Nature Hub

    From :- BBC World News By :-  Helen Briggs   Science correspondent Edited by :- Amal Udawatta    Image: Yohei Utsuki, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Hokkaido University A sketch of what the giant octopus might have looked like Giant octopuses may have ruled the ancient oceans 100 million years ago, when dinosaurs roamed, according to new research. Some of the earliest octopuses are believed to have been powerful predators equipped with strong arms for grabbing prey and beak-like jaws for munching on the shells and bones of other animals. A new study of some remarkably well preserved jaws suggest they reached up to 19 metres, potentially making them the largest invertebrates ever known to scientists. For decades, palaeontologists believed that the largest ocean predators were vertebrates with backbones such as fish and reptiles while invertebrates like octopuses and squid played supporting roles. Getty Images A Giant Pacific Octopus mee...

 From - BBC World News  By -    Justin Rowlatt  ,  Climate Editor     Editted by - Amal Udawatta       AFP via Getty Images The new project could link offshore wind farms in the North Sea to more than one country via 'interconnectors' The UK is set to back a vast new fleet of offshore wind projects in the North Sea alongside nine other European countries including Norway, Germany and the Netherlands. The government says the deal will strengthen energy security by offering an escape from what it calls the "fossil fuel rollercoaster". For the first time, some of the new wind farms will be linked to multiple countries through undersea cables known as interconnectors, which supporters say should lower prices across the region. But it could prove controversial as wind farm operators would be able to shop around between countries to sell power to the highest bidder - potentially driving up electricity prices when supply is tight...

 From - BBC NEWS  By  - Richard Garry  Edited by - Amal Udawatta By Richard Gray 27th December 2023 From new artificial islands to the environmental devastation caused by  From new artificial islands to the environmental devastation caused by the breach of Ukraine's Kakhovka Dam – this is how humanity has changed the face of our planet throughout the past year. T There are few places on the Earth where humans have not left a mark of some kind. An estimated  95% of our planet's landmass  – not including Antarctica, even though humanity has left its imprint there, too – now show some signs of human activity. About  16% of that land has been heavily modified , according to one recent analysis. Urban development, large-scale engineering works and mining projects are reshaping entire landscapes, while deforestation and agriculture are altering entire ecosystems. Pollution produced by humans can be found in almost  every corner of our planet . Pear...