Latest news with #NaturalHistoryMuseum
CTV News
2 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Rescued giant moths emerge from cocoons in Mexico's sprawling capital
CORRECTS BUTTERFLY TO MOTH - A moth emerges from a cocoon while hanging from a clothesline in the gardens of the Natural History Museum in Mexico City, Thursday, May 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte) MEXICO CITY — Two moths the size of a hand, their wings patterned with brown and pink around four translucent sections, mate for hours hanging from a line alongside cocoons like the ones they emerged from just hours earlier. 'When I get here and find this, I jump with delight,' said María Eugenia Díaz Batres, who has been caring for insects at the Museum of Natural History and Environmental Culture in Mexico City for nearly six decades. The mating pair of 'four mirrors' moths as they're popularly known in Mexico, or scientifically as Rothschildia orizaba, are evidence that the museum's efforts to save some 2,600 cocoons rescued from an empty lot were worth the trouble. The moths, whose numbers have fallen in Mexico City due to urbanization, have cultural relevance in Mexico. 'The Aztecs called them the 'butterfly of obsidian knives,' Itzpapalotl,' Díaz Batres said. 'And in northern Mexico they'd fill many of these cocoons with little stones and put them on their ankles for dances.' These cocoons arrived at the museum in late December. 'They gave them to us in a bag and in a box, all squeezed together with branches and leaves, so my first mission was to take them out, clean them,' Díaz Batres said. Mercedes Jiménez, director of the museum in the capital's Chapultepec park, said that's when the real adventure began since they had never received anything like this before. Díaz Batres had the cocoons hung in any place she thought they might do well, including her office where they hang from lines crisscrossing above her table. It has allowed her to watch each stage of their development closely. The moths only survive for a week or two as adults, but they give Díaz Batres tremendous satisfaction, especially when she arrives at her office and new moths 'are at the door, on the computer.' So she tries to help them 'complete their mission' and little by little their species recovers. María Verza, The Associated Press
Boston Globe
4 days ago
- Science
- Boston Globe
China to launch mission to capture pieces of an unusual asteroid
If Tianwen-2 pulls this off, China will become the third nation — after Japan and the United States — to retrieve pristine material from an asteroid. 'All Chinese planetary scientists are now finger-crossed for this historic mission,' said Yuqi Qian, a lunar geologist at the University of Hong Kong. Advertisement The spacecraft also has a secondary target, an unusual comet that it could study as part of an extended mission. Visiting these objects will help reveal more about the building blocks of the worlds of the inner solar system. And as asteroids can pose an impact risk to Earth, missions to study the structures and mineral makeups of these objects can aid planning to deflect or vaporize them. 'A sample return mission is a gift that keeps on giving,' said Sara Russell, a planetary scientist at London's Natural History Museum. Advertisement While fragments of asteroids reach Earth's surface periodically, they are contaminated and altered when they plummet through the atmosphere. Scientists prefer untouched matter from the source, brought back to study in ultraclean laboratories. 'Sample return missions allow us to pick apart the physical and chemical properties of a body in a level of detail that's not possible with remote observations by telescopes and spacecraft,' said Ashley King, a meteoriticist also at the London museum. China's space agency has executed two successful sample return missions to the moon — in 2020 and 2024. But Tianwen-2 (Tianwen is often translated as 'Questions to Heaven') is China's first foray into asteroid sample return. Kamoʻoalewa, the asteroid it will visit, is somewhat peculiar. As a quasi-satellite earlier known as 2016 HO3, it loops around Earth, but it is not a true moon because it is gravitationally bound to the sun. Recent telescopic observations suggest it is made of the same volcanic matter found on the moon, implying that it is a piece of the lunar surface shorn off by a meteor impact. 'Kamoʻoalewa, therefore, potentially holds key information about the formation and evolution of the Earth-moon system,' King said. However 'its origins remain an open question,' said Benjamin Sharkey, a planetary astronomer at the University of Maryland who made those recent telescopic observations. He said he was excited that Tianwen-2 was going to bring some of the asteroid home for study, which should close the case of Kamoʻoalewa's origins. Kamoʻoalewa can get within 9 million miles of Earth, making it an easy target to reach. But diving down to sample it is risky. 'The sample collection and return are hardest,' Russell said, 'because humans have only a very limited amount of experience in doing both.' Advertisement The asteroid may be only 130 feet across — a small target. Its rapid rotation, about once every 28 minutes, poses additional challenges. 'You need to find ways to either grab the sample without landing or a way to hang on as it spins,' King said. China's spacecraft may try doing both. 