Category: Nature

Southland Smelters | Pure Fly NZ S.1 Ep. 2

This film is only available in North America, South America, Asia, Oceania, the UK, and Africa because of territorial licensing. Episode 2 of Pure Fly NZ sees the team head into the deep south following a hot tip about trout in the Southland estuaries feeding aggressively on a large run of smelts (tiny bait fish)…


Nature Prescriptions Improve Physical and Mental Health

How good does it feel to walk barefoot on the beach, sit in the grass on a sunny day, or stroll through a forest and enjoy the grandeur of the trees? Although most of us can feel the therapeutic benefits of being in nature, we may not think of them as prescriptions for some of…


How the Purple Fairywrens Survived Extreme Floods: Bird Expert

The resilience of the iconic Australian birds—purple-crowned fairywrens—who were found alive and well four months after extreme flooding despite all their nests being washed away is noteworthy, according to researchers. The Western Australian floodings at the start of the year brought heavy rain and swelled the nearby Fitzroy River to nearly 15.81 meters (52 feet)…


Man-Made ‘Living Bridges’ Are Grown to Stand for Centuries—Without Nuts or Bolts: VIDEO

The beautiful phenomenon of “living root” bridges, expertly sculpted by Indian tribes, is a testament to what can be achieved when man and nature work together. These incredible structures have stood the test of time owing to a simple and effective, centuries-old technique. Living root bridges are commonly found in southern Meghalaya state in northern…


Pianist Combines Music With Nature in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco

Pianist Hunter Noak brings music to the outdoors. His nonprofit, IN A LANDSCAPE: Classical Music in the Wild, unites the general public with both nature and classical music. Instead of playing in a concert hall, Noak brings his nine-foot Steinway grand piano to an outdoor landscape. Attendees listen to his performance through wireless headphones that…


Nature Prescriptions Found to Reduce Blood Pressure, Lower Depression and Anxiety

A new study of international evidence for “nature prescriptions”—a recommendation to spend time in nature—has found that spending time in green spaces such as forests, gardens, parks, and meadows can heal high blood pressure, depression and anxiety, and insomnia. Published on April 5 in the Lancet Planetary Health, the systematic review and meta-analysis led by Professor…


African Elephants Use Unique Body Odour to Communicate, Research Shows

African elephants use their unique sense of smell to communicate, distinguish their mates and outsiders, and maintain social cohesion. These are the findings of a group of researchers from the University of Queensland, who found that smell was used to distinguish characteristics including age, health, reproductive status, location, identity, social status and family relationships between…


Fun Photos: The Most Adorable Sea Slug That Looks Like a Sheep and Powers Itself Like a Plant

Most people aren’t fans of slugs until they encounter a “leaf sheep.” And this cartoonish sea slug is too cute to be real! These amazingly tiny creatures—just 0.2 to 0.4 inches long—found along the coasts of Japan, Indonesia, and the Philippines, have faces that look remarkably like cartoon sheep. They’ve also earned the nickname “leaf…


Scientific Journal’s Endorsement of Joe Biden Lowered Trust, Study Finds

A science journal’s political endorsement lowered trust among supporters of former President Donald Trump, a study has found. Nature endorsed President Joe Biden in October 2020. The journal said Biden, a candidate at the time, “has shown that he respects the values of research, and has vowed to work to restore the United States’ fractured…


The First Things You Do in the Morning Can Fight Depression

Just as they will the common cold, a majority of people will experience depression at some point in their lifetimes. While depression is uncomfortable, there are some things that people can do in the morning to reduce symptoms. Soak Yourself in Sunlight Sunlight exposure is a great way to start one’s day. Not only can…