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03/01/2023 ---- 06/01/2023

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06.01.2023
THEME: ENVIRONMENT

Exceptional temperatures are occurring in Europe: a trend with potentially serious consequences

While the US is dealing with the consequences of the century winter storm, the situation is diametrically opposite in Europe. National temperature records for January have been established in eight countries. For instance, in Warsaw, the temperature reached 18.9C, while in Spain, it went even further to over 25C on January 1. In Switzerland, temperatures hit 20C in Geneva, and the warm weather has affected ski resorts across the Alps due to the absence of snow. Switzerland's Alps are renowned as the water bank of Europe. According to recent studies, Swiss glaciers are melting at an unprecedented and increasing speed. They have lost more than half their volume in less than a century. With the temperature increase in recent years, the volume loss is accelerating. Comparing topographic images of glaciers from the 1930s to those from the last ten years establishes a link between ice loss and global warming. Furthermore, after the heatwaves involving the whole Northern Hemisphere last summer, regions of ground that were covered by ice for thousands of years became exposed due to melting. Ice measurements last summer were off the chart, showing three times more mass loss over one year than the average over the previous ten years. Glaciers are often referred to as the water towers of Europe. They store the winter snow and release it gently over the summer, providing water for Europe's rivers and crops, and cooling its nuclear power stations. Last summer, severe droughts hit Europe, provoking several issues, such as the need to transport drinking water in dry regions. Considering these recent events, the current high temperatures and accelerated melting glaciers are no good news for the old continent. It is uncertain how some large European areas would survive without a constant mountain water source.

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03.01.2023
THEME: WORLD

The first death from brain-eating amoeba infection was reported in South Korea

South Korea has reported its first-ever case of, and subsequent death by, the brain-eating amoeba Naegleria Fowleri. The patient, who died on December 21, had been suffering from meningitis symptoms caused by the pathogen, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) confirmed Monday. In a statement, the KDCA said the patient had experienced fever, headache, vomiting, neck stiffness, and loss of the ability to speak, having returned home recently from a four-month trip to Thailand. N. Fowleri is typically found in freshwater, lakes, rivers, and hot springs. It is the only species of Naegleria that infects humans, and while infections are rare, they are often fatal – the death rate is over 97%. The amoeba enters the body via the nose. It then travels to the brain, where it can cause primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), an infection characterized by the destruction of brain tissue, brain swelling, and eventually death. The organism mainly thrives in warm water and heat and grows best in high temperatures up to 115°F (46°C) but can sometimes survive warmer temperatures. As of 2018, 381 cases have been reported worldwide, mainly from US, India and Thailand. While currently reported cases of this deadly amoeba are rare, as climate change and global warming heat the planet, this heat-loving amoeba may thrive, making infections common.

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