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A massive female great white shark measuring 18.4 feet (5.6 meters) in length was found dead on a drumline deployed off Tannum Sands, Queensland, Australia, in August. According to the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, this marks the largest white shark caught since the state’s Shark Control Program began in 1962. The shark, which was pregnant with four pups, died before a response team could release her, as stated by Tracey Scott-Holland, the department’s spokesperson, in communication with Live Science.

Significance of the Capture

As per a report by LiveScience, reliable records of white sharks exceeding 21 feet have often been debunked, with the largest verifiable specimen measuring 19.9 feet, captured off Massachusetts. While this recent loss is considered a setback for conservation efforts, researchers see an opportunity to study the shark’s remains to fill knowledge gaps regarding the species’ reproductive biology and life cycle.

In an email to Live Science, Bob Hueter, Chief Scientist at OCEARCH, noted that the death of a breeding female significantly impacts genetic diversity and population recovery. He added that while response teams typically reach sharks within half an hour, they were unable to do so in this case.

Impact on Conservation Efforts

White sharks, classified as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, face numerous threats, including bycatch and overfishing. The eastern Australasian population is estimated to have only 750 breeding adults. These apex predators are vital to maintaining balance in marine ecosystems.

Leonardo Guida, Shark Conservation Lead at the Australian Marine Conservation Society, told Live Science that the shark’s size suggests it may have been born in the late 1990s, shortly after white sharks were protected in Australia.

Research Potential

As per Scott-Holland, samples collected from the shark will contribute to studies in genetics, biology, and environmental contaminants. Hueter, in a statement, emphasised that rare opportunities like this can provide invaluable insights into the gestation period and breeding frequency of great white sharks, areas still not well understood by researchers.

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Scientists Discover Declining Global Ocean Evaporation Amid Rising Temperatures

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February 25, 2025

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Scientists Discover Declining Global Ocean Evaporation Amid Rising Temperatures

A decline in global ocean evaporation has been identified over the past decade, despite rising sea surface temperatures. This shift challenges established climate models, which have long linked higher temperatures to increased evaporation. The unexpected trend was observed through satellite data analysis, revealing that evaporation rates started decreasing after 2008. Researchers suggest that changing atmospheric circulation patterns and reduced wind speeds may be influencing this reversal, highlighting the complexity of Earth’s climate system.

Study Reveals Key Climate Anomalies

According to the study published in Geophysical Research Letters, an assessment of ocean heat flux data was conducted by researchers from the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. It was found that while ocean evaporation had been rising from 1988 to 2008, a reversal occurred thereafter, leading to a decline between 2008 and 2017.

The study’s lead author, Dr. Ma Ning, told Phys.org that two-thirds of the global oceans have shown reduced evaporation rates since the late 2000s. This decline contradicts previous expectations that global warming would consistently drive higher evaporation levels. The research suggests that large-scale atmospheric circulation shifts, particularly in the Northern Oscillation Index, may be contributing to the changes.

Impact of Wind Stilling on Evaporation

A decline in wind speed, referred to as “wind stilling,” has been identified as a crucial factor in this unexpected trend. Lower wind speeds result in reduced surface turbulence, thereby limiting the exchange of moisture between the ocean and the atmosphere. The study indicates that this phenomenon may be linked to broader climate oscillations affecting atmospheric circulation.

Dr. Ma explained that while evaporation levels have declined, this should not necessarily be viewed as a weakening of the global hydrological cycle. Instead, it may be an indication of natural climate variability influencing regional and global weather patterns. Researchers continue to investigate how these findings may affect long-term climate predictions.

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Arabia Had Five Times More Rainfall 400 Years Ago, Study Finds

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February 25, 2025

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Arabia Had Five Times More Rainfall 400 Years Ago, Study Finds

Extreme rainfall in Arabia was five times more intense 400 years ago, as indicated by recent climate reconstructions. The data suggests that the region, currently defined by arid desert, once had significantly higher precipitation levels, resembling a lush savannah. The findings highlight the necessity for improved climate preparedness as urbanisation expands in the region.

