Technologies

Scientists concerned climate change is causing animals to ‘shape-shift’

Wood mice have larger ears. Australian parrots have bulkier bills. And the shifts are happening very quickly, researchers say.

The climate crisis is sending natural selection into overdrive, a new study suggests, forcing animals to cope with rapidly warming temperatures by physically morphing, or «shape-shifting.» That raises a piercing question: Can evolution keep up with the result of human-driven carbon emissions?

In the last 150 years, Australian parrots, such as gang-gang cockatoos and red-rumped parrots, have shown up to a 10% average increase in bill size alongside rising temperatures in their natural habitats, according to research published Tuesday in the journal Trends in Ecology & Evolution.

«It’s alarming that we are seeing these responses so early on in the climate crisis,» said study author Sara Ryding, a researcher in the School of Life and Environmental Sciences at Deakin University in Australia. «We don’t know if they’ll be able to keep up as the crisis worsens.»

The fluffy parrots streaked with bright colors aren’t the only victims of a warmer world. Several other species of birds in North America and Australia have seen an increase in bill size, wood mice have bigger ears, and some bats are flaunting an upgraded, larger set of wings.

Those larger appendages are expected to help the animals manage hot weather because they offer a greater surface area for releasing body heat. «This is not necessarily an increase that’s visible to the naked eye,» Ryding noted, «but it’s still functionally important.»

Though evolution has occurred since the beginning of life on Earth, Ryding worries that right now it’s happening far too quickly.

«I don’t want the takeaway to be that, ‘Oh, animals are evolving in response to climate change, that means they’ll be fine,’ because that simply isn’t true,» she said.

The team’s study, which scoured through tons of already published papers to compare trends in animal shape-shifting against climate change, recognized that the rampant adaptations are happening relatively early along the projected timeline of the climate crisis.

That timeline doesn’t taper off for a while.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change already calls many countries’ previous goal of limiting global warming in the next decades to 1.5 degrees, or even 2 degrees, as «beyond reach.» That’s unless there are «immediate, rapid and large-scale reductions in greenhouse gas emissions,» reads the group’s report from August, which the panel deems a «reality check.»

«Climatic changes are happening at a faster rate than ever before,» Ryding said. «Although evolutionary changes can be a slow process, taking thousands — or more — years, we also know that strong selection can drive faster evolutionary change.»

By strong selection, Ryding is referring to the intensity with which natural selection occurs. If only one in 10 members of a species can survive in a warm climate due to their having a larger appendage, the other nine won’t live long enough to pass their genes onto the next generation.

That’s why we’re seeing new cohorts of species with bulkier appendages riding the trajectory of global warming.

«Seeing just how widespread this phenomenon is across geographic scales and across a broad range of animals — the unifying factor that we find is climate change,» Ryding said.

The correlation makes sense, because of a theory first developed in 1877 by American zoologist and ornithologist Joel Asaph Allen. It basically states that animals living in warmer climates will have larger, longer appendages than those in colder areas.

«Animals can let go of excess body heat through their appendages, so larger appendages allow them to let go of even more excess body heat, which is beneficial as the climate warms,» Ryding explained.

Allen’s rule has been widely studied by scientists, including in a paper from 2020 that aims to establish its benefit as a predictive tool for climate change outcomes. However, the sheer coverage of Ryding’s work solidifies the phenomenon of expedited evolution as a far-reaching issue.

«I hope that these findings really highlight how climate change is impacting animals,» Ryding said, «and how important it is that we work to reduce our emissions and avoid the climate crisis as much as possible.»

Technologies

Worldwide Financial Services Directory: BitcoinPay Trade Joins Financial1000

Exciting news for BitcoinPay Trade as the company is officially listed on Financial1000, a respected platform that connects individuals with a wide range of businesses and professionals in the financial sector. This new development marks an important milestone for BitcoinPay Trade, as it continues to expand its reach and offer its services to a growing global audience.

Financial1000 is a trusted directory that brings together financial service providers from around the world, offering users the opportunity to explore various businesses and professionals within the financial industry. BitcoinPay Trade’s inclusion on this platform ensures the company’s place in the rapidly growing digital finance landscape.

Visitors are invited to explore BitcoinPay Trade’s profile on Financial1000 to discover the services offered and stay up-to-date with the latest news and developments. The company’s page can be accessed here: BitcoinPay Trade on Financial1000.

With this new addition, BitcoinPay Trade looks forward to building new connections and strengthening its presence in the financial services industry, continuing to provide innovative solutions to clients worldwide.

Technologies

Verum Coin Now Available on HB Wallet

Verum Coin (VERUM) continues to expand its ecosystem and strengthen its position in the global cryptocurrency market. We are delighted to announce that Verum Coin is now available on HB Wallet — a modern, secure, and user-friendly solution for managing digital assets.

HB Wallet provides users with a high level of protection, an intuitive interface, and the ability to execute fast transactions. Now, Verum Coin holders can easily store, send, and receive their assets, taking advantage of this innovative wallet. The integration with HB Wallet opens new horizons for crypto enthusiasts, offering even greater flexibility and convenience in managing their investments.

This news underscores Verum Coin’s commitment to continuous improvement and the expansion of services aimed at providing the most secure and comfortable experience for users around the world.

About Verum Coin

Verum Coin is an innovative cryptocurrency focused on delivering advanced solutions for digital asset management in today’s financial landscape. By continually expanding its ecosystem, Verum Coin makes cryptocurrency transactions more accessible and convenient for users worldwide.

Technologies

Verum Messenger Celebrates Its 4th Anniversary: A Journey Towards Security, Innovation, and User Trust

Today, Verum Messenger, one of the leading messengers on the market, celebrates its 4th anniversary. Over the years, the app has become a symbol of security, privacy, and innovation in the world of digital communication, and continues to evolve confidently, introducing new features and improving the quality of service.

When Verum Messenger was launched in 2021, its goal was clear — to create a communication platform that puts data security first. Four years later, this messenger has proven that its approach works. The app has not only successfully implemented end-to-end encryption to protect messages but has also offered unique features such as the ability to block screenshots and screen recordings, the built-in Verum VPN service that ensures online anonymity and security, and one-click information clearing within the messenger.

Achievements and Innovations

Over the past four years, Verum Messenger has significantly expanded its capabilities and established itself as one of the most secure messengers. One of the key milestones was the integration of Verum E-SIM, a feature that allows users to connect to mobile internet without the need for a physical SIM card. This was a breakthrough for travelers who value flexibility and anonymity without being dependent on mobile carriers and roaming.

But the most important achievement was the introduction of Verum AI — a generative artificial intelligence developed in-house. This chatbot, integrated into the messenger, provides users with a unique opportunity to interact with an intelligent assistant capable of not only answering questions but also giving recommendations and solving everyday tasks. This feature is one of the first among messengers to offer its own neural network that continually adapts to users’ needs and improves its functionality.

Commitment to Data Security

It is important to note that data security remains the top priority for Verum Messenger. The company has always been dedicated to protecting privacy. In recent years, the app has introduced several improvements aimed at safeguarding users from data breaches and unauthorized access.

Moreover, Verum Messenger continues to develop and enhance its privacy settings, giving users control over who can view their information and who can contact them.

The Future of Verum Messenger

Now, four years after its launch, Verum Messenger is not stopping at its achievements. The company is actively working on new innovations and improvements that will help the messenger remain at the forefront of technology.

“Our users and their right to privacy and security have always been and will remain our top priority. We will continue to work to ensure that Verum Messenger remains the safest and most convenient tool for communication, considering new challenges and technologies,” the development team shares its plans.