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Warming oceans may force New Zealand’s sperm and blue whales to shift to cooler southern waters

<p>The world’s oceans are absorbing more than <a href="https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/science/climate-issues/ocean-impacts" target="_blank" rel="noopener">90% of the excess heat and energy</a> generated by rising greenhouse gas emissions.</p> <p>But, as the oceans keep warming, rising sea temperatures generate unprecedented cascading effects that include the melting of polar ice, rising seas, marine heatwaves and ocean acidification.</p> <p>This in turn has profound impacts on marine biodiversity and the lives and livelihoods of coastal communities, especially in island nations such as New Zealand.</p> <p>In our latest <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X22007075?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noopener">research</a>, we focused on great whales – sperm and blue whales in particular. They are crucial for maintaining healthy marine ecosystems, but have limited options to respond to climate change: either adapt, die, or move to stay within optimal habitats.</p> <p>We used mathematical models to predict how they are likely to respond to warming seas by the end of the century. Our results show a clear southward shift for both species, mostly driven by rising temperatures at the sea surface.</p> <h2>Computing the fate of whales</h2> <p>Data on the local abundance of both whales species are <a href="https://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v690/p201-217/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">deficient</a>, but modelling provides a powerful tool to predict how their range is likely to shift.</p> <p>We used a <a href="http://macroecointern.dk/pdf-reprints/AraujoNew2007.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">combination of mathematical models</a> (known as correlative species distribution models) to predict the future range shifts of these whale species as a response to three future climate change scenarios of differing severity, as outlined by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (<a href="https://www.ipcc.ch/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">IPCC</a>).</p> <p>We applied these models, using the whales’ present distributions, to build a set of environmental “rules” that dictate where each species can live. Using climate-dependent data such as sea-surface temperature and chlorophyll A (a measure of phytoplankton growth), as well as static data such as water depth and distance to shore, we applied these rules to forecast future habitat suitability.</p> <p>We chose a scenario of “<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00177-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">modest</a>” response to cutting greenhouse gas emissions (the IPCC’s mitigation strategy RCP4.5), which is the most likely given the current policies, and a worst-case scenario (no policy to cut emissions, RCP8.5), assuming the reality will likely be somewhere between the two.</p> <p>Our projections suggest current habitats in the ocean around the North Island may become unsuitable if sea-surface temperatures continue to rise.</p> <p>These range shifts become even stronger with increasing severity of climate change. For sperm whales, which are currently abundant off Kaikōura where they support eco-tourism businesses, the predicted distribution changes are even more evident than for blue whales, depending on the climate change scenario.</p> <p>While our results do not predict an overall reduction in suitable habitat that would lead to local extinctions, the latitudinal range shifts are nevertheless bound to have important ecological consequences for New Zealand’s marine ecosystems and the people who depend on them.</p> <h2>How whales maintain ecosystems</h2> <p>Great whales are marine ecosystem engineers. They modify their habitats (or create new ones), to suit their needs. In fact, these activities create conditions that other species rely on to survive.</p> <p>They engineer their environment on several fronts. By feeding in one place and releasing their faeces in another, whales convey minerals and other nutrients such as nitrogen and iron from the deep water to the surface, as well as across regions. This process, known as a “<a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0013255" target="_blank" rel="noopener">whale pump</a>”, makes these nutrients available for phytoplankton and other organisms to grow.</p> <p>This is very important because phytoplankton contributes about <a href="https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/plankton-revealed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">half of all oxygen to the atmosphere</a> and also captures <a href="https://www.imf.org/Publications/fandd/issues/2019/12/natures-solution-to-climate-change-chami" target="_blank" rel="noopener">about 40% of all released carbon dioxide</a>. By helping the growth of phytoplankton, whales indirectly contribute to the <a href="https://theconversation.com/tiny-plankton-drive-processes-in-the-ocean-that-capture-twice-as-much-carbon-as-scientists-thought-136599" target="_blank" rel="noopener">natural ocean carbon sink</a>.</p> <p>On top of this, each great whale accumulates about <a href="https://www.arcticwwf.org/the-circle/stories/protecting-the-earth-by-protecting-whales/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">33 tonnes of carbon dioxide in their body</a>, which they take to the ocean floor when they die and their carcass sinks.</p> <p> </p> <figure></figure> <p> </p> <p>Ultimately, the impact of warming oceans on whale distribution is an additional stress factor on ecosystems already under pressure from wider threats, including acidification, pollution and over-exploitation.</p> <h2>A way forward to help whales</h2> <p>Sperm whales are the largest toothed whales (odontocetes) and deep-diving apex predators. They primarily feed on squid and fish that live near the bottom of the sea.</p> <p>Blue whales are baleen whales (mysticetes) and filter small organisms from the water. They feed at the surface on zooplankton, particularly dense krill schools along coastlines where cold water from the deep ocean rises toward the surface (so-called <a href="https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/upwelling.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">upwelling areas</a>).</p> <p>These differences in feeding habits lead to divergent responses to ocean warming. Blue whales show a more distinct southerly shift than sperm whales, particularly in the worst-case scenario, likely because they feed at the surface where ocean warming will be more exacerbated than in the deep sea.</p> <p>Both species have important foraging grounds off New Zealand which may be compromised in the future. Sperm whales are currently occurring regularly off Kaikōura, while blue whales forage in the South Taranaki Bight.</p> <p>Despite these ecological differences, our results show that some future suitable areas around the South Island and offshore islands are common to both species. These regions could be considered sanctuaries for both species to retreat to or expand their habitat in a warming world. This should warrant <a href="https://environment.govt.nz/assets/Publications/Files/Environmental-Report-Card-Marine-Areas-with-Legal-protection_0.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">increased protection of these areas</a>.</p> <p><strong>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/warming-oceans-may-force-new-zealands-sperm-and-blue-whales-to-shift-to-cooler-southern-waters-188522" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.</strong></p> <p><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Family fatally unplugs COVID ventilator to plug-in air cooler