Study Reveals Significant Rainfall Variability Over Centuries

According to the study published in Science Advances, researchers from the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science discovered that the Arabian Peninsula had significantly higher rainfall over the last 2,000 years. The landscape, now barren, was once covered with vegetation and inhabited by wildlife such as lions, leopards, and wolves. Findings indicate that 200 years ago, rainfall was still double what it is today.

Deep-Sea Brine Pools Provide Uninterrupted Climate Record

As per reports, sediment cores were extracted from a deep-sea brine pool in the Gulf of Aqaba using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) deployed from the research vessel OceanXplorer. The brine’s chemistry enabled the preservation of undisturbed sediment layers, allowing an accurate reconstruction of Late Holocene rainfall trends.

Implications for Climate Preparedness in the Middle East

Speaking to Phys.org, Sam Purkis, Professor and Chair of the Department of Marine Geosciences at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School, stated that the study underscores the importance of climate resilience as development projects like NEOM in Saudi Arabia reshape the region. The assumption of long-term climate stability is not reliable, according to Amy Clement, a Professor in the Department of Atmospheric Sciences at the same institution.

Urgency for Enhanced Flood and Drought Management

The Middle East, already vulnerable to extreme weather, faces rising instances of flash floods and droughts. The catastrophic flooding seen across the Arabian Peninsula in early 2024 reinforces the need to study historical rainfall patterns to improve disaster preparedness. Mattie Rodrigue, Science Program Director at OceanX, highlighted the importance of technological advancements in climate research to better predict future hydroclimate trends.

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US Space Force Releases First X-37B Space Plane Image from Orbit

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February 25, 2025

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US Space Force Releases First X-37B Space Plane Image from Orbit

The United States Space Force has unveiled a never-before-seen image of its X-37B space plane in orbit. The photograph, released on February 20, was captured by an onboard camera as the vehicle conducted experiments above the African continent. Visible in the image are one of the space plane’s solar panels on the left side and what appears to be its open payload bay at the top. The X-37B, launched on December 28, 2023, aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket, has remained in orbit for over a year. This marks the first time an official photograph of the vehicle in orbit has been shared with the public, offering insight into the spacecraft’s operational altitude and ongoing mission.

Details of the Mission and Orbital Operations

According to a statement from the U.S. Space Force, the X-37B is currently operating in an orbit significantly higher than previous missions, indicating a shift from low Earth orbit to more distant operational zones. The Falcon Heavy’s capability to launch payloads into geosynchronous orbit—approximately 35,000 km above Earth—suggests an extended range of testing and experimentation. The statement also outlined the objectives of the mission, which include evaluating new space domain awareness technologies, testing radiation effects on materials for NASA, and operating the spaceplane in new orbital environments.

Aerobraking Maneuvers and Technological Tests

The X-37B’s seventh mission has included first-of-its-kind aerobraking maneuvers, designed to utilise atmospheric drag to alter its orbit with minimal fuel consumption. As per Space Force reports, these maneuvers were executed to assess the feasibility of controlled re-entry strategies. Boeing, the manufacturer of the X-37B, has previously highlighted the spaceplane’s role as a platform for testing reusable space vehicle technologies. Past missions have involved trials related to solar power beaming, autonomous flight, and thermal protection systems.

Secrecy and Future Operations

While specific details regarding the X-37B’s payload and experiments remain classified, its extended orbital duration—surpassing a year—mirrors its previous mission, which lasted a record 908 days. The Space Force has not disclosed when the current mission is expected to conclude. Reports have also indicated that China has been testing its own reusable space plane, which launched on its third mission just weeks before the X-37B’s latest deployment. The competition in space-based military and research technology continues to evolve, with nations increasingly investing in long-duration experimental missions.

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