Global Pulse

分类： science

  • To aficionados, fungi are freaky, mystical and overlooked. They’re helping scientists learn more

    To aficionados, fungi are freaky, mystical and overlooked. They’re helping scientists learn more

    Beneath the canopy of California’s Manzanita trees, mycologist Jessica Allen embarked on a scientific treasure hunt—searching for the elusive Manzanita butter clump, a rare yellow mushroom last documented in Napa County two years prior. Yet within moments, her attention diverted to a dazzling microcosm thriving on nearby rocks: intricate lichens bursting with otherworldly shapes and colors.

    This scene at UC Davis’ McLaughlin Reserve exemplifies a growing movement where professional scientists and amateur naturalists collaborate to protect Earth’s most overlooked kingdom—fungi. Despite comprising an estimated 2.5 million species and contributing $54 trillion annually to the global economy through medicine, food, and ecosystem services, fungi remain the neglected orphans of conservation efforts.

    “It’s a pretty exciting time in fungal conservation,” stated Allen, who serves as mycologist for NatureServe, a biodiversity data hub. While Europe has prioritized fungal protection for decades, the United States trails significantly—only two fungal species (both lichens) currently receive federal Endangered Species Act protection.

    The conservation challenge stems from fungi’s enigmatic nature. Most species exist primarily as hidden mycelial networks, emerging as mushrooms only under precise conditions. Scientists have documented merely 155,000 species—approximately 6% of estimated diversity—leaving vast knowledge gaps regarding distribution, threats, and conservation needs.

    Citizen scientists bridge this critical information void. Organizations like the California Lichen Society conduct field excursions where enthusiasts document specimens through platforms like iNaturalist and Mushroom Observer. These amateur researchers, including retired mechanic Ken Kellman and chemist Larry Cool, provide invaluable data that helps professionals track biodiversity and identify at-risk species.

    Threats to fungal diversity are multifaceted: climate change alters temperature and precipitation patterns; development and logging destroy habitats; pollution degrades air and soil quality; and overharvesting depletes medicinal species like Europe’s endangered quinine conk.

    Gregory Mueller, co-chair of the IUCN’s fungal conservation committee, notes that 411 of 1,300 evaluated fungi species globally face extinction risk. “The U.S. is still far behind,” he acknowledged, “but community science initiatives are driving change.”

    Though Allen’s group didn’t locate their target species that day, the expedition exemplified conservation’s incremental progress—each documented lichen and mushroom contributing to understanding Earth’s essential yet underappreciated fungal networks.

  • Watch: Moment crew docks at International Space Station

    Watch: Moment crew docks at International Space Station

    In a landmark demonstration of commercial spaceflight capabilities, a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft successfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS), marking another milestone for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. The mission commenced with a powerful ascent from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, with the Crew Dragon capsule propelled by a Falcon 9 rocket.

    The automated docking procedure occurred approximately 24 hours after launch as the spacecraft meticulously aligned with its designated ISS port. NASA administrators confirmed all systems performed within expected parameters during both the launch sequence and delicate docking maneuver. The event represents the continuing collaboration between government space agencies and private sector innovation in advancing orbital operations.

    This mission underscores significant technological achievements in spacecraft autonomy and precision navigation. The Dragon capsule’s approach involved sophisticated sensor systems and computerized flight controls that enabled millimeter-level accuracy during the final docking phase. Aerospace experts highlight this achievement as critical for future commercial space stations and deep space exploration initiatives.

    The successful docking provides additional validation of reusable spacecraft systems, with the Falcon 9 rocket’s first stage having previously supported multiple missions. The arriving crew will conduct various scientific experiments and station maintenance activities during their scheduled six-month orbital stay.

  • Why moon-sighting with telescopes on Feb 17 may be ‘dangerous’: UAE experts

    Why moon-sighting with telescopes on Feb 17 may be ‘dangerous’: UAE experts

    Astronomical authorities in the United Arab Emirates have issued an urgent safety advisory regarding potentially hazardous moon observation attempts scheduled for February 17, 2026. The International Astronomy Centre based in Abu Dhabi has emphasized that attempting to view the crescent moon through optical instruments on this date poses severe risks of permanent eye damage, including potential blindness.

