Northern Hemisphere

Gardeners across the United States are being advised to rethink the traditional autumn tidy-up. A widely syndicated gardening feature, appearing in numerous regional newspapers, explains which plants should be cut back before winter and which are better left standing. The guidance notes that leaving some seed heads and stems in place can benefit wildlife and garden health, challenging the old habit of clearing everything away.

Photographers are sharing dark, atmospheric pictures of autumn trees and fallen leaves in parks and woods, tagged under seasonal photography themes. The images emphasize muted tones, texture, and shallow depth of field, capturing the moody feel of the season as autumn colors peak across the northern hemisphere.

Researchers at Columbia University's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory say human-driven climate change has delayed the onset of the next ice age. Rising greenhouse gas levels have altered Earth's natural orbital cycles that would otherwise trigger glacial expansion across the Northern Hemisphere. The finding underscores how profoundly industrial emissions have reshaped the planet's long-term climate trajectory.

New satellite observations suggest that as the planet warms, cloud patterns may be shifting so that the poles become cloudier and darker, while northern mid-latitudes receive more sunshine. Scientists tracking these changes say the trend is already detectable from orbit, offering an early signal of how warming could redistribute sunlight and reshape regional climates across the Northern Hemisphere.

As autumn sets in, huge flocks of starlings are once again performing murmurations — swirling, shape-shifting clouds of thousands of birds at dusk. Researchers explain that the displays help birds evade predators, exchange information about food sources, and stay warm before settling to roost. Each bird tracks the movements of a handful of neighbours, producing coordinated patterns without a leader.

A home and garden tip making the rounds says homeowners shredding fall leaves this season may want to skip the lawn mower and use a dedicated leaf shredder instead. The tool mulches leaves more neatly and efficiently, turning yard waste into material that can be composted or used as garden mulch.

Researchers have announced a new discovery connecting the Northern and Southern Hemispheres in the story of Earth's past ice ages, suggesting the two halves of the planet's climate system were more closely linked than previously understood. Details of the finding remain limited, but it sheds light on how glacial periods may have developed across both hemispheres at the same time.

New research suggests the Northern and Southern Hemispheres did not cool in isolation during past ice ages, but worked together to drive global glaciation. The findings, reported by Phys.org, imply that climate changes in one hemisphere can trigger or amplify shifts in the other, reshaping how scientists understand the mechanisms behind Earth's repeated ice age cycles over millions of years.

Advice columns syndicated across multiple US outlets urge gardeners to cut back diseased plants and spent annuals in autumn while leaving stems of perennials, ornamental grasses and seed-bearing flowers standing for wildlife habitat and winter interest. Writers recommend removing only what risks spreading disease, letting hardier growth protect soil and feed birds through the cold months.