Botanical gardens are not just beautiful—they can cool the city air by 5°C during heatwaves, according to the most comprehensive review of its kind led by the University of Surrey. Parks and wetlands have a similar effect. The study analysed how green spaces and waterways cool down cities and towns. Prof. Prashant Kumar, Director of Surrey’s Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE), said: “We have known for some time that green spaces and water can cool cities down. However, this study provides us the most comprehensive picture yet. What’s more—we can explain why. From trees providing shade, to evaporating water cooling the air.” Up to a point, the bigger the park—the bigger the cooling effect. Cities can unlock greater benefits by connecting green spaces into ‘green corridors’. Greening projects can also remove carbon emissions and even help prevent flooding.

Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/

Earth’s inner core is undergoing structural transformation. Located 3000 miles below the Earth’s surface, the inner core is anchored by gravity within the molten liquid outer core. Until now the inner core was widely thought of as a solid sphere. A new study indicates that the near surface of the inner core may undergo viscous deformation, changing its shape and shifting at the inner core’s shallow boundary. The surface of the Earth’s inner core may be changing, says the new study from USC scientists that detected structural changes near the planet’s center, published recently in Nature Geoscience. The changes of the inner core has long been a topic of debate for scientists. However, most research has been focused on assessing rotation.

Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/