The warming climate could make us shorter over time, suggests new research that found that mammals in the past had responded to extreme global warming events by shrinking in size.

While this mammalian dwarfism has previously been linked to the largest of the warming events, the new research has found that this evolutionary process can happen in smaller such events as well.

The findings could help shape an understanding of underlying effects of current human-caused climate change.

"We know that during the largest of these hyperthermals, known as the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum, or PETM, temperatures rose an estimated nine to 14 degrees Fahrenheit and some mammals shrank by 30 percent over time, so we wanted to see if this pattern repeated during other warming events," said lead author of the study Abigail D'Ambrosia, a doctoral student at University of New Hampshire.

"The hope is that it would help us learn more about the possible effects of today's global warming," D'Ambrosia said.

In the study, published in the journal Science Advances, researchers collected teeth and jaw fragments in the fossil-rich Bighorn Basin region of Wyoming in the US. 

Their focus was on several early mammals including Arenahippus, an early horse the size of a small dog, and Diacodexis, a rabbit-sized predecessor to hoofed mammals.

Using the size of the molar teeth as a proxy for body size, the researchers found a statistically significant decrease in the body size of these mammals during a second, smaller, hyperthermal, called the ETM2. 

Arenahippus decreased by about 14 per cent in size, and the Diacodexis by about 15 per cent.

"We found evidence of mammalian dwarfism during this second hyperthermal. However, it was less extreme than during the PETM," D'Ambrosia said. 

The researchers believe that the body change could have been an evolutionary response to create a more efficient way to reduce body heat. 

A smaller body size would allow the animals to cool down faster. Nutrient availability and quality in plants may have also played a role. 

Previous research shows that both the warming events considered in this study coincided with increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and that could have limited nutrient quality in plants, which may have contributed to the smaller mammal body size. 

The carbon dioxide released during both hyperthermals has a similar footprint to today's fossil fuels, the study said.

The warming climate could make us shorter over time, suggests new research that found that mammals in the past had responded to extreme global warming events by shrinking in size.

While this mammalian dwarfism has previously been linked to the largest of the warming events, the new research has found that this evolutionary process can happen in smaller such events as well.

The findings could help shape an understanding of underlying effects of current human-caused climate change.

"We know that during the largest of these hyperthermals, known as the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum, or PETM, temperatures rose an estimated nine to 14 degrees Fahrenheit and some mammals shrank by 30 percent over time, so we wanted to see if this pattern repeated during other warming events," said lead author of the study Abigail D'Ambrosia, a doctoral student at University of New Hampshire.

"The hope is that it would help us learn more about the possible effects of today's global warming," D'Ambrosia said.

In the study, published in the journal Science Advances, researchers collected teeth and jaw fragments in the fossil-rich Bighorn Basin region of Wyoming in the US. 

Their focus was on several early mammals including Arenahippus, an early horse the size of a small dog, and Diacodexis, a rabbit-sized predecessor to hoofed mammals.

Using the size of the molar teeth as a proxy for body size, the researchers found a statistically significant decrease in the body size of these mammals during a second, smaller, hyperthermal, called the ETM2. 

Arenahippus decreased by about 14 per cent in size, and the Diacodexis by about 15 per cent.

"We found evidence of mammalian dwarfism during this second hyperthermal. However, it was less extreme than during the PETM," D'Ambrosia said. 

The researchers believe that the body change could have been an evolutionary response to create a more efficient way to reduce body heat. 

A smaller body size would allow the animals to cool down faster. Nutrient availability and quality in plants may have also played a role. 

Previous research shows that both the warming events considered in this study coincided with increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and that could have limited nutrient quality in plants, which may have contributed to the smaller mammal body size. 

The carbon dioxide released during both hyperthermals has a similar footprint to today's fossil fuels, the study said.

Rajasthan Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria on Friday assured the arrest of the culprits in the Churu murder case within two months.

When BSP MLA Manoj Kumar raised the issue during the Zero Hour, Kataria said the victim, identified as Man Singh, was murdered on March 11 in Rajgarh area of Churu.

