New research reveals that burn injuries have significantly influenced the rapid evolution of humans.
Scientists from Imperial College London assert that our close relationship with fire has made our ancestors more resilient to burn injuries compared to other animals. This ongoing exposure to fire may have fundamentally shaped our wound healing processes and immune responses, leaving an indelible impact on our genetic makeup.
Study author Professor Armand Leroy, an evolutionary biologist at Imperial’s School of Life Sciences, states, “The concept of burn selection introduces a novel form of natural selection that is influenced by cultural factors.” He emphasizes, “This adds a new dimension to the narrative of what defines humanity, something we were previously unaware of.”
While minor burns typically heal swiftly, severe burns that take longer to mend can permit bacterial invasion, escalating the risk of infection.
Researchers hypothesize that these challenges prompted crucial genetic adaptations, leading evolution to favor traits that enhance survival after burn injuries. For instance, this includes accelerated inflammation responses and enhanced wound closure mechanisms.
Published in the journal BioEssays, the study contrasts human genomic data with that of other primates. Findings indicate that genes related to burn and wound healing exhibit accelerated evolution in humans, with increased mutations observed in these genes. These evolutionary changes are believed to have resulted in a thicker dermal layer of human skin and deeper placement of hair follicles and sweat glands.
However, the study suggests a trade-off; while amplified inflammation is beneficial for healing minor to moderate burns, it can exacerbate damage in cases of severe burns. More specifically, extreme inflammation from serious burns can lead to scarring and, in some instances, organ failure.
This research may shed light on why some individuals heal effectively while others struggle after burn-related injuries, potentially enhancing treatment methodologies for burns and scars.
According to Prince Kyei Baffour, a burn specialist and lecturer at Leeds Beckett University who was not part of the study, “This field remains underexplored and represents a burgeoning area of research regarding burn injury responses.” BBC Science Focus.
Baffour recommends further investigations into various forms of fire exposure, including smoke inhalation.
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Oona Chaplin as Varang in Avatar: Fire and Ash
Image credit: 20th Century Studio, 2025. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.
Bethan Ackerley Deputy Editor, London
No one crafts blockbusters quite like James Cameron. Avatar: Fire and Ash, the highly anticipated third installment set on the enchanting moon of Pandora, is both spectacular and visually stunning. The narrative unfolds with captivating themes ranging from interspecies conflicts to deep family dynamics.
Around 15 years after the ex-Marine Jake Sully was embraced by the Na’vi, he now resides on Pandora with his partner Neytiri and their children, having played a crucial role in defeating the human invaders and merging with their Na’vi bodies.
However, they now face the heart-wrenching loss of their eldest son, Neteyam. Their arch-nemesis, Colonel Quaritch, has allied himself with an influential Na’vi tribe that inhabits a volcano and is led by the formidable Varan (as depicted above).
Shakespeare may not measure up (the dialogue is rather crude, to say the least), but the allure of this intricately designed universe is undeniable.
Prepare to be mesmerized by the breathtaking visuals and the story of Payakan, a member of the sentient whale-like species known as the Tulukun, who serves as the emotional core of the film.
Archaeologists have discovered a heated deposit that is 400,000 years old, along with a fire-cracked flint hatchet in Burnham, Suffolk, England, as well as two pieces of pyrite—a mineral historically used to create sparks from flint. This finding suggests that humans were capable of making fire approximately 350,000 years earlier than previously thought.
An artist’s impression of the Burnham fire some 400,000 years ago. Image credit: Craig Williams / British Museum Trustees.
The ability to start and control fire represents a significant milestone in human evolution. Fire provided essential warmth, protection from predators, and enabled cooking, thereby broadening the range of edible foods.
Evidence of fire in areas occupied by humans dates back over a million years.
Nonetheless, pinpointing when humans first learned to ignite fire remains challenging.
Fire likely began with early humans taking advantage of natural wildfires before they developed the skill to deliberately start their own fires.
Previously, indications of early fire use were found at Neanderthal locations in France dating back 50,000 years, where hand axes possibly used for striking pyrite to create sparks were discovered.
Recent findings by Professor Nick Ashton of the British Museum and the Institute of Archaeology at University College London, along with his team, indicate that fire-making might have been practiced at the Burnham site as far back as 400,000 years ago.
Archaeologists uncovered heated deposits in the ancient soil, along with a flint hatchet damaged by fire.
These indicators suggest that fires were maintained purposefully within human habitats, marking the third piece of evidence that fire-starting was intentional.
Two pyrite fragments were found at the site. Due to the mineral’s rarity in the area, researchers hypothesize that the pyrite may have been deliberately transported to the site for fire-starting purposes.
Together, these discoveries illustrate the sophisticated behaviors of early humans at the Burnham location.
For instance, these hominins may have comprehended the ignition properties of pyrite and incorporated it into their fire-starting techniques.
Mastering this skill would have offered numerous benefits, including cooking abilities and advancements in technology, such as the creation of adhesives for tools, potentially influencing significant developments in human behavior.
Professor Chris Stringer, a paleoanthropologist at the Natural History Museum in London, commented: “Based on the morphology of contemporary fossils from Swanscombe, Kent, and Atapuerca in Spain, we believe the individuals who ignited the Burnham fire 400,000 years ago were early Neanderthals, and early Neanderthal DNA has been preserved.”
“This represents the most astounding discovery of my career, and I take great pride in the collaborative effort that led to this groundbreaking conclusion,” said Professor Ashton.
“It’s astonishing that some of the oldest Neanderthal groups understood the characteristics of flint, pyrite, and tinder at such an early time.”
“The implications of this finding are immense,” stated Dr. Rob Davies, project curator at the British Museum.
“The capability to create and manage fire was one of the most crucial turning points in human history, offering practical and social advantages that significantly shaped human evolution.”
“This remarkable discovery shifts this pivotal moment back to about 350,000 years ago.”
The study detailing these findings is published in this paper in today’s edition of Nature.
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R. Davis et al. The earliest evidence of starting a fire. Nature, published online on December 10, 2025. doi: 10.1038/s41586-025-09855-6
“This site, dating back 400,000 years, represents the earliest known evidence of fire not just in Britain and Europe but across the globe,” stated Nick Ashton, co-author of the study and curator at the British Museum. He noted that this discovery pushes back the timeline of when our ancestors might have first harnessed fire by approximately 350,000 years.
Researchers are uncertain about the uses of fire by these hominin ancestors. They may have roasted meat, crafted tools, or shared narratives under its glow.
Understanding when our ancestors mastered the use of fire is crucial to unraveling the complexities of human evolution and behavior.
One hypothesis suggests that the ability to start fire contributed to the increase in brain size among early humans, as cooking facilitates easier digestion and boosts caloric intake. Another theory posits that controlling fire may have fostered social gathering spots at night, boosting social behavior and cognitive evolution.
