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How Pregnancy Changes the Brain, and How Lizards Make DIY Scuba Gear

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Monday, September 23, 2024

How Pregnancy Changes the Brain, and How Lizards Make DIY Scuba GearThis week’s news roundup explores how the brain is affected by pregnancy, the way “scuba diving” lizards breathe underwater, and much more.By Rachel Feltman, Fonda Mwangi, Anaissa Ruiz Tejada & Jeffery DelViscioAnaissa Ruiz Tejada/Scientific AmericanHappy Monday, listeners! Let’s kick off the week by catching up on the latest science news. For Scientific American’s Science Quickly, I’m Rachel Feltman.First up we’ve got an update on Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams. These two NASA astronauts set out to spend just over a week in space in June, but now they won’t actually be home until around February. Earlier this month—not long after the ill-fated Starliner spacecraft returned to Earth without them onboard—the pair conducted a press release from the International Space Station. Suni said they’re making the most of their extra time in space by being the best crewmates they can be, and both noted that they’re looking forward to voting in the 2024 presidential election from space. They’ve sent in their requests for absentee ballots, which will be encrypted and downlinked to their local county clerks’ offices. Both will have to list their current address as “low-Earth orbit,” which is kind of adorable. So if voting on November 5 means standing in a long line or dealing with other inconvenient logistics, just take a second to look up into the sky and be grateful that you’re not stuck in space for, like, eight months longer than intended. [CLIP: Music]On supporting science journalismIf you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.Here’s a bit more space news. A study published last Monday suggests that Earth might have once had a cool cosmic fashion accessory: a giant ring like the one surrounding Saturn. The study authors hypothesize that the ring of space rocks might have formed about 466 million years ago when a big ol’ asteroid got too close and succumbed to our planet’s tidal forces. Once it broke apart to form a ring system, it could have blocked enough sunlight to cool the planet—and sent loads of meteorites down to collide with the surface. In fact, the scientists formed this hypothesis to try to explain a period of frequent meteorite strikes some 485 million to 443 million years ago. They’ll need more evidence to solidify their findings, but in the meantime I think it’s pretty cool to imagine our planet with a big, rocky Hula-Hoop. And speaking of our Pale Blue Dot, a study published last Friday reminds us of just how complex it is. Researchers found that iron stuck to dust carried on the wind from the Sahara all the way to the Atlantic Ocean plays a crucial role in supporting marine life. Not all forms of iron in the environment are “bioreactive,” or accessible to living things. Researchers say that the iron that travels in Saharan dust actually becomes more bioreactive as it blows through the atmosphere, thanks to chemical reactions that take place there, that means that this long-distance delivery is potentially crucial for supporting life in locations like the Amazonian basin and the Bahamas. [CLIP: Music]In less thrilling environmental news, last Monday scientists published a report about microplastics found in the human brain. The researchers examined tissue from cadavers, looking specifically at their olfactory bulbs—those are the parts of the brain that begin to process smells, and two of them sit above the nasal cavity. Samples from eight of the 15 cadavers contained bits of plastic ranging in size from 5.5 to 26.4 micrometers. It seems likely that we inhale these microplastics, and some worry this means they could make their way into to the rest of the brain. We do know that some microbes can make that jump. Microplastics have been linked to inflammatory reactions and could potentially be tied to all sorts of health problems. Last Thursday, an international group of experts in marine biology, sustainability, environmental psychology, global plastics policy and risk assessment published an article in the journal Science calling for international action to combat the plastic and microplastic problem. They warned of the risk of “irreversible environmental damage” if we don’t take pains to drastically lower our plastic production, as well as find ways to lower emissions of and environmental pollution from the plastics we continue to use and discard. Their call to action actually coincides with the 20th anniversary of the first-ever study to use the term “microplastics,” which was also published in Science. For more on microplastics check out our June 24 episode. That’s not the only alarm bell in health news from last week. Last Monday a study published in the Lancet analyzed the rising trend in antimicrobial resistance, or AMR. The study predicts that antimicrobial-resistant infections will kill more than 39 million people over the course of the next 25 years. Previous research has suggested that AMR could potentially become the world’s leading cause of death by 2050. While pathogens naturally evolve over time to become resistant to treatments like antibiotics and antivirals, this process is happening much faster because of our overuse of antimicrobials for treating humans, plants and animals. Leaders at this week’s meeting of the United Nations General Assembly are expected to sign off on global commitments to fight AMR.  Another health study out last week in Nature Neuroscience aims to unlock the secrets of an infamous phenomenon: pregnancy brain—or, more accurately, all the changes in the brain that come along with gestation. For the first time, researchers followed an individual through their first pregnancy to map changes in their brain—starting before conception and ending two years postpartum. The research team says the most pronounced changes occurred in the cortical gray matter, a.k.a. the wrinkly outer section of the brain. As the body made more pregnancy hormones, gray matter volume decreased—a change that persisted for the length of the study. That’s not necessarily a bad thing; the researchers compared it to changes we see as brains transition through puberty and into adulthood. They also saw an increase in white matter, which facilitates communication between different parts of the brain, which peaked during the second trimester and returned to baseline around the time the person gave birth. While we can’t be sure how one person’s experience during pregnancy might compare to the typical neurological changes a pregnant person might go through, the researchers have made their dataset freely available online to encourage further research on the subject. [CLIP: Music]Now, you all know I like to end on a fun one when I can, and what’s more fun than an itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny scuba-diving lizard? I don’t know what, but if you do, email it to me, I want to see it.Researchers who study semiaquatic lizards called water anoles had previously noted that the animals form funny little bubbles on top of their nostrils when they dive to avoid predators. Now scientists have confirmed that those bubbles are more than just an adorable side effect of taking a quick dip: the lizards are actually using the air pockets to breathe. By treating some lizards with topicals that kept air from sticking to the skin—thus preventing bubble formation—a new study showed that these little diving helmets allow the reptiles to stay underwater for 32 percent longer than they could otherwise. In a press release, study author Lindsey Swierk described anoles as the “chicken nuggets of the forest,” with loads of potential predators. So it’s not surprising that the little guys have evolved a trick that helps them stay underwater for at least 20 minutes to evade animals trying to make a drive-through run. [CLIP: Music]That’s all for this week’s news roundup. We’ll be back on Wednesday to talk about new research on PCOS. And on Friday we’ll drop the next episode of our latest Fascination miniseries. If you didn’t catch Episode One last week, you’ve gotta go back and listen ASAP. It’s all about the beautiful, mysterious world of math. This week we’ll be asking a mind-boggling question: Is math even—real? It’s actually a hotter debate than you may think.Science Quickly is produced by me, Rachel Feltman, along with Fonda Mwangi, Kelso Harper, Madison Goldberg and Jeff DelViscio. This episode was edited by Anaissa Ruiz Tejada. Shayna Posses and Aaron Shattuck fact-check our show. Our theme music was composed by Dominic Smith. Subscribe to Scientific American for more up-to-date and in-depth science news.For Scientific American, this is Rachel Feltman. Have a great week!

