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Italy's drought seen from space![]() Paris (ESA) Sep 07, 2017 Despite the welcome showers at the weekend, abnormally low soil-moisture conditions persist in central Italy. Scientists are using satellite data to monitor the drought that has gripped the country. Wildfires, water scarcity and billions of euros worth of damage to agriculture are just some of the effects of this summer's drought in Italy - not to mention the relentless heat. News of potential water rationing in the capital have even made Italy's drought seen from spaces worldwide. As local author ... read more |
Scientists developed 'smart fertilizer'Krasnoyarsk, Russia (SPX) Sep 07, 2017 According to the head of the works Tatiana Volova, Professor of SibFU and the Head of Laboratory in the Institute of Biophysics KSC of SB RAS, development of a new generation of drugs with the use o ... more
Your tap water may contain plastic, researchers warnParis (AFP) Sept 6, 2017 People may be ingesting between 3,000 and 4,000 microparticles of plastic from tap water every year, said a study Wednesday based on samples from 14 countries. ... more
prices jump as Irma approaches FloridaNew York (AFP) Sept 5, 2017 Orange juice prices jumped in New York on Tuesday as Hurricane Irma's approach cast a shadow over the citrus-producing US state of Florida. ... more
Drought response in global crops may be as complex as day and nightHanover NH (SPX) Aug 30, 2017 Researchers have identified a set of genes that help control early drought response in a popular global crop. The pioneering study, conducted by Dartmouth College, the University of Wyoming, and the ... more |
Philippines halts search for typhoon dead as huge new storm nears
Tornado kills 5, injures 130 in Brazil Iran president warns Tehran may face evacuation due to drought Deadly Typhoon Kalmaegi ravages Vietnam, Philippines Operation Cloudburst: Dutch train for 'water bomb' floods Hurricane left millions of tons of debris in Jamaica: UN Typhoon Kalmaegi hits Vietnam after killing 140 in Philippines Vietnam evacuates thousands from coast ahead of Typhoon Kalmaegi Philippine death toll tops 140 as typhoon heads towards Vietnam CORRECTED: Philippine death toll tops 140 as typhoon heads towards Vietnam |
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| Previous Issues | Sep 06 | Sep 05 | Sep 04 | Sep 01 |
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Mooncakes from heaven: Hong Kong's sweet obsessionHong Kong (AFP) Sept 4, 2017 It is one of Hong Kong's most treasured food traditions: the buying, giving and eating of "mooncakes" to mark mid-autumn festival, celebrated in Chinese communities around the world next month. ... more
Getting well-oiled: booze in the age of the robo-barmanLos Angeles (AFP) Sept 4, 2017 As Tipsy methodically unfolds an arm to select a glass, retrieve ice and mix a drink, it's all a far cry from the flashy swagger of Tom Cruise in "Cocktail." ... more
3 lions shot after escaping from South Africa's Kruger ParkJohannesburg (AFP) July 13, 2017 Three male lions that escaped over the weekend from South Africa's Kruger National Park have been shot dead after a farmer found them eating his cattle, officials said Thursday. ... more
Disneyland China falls a-fowl of huge turkey leg demandLos Angeles (AFP) July 13, 2017 Over nearly a century Disney has exported US culture across the globe, but the company was astonished to find one slice of Americana wildly popular in China - the turkey leg. ... more
Don't be salty - tiny tubes desalinate water one molecule at a timeChicago IL (SPX) Aug 30, 2017 Earth is 70 percent water, but only a tiny portion - 0.007 percent - is available to drink. As potable water sources dwindle, global population increases every year. One potential solution to ... more
Leaf sensors can tell farmers when crops need to be wateredUniversity Park PA (SPX) Aug 31, 2017 Plant-based sensors that measure the thickness and electrical capacitance of leaves show great promise for telling farmers when to activate their irrigation systems, preventing both water waste and ... more |
![]() To detoxify soil, just shoot lasers at it, study says