“We know brain size was increasing towards its current capacity during this period,” remarked Chris Stringer, research head in human evolution at London’s Natural History Museum and another author of the Nature study. “The brain is energetically costly, consuming about 20 percent of the body’s energy. Thus, the ability to use fire enhances nutrient absorption from food, provides energy for the brain, and allows for the evolution of larger brains.”
Stringer emphasized that this finding does not signify the beginning of fire usage among humans but is merely the earliest instance researchers can confidently point to. Other early indications of fire use have been found in regions of South Africa, Israel, and Kenya, though these are contentious and open to interpretation.
From an archaeological standpoint, it’s challenging to ascertain the cause of wildfires or whether they were initiated by humans.
“The key question is whether they collected it from a natural source, managed it, or created it themselves. On the surface, this appears to be a robust case suggesting that the group knew how to start fires,” noted Dennis Sandogyas, a senior lecturer in the archaeology department at Simon Fraser University in Canada, who was not part of the study.
In the recent Nature study, researchers highlight the presence of deposits with fire residue, fire-cracked stone tools including a flint hatchet, and two small fragments of pyrite likely brought to the site by humans for fire-making, as indicated by geological analysis.
The prehistoric hatchet stone tool was discovered near a 400,000-year-old fire site that researchers believe was frequently used by Neanderthals. Road to Ancient Britain Project
Other outside researchers expressed skepticism.
Much of the evidence presented is “circumstantial,” wrote Will Loebloeks, a professor emeritus of paleolithic archaeology at Leiden University in the Netherlands, in an email.
Lowbrokes pointed out that later Neanderthal sites, dating to around 50,000 years ago, showed flint tools with wear signs indicating they had been struck against pyrite to produce sparks, an indication of humans creating fire. This evidence isn’t present in the current study.
“While the authors conducted thorough analysis of the Burnham data, they seem to be overstating claims by suggesting this is the ‘earliest evidence of a fire outbreak,'” Lobruks noted.
For our ancestors, fire was vital for warmth, nutrition, deterring predators, and even melting resins used in adhesives.
However, Sandgate emphasized that the evolution of fire-starting is not a straightforward path; it included sporadic adaptations and innovations. Evidence exists that early groups who learned to create fire sometimes lost that ability or ceased its use for cultural reasons.
“We must be cautious not to generalize any single instance … as proof that from this moment forward everyone will know how to start a fire,” Sandogyas remarked, referencing nearly 100 modern hunter-gatherer groups that have been meticulously observed. Some lacked the ability to generate fire.
“It’s probable that the art of fire-making was discovered, lost, rediscovered, and lost again across various groups over time. Its history is undoubtedly intricate.”
On February 24, 1997, Jerry Linenger and his team of five encountered a peril they hoped to avoid: a fire on the space station, located hundreds of kilometers above Earth.
The fire ignited shortly after dinner when Russian cosmonaut Alexander Razutkin activated a solid-fuel oxygen generator meant to boost air supply while Russia’s flagship space station, Mir, was accommodating an unusually large crew.
The generators burst into flames, unleashing a three-foot-high jet of fire and sparks throughout the module. Soon, thick black smoke enveloped the station. The sole evacuation route? Blocked by the flames themselves.
Crews immediately mobilized, donning oxygen masks and using fire extinguishers to combat the blaze. After 14 tense minutes, the fire was extinguished, ensuring crew safety. However, it took hours for the smoke to clear, and even longer for those on the ground to learn what had transpired.
In a conversation with BBC Science Focus, astronaut Linenger reflects on surviving one of spaceflight’s most severe accidents and shares the lessons he hopes to impart to future generations aiming for the stars.
NASA astronaut Jerry Linenger wears a ventilator after a fire on the Mir space station. – Credit: NASA
SF: What was it like to experience such a dramatic event while in space? How did you feel at the time?
JL: It was a nightmare scenario. There’s no place to escape. People often mention claustrophobia, but I never felt that. They thoroughly screen for vulnerabilities like that.
When there’s a fire with flames two to three feet tall and smoke engulfing the entire station, I had never witnessed smoke spread in such a manner. Maintaining calm was crucial.
This is considered the most significant fire in space, and I believe that title remains accurate.
I’ve come to understand just how quickly situations can shift. One moment everything seems normal, and the next, you’re faced with life and death.
Mir space station seen above Earth – Credit: NASA
SF: Fighting fire is one matter, but smoke is equally perilous. How long did it take to resolve the situation?
JL: The Russians claimed the ship had an excellent filtration system, but that wasn’t true. A water-based extinguisher was in place, so much of the smoke evaporated.
Picture a humid, smoky environment. When we moved to the other side of the world, the hull cooled down, causing the water to condense alongside the smoke.
We didn’t have a great life support or filtration system—it was merely the condensation hitting the cold hull, which complicated matters. This issue persisted throughout our stay, as we aimed to avoid water splashing on the walls, where electronic equipment could corrode.
The next 24 hours involved wearing damp clothes and cleaning up the blackened water resulting from the fire. That’s how we cleared the air.
To answer your question, it took about a day to clean up. But roughly 45 minutes to an hour after the fire, the ventilators ran out of oxygen, and we could remove our masks and breathe. The air was still smoky, but I could breathe after about an hour.
Jerry Linenger somewhat relaxed aboard Mir, just three days after the fire started – Credit: NASA
SF: Is experiencing something like that on Earth different from in space?
JL: Yes, it’s an entirely different realm up there. It’s honestly hard to comprehend.
For instance, time loses meaning. The 24-hour day is a geocentric notion, irrelevant to the reality of time. If you experience day and night 15 times within a day, you realize the 24-hour construct is merely an artificial framework. Our sense of time shifts dramatically.
The concepts of top and bottom, space volume, and even the idea of walls change. Everything is fundamentally different.
Surprisingly, maintaining focus takes immense brainpower. Every detail demands attention; nothing is automatic anymore. It’s a stark contrast from the previous 40 years of my life.
The Mir Space Station was officially retired on March 23, 2001 after 15 years of operation – Credit: NASA
SF: Why do you think NASA and the Russian Space Agency downplayed the fire’s severity?
JL: This might be a Russian tactic. We had limited communication with Houston; all dialogue occurred through the Moscow control station, which could only connect when directly overhead.
There was a strong sense of discipline. As I mentioned, this was the final phase of their space program, and they were keen to maintain it at all costs, wanting to keep the U.S. involved. Negative news about the station was likely suppressed. Historically, Russia’s system has excelled at distorting reality and silencing unpleasant information.