The accused Mahesh who had taken Man Singh along with him on a motorcycle is absconding and will be arrested soon.

Kumar said the minor daughter of Singh was allegedly gangraped in 2015 and one of the main accused, Vikas Jat, had got his name removed from the FIR.

Jat was pressurising the girl's father to withdraw the case and when he refused, he got him murdered, Kataria said.

The minister said he was seized of the facts and will get the matter investigated impartially. All the accused in both the cases of gangrape and murder will be arrested in next two months, he added.

During the Zero Hour, Independent MLA Hanuman Beniwal referring to a decision by a committee headed by chief secretary to transfer pasture lands for mining purpose demanded from the government to withdraw the decision.

Stating that lack of fodder leads to death of cattle he claimed the government was not serious for this and was instead planning to hand over the pasture lands for mining purpose.

He also raised the issue of deaths of cows in Hingaunia gaushala in 2016 and demanded from the government to not go ahead with the decision.

Rajasthan Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria on Friday assured the arrest of the culprits in the Churu murder case within two months.

When BSP MLA Manoj Kumar raised the issue during the Zero Hour, Kataria said the victim, identified as Man Singh, was murdered on March 11 in Rajgarh area of Churu.

The accused Mahesh who had taken Man Singh along with him on a motorcycle is absconding and will be arrested soon.

Kumar said the minor daughter of Singh was allegedly gangraped in 2015 and one of the main accused, Vikas Jat, had got his name removed from the FIR.

Jat was pressurising the girl's father to withdraw the case and when he refused, he got him murdered, Kataria said.

The minister said he was seized of the facts and will get the matter investigated impartially. All the accused in both the cases of gangrape and murder will be arrested in next two months, he added.

During the Zero Hour, Independent MLA Hanuman Beniwal referring to a decision by a committee headed by chief secretary to transfer pasture lands for mining purpose demanded from the government to withdraw the decision.

Stating that lack of fodder leads to death of cattle he claimed the government was not serious for this and was instead planning to hand over the pasture lands for mining purpose.

He also raised the issue of deaths of cows in Hingaunia gaushala in 2016 and demanded from the government to not go ahead with the decision.

The BJP Goa unit on Friday said it will send legal notices to Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Girish Chodankar for what it dubbed "baseless defamatory statements" against the ruling party and its legislators.

Legal notices will be sent to Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi and Girish Chodankar for defamatory statements, including one that the Goa BJP spent Rs.1,000 crore to lure non-Congress MLAs for forming the new government in the coastal state, BJP Goa unit President Vinay Tendulkar said.

He said the legal notices will be issued to both "either by Friday evening or Saturday morning".

"They have made wild and baseless accusations. We are not going to take it lightly," Tendulkar said.

On Wednesday, Congress Secretary Chodankar claimed the Bharatiya Janata Party spent around Rs.1,000 crore to lure non-Congress MLAs to join the Manohar Parrikar government.

Chodankar said state BJP General Secretary Sadanand Tanavde was in the know of the payout to the MLAs, which Tanavde denied and said the party had "not even given him five paise".

On the same day, Gandhi said in Delhi that money power was used for buying MLAs in Goa by the BJP.

Chodankar said he will face the legal battle on his alleged defamatory statement.

"They can do whatever they want. I am willing to face them. The BJP will also have to answer why three helicopters landed at Goa airport soon after a senior central minister arrived in the state. What were the helicopters carrying? Crackers from Delhi," Chodankar said.

The BJP won 13 seats in the February 4 assembly elections and formed a government led by Manohar Parrikar with the support of non-Congress MLAs. It won the vote of confidence 22-16 in the Goa Assembly on Thursday.

The 22 MLAs who supported the motion included those of the Bharatiya Janata Party (minus the pro-tem Speaker), three each of Goa Forward and Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, three Independents and Nationalist Congress Party MLA Churchill Alemao.

The Congress, which emerged as the single largest party with 17 MLAs in the 40-member assembly, accused Governor Mridula Sinha of a partisan and biased attitude against the Congress.