Soybean rust develops 'rolling' epidemics as spores travel northUrbana IL (SPX) Aug 31, 2017 Although Midwestern soybean growers have yet to experience the brunt of soybean rust, growers in the southern United States are very familiar with the disease. Every year, the fungus slowly moves no ... more
China blocks US request for WTO arbitration in grain disputeGeneva (AFP) Aug 31, 2017 China on Thursday blocked a US request for the World Trade Organization to create an expert panel to resolve a dispute over Chinese restrictions on imports of American grain. ... more
Lasers zap decontaminates from soilWashington DC (SPX) Aug 30, 2017 There might be a new and improved way to rid contaminated soil of toxins and pollutants: zap it with lasers. By directly breaking down pollutants, researchers say, high-powered lasers can now be mor ... more
Oil and water can mix under the right conditions, scientists sayWashington (UPI) Aug 28, 2017 Is any cliche safe? New research suggests oil and water can combine when conditions are just right. ... more |
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Boulder CO (SPX) Sep 07, 2017
Ball Aerospace successfully delivered the Joint Polar Satellite System-1 (JPSS-1), NOAA's next-generation polar orbiting weather satellite, to Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on Aug. 31, where it is scheduled to launch Nov. 10, 2017. This follows a successful pre-ship review with NASA at Ball's Boulder, Colorado, manufacturing complex.
"The arrival of the spacecraft at Vandenberg i ... more Boulder CO (SPX) Sep 04, 2017Pinpointing the sources of trans-Pacific dust Essex, UK (SPX) Sep 01, 2017Teledyne e2v sensors will play a vital role in ESA's FLEX satellite mission to study plant health and stress from space Paris (ESA) Sep 07, 2017New era in air-quality monitoring a step away |
Denver CO (SPX) Sep 07, 2017
Launch is the most strenuous part of a satellite's life. To survive the extreme sound wave pressure and pounding vibrations generated by more than 700,000 lbs. of thundering rocket thrust, spacecraft need a solid, reliable design if they hope to arrive operational on orbit.
On July 13, Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT)'s second, fully-assembled GPS III space vehicle (SV) completed a realistic si ... more Washington (UPI) Jul 17, 2017IAI, Honeywell Aerospace team for GPS anti-jam system Nine Satellites in exactEarth's Real-Time Constellation Now in Service New Delhi (Sputnik) Aug 28, 2017India to launch satellite next week to fix malfunctioning navigation system |
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Ithaca NY (SPX) Sep 07, 2017
When it comes to tackling climate change, the focus often falls on reducing the use of fossil fuels and developing sustainable energy sources. But a new Cornell University study shows that deforestation and subsequent use of lands for agriculture or pasture, especially in tropical regions, contribute more to climate change than previously thought.
The new paper, "Are the Impacts of Land Us ... more Raleigh NC (SPX) Aug 31, 2017Expanding tropical forest spells disaster for conservation Panama City, Panama (SPX) Sep 04, 2017Panama's native tree species excel in infertile tropical soils Warsaw (AFP) Aug 31, 2017Greenpeace steps up protest against Polish forest logging |
Tokyo, Japan (SPX) Sep 04, 2017
Known for their outstanding versatility, primary amines (derivatives of ammonia) are industrially important compounds used in the preparation of a wide range of dyes, detergents and medicines.
Although many attempts have been made to improve their synthesis using catalysts containing nickel, palladium and platinum, for example, few have succeeded in reducing the formation of secondary and ... more Ames IA (SPX) Sep 04, 2017Center for Biorenewable Chemicals introduces idea for new molecules, Lincoln NE (SPX) Aug 31, 2017Technique could aid mass production of biodegradable plastic Champaign IL (SPX) Aug 28, 2017Researchers identify cheaper, greener biofuels processing catalyst |
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Zurich, Switzerland (SPX) Aug 28, 2017
The U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), CSEM and EPFL have taken an important symbolic step forward. Working together, they were able to demonstrate the high potential of silicon-based multijunction solar cells: they raised the one-sun record conversion efficiency of III-V/Si solar cells to 32.8% for two junctions and 35.9% for three junctions.