“Don’t inform the people on-site. Stay quiet. They don’t want to hear about it,” was said unexpectedly. They wanted to create a particular narrative. In hindsight, it seems absurd. When we returned to Earth, we learned they described it as a minor incident, saying everything was fine. It was a significant fire. We narrowly escaped. Had the flames reached the hull, we would have faced rapid decompression and suffocation.
If the ventilators had failed or the flames lingered, we wouldn’t have had any breathable oxygen.
Despite that, I must emphasize the exceptional nature of my crewmates, the Russian cosmonauts. I wholeheartedly trusted them with my life. However, the systems on the ground were chaotic then, just as they are now. Any official narrative should be taken with skepticism, and it’s common to discredit the messenger conveying the truth upon returning.
The six crew members on board Mir during the February 1997 fire: (front) Aleksandr Y. Carelli, left, Jerry M. Linenger, and Valeri G. Korzun. (Back) Vasili V. Tsibuliev, left, Reinhold Ewald, Alexander I. Razutkin – Credit: DLR German Aerospace Center
SF: What advice would you give to the new generation who will experience the wonders (and risks) of space?
JL: You should feel honored to have that opportunity and make the most of every moment. Give it your all.
Looking back now, I take pride in my efforts. I believe I did my utmost. No regrets. I’m grateful to be alive—never thought I would be.
However, you are incredibly fortunate, so give it everything you have—1,000 percent. Recognize that you are blessed to be among those who venture into space.
Now, I think it’s time to reevaluate what we call astronauts. The experience of going to space and returning to sing “Yahoo!” and take pictures is vastly different from my experience.
If I were a passenger among tourists aboard that flight, I wouldn’t engage with you. It’s indisputable. Surviving Mir was no easy task.
Professional astronauts, much like seasoned test pilots, maintain composure in chaotic situations. I had immense faith in my crewmates, a pilot and a military engineer, as they possessed the expertise essential for navigating difficulties. It’s manageable when circumstances are stable, but when issues arise, having experienced professionals beside you is crucial.
This conversation has been edited for length and clarity.
Interested in learning more about Jerry Linenger’s experiences battling fires in space? His story, among many others, is featured in a new documentary series. Once Upon a Time in Space directed by BAFTA Award-winning James Bluemel. All four episodes are now available for streaming on BBC iPlayer.
Evacuations that impacted thousands in Ventura and Los Angeles counties have been reduced to warnings, indicating ongoing risks to life and property.
The Canyon fires are active in the hilly areas north of Los Angeles and are progressing towards the Castatic community in LA County.
Officials from Ventura County reported on Friday that the use of water and fire retardant has significantly hindered the fire’s spread, supported by the consistent efforts of ground crews.
Despite this progress, the fire remains a considerable threat and is continuing to extend eastward.
In a Friday update on X, the LA County Fire Department noted that three firefighters sustained minor injuries while combating the blaze and were transported to a local hospital “out of an abundance of caution.” They are expected to make a full recovery.
The South Coast Air Quality Control District has issued advisories concerning wildfire smoke for parts of LA County, particularly along the I-5 corridor near Lake Castaic. Air quality issues are anticipated to persist until Sunday morning, as reported by the agency that tracks air quality for Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties.
Wildfire smoke is a significant pollution concern, as it contains fine particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers—about 4% of the width of an average human hair. Such pollution is hazardous, as these particles can penetrate deep into the lungs, exacerbating conditions like asthma, lung cancer, and other chronic respiratory diseases.
The Canyon Fire ignited near Holster Canyon on Thursday afternoon, rapidly consuming over 1,500 acres within a few hours.
This blaze is one of several significant fires currently affecting California, including the massive Gifford Fire, which started on August 1st in the Rospadres National Forest, burning over 100,000 acres and achieving only 21% containment. As per Cal Fire.
Virgin Australia is contemplating a revision of its rules regarding lithium batteries following a fire incident on a flight from Sydney, which was reportedly triggered by a power bank found in passenger carry-on luggage.
Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) reports that the average traveler carries at least four rechargeable lithium battery devices, which may include smartphones, laptops, and portable power banks.
If you’re curious about the regulations and the reasons lithium-ion batteries are viewed as potential flight hazards, here’s a brief summary.
Can I bring a power bank on a plane?
Yes, but the rules vary, so you should check the airline’s restrictions before your flight.
Generally, according to CASA, laptops and cameras may be included in checked luggage as long as they are completely powered off.
However, spare batteries and power banks must be carried in carry-on baggage due to risks of short-circuiting, overheating, and fires during flight.
Lithium-ion batteries exceeding 160WH are not allowed under any circumstances unless they are used as medical aids.
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Smart bags containing power banks or lithium-ion batteries are allowed, provided the battery can be removed and carried in the cabin before checking in.
Virgin Australia states that spare or loose batteries, including power banks, must solely be part of carry-on baggage and need to be kept in their original retail packaging; individual batteries should be placed in separate plastic bags, protective pouches, or have their terminals covered with tape.
Qantas advises that passengers with Apple AirPod cases and power banks containing spare or loose batteries should only store them in carry-on baggage.
The airline does not advise using or charging power banks on board for safety reasons.
Can I take a power bank on an overseas flight?
Numerous international airlines, including Thai Airways, Korean Airlines, Eva Airlines, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, and Singapore Airlines and its budget arm Scoot, have imposed bans regarding their use on board.
If you plan to fly with an international airline, it is essential to verify their specific rules prior to traveling.
Generally, travelers are expected to keep power banks in their carry-on luggage. However, whether or not you can use them in-flight depends on the particular airline.
Is the risk of lithium battery fires significant on airplanes?
Not necessarily. Professor Neeraj Sharma, a battery specialist at the University of New South Wales, states that lithium-ion batteries contain 20 different components, some of which are liquid, making them more volatile than solid elements like electrodes and casings.
Applying pressure to a lithium-ion battery can spark “thermal runaway” (an uncontrollable temperature increase); however, battery explosions are exceedingly rare.
Sharma notes that airlines still recommend carrying batteries in baggage to minimize the risk.
He also mentions that power banks and other lithium-ion battery devices, which are less regulated than mobile phones and laptops (like electric scooters and steam devices), could pose more risks and may be made from inferior quality batteries.
Professor Amanda Ellis, head of the Department of Chemistry and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Melbourne, agrees that lithium battery fires are not particularly likely to happen on flights.
She explains that the pressure within an airplane cabin is supported by “multiple layers of casings,” preventing batteries from reaching a critical failure. However, enclosed environments can make fires particularly hazardous, especially since it’s not possible to escape the situation while in flight.
“Fires release highly toxic gases, especially in limited spaces that are far from ideal,” she remarks.
Ellis adds that lithium-ion battery fires can be challenging to extinguish, as lithium can ignite and ignite surrounding materials—high-energy substances that can sustain burning for extended periods.
