UK Chestnut trees decline in numbers

By from Barnes - 15/11/19 - Science and Nature, UK

Unfortunately, within the next 15 years, 2 million Horse Chestnut trees could be wiped out in the UK, destroying the entire population of this tree in the UK. This is due to ravaging of moths and a tree disease spreading throughout Europe.

Research shows that many Chestnut trees are filled with pests and diseases and many forest fires have wiped out a large number of them. The moths came to Southern England around 13 years ago and they have been wrecking the UK’s population of Chestnuts since 2006. 

Researchers tested the Chestnut trees survival skills and planted some trees that had been germinated and within three years the majority had died and by year five all of them had been wiped out. It turned out that the majority of the trees had been destroyed by moths and caterpillars.

In addition, if chestnut trees were to be wiped out, then the UK Conker Championships would be destroyed, which means the amazing prize of £400,000 wouldn’t be on offer.

“It’s a bit of a concern but I think one of the biggest concerns is the human reaction to it. We’re quite keen to cut the trees down because they represent a bit of a danger to people with branches dropping off once the trees become ill,” says John Burkett, one of the conker championship’s organisers.

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From: Barnes

Coronavirus declared global health emergency

By - 14/02/20 - World
The new coronavirus has been declared a global emergency by the World Health Organization, as the outbreak continues to spread outside China. Hundreds of people in China have died from the virus, mostly in Hubei, with many thousands of cases nationally. This outbreak needs to be neutralized. China has said it will send charter plans to bring back Hubei province residents who are overseas "as soon as possible". A foreign ministry spokesman said this was because of the "practical difficulties" Chinese citizens have faced abroad. Hubei is where the virus emerged in a fish market in the city of  Wuhan. The WHO said there had been dozens of cases in 18 other countries, but only a small number of deaths. Most international cases are in people who had been to Wuhan in Hubei. However in a few cases - in the UK, Germany, Japan, Vietnam and the United States - patients were infected by people who had traveled to China. This is the main reason China has shut its borders down.
Science and Nature
From: St Osmunds

Hedgehogs Are Becoming Extinct

By - 03/03/20 - Science and Nature, UK
When have you last seen a hedgehog? According to the People's Trust for Endangered Species and the British Trust for Ornithology, hedgehog numbers have dropped. It's thought that the number of hedgehogs decreases by five percent each year. In another recent survey (December 2019), The UK hedgehog population, which stood at an estimated 30 million in the 1950s, is now down to about 1 million, with much of the decline in the past two decades, according to the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS). WHY ? An increase in badgers; they are the only animals that can unroll, kill and eat hedgehogs. Their numbers have extended by more than 85% since around 1985. An increase in roads and traffic; collision with vehicles is one of the most common forms of mortality in hedgehog population.   HOW CAN I HELP ? Make a hole in your fence (it doesn't have to be big) so any local hedgehog can get through. Leave food and water so it can eat and drink. Don't cut any hedgerows and let your garden grow wild. Other animals in our British countryside that are endangered are The Scottish wildcat The skylark The small blue butterfly The red squirrel. We hope the government will ensure they get extra attention - and all of us - will make sure they continue to survive and thrive.   By Milena                                                                                                                                                              
From: Barnes

Year of Climate Action

By - 14/02/20 - Science and Nature
On Tuesday 4th February, News Nuggets went on a memorable trip. We all had to get up at 6 o'clock in the morning! We all had the chance to meet Sir David  Attenborough and Boris Johnson. The two groups did three workshops. We talked about landfill with some friendly people, we made mini sand models, we made 'earth dumplings' and we saw a projected globe that showed us what it would be like in the future if we didn't do something about climate change soon. Also, my group got to plant a tree with Sir David Attenborough! All of this was amazing and I feel very privileged to have gone on this memorable trip, which happened at the Science Museum in London. Boris Johnson has promised that this year is the year that we do something to help our planet. Can he be trusted to keep his word? We are all hoping that he can. A big conference is due to occur this coming November to discuss the matter; the politicians need to do something.
From: Barnes

Record Breaking Ant!

By - 14/02/20 - Science and Nature
Usain Bolt, the world's fastest human, has a record of being able to travel 6.2 times his body length in one second. While this is amazing, it is nothing compared to the speeds of the Saharan Silver Ant. The ant can travel at 33.66 inches per second, which, though it may sound like a very minimal amount to us, considering the ant's body length, is actually an immense distance. This length is the ant's body length 108 times over. Though it may just seem like a cool skill, there are other reasons why the Saharan Silver Ant needs to run at this speed. The main one is the heat of the sand. In the Saharan desert (the ant's natural habitat) the temperatures of the sands can soar to heats of over 40 degrees celsius. If the insect were to stay still on the ground, its feet would be burned. Another reason why the ant needs to run at such a speed is because of its predators. The main predator of the Saharan Silver Ant is the Dumérils fringe-fingered lizard. This reptile builds its burrows near Saharan Silver Ant colonies and when they come out to gather food, it hunts and eats them. To prevent this from happening, one ant will stay outside of the colony's nest and when the lizard returns to its burrow, the ant will alert the rest of the colony and they go out to gather food. When a Saharan Silver Ant runs, at times all six of its feet are off the ground. This makes the ant one of the only insects in the world which is able to gallop! Its speed is also the equivalent of a house cat running at 120 mph. As well as a record breaker, this ant is one of the world's most amazing creatures.