    The danger stems from an unusual celestial alignment occurring that Tuesday. A solar eclipse earlier in the day will result in the moon maintaining extreme proximity to the sun by sunset—the traditional time for crescent sighting committees worldwide to attempt observations. In Riyadh, the angular separation between the moon and sun will measure merely one degree at sunset.

    Khadijah Al Hariri, Operations Manager at Dubai Astronomy Group, explained the critical safety concerns: “Even though the eclipse occurs earlier, by sunset when people typically search for the crescent, the moon remains dangerously close to the sun. Directing telescopes toward the crescent’s position means the sun will either be within the instrument’s field of view or immediately adjacent to it.”

    The scientific community notes that angular separation measurements occur between the centers of the sun and moon disks, meaning the actual crescent distance from the sun’s disk would be approximately half a degree. This proximity creates unacceptable risks for both observational equipment and human vision without professional-grade solar filters and safety protocols.

    Beyond the safety implications, astronomers have declared public observation attempts astronomically impractical. The IAC stated that even if observers wait for the sun’s disk to fully set before beginning observations, the moon’s lower edge will have naturally set by that time, leaving no crescent visible.

    The advisory specifically warns against using telescopes, binoculars, or any optical instruments without certified solar filters. Professional observatories follow internationally recognized safety standards using specialized equipment that amateur observers typically lack.

    Several Gulf countries, including Oman, have already announced official Ramadan start dates in advance, citing both practical observation challenges and their commitment to scientific certainty rather than potentially contradictory visual reports. The IAC clarified that while they provide scientific awareness, they are not the authority responsible for official crescent sighting declarations or lunar month determinations.

  • Long March 10’s booster retrieved from sea for 1st time

    Long March 10’s booster retrieved from sea for 1st time

    In a landmark achievement for its space program, China has successfully completed its first-ever maritime recovery operation of a rocket booster from the ocean. The China Manned Space Agency confirmed that the first-stage booster of the Long March 10 heavy-lift carrier rocket was retrieved from the South China Sea on Friday morning following a critical test flight conducted earlier this week.

    The recovery mission represents a significant technological milestone, marking China’s inaugural successful retrieval of rocket components from maritime environments. Official imagery released by the space agency depicts a specialized vessel employing crane operations to lift the massive booster from the water, demonstrating the sophisticated recovery capabilities developed by Chinese aerospace engineers.

    This achievement follows Wednesday’s comprehensive flight test of the Long March 10 first-stage booster combined with the Mengzhou crewed spacecraft, a configuration specifically designed for China’s ambitious manned lunar mission targeted for approximately 2030. During the experimental flight, the booster executed a controlled return to Earth utilizing its engine system and guidance fins, achieving a precise splashdown within a predetermined maritime zone.

    The successful recovery operation positions China among an elite group of nations capable of rocket stage retrieval, a critical capability for developing reusable launch systems. Currently, only the United States maintains operational reusable rocket technology, making China’s accomplishment particularly significant in the global space race.

    Developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, the Long March 10 represents a new generation of launch vehicles featuring a modular design with a central core booster and multiple side boosters. The rocket stands at an impressive 92.5 meters with a 5-meter diameter, generating 2,678 tons of thrust at launch with a total weight of 2,189 metric tons. This configuration enables the transportation of payloads exceeding 27 tons to Earth-moon transfer trajectories.

    Spacecraft designers have revealed that the Long March 10 system will include a shorter variant without side boosters, measuring 67 meters tall with a 740-ton launch weight. This adaptation will serve China’s Tiangong space station operations, capable of delivering 14-ton payloads to low-Earth orbit for both crewed and cargo missions.

    A key design feature across both configurations is the reusable first-stage booster, with the lunar mission variant incorporating an additional third-stage component. While the space agency has not disclosed specific plans for the recovered booster, this successful retrieval demonstrates substantial progress toward China’s goals of developing fully reusable launch systems and advancing its lunar exploration capabilities.