“Using water to douse a lithium fire is not advisable, which could be the first instinct of someone on a plane,” she notes.
What causes lithium-ion batteries to ignite?
Lithium-ion batteries comprise ions suspended within an electrolyte solution. During charging and discharging, these ions travel back and forth across the two electrodes.
Ellis states that a common cause of battery fires is overcharging, which can lead to overheating. If a battery becomes excessively charged, it can crack, causing the highly flammable electrolyte to ignite when it contacts air.
More sophisticated lithium-battery-powered devices, like smartphones, typically include a built-in “trickle system” that prevents overcharging by incrementally adding current to the battery.
However, Ellis explains that cheaper power banks often lack this safety feature.
“Avoid charging a power bank overnight,” she advises. “Only charge it for as long as necessary. Monitor the power bank until the indicator light switches from red to green.”
Overall, Ellis reassures that if lithium batteries are used correctly and under suitable conditions, they are generally safe, and passengers need not be overly concerned while flying.
Lithium-based batteries, such as those used in electric vehicles, face the danger of overheating
yonhap/epa-fe/shutterstock
Batteries enhanced with polymeric materials that emit chemicals to suppress flames at elevated temperatures are considerably less prone to catching fire. This innovation can markedly improve the safety of battery-operated devices, including electric vehicles and medical equipment.
“Our method enhances safety in conventional liquid lithium batteries,” says Ying Chan from the Chemistry Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. “It functions like a safety valve. These chemicals help to stifle flammable gases before they ignite, thus preventing fires.”
Zhang and her team developed and examined polymeric materials that extinguished flames in prototype lithium metal batteries. These batteries are presently being utilized, but upcoming versions are expected to potentially replace current batteries in electric vehicles and portable electronic gadgets. Lithium metals can store ten times more energy than widely used lithium-ion batteries by utilizing pure lithium in place of graphite for the negative electrodes.
The researchers incrementally raised the temperature of the prototype battery along with standard lithium metal batteries to 50°C. When the temperature exceeded 100°C, both batteries began to overheat, yet the special polymeric material in the prototype began to break down autonomously, releasing chemicals that functioned as “microscopic fire extinguishers.”
At temperatures surpassing 120°C, the standard battery without safety mechanisms overheated to 1000°C within 13 minutes and ignited. In contrast, under similar circumstances, the prototype battery’s peak temperature reached 220°C without any fire or explosion.
This “innovative material science strategy” suggests that it’s not only lithium metal batteries that can benefit, but also specific lithium-ion and lithium-sulfur batteries which may lower the risk of battery fires and overheating. Jaggit Nanda at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, California, expresses that this could lead to safer batteries, especially for electric vehicles and aircraft.
Fire control technology has been incorporated into current battery manufacturing as a “short-term safety enhancement,” and the industry is actively seeking a long-term solution that encompasses alternative battery designs and materials, according to Zhang. However, she notes that integrating polymeric materials into the battery necessitates a re-manufacturing process.
The advent of fire marks a significant point in human evolution, though scholars continue to debate its primary function. While cooking is frequently regarded as a key factor, researchers from Tel Aviv University propose that the protection of meat and fat from predators is more plausible. Homo Erectus lived during the Lower Paleolithic era, approximately 1.9 to 0.78 million years ago.
Miki Ben-Dor & Ran Barkai’s research highlights the nutritional value of meat and fat from large prey in the Lower Paleolithic, questioning the significance of culinary practices in shaping human dietary evolution and offering new insights into adaptations in Homo Erectus.
“The origins of fire usage is a ‘burning’ question among prehistoric researchers globally,” stated Professor Barkay, a co-author of the study.
“By around 400,000 years ago, it was widely accepted that fire was commonly used in domestic settings. I concur with the idea of meat roasting, as well as its use for lighting and heating.”
“However, there remains a debate concerning the past million years, with various theories put forth to explain early human interactions with fire.”
“This study aimed to approach this issue from a new angle.”
“For early humans, the use of fire wasn’t a given; most archaeological sites dated around 400,000 years ago show no signs of fire usage,” explained Dr. Miki Ben-Dor, lead author of the study from Tel Aviv University.
“However, in many early locations, there are clear indications of fire usage, even if there’s no evidence of burnt bones or roasted meat.”
“We see early humans—nearly Homo Erectus—utilizing fire sporadically for specific purposes rather than regularly.”
“Collecting fuel, igniting a fire, and maintaining it involved substantial effort, requiring a compelling energy-efficient reason.”
“We propose a new hypothesis for that motivation.”
In their research, the authors reviewed existing literature on all identified prehistoric sites between 1.8 million and 800,000 years ago where fire evidence has been found.
They identified nine sites globally, including Gesher Benot Ya’aqov and Evron Quarry in Israel, six sites in Africa, and one site in Spain.
The study also drew from ethnographic research on contemporary hunter-gatherer societies, relating their behaviors to ancient conditions.
“We examined the common features of these nine ancient sites and found they all contained a significant number of bones from large animals, mainly elephants, hippos, and rhinoceroses,” Dr. Ben-Dor noted.
“Previous research has shown these large animals were critical to early human diets, providing a substantial portion of their caloric needs.”
“For instance, the meat and fat from a single elephant can supply millions of calories, enough to sustain a group of 20 to 30 people for over a month.”
“Thus, hunting elephants and hippos was highly valuable—essentially a ‘bank’ of meat and fat that required protection and preservation, as it was sought after by predators and susceptible to decay.”
Through their analysis of findings and assessments of energetic benefits of preserving meat and fat, the researchers arrived at new conclusions that challenge previous theories. Early fires served dual purposes: first, to safeguard valuable resources from predators, and second, to facilitate smoking and prevent spoilage.
“This study introduces a novel perspective on the motivations behind early human fire use: the necessity to protect large game from other predators and the long-term preservation of substantial meat supplies,” Professor Barkay explained.
“Cooking may have occurred occasionally after fire was established for these protective purposes.”
“Such usage could elucidate evidence of fish roasting around 800,000 years ago found at Gesher Benot Ya’aqov.”
“Our approach aligns with evolving global theories that characterize major prehistoric trends as adaptations to hunting and consuming large animals, followed by a gradual shift to smaller prey exploitation.”
Survey results were published in the journal Nutrition Frontier.
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Miki Ben-Dor & Ran Barkai. 2025. The bioenergy approach supports the conservation and protection of prey, rather than cooking, as a primary driver for early use of fire. Front. Nutr. 12; doi:10.3389/fnut.2025.1585182
A significant long-term issue is pulmonary fibrosis, a progressive condition characterized by the thickening and stiffening of lung tissue due to scarring, which hinders oxygen transfer into the bloodstream. Dr. Elsaeg likens the lungs affected by pulmonary fibrosis to “hard balloons from the party store.” I feel my face flush when attempting to force air, but I adamantly refuse to inflate.
