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The Oropouche virus sometimes referred to as the “sloth virus,” has made headlines in Europe for the first time. This emerging virus, previously confined to the Americas, has been detected in travellers returning from Cuba and Brazil. Cases have been reported in Spain, Italy, and Germany in recent months.

Understanding Oropouche Virus

Oropouche virus is a Zika-like pathogen that can cause symptoms such as sudden fever, muscle aches, rash, and eye pain. The disease, transmitted by midges and mosquitoes, typically leads to a mild illness for most people. However, in about 4% of cases, it can cause more severe neurological symptoms, including inflammation of the spinal cord and brain. The majority of those affected recover within a few days to a month.

Concerns have arisen about the virus’s potential impact on pregnancy. Recent reports from Brazil suggest a possible link between the Oropouche virus and adverse pregnancy outcomes, including pregnancy loss and microcephaly. However, the connection is not yet firmly established, and research is ongoing.

Transmission and Risk Factors

First identified in Trinidad and Tobago in 1955, the Oropouche virus has since caused outbreaks across South America and the Caribbean. It is primarily spread through bites from the midge species Culicoides paraensis and, to a lesser extent, mosquitoes. In Europe, where these vectors are not present, the risk of local transmission is very low. The virus does not spread directly from person to person, which further reduces the likelihood of outbreaks in Europe.

Precautions for Travelers

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) advises travellers to areas where the Oropouche virus is prevalent to take preventive measures. This includes using insect repellent, wearing long-sleeved clothing, and sleeping under insecticide-treated bed nets. While there is no vaccine for the Oropouche virus, these precautions can significantly reduce the risk of infection.

Although the exact risks associated with the Oropouche virus during pregnancy remain unclear, the safety recommendations for the Zika virus, which is known to cause similar issues, are also applicable to reduce the risk of both infections.

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Catch the Beaver Moon on Nov 15, 2024 – the year’s last supermoon!

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November 14, 2024

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Catch the Beaver Moon on Nov 15, 2024 - the year's last supermoon!

The final supermoon of 2024, known as the Beaver Moon, will make its appearance on Friday, November 15. This full moon, which will reach its peak illumination at 4:29 PM EST, is anticipated by lunar enthusiasts as it marks the last supermoon event of the year. Visible as dawn approaches in Jakarta, this celestial event follows October’s Hunter’s Moon and concludes a sequence of four consecutive supermoons observed throughout 2024, according to NASA.

What is the Beaver Moon?

November’s full moon is traditionally called the Beaver Moon, a term that originates from Native American customs and was popularised by the Maine Farmer’s Almanac. This name is linked to the seasonal timing when beavers prepare their dens for winter or were historically hunted to ensure a supply of warm furs. In various regions, November’s full moon is also known as the Frost Moon or Snow Moon, reflecting the colder weather patterns typically seen in North America during this time.

When to See the Beaver Moon

The Beaver Moon will appear full to viewers for three days, from the early hours of 14 November to just before sunrise on November 17. This gives stargazers multiple opportunities to catch a glimpse of the bright, enlarged moon, which will be slightly closer to Earth than usual, enhancing its size and brightness compared to typical full moons. This phenomenon occurs when the moon reaches its closest orbital point, known as perigee, during a full phase, resulting in what is known as a supermoon.

Other Astronomical Highlights This Month

Apart from the Beaver Moon, November brings other notable astronomical events. On 16 November, Mercury will reach its greatest eastern elongation, making it ideal for evening observation. Additionally, the Leonid meteor shower is expected to peak from November 17 to 18, providing another highlight for skywatchers. Uranus will also be visible, reaching its closest point to Earth on November 17, according to Seasky.org, giving viewers a brighter and more accessible sighting.

For those interested in astronomy, November 15 offers a special chance to observe this year’s last supermoon before the seasonal Cold Moon arrives in December.

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Scientists Discover New Electric Field in Earth’s Atmosphere

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November 14, 2024

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Scientists Discover New Electric Field in Earth’s Atmosphere

A faint electric field has been detected in Earth’s atmosphere, confirming a theory that scientists have held for decades. This ambipolar electric field, though weak at just 0.55 volts, could play a vital role in shaping Earth’s atmospheric evolution and its ability to support life, according to recent findings. Glyn Collinson, an atmospheric scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, led the Endurance rocket mission, which successfully measured this field in May 2022 above Svalbard, Norway. Collinson has described this field as a “planetary-energy field” that had eluded scientific measurement until now.

How the Ambipolar Field Affects Earth’s Atmosphere

The presence of this field is thought to explain a phenomenon observed decades ago—the polar wind. When sunlight strikes atoms in the upper atmosphere, it can cause negatively charged electrons to break free and drift into space, while the heavier, positively charged oxygen ions remain. To maintain an electrically neutral atmosphere, a faint electric field forms, tying these particles together and preventing electrons from escaping. This weak field has been shown to provide energy to lighter ions, such as hydrogen, enabling them to break free from Earth’s gravity and contribute to the polar wind.

This ambipolar electric field could have implications for planetary habitability. David Brain, a planetary scientist at the University of Colorado Boulder, noted that understanding how such fields vary across planets could shed light on why Earth has remained habitable compared to planets like Mars and Venus. Although both Mars and Venus have electric fields, the absence of a global magnetic field on those planets allowed more of their atmospheres to escape into space, potentially altering their climates significantly.

Further Research Planned

NASA has recently approved a follow-up mission with a rocket named Resolute, expected to launch soon. Collinson believes that continued investigation into planetary electric fields may help answer fundamental questions about why Earth supports life while other planets do not.

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Amber Found in Antarctica for the First Time

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November 14, 2024

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Amber Found in Antarctica for the First Time

The discovery of amber in Antarctica has been reported for the first time, as detailed in a recent study published in Antarctic Science. Dr. Johann Klages from the University of Bremen, alongside a team of researchers, uncovered this specimen in sediment cores from the Pine Island trough in West Antarctica. This ancient amber, originating from approximately 83 to 92 million years ago during the mid-Cretaceous period, offers valuable insights into prehistoric environmental conditions near the South Pole.

Unveiling the First Antarctic Amber

The study was published in Antarctic Science journal and reveals that the amber, known as Pine Island amber, was retrieved using the MARUM-MeBo70 drill rig during a 2017 expedition on the RV Polarstern vessel. This mid-Cretaceous resin is considered a significant breakthrough as it suggests that a swampy temperate rainforest, dominated by coniferous trees, thrived in the region during a much warmer period in Earth’s history. According to Dr. Henny Gerschel from the Saxon State Office for the Environment, Agriculture and Geology, the amber likely contains tiny fragments of tree bark, preserved through micro-inclusions. Its solid, translucent quality indicates that it was buried close to the surface, protecting it from thermal degradation.

Insights into Prehistoric Forest Ecosystems

The presence of pathological resin flow within the amber offers clues into the defence mechanisms used by ancient trees against environmental stressors like parasites or wildfires. “This discovery hints at a much richer forest ecosystem near the South Pole during the mid-Cretaceous,” Dr. Klages explained, noting the resin’s defensive chemical and physical properties that protected it from insect attacks and infections.

Reconstructing Ancient Antarctic Environments

The amber’s discovery marks a key step in reconstructing ancient polar climates, supporting the idea that temperate forests once spanned across all continents. Researchers aim to explore further by analysing whether signs of past life are preserved in the amber. This study, beyond unearthing Antarctic amber, opens new opportunities to deepen understanding of Earth’s climatic past and the adaptability of prehistoric ecosystems.

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