This week’s news roundup explores how the brain is affected by pregnancy, the way “scuba diving” lizards breathe underwater, and much more.

How Pregnancy Changes the Brain, and How Lizards Make DIY Scuba Gear

This week’s news roundup explores how the brain is affected by pregnancy, the way “scuba diving” lizards breathe underwater, and much more.

By Rachel Feltman, Fonda Mwangi, Anaissa Ruiz Tejada & Jeffery DelViscio

A small blue sphere orbits a larger blue sphere on a purple and blue background, with "Science Quickly" written below.

Anaissa Ruiz Tejada/Scientific American

Happy Monday, listeners! Let’s kick off the week by catching up on the latest science news. For Scientific American’s Science Quickly, I’m Rachel Feltman.

First up we’ve got an update on Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams. These two NASA astronauts set out to spend just over a week in space in June, but now they won’t actually be home until around February. Earlier this month—not long after the ill-fated Starliner spacecraft returned to Earth without them onboard—the pair conducted a press release from the International Space Station. Suni said they’re making the most of their extra time in space by being the best crewmates they can be, and both noted that they’re looking forward to voting in the 2024 presidential election from space. They’ve sent in their requests for absentee ballots, which will be encrypted and downlinked to their local county clerks’ offices. Both will have to list their current address as “low-Earth orbit,” which is kind of adorable. So if voting on November 5 means standing in a long line or dealing with other inconvenient logistics, just take a second to look up into the sky and be grateful that you’re not stuck in space for, like, eight months longer than intended. 

[CLIP: Music]

On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.

Here’s a bit more space news. A study published last Monday suggests that Earth might have once had a cool cosmic fashion accessory: a giant ring like the one surrounding Saturn. The study authors hypothesize that the ring of space rocks might have formed about 466 million years ago when a big ol’ asteroid got too close and succumbed to our planet’s tidal forces. Once it broke apart to form a ring system, it could have blocked enough sunlight to cool the planet—and sent loads of meteorites down to collide with the surface. In fact, the scientists formed this hypothesis to try to explain a period of frequent meteorite strikes some 485 million to 443 million years ago. They’ll need more evidence to solidify their findings, but in the meantime I think it’s pretty cool to imagine our planet with a big, rocky Hula-Hoop. 

And speaking of our Pale Blue Dot, a study published last Friday reminds us of just how complex it is. Researchers found that iron stuck to dust carried on the wind from the Sahara all the way to the Atlantic Ocean plays a crucial role in supporting marine life. Not all forms of iron in the environment are “bioreactive,” or accessible to living things. Researchers say that the iron that travels in Saharan dust actually becomes more bioreactive as it blows through the atmosphere, thanks to chemical reactions that take place there, that means that this long-distance delivery is potentially crucial for supporting life in locations like the Amazonian basin and the Bahamas. 

