US: Serviceberry is an underused native tree that helps wildlife and is worth planting
20 November 2024 - Because it's one of the earliest spring bloomers, the serviceberry is an important food source for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Later, its berries sustain dozens of bird species and mammals, including humans, who can make them into jams [and] jellies ... There are more than 20 species of the North American native tree. Here are four favorites. (more)

New eagle camera is going live in Minnesota to the delight of global viewers
19 November 2024 - Eagle lovers around the world ... will get another viewing opportunity when a new eagle camera in Minnesota goes live on Thursday [21 November]. ...The old camera had viewers in 50 states and around 160 countries, in homes, classrooms, and nursing homes, according to Lori Naumann, a spokesperson for the DNR's Nongame Wildlife Program, which runs the cameras. Minnesota has the largest eagle population in the lower 48 states. (more)

US: For brilliant foliage, look no further than native trees
19 November 2024 - If you're in the market for new trees, consider planting natives. They are generally lower maintenance than exotic species, require less water, fertilizers, and pesticides, and often cost less, too. Native trees also support our native wildlife, which evolved alongside them, so recognize them as food. (more)

World's largest known coral discovered in Solomon Islands
18 November 2024 - The world's largest known coral, visible from space, has been discovered in the waters of the Solomon Islands. With a circumference of 183 metres, the gigantic multicoloured organism is an intricate network of individual coral polyps that have grown for between 300 and 500 years. The sprawling coral was discovered in the region of the western Pacific known as the 'coral triangle' by scientists belonging to the National Geographic Pristine Seas team during an expedition to the Solomon Islands. (more)

'A special place': Guardian readers' generosity helps to save rewilded farm
17 November 2024 - A unique farm that was 'accidentally' rewilded 35 years ago and is now a haven for endangered nightingales and other rare wildlife has been saved, thanks in part to the generosity of Guardian readers. ...The 377-acre farm has become the largest scrub and young woodland area in central England and is home to many threatened species. (more)

Beaver supermoon around the world - in pictures
16 November 2024 - The beaver moon, the final supermoon of the year, has appeared in skies across much of the globe. (more)

UK: Two newly discovered stone circles on Dartmoor boost 'sacred arc' theory
16 November 2024 - Two neolithic stone circles have been discovered on Dartmoor, adding credibility to the theory that a 'sacred arc' of monuments was built in the heart of the wild Devon uplands. One of the circles appears to have similar features to Stonehenge, while the second sits slightly outside the sweep of the arc and could have served as a gateway used by pilgrims travelling to the area. (more)

US: These matchmakers connect teens and elders. The friendships benefit both sides
16 November 2024 - Dorot, a nonprofit that has been operating for decades, is being joined by newer organizations with similar missions to pair older people and younger people for the benefit of both. The mission has a new sense of urgency in light of an epidemic of loneliness and isolation that was exacerbated by the pandemic and has serious consequences. (more)

The beaver moon, last supermoon of the year, rises in stunning photos
15 November 2024 - The last supermoon of 2024, known as the beaver moon, lit up the night sky on November 14 as its spectacular illumination was seen around the world, and captured in stunning photos. If you missed it, don't worry! The beaver moon will reach its peak on November 15. A supermoon is when the moon is at its closest position to Earth, according to NASA, which is why it appears bigger and brighter for stargazers at night. [Here] are the stunning photos captured from around the world of the celestial spectacle: (more)

Winner of 3M Young Scientist Challenge invents AI pesticide detector for produce
14 November 2024 - America has a new top young scientist. Fourteen-year-old Sirish Subash -- a ninth-grader from Snellville, Georgia -- was crowned the winner of the 2024 3M Young Scientist Challenge contest in St. Paul this week. Subash's invention, Pestiscand, is a handheld device he designed for at-home use to detect pesticide residue on produce without damaging the food. (more)

14-year-old who invented device to detect pesticides on produce named America's Top Young Scientist
14 November 2024 - Sirish Subash, an ninth grader from Snellville, Georgia, was the first-place winner for the 3M and Discovery Education competition, the nation's premier middle school science competition, in St. Paul, Minnesota. ....'My project is called PestiSCAND. What it is, is the device that allows everybody to check for pesticide residues on their produce at home,' Subash told USA TODAY. 'The pesticide residues are a contaminant that's commonly found on produce items.' (more)

Stargazers can see the final supermoon of the year this weekend
14 November 2024 - Skygazers across the U.S. on Friday [15 November] will have one last chance to catch a glimpse of a supermoon before the year ends. November's full moon, called the Beaver Moon, will appear larger and brighter than a regular full moon. It is the fourth supermoon in a row since August. ...The moon is considered 'super' when it is full and its orbit is at the closest point to Earth, according to NASA -- though the term 'supermoon' is not official. (more)

