Author: OMN AI

Italian brown bears living close to villages have changed their behaviour through long contact with humans. A new genetic study shows these bears have become smaller and less aggressive over time. Researchers link these changes directly to centuries of coexistence with people. The findings arrive as communities across Italy and Europe face growing bear populations after successful conservation efforts. Scientists published the research in Molecular Biology and Evolution. They focused on the Apennine brown bear, a rare population living only in central Italy. This group remains small and geographically isolated. Researchers say its long separation from other bears shaped its…

A carnivorous pitcher plant has been found to lace its sugary nectar with a chemical nerve agent that incapacitates its prey before killing it. The plant, Nepenthes khasiana, secretes a sweet liquid around the rim of its pitcher-shaped traps, attracting insects such as ants. Researchers have discovered that this nectar contains isoshinanolone, a toxic compound that disrupts the insects’ nervous systems, slowing their movements, weakening muscles and triggering excessive grooming. Affected ants often lose coordination, fall into spasms and eventually tumble headfirst into the pitcher, where some die outright. The nectar also contains three water-absorbing sugars that make the pitcher’s…

Britain searches for sustainable heat sources, and farmers are discovering a resource hiding in plain sight: cow manure. Cow waste can produce biomethane, a renewable gas already powering central heating in about a million homes. Campaign group Green Gas Taskforce says the potential could rise to 15 million homes. One Somerset dairy farmer calls cow manure “nature’s crude oil,” highlighting its power to generate energy. But how does cow waste turn into gas, and could it really heat millions of homes? Turning Cow Muck into Gas Somerset dairy farmer Richard Clothier works with manure daily. In his Bruton cattle shed,…

Mini vegetable plants are set to replace bouquets of cut flowers in British homes next year, according to new trend predictions from the Royal Horticultural Society. The RHS says compact, decorative varieties of tomatoes, chillies, peppers and aubergines will be grown on tables, windowsills and balconies, offering both visual appeal and fresh produce. The shift reflects changing habits as gardeners adapt to climate breakdown. After one of the driest springs and summers on record, demand has grown for plants that can cope with heat and limited water. Rose breeders are responding by developing new drought-tolerant varieties, using genetics from central…

The U.S. federal government is making significant progress on sustainability, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and expanding the use of electric vehicles across its operations. Officials say these initiatives are helping cut costs, protect the environment, and create new jobs in the clean energy sector. Under current sustainability programs, emissions from federal operations have dropped noticeably in recent years. Energy efficiency upgrades, renewable energy adoption, and modernized building systems are all contributing to this decline. Experts note that the reductions demonstrate the government’s commitment to climate action and set an example for private and local sectors. One of the most visible…

On the outskirts of Figueruelas, a lone, massive wind turbine turns slowly, casting long shadows over the town. It symbolizes the region’s reliance on renewable electricity. Aragón, in north-eastern Spain, hosts many of the country’s wind and solar farms, shaping the area as a hub for green energy. Recently, Figueruelas gained further prominence with the announcement of a massive electric vehicle battery factory. Chinese company CATL and the Netherlands-based Stellantis are investing a combined €4 billion. Yao Jing, China’s ambassador in Spain, called it “one of the biggest Chinese investments Europe has ever seen.” Luis Bertol Moreno, the town’s mayor,…

Migrating birds are moving through Colorado during late fall and winter.Colorado Parks and Wildlife expects more wild birds infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza.The agency issued a warning on December 10 urging residents to avoid sick wildlife. Waterfowl and shorebirds face higher risk because they gather densely near water sources.These large gatherings allow the virus to spread more easily. Highly pathogenic avian influenza has affected domestic and wild birds nationwide since 2022.Officials first detected the virus in a U.S. commercial flock that year.By late 2022, every lower 48 state reported detections in wild or domestic birds. The virus has affected…

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation announced $3.6 million in new conservation grants.The foundation awarded the funding through Acres for America, a partnership with Walmart.The grants will permanently protect more than 145,000 acres of wildlife habitat.The projects span five states and target ecologically important landscapes. The grants will leverage $56 million in public and private matching funds.That support brings the total conservation investment to $59.6 million.The initiative strengthens long-term habitat protection and public land access. For more than two decades, Acres for America has driven large-scale conservation efforts.The program highlights the impact of public and private collaboration.The newly announced projects…

Delhi and its surrounding areas face a health emergency as a dense toxic haze engulfs the city. Authorities have shifted schools to online classes and banned construction to limit exposure to hazardous air. Visibility drops, flights and trains delayed On Monday morning, the haze severely reduced visibility, causing delays for both flights and trains. The city’s air quality index (AQI), measuring PM2.5 and other harmful pollutants, exceeded safe limits by more than 30 times, according to health guidelines. Prolonged exposure at this level poses serious risks, especially for children and the elderly. A recurring winter crisis Toxic air has become…

A former royal hunting ground in Essex is being transformed into a wildlife-rich nature reserve with the help of three pigs. Harold’s Park Wildland, a 509-acre site near Waltham Abbey, is being rewilded after failing as arable land and a Christmas tree plantation. The project, run by conservation company Nattergal, uses “soft engineering” to restore natural processes. Three Iron Age pigs – a mix of wild boar and Tamworth – have been introduced to root through the soil, helping regenerate ancient woodland. Cattle and ponies are expected to follow, aiding habitat recovery and managing deer numbers. Once used by the…