being interesting to scientists. Finding Textile Fragments Source: Pixabay / diego_torres In 2016, during an excavation conducted on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, uncolored linen and bright red dyed wool pieces were discovered in the Cave of Skulls. The Cave of Skulls is in Israel and…
A discovery made by NASA’s Perseverance rover may have just confirmed ancient life on Mars. Because of the rover’s Mars exploration, scientists have discovered an extremely exciting rock. This rock has evidence suggesting the presence of ancient tiny martians! A Necessary Clarification Source: NASA / JPL / MSSS The NASA scientists working on the Perseverance rover mission wish to clarify that they are not claiming to have definitely found life on Mars. However, the rover has just found a rock that is very likely to have fossilized remains of microbial martians within it. Kathryn Stack Morgan, the mission’s deputy project…
Although people have theorized for centuries about the end of the world, we’ve thankfully gotten through every potential termination so far. There is no sense in over-preparation and panic, but there are many ways that the Earth could cease to exist. Here are several potential ways that our doomsday could soon happen. Climate Change Source: Pexels / Jaymantri Climate change is at the forefront of current world disasters. The accumulation of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere could cause irreversible climate change, leading to rising temperatures, extreme weather events, sea-level rise, and ecological disruptions. We have already been seeing some of…
Sea otters, a marine mammal that is native to the coasts of the northern Pacific Ocean, are much more than just adorable… they are aiding the Earth! Scientists have recently discovered the link between sea otters, ocean ecosystems, and our planet. A Symbiotic Sea Relationship Source: Wikimedia Commons / Mike Baird After studying a century of ocean maps, scientists have made an exciting discovery: where sea otters live, kelp forests thrive! The research was published in the journal PLOS Climate. The scientists discovered that even with environmental threats, dense otter populations help kelp forests to grow. Why are Kelp Forests…
A new video from NASA shows the concerning patterns of carbon dioxide moving around Earth’s atmosphere. The model shows that CO2 is pouring out from major cities in the US and around the world. Then it blows around, swirling due to atmospheric currents. Will this model help scientists to combat the devastating effects of climate change? The Goddard Earth Observing System Model Source: NASA / NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio This visualization from NASA shows the CO2 patterns between January and March 2020. It was created using a model named the Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS). By using data from ground…
Frequent flyers are all too familiar with the way traveling by plane can cause our bodies and immune system to fail. Between feeling bloated, stressed, sniffly, and fatigued during and after a flight, traveling can be exhausting. However, traveling does not need to be a burden. There are many ways to help us feel refreshed after a flight. Flight attendants use these tips to help stay happy and healthy while traveling. Prioritize Sleep and Relaxation Source: Pexels / Sourav Mishra Plane seats may be small and uncomfortable, the seat in front of you may be reclined far back, or a…
An author named Dan Buettner introduced the world to the idea of “Blue Zones.” He identified five Blue Zones, where people often live to 100 years old. That’s impressive! But why is the average lifespan in Blue Zones so much longer? What makes life in these regions so great? Well, it turns out that people in these Blue Zones have five traits in common. What are Blue Zones? Source: Jacob Lund (Canva Pro) According to Buettner, Blue Zones are areas of the world where people live some of the longest, healthiest, and happiest lives. These zones are Loma Linda, California;…