<p>A man who was suspected of having coronavirus has died after family members allegedly unplugged the ventilator he was connected to so they could plug in an air cooler. </p> <p>The 40-year-old man was admitted to the intensive care unit of Maharao Bhim Singh Hospital in Kota, Rajasthan in India on 13th June.</p> <p>According to<em> </em><a rel="noopener" href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/kota-hospital-ventilator-covid-19-6466969/" target="_blank" class="_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtflink"><em>The Indian Express</em></a>, he was shifted into an isolation ward on 15th June after another patient in the ICU tested positive for coronavirus.</p> <p>His family members visited and brought along an air cooler with them, but were unable to find an extra socket to plug it into.</p> <p>It's alleged that they unplugged the man's ventilator which ran out of power half an hour later.</p> <p>The family members alerted medical staff who performed CPR, but the man died.</p> <p>Hospital superintendent Dr Naveen Sazena said that a three-member hospital committee would investigate the incident and report on the patient's cause of death.</p> <p>It is currently unclear why family members were able to visit a patient in the isolation ward.</p> <p>The family had brought the air cooler as the hospital's air conditioning had been turned off to limit the spread of coronavirus. </p> <p>Temperatures inside the hospital reportedly were around the 40-degree mark as a result, but the family members did not ask medical staff for permission to use the air cooling unit. </p>

Body

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Why this Aussie summer hotspot is better to visit in the cooler months

<p>Thousands of Australians head to Port Stephens for their annual summer break every year, and it’s easy to see why. This gorgeous corner of NSW’s pristine Hunter Region has some of the most idyllic scenery in the country, making it the perfect spot to surf, swim or simply sit back on the balcony and enjoy the warm summer breeze.</p> <p>There’s no shortage of reasons to visit Port Stephens in the summer. But if you’ve already been there and are looking to see a different side of this region, we’d recommend waiting a couple of months before booking your next trip.</p> <p><strong>You avoid the crowds</strong></p> <p>In summer, it can sometimes seem like every man and his dog has popped up in Port Stephens, jostling for the same accommodation, restaurant table and patch of sand at the beach. But this is a completely different story in the cooler months.</p> <p>Not only will the rates be better, but you won’t have to wait for a table, or in line at any of the region’s attractions, and it can seem like you have the whole beach to yourself.</p> <p><strong>Still plenty of things to do</strong></p> <p>And despite what the dispersal of tourists throughout the year might suggest, Port Stephens doesn’t simply close during the cooler months. There’s still plenty to see and do, and Port Stephens has a plethora of eateries, bars and cafés that are open all year round. The beaches are still great for walking, and the hikes are easier to manage. Oh, and if you’ve got a sweet tooth a visit to King Street Confectionary at Raymond Terrace is a must.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hOTag9jwkpY" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p><strong>Whale watching</strong></p> <p>But the jewel in the crown of Port Stephens during the cooler parts of the year is the whale watching. The great whale migration on the east coast of Australia makes Port Stephens the place to be for whale watchers, and with an 98,000-hectare marine park literally on your doorstep you relish your time in this hidden paradise.</p> <p>What are your thoughts? Have you been to Port Stephens?</p>

International Travel

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How to reduce rosacea flare-ups as the weather gets cooler