These ac ... more Golden CO (SPX) Aug 30, 2017NREL, Swiss scientists power past solar efficiency records Stanford CA (SPX) Sep 04, 2017Insect eyes inspire new solar cell design from Stanford Gandhinagar, India (AFP) Sept 3, 2017Air pollution throws shade on India's solar success |
Washington (UPI) Sep 6, 2017
Two wind farms in Texas will become the second- and third-largest facilities with extra storage capacity installed so far, a German power company said.
German energy company E.ON said it started construction on a 20 megawatt storage facility to service its Inadale and Pyron wind facilities in the west of Texas.
"With both the industrial-scale 10 MW plants, E.ON is expanding its r ... more Riyadh (AFP) Aug 29, 2017Saudi Arabia shortlists 25 bidders for major wind plant Washington (UPI) Aug 24, 2017First foundations set for Baltic Sea wind farm La Ventosa, Mexico (AFP) Aug 19, 2017Wind energy blows up storm of controversy in Mexico |
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Sydney (AFP) Sept 1, 2017
Mining giant Rio Tinto has wrapped up the sale of most of its Australian coal assets to Yancoal, with the China-backed firm taking control of the business on Friday.
Rio, the world's second-largest miner, which is dual-listed in Britain and Australia, banked US$2.45 billion in cash with a further US$240 million due in royalty payments.
With its Coal & Allied operations transferring to Ya ... more Washington (UPI) Aug 22, 2017In a first, U.S. ships coal to Ukraine Washington (UPI) Aug 14, 2017China to strictly control new coal-fired power capacity Washington (UPI) Aug 16, 2017Russian scientist says leave coal in the ground |
Hong Kong (AFP) Sept 7, 2017
Hong Kong students have accused their universities of suppressing freedom of speech after banners and signs calling for the city's independence from China were taken down from campuses.
The move has fuelled fears that freedoms are being squeezed in the semi-autonomous city and that Beijing is tightening its grip in a range of areas, from politics to media and education.
Since the failure ... more Shanghai (AFP) Sept 6, 2017'Oldest jazz band' a constant in fast-modernising Shanghai Hong Kong (AFP) Sept 5, 2017Hanergy tycoon gets 8-year ban in Hong Kong Shenyang, China (AFP) July 15, 2017Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo's ashes buried at sea |
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Berlin (AFP) Sept 4, 2017
Tomorrow's digital interface may be even more revolutionary than the pinching, tapping and scrolling heralded by the smartphone: voice commands promise to unify and tame our digital lives.
Tiny speakers visible at every stand at Berlin's IFA electronics fair, most of them endowed with a feminine voice, are the ears and mouths of the new artificial intelligences.
Things haven't quite reac ... more Beijing (AFP) Sept 7, 2017Chinese robotics artist makes real-life 'Transformers' Boston MA (SPX) Aug 31, 2017New robot rolls with the rules of pedestrian conduct (UPI) Aug 29, 2017Roboteam receives orders for tactical robots |
Colombo (AFP) Sept 1, 2017
Sri Lanka banned plastic bags and other disposable products on Friday after the collapse of the island's biggest dump led to a rubbish disposal crisis.
Rotting garbage piled up in many parts of the capital after the giant rubbish tip collapsed in April, crushing dozens of homes and killing 32 people.
Many blamed the haphazard use of plastic, which was also cited in flash flooding in the ... more Phnom Penh (AFP) July 13, 2017Cambodia bans overseas exports of coastal sand Bras�lia (AFP) Sept 1, 2017Brazil government freezes Amazon mining plans Gaza City, Palestinian Territories (AFP) Aug 26, 2017Gaza boy swimmer death puts spotlight on pollution crisis |
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Washington (UPI) Sep 5, 2017
As showcased by new data and images collected by NASA satellites, wildfire smoke has spread out across much of the United States.
