Science Quickly Mosquitoes Invade Iceland, Earth Darkens, and Bird Flu Returns
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Oct 27, 2025 Iceland is now home to mosquitoes for the first time, a surprising sign of climate change's reach. With the planet's albedo decreasing, the effects could accelerate global warming. The resurgence of bird flu poses significant threats to agriculture, impacting turkey prices dramatically. Meanwhile, a study links urinary tract infections to contaminated meat, while hopeful news shines through: peanut allergies in toddlers are on the decline, and North Atlantic right whales are showing signs of recovery.
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Mosquitoes Reach Iceland
- Iceland, long thought mosquito-free, now has confirmed wild mosquitoes after an enthusiast found three specimens.
- The discovery highlights warming Arctic conditions that may let mosquitoes establish there.
Northern Hemisphere Is Getting Darker
- Scientists report Earth's albedo is decreasing, with the northern hemisphere darkening faster than the south.
- Less ice, more water vapor and warming feedbacks could amplify heat absorption and accelerate global warming.
Bird Flu Surge With Migration
- Bird flu cases are rising again with southern bird migration increasing contact between wild and domestic birds.
- Outbreaks have killed millions of farmed birds and disrupted monitoring due to a government shutdown.