Earthweek: a diary of the planet

Canadian researchers say they have found that dairy cows can be either optimistic or pessimistic from an early age, influencing their ability to cope with stress. A study by the University of British Columbia says this has implications for how human dispositions are related to outcomes in life and mental health. The scientists identified cows as fearful, pessimistic, optimistic or sociable, and how each type reacted to stressful situations. Their reactions were determined by measuring eye temperatures of the animals, which are elevated by stress. The calves characterized as pessimistic were more vocal and had higher eye temperatures under stress.

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Texas scientists say they have discovered dozens of new species of exotic bacteria in extremely hot deep-sea ocean sediment that appear to have the ability to consume hydrocarbons such as methane and butane to survive and thrive. The researchers say the microbes might be harnessed to curb the concentrations of some greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and someday help clean up oil spills. The bacteria, found in the Gulf of California, are so genetically different that they represent new branches in Earth’s tree of life. Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano may have reached the end of an eruption that has gone on almost continually for 35 years. The record-long eruption was punctuated this year by devastating lava flows. But no lava has emerged for three months, the longest pause since the eruption began in 1983.