The BJP Goa unit on Friday said it will send legal notices to Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Girish Chodankar for what it dubbed "baseless defamatory statements" against the ruling party and its legislators.

Legal notices will be sent to Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi and Girish Chodankar for defamatory statements, including one that the Goa BJP spent Rs.1,000 crore to lure non-Congress MLAs for forming the new government in the coastal state, BJP Goa unit President Vinay Tendulkar said.

He said the legal notices will be issued to both "either by Friday evening or Saturday morning".

"They have made wild and baseless accusations. We are not going to take it lightly," Tendulkar said.

On Wednesday, Congress Secretary Chodankar claimed the Bharatiya Janata Party spent around Rs.1,000 crore to lure non-Congress MLAs to join the Manohar Parrikar government.

Chodankar said state BJP General Secretary Sadanand Tanavde was in the know of the payout to the MLAs, which Tanavde denied and said the party had "not even given him five paise".

On the same day, Gandhi said in Delhi that money power was used for buying MLAs in Goa by the BJP.

Chodankar said he will face the legal battle on his alleged defamatory statement.

"They can do whatever they want. I am willing to face them. The BJP will also have to answer why three helicopters landed at Goa airport soon after a senior central minister arrived in the state. What were the helicopters carrying? Crackers from Delhi," Chodankar said.

The BJP won 13 seats in the February 4 assembly elections and formed a government led by Manohar Parrikar with the support of non-Congress MLAs. It won the vote of confidence 22-16 in the Goa Assembly on Thursday.

The 22 MLAs who supported the motion included those of the Bharatiya Janata Party (minus the pro-tem Speaker), three each of Goa Forward and Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, three Independents and Nationalist Congress Party MLA Churchill Alemao.

The Congress, which emerged as the single largest party with 17 MLAs in the 40-member assembly, accused Governor Mridula Sinha of a partisan and biased attitude against the Congress.

The national capital has been struggling to meet its power demand even as it has been witnessing power struggle between the governments – the Centre and the Delhi government led by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. While the endless conflict in the corridors of powers may hinder many real issues, there could be a ray of hope for the citizens troubled by power outage.

The Delhi government solar power policy targets 2,000 MW solar power generation by 2022, and it would meet eight per cent requirement in the capital, according to the government.

“Delhi solar policy targets will provide around 2,000 MW Solar power by 2022. Overall, it will meet about eight per cent energy requirement in the capital,” Minister Satyendar Kumar Jain told thestatesman.com in an exclusive interview.

According to the government's statistics, power demand peaks at 11 am and 3 pm. In view of it, the Delhi Government is working to meet up to 500 MW of those peaking power demand.

“Consumer-end-solar-power will also help in mitigating problem of overloading of distribution network and may reduce lower tension (LT) level breakdowns,” the health minister, who is also minister, Power, PWD Industries, Transport & Urban Development, said.

When asked about the new announcement in the renewable energy sector for the capital, the minister replied, “We have made provision of Rs.20 crore for 2017-18 towards generation-based Incentive".

"As per the current market trend, solar installations cost between Rs.55,000-Rs.60,000 per KW without subsidy. We are hopeful in getting better response,” Jain added.

Kejriwal had on June 6, 2016 announced the Delhi government's ambitious policy to make the capital a solar city, as a part of its clean energy movement. Now, the policy is scheduled to roll out in April.

The Delhi government is already on toes to make the city a solar one. For instance, the Delhi Secretariat is first of its kind in India to run on renewable energy, i.e solar power. This initiative by the Delhi government has made them save over Rs 1 crore in the last one year.

The national capital has been struggling to meet its power demand even as it has been witnessing power struggle between the governments – the Centre and the Delhi government led by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. While the endless conflict in the corridors of powers may hinder many real issues, there could be a ray of hope for the citizens troubled by power outage.

The Delhi government solar power policy targets 2,000 MW solar power generation by 2022, and it would meet eight per cent requirement in the capital, according to the government.