[CLIP: Music]

In less thrilling environmental news, last Monday scientists published a report about microplastics found in the human brain. The researchers examined tissue from cadavers, looking specifically at their olfactory bulbs—those are the parts of the brain that begin to process smells, and two of them sit above the nasal cavity. Samples from eight of the 15 cadavers contained bits of plastic ranging in size from 5.5 to 26.4 micrometers. It seems likely that we inhale these microplastics, and some worry this means they could make their way into to the rest of the brain. We do know that some microbes can make that jump. Microplastics have been linked to inflammatory reactions and could potentially be tied to all sorts of health problems. Last Thursday, an international group of experts in marine biology, sustainability, environmental psychology, global plastics policy and risk assessment published an article in the journal Science calling for international action to combat the plastic and microplastic problem. They warned of the risk of “irreversible environmental damage” if we don’t take pains to drastically lower our plastic production, as well as find ways to lower emissions of and environmental pollution from the plastics we continue to use and discard. Their call to action actually coincides with the 20th anniversary of the first-ever study to use the term “microplastics,” which was also published in Science. For more on microplastics check out our June 24 episode. 

That’s not the only alarm bell in health news from last week. Last Monday a study published in the Lancet analyzed the rising trend in antimicrobial resistance, or AMR. The study predicts that antimicrobial-resistant infections will kill more than 39 million people over the course of the next 25 years. Previous research has suggested that AMR could potentially become the world’s leading cause of death by 2050. While pathogens naturally evolve over time to become resistant to treatments like antibiotics and antivirals, this process is happening much faster because of our overuse of antimicrobials for treating humans, plants and animals. Leaders at this week’s meeting of the United Nations General Assembly are expected to sign off on global commitments to fight AMR.  

Another health study out last week in Nature Neuroscience aims to unlock the secrets of an infamous phenomenon: pregnancy brain—or, more accurately, all the changes in the brain that come along with gestation. For the first time, researchers followed an individual through their first pregnancy to map changes in their brain—starting before conception and ending two years postpartum. The research team says the most pronounced changes occurred in the cortical gray matter, a.k.a. the wrinkly outer section of the brain. As the body made more pregnancy hormones, gray matter volume decreased—a change that persisted for the length of the study. That’s not necessarily a bad thing; the researchers compared it to changes we see as brains transition through puberty and into adulthood. They also saw an increase in white matter, which facilitates communication between different parts of the brain, which peaked during the second trimester and returned to baseline around the time the person gave birth. While we can’t be sure how one person’s experience during pregnancy might compare to the typical neurological changes a pregnant person might go through, the researchers have made their dataset freely available online to encourage further research on the subject. 

[CLIP: Music]

Now, you all know I like to end on a fun one when I can, and what’s more fun than an itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny scuba-diving lizard? I don’t know what, but if you do, email it to me, I want to see it.

Researchers who study semiaquatic lizards called water anoles had previously noted that the animals form funny little bubbles on top of their nostrils when they dive to avoid predators. Now scientists have confirmed that those bubbles are more than just an adorable side effect of taking a quick dip: the lizards are actually using the air pockets to breathe. By treating some lizards with topicals that kept air from sticking to the skin—thus preventing bubble formation—a new study showed that these little diving helmets allow the reptiles to stay underwater for 32 percent longer than they could otherwise. In a press release, study author Lindsey Swierk described anoles as the “chicken nuggets of the forest,” with loads of potential predators. So it’s not surprising that the little guys have evolved a trick that helps them stay underwater for at least 20 minutes to evade animals trying to make a drive-through run. 

[CLIP: Music]

That’s all for this week’s news roundup. We’ll be back on Wednesday to talk about new research on PCOS. And on Friday we’ll drop the next episode of our latest Fascination miniseries. If you didn’t catch Episode One last week, you’ve gotta go back and listen ASAP. It’s all about the beautiful, mysterious world of math. This week we’ll be asking a mind-boggling question: Is math even—real? It’s actually a hotter debate than you may think.

Science Quickly is produced by me, Rachel Feltman, along with Fonda Mwangi, Kelso Harper, Madison Goldberg and Jeff DelViscio. This episode was edited by Anaissa Ruiz Tejada. Shayna Posses and Aaron Shattuck fact-check our show. Our theme music was composed by Dominic Smith. Subscribe to Scientific American for more up-to-date and in-depth science news.

For Scientific American, this is Rachel Feltman. Have a great week!

Read the full story here.
Photos courtesy of

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Meet the weird, wonderful creatures that live in Australia’s desert water holes. They might not be there much longer

From water fleas to seed shrimp, Australia’s desert rock holes shelter unique animals found nowhere else. But as the climate warms, their homes are at risk.