'Tianwen-2 will use two methods to collect samples from Kamoʻoalewa,' Qian said. The first is 'Touch and Go,' a method employed by the US and Japanese asteroid missions: The spacecraft briefly makes contact with the object, kicks up the surface using compressed gas or a fired projectile, and captures jettisoned rocks before the spacecraft flees the scene. The second method, 'Anchor and Attach,' has never been tested. Using a series of drills, Tianwen-2 will try to adhere to the asteroid before retrieving both shallow and deeper samples. If Tianwen-2 navigates those dangers and eventually drops its bits of Kamoʻoalewa to Earth, it will then fly to the Comet 311P/PanSTARRS, arriving in the early 2030s to study it remotely. Tianwen-2 is more than just a scientific sleuth. It is also a technological steppingstone for China's ambitious Tianwen-3 mission. Due to launch in 2028, it aims to retrieve rock samples from Mars and return them to Earth. A comparable effort led by the United States to achieve the same goal is facing major hurdles. This article originally appeared in
The Independent
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Number Sixteen, London hotel review
Location With its discreet, column-framed entrance squeezed between private residences on Sumner Place, Number Sixteen enjoys the serenity of SW7, while being just steps from some of London 's most celebrated museums. From this terrace of white mid-Victorian stucco in South Kensington, it's a short stroll to the Natural History Museum, Science Museum and the V&A, as well as high-end shopping in Harrods and the big brands of Brompton Road. South Kensington Underground Station is just a three-minute walk away for the Piccadilly, Circle and District lines linking into the city. After check-out, it's less than a 20-minute taxi to Victoria and Paddington stations for connections further afield. The vibe It can be hard to find unpretentious class in the capital, but this flamboyantly feminine hotel does well to bring the grandeur and warmth of a country estate to west London. The boutique bolthole is part of Firmdale Hotels' townhouse collection and is emblazoned with signature interiors by co-founder Kit Kemp. Décor is a war of textures, styles and colours with cosy corners in clashing prints and random animal motifs; an eclectic masterclass in all things mismatched. Still, a sense of homely tranquillity prevails. Naturally lit, characterful and intimate, this is the sort of stay that would make travellers want to move to London. The service You can expect a warm welcome once you've found this hotel's subtle front door. Staff are on hand around the clock, attentive, armed with recommendations and willing to show guests the ropes of the honesty bar. Service at dinner was personable and prompt, with honest à la carte suggestions, and the coffees kept coming while I worked from the garden before check-out. Bed and bath All 41 rooms at Number Sixteen are individually dressed and feature washed linens, vintage fabrics and flirty florals. Room categories range from single to superior, some summer or winter themed, others with a small balcony. Wallpaper is more modern English than garish, but it's the bespoke headboards that take centre stage beneath the high ceilings with dressmakers' mannequins to match. King-sized beds are unfathomably comfortable beside antique wooden wardrobes, whilst upholstery in shades of pistachio, hot pink and periwinkle feels calming rather than chaotic. Some rooms are without terrace or courtyard views, but all have an in-room mini bar, televisions, radios, best-in-class robes and a pillow mist to aid shut-eye. Bathrooms – a mix of walk-in showers or tubs – are done out in grey granite and oak and come with RikRak products. Food and drink An airy conservatory with vases of flowers and French doors out to a small garden – a meal at the Orangery feels more like a homemade dinner at a friend's than an SW7 restaurant. Prosciutto-wrapped melon, decadent cheddar croquettes and fish and chips are served on forest-themed fine china. If you've room for pudding, order a classic Eton mess or the cheeseboard featuring British styles. Breakfast showcases the best of British fare, with Old English sausages and Stornoway black pudding. A table of toast and preserves, fresh fruit and pastries accompanies every 'egg on English muffin' combination, best taken outside to enjoy under a mulberry tree. For leisurely lunches, afternoon tea is served daily with tried-and-tested finger sandwich combinations and a selection of tea infusions. As for tipples in the small hours, there's a stocked honesty bar of beers, wine and spirits in the library alongside a 24-hour room service menu. Facilities The ground floor is home to a string of stylish public spaces – the Drawing Room, Library and Orangery – each with playful art installations, along with the hotel's whimsical private garden. In the garden, there is a water lily-planted Koi carp pond, a pagoda and a collection of sage green tables for dining outdoors. You won't find a gym or spa at the hotel, but there is a menu of in-room massage treatments to lean into from Soholistic. Some rooms in this listed townhouse are wheelchair accessible. Although there is a small lift, many rooms are only accessible via the stairs. Pet policy Dogs and other furry friends are not permitted at Number Sixteen. Check in/check out Check in from 3pm; check out by 12pm. Family-friendly? Yes. Room categories can accommodate a cot or extra bed, with interconnecting options and children's amenities including mini bathrobes, kids' menus and milk and cookies served at bedtime. At a glance Best thing: The lofty, Princess and the Pea-style beds. Perfect for: Couples after a colourful home from home. Instagram from: The pretty courtyard garden.
