Climate change

Geckos reduce their activity to a minimum, and at the same time, their internal organs. Photo: Simon Jamieson

The gecko that eats itself to survive

This invasive species arrived in Israel about a decade ago and has since surprised and disturbed with its impressive abilities – meet the Egyptian walled gecko
A statue of Julius Caesar, a symbol of ancient Rome, reminds us of how history repeats itself. From Wikimedia

Climate change, epidemics, and groundwater pollution in ancient Rome: Will the disregard for science and the climate crisis lead us to the fall of the West?

Two new studies (January 2025) reveal how natural climate change and lead water contamination shaped the social and health development of ancient Rome, highlighting the need to incorporate health aspects into climate risk assessment
Yarmouk River. Photo Its strategic importance has been known for thousands of years. Yarmouk. Photo: Eliezer Schwartz Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license

The Fall of Assad and Its Impact on the Yarmouk River: Between Water and State Security

Assad's fall could also affect the Yarmouk River, which runs, among other things, through the Israel-Syria-Jordan border triangle. How do conflict zones affect ecosystems, which in turn affect the security of the state?
Trump's election could exacerbate the climate crisis. Illustration: Avi Blizovsky via FLUX

 The effect of Donald Trump's re-election on the fight against the climate crisis

Upon his return to the White House, he appointed climate change denier Lee Zeldin to head the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indicating his intentions to continue the climate crisis denial policies he implemented in his first term
The first computer that invests the computational effort required to solve the 'puzzle' discovers the password to the new 'safe' and takes ownership of it. Illustration: depositphotos.com

Environmental economist: Cryptocurrencies should be taxed

After more than doubling in value this year, Bitcoin has crossed the $100 mark. But Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies have environmental consequences, and according to Dr. Yossi Borochov, there is now an opportunity to tax them
The beer is made from barley, one of the first species that man domesticated. Illustration: depositphotos.com

A new beer? On climate change and genetics of barley

During the meeting in Ljubljana, the accession of three new countries was celebrated - Ivory Coast, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Photography: pexels

The UN Water Convention: why is cross-border cooperation needed?

Countries that share rivers and lakes with other countries face many challenges. Building cooperation on water in the shadow of the climate crisis is critical for the water security of all of us
Cosmic scene with DNA, stars, solvents and atomic circles in oral flow.

Grow cucumbers on textile waste

A whole and shining sea lily. The green color marks the location where there is enrichment for stem cells. Photo: Shani Talisa

A unique method from the world of medicine will save the corals from bleaching due to the climate crisis

The researchers from the Laboratory of Comparative Immunology at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev decided to develop the ability to transplant stem cells between corals, just like bone marrow transplants in humans
Invisible dust storm. Photo courtesy of the Tel Aviv University spokeswoman

50% of the dust storms in Israel are not recognized and this may endanger the public

In the eastern Mediterranean area there is desert dust in the air almost all year round, and not only in spring or autumn as is commonly thought. Why is this important?
Two contrasting worlds: a polluting industrial landscape next to a sustainable green city. The illustration was prepared using DALEE and is not a scientific image

The climate crisis is costing us health

recommended nutritional plate; Based on the weight (in grams per day per person) of each food group out of the total. Source: Mossad Shmuel Neman's processing of Ministry of Health data - Israel's new food spectrum

The Israeli food plate: what will we eat in 2050?

A new report reveals what we should eat in the future, and how much. Spoiler: if you like salad - you're set
Cosmic scene with DNA, stars, solvents and atomic circles in oral flow.

Dr. Shamrit Meman was appointed Vice-Chairman of the Remote Sensing Committee at the International Federation for Astronautics

Dr. Meman, director of the Remote Sensing and Planetary Imaging Laboratory at Ben-Gurion University, is strengthening Israel's position in space exploration with a prestigious international position and a pioneering project to manage emergency situations using artificial intelligence.
Figure 2: The main characteristics of the Earth's motion in space that affect the radiation it receives from the Sun. Left: the degree of ellipticity of the orbit around the sun, the change in this feature is characterized by cycles of about 400,000 and about 100,000 years. In the center: the degree of inclination of the earth's rotation axis towards the sun, the change in this feature is characterized by a cycle of about 40,000 years. On the right - the direction to which the Earth's rotation axis points in space, the change in this feature is characterized by a cycle of about 20,000 years. Source: Wikimedia.