The Conversation , CC BY-NDYou might think of Australia’s arid centre as a dry desert landscape devoid of aquatic life. But it’s actually dotted with thousands of rock holes – natural rainwater reservoirs that act as little oases for tiny freshwater animals and plants when they hold water. They aren’t teeming with fish, but are home to all sorts of weird and wonderful invertebrates, important to both First Nations peoples and desert animals. Predatory damselflies patrol the water in search of prey, while alien-like water fleas and seed shrimp float about feeding on algae. Often overlooked in favour of more photogenic creatures, invertebrates make up more than 97% of all animal species, and are immensely important to the environment. Our new research reveals 60 unique species live in Australia’s arid rock holes. We will need more knowledge to protect them in a warming climate. Arid land rock holes play host to a surprisingly diverse range of invertebrates. Author provided, CC BY-ND Overlooked, but extraordinary Invertebrates are animals without backbones. They include many different and beautiful organisms, such as butterflies, beetles, worms and spiders (though perhaps beauty is in the eye of the beholder!). These creatures provide many benefits to Australian ecosystems (and people): pollinating plants, recycling nutrients in the soil, and acting as a food source for other animals. Yet despite their significance, invertebrates are usually forgotten in public discussions about climate change. Freshwater invertebrates in arid Australia are rarely the focus of research, let alone media coverage. This is due to a combination of taxonomic bias, where better-known “charismatic” species are over-represented in scientific studies, and the commonly held misconception that dry deserts are less affected by climate change. Invertebrates in desert oases include insects and crustaceans, often smaller than 5 cm in length. Invertebrates in this picture include three seed shrimp, one pea shrimp, a water flea, a water boatman and a non-biting midge larvae. Author provided, CC BY-ND Oases of life Arid rock-holes are small depressions that have been eroded into rock over time. They completely dry out during certain times of year, making them difficult environments to live in. But when rain fills them up, many animals rely on them for water. When it is hot, water presence is brief, sometimes for only a few days. But during cooler months, they can remain wet for a few months. Eggs that have been lying dormant in the sediments hatch. Other invertebrates (particularly those with wings) seek them out, sometimes across very long distances. In the past, this variability has made ecological research extremely difficult. Our new research explored the biodiversity in seven freshwater rock holes in South Australia’s Gawler Ranges. For the first time, we used environmental DNA techniques on water samples from these pools. Similar to forensic DNA, environmental DNA refers to the traces of DNA left behind by animals in the environment. By sweeping an area for eDNA, we minimise disturbance to species, avoid having to collect the animals themselves, and get a clear snapshot of what is – or was – in an ecosystem. We assume that the capture window for eDNA goes back roughly two weeks. These samples showed that not only were these isolated rock holes full of invertebrate life, but each individual rock hole had a unique combination of animals in it. These include tiny animals such as seed shrimp, water fleas, water boatman and midge larvae. Due to how dry the surrounding landscape is, these oases are often the only habitats where creatures like these can be seen. Culturally significant These arid rock holes are of great cultural significance to several Australian First Nations groups, including the Barngarla, Kokatha and Wirangu peoples. These are the three people and language groups in the Gawler Ranges Aboriginal Corporation, who hold native title in the region and actively manage the rock holes using traditional practices. As reliable sources of freshwater in otherwise very dry landscapes, these locations provided valuable drinking water and resting places to many cultural groups. Some of the managed rock holes hold up to 500 litres of water, but elsewhere they are even deeper. Diverse practices were traditionally developed to actively manage rock holes and reliably locate them. Some of these practices — such as regular cleaning and limiting access by animals — are still maintained today. Freshwater granite rock-holes are still managed using traditional practices in the Gawler Ranges region. Author provided, CC BY-ND Threatened by climate change Last year, Earth reached 1.5°C of warming above pre-industrial levels for the first time. Australia has seen the dramatic consequences of global climate change firsthand: increasingly deadly, costly and devastating bushfires, heatwaves, droughts and floods. Climate change means less frequent and more unpredictable rainfall for Australia. There has been considerable discussion of what this means for Australia’s rivers, lakes and people. But smaller water sources, including rock holes in Australia’s deserts, don’t get much attention. Australia is already seeing a shift: winter rainfall is becoming less reliable, and summer storms are more unpredictable. Water dries out quickly in the summer heat, so wildlife adapted to using rock holes will increasingly have to go without. Storm clouds roll in over the South Australian desert. Author provided, CC BY-ND Drying out? Climate change threatens the precious diversity supported by rock holes. Less rainfall and higher temperatures in southern and central Australia mean we expect they will fill less, dry more quickly, and might be empty during months when they were historically full. This compounds the ongoing environmental change throughout arid Australia. Compared with iconic invasive species such as feral horses in Kosciuszko National Park, invasive species in arid Australia are overlooked. These include feral goats, camels and agricultural animal species that affect water quality. Foreign plants can invade freshwater systems. Deeper understanding Many gaps in our knowledge remain, despite the clear need to protect these unique invertebrates as their homes get drier. Without a deeper understanding of rock-hole biodiversity, governments and land managers are left without the right information to prevent further species loss. Studies like this one are an important first step because they establish a baseline on freshwater biodiversity in desert rock holes. With a greater understanding of the unique animals that live in these remote habitats, we will be better equipped to conserve them. The freshwater damselfly visit granite rock-holes after rain and lay their eggs directly into the water. Author provided, CC BY-ND Brock A. Hedges received funding from Nature Foundation, The Ecological Society of Australia and the Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment. Brock A. Hedges currently receives funding from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.James B. Dorey receives funding from the University of Wollongong. Perry G. Beasley-Hall receives funding from the Australian Biological Resources Study.