  • What we can learn from lovebirds, the rare birds that mate for life

    What we can learn from lovebirds, the rare birds that mate for life

    PHOENIX — An extraordinary avian phenomenon has taken root in the heart of Arizona’s capital, where vibrant green flashes streak across the sky accompanied by distinctive chattering calls. The metropolitan area now hosts North America’s largest established colony of rosy-faced lovebirds (Agapornis roseicollis) outside their native southwestern African habitat, with approximately 2,000 of these resilient parrots adapting remarkably to urban desert living.

    Originating from the arid Namib Desert spanning Angola, Namibia and South Africa, these non-native birds descended from escaped or released pets first documented in Phoenix during the 1980s. According to Robert Carter of the Maricopa Bird Alliance, while their precise colonization history remains uncertain, the population has demonstrated extraordinary ecological plasticity by thriving in an environment characterized by extreme summer temperatures that regularly exceed 100°F (38°C).

    The lovebirds employ ingenious survival strategies including nesting in cactus cavities and palm tree crevices while strategically positioning themselves near air conditioning exhaust vents during peak heat periods—particularly noticeable at Arizona State University’s science building. Their behavioral adaptations extend beyond temperature management to sophisticated social structures characterized by lifelong pair bonding.

    Ornithological experts including Kenn Kaufman, field editor for Audubon magazine, note that while smaller populations exist in Hawaii’s Big Island and Maui, plus a Fischer’s lovebird colony in southern Portugal, Phoenix’s colony represents the most significant established population beyond Africa. These observations provide valuable insights into avian adaptation mechanisms and the ecological implications of introduced species.

    The species’ common name derives from their exceptional pair-bonding behaviors, which include continuous mutual preening—especially of hard-to-reach feathers—and lifelong food-sharing between mates. Dr. Stephanie Lamb, avian specialist at the Arizona Exotic Animal Hospital, notes that lovebirds demonstrate measurable distress when separated from partners, including reduced activity and altered vocalizations.

    Their affectionate displays include beak-to-beak food transfer resembling human kissing (though involving regurgitation), and despite occasional conflicts requiring temporary separation, they consistently reunite through reconciliation behaviors. With lifespans approaching two decades, these resilient birds offer scientists ongoing opportunities to study tropical species adaptation to desert environments alongside their complex social dynamics.

  • Chinese scientists awarded for sci-tech innovation and leadership in frontier research

    Chinese scientists awarded for sci-tech innovation and leadership in frontier research

    In a prestigious ceremony held in Beijing, twenty-two of China’s most brilliant scientific minds received the 2026 Tan Kah Kee Science Awards, celebrating exceptional contributions to technological innovation and international frontier research. The awards, comprising both the established Tan Kah Kee Science Award and the younger-focused Tan Kah Kee Young Scientist Award for researchers under 40, represent China’s highest recognition for scientific excellence.

    The accolade’s namesake, patriotic overseas Chinese leader Tan Kah Kee, embodies the spirit of scientific dedication the awards seek to promote. Since its 1988 inception and the 2010 addition of the young scientist category, these honors have been bestowed upon 182 distinguished researchers.

    CAS Vice-President Wang Keqiang emphasized the awards’ dual significance: recognizing groundbreaking scientific merit while aligning with national strategic priorities. This year’s recipients made transformative advances in critically important domains including semiconductor technology, novel material development, and quantum computing systems.

    Among the laureates, Academician Zhang Tao of the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics pioneered single-atom catalysis, revolutionizing catalytic efficiency by achieving near-perfect metal atom utilization. His conceptual breakthrough, first introduced in 2011, has spawned a global research movement with thousands of international teams producing over 5,000 publications in 2025 alone. Zhang attributes this success to China’s sustained investment in fundamental research and cumulative scientific knowledge.

    Professor Pan Qingsong from the Institute of Metal Research developed innovative metallic material engineering strategies that overcome traditional limitations in strength-ductility trade-offs. His spatially ordered unit approach enables tailored gradient dislocation structures with applications spanning aerospace, terrestrial engineering, and deep-sea exploration.

