Australia planted eucalyptus trees to fight rising soil salinity; decades later scientists found the plantations were changing groundwater but not the soil nature

Australia planted eucalyptus trees to fight rising soil salinity; decades later scientists found the plantations were changing groundwater but not the soil nature

Eucalyptus cladocalyx ‘nana’. Image Credit: ERA Nurseries Australia planted eucalyptus trees to fight rising soil salinity, hoping that thirsty, deep-rooted vegetation could help control the groundwater processes behind the problem. A long-running experiment in south-western Australia later showed that the effects of such plantations were more complicated than simply planting trees and waiting for the … Read more

Russia is teaching its children to fight the wars of the future

Russia is teaching its children to fight the wars of the future

Russia is teaching its children to fight the wars of the future Students returning to Russian schools next week will discover a change to their civics courses that puts military training at the heart of the lessons. The mandatory classes for teenagers include learning about the main types of armaments including machine guns, anti-tank weapons … Read more

The Syrian Democratic Forces, tip of the spear in anti-jihadist fight

The Syrian Democratic Forces, tip of the spear in anti-jihadist fight

The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, whose dissolution was announced by their leader Mazloum Abdi on Tuesday, were the Washington-backed de facto army of the Kurds’ autonomous administration in Syria and spearheaded the battle against jihadists. The Syrian Democratic Forces, tip of the spear in anti-jihadist fight The force was Syria’s most highly trained and organised … Read more

In 1908, an unschooled Indiana widow began a 20-year fight to defend 120 acres of Lake Michigan dunes from a steel giant; 72 years later, 212 acres including part of her tract joined Indiana Dunes to remain open space forever

In 1908, an unschooled Indiana widow began a 20-year fight to defend 120 acres of Lake Michigan dunes from a steel giant; 72 years later, 212 acres including part of her tract joined Indiana Dunes to remain open space forever

Carr remained determined to defend what she believed was hers (Photo: NPS) In the early 1900s, an Indiana widow spent more than two decades fighting to defend her claim to 120 acres along Lake Michigan. Drusilla Carr had lived on the land for decades before it became valuable. As the city of Gary, Indiana, grew … Read more

In 2020, Phoenix coated 36 miles of roads to fight extreme heat; surfaces became 12°F cooler at noon, but heat exposure for pedestrians rose 5.5°F

In 2020, Phoenix coated 36 miles of roads to fight extreme heat; surfaces became 12°F cooler at noon, but heat exposure for pedestrians rose 5.5°F

Phoenix coated 36 miles of roads to fight extreme heat Painting city streets with a light-coloured, reflective coating can cool the asphalt underneath, but it can also increase heat exposure for people walking on the road. That unexpected trade-off emerged from a major trial in the American Southwest. In 2020, the City of Phoenix Street … Read more

In 1997, Florida released Australian insects to fight an invasive tree. Nearly three decades later, its invaded range has fallen by about 75%

In 1997, Florida released Australian insects to fight an invasive tree. Nearly three decades later, its invaded range has fallen by about 75%

For decades, a tree from Australia spread across South Florida’s wetlands with little to hold it back. Melaleuca quinquenervia, often called paperbark, had been introduced to Florida for practical reasons, including landscaping and efforts to alter wet ground. It eventually escaped those uses and established dense stands across parts of the Everglades and surrounding wetlands. … Read more

Meet Natalie Muro, the 18-year-old Colorado student who used wind-driven waves and an invasive plant to fight toxic algal blooms in a real reservoir

Meet Natalie Muro, the 18-year-old Colorado student who used wind-driven waves and an invasive plant to fight toxic algal blooms in a real reservoir

Natalie Muro (William J. Palmer High School Colorado Springs, CO) An 18-year-old student from Colorado Springs has developed a sustainable floating device that uses wind-driven wave energy and a local invasive weed to remove toxic algal blooms from freshwater lakes. Natalie Muro, a senior at William J. Palmer High School, tested her prototype in a … Read more

Trump’s MAGA push in Latin America faces its biggest test in Brazil as Lula and Bolsonaro’s son fight for power

Trump is reshaping Latin American politics with MAGA allies and pressure, but Brazil’s Lula vs Flávio Bolsonaro race could test his influence. (Bloomberg)

Donald Trump is trying to reshape Latin American politics around his MAGA worldview. He has openly backed conservative candidates, built relationships with right-wing leaders and used US power to push countries in the region closer to his administration. Trump is reshaping Latin American politics with MAGA allies and pressure, but Brazil’s Lula vs Flávio Bolsonaro … Read more