With former Palisades residents planning to return to their neighborhoods, Dr. Elsaeg has also taken on the role of a reliable confidant, using his personal experiences to assist patients in navigating uncertainty and discovering solutions.
“Ideally, we’d all declare, ‘Everyone living in Pallisard and LA County, let’s move somewhere else. There’s no need for concern,’” he remarked. “But that isn’t the reality. We’re striving for a challenging balance between helping us return to normalcy and leading our lives while ensuring we do so as safely as possible.”
In early February, Dr. Elsaeg took a seat next to Dana Michelles, a cybersecurity attorney and healthy mother of three, assessing the damage at her home, where she now struggled with coughing.
“Lover, you’re not moving air at all,” Dr. Elsaeg stated while listening to her lungs through a stethoscope, promptly ordering a breathing test and a nebulizer. The student observing asked to listen and then looked at Dr. Elsaeg in confusion.
“I haven’t heard anything,” the student remarked. Dr. Elsaeg acknowledged him with a nod.
After years of renting, Michelle and her husband secured their first mortgage nearly four years ago, marking a significant family achievement. Now, as their home in Palisades is engulfed in smoke, the family has been split across two rental apartments in Marina del Rey—one for the boys and another for the girls.
The Italian Ministry of Interior has instructed police across the country to step up security at Tesla dealerships following a fire in Rome that destroyed 17 electric vehicles manufactured by Elon Musk’s company.
The Digos, an anti-terrorism force within the Italian state police, is investigating whether anarchists were behind the fire at a Tesla dealership in Torre Angela, a suburb of Rome.
Firefighters spent hours extinguishing the flames early Monday. Drone footage showed a line of charred vehicles in the dealership’s parking lot. Musk referred to the incident as “terrorism” on his social media platforms.
Italy is home to 13 Tesla dealerships managed by the parent company, with most located in cities like Rome, Florence, and Milan.
A source within the interior ministry indicated that they are alerting authorities to the possibility of anti-Tesla protests amidst a global trend of vandalism in response to Musk’s political involvement in the US. Surveillance at dealerships will be increased as needed.
Since Donald Trump’s presidency began, Musk has reduced government employees as part of his “government efficiency” initiative, leading to the establishment of the “Tesla Takedown” boycott movement that started in the US and spread to Europe.
While most protests have been peaceful so far, Tesla dealerships and vehicles are increasingly becoming targets of vandalism. In Germany, seven vehicles were vandalized at dealerships in Ottersburg, and in Sweden, two Tesla stores—one in Stockholm and another in Malmö—were destroyed with orange paint.
Musk has fostered ties with far-right leaders in Europe, such as Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who praised him as “a great man.” Matteo Salvini, leader of the far-right league in Italy, expressed solidarity with Musk following the incident in Rome.
“There is unwarranted animosity towards Tesla,” Salvini stated.
Astronomers using the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope investigated the lowest mass limits of brown dwarfs within Flame Nebula, a hotbed of star formation in Orion’s constellation.
A collage of this image from the Flame Nebula shows a view of near-infrared light from Hubble on the left, while the two insets on the right show the near-infrared view taken by Webb. Image credits: NASA/ESA/CSA/M. Meyer, University of Michigan/A. Pagan, Stsci.
Flame Nebula It is about 1,400 light years away from Orion’s constellation.
Also known as NGC 2024 and SH2-277, this ejection nebula is about 12 light years wide and is less than a million years.
The Flame Nebula was discovered on January 1, 1786 by British astronomer William Herschel, born in Germany.
It is part of the Orion molecular cloud complex and includes famous nebulae such as the Hosehead Nebula and the Orion Nebula.
In a new study, astronomers used Webb to explore the lowest mass limits of brown dwarfs within the flame nebula.
The results, they found, were free-floating objects with mass about 2-3 times the mass of Jupiter.
“The goal of this project was to explore the fundamental low-mass limits of the star- and brown dwarf formation process,” said Dr. Matthew De Julio, an astronomer at the University of Texas at Austin.
“Webb allows you to investigate the faintest and lowest mass objects.”
The low mass limits that the required teams are looking for are set by a process known as fragmentation.
In this process, the large molecular clouds that produce both star and brown dwarfs are broken down into smaller units or fragments.
Fragmentation relies heavily on several factors where temperature, thermo-pressure, and gravity balance are the most important.
More specifically, as fragments contract under gravity, their cores become hot.
If the core is large enough, the hydrogen starts to fuse.
The outward pressure created by that fusion counters gravity, stops collapse and stabilizes the object.
However, the core is not compact, it is hot enough to burn hydrogen, and continues to shrink as long as it emits internal heat.
This near-infrared image of a portion of the Webb flame nebula highlights three low-mass objects found in the right inset. Image credits: NASA/ESA/CSA/STSCI/M. MEYER, University of Michigan.
“We’ve seen a lot of effort into making it,” said Dr. Michael Meyer, an astronomer at the University of Michigan.
“If the clouds cool efficiently, they collapse and fall apart.”
When the fragment becomes opaque enough to reabsorb its own radiation, fragmentation stops, thereby stopping cooling and preventing further decay.
The theory places the lower bounds of these fragments between 1-10 Jupiter masses.
This study significantly reduces its scope as the Webb census counted fragments of different masses within the nebulae.
“As we found in many previous studies, going to a lower mass actually increases the amount of objects about ten times as much as Jupiter’s mass,” Dr. Deirio said.
“Studies using Webb are sensitive to Jupiter up to 0.5 times the mass of Jupiter, and as they get below 10 times the mass of Jupiter, there are considerably fewer.”
“We discovered that there are fewer 5 Jupiter Mass objects than the Ten Jupiter Mass object, and we can see that there are fewer 3 Jupiter Mass objects than the 5 Jupiter Mass objects.”
“We don’t actually find any objects below the mass of two or three Jupiter. We’re hoping to see if they’re there, so we’re assuming this could be the limit itself.”
“For the first time, Webb was able to investigate beyond that limit,” added Dr. Meyer.
“If that limitation is real, there really is no object of 1 Jupiter mass that floats freely in our Milky Way galaxies, unless it forms as a planet and is kicked out of the planetary system.”
a paper Regarding the survey results, Astrophysics Journal Letter.
____
Matthew de Julio et al. 2025. Identification of sales in the initial mass function of young star clusters up to 0.5 mJ. apjl 981, L34; doi: 10.3847/2041-8213/ADB96A
A new report states that the modern and dry winds that have been dried at high temperatures led to the fire in the Southern California have been about 35 % higher due to climate change.
The survey results are from a world meteorological group that analyzes the effects of global warming on extreme events.