More than 80 large wildfires are burning in nine Western states. As a result, many residents of the Western United States are dealing with poor air quality. Wildfire smoke can carry a number of harmful chemicals into the atmosphere, including methanol, benzen ... more Marseille (AFP) Sept 3, 2017Arson suspected as fire in southeast France brought under control Montreal (AFP) Sept 1, 2017State of emergency extended in western Canada over wildfires Ottawa (AFP) Aug 25, 2017forces 1,100 to flee in western Canada |
London, UK (SPX) Sep 07, 2017
A new study of the marine invertebrates living in the seas around Antarctica reveals there will be more 'losers' than 'winners' over the next century as the Antarctic seafloor warms. The results are published in the journal Nature Climate Change this week (Monday 4 September).
A team at British Antarctic Survey (BAS) examined the potential distribution of over 900 species of shelf-dwelling ... more Paris (AFP) Sept 6, 2017Your tap water may contain plastic, researchers warn Paris (AFP) Sept 6, 2017Pacific corals in 'worrying' state: researchers Brisbane, Australia (SPX) Sep 04, 2017New research delivers hope for reef fish living in a high CO2 world |
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Bunia, Dr Congo (AFP) Sept 4, 2017
At least eight people have died after a bolt of lightning struck a small-scale goldmine in the Democratic Republic of Congo, an official said Monday.
"Thirty people were struck, including seven who were killed instantly and an eighth who died of their injuries in hospital," local official Christophe Ikando told AFP.
The lightning strike occurred in the northeastern town of Dungu in the H ... more Sibi, Pakistan (AFP) Sept 4, 2017Fear and sweating in Pakistan's hottest cities Strasbourg, France (AFP) Sept 2, 201715 injured as lightning strikes French music festival Houston (AFP) Aug 28, 2017Houston races to rescue flood victims before storm's return |
New York (AFP) Sept 6, 2017
Goldman Sachs suspended work for an affiliate of Chinese conglomerate HNA that has been under increased scrutiny by the Chinese government, a person familiar with the situation said Wednesday.
The US investment bank had been enlisted in August to manage a stock offering of HNA outsourcing business Pactera. But Goldman Sachs concluded the financial structure of the Pactera business was too o ... more Seoul (AFP) Sept 4, 2017Trump's turn on S.Korea risks alliance: analysts Managua (AFP) Sept 4, 2017Nicaraguan anti-canal activist says held without charge Managua (AFP) Sept 6, 2017Nicaragua renews environmental permit for Chinese canal project |
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Paris (ESA) Sep 01, 2017
Star Storm, an explosive performance inspired by stellar processes in the Universe, will be premiered at the 2017 Ars Electronica Festival in Linz, Austria, on 10 September.
The creator of the show is Aoife van Linden Tol, the recipient of the first art and science@ESA residency organised by Ars Electronica in partnership with ESA.
A multimedia artist working primarily with explosive ... more Greenbelt MD (SPX) Aug 30, 2017NASA's Lunar mission captures solar eclipse as seen from the moon Joint Base Charleston SC (AFNS) Aug 28, 2017Charleston C-17 flies on "dark side of the moon" Greenbelt MD (SPX) Aug 17, 2017NASA, ESA spacecraft track solar storm through space |
Kingston RI (SPX) Sep 07, 2017
In a common garden at the University of Rhode Island, Laura Meyerson has been growing specimens of Phragmites - also known as the common reed - that she has collected from around the world. And while they are all the same species, each plant lineage exhibits unique traits.
Now Meyerson, a professor of natural resources sciences, and Northeastern University Professor Jennifer Bowen have rev ... more Washington (UPI) Sep 6, 2017Scientists prolong life, slow aging in fruit flies Washington (UPI) Sep 6, 2017Dogs help conservationists track, protect endangered jaguars, pumas in Argentina Washington (UPI) Sep 5, 2017Tasmanian DNA to aid bandicoot reboot in Victoria |
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