Water
Animals
Climate

Thirsty work: how the rise of massive datacentres strains Australia’s drinking water supply

The demand for use in cooling in Sydney alone is expected to exceed the volume of Canberra’s total drinking water within the next decadeSign up for climate and environment editor Adam Morton’s free Clear Air newsletter hereAs Australia rides the AI boom with dozens of new investments in datacentres in Sydney and Melbourne, experts are warning about the impact these massive projects will have on already strained water resources.Water demand to service datacentres in Sydney alone is forecast to be larger than the volume of Canberra’s total drinking water within the next decade. Continue reading...

As Australia rides the AI boom with dozens of new investments in datacentres in Sydney and Melbourne, experts are warning about the impact these massive projects will have on already strained water resources.Water demand to service datacentres in Sydney alone is forecast to be larger than the volume of Canberra’s total drinking water within the next decade.In Melbourne the Victorian government has announced a “$5.5m investment to become Australia’s datacentre capital”, but the hyperscale datacentre applications on hand already exceed the water demands of nearly all of the state’s top 30 business customers combined.Technology companies, including Open AI and Atlassian, are pushing for Australia to become a hub for data processing and storage. But with 260 datacentres operating and dozens more in the offing, experts are flagging concerns about the impact on the supply of drinking water.Sydney Water has estimated up to 250 megalitres a day would be needed to service the industry by 2035 (a larger volume than Canberra’s total drinking water).Cooling requires ‘huge amount of water’Prof Priya Rajagopalan, director of the Post Carbon Research Centre at RMIT, says water and electricity demands of datacentres depend on the cooling technology used.“If you’re just using evaporative cooling, there is a lot of water loss from the evaporation, but if you are using sealers, there is no water loss but it requires a huge amount of water to cool,” she says.While older datacentres tend to rely on air cooling, demand for more computing power means higher server rack density so the output is warmer, meaning centres have turned to water for cooling .The amount of water used in a datacentre can vary greatly. Some centres, such as NextDC, are moving towards liquid-to-chip cooling, which cools the processor or GPU directly instead of using air or water to cool the whole room.NextDC says it has completed an initial smaller deployment of the cooling technology but it has the capacity to scale up for ultra-high-density environments to allow for greater processing power without an associated rise in power consumption because liquid cooling is more efficient. The company says its modelling suggests power usage effectiveness (PUE, a measure of energy efficiency) could go as low as 1.15. Sign up to get climate and environment editor Adam Morton’s Clear Air column as a free newsletterThe datacentre industry accounts for its sustainability with two metrics: water usage effectiveness (WUE) and power usage effectiveness (PUE). These measure the amount of water or power used relative to computing work.WUE is measured by annual water use divided by annual IT energy use (kWh). For example, a 100MW datacentre using 3ML a day would have a WUE of 1.25. The closer the number is to 1, the more efficient it is. Several countries mandate minimum standards. Malaysia has recommended a WUE of 1.8, for example.But even efficient facilities can still use large quantities of water and energy, at scale.NextDC’s PUE in the last financial year was 1.44, up from 1.42 the previous year, which the company says “reflects the dynamic nature of customer activity across our fleet and the scaling up of new facilities”.Calls for ban on use of drinking waterSydney Water says its estimates of datacentre water use are being reviewed regularly. The utility is exploring climate-resilient and alternative water sources such as recycled water and stormwater harvesting to prepare for future demand.“All proposed datacentre connections are individually assessed to confirm there is sufficient local network capacity and operators may be required to fund upgrades if additional servicing is needed,” a Sydney Water spokesperson says.In its submission to the Victorian pricing review for 2026 to 2031, Melbourne Water noted that hyperscale datacentre operators that have put in applications for connections have “projected instantaneous or annual demands exceeding nearly all top 30 non-residential customers in Melbourne”.“We have not accounted for this in our demand forecasts or expenditure planning,” Melbourne Water said.It has sought upfront capital contributions from the companies so the financial burden of works required “does not fall on the broader customer base”.Greater Western Water in Victoria had 19 datacentre applications on hand, according to documents obtained by the ABC, and provided to the Guardian.skip past newsletter promotionSign up to Clear Air AustraliaAdam Morton brings you incisive analysis about the politics and impact of the climate crisisPrivacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. If you do not have an account, we will create a guest account for you on theguardian.com to send you this newsletter. You can complete full registration at any time. For more information about how we use your data see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.after newsletter promotionThe Concerned Waterways Alliance, a network of Victorian community and environment groups, has flagged its concerns about the diversion of large volumes of drinking water to cool servers, when many of the state’s water resources are already stretched.Cameron Steele, a spokesperson for the alliance, says datacentre growth could increase Melbourne’s reliance on desalinated water and reduce water available for environmental flows, with the associated costs borne by the community. The groups have called for a ban on the use of drinking water for cooling, and mandatory public reporting of water use for all centres.“We would strongly advocate for the use of recycled water for datacentres rather than potable drinking water.”Closed-loop coolingIn hotter climates, such as large parts of Australia during the summer months, centres require more energy or water to keep cool.Danielle Francis, manager of customer and policy at the Water Services Association of Australia, says there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach for how much energy and water datacentres use because it will depend on the local constraints such as land, noise restrictions and availability of water.“We’re always balancing all the different customers, and that’s the need for residential areas and also non-residential customers, as well as of course environmental needs,” Francis says.“It is true that there are quite a lot of datacentre applications. And the cumulative impact is what we have to plan for … We have to obviously look at what the community impact of that is going to be.“And sometimes they do like to cluster near each other and be in a similar location.”One centre under construction in Sydney’s Marsden Park is a 504MW datacentre spanning 20 hectares, with six four-storey buildings. The CDC centre will become the largest data campus in the southern hemisphere, the company has boasted.In the last financial year, CDC used 95.8% renewable electricity in its operational datacentres, and the company boasts a PUE of 1.38 and a WUE of 0.01. A spokesperson for the company says it has been able to achieve this through a closed-loop cooling system that eliminates ongoing water draw, rather than relying on the traditional evaporative cooling systems.“The closed-loop systems at CDC are filled once at the beginning of their life and operate without ongoing water draw, evaporation or waste, ensuring we are preserving water while still maintaining thermal performance,” a spokesperson says.“It’s a model designed for Australia, a country shaped by drought and water stress, and built for long-term sustainability and sets an industry standard.”Planning documents for the centre reveal that, despite CDC’s efforts, there remains some community concern over the project.In a June letter, the acting chief executive of the western health district of New South Wales, Peter Rophail, said the development was too close to vulnerable communities, and the unprecedented scale of the development was untested and represented an unsuitable risk to western Sydney communities.“The proposal does not provide any assurance that the operation can sufficiently adjust or mitigate environmental exposures during extreme heat weather events so as not to pose an unreasonable risk to human health,” Rophail said.

