New research by University of Utah biologists uncovers how aspen trees  'remember' past drought in their leaves. Concentrations of chemical compounds that protect aspens from insects and pathogens rise and fall in the years after exposure to drought.

As oceans warm, some corals may hold the key to reef survival. New research reveals that heat tolerance varies not only between coral species, but also among populations living in different environments. One Hawaiian coral species from cooler, wave-exposed waters withstood significantly more heat stress than its counterparts, while another showed similar tolerance across locations. The findings reveal why understanding coral diversity and environmental history is critical to identifying resilient corals and guiding restoration efforts as marine heat waves intensify.

Reaching net zero sooner would limit long-lasting changes to El Niño and the tropical Pacific, new climate modelling suggests, although heat stored deep in the ocean means changes to the tropical Pacific could persist for centuries. 

To the point:

Late arrivals: Birdwatchers' observations show that New Zealand banded dotterels reach Australia after fall migration about four days later each year on average, cutting their estimated stay in their non-breeding residencies by about a quarter in just over a decade.

Climate change connections: The delay is linked to changes in Southern Ocean westerly winds, bringing New Zealand calmer, milder weather in winter.

Potential loss of behaviour: If this trend continues, scientists suspect the migration could all but disappear, leaving most birds in New Zealand all year.