“Delhi solar policy targets will provide around 2,000 MW Solar power by 2022. Overall, it will meet about eight per cent energy requirement in the capital,” Minister Satyendar Kumar Jain told thestatesman.com in an exclusive interview.

According to the government's statistics, power demand peaks at 11 am and 3 pm. In view of it, the Delhi Government is working to meet up to 500 MW of those peaking power demand.

“Consumer-end-solar-power will also help in mitigating problem of overloading of distribution network and may reduce lower tension (LT) level breakdowns,” the health minister, who is also minister, Power, PWD Industries, Transport & Urban Development, said.

When asked about the new announcement in the renewable energy sector for the capital, the minister replied, “We have made provision of Rs.20 crore for 2017-18 towards generation-based Incentive".

"As per the current market trend, solar installations cost between Rs.55,000-Rs.60,000 per KW without subsidy. We are hopeful in getting better response,” Jain added.

Kejriwal had on June 6, 2016 announced the Delhi government's ambitious policy to make the capital a solar city, as a part of its clean energy movement. Now, the policy is scheduled to roll out in April.

The Delhi government is already on toes to make the city a solar one. For instance, the Delhi Secretariat is first of its kind in India to run on renewable energy, i.e solar power. This initiative by the Delhi government has made them save over Rs 1 crore in the last one year.

Britain's intelligence agency Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) has denied the White House claims that it helped former President Barack Obama "wiretap" Donald Trump during the 2016 US presidential campaign.

GCHQ said in a statement that the claims repeated by White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer on Thursday were "utterly ridiculous" and ought to be ignored.

The claims of GCHQ involvement were initially made by former US judge Andrew Napolitano earlier this week and were later repeated by Spicer at a press briefing on Thursday, reported the Guardian on Friday.

"Judge Andrew Napolitano made the following statement, quote, 'Three intelligence sources have informed Fox News that President Obama went outside the chain of command (to spy on Trump). He didn't use the NSA, he didn't use the CIA … he used GCHQ,'" Spicer had said.

A GCHQ spokesperson said: "Recent allegations about GCHQ being asked to conduct 'wiretapping' against the then President-elect are nonsense. They are utterly ridiculous and should be ignored."

The denial came as the Senate Intelligence Committee announced it had found no evidence that Trump Tower had been under surveillance in 2016, contrary to Trump's previous claims that his predecessor Barack Obama had ordered wiretapping, reported BBC. 

"Based on the information available to use, we see no indications that Trump Tower was the subject of surveillance by any element of the United States government either before or after Election Day 2016," committee chair Richard Burr said in a statement on Thursday.

Tim Farron, leader of the Liberal Democrats Party, said Trump was "compromising the vital UK-US security relationship to try to cover his own embarrassment".

Britain's intelligence agency Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) has denied the White House claims that it helped former President Barack Obama "wiretap" Donald Trump during the 2016 US presidential campaign.

GCHQ said in a statement that the claims repeated by White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer on Thursday were "utterly ridiculous" and ought to be ignored.

The claims of GCHQ involvement were initially made by former US judge Andrew Napolitano earlier this week and were later repeated by Spicer at a press briefing on Thursday, reported the Guardian on Friday.

"Judge Andrew Napolitano made the following statement, quote, 'Three intelligence sources have informed Fox News that President Obama went outside the chain of command (to spy on Trump). He didn't use the NSA, he didn't use the CIA … he used GCHQ,'" Spicer had said.

A GCHQ spokesperson said: "Recent allegations about GCHQ being asked to conduct 'wiretapping' against the then President-elect are nonsense. They are utterly ridiculous and should be ignored."

The denial came as the Senate Intelligence Committee announced it had found no evidence that Trump Tower had been under surveillance in 2016, contrary to Trump's previous claims that his predecessor Barack Obama had ordered wiretapping, reported BBC. 

"Based on the information available to use, we see no indications that Trump Tower was the subject of surveillance by any element of the United States government either before or after Election Day 2016," committee chair Richard Burr said in a statement on Thursday.