    Northwestern Polytechnical University’s Professor Wang Zhen received recognition for groundbreaking work in game intelligence theory and AI applications. His research team developed an original analytical framework over fifteen years that now supports systematic studies in rapidly evolving fields like cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.

    Collectively, these scientists exemplify China’s growing emphasis on original innovation and technological self-reliance. Their achievements demonstrate how strategic research investment, interdisciplinary collaboration, and courageous problem-solving can position China at the forefront of global scientific advancement.

  • Shanghai-led global study backs plant diversity in agriculture

    Shanghai-led global study backs plant diversity in agriculture

    A groundbreaking international study spearheaded by Shanghai’s East China University of Science and Technology has demonstrated that cultivating multiple plant species simultaneously significantly enhances agricultural yields through natural pest and disease suppression mechanisms. The research, conducted in partnership with 18 institutions across nine nations, analyzed over 5,700 datasets from more than 600 global experiments spanning farmland, grassland, and forest ecosystems in both tropical and temperate regions.

    The research team discovered that diverse plant communities employ sophisticated natural defense systems that are absent in monoculture plantations. These include the creation of a complex ‘scent maze’ from mixed plant odors that disorients specialized pests attempting to locate their host plants. Additionally, varied vegetation structures help regulate microclimates, effectively inhibiting the spread of disease spores and impeding pest migration patterns.

    Professor Wan Nianfeng, the project’s lead researcher, emphasized that these synergistic effects collectively transform diversified planting systems into biologically resilient and highly productive ecosystems. The findings, recently published in the prestigious journal Nature Ecology & Evolution, provide scientifically innovative and practically feasible pathways for developing efficient ecological agriculture, forestry, and grassland management practices.

    Building upon these discoveries, the research team has developed customized technical solutions adapted to different climate zones and crop varieties throughout China. Professor Wan highlighted that promoting these tailored planting techniques can substantially reduce dependency on chemical pesticides while simultaneously enhancing land productivity. This approach directly supports national food security objectives and facilitates the transition toward sustainable green agricultural practices.

  • A ‘ring of fire’ solar eclipse will dazzle people and penguins in Antarctica

    A ‘ring of fire’ solar eclipse will dazzle people and penguins in Antarctica

    A rare annular solar eclipse is set to cast its otherworldly glow over Antarctica this Tuesday, creating an exclusive astronomical event visible only to the continent’s resident researchers and wildlife populations. This celestial phenomenon, popularly known as a “ring of fire” eclipse, occurs when the moon positions itself directly between Earth and the sun while at its farthest orbital distance from our planet, leaving a brilliant ring of sunlight visible around the moon’s silhouette.

    Astronomer Joe Llama of Lowell Observatory noted that Antarctic penguins will be among the privileged viewers of this cosmic display, provided weather conditions remain favorable. While the full annular eclipse will only be visible from Earth’s southernmost continent, partial phases will be observable from the southern tips of Chile and Argentina, along with limited viewing opportunities in southeastern African nations including Madagascar, Lesotho, and South Africa.

    Astrophysicist Emily Rice from the City University of New York explained the remarkable celestial mechanics behind solar eclipses: “It’s this beautiful coincidence between the size and the distance of the moon and the sun that creates these perfect alignments.”

    Safety remains paramount for eclipse viewing. Experts emphasize that specialized eclipse glasses meeting ISO 12312-2 standards are essential for direct observation, as conventional sunglasses and binoculars provide insufficient protection against the sun’s harmful radiation. Alternative viewing methods include pinhole projectors created from household materials or using kitchen utensils like colanders to project eclipse images onto surfaces.

    The astronomical calendar continues with another significant event scheduled for August—a total solar eclipse that will traverse Greenland, Iceland, Spain, Russia, and portions of Portugal, with partial visibility across extensive regions of Europe, Africa, and North America.

