The greenhouse gas carbon dioxide is acidifying the oceans. The first victims could be cold-water coral, which are believed to populate the edges of all continental shelves. Another endangered species is the plankton in the open oceans — the basic building block of the marine food chain. The Skagerrak strait is a gray body of […]
Author Archive | Philip Bethge
Global Warming: Climate Change Sparks Scrap for Arctic Resources
While scientists and conservationists worry about the potentially dire consequences of global warming, politicians and businessmen are already battling over how to reap the economic benefits from the Arctic thaw. It’s not always easy hoisting a flag on Hans Island. The Canadians even had to bring along their own rocks to weigh down the foot […]
‘Little Princess’ and the Bird Flu Mysteries: Tracking the Spread of Avian Influenza
When bird flu reached Turkey, experts thought it was carried from Russia by migrating geese or ducks. So when wild birds migrate to Germany this spring, will they bring the disease with them? Not necessarily, say scientists. Michael Kaatz, who works for a stork reserve in the eastern German city of Loburg, can see the headlines now: “Little Princess Brings Bird […]
Winter Sleepers: Researchers Ask – Can Humans Hibernate?
In a new take on hibernation, biologists now believe that mammals are not the only ones who use the winter months to store up energy. Birds, and even humans, may have the capacity to switch to standby mode. By Philip Bethge The Hopi Indians call it Hölchoko: “the sleeping one.” During winter the tiny animal, […]
Rentiere in Flammen
Wie gefährlich ist Weihnachten? Sehr! Von verletzten Seelen und Drogen im Lebkuchen ist zu berichten. Selbst Weihnachtsmann und Christkind bleiben nicht verschont. Von Philip Bethge Der Weihnachtsmann ist tot. Er verglühte bei dem Versuch, alle 378 Millionen Christen-Kinder der Erde binnen eines Tages zu beschenken. Ein Schlitten, gezogen von 214 200 Rentieren, beladen mit 321 […]
Stem Cell Flambé: Test-Tube T-Bones on the Horizon Say Researchers
A world which is free of caged chickens, slaughterhouses and avian flu is possible, researchers claim. All that’s needed is labaratory-made meat. While test-tube T-bones are still the domain of futurists, scientists have already taken the first important steps. The frog steaks were sautéed in a garlic and parsley sauce, then garnished with chives. When […]
Mad Cow Disease: British Pair Believe Cows got Sick By Eating Human Corpses
Did humans transmit Mad Cow Disease, or BSE, to cows? According to a new theory, diseased human body parts from India may have been fed to British cows. In traditional Hindu culture, after a person dies, the body gets ritually bathed, the corpse gets burned on a pyre and the head of the dead person […]
Brown Bears in the Alps: The Great Bear Comeback
The brown bear is returning to the mountains of Central Europe, thanks to resettlement projects in Italy, Austria and France. Biologists celebrate the animals’ return as a success in endangered species protection. But the general population has mixed feelings about welcoming back the predator. By Philip Bethge It was Christina Kröll’s dog which showed the […]