A new study reveals: the effect of climate change on the Levant basin over the past 5 million years

Researchers from the Geological Survey of Israel have identified climate cycles and their effects on the accumulation of sand and clay at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea, combining historical findings and astronomical theory
"Genetic variation is important for trees, the method uses its evolutionary tools to overcome the difficulties of the climate." Photo: Benny Shalmon

The tree is greater than the sum of its parts: nature's ways of adapting to the climate crisis

Different species of trees that grow next to each other create a new tree - a cage - that combines the advantages of both species, and is able to cope with the rapid changes in the environment. An exciting new Israeli study
A storm over Acre. Born in Papua, in the province of Papua in Indonesia. Illustration: depositphotos.com

Signals of electric fields can provide early warning of extreme weather

By in-depth examination of low pressure winter systems known as "Cypriot depressions" in the Negev, the study offers new insights into the role of the electric field in the detection of heavy precipitation
Strong lightning storm over Indianapolis. Illustration: depositphotos.com

Extreme rain events and their effect on mortality - new conclusions from a global study

The researchers noted that moderate to high amounts of precipitation had a positive effect on public health, most likely due to a decrease in air pollution and people staying at home. However, extreme rainfall, beyond certain levels,
The effects of the climate may be even more significant than the direct effects of man. Photo: pixabay

Not only man directly: the climate as a key factor in the distribution of mammals

From squirrels to wolves, mammals have a problem. A new study examined which threatens them more - direct human actions, or climate change
The University of Haifa and the GEOMAR Institute are studying the effects of climate change. Photo: Haifa University Spokesperson

Maritime cooperation: The University of Haifa and the GEOMAR Institute study the effects of climate change

The uniqueness of the Eastern Mediterranean comes from being one of the marine areas that reacts the fastest to climate change and human impacts, making it an early warning system for the future state of the oceans
An isopod, well adapted to the harsh conditions of arid regions, crawls on the desert floor in search of plant remains. Credit: Viraj R Torsekar

New research reveals the critical role of large insects in the decomposition process in desert ecosystems

The assumption until now was that the decomposition rates were mainly driven by microorganisms and decreased in drier environments. The new research reveals that large arthropods play a critical and hitherto unappreciated role in the systems
Lateral transfer of genes between bacteria and plants. The image was prepared using DALEE and is not a scientific image

Strengthening plant health: the role of gene exchange with bacteria

New research has revealed how plants and bacteria swap genes to boost plant health and development. These genes affect key processes such as carbohydrate metabolism and hormone synthesis
Contrast between the environmental agendas of Trump and Harris. Credit: Avi Blizovsky

The deep differences between the environmental agendas of Trump and Harris

The American political system is facing a crucial choice regarding the future of the climate and the environment, when the global consequences of the American decisions may lead to far-reaching changes in the world climate
A blood-sucking mosquito. Illustration: depositphotos.com

Anti-mosquito drones

Mosquitoes can transmit deadly diseases, such as West Nile fever. Is it possible to prevent this by using drones that will scatter more mosquitoes in the air?
The differences between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump in the fields of science. Illustration: depositphotos.com

Science summarized Trump's position against Harris' position on scientific issues. Trump wants to damage basic science as well, Harris - to his predecessor

Ahead of the presidential elections, Science magazine examined the differences between the positions of Kamala Harris and Donald Trump on science and environmental issues
A drone apparently engineers a hurricane and even arranges its clouds in a spiral pattern. The deniers of the climate crisis believe that it is not greenhouse gas emissions that make storms stronger, but the administration that wants Trump to lose the election. The image was prepared using DALEE and is not a scientific image.