The fire killed at least 29 people and destroyed more than 16,000 buildings.
The International Scientist Group has increased the extreme situation of climate change in the extreme situation that recent fires have made RO sounds in the Los Angeles area as a whole.
A strong state of dry winds at high temperatures ahead of the fire could have been about 35 % higher due to global warming caused by humans. New reports from the World Meteorological attribute groupWe analyze the effects of global warming on extreme events.
The fire, which began in the event of a fierce storm in the spring, killed at least 29 people, including houses, shops, and schools, as it had not been raining in the Great Los Angeles since spring.
“This was a perfect storm for the conditions of the fire disaster. From the viewpoint of the climate that enables the climate, the weather that drives the fire, and the huge environment from the place where these ignitions occurred.” Merced, who contributed to the report at the University of California, said at a press conference.
Compared to the time before the industrial revolution before fossil fuels were widely used, the Los Angeles area had a “dry season” on average every year, and the fire may match the seasonal Santaanana style. Is high. 。
Park Williams, a geographical professor at the University of Los Angeles, the University of California, said Park Williams in the cool season of Southern California. Unusually dry state; Ignition (almost always comes from people); and extreme weather like recent storms. He explained each of these conditions as an individual switch in a system that needs to be turned over all four to emit light.
“The artificial warming caused by climate change caused by humans makes light brighter,” said Williams.
The author in the report analyzes the weather and climate models to evaluate how the warm atmosphere changes the possibility of fire (it means a condition that increases the risk of mountain fire). They also tracked how metrics called the fire weather index changed over time. The index tracks all factors that contribute to temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and fire.
Researchers have discovered that the types of conditions that promote the fire in the LA region are expected to occur once every 17 years in today's climate. Such a state would have been predicted once in 23 years without climate change, and it would not have been so extreme when they occurred.
California implemented stricter building standards in 2008, focusing on design and materials used in new construction in high-risk areas.
Discussing the issue, Crowfoot emphasized the challenge posed by older homes not meeting modern safety standards. A special committee formed by Governor Newsom aims to address this concern.
Since 2020, California has allocated at least $50 million to home hardening projects and initiated a grant program to incentivize homeowners to renovate their properties.
However, according to Kimiko Barrett from Headwater Economics, the current program is inadequate to deal with the scale of the problem, especially evident in Los Angeles County.
Despite meeting high safety standards, some homes, like those affected in the Paradise Camp Fire of 2018, still faced significant damage. Only 43% of homes built after 2008 survived the fire in Paradise.
JP Rose from the Center for Biological Diversity highlights the importance of not building extensively in high-risk fire zones without proper precautions to avoid future disasters.
Firefighters extinguish a house on fire along Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, California, on January 8. Juan Carlo / USA Today Network File
At a national level, there is a lack of significant investment in making structures more resilient to wildfires. The Federal Bushfire Commission Report acknowledges the immense cost of addressing the bushfire crisis annually.
Efforts to improve fire resilience in homes, like replacing wooden roofs, could require billions of dollars. Without government intervention, insurance companies may play a crucial role in encouraging homeowners to undertake costly renovations to safeguard their properties.
In the midst of the ongoing housing crisis in Southern California, the rebuilding process after recent fires, as supported by Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, aims to expedite the reconstruction of damaged properties.
A severe fire in a garage and home in south of Sydney may have been caused by a faulty lithium-ion battery in an electric scooter. Fire investigators discovered that this incident was part of a series involving lithium-ion batteries.
Another fire broke out at New Farm apartments in Brisbane city centre in early November, believed by authorities to be ignited by an electric scooter’s battery. In March, New South Wales experienced four battery-related fires in one day.
The New South Wales Fire and Rescue Service has identified lithium-ion batteries as the state’s fastest-growing fire hazard, responding to 272 battery-related fires last year. Fire authorities in Victoria and Queensland are responding to lithium-ion battery fires almost every day.
Lithium-ion batteries are widely used in various devices due to their fast charging, power density, and long battery life. Australia’s largest lithium-ion battery, the Victorian Big Battery, can power over one million homes for 30 minutes.
What are lithium-ion batteries used for?
Different types of lithium-ion batteries are used in various devices, and when operated correctly, they are considered safe.
Lithium-ion batteries power cell phones, computers, electric scooters, electric bicycles, and electric cars, providing quick energy delivery and long battery life.
Lithium-ion batteries can catch fire due to overheating and physical damage, reaching high temperatures and producing toxic gases.
Why do lithium-ion batteries catch fire?
Lithium-ion batteries contain lithium ions in an electrolyte, and charging them too quickly can cause thermal runaway, leading to a rise in temperature and potential explosion.
Battery quality matters, as physical damage, defects, and overcharging can contribute to battery fires. It is essential to use approved chargers and follow manufacturer guidelines.
To prevent battery fires, avoid overcharging, charge batteries on hard surfaces, and recycle old batteries properly to reduce the risk of fire incidents.
Much of the Northeast is in drought after an unusually dry and warm start to autumn.
Nationally, October was one of the driest months on record.
Fires are burning in New Jersey and Connecticut, and the fire danger remains high.
The dryness and unseasonably warm weather in the Northeast has pushed much of the region into drought, sparking wildfires in New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts.
October ended as one of the driest months on record in the United States, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Precipitation was particularly low in the northeast.
Cities such as Philadelphia. Newark, New Jersey. Wilmington, Delaware. And Norfolk, Virginia, recorded no rain at all in October. Southeast Regional Climate Center collects precipitation data from more than 1,400 weather stations across the country. Several cities, including Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., set new records for consecutive days without any measurable precipitation in October.
Firefighters and wildfire in Evesham, New Jersey, Wednesday, November 6, 2024 New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (via AP)
“This is an area that is not typically associated with drought,” said Benjamin Cook, a part-time researcher at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory in Palisades, New York. “It's not very common for really severe drought conditions to last this long.”
The drought continues into the first week of November, leaving much of the region in a “severe” drought. US Drought Monitor tracks the national situation and publishes weekly color-coded maps showing the extent and intensity of the drought.
The Drought Monitor's latest maps released Thursday showed drought conditions extending from Virginia, Pennsylvania and New York to Massachusetts and Maine. Dry conditions have intensified in some states, with parts of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Maryland currently in “extreme” drought.
“Extreme drought is basically a once-in-25-year type of drought,” says Brian, a climatologist at the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and one of the mapmakers for the U.S. Drought Monitor.・Mr. Fuchs says. .
Drought watches and warnings have been issued in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, asking people to voluntarily reduce their water use.
Part of the region's dry and warmer-than-usual weather is due to a strong high-pressure system that has remained over much of the country for several weeks. In the Northeast, Great Lakes, and South, temperatures were 15 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit above normal for late October and early November.