Prince William walks nature trails near South Africa's Table Mountain to promote conservation
13 November 2024 - Prince William went on an early-morning nature walk near South Africa's Table Mountain on Tuesday [5 November] to promote the work of conservation rangers in a unique urban national park. Cape Town is renowned for its natural beauty and while Table Mountain is its most iconic landmark, the national park forms part of the Cape Floral Kingdom, which is a UNESCO world heritage site. Some of the plants growing on the slopes of the mountain and across the wider Cape Peninsula are not found anywhere else in the world. (more)

Last supermoon of 2024 emerges this week - here's what to know about the 'beaver' moon
12 November 2024 - The moon will reach one of its closest points to Earth later this week, resulting in this year's last supermoon, an unofficial astronomical event occurring up to four times annually, according to expert projections. A supermoon occurs whenever a full moon coincides with the moon approaching its closest distance to the Earth -- a point, known as perigee, that's about 226,000 miles away -- during its 27-day orbit, though NASA does not recognize it as an official astronomical term. A supermoon will be visible anywhere on Earth regardless of light pollution, NASA said, though it's easier to see in areas without cloud coverage. (more)

When to catch the last supermoon of the year
11 November 2024 - This will be the year's fourth and final supermoon, looking bigger and brighter than usual as it comes within about 225,000 miles (361,867 kilometers) of Earth on Thursday. It won't reach its full lunar phase until Friday. ...More a popular term than a scientific one, a supermoon occurs when a full lunar phase syncs up with an especially close swing around Earth. (more)

Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon drops by nearly 31 percent compared to previous year
8 November 2024 - Forest loss in Brazil's Amazon dropped by 30.6 percent compared to the previous year, officials said Wednesday [6 November], the lowest level of destruction in nine years. ...Deforestation in Brazil's vast savannah, known as the Cerrado, decreased by 25.7 percent, the first decline in five years. (more)

Australia: Koala drone detects mum and joey cuddling in the Hunter Region of new Waulinbakh Wildlife Sanctuary
7 November 2024 - An endangered Koala and its timid, young joey were found cuddling in the treetops on Australian Wildlife Conservancy's (AWC) new Waulinbakh Wildlife Sanctuary, part of the traditional land of the Worimi people, on the Mid-Coast of NSW [New South Wales]. The discovery was made by means of a thermal drone which was funded by MidCoast Council with a grant from the NSW Koala Strategy, and deployed to ascertain the presence of the tree-dwelling species across the 4,000-hectare conservation area. (more)

Australia: Rare koala sighting of mum and joey cuddling in the Hunter region
7 November 2024 - A new thermal drone detected 10 koalas in a flyover of the Hunter region, capturing a heart-warming display of affection between a mum and her joey. The pair was recently found in the early hours of the morning on Australian Wildlife Conservancy's (AWC) new Waulinbakh Wildlife Sanctuary. (more)

Crops, cows, and solar panels? Why farmers are harvesting sunlight.
6 November 2024 - The corn has been collected, the cabbage gathered, and the pumpkin season is almost done. But on this University of Massachusetts Amherst research farm, there is still one last harvest taking place -- a harvest of sunlight. (more)

An electric hydrofoil ferry offers cleaner journeys among Stockholm's 14 islands
5 November 2024 - A high-tech electric ferry service began operating in Stockholm Tuesday [29 October], offering commuters a low-carbon way to zip through the waterways of the Swedish capital, which is built on 14 islands. In what Stockholm claimed as a world first, 25 commuters in the suburb of Ekero boarded the Nova, a hydrofoil ferry powered by electric motors (more)

How parrot plumage gets its dazzling reds and yellows
4 November 2024 - Some birds are feathered tufts of color so resplendent that they stand out brilliantly from their surroundings. ...Most birds with bright yellow or red feathers -- think goldfinches and cardinals -- use pigments called carotenoids to make those colors. There is a notable exception, however -- parrots. (more)

A single enzyme can alter the vibrant colors in parrot plumage
3 November 2024 - One enzyme has a key role in determining whether parrots' rainbow plumage emerges in vibrant reds, yellows, or greens, a new study shows. (more)

Electric motorcycle completes solar-powered 6,000-kilometer journey through Africa
1 November 2024 - An electric motorcycle, made by Swedish-Kenyan manufacturer Roam completed a 6,000-kilometer (3,700-mile) journey from Nairobi, Kenya, to Stellenbosch, South Africa, in 17 days, using only solar power. (more)

Diwali 2024: How is it celebrated around the world?
31 October 2024 - Every autumn millions of people attend firework displays, prayer services, and festive events in celebration of Diwali, the festival of lights. While Diwali holds significance for a variety of reasons, one of the core themes of the festival, as symbolized by the prevalence of lights, is the triumph of good over evil. (more)