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Spain, Portugal struggle with extreme drought![]() Madrid (AFP) Nov 21, 2017 Spain and Portugal are grappling with a devastating drought which has left rivers nearly dry, sparked deadly wildfires and devastated crops - and experts warn that prolonged dry spells will become more frequent. Nearly all of Portugal has suffered extreme drought conditions during the last six months, which has not happened since 2005. A majority of Spain has also received considerably less rain than it normally would. "It's a ruinous situation," said Jose Ramon Gonzalez, a small rancher in Spa ... read more |
Portuguese cattle farmers desperately wait for rainAlpalhao, Portugal (AFP) Nov 21, 2017 Antonio Granadeiro, a cattle farmer who has already lost 20 cows this year, surveys with sadness the fields of his ranch in Alentejo in central Portugal, which have yellowed from the lack of rain. ... more
Archaeologists find earliest evidence of winemakingToronto, Canada (SPX) Nov 21, 2017 Excavations in the Republic of Georgia by the Gadachrili Gora Regional Archaeological Project Expedition (GRAPE), a joint undertaking between the University of Toronto (U of T) and the Georgian Nati ... more
Crunch time for food securityNottingham UK (SPX) Nov 21, 2017 Feelings often run high where insects are concerned, with many people even squeamish to look on them, let alone touch or swallow them. And yet insects present a huge nutritional opportunity as an in ... more
Urbanization may have a positive effect on the soilsMoscow, Russia (SPX) Nov 21, 2017 Soil scientist from RUDN University (Russia) and his colleagues modeled how the expansion of the boundaries of the city of Moscow would affect the rural landscape in the next 30 years. Scientists ca ... more |
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 Camels replace cows as Kenya battles drought Jamaica still 'digging out' from hurricane, but Red Cross hopes toll stays low Death toll tops 100 as Philippines digs out after typhoon Typhoon death toll soars past 90 in the Philippines Typhoon death toll climbs to 66 in the Philippines |
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| Previous Issues | Nov 20 | Nov 17 | Nov 16 | Nov 15 | Nov 14 |
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Colorado River's connection with the ocean was a punctuated affairEugene OR (SPX) Nov 20, 2017 The Colorado River's initial trip to the ocean didn't come easy, but its story has emerged from layers of sediment preserved within tectonically active stretches of the waterway's lower reaches. ... more
Neutrons probe oxygen-generating enzyme for a greener approach to clean waterOak Ridge TN (SPX) Nov 20, 2017 A new study sheds light on a unique enzyme that could provide an eco-friendly treatment for chlorite-contaminated water supplies and improve water quality worldwide. An international team of r ... more
Why does hot water freeze faster than cold waterMadrid, Spain (SPX) Nov 20, 2017 The researchers, who have recently published the findings in Physical Review Letters, have confirmed how this phenomenon occurs in granular fluids, that is, those composed of particles that are very ... more
Alibaba takes $2.9 billion stake in food retailerBeijing (AFP) Nov 20, 2017 Alibaba said on Monday it would take a major stake in one of China's top food sellers for $2.9 billion as the e-commerce giant expands further into the retail world. ... more
Peruvian farmer scores small win in court over German energy giantHamm, Germany (AFP) Nov 13, 2017 A Peruvian farmer won a small but significant legal victory Monday when a German court said his appeal against energy giant RWE, which he accuses of contributing to climate change that is threatening his Andean home, had merit. ... more
Weed-killer prompts angry divide among US farmersLittle Rock, United States (AFP) Nov 13, 2017 When it comes to the herbicide dicamba, farmers in the southern state of Arkansas are not lacking for strong opinions. ... more |
![]() Cooling in high and mid-latitudes led to aridification in Northern Africa
Sensors applied to plant leaves warn of water shortageBoston MA (SPX) Nov 10, 2017 Forgot to water that plant on your desk again? It may soon be able to send out an SOS. MIT engineers have created sensors that can be printed onto plant leaves and reveal when the plants are e ... more
Cover crops shield soil from extreme tempsWashington DC (SPX) Nov 10, 2017 Soil characteristics like organic matter content and moisture play a vital role in helping plants flourish. It turns out that soil temperature is just as important. Every plant needs a certain soil ... more
Breeding highly productive corn has reduced its ability to adaptMadison WI (SPX) Nov 10, 2017 Stuck where they are, plants have to adapt to their environments, responding to stresses like drought or pests by changing how they grow. On a broader scale, crop breeders need to be able to d ... more
WSU researcher sees huge carbon sink in soil mineralsVancouver WA (SPX) Nov 10, 2017 A Washington State University researcher has discovered that vast amounts of carbon can be stored by soil minerals more than a foot below the surface. The finding could help offset the rising greenh ... more |
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Washington DC (SPX) Nov 21, 2017
The calls for assistance started days before Hurricane Harvey came barreling across America's doorstep this summer. First responders and government officials needed answers to prepare and protect communities.