<p>Sufferers of rosacea tend to experience redness on the face as well as dry or puffy eyes. It can also spread to the scalp, chest, neck and ears.</p> <p>Despite there being no specific cure for rosacea, those who experience it know all too well that it can flare up for various reasons.</p> <p>Certain foods, alcohol, stress, illness, sensitivity to beauty products, and even the weather can cause a bout of rosacea.</p> <p>Some of these factors you can control, but when the weather starts cooling down, there are a few things you can do to keep the redness at bay.</p> <p><strong>1. Sleep</strong></p> <p>You may not have known this, but sleep deprivation can exacerbate the symptoms of rosacea. Ensure you are getting a good night’s sleep – give yourself a bedtime if that helps.</p> <p><strong>2. Moisturise</strong></p> <p>You need to keep your skin well nourished, but the trouble is that many rosacea sufferers find traditional creams hinder rather than help. That’s because the fragrances and harsh ingredients can bring on rosacea. Look out for a lotion that is fragrance free, contains no harsh ingredients (think alcohol, menthol, witch hazel or peppermint) and one that contains sun cream. Do a patch test first to check for sensitivity, as not all creams will suit all skin types.</p> <p><strong>3. Humidifiers</strong></p> <p>Speaking of moisture, dry air can also wreak havoc with your skin. Put some moisture back in the air with a humidifier. Ensure that you leave any essential oils out of the machine, as these can cause symptoms to worsen.</p> <p><strong>4. Avoid changes in temperature</strong></p> <p>Moving from cold to hot environments can trigger a flare up, so avoid places such as spas, saunas and steam rooms if you suffer from rosacea. You can also try covering up your face with a light scarf when you are moving from a warm house into the cold wind to protect yourself.</p> <p>Do you have any tips for rosacea sufferers that can help in the cooler months? Let us know in the comments below.</p>

Beauty & Style

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How to take care of your heart in cooler months

<p><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.drrosswalker.com/" target="_blank">Dr Ross Walker</a></span> is a leading integrative cardiologist, endocrinologist and author, specialising in the field of preventative cardiology.</strong></em></p> <p>We caught up with expert Dr Ross to find out what we should be doing to keep our hearts healthy through the cooler months.</p> <p><strong>Why cold weather has an adverse effect on our heart</strong></p> <p>Cold weather tends to vasoconstrict our arterial system. This can lead to reduced blood flow to certain areas of the body and also has the tendency to raise blood pressure.</p> <p>The other issue with cold weather is that it reduces the local immunity in the respiratory tract and thus predisposes an individual to a variety of winter related infections such as influenza. A recent study from the University of New South Wales clearly showed that having a yearly flu vaccination over the age of 50 reduced heart attack rate by 30%. Infections, such as influenza can activate the immune system and thus the inflammatory response which is a vital component contributing to all forms of cardiovascular disease.</p> <p><strong>The best way to eat in winter</strong></p> <p>It is my opinion that we should be following the same diet throughout the year. The best studied diet is the Mediterranean diet, which has a strong emphasis on healthy natural foods including fruit and vegetables, whole grains, small amounts of meat, fish, chicken, nuts and olive oil. I strongly suggest people minimise their intake of processed package foods along with what I call white death: sugar, white bread, white rice, and potatoes.</p> <p><strong>The best way to exercise</strong></p> <p>Especially for people over 50 but even for younger individuals, exercising in the cold, first thing in the morning is not particularly healthy. In all people, exercising in the cold does increase the risk for musculoskeletal injuries. When an older person exercises in the cold, the vasoconstriction of the blood vessels and the rise in blood pressure, especially early in the morning, does predispose for heart attack.</p> <p>The best time, especially in winter, to exercise is between the hours of 2-6 PM and it is vitally important to warm up correctly before performing any vigorous exercise. The suggested dose of exercise at any time of the year is 3-5 hours per week. Interestingly, the people who exercise more than 5 hours per week tend to lose the health benefits, although they may appear fitter.</p> <p><strong>Maintaining a good body temperature</strong></p> <p>The best way to maintain a good body temperature is to clearly avoid extremes of cold and to wear appropriate clothing for the environment.</p> <p><strong>Taking the right vitamins</strong></p> <p>Take specific supplements to help prevent infections. These include olive leaf extract, garlic, vitamin C and Echinacea. Maintaining heart health in general may be assisted by a variety of supplements which includes Bergamet Pro plus, Ubiquinol, magnesium Orotate, vitamin K 2 and Ateronon, which is a concentrated form of lacto lycopene.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/health/body/2016/06/4-ways-to-reduce-stress-on-your-heart/"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">4 ways to reduce stress on your heart</span></strong></em></a></p> <p><a href="/health/body/2016/03/signs-you-might-have-a-heart-attack/"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">6 signs you could be at risk of a heart attack</span></strong></em></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/relationships/2016/05/study-reveals-broken-heart-is-deadly/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">A broken heart can be deadly</span></em></strong></a></p>

Body

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10 clever ways reduce bills in cooler months