Tim Farron, leader of the Liberal Democrats Party, said Trump was "compromising the vital UK-US security relationship to try to cover his own embarrassment".

With more suicide cases of farmers pouring in from across the state, opposition Congress and BJP members on Friday continued to create ruckus in the assembly leading to adjournment of the House for the fourth consecutive day.

As the House assembled for the question hour, Congress legislators rushed to the Well and demanded discussion on the farmers' suicide cases through an adjournment motion.

They shouted anti-government slogans as the Congress' notice was not accepted by the Speaker.

Unable to run the House amidst the din, Speaker Niranjan Pujari adjourned it for an hour till 11.30 am.

However, when the House reassembled, Congress and BJP members created pandemonium again, forcing Pujari to adjourn the House till 12.50 pm and again till 3 pm.

Both Congress and BJP have been demanding constitution of a House Committee to probe the farmers suicide cases. They alleged that the enquiry by district collectors into farmers' suicide cases were not impartial.

In all the incidents, the administration claimed that the farmers committed suicide not due to agriculture related matter, but for other reasons.

With more suicide cases of farmers pouring in from across the state, opposition Congress and BJP members on Friday continued to create ruckus in the assembly leading to adjournment of the House for the fourth consecutive day.

As the House assembled for the question hour, Congress legislators rushed to the Well and demanded discussion on the farmers' suicide cases through an adjournment motion.

They shouted anti-government slogans as the Congress' notice was not accepted by the Speaker.

Unable to run the House amidst the din, Speaker Niranjan Pujari adjourned it for an hour till 11.30 am.

However, when the House reassembled, Congress and BJP members created pandemonium again, forcing Pujari to adjourn the House till 12.50 pm and again till 3 pm.

Both Congress and BJP have been demanding constitution of a House Committee to probe the farmers suicide cases. They alleged that the enquiry by district collectors into farmers' suicide cases were not impartial.

In all the incidents, the administration claimed that the farmers committed suicide not due to agriculture related matter, but for other reasons.

Putting together the services of Fire officers working under various departments in Haryana, the state government has set up Directorate of Fire Service.

Separate Department of Urban Local Bodies-cum-Fire Service has been created under which the services of all Fire officers or officials working in various Fire stations under Municipalities and Fire Stations of Market Committees, under Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board, in the state will be integrated with effect from coming April 1.

An official spokesperson from Urban Local Bodies Department said that the services of these officers and officials would be under the control of newly created Directorate of Fire Service. This will be in accordance with the Haryana Fire Service Act,2009 and as per the provisions contained in Haryana Fire Service, Group-A,B,C and D, Rules 2016, he added.

The expenditure in connection with their service would be met out of the consolidated fund of the state with effect from April 1. Also,all assets and liabilities of Fire Service of local authorities would stand transferred and vest in the government under the control of Directorate of Fire Service, Haryana with effect from April 1.

At least 26 Somali refugees were killed, including women and children, as their boat was hit by an airstrike near Yemen's Mandeb Strait, security officials said on Friday.

The officials said it is not known who launched the projectile and that dozens of those who were hurt have been transferred to the Al Hudaydah port in the Red Sea, Efe news reported.

The influx of immigrants to Yemen, enroute to other countries, continues despite the war, which has left some 17 million Yemenis – two-thirds of the country's population – in need of urgent aid to avoid risk of death from hunger in the coming months.

Yemen is currently facing the deadliest starvation crisis in the world, according to a United Nations assessment on food security and nutrition. 

Senior BJP leader Trivendra Singh Rawat will become the ninth Chief Minister of Uttarakhand. Fifty-six year old Trivendra was elected as the legislative party leader of the BJP in a meeting held in Dehradun on Friday. The stage is now clear for the CM to take oath, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah in the state capital on Saturday. 

Initially over half a dozen names were in the race for the top post. But, the final race got reduced to Trivendra, Satpal Maharaj and Prakash Pant. It is said that veteran BJP leader and Nainital Member of Parliament Bhagat Singh Koshyari backed Rawat. In popularly BJP used terminology Trivendra received double engine support- one from Koshyari and other from party chief Amit Shah. Rawat is considered close to Shah. 