Water
Climate
Crisis

Costa Rica’s La Fortuna Waterfall Ranks in Top 1% Globally on TripAdvisor

La Fortuna Waterfall in Costa Rica received TripAdvisor’s “Best of the Best” award for the second straight year in the Travellers’ Choice 2025 rankings. This honor places the site among the top 1% of attractions globally, based on millions of traveler reviews and ratings. The waterfall, a key draw in the Arenal Volcano National Park […] The post Costa Rica’s La Fortuna Waterfall Ranks in Top 1% Globally on TripAdvisor appeared first on The Tico Times | Costa Rica News | Travel | Real Estate.

La Fortuna Waterfall in Costa Rica received TripAdvisor’s “Best of the Best” award for the second straight year in the Travellers’ Choice 2025 rankings. This honor places the site among the top 1% of attractions globally, based on millions of traveler reviews and ratings. The waterfall, a key draw in the Arenal Volcano National Park area, attracted roughly 1,000 visitors daily in 2024. The waterfall is about 4 kilometers from the center of La Fortuna in San Carlos, the 70-meter cascade requires a descent of about 530 steps to reach its base. The path includes safety rails, rest spots, and water stations amid native forest trees. At the site, travelers find a restaurant, gift shops, restrooms, and other services. Admission costs $10 for Costa Rican nationals and $20 for international visitors, with reduced rates for those with disabilities. A non-profit group, the Integral Development Association of La Fortuna (ADIFORT), oversees the site. Founded in 1969, ADIFORT directs revenue toward road improvements, environmental care, education, sports, cultural programs, town upkeep, and safety measures. This model ties tourism directly to local progress. The area forms part of a 210-acre biological reserve in premontane tropical wet forest, at 520 meters above sea level. It marks the headwaters of the La Fortuna River. Along the trail, visitors pass an orchid path, butterfly garden, frog habitat, and bee hotel, adding to the natural appeal. Travelers like to visit the waterfall for its clear waters and the chance to swim at the base, though heavy rains can limit access during the rainy season. Reviews highlight the well-maintained facilities and the rewarding hike, despite the steep return climb. The award reflects consistent high marks for the experience, solidifying our country’s reputation in ecotourism. Officials note that sustainable management keeps the site pristine while benefiting residents. As visitor numbers grow, the focus remains on balancing tourism with conservation. This latest win shows the waterfall’s role in showcasing not only Costa Rica’s biodiversity but also our community-driven initiatives. The post Costa Rica’s La Fortuna Waterfall Ranks in Top 1% Globally on TripAdvisor appeared first on The Tico Times | Costa Rica News | Travel | Real Estate.

Water
Conservation
Forests

People living along polluted Thames file legal complaint to force water firm to act

Residents claim raw sewage and poorly treated effluent as result of Thames Water’s failings are threat to healthCommunities across south-east England are filing the first coordinated legal complaints that sewage pollution by Thames Water negatively affects their lives.Thames Water failed to complete upgrades to 98 treatment plants and pumping stations which have the worst records for sewage pollution into the environment, despite a promise to invest in them over the last five years. Continue reading...

