Climate change is outpacing species’ ability to adapt

+ cars and other threats to wildlife; immune system balance US Edition - Today's top story: Lizards, fish and other species are evolving with climate change, but not fast enough [View in browser]( US Edition | 22 November 2023 [The Conversation] [The Conversation]( Negotiators will come to the COP28 climate conference next week to discuss plans to mitigate the harms of climate change. One aspect that does not typically make headlines from these U.N. confabs is the dangers a hotter planet brings to plants and animals. Two researchers who are experts in evolutionary biology – Michael Moore from the University of Colorado Denver and James Stroud from the Georgia Institute of Technology – survey the literature on whether species other than our own will be able to adapt to climate change, and their bottom line is not encouraging. “Scientific studies show that climate change is [occurring much faster than species are changing](,” they write. They recap a number of studies that examine the different ways that species are already responding to climate change, including through rapid evolutionary adaptation or migration. For me, and I suspect a lot of other people, the coronavirus pandemic served as a crash course in virology. Peter Kasson, a professor of molecular physiology and biomedical engineering at the University of Virginia, provides insight into how researchers are seeking to prevent the next pandemic by gaining a deep understanding of [how viruses infect cells in different ways](. He writes that coronaviruses are prompting scientists to reexamine how viruses bind to human cells and thus pose a pandemic risk. One of the most useful types of stories we do here at The Conversation is tapping scientists to explain public health concerns. In this case, two University of Pittsburgh infectious disease experts, Alexander Sundermann and Daria Van Tyne, write about [an FDA warning on eye drop contamination](, which stems from a bacterial outbreak. They explain what consumers can do (check those labels and expiration dates) and how manufacturers can reduce these types of risks. Also in this week’s science news: - [Quantum computing’s next big milestone]( - [Don’t think you’re smart enough to detect deepfakes]( - [Rethinking gender roles in hunter-gatherer societies]( If there’s a subject you’d like our team of science editors to investigate, please reply to this email. Martin LaMonica Director of Editorial Projects and Newsletters Today's newsletter supported by [The74]( Temperature sensitivity makes western fence lizards vulnerable to climate change. Greg Shine/BLM [Lizards, fish and other species are evolving with climate change, but not fast enough]( Michael P. Moore, University of Colorado Denver; James Stroud, Georgia Institute of Technology From dark dragonflies becoming paler to plants flowering earlier, some species are slowly evolving with the climate. Evolutionary biologists explain why few will evolve fast enough. Surface proteins on a virus enable it to attach to and get inside a cell to start replicating. koto_feja/E+ via Getty Images [How do viruses get into cells? Their infection tactics determine whether they can jump species or set off a pandemic]( Peter Kasson, University of Virginia Viruses can get into cells in several ways. Figuring out how to stop them from entering in the first place is a key to developing better vaccines and stopping future pandemics. This is the second FDA alert this year on contaminated eye drops. eternalcreative/iStock via Getty Images Plus [FDA’s latest warnings about eye drop contamination put consumers on edge − a team of infectious disease experts explain the risks]( Alexander Sundermann, University of Pittsburgh; Daria Van Tyne, University of Pittsburgh A bacterial contamination of the work environment at facilities that produce eye drops can lead to severe infections and even death, as was the case earlier in 2023. [Digitized records from wildlife centers show the most common ways that humans harm wild animals]( Tara K. Miller, University of Virginia; Richard B. Primack, Boston University Hundreds of wildlife rehabilitation centers across the US and Canada treat sick and injured animals and birds. Digitizing their records is yielding valuable data on human-wildlife encounters. [Immune health is all about balance – an immunologist explains why both too strong and too weak an immune response can lead to illness]( Aimee Pugh Bernard, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Dietary supplements claim to be able to ‘boost your immune system’ to combat disease. But attaining immune balance through a healthy lifestyle and vaccination is a safer bet to keep in good health. [Cranberries can bounce, float and pollinate themselves: The saucy science of a Thanksgiving classic]( Serina DeSalvio, Texas A&M University Cranberries add color and acidity to Thanksgiving menus, but they also have many interesting botanical and genetic features. [Thank gluten’s complex chemistry for your light, fluffy baked goods]( Kristine Nolin, University of Richmond Ever wonder why bakers spend so long kneading their dough? They’re trying to form a gluten network, which helps the bread rise. - [How do crystals form?]( Natalie Bursztyn, University of Montana There are a lot of myths about crystals − for example, that they are magical rocks with healing powers. An earth scientist explains some of their amazing true science. - [Thanksgiving sides are delicious and can be nutritious − here’s the biochemistry of how to maximize the benefits]( Julie Pollock, University of Richmond The turkey doesn’t have to be the star this Thanksgiving. Vegetable side dishes are packed with nutrients − depending on how you prepare them, they can help keep you energized this holiday season. - [Pooling multiple models during COVID-19 pandemic provided more reliable projections about an uncertain future]( Emily Howerton, Penn State; Cecile Viboud, National Institutes of Health; Justin Lessler, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Policymakers rely on models during uncertain times to figure out how their choices could affect the future. Over the pandemic, an ensemble of many COVID-19 models outperformed any one alone. - [Forensic anthropologists work to identify human skeletal remains and uncover the stories of the unknown dead]( Madeline Atwell, Clemson University; Katherine Weisensee, Clemson University Forensic anthropologists are specialized scientists who analyze the skeletal remains of the recently deceased to help authorities figure out who the person was and what happened to them. - [No, you’re not that good at detecting fake videos − 2 misinformation experts explain why and how you can develop the power to resist these deceptions]( Sam Wineburg, Stanford University; Michael Caulfield, University of Washington When you view photos and video through the fog of war, first ask yourself: Do I really know what I’m looking at? - [Forget dystopian scenarios – AI is pervasive today, and the risks are often hidden]( - [What is quantum advantage? A quantum computing scientist explains an approaching milestone marking the arrival of extremely powerful computers]( - [Forget ‘Man the Hunter’ – physiological and archaeological evidence rewrites assumptions about a gendered division of labor in prehistoric times]( - [This Thanksgiving − and on any holiday − these steps will help prevent foodborne illness]( - Like this newsletter? You might be interested in our weekly emails: [Politics Weekly]( • [This Week in Religion]( • [Weekly Highlights]( • [Global Economy & Business]( - - About The Conversation: We're a nonprofit news organization dedicated to [helping academic experts share ideas with the public](. We can give away our articles thanks to the help of foundations, universities and readers like you. [Donate now to support research-based journalism]( [The Conversation]( You’re receiving this newsletter from [The Conversation]( 303 Wyman Street, Suite 300 Waltham, MA 02451 [Forward to a friend]( • [Unsubscribe](