A former Sangh Parchark, Trivendra is post graduate from HNB Garhwal University. Rawat has also done a diploma in journalism. He won the 2002 and 2007 assembly polls from Doiwala assembly seat. In 2012, Trivendra shifted to Raipur assembly seat and suffered defeat against Umesh Sharma of Congress. It was followed by his loss in 2014 Doiwala assembly by-election against Heera Singh Bisht of Congress.

Two consecutive defeats, badly shattered the confidence of Rawat. Six months before the start of the 2017 Uttarakhand assembly polls, Trivendra Singh Rawat was unsure of the seat to contest from. He was in a dilemma between Doiwala and Raipur seats. Finally he decided to fight from his old seat Doiwala and scored a thumping win against Heera Singh Bisht of Congress by a margin of over 24,000 votes.

Trivendra served as the state agriculture minister in Khanduri government in 2007. Rawat hogged limelight at that time by launching the cow urine project. Though many made fun of the agriculture minister at that time, but now distilled cow urine is now in popular demand and its market is growing with each passing year. 

After elected the leader of the BJP legislative party, Trivendra Singh Rawat met Uttarakhand Governor KK Paul to present his claim of forming the government in the hill state. Trivendra Rawat will be dwelling in the official Chief Minister residence- which Harish Rawat did not used considering it inauspicious.

Vidya Balan says actors should avoid taking political stands.

"Actors shouldn't take political stands. I don't take political stands because I don't want to influence my audience," Vidya said at the News18 India Chaupal here on Friday, read a statement.

Also dwelling upon how films are increasingly becoming the target of activists, she said: "There are a lot of bullies. They wake up before the release of the film and want attention. Some are from inside the industry but most of them are from outside the industry."

Commenting about the torching of an outdoor set of Padmavati in Kohlapur earlier this week, Vidya said: "I am saddened by this incident. Film is an expression of someone's imagination. As a member of the fraternity, it affects me deeply."

The 38-year-old actress also came out in support of young singer Nahid Afrin, against whom some Islamic clerics have issued a 'fatwa'.

"Art has no boundaries. If someone is singing, I believe it connects us with God, Allah and Ishwar," she said.

The National Award winner will next be seen on screen in "Begum Jaan" as the madam of a brothel.

"When the film was offered, I was conscious that it can create controversy. But I had the confidence that if needed, they (producer Mahesh Bhatt and director Srijit Mukerji) will fight for the film. I was surprised when the film was passed by censor board with no cuts. It has strong visuals," said the actress, who feels the "boundaries of entertainment have expanded" as "most of the films today give some kind of message.

Vidya Balan says actors should avoid taking political stands.

"Actors shouldn't take political stands. I don't take political stands because I don't want to influence my audience," Vidya said at the News18 India Chaupal here on Friday, read a statement.

Also dwelling upon how films are increasingly becoming the target of activists, she said: "There are a lot of bullies. They wake up before the release of the film and want attention. Some are from inside the industry but most of them are from outside the industry."

Commenting about the torching of an outdoor set of Padmavati in Kohlapur earlier this week, Vidya said: "I am saddened by this incident. Film is an expression of someone's imagination. As a member of the fraternity, it affects me deeply."

The 38-year-old actress also came out in support of young singer Nahid Afrin, against whom some Islamic clerics have issued a 'fatwa'.

"Art has no boundaries. If someone is singing, I believe it connects us with God, Allah and Ishwar," she said.

The National Award winner will next be seen on screen in "Begum Jaan" as the madam of a brothel.

"When the film was offered, I was conscious that it can create controversy. But I had the confidence that if needed, they (producer Mahesh Bhatt and director Srijit Mukerji) will fight for the film. I was surprised when the film was passed by censor board with no cuts. It has strong visuals," said the actress, who feels the "boundaries of entertainment have expanded" as "most of the films today give some kind of message.