Eating omega-3 fat helps hibernating Arctic ground squirrels warm up during deep cold
Two wild arctic ground squirrels touch noses in the northern Brooks Range during summer. Credit: Rhiannan William By feeding arctic ground squirrels special diets, researchers have found that omega-3 fatty acids, common in flax seed and fish oil, help keep the animals warmer in deep hibernation. A University of Alaska Fairbanks-led study fed ground squirrels […]
Could the novel coronavirus one day become a common cold?
One day, the pandemic will end. Scientists don’t know how that finale will play out but a new model offers a teaser: The deadly SARS-CoV-2 may not totally disappear but instead become a commonly circulating cold virus that just causes some mild sniffles. This model, published Jan. 12 in the journal Science, is based on […]
Cold snap brings Spain lowest temperatures in 20 years
In this photo made available on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021, by the European Space Agency, a view of a Copernicus Sentinel-2 image of Madrid, Spain. The image appears to have been taken in black and white. In fact, it is a true-colour image – but the heaviest snowfall in 50 years has blanketed the region, […]
El Nino and La Nina, the climate cycles that blow hot and cold
In 2016 El Nino intensified temperatures making the year the hottest on record at the time Natural climate phenomena El Nino and La Nina are opposite phases of a complex weather pattern so powerful that it can alter the global temperature. Linked to ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean around the […]
How British people weathered exceptionally cold winters
As global temperatures rise, snowy winters could become a thing of the past in much of the UK, according to a recent Met Office analysis. Aside from depriving schoolchildren of the sheer fun of a snow day, climate change could lead the popular imaginary of British winters into uncharted territory. Throughout the UK’s history, some […]
What the Dippin’ Dots ‘cold chain’ can teach us about COVID-19 vaccines
What’s cooler than cool? (Deposit Photos/Unsplash/PopSci/) Countless people across the country are desperate to get their hands on the coronavirus vaccine. But the same could be said for another icy treat with some surprising similarities: Dippin’ Dots. Invented by a microbiologist in 1988, Dippin’ Dots’ self-proclaimed “Ice Cream of the Future” maintains its characteristic beaded […]
Gifts for runners braving the cold
Whether you’re on a woodland trail or a city street, some specialized running gear will make the winter workouts feel more comfortable. (Madara Parma/Unsplash/) Running seems simple enough: Put one foot in front of the other in a semi-speedy fashion. In fact, as gyms have been mostly shut down this year because of the ongoing […]
Scientists discover role of protein in detecting the common cold virus
Scientists uncover how a sensor protein activates our immune system against the common cold. The findings may lead to more effective treatments of flu-like symptoms. Image credit: Getty Images The role of a protein in detecting the common cold virus and kick-starting an immune response to fight infection has been uncovered by a team of […]
A cold-health watch and warning system for cold waves in Quebec
A visual comparison with the Quebec climate map based on the average temperature for the winter period of 1981-2010. Credit: INRS A team from the Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) and the Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ), led by Professor Fateh Chebana, has recently developed a cold-health watch and warning […]
A cold-health watch and warning system for cold waves in Quebec
IMAGE: INRS Professor Fateh Chebana specializes in Hydrogeological modelling. His team also developed a heat health watch and warning systems in 2010. view more Credit: Josée Lecompte A team from the Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) and the Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ), led by Professor Fateh Chebana, has recently developed […]