Why do people believe in man-made hurricanes? Two conspiracy theorist psychologists explain

As Hurricane Milton battered the coast of Florida, conspiracy theories abounded, claiming that the forces controlling the weather were orchestrating the destruction. The researchers explain why people cling to these beliefs in the face of increasing natural disasters.
The climate swing. The illustration was prepared using DALEE and should not be considered a scientific image

The CO2-Driven Climatic Roller Coaster: A 485-Million-Year Journey

A new study published in the journal Science detailed the fluctuations in the Earth's temperature over the past 485 million years, and highlighted the significant relationship between the Earth's temperature and the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
Photo 4: The life cycle of the blooming sea lily Edwardsiella carnea. a. Mature male and female polyps release gametes into the water column. b. Free-swimming planula formed after fertilization. c. The planula infects the comb host Mnemiopsis leidyi and develops into a worm-like parasitic stage. d. Planula after the parasite stage exits the comb host to the water column (e), where it can either settle on the sea floor (f) and develop into a polyp (a) or infect another comb host or a scyphozoan host such as Rhopilema nomadica or Rhizostoma pulmo (hypothetical parasite spillover) (gh) . A planula after the parasite stage may leave the scyphozoic host and move through the water column (i), where it may settle on the sea floor (f) and develop into a polyp. The dashed line represents an alternative route.

Jellyfish under attack: Researchers have found parasitic sea lilies in jellyfish for the first time

Researchers have discovered for the first time the existence of parasitic planoles (sort of larvae) of the sea lily that grows in jellyfish in the Mediterranean Sea that allow the sea lily to spread beyond the immediate environment, a finding that may affect ecosystems
The Gulf Stream - the hot parts in red and the cold in blue. Illustration: depositphotos.com

Will the climate crisis turn off the strong Gulf Stream?

New research from University College London reveals that the Gulf Stream was stronger during the last ice age due to stronger winds. Could future climate change weaken the current and affect the
Women in Ethiopia carry pots of mud, in the absence of running water. Illustration: depositphotos.com

Getting even hotter and no one cares about third world residents

The climate crisis is already here. For the residents of the poor countries considered the "Third World", there is no doubt the culprits: the rich Western countries. Not only do they avoid actions to prevent warming, they also continue to develop sources of pollution
The animation above shows the daily maximum air temperature over North Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia between June 15 and 25, 2024. It was produced by combining satellite observations with temperature forecasts from a version of NASA's Earth Observatory GEOS model.

Breaking the thermometer: the climate crisis hit many countries while breaking heat records

49 degrees Celsius in Mecca in the midst of the Hajj. In Delhi, 35 degrees were recorded - at night. From January to May 2024, an average increase of 1.1 degrees above the multi-year average was recorded in the Northern Hemisphere
The Nile and the pyramids of Aswan in the background. Illustration: depositphotos.com

The increase in water flow and the flood area of ​​the Nile was the catalyst for the flourishing of ancient Egyptian culture

Recent research reveals that a significant change in the course of the Nile River about 4,000 years ago expanded the floodplain near Luxor, which could have caused the prosperity of agriculture in ancient Egypt and influenced the location of sites
A simulation of space debris around Earth demonstrating the population of objects in the geosynchronous zone. Credit: NASA ODPO

NASA's innovative solutions for efficient space debris cleanup

New data analysis suggests NASA and its partners may have discovered more cost-effective ways to deal with the worsening problem of space debris than previously thought
Bees return to the nest after collecting nectar in the spring. Illustration: depositphotos.com

Small but important: this is how Israel protects the bees

We depend on them, and not just for the honey. International Bee Day is a great opportunity to make some buzz for bees, one of the most important animals on the planet
Evaporation of the Dead Sea. Illustration: depositphotos.com

Rains, steam, and everything in between

A comparison between the level of evaporation in the current Dead Sea compared to the ancient period, may help in understanding the climate that existed in our region, in the past
Nano gold sheets. Illustration: depositphotos.com

What are the heat dimensions of nanometric gold?