Communities across south-east England are filing the first coordinated legal complaints that sewage pollution by Thames Water negatively affects their lives.Thames Water failed to complete upgrades to 98 treatment plants and pumping stations which have the worst records for sewage pollution into the environment, despite a promise to invest in them over the last five years.People in 13 areas including Hackney, Oxford, Richmond upon Thames and Wokingham are sending statutory nuisance complaints to their local authorities demanding accountability from Thames Water and urgent action.At several sites it is not just raw sewage from storm overflows that causes pollution but also the quality of treated effluent coming from Thames Water facilities, which presents a direct threat to public health, the campaigners say.At Thames’s Newbury sewage treatment plant, raw effluent discharges into the River Kennet, a protected chalk stream. Data shows raw sewage discharges from the plant increased by 240% between 2019 and 2024 from 482 hours to 1,630 hours. Thames says the plant is among its 26 most polluting sites.Thames wants the water regulator, Ofwat, to allow it to charge customers £1.18bn over the next five years for the upgrades it has failed to carry out. But the regulator has refused to let it pass the full cost on to customers, allowing only £793m, as it deems bill payers have already funded the upgrades. It says any escalation of costs should be borne by Thames Water.With the company failing to act, people living in the catchment are turning to statutory nuisance complaints under section 79 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. In letters to their local authorities, they are asking for decisive action by Thames to stop its sewage pollution that is causing harm along the river.A statutory nuisance is an activity that unreasonably interferes with the use or enjoyment of land and is likely to cause prejudice or injury to health.Those living in the area say sewage pollution from Thames’s failing sites and infrastructure has made rivers unsafe and disrupted recreation, sport, local businesses and everyday enjoyment.They cite a 16-year-old rower from Henley rowing club who became unwell after training on the river; tests confirmed he had contracted E coli. His illness coincided with his GCSE exams, preventing him from revising and sitting some papers.In West Berkshire, people are highlighting the case of a kayaker who capsized and became unwell over the following days. And at Tagg’s Island in Hampton, south-west London, five children became ill after playing in the River Thames near Hurst Park.Laura Reineke, who lives in Henley-on-Thames and founded the campaign group Friends of the Thames, said: “People here are fed up with living beside a river that’s being treated like an open sewer. We’ve submitted a nuisance complaint to our local authority because what Thames Water is doing is unacceptable.”Citizen testing of the river has found treated effluent leaving the Henley plant has contained E coli at levels 30 times higher than bathing water safe levels, calculated using Thames Water’s data released under an environmental information request.“Local residents are angry and determined to hold this company accountable for the damage it’s causing to our river and our community,” Reineke said.Thames has already received a record £104m fine by Ofwat over environmental breaches involving sewage spills across its network, after failing to operate and manage its treatment works and wastewater networks effectively.Amy Fairman, the head of campaigns at River Action, which is supporting the coordinated complaints, said: “This action is about fixing sewage pollution in the Thames for good, not compensating people for past failings.“Each local authority must investigate these complaints and, where statutory nuisance is found to exist, issue an abatement notice and take enforcement action. Councils now have a legal duty to act.”She said there was extensive evidence of performance failures at Thames Water, which was on the brink of insolvency. Despite this ministers had not put the company into special administration, a process that would allow for urgent infrastructure upgrades, put public interest ownership and governance first, and protect communities and the environment.Thames Water was approached for comment.

Water
Health
Pollution

Gold clam invasion in NZ threatens drinking water for millions of people

The invasion threatens more than water. Clams could foul dam intakes and reduce hydroelectric efficiency in a river that generates 13% of New Zealand’s power.

