Tag - nature

 
 

NATURE

Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Jun 1, 2019
U.S. biologists probe deaths of 70 emaciated gray whales
U.S. government biologists have launched a special investigation into the deaths of at least 70 gray whales washed ashore in recent months along the U.S. West Coast, from California to Alaska, many of them emaciated, officials said on Friday.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
May 9, 2019
Ex-ministers blast Jair Bolsonaro for dismantling Brazil's environmental protections
Eight former Brazilian environment ministers blasted new right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro and his administration in a letter on Wednesday, saying it is dismantling the country's environmental protections.
Japan Times
WORLD
Apr 27, 2019
Not so fast: Trump's Alaska drilling study slammed by U.S. wildlife regulator
The Trump administration failed to adequately consider oil spills, climate change and the welfare of polar bears in its expedited study of proposed drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, according to comments published by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
WORLD
Apr 13, 2019
Jair Bolsonaro says Brazil rainforest reserve may be opened to mining
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said on Friday the country could open a vast reserve in the Amazon rainforest to mining, a move that his predecessor attempted before backtracking due to an international outcry by environmentalists.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Mar 29, 2019
As China pushes traditional medicine globally, illegal wildlife trade flourishes
Chinese traditional medicine is rapidly expanding worldwide as a key pillar of the country's "Belt and Road" initiative, but conservation groups say demand for treatments using animal products is driving a surge in illegal trafficking of wildlife.
Japan Times
WORLD
Mar 2, 2019
Mountain lion strangled by Colorado man was orphaned cougar cub
The mountain lion strangled by a Colorado man after it attacked him on a jogging trail last month was a young cub, weighing no more than 40 pounds (18 kg) and likely orphaned but not starving, state wildlife officials said on Friday.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Feb 21, 2019
Why do zebras have stripes? Because they make bad landing strips for flies
Scientists are providing new evidence to answer the long-standing question about why zebras have stripes. It appears stripes make terrible landing strips, bamboozling the fierce blood-sucking flies that try to feast on zebras and carry deadly diseases.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Feb 14, 2019
Can 'Big Brother' technology clean up palm oil's image?
Some of the world's major palm oil users, including Nestle, Unilever, and Mondelez, are trying out new satellite technology to track deforestation, as pressure grows on them to source the ingredient responsibly.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Feb 14, 2019
Tanzanian 'beast' sheds light on gigantic dinosaur group
A relatively complete skeleton of a long-necked, long-tailed plant-eater excavated from a rocky cliff above a Tanzanian river is providing insight into the early evolution of a dinosaur group that later included Earth's largest-ever land animals.
Japan Times
WORLD / FOCUS
Jan 14, 2019
World awash in sustainable palm oil, but consumers unwilling to pay premium for environmentally friendly supply
The world's biggest growers of palm oil say they're stepping up efforts to produce the contentious commodity more sustainably, but consumers are unwilling to pay more for environmentally friendly supply.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Jan 4, 2019
Germany wants looser rules on shooting wolves
Germany's agriculture minister wants to loosen restrictions on shooting wolves to reduce a growing population that threatens sheep and goats.
Japan Times
WORLD
Dec 8, 2018
Mountain lion that crossed freeways fell victim to California wildfire
A Southern California mountain lion that crossed freeways dozens of times, evading potentially deadly traffic, has died after burning its paws during a wildfire, officials said on Friday.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 22, 2018
Humans and nature coexist in Ramsar-recognized wetlands — in the heart of Tokyo
A flock of great crested grebes floats on the sea, gently bobbing up and down under the warm November sun.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Nov 2, 2018
Scientists launch plan to map genes of all complex life on earth
Scientists launched a vast project on Thursday to map the genetic code of all 1.5 million known species of complex life on Earth, aiming to complete the work within a decade.
WORLD / Science & Health
Oct 5, 2018
Scientists urge global doomsday vault for 'good' germs
As the world's microbial diversity is decimated by antibiotics, processed food, filtered water and other wonders of modern life, researchers are proposing the creation of a global microbiota vault to protect the long-term health of humanity.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Society
Sep 21, 2018
Proliferation of marine parks in China fueling shadowy trade in cetaceans
Eight beluga whales jump in unison out of a bright blue indoor pool, flipping their tail fins and spewing water as a packed audience cheers and snaps photographs.
LIFE / Language / NEWS IN NIHONGO
Aug 13, 2018
Watermelon snow is speeding up the melting of glaciers, Japanese scientists report
The phenomenon known as watermelon snow, when snow is colored red,is caused by an algae that speeds up the melting of glaciers, according to new research.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Aug 4, 2018
Japan proposes 15% hike in bluefin catch quotas
Sushi-hungry Japan hopes the other nine members of an international fisheries panel will agree that bluefin tuna stocks are recovering quickly enough to withstand its proposal.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Aug 4, 2018
Trump administration lifts Obama-era GMO crop ban on U.S. wildlife refuges
The Trump administration has rescinded an Obama-era ban on the use of pesticides linked to declining bee populations and the cultivation of genetically modified crops in dozens of national wildlife refuges where farming is permitted.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health / NATURAL SELECTIONS
Jul 28, 2018
Can dolphins teach humans how to come up for air?
A look at new dolphin research may help Japanese pearl and seafood divers and other free divers learn more about countering decompression sickness.

Longform

Mount Fuji is considered one of Japan's most iconic symbols and is a major draw for tourists. It's still a mountain, though, and potential hikers need to properly prepare for any climb.
What it takes to save lives on Mount Fuji