<p>Electricity bills seem to be too high, even at the best of times. And they can often peak in the cooler months, as we use more appliances to warm ourselves up.</p> <p>But this needn’t necessarily be the case.</p> <p>We’re going to take a look at 10 clever ways to reduce bills in the cooler months. Follow these tips and you’ll be able to avoid any nasty surprises in the mail! </p> <p><strong>1. Check the temperature of your fridge and freezer</strong></p> <p>Of course we need to keep our perishables chilled, but there’s no reason to have our appliances putting in overtime. Try to keep your fridge between 2°C and 6°C, and your freezer between -11°C and -23°C. Any cooler and you’re just wasting electricity.</p> <p><strong>2. Use candles in the bathroom</strong></p> <p>A few strategically-placed candles can reduce the need for bathroom lighting during the evening, with the added bonus of masking any unpleasant odours.</p> <p><strong>3. Do your washing on a cold setting</strong></p> <p>Depending on your machine, warm wash settings can use up to 90 per cent more electricity than their cold wash counterparts, so switch to a cold wash setting.</p> <p><strong>4. Turn off the lights when you’re leaving a room</strong></p> <p>This one may seem like a little bit of a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised to know how many people still leave their lights on when they’re not in the room.</p> <p><strong>5. Dress in layers</strong></p> <p>When the temperature drops your first instinct might be to reach for the nearest bar heaters or adjust the thermostat. But, if you think about it, dressing in layers and wrapping yourself snugly in a blanket can be just as effective (and it won’t cost you a cent!).</p> <p><strong>6. Use the sun to your advantage</strong></p> <p>It might be freezing cold outside, but the sun’s rays can still be used to bring some heat to your home. If you’ve got a side of the house that sees the sunlight during the day, make sure you take advantage of it by keeping your curtains open.</p> <p><strong>7. Seal up any leaks or cracks</strong></p> <p>While they might seem tiny, the cumulative effect of the small leaks in your home is equivalent to leaving a window open all year. Simply pop down to your local hardware store, get an inexpensive expanding foam or caulk and seal up the cracks.</p> <p><strong>8. Tiny portable heaters</strong></p> <p>When it comes to heating your home bigger isn’t necessarily better. Instead of using a power draining reverse cycle air conditioner or heating system, consider using a smaller, portable heater and only using it when you really need it.</p> <p><strong>9. Shut the doors to unoccupied rooms</strong></p> <p>Keeping the doors to unoccupied rooms shut can help trap heat in these rooms, and avoid it dissipating due to the effect of the cooler hallway.</p> <p><strong>10. Powerpoint outlet timers</strong></p> <p>Many of these products have automatic settings that turn appliances off after a certain internal which can be a great way to save on electricity.</p> <p>Do you have any tips for cutting down on power bills in the cooler months? Have you tried any of those that we mentioned in the article?</p> <p>Let us know in the comments.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/finance/money-banking/2016/05/4-reasons-paying-too-much-mobile-phone/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>4 reasons your mobile phone bill is too large</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/finance/money-banking/2016/04/8-items-you-should-stop-paying-for-today/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>8 items you should stop paying for today</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/finance/money-banking/2016/04/10-random-acts-of-charity/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>10 random acts of charity</strong></em></span></a></p>

Money & Banking

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How to winter-proof your eyesight. Yes, you need to look after it in the cooler months

<p>While the sun might not come out as bright – or quite as much – during winter it’s still important to care for your eyes in accordance with the changed weather conditions. Here’s what you need to know. </p> <p><strong>Dry eyes</strong></p> <p>The most common eye complaint during winter is that constant feeling of dry eyes. The burning, itchy and watering sensation is most often caused by low humidity levels inside building that are blasting the heat. Spending time outside on windy days can also cause irritation to the eyes. If you’re suffering from dry eyes, here’s what to do:</p> <ul> <li>Drink extra fluids to keep your body well-hydrated</li> <li>Use lubricating eye drops to help moisten eyes</li> <li>Wear glasses or sunglasses outdoors on a windy day to protect eyes from the drying effects of the wind</li> <li>Use a humidifier in areas with indoor heating to alleviate dryness in the air</li> </ul> <p><strong>Contact lens-wearers</strong></p> <p>The harsh winter air tends to affect contact lens wearers most. In particular, soft contact lenses need a lot of moisture. If they begin to dry out, they can change shape and stick to the eye causing eyes to become painful and cloudy. Keep eye drops that are suitable with contact lenses close-by and wear glasses if eyes are feeling particularly dry.</p> <p><strong>Sunglasses at the snow</strong></p> <p>It may be brisk but if you’re holidaying away at the snow, make sure you wear your sunglasses. Snow conditions doubles the sun’s damaging effects as UV rays enter your eyes from above as well as being reflected off the snow.</p>

Eye Care