Himalayas

When the Swiss and Italian governments got together to redraw the alpine border that divides the two countries last year, due to rapidly retreating glaciers, it put into stark focus a challenge that is expected to face many nations that have natural structures that mark territories.

Scientists in the UK have conducted an analysis of satellite data and uncovered a trend of new vegetation growth at high altitudes in the Himalayas, with the expanding coverage of plant life in-line with climate change modeling.

Declassified spy satellite photos have revealed that compared to the last quarter of the 20th century, Himalayan glaciers have been melting twice as fast this century. In a rare piece of good news, a separate study has shown that a Greenland glacier has gained ice for the third year in a row.

The Yeti is a folklorish figure, but physical evidence like hair and bones has been found. Now, an international team of scientists has conducted one of the most detailed DNA studies to date on some of these samples, and uncovered what may be behind the legends of the so-called Abominable Snowman.

The WWF has released a report which details more than 350 new species scientists have discovered in the eastern Himalayas over the past decade, including the world's smallest deer.