Latest news with #Polarstern
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists make jaw-dropping find at base of Antarctic glacier: 'May be greatly underestimated'
Antarctica was once believed to host little biodiversity beyond coastal areas and a few hardy microbes, but a team of scientists has made a shocking discovery beneath a slowly retreating glacier in Antarctica: a bustling network of microbial life. A team of researchers aboard Germany's Polarstern research vessel traveled to the Larsemann Hills on the southern coast of Antarctica to analyze the biodiversity of disturbed soil near the glacier's edge. Their findings, titled "Advocating microbial diversity conservation in Antarctica" and published in Frontiers, revealed 2,829 genetically defined species, and the study revealed associations among these species that suggest that these organisms don't merely coexist; they collaborate to survive. One of the study's authors, Dr. Dirk Wagner, a professor at the GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences and the University of Potsdam in Germany, said, "Here we reveal unexpectedly abundant and diverse microbial community even in these driest, coldest, and nutrient-poorest of soils, which suggest that biodiversity estimates in Antarctic soils may be greatly underestimated." By analyzing both DNA from living and extinct organisms, researchers revealed a dynamic history of life that now provides science with a better understanding of how ecological succession and symbiotic relationships have transformed Antarctica's hostile environment into a hospitable habitat. One of the study's key discoveries is that these organisms cooperate. Cold-loving fungi could be breaking down organic matter to supply bacteria with carbon. Algae and bacteria appear to exchange nutrients, and different species have settled into unique zones proximal to the glacier. These discoveries suggest that this tightly knit ecological network could be the very thing that makes life hospitable in this harsh region. A study published in March found that conserving diverse microbial ecosystems in Antarctica in the face of the changing climate is crucial, as these organisms thrive in extreme conditions and influence nutrient cycling and carbon sequestration. The authors wrote, "By prioritizing microbial conservation, strengthening international cooperation, and integrating protection plans into policy frameworks, we can safeguard these invaluable ecosystems for future generations." Do you think America is in a housing crisis? Definitely Not sure No way Only in some cities Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Singapore orders two more submarines from Germany's TKMS in Kiel
German submarine builder Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) intends to build two additional submarines for Singapore. A contract has been signed for the construction of two more Type 218SG submarines, the company announced in the northern city of Kiel on Thursday. This further increases TKMS's record order book, which currently stands at around €16 billion ($18.1 billion). According to thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, "the order extension can be handled within existing capacities in Germany, despite high capacity utilization until the 2040s." In December 2024, the company received major orders worth billions, including four additional Type 212CD submarines for the German Navy, the new Polarstern research icebreaker, and funding for the project launch of the new F127 frigate generation. Singapore already has four submarines built by Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems in Kiel.
