What do giant, years-old urine deposits have to do with climate change? Quite a bit, according to Brian Chase, a paleoclimatologist from the University of Montpelier who has been studying ancient animal urine since 2006. Chase is the principle investigator of the HYRAX project, a study of how urine from a guinea-pig-like animal called the rock hyrax can help us investigate climate change in Africa.
By looking at millennia-old layers of urine in South Africa -- and the pollen, leaves, grasses and gas bubbles within -- researchers have found that Africa (and likely the rest of the world) had periods of significant cooling after the end of the last Ice Age. Chase discussed his team's findings at the annual meeting of the Association for the Advancement of Science in Boston over the weekend.
Rock hyraxes can be found throughout Africa and Asia, and have extremely dependable bathroom habits. They live in colonies of up to 50 of their fellow rock hyraxes in the crevices of rocks. They live in the same spot for generations, using the same communal latrines (middens) for years.

After the end of the last Ice Age, great swaths of melted Arctic ice entered the oceans, dramatically affecting northern Europe. However, the effect on other regions -- especially dry regions like southern and central Africa -- was unclear.
Through studying urine from up to 55,000 years ago, the project has shown that there was significant cooling in South Africa as well. Chase intends for the project to create a precise timeline of historical climate change events in order to better understand their cause.
Five amazing, clean technologies that will set us free, in this month's energy-focused issue. Also: how to build a better bomb detector, the robotic toys that are raising your children, a human catapult, the world's smallest arcade, and much more.


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Sounds like another scientist attempting to suck off the climate change teat
@Imatardbot2
You comment is pointless.
If you want to understand the environment where it has been and maybe where it is going them research like this should be applauded by both sides of the climate change debate. More Fact based evidence is useful if you want the truth.
If you do not want to know the truth then feel free to denigrate legitimate research.
Its a very well known fact that when you link something to climate change your study stands a better chance of getting funding, I really doubt there is any useful information about the climate in rodent urine, and when they come to the same conclusion they will doctor the results to say otherwise, then attempt to get more funding
So you are arguing that any research performed that has any ties to climate science is false? That all data used that explains climate science is fabricated?
And we should all listen to you because you DOUBT that there is any useful info in this study? You apparently doubt everything related to climate science, so listening to your opinion on the matter seems like simply giving up on science.
Anyone that jumps up and shouts I am studying this or that for climate change is suspect of attempting to get some free milk
Suspect all you want. But that doesn't mean you have to bury your head in the sand based on ridiculous conspiracy fears.
There is no conspiracy when it comes to money and figuring out ways to get as much as you can.
also I find it interesting that you know so much about me that you are comfortable putting words into my mouth and guessing where my head is ;0)
There is no guessing where your head is.
You write:
Saying you are studying climate change is a good way to get funding.
You doubt that there is any evidence of climate change in the animal's urine. (Based on 0 knowledge on your part, unless of course you have performed similar studies that you forgot to mention)
You then state as fact that the person performing the research will come to your baseless conclusion.
After that beauty, you claim that the researcher, who you have never met or had any other reason to doubt, will falsify his research in order to get more money.
And you think I am out of place making assumptions about you?
So other then launching a personal attack against me do you have anything of value to add to the conversation?
It seems like to me most proxy data used to reconstruct climate history is poor science at best, one case Micheal Mann and his yamal tree cores, he tossed out all the ones that didn't match his work, and used just 3 out of hundreds, this kind of shenanigans is typical of climate research these days
Remove politics from science and we just might get back on the right track ;0)
Curious as to how you want to proceed with climate research since you doubt everyone performing it?
My addition to this thread is to point out your unwillingness support one man's research because you doubt the research of others. Your comments should be ignored by those undecided on the matter, as you have demonstrated a willing ignorance.
I apologize if you feel the only way to add to the thread is to slander the researcher, not the commenter who does so.
just as I thought nothing to add and a weak attempt at trolling....Fail