  • Thailand uses a birth control vaccine to curb its elephant population near expanding farms

    Thailand uses a birth control vaccine to curb its elephant population near expanding farms

    Thai wildlife authorities have initiated a pioneering conservation strategy by administering contraceptive vaccines to wild elephants in response to escalating human-elephant conflicts. This scientific intervention addresses the critical situation where expanding agricultural activities increasingly encroach upon natural elephant habitats, forcing the animals into human settlements in search of sustenance.

    According to official statistics from Thailand’s Wildlife Conservation Office, wild elephants were responsible for 30 human fatalities and 29 injuries last year, alongside more than 2,000 documented incidents of crop destruction. Sukhee Boonsang, Director of the Wildlife Conservation Office, emphasized that population management has become essential as elephant numbers in proximity to residential areas continue to rise dramatically.

    The vaccination program utilizes an American-developed immunocontraceptive that effectively prevents pregnancy for seven years without suppressing ovulation. Instead, the vaccine works by blocking egg fertilization. Following a successful two-year trial involving seven domesticated elephants that consumed seven vaccine doses, authorities administered the treatment to three wild elephants in Trat province in late January. With 15 remaining doses available, conservationists are currently identifying subsequent priority areas for implementation.

    While the program specifically targets regions experiencing the most severe human-elephant conflicts—where wild elephant birth rates reach 8.2% annually compared to the national average of 3.5%—it has faced criticism from conservation advocates concerned about potential impacts on elephant preservation efforts. Approximately 800 of Thailand’s estimated 4,400 wild elephants inhabit these high-conflict zones.

    Sukhee defended the initiative, stating that without intervention, the situation would become unmanageable for affected communities. The contraception program operates alongside complementary measures including creating additional forest water and food sources, installing protective barriers, and deploying rangers to redirect stray elephants.

    The urgency of these interventions was highlighted recently when a court-ordered relocation operation in Khon Kaen province resulted in the tragic death of an elephant from anesthesia-induced choking. Department of National Parks Director General Athapol Charoenshunsa expressed regret while maintaining that established protocols were followed, with an investigation underway to prevent future incidents.

  • Spotted seals seen giving birth on land for the first time in China

    Spotted seals seen giving birth on land for the first time in China

    In an unprecedented ecological development, Chinese marine researchers have documented spotted seals (Phoca largha) delivering their young on terrestrial terrain for the first time in recorded history. The landmark observation occurred in February within Liaodong Bay, where conservation authorities captured definitive evidence of this behavioral adaptation.

    During coordinated surveillance operations, the Dalian Coast Guard collaborated with the National Spotted Seal Reserve and the National Marine Environmental Monitoring Center to conduct specialized patrols. Utilizing advanced drone technology, the team recorded three newborn seal pups on a sandy bank in the southeastern sector of Liaodong Bay in early February.

    The aerial footage reveals vulnerable newborns nestled against their mothers and engaging in characteristic clumsy movements across the sandy surface. Critically, the complete absence of surrounding sea ice confirmed these births occurred on solid ground rather than the traditional floating ice platforms—a direct consequence of diminishing sea ice coverage in the region.

    Professor Zhang Yue, a leading marine ecologist at the National Marine Environmental Monitoring Center, explained the significance: ‘Spotted seals have evolutionarily depended on winter ice formations for reproductive purposes. The reduction of stable ice cover due to climatic shifts has forced this remarkable behavioral adaptation.’

    The spotted seal represents China’s sole native pinniped species that breeds within its territorial waters and holds Class I protected status under national wildlife conservation laws. The Liaodong Bay population possesses distinct genetic characteristics that contribute significantly to marine biodiversity studies.

    This terrestrial breeding event indicates both environmental challenges and ecological resilience. While highlighting concerning climate-induced habitat changes, it simultaneously demonstrates the species’ capacity to adapt when sufficient food resources and protected environments remain available.

    In response to these developments, conservation agencies have amplified protective measures during critical breeding periods. Enhanced monitoring protocols now include expanded aerial surveillance, water quality testing in core habitats, and community engagement initiatives to raise awareness about protecting this vulnerable species.