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Gaps in reporting leave turtles vulnerable

A James Cook University study found that turtles are left vulnerable due to gaps in reporting of bycatch, a common cause of sea turtle deaths. The researchers recommend pooling bycatch records across fisheries and states over time to better measure the impact on turtle populations.

SourceJames Cook University·JournalBiological Conservation·DateFeb 21, 2016

When did the Andes mountains form?

The Andes mountain chain was formed 14 million years ago, according to new research from the University of Bristol. The study used a novel method based on cosmic rays to determine the age of large boulders in the western margin of the Andes.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateNov 18, 2015

Plants may run out of time to grow under ongoing climate change

A new study finds that climate change will lead to overall declines in plant growing days by 2100 due to warming, drought, and limited solar radiation. The study reveals that tropical regions will face significant reductions in suitable climates for plant growth, with some areas facing up to a 200-day reduction per year.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJun 10, 2015

Software that knows the risks

Researchers at MIT have developed software that assesses risk in planning algorithms, suggesting low-risk alternatives when a solution is not possible. The system uses probabilistic models to determine the feasibility of a plan and can offer modifications to relax constraints or add resources to mitigate risks.

Origin of moon's 'ocean of storms' revealed

New research suggests the Moon's 'ocean of storms,' Oceanus Procellarum, was formed by ancient rifts in the crust that provided a magma plumbing system. This theory argues against the long-held impact basin hypothesis and provides a new alternative for understanding the region's unique shape and composition.

SourceBrown University·JournalNature·DateOct 1, 2014

Medieval slave trade routes in Eastern Europe extended from Finland and the Baltic Countries to Asia

A recent study reveals that persons captured in medieval raids into present-day Finland, Russian Karelia, and the Baltic Countries were sold on remote trade routes extending to Central Asia. The demand for blonde girls and boys as exotic luxury items drove this trade, with only a few hundred of thousands reaching southern markets.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalRussian History·DateApr 16, 2014

Paleontologists assemble giant turtle bone from fossil discoveries made centuries apart

Scientists successfully reassemble two halves of a giant sea turtle bone, one dating back to the Cretaceous Period and the other from the 19th century. The discovery reveals that some exposed fossils can survive longer than previously thought, with calculated estimates suggesting the turtle's size was around 10 feet long.

SourceDrexel University·JournalProceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia·DateMar 25, 2014

Sulphur haunts the ghost wreck

Researchers found relatively low iron amounts and minimal sulphur compounds in the Ghost wreck, suggesting it might not face the same preservation issues as the Vasa. Three studied ships, including the Crown, display more aggressive sulphur compounds and higher iron concentrations.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 5, 2014