How strong is this storm going to be? What kind of damage occurred on its path through the Caribbean? How might it impact southeast Texas once it makes landfall?
Remotely sensed ... more Zurich, Switzerland (SPX) Nov 16, 2017Mapping functional diversity of forests with remote sensing Guildford UK (SPX) Nov 17, 2017SSTL to build UrtheDaily Constellation for UrtheCast Paris (ESA) Nov 16, 2017Ozone ups and downs |
Beijing (XNA) Nov 10, 2017
China launched the first two of the BeiDou-3 satellites into space on Sunday evening, indicating that its BeiDou Navigation Satellite System has begun to expand into a global network, Cyol.com reported on November 6.
Positioning accuracy of the BeiDou-3 satellites have an accuracy of 2.5 to five meters, which is comparable with that of GPS, said Xie Jun, chief designer of the satellite at ... more Melbourne FL (SPX) Nov 10, 2017Harris develops fully digital navigation payload for future GPS III sats Beijing (XNA) Nov 07, 2017Better rubidium clocks increase BeiDou satnav accuracy Xichang, China (XNA) Nov 07, 2017China launches two BeiDou-3 navigation satellites on single carrier rocket |
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Hanover NH (SPX) Nov 21, 2017
A set of fundamental tactics ranging from the theoretical to the practical can be used to combat the challenges brought on by pests in rapidly changing forests, according to a research paper from Dartmouth College and the University of Santiago de Compostela.
With forests under pressure worldwide due to human activities in what is now often referred to as the Anthropocene era, the research ... more Munich, Germany (SPX) Nov 17, 2017Heat island effect enables urban trees to grow faster Luxembourg (AFP) Nov 20, 2017EU court threatens Poland with heavy fines over ancient forest logging Washington (UPI) Nov 12, 2017Urban trees are growing faster than their rural peers |
Surrey UK (SPX) Nov 21, 2017
The University of Surrey has developed a new and cost-effective catalyst to recycle two of the main causes behind climate change - carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4).
In a study published by the Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, scientists have described how they created an advanced nickel-based catalyst strengthened with tin and ceria, and used it to transform CO2 and CH4 into a syn ... more London (AFP) Nov 20, 2017Coffee set to power London buses in green initiative Livermore CA (SPX) Nov 13, 2017Sandia speeds transformation of biofuel waste into wealth Washington DC (SPX) Nov 17, 2017Desert solar to fuel centuries of air travel |
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Guelph, Canada (SPX) Nov 17, 2017
Recurrent Energy a wholly owned subsidiary of Canadian Solar Inc. has closed on a combined construction loan and construction letter of credit facility for the 20 MWac/28 MWp Gaskell West 1 solar power project.
KeyBank N.A. provided the construction loan and construction letter of credit facility for the project, while KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc. acted as lead arranger for the deal. This ... more Saint Petersburg, Russia (SPX) Nov 21, 2017Glass microparticles enhance solar cells efficiency Fukuoka, Japan (SPX) Nov 21, 2017Expanding wavelength range for solar energy conversion Tempe AZ (SPX) Nov 15, 2017Learning from photosynthesis |
Washington (UPI) Nov 15, 2017
It's wasteful to keep offering production tax credits to a "mature technology" like wind energy in the United States, a Tennessee Republican said.
U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., spoke on the floor in support of ending a wind production tax credit by the end of the year as part of a broader tax overhaul under consideration in the nation's capital.
"We have turned our attentio ... more Washington (UPI) Oct 26, 2017New York sets high bar for wind energy Canberra, Australia (SPX) Oct 20, 2017Construction to begin on $160 million Industry Leading Hybrid Renewable Energy Project Thuwal, Saudi Arabia (SPX) Oct 18, 2017A kite that might fly |
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Bonn (AFP) Nov 16, 2017
Countries launched a coal phase-out initiative Thursday at UN climate talks in Bonn, offering an antidote to the defence of Earth-warming fossil fuels by US President Donald Trump's administration.
Spearheaded by Canada and Britain, the "Powering Past Coal Alliance" commits more than 20 nations, cities, and regions to weaning themselves off a commodity that produces 40 percent of the world' ... more Bonn (AFP) Nov 16, 2017Battle lines drawn over coal at UN climate talks Hambach Coal Mine, Near Niederzier, Germany (AFP) Nov 5, 2017Protest at open-pit coal mine near Bonn ahead of UN climate talks Washington (UPI) Oct 17, 2017Coal still holds a slight edge as U.S. power source |
Shanghai (AFP) Nov 18, 2017
China on Saturday announced a pilot programme to help pension schemes meet growing pressure from an ageing society by transferring shares of state-owned firms to social security funds.
