Some wildlife thrives in La La Land

+ food's climate problem; physics of breakdancing US Edition - Today's top story: Cities contain pockets of nature – our study shows which species are most tolerant of urbanization [View in browser]( US Edition | 12 June 2024 [The Conversation] [The Conversation]( When you think of Los Angeles, do you picture a concrete jungle of freeways, studded with a few palm trees? That’s the city’s conventional image, but a recent study found pockets of land across greater L.A. that housed diverse communities of birds, animals and insects. “Even within the most urban zones, such as Pershing Square in downtown Los Angeles, we found some communities of species that favored natural spaces,” write UCLA ecologists Joseph Curti and Morgan Tingley. Examples included house wrens and urbane digger bees. As the world becomes more urban, it’s important to understand [what landscape features can attract and support wildlife](. Also in this week’s science news: - [AI and gene editing with CRISPR will turbocharge biotech]( - [Hormonal therapy remains effective for menopause]( - [A cognitive psychologist on what matters with age and old politicians]( If there’s a subject you’d like our team of science editors to investigate, please reply to this email. Jennifer Weeks Senior Environment + Cities Editor Black-crowned night herons perch on rocks in the Los Angeles River in Los Angeles. Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images [Cities contain pockets of nature – our study shows which species are most tolerant of urbanization]( Joseph Curti, University of California, Los Angeles; Morgan Tingley, University of California, Los Angeles Even in a concrete jungle like Los Angeles, wild species show up in surprising places. New research identifies the types of wildlife that best tolerate urban development. Elephants have close social bonds, which may have led to the evolution of name-like calls. Michael Pardo [African elephants address one another with name-like calls − similar to humans]( Mickey Pardo, Colorado State University Humans aren’t the only animals that have names for each other − and studying animals that use names can teach researchers more about how human names evolved. Fertilizer is a leading source of emissions of nitrous oxide, a planet-warming greenhouse gas. pixdeluxe/E+ via Getty Images [Food has a climate problem: Nitrous oxide emissions are accelerating with growing demand for fertilizer and meat – but there are solutions]( Hanqin Tian, Boston College; Eric Davidson, University of Maryland, Baltimore; Pep Canadell, CSIRO; Rona Louise Thompson, Norwegian Institute for Air Research The most comprehensive assessment yet of a powerful greenhouse gas shows which countries are driving the increase, and which ones are successfully cutting emissions. [Scientists call the region of space influenced by the Sun the heliosphere – but without an interstellar probe, they don’t know much about its shape]( Sarah A. Spitzer, University of Michigan An interstellar probe could help scientists answer fundamental questions about how the Sun influences Earth, space and other planets in the solar system. [Paris 2024 Olympics to debut high-level breakdancing – and physics in action]( Amy Pope, Clemson University Olympic breakdancers spin on their heads and backs, then freeze in funky poses. How? It’s all about physics. [Summertime can be germy: A microbiologist explains how to avoid getting sick at the barbecue, in the pool or on the trail]( Bill Sullivan, Indiana University Common summer activities can expose you to a host of infectious diseases. But there are simple steps you can take to protect yourself from pathogens ranging from E. coli to T. gondii. [How do you build tunnels and bridges underwater? A geotechnical engineer explains the construction tricks]( Ari Perez, Quinnipiac University Underwater construction is a complex and difficult task, but engineers have developed several ways to build underwater … mostly by not building underwater at all. - [AI search answers are the fast food of your information diet – convenient and tasty, but no substitute for good nutrition]( Chirag Shah, University of Washington An information scientist explains that while Google’s AI Overviews and other AI search tools may look enticing, you shouldn’t rely on them to fill all your search needs. - [NASA’s asteroid sample mission gave scientists around the world the rare opportunity to study an artificial meteor]( Brian Elbing, Oklahoma State University; Elizabeth A. Silber, Sandia National Laboratories Scientists don’t often have the time to get all their equipment set up to study incoming meteors from space. Instead, they can study capsules from space missions as ‘artificial meteors.’ - [Forgetting appointments, deadlines and that call to Mom − the phenomenon of prospective memory and how to improve yours]( Sarah Raskin, Trinity College Many medical conditions can affect prospective memory. But so can excessive alcohol use. - [The warming ocean is leaving coastal economies in hot water]( Charles Colgan, Middlebury Institute of International Studies Global ocean temperatures have been at record highs almost daily for over a year, and economies are feeling the heat. - [Losing winter ice is changing the Great Lakes food web – here’s how light is shaping life underwater]( - [With a record-breaking 2024 Atlantic hurricane forecast, here’s how scientists are helping Caribbean communities adapt to a warming world]( - [The disproportionate toll that COVID-19 took on people with diabetes continues today]( - [AI plus gene editing promises to shift biotech into high gear]( - [Menopause treatments can help with hot flashes and other symptoms – but many people aren’t aware of the latest advances]( - - More of The Conversation Like this newsletter? 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