More than half of the continental United States is experiencing some degree of drought. That includes 56% of the Northeast, according to the Drought Monitor.
Kamala Harris’ campaign has accused Tesla CEO Elon Musk of spreading “manipulated lies” after he shared a fake video of the vice president on his X account.
Musk reposted a video on Friday evening that had been doctored to show Harris saying, “I was selected because I’m the ultimate diversity hire,” along with other controversial statements. The video has garnered 128 million views on Musk’s account. He captioned it with “This is awesome” and a laughing emoji. Musk owns X, which he rebranded from Twitter last year.
Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar criticized Musk for violating platform guidelines on sharing manipulated media. Users are not allowed to share media that may mislead or harm others, although satire is permitted as long as it doesn’t create confusion about its authenticity.
Harris’ campaign responded by stating, “The American people want the real freedom, opportunity, and security that Vice President Harris is providing, not the false, manipulated lies of Elon Musk and Donald Trump.”
The original video was posted by the @MrReaganUSA account, associated with conservative YouTuber Chris Coles, who claimed it was a parody.
However, Musk, a supporter of Donald Trump, did not clarify that the video was satire.
California Governor Gavin Newsom stated that the manipulated video of Harris should be illegal and indicated plans to sign a bill banning such deceptive media, likely referring to a proposed ban on election deepfakes in California.
Musk defended his actions, stating that parody is legal in the USA, and shared the original @MrReaganUSA video.
While the number of fires so far is typical for this time of summer, the extreme heat of early summer has dried out the land, increasing the risk of wildfires and casting a major doubt over what had seemed a relatively bright season.
“Wildfire conditions across the West continue to worsen and unfortunately will get worse,” Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at the University of California, Los Angeles and the National Center for Atmospheric Research, said at a briefing on Thursday. “The past 30 days have been the warmest on record across a significant portion of California and the West.”
Flames from the Thompson Fire in Oroville, California, on July 2. Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images file A vehicle is engulfed in flames during the Thompson Fire in Oroville, California on July 2nd. Ethan Swope/AP Files
After California experienced two consecutive wet winters, the National Association of Fire Agencies had predicted moderate fire activity in the state this summer and fall. This month's seasonal forecast has been revised upwards.He said the grass that had grown tall during the rainy weather had bounced back quickly with the heat.
“You know, we've had two really great winters where the atmospheric river came in and saved California from drought, but the tradeoff is that now we have a ton of grass and shrubs that are dead and ready to burn,” said Caitlin Trudeau, a senior scientist at nonprofit research organization Climate Central.
Debris of buildings and vehicles are left behind as the Apache Fire burns in Palermo, California, on June 25. Ethan Swope/AP Files Firefighters work to put out the growing Post Fire in Gorman, California on June 16. Eric Thayer/AP File
Swain said recent outbreaks of “dry lightning” – thunderstorms that don't produce rain – were of particular concern because long-range forecasts showed another heat wave hitting the region in late July, which could exacerbate existing fires.
A recent analysis from satellite monitoring company Maxar suggests that soil moisture levels in California dropped sharply from early June through July 15, while temperatures over the same period were about 5 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than in 2020.
That year, it was June in California. Drought outlook and wildfire risk profile similar to this year. after that, More than 10,000 lightning strikes hit California Dozens of fires broke out over a three-day period in mid-August. Fueled by a heat wave, many of these fires grew rapidly and eventually evolved into three complex fires. One of these, the August Complex Fire, primarily affected the Mendocino National Forest and burned more than one million acres.
A total of 33 people have died in California's 2020 wildfires and scorched 4.5 million acres.
“It's really concerning to see these statistics because we're only halfway through July, and the last major thunderstorms of 2020 were in August,” Trudeau said of the data early this year. “We're already starting to see dry thunderstorms. We still have a long way to go to close out the year.”
Across the U.S., more than 1 million acres have burned so far this year, with 54 major fires currently under containment, according to the National Joint Fire Center.
Wildfire season is off to an early and active start in the Pacific Northwest, particularly in Oregon, with several large blazes burning in remote areas.
Smoke rises from a wildfire near La Pine, Oregon on June 25. Kyle Kalambach/Deschutes County Sheriff's Office via AP File
California is bracing for a dangerous combination of extreme heat and high fire risk this week as people across the state celebrate Independence Day outdoors. Temperatures in the Sacramento Valley could soar to 115 degrees Fahrenheit, according to meteorologist Kate Forrest from the National Weather Service in Sacramento. Heat warnings have been issued for the region starting Tuesday and are expected to last through Saturday.
Forecasters anticipate the heat wave to start in inland California on Tuesday before spreading to the Pacific Northwest and Southern California later in the week. Heat watches, warnings, and advisories will be in effect across the West on Tuesday from southern Oregon to southeastern California’s low desert according to the National Weather Service.
The increase in temperatures is due to a strong high-pressure system lingering in the region. Governor Gavin Newsom has instructed emergency officials to activate the state’s operations center in response to the upcoming heatwave.
The hot weather could see nighttime temperatures exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit in some areas, with inland California facing “extreme” conditions by Friday, as indicated on the Heat Risk Map from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Weather Service.
Southern Oregon, including the Medford area, is also under a heat watch through Saturday. Meanwhile, Pacific Gas & Electric has warned of potential power outages in 10 California counties on Tuesday due to high winds and dry conditions.
Given the high temperatures and dry conditions, there is an increased risk of wildfires, prompting caution during Fourth of July celebrations involving fireworks. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection is monitoring 13 active fires in the state.
Climate change has been linked to the increased frequency and intensity of heat waves and wildfires. Analysis from Climate Central shows that regions like the Sacramento Valley are experiencing more fire-prone weather compared to previous decades.
With heat waves growing in frequency and duration, it is important for residents to take precautions to stay safe during extreme weather events.
The UK Government has initiated a consultation to gather public and industry input on increasing the legal power of electric bike models from 250W to 500W in the UK. This move has sparked concerns in the fire protection community.
Electric bicycles utilize various types of batteries, with lithium-ion technology being the common choice. These batteries come in different shapes and sizes, such as cylindrical or box-shaped configurations.
Battery packs in electric bikes are composed of multiple cells connected in series and parallel to provide the necessary voltage and capacity. Incidents of fires linked to lithium-ion batteries are on the rise, posing risks to users of electric bikes and e-scooters.
Recent data disclosed in May 2023 by the Guardian newspaper revealed that defective electric bikes and e-scooters have caused injuries to 190 individuals and claimed eight lives in the UK. The London Fire Brigade noted a substantial increase in battery-related fires in 2023, with a rise of 78% compared to the previous year.
