Sun & Snow- something in the air
27 January 2006
Many exciting science stories are highlighted in the latest issue of Planet Earth, the Natural Environment Research Council's magazine, published this month.
Highlights include:
The effect of sunlight on snow - and the snow's effect on the atmosphere - is examined via the strange reactions that take place. A "snow photochemistry" is at work it seems.
The snow theme continues with "In the Pink" - a look at how changes in glaciers and snowpacks, affects runoff. Fay Campbell's work using fluorescent dyes to track glacial flow, leading to applications in the climate change scientific health check is the result of two summers spent researching in the Swiss Alps. Better predicting of the processes that climate change will cause is a vital theme to the story.
A parasite that hitch-hikes across generations of hosts is a story that Alison Dunn explains. For some animals, their genes don't necessarily control their sex. Looking at Nosema Granulosis - a single celled microsporidian parasite that produces only daughters - demonstrates how parasites feminise their hosts - and how sexual behaviour has evolved to combat this. So screening host species will help us discover how important parasites are for ecology and evolution.
Moving north, a political decision means that Beavers are not going to be reintroduced into Scotland. Kevin Jones argues that this is a missed opportunity though a feature that examines the facts and the fears. A European law (the Habitats Directive) requires member states to investigate the reintroduction of native species, yet the beaver is on hold in the UK. The article looks at the issues and what Kevin calls the "myths" of the debate.
Further articles and news:
- Investigating ocean currents and climate change.
- Looking at a virus that contains helpful compounds for anti-ageing and cancer inhibiting therapies.
- Tsunami research.
- How the oil and gas industry helps deep-sea biologists explore the deep ocean; and a look at river wildlife issues.
Further information
NERC Press Office
Natural Environment Research Council
Polaris House, North Star Avenue
Swindon, SN2 1EU
Tel: 01793 411561
Mob: 07917 557215
Notes
1. Planet Earth is the Natural Environment Research Council's quarterly magazine. You can request a copy by visiting the Planet Earth section of this website. News and articles in PDF format can also be downloaded.
Press release: 4/06
Related links
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