Michele Melchior, CC BY-NDAs a geochemist studying New Zealand’s freshwater systems, I’ve spent years tracking the subtle chemical shifts in our rivers and lakes. But nothing prepared me for the rapid transformation unfolding in the Waikato River since the invasion of the Asian clam (Corbicula fluminea, also known as the freshwater gold clam). First detected in May 2023 in Lake Karāpiro, a reservoir lake on the Waikato, this bivalve is now altering the river’s chemistry in ways that could jeopardise drinking water for up to two million people, disrupt hydroelectric power and undermine decades of ecosystem restoration efforts. Our team’s work reveals how these clams are depleting essential minerals like calcium from the water, impairing arsenic removal during treatment and signalling a rapid escalation with broader impacts ahead. Gold clams now dominate the river bed in many areas, with densities exceeding 1,000 individuals per square metre. Michele Melchior, CC BY-ND Native to eastern Asia, the gold clam can self-fertilise and spreads via contaminated gear, birds or floods. Climate change will likely accelerate its invasion. The problem is already spreading quickly beyond the Waikato River. A recent detection in a Taranaki lake has led to waterway closures. And warnings for the Whanganui River underscore the urgent need for national vigilance. A silent invasion with big consequences The Waikato River stretches 425 km from Lake Taupō to the Tasman Sea, powering nine hydroelectric dams and supplying drinking water to Auckland, Hamilton and beyond. It’s a taonga (cultural treasure) central to Māori identity and the subject of a landmark restoration strategy, Te Ture Whaimana o Te Awa o Waikato, that aims to revive the river’s mauri (life force). In late 2024, arsenic levels in treated Waikato water briefly exceeded safe limits of 0.01 milligrams per litre (mg/L), triggering alarms at treatment plants. Investigations ruled out typical culprits such as geothermal spikes. Instead, our analysis points to the clams. By filtering water and building calcium carbonate shells, the clams are drawing down dissolved calcium by 25% below historical norms. But calcium is crucial for water treatment processes because it helps bind and remove contaminants such as arsenic. Our modelling estimates the clams are forming up to 30 tonnes of calcium carbonate daily in Lake Karāpiro alone. This suggests lake-wide densities averaging around 300 individuals per square metre. 2025 surveys show hotspots with up to 1,134 clams per square metre. The result? Impaired arsenic removal. Without stable calcium, flocs (clumps of particles) don’t form properly, letting arsenic slip through. While the exceedances were short-lived and contained through quick adjustments, they exposed vulnerabilities in a system optimised for historically consistent river chemistry. Field teams survey the rapidly expanding population of freshwater gold clams in the Waikato River. Michele Melchior, CC BY-ND How the clams are changing the river The gold clam isn’t just a filter-feeder; it’s an ecosystem engineer. Each clam can process up to a litre of water per hour, sequestering calcium for shells while releasing ammonia and bicarbonate. Our data from 2024-2025, collected at multiple sites, show these shifts are most pronounced in deeper waters. Statistical tests confirm patterns absent in pre-invasion records. Longer residence times in the reservoir lake (up to seven days) exacerbate the issue. Faster flushing correlates with higher growth rates, as clams ramp up activity. But prolonged retention in warmer months can lead to hypoxia (low oxygen), with the potential to trigger mass die-offs that release toxins or mobilise sediment-bound arsenic. Lake Karāpiro water column temperature and dissolved oxygen levels (from November 2024 to October 2025) show oxygen depletion in deep water during warmer summer conditions, likely exacerbated by the gold clam. Author provided, CC BY-NC-ND These changes threaten more than water treatment. Clams could biofoul dam intakes and reduce hydroelectric efficiency in a river that generates 13% of New Zealand’s power (25% at peak). Native species like kākahi (freshwater mussels) face competition and shifts in nutrient cycling could fuel algal blooms, clashing with restoration goals. Climate risks and stressors in a warming world Amid these ongoing changes, climate projections indicate that hot, dry events – such as prolonged heatwaves or droughts – are likely to become more frequent. Such conditions could reduce river flows and elevate water temperatures, lowering dissolved oxygen levels and creating low-oxygen zones. If clam densities continue to rise exponentially, a mass die-off might occur. This would release pulses of ammonia and organic matter that further deplete dissolved oxygen. This, in turn, could promote arsenic mobilisation from sediments and harmful algal blooms in nutrient-enriched, stagnant waters. This could necessitate supply restrictions for affected communities. Ecologically, it might kill fish and disrupt native biodiversity. Economically, it could interrupt industries reliant on the river. From the Waikato to a nationwide threat The invasion isn’t contained. The clam, which can produce up to 70,000 juveniles annually, thrives in warm, nutrient-rich waters. It is notoriously hard to eradicate once established. In mid-November, the Taranaki Regional Council confirmed the gold clam in Lake Rotomanu. Just days later, warnings were issued to boaties on the Whanganui River, urging rigorous “check, clean, dry” protocols. Without intervention, the clams could reach other systems, including the Clutha or Waitaki, and compound pressures on New Zealand’s already stressed freshwaters. Our research highlights the need for integrated action. Monitoring should expand, incorporating environmental DNA for early detection and calcium isotope tracing to pinpoint clam impacts. Water providers could trial calcium dosing during peak growth periods. But solutions must honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles. Collaboration with iwi and blending mātauranga Māori (indigenous knowledge) with science, such as using tikanga indicators for water health, is essential. Biosecurity measures including gear decontamination campaigns are critical to slow spread. Field teams are counting invasive gold clams on the banks of the Waikato River. Michele Melchior, CC BY-ND This invasion intersects with New Zealand’s evolving water policy framework, particularly the Local Water Done Well regime which replaced the repealed Three Waters reforms in late 2023. Councils are now implementing delivery plans and focusing on financial sustainability and infrastructure upgrades. The Water Services Authority Taumata Arawai continues as the national regulator, enforcing standards amid an estimated NZ$185-260 billion infrastructure deficit. Recent government announcements propose further streamlining, including replacing regional councils with panels of mayors or territories boards, while encouraging amalgamations to simplify planning and infrastructure delivery. These changes aim to make local government more cost-effective and responsive to issues such as housing growth and infrastructure funding. But a hot or dry event could test the effectiveness of water policy, potentially straining inter-council coordination for shared resources such as the Waikato River and highlighting gaps in emergency response. Globally, the gold clam has cost billions in damages. New Zealand can’t afford to wait. By acting now, we can protect Te Awa o Waikato and safeguard water security for generations. Adam Hartland receives funding from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment via grant LVLX2302.

Water
Business
Climate

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