Innovative research on thin gold layers has revealed new photoluminescence behavior while advancing our understanding of measuring temperature as well as chemical reactions at the nanometer level
A glacial lake, Jokulsarlon is a glacial lagoon, Vatnajokull National Park in southeast Iceland, blue water speckled with ice melting from the Breidamerkurjokull glacier. Illustration: depositphotos.com

Firecrackers and thunder: Lightning storms accelerate the rate of ice melting in the North Pole

An international study with the participation of Tel Aviv University states: Global warming leads to lightning storms in the North Pole, which further accelerate the process of melting the ice - in a cycle of repeated feeding
The climate crisis is destroying the forests endangering animals that climb trees. Credit: The Science website via DALEE

This is a wake-up call: global warming and deforestation pose a real danger to animals

New study: The combination of global warming and deforestation may lead to the mass extinction of animal species
Fairy circles in Namibia in the rainy season. Photo: Dr. Stefan Getzin

The mystery of the fairy circles

Integrating coping mechanisms of ecosystems makes it possible to deal with drought conditions
Trust in science in the age of artificial intelligence. Illustration: depositphotos.com

Declining public trust in scientists and the contribution of science to humanity in the US

This is according to a comprehensive survey published by the PEW Research Institute. The worst situation is among the voters of the Republican Party, but also among the Democrats, the majority who still show confidence in science is shrinking
Fairy circles in the Namibrand Reserve in Namibia in the rainy season. The average diameter of the circles is about six meters. Photo: Dr. Stefan Getzin

The fairy circles - how the plants' coping with the dryness led to this phenomenon

Researchers from Ben Gurion University offer an innovative explanation for this unique behavior of the fairy circles phenomenon: a combination of phenotypic adaptation at the level of the individual plant, by deepening the roots of the plants into more moist soil layers,
Mediterranean. Illustration: depositphotos.com

A historical window to the Mediterranean Sea

Following the drying up of the Mediterranean Sea about five million years ago, valleys developed in its southeast that are about eight kilometers wide and about 1,000 meters deep
Diagram - structure of the Gulf of Eilat. Courtesy of the researchers

the good dust

Every year a dust storm occurs at the bottom of the Gulf of Eilat that may reduce global warming
Soft corals of the Dendronaphtia species, which are common in the Eilat and Red Sea region, were found at a depth of 42 meters in the Mediterranean Sea. Photo: Hagai Nativ, Morris Kahn Sea Research Station

Corals from the Red Sea have invaded Israel's Mediterranean coast

Until now, the low temperatures of the Mediterranean water in winter have been a barrier to the arrival of tropical corals. The establishment of the Dendronaphtia we found indicates that at least last winter, the waters of the Mediterranean Sea were warmer than before
Green Wash. Illustration: depositphotos.com

Are compensations sufficient for the destruction of the environment?

At the upcoming climate conference to be held in Dubai, ways to moderate global warming and the need to compensate the affected countries, especially island countries and countries in Africa, will be discussed again. Promises of compensation have already been given, but have not yet been fulfilled, and are being asked
This map depicts the global temperature anomalies for the meteorological summer in 2023 (June, July and August). It shows how much warmer or cooler different regions of the Earth were compared to the baseline average from 1951 to 1980: NASA Earth Observatory/Lauren Dauphin

The climate crisis delivered a strong blow: the summer of 2023 was the hottest ever

This raw data is analyzed using methods that take into account the variable distance between temperature stations around the world and the effects of urban heat islands that may distort the calculations.
The ornate spiny-tailed lizard, Uromastyx ornata, also known as the ornate lizard, is a species of lizard in the agamidae family. The species is endemic to the Middle East. Illustration: depositphotos.com

How is the climate crisis expected to harm the lizard population in Israel?

Climate change may lead to the collapse of the population of lizards that are common in the deserts of the Land of Israel
Map of lakes and rivers in Africa. Illustration: depositphotos.com

Struggles over rivers

Following and because of global warming, by 2050 there will be about a billion people subject to disputes and struggles related to rivers, and this only in Africa