Latest news with #NationalSupercomputingCentre
Malay Mail
4 days ago
- Science
- Malay Mail
Extreme heat from climate change driving sharp decline in tropical bird populations, study finds
PARIS, Aug 12 — Tropical bird populations have plummeted not only due to deforestation but also extreme heat attributable to climate change, according to a study published on Monday in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution. Intensifying temepratures caused a 25-38 per cent reduction in tropical bird populations between 1950 and 2020, compared to a scenario without manmade global warming, scientists based in Europe and Australia reported. 'The findings are pretty stark,' lead author Maximilian Kotz, a researcher at the National Supercomputing Centre in Barcelona and the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), told AFP. Bird populations in the tropics now face 30 days of heat extremes per year compared to three per year in the mid-20th century, he noted. 'This has major consequences for how we think about biodiversity conservation,' Kotz said by email. 'Protecting pristine habitats is crucial, but without dealing with climate change it won't be enough for birds.' Nearly half of all bird species are found in biodiversity-rich tropical regions. These often colourful animals perform essential services for ecosystems, such as dispersing plant seeds. Invasive species another threat But birds living in these regions may already be 'close to the limits' of their tolerance to high temperatures, which can cause heatstroke (hyperthermia) or dehydration. The overview study does not provide figures for individual species, but earlier literature is rich with examples of the devastating impact of rising temperatures. One documented the heat-related decline of birds in Panama, including the king quetzal, the red-crested quetzal, the two-coloured kingfisher and the aurora trogon. Another study published in 2017 showed how some tropical hummingbirds are now forced to seek shade to regulate their temperature in extreme heat, cutting into the amount of time they can spend searching for life-sustaining nectar. Extreme heat waves, which are becoming more frequent, represent a far greater threat than increases in average temperatures or rainfall, another result of human-induced climate change. Up to now, it has been assumed that the decline in bird populations worldwide was due mainly to other well-identified factors, especially habitat loss, pesticide use, hunting, and invasive species, especially snakes that snack on bird eggs and mosquitos carrying avian malaria. But the new findings 'challenge the view that direct human pressures have so far been the dominant driver of impacts on bird populations compared to climate change in tropical regions,' according to the authors. To reach this conclusion, they analysed observational data from more than 3,000 bird populations around the world and used statistical modelling to isolate the effects of extreme weather from other factors. The findings help complete the picture of tropical bird decline, noted Aimee Van Tatenhove, a post-doctoral fellow at Cornell University's Center for Avian Population Studies who was not involved in the study. 'Deforestation has an obvious impact—trees are cut and habitat is destroyed,' she told AFP. 'We need long-term datasets like the authors used to understand how extreme temperatures impact avian populations.' 'This study is an important reminder that we need to continue examining different causes of population declines and apply those findings to conservation initiatives,' she continued. — AFP
The Herald Scotland
17-07-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Edinburgh to host UK's first National Supercomputing Centre
The news comes a month after Chancellor Rachel Reeves's spending review earmarked up to £750 million for a previously-cancelled supercomputer at the University of [[Edinburgh]], which once built will be the most powerful in the UK. It is among a raft of announcements the government made on AI development on Thursday, July 17, including that Scotland will become an 'AI Growth Zone' aimed at accelerating the roll-out of data centres - huge facilities that that serve as the engines behind AI. Against a backdrop of slower than expected economic growth and poor poll ratings the Labour government published its new £1 billion strategy to "harness the power of AI". The 'compute strategy' sets out how the rapidly-evolving technology could "develop new medical cures and tools to cut emissions". The UK Government said this would position the county as an "AI maker rather than an AI taker". Projects aligning with its Plan For Change, such as those focused on economic growth and fixing the NHS, will be prioritised access to new cutting-edge infrastructure to fuel advancements, it said. The new National Supercomputing Centre in Edinburgh will be the first in a "network" of such hubs eventually being set up across the UK. However the government did not announce where in the Scottish capital the centre will be based, saying further details will be "confirmed in due course". Described as a "dedicated centre of expertise", it will host "everything from large data sets and cutting-edge processing power, to linking up researchers and academia with leading talent in their region". Professor Sir Peter Mathieson, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh said the designation will "provide new opportunities for research and innovation across the UK, attracting further investment and talent". Read more: He said Edinburgh being named as host of the UK's first National Supercomputing Centre was a significant recognition of the university's "longstanding leadership in advanced computing". A new concept first unveiled in by the UK Government in January, Scotland will also become an 'AI Growth Zone' alongside Wales. In the zones there will be "accelerated planning permissions to speed up the roll-out of data centres," according to the government, which said Scotland's access to wind, hydro and solar power sources made it an ideal candidate for energy-intensive data centres central to AI Growth Zones. According to the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology the designation will attract billions of pounds in investment and create thousands of new jobs. Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said the announcement placed Scotland at the forefront of the UK's "technological revolution". He said: "The up to £750 million investment in Edinburgh's new supercomputer also places Scotland at the cutting edge of computing power globally. " UK Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology, Peter Kyle said: 'From the shipyards of the Clyde to developments in steam engine technology, Scottish trailblazers were central to the industrial revolution. "AI is this generation's next great industrial leap, so who better to help drive that change than a nation with innovation hardwired in its DNA. 'We've set out an ambitious plan to cement our position as a global leader in AI, with Scotland set to play a key role – unlocking fresh investment and new opportunities." Read more from our Edinburgh correspondent: Delays to £10m upgrade of Scotland's biggest sewage plant 'totally unacceptable' Poet pulls out of Edinburgh Book Festival in protest at invitation of Israeli writers Hospitality giant threatened with legal action for leaving Trainspotting pub 'to rot' Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: 'We are harnessing the power of AI to transform our public services, drive innovation and fuel economic growth that puts money in people's pockets. 'As technology advances, our Plan for Change is ensuring we are ahead of the curve, expanding our sovereign AI capabilities so we can make scientific breakthroughs, equip businesses with new tools for growth, and create new jobs across the country.'