Potential causes of fires in lithium-ion batteries include mechanical or thermal shock, overcharging, and reactive materials interacting with each other, leading to heat generation and abnormal electrical behavior. Despite the benefits of higher wattage batteries in electric bikes, there are concerns about the increased risk of fires and other safety issues.
To mitigate the risk of battery fires, users are advised to avoid tampering with batteries, charge them within the recommended parameters, and store them in a safe environment away from flammable materials. Adherence to manufacturer guidelines and proper disposal of damaged batteries are crucial in preventing incidents of fires.
Aboriginal people use fire to manage the landscape
Penny Tweedy/Getty Images
Analysis of sediment cores taken from ancient lakes shows that Australia's indigenous peoples have been using fire to manage their environment for at least 11,000 years.
michael bird Researchers at James Cook University in Cairns, Australia, say their findings suggest that returning to indigenous regimes of more frequent but smaller fires could reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires. This suggests that environmental management could be improved.
It has long been known that Australia's first people, who are thought to have lived on the continent for 65,000 years, carefully managed the landscape, using fire to make it easier to move around and hunt prey. . They also realized that this benefits some of the plants and animals they like and reduces the risk of more dangerous fires.
But how long this has been going on is difficult to establish, Bird said. That's because most waterways dry up completely during the annual dry season, destroying carbon in the sediment.
Girraween Lagoon, near Darwin in the Northern Territory, is a huge sinkhole that covers an area of about 1 hectare and has remained permanently wet for at least 150,000 years. As the climate changed over the millennia, so did the vegetation around the sinkhole. “Girraween Lagoon has 150,000 years worth of sediment that has never dried out,” says Bird.
Bird and his colleagues were able to study three important indicators by analyzing sediment cores from the lagoon floor. It is a measure of the accumulation of fine charcoal particles, the proportion of burnt material in charred vegetation material, and the amount of different types of charcoal. Carbon that remains after combustion.
The first two indicators allow researchers to estimate the intensity of the fire, and the third indicates whether the fire was cold enough to leave traces of grass.
Before the arrival of humans, natural fires in the savanna of northern Australia were ignited by lightning strikes at the end of the dry season, when the vegetation and landscape were almost completely dry. This type of more intense fire burns biomass more completely, especially fine fuels such as grass and trash, leaving less grass uncharted.
Indigenous fires, on the other hand, burn more frequently, but with much lower heat, and their impact is confined to smaller areas and to the ground layer, promoting a mosaic of vegetation and helping to protect biodiversity.
Byrd said recent layers of the core show more frequent fires and clear evidence of grass that hasn't completely burned, indicating the fires are cooler. . This type of fire is very different from traditional natural fire patterns and is evidence of indigenous fire management, he says.
Researchers collect sediment cores in Girraween Lagoon, Northern Territory, Australia
michael bird
This signal can be seen in sediments that are at least 11,000 years old, but the study found that metrics for the proportion of grass and tree debris before that point have become difficult to study. Bird said there are signs of human fire starting 40,000 years ago, but the evidence is less clear.
“This means that savannahs have been growing alongside humans for at least 11,000 years,” he says. “Biodiversity has grown with that fire policy. When you remove this kind of burnout, you start to see serious problems with biodiversity.”
david bowman Researchers from Australia's University of Tasmania say the paper highlights the twin importance of climate and humans in shaping fire regimes.
“Decoupling climate from anthropogenic and, importantly, indigenous fire management is a very important topic,” he says. “As we fight to combat climate-induced wildfires around the world, a long-term perspective like this will be an invaluable addition to current research and development in sustainable fire management. .”
A total solar eclipse is set to pass over North America in April, offering millions of skywatchers the rare chance to witness the afternoon sky briefly darken and a “ring of fire” appear overhead. The upcoming April 8 solar eclipse is expected to be a significant event, as its path will traverse parts of Mexico, the continental United States, and eastern Canada. Weather permitting, skywatchers in 15 states in the US will have the opportunity to see the moon almost completely block the sun, casting its shadow in a fiery circle and creating a halo effect in the sky. In all other states in the continental US, viewers will witness a partial solar eclipse where the moon appears to partially obscure the sun.
Here is everything you need to know about the upcoming total solar eclipse.
How to safely view a solar eclipse
It is crucial not to look directly at the sun during a solar eclipse, even if it is partially or mostly covered by the moon. Special eclipse glasses or a pinhole projector are necessary to safely view the eclipse and prevent eye damage. Sky observers should never look at the Sun through binoculars, telescopes, or camera lenses without a solar filter installed. Using Eclipse glasses is essential, as failure to do so can result in serious eye damage. NASA advises taking proper precautions. During the total solar eclipse when the moon completely blocks the sun, it is safe to view with the naked eye, but at all other times, eclipse glasses are required.
What is a solar eclipse?
A solar eclipse occurs when the sun, moon, and earth align, with the moon passing in front of the sun to temporarily block its light. The moon can either completely obscure the sun in a total solar eclipse or partially block its light in a partial solar eclipse.
Who can see it?
This eclipse is rare because it will cross populated areas of the United States compared to other recent total solar eclipses. NASA estimates that approximately 31.6 million people will live within the 160-mile-wide total path, with an additional 150 million living within 200 miles of the path. The eclipse will pass through various states in the US and enter Canada through provinces such as Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick.
While the most spectacular views will be within the total eclipse path, there are still opportunities for people across the continent to witness the astronomical event. A partial solar eclipse will be visible in all 48 states of the continental US, and NASA will stream a live view of the total solar eclipse online.
When will it happen?
The timing and duration of totality will vary by location, with some areas experiencing darkness and the “ring of fire” for up to 4 minutes and 28 seconds. Various resources online, including NASA, NationalEclipse.com, and timeanddate.com, provide information for planning and expectations on the day of the eclipse.
Specific timings for some populous cities along the path of totality are as follows:
Dallas: Partial eclipse begins at 12:23 PM CT. Totality begins at 1:40 PM CT. Totality ends at 1:44 PM CT. Partial eclipse ends at 3:02 PM CT.
Little Rock, AR: Partial eclipse begins at 12:33 PM CT. Totality begins at 1:51 PM CT. Totality ends at 1:54 PM CT. Partial eclipse ends at 3:11 PM CT.
Cleveland: Partial eclipse begins at 1:59 PM ET. Totality begins at 3:13 PM ET. Totality ends at 3:17 PM ET. Partial eclipse ends at 4:29 PM ET.
Buffalo, New York: Partial eclipse begins at 2:04 PM ET. Totality begins at 3:18 PM ET. Totality ends at 3:22 PM ET. Partial eclipse ends at 4:32 PM ET.
Lancaster, New Hampshire: Partial eclipse begins at 2:16 PM ET. Totality begins at 3:27 PM ET. Totality ends at 3:30 PM ET. Partial eclipse ends at 4:38 PM ET.
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