Accessible pictures
A latest research calls into query the long-standing assumption that male mammals are typically bigger than females, Jonathan Lambert reported in “Mammal measurement rule wants rethinking” (SN: 4/6/24, p. 12).
Reader Bernard Larner identified that the chart within the story displaying charges of sexual measurement dimorphism in numerous mammalian orders was not accessible to individuals who have red-green shade blindness.
A gray-scale model of that chart, which is interpretable to those that have red-green shade blindness, is proven within the sidebar beneath.
Charges of sexual measurement dimorphism in choose mammalian orders
Science Information is dedicated to creating our tales accessible to all readers. We usually run charts by means of a color-blind checker earlier than publication, however we missed this one.
We recognize our readers for preserving us accountable.
Potassium’s local weather potential
A number of strategies goal to strip extra carbon dioxide from the environment and stash it within the ocean to assist sluggish local weather change. However extra analysis is required on how these strategies may affect ecosystems, Carolyn Gramling reported in “Ocean to the rescue” (SN: 4/6/24, p. 22).
One potential technique to improve the ocean’s uptake of carbon dioxide is to extend the water’s acid-buffering capability by including finely floor alkaline minerals, Gramling reported.
Reader Brian Graham puzzled whether or not potassium hydroxide, sourced from used alkaline batteries, may do the trick. Repurposing used batteries on this approach would additionally cut back the waste that results in landfills, he famous.
Graham’s out-of-the-box thought is fascinating, but it surely’s unclear whether or not it could be economically enticing, Gramling says.
Used alkaline batteries comprise numerous components, together with potassium hydroxide, zinc oxide, metal and plastic. None of those supplies are notably worthwhile, Gramling says. They can be costly to course of, creating boundaries to recycling to recuperate the uncooked supplies.
“There isn’t actually a market on the market proper now for particularly recovering the potassium hydroxide from the waste,” Gramling says.
What’s extra, researchers would nonetheless want to check the environmental affect of dumping extra potassium into the ocean, Gramling says.