Daily Mail
23-05-2025
- Science
- Daily Mail
The birds so full of plastic they 'crack and crunch': Heartbreaking images lay bare the devastating impact of Earth's pollution
It's not a sound commonly associated with birds. But a colony of flesh-footed shearwaters 'crack and crunch' because they've consumed so much plastic, experts have revealed. Lord Howe, a small volcanic island off Australia's east coast, is home to around 44,000 shearwaters – also known as mutton birds. Once born, their chicks are in their burrows for 90 days and should be getting a diet of fish and squid from their parents. But mum and dad are accidentally feeding them meals of plastic – including balloon clips, pieces of LEGO, pen lids, bottle tops and wheels from a toy car. Scientists once found a record 778 pieces of plastic in an 80-day-old seabird chick. And they say every single bird now has 50 or more pieces in their stomach. Dr Alex Bond, senior curator in charge of birds at the Natural History Museum, has been documenting threats to the island's bird life since 2009. 'The parents lay one egg a year and that hatches in late January,' he said. 'The parents then spend the next three months going out into the Tasman Sea, collecting food or plastic, bringing it back and feeding the chick.' Plastic can account for up to 10 per cent of the chick's total body weight, leaving no room for real food. Dr Bond explained that plastic can also absorb toxins in the ocean, end up in a bird's stomach and release these toxins into the bloodstream. Along with scientists from the Esperance Tjaltjraak Native Title Aboriginal Corporation and the University of Tasmania, he has been measuring contaminants in the birds' blood and feathers. They also study tissue damage to the birds' internal organs, and examine plastic from inside their stomachs. Sadly, they find dead or dying birds on Lord Howe Island's beaches most mornings. Once chicks emerge from their burrows they head for the water. Those which are too weak to face the ocean can easily be rolled by the waves and drown. The team take the birds back to their lab and empty their stomachs – most of which are filled with countless large chunks and pieces of plastic. They also flush the stomachs of living birds by gently pumping seawater into them, which causes the bird to vomit it back up into a bucket. Anything they have eaten that is lodged in their belly – such as plastic – comes back up with it. 'These are chicks that have been accidentally fed all this plastic by their parents,' Dr Bond said. 'They haven't even fledged the nest yet by the time this amount of rubbish accumulates in their systems, but they will eventually be expected to migrate from Australia to Japan on their own. 'With that amount of material inside them, many will never make it.' He said in some instances, he can feel and hear 'crunching' when holding the birds. Previous studies into the birds have found that those with the most plastic in their stomachs have higher concentrations of toxic contaminants in their tissues. In 2023 Dr Bond and his team came up with the name 'plasticosis' to describe the disease where plastic repeatedly digging into the bird's stomach can cause irritation. Population data suggests that the number of flesh-footed shearwaters on Lord Howe island has dropped significantly. The Natural History Museum says people can help by cutting down on single-use plastics like water bottles and coffee cups, and recycling where possible. Concerned citizens should report birds tangled in plastic or other debris to help scientists understand more about the scale and spread of plastic pollution. HOW DOES PLASTIC KILL TURTLES? Sea turtles live in the ocean and feed on vegetation and algae floating in the waters. Unfortunately, many pieces of litter discarded by humans pollute these waters and resemble food. The sea turtles mistake them for nutrition and consume them. This plastic then enters their digestive tract and causes havoc to the animal's innards. A study in 2018 found eating a single piece of plastic increases the turtles chance of death. Researchers found there it caused a one in five chance of death - rising to 50 per cent for 14 pieces. Turtles have a digestive tract which means they are physically incapable of regurgitation. Once something has been eaten, it stays in the animal unless it can be defecated. Once inside the animal, if a piece of plastic covers an organ or blocks a key canal, it can create a fatal blockage. Plastic blockages stopping the passing of food or faeces can kill turtles, but harder pieces can also inflict fatal internal injuries.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
City attraction scoops prestigious award
A Peterborough visitor attraction has scooped a major accolade at a glitzy London awards ceremony. Railworld Wildlife Haven was founded in 1985 and is a museum dedicated to the world of rail, but is also a site for nature and wildlife. It won Sustainable Project of the Year at the Museums and Heritage Awards, beating competition including from the likes of the Natural History Museum. The event organisers said the attraction had "showcased an incredible vision and dedication", with Railworld describing itself as having "crazy, passionate volunteers". The awards ceremony was held at the Hilton Hotel in London last week. Railworld won the joint top category prize for its "Entertain and Educate about our Amazing Planet" project, along with Stourbridge's Glass Museum for its eco-friendly upcycled glass exhibition. Brian Pearce, 76, the chairman of Railworld, said: "When we saw that the Natural History Museum were in it [our category], we thought we'd have no chance." Attractions manager Becky White, 45, said it was wonderful to see the volunteers getting rewarded for their efforts, with the site celebrating its 40th anniversary. "We have about 20 volunteers from all walks of life and they give so much, and hopefully make such a difference to the people of Peterborough and beyond," she said. The award was supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and she hoped in future it could help provide a financial boost, as it looks to rebuild a Victorian railway station building at the site. Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Project to move old railway station needs £150,000 Documentary to reveal unseen 'hover train' footage Numbering bricks enables old station to be rebuilt Museums and Heritage Awards Railworld Wildlife Haven