A document released by the country's State Council, or cabinet, said the programme would begin this year with shares of up to seven SOEs to be transferred.
The plan is intended to help make up for shortfal ... more Beijing (AFP) Nov 21, 2017Chinese human rights lawyers jailed for two years Shenyang, China (AFP) Nov 21, 2017Secrets and wives: Gay Chinese hide behind 'sham marriage' Hong Kong (AFP) Nov 14, 2017Activists renew push for Hong Kong independence |
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Geneva (AFP) Nov 17, 2017
"Robots are not taking over the world", the diplomat leading the first official talks on autonomous weapons assured Friday, seeking to ease criticism over slow progress towards restricting the use of so-called "killer robots".
The United Nations was wrapping up an initial five days of discussions on weapons systems that can identify and destroy targets without human control, which experts s ... more Washington DC (SPX) Nov 21, 2017New Challenges Await Competitors in NASA's 25th Annual Human Exploration Rover Challenge Beijing (AFP) Nov 16, 2017Cars and speakers: Baidu speeds up AI progress San Diego CA (SPX) Nov 21, 2017Speedy collision detector could make robots better human assistants |
Washington (UPI) Nov 20, 2017
When hot oil meats a droplet of water in the frying pan, oil droplets explode in all directions. These tiny oil explosions can send droplets out of the pan and burn a person's hands and arms.
New research suggests some of the droplets are small enough to become suspended in the air, potentially contributing to indoor air pollution. These tiny drops of oil could be inhaled, researchers w ... more New Delhi (AFP) Nov 17, 2017Delhi half-marathon to go ahead despite smog, court rules College Park MD (SPX) Nov 17, 2017Sulfur dioxide emissions plunge across China as India's soars New Delhi (AFP) Nov 19, 2017'My eyes are burning': Delhi half marathon goes ahead despite smog |
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Lisbon (AFP) Oct 30, 2017
The European Union is re-thinking civil protection assistance, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said Monday, after a request from Portugal which this year suffered several deadly forest fires.
"We will consider, at Portugal's request, the reorganisation of civil protection in Europe," Juncker said at a press conference alongside Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. ... more Lisbon (AFP) Oct 24, 2017Portuguese govt survives no confidence vote over forest fires Lisbon (AFP) Oct 18, 2017Portugal interior minister resigns after deadly wildfires Lisbon (AFP) Oct 19, 2017Portugal forest fires death toll rises to 43 |
Sao Paulo, Brazil (SPX) Nov 21, 2017
Equipped with Newton's law of universal gravitation (published in Principia 330 years ago) and powerful computational resources (used to apply the law to more than 10,000 interacting bodies), a young Brazilian researcher and his former postdoctoral supervisor have just proposed a new physical model to explain the origin of water on Earth and the other Earth-like objects in the Solar System.
... more Madrid, Spain (SPX) Nov 20, 2017Why does hot water freeze faster than cold water Eugene OR (SPX) Nov 20, 2017Colorado River's connection with the ocean was a punctuated affair Oak Ridge TN (SPX) Nov 20, 2017Neutrons probe oxygen-generating enzyme for a greener approach to clean water |
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Honolulu HI (SPX) Nov 14, 2017
Around the world, numerous cases have revealed the considerable dangers of extreme heatwaves. Over 70,000 people perished to the extreme heat of the 2003 European heatwave, >10,000 people to the 2010 Russian heatwave, over 2,000 to the 2015 India heatwave, and altogether, over 800 cases of deadly heatwaves have been documented worldwide since 1980.
At times, the impacts of deadly heat are ... more Berlin (AFP) Oct 30, 2017Central Europe storms leave seven dead Los Angeles (AFP) Oct 25, 2017California roasts under record-setting temperatures Tanjung Bungah, Malaysia (AFP) Oct 21, 2017Fourteen feared dead in Malaysian landslide |
Beijing (AFP) Nov 16, 2017
Panama opened its first embassy in China on Thursday five months after cutting ties with Taiwan, which has seen its allies dwindle against the mainland's growing influence.
In a speech heralding the embassy's "historic" establishment, Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela said his "commitment to the One China principle" was made with the benefits for Panamanian people in mind - alluding t ... more Washington (UPI) Oct 20, 2017Studies suggests link between testosterone, stock market instability Dushanbe, Tajikistan (AFP) Nov 17, 2017China to build $1.6 bn aluminium plant in Tajikistan Washington (AFP) Nov 17, 2017Post-hurricane rebuilding fuels jump in October US home construction |
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Greenbelt MD (SPX) Nov 16, 2017
Scientists have long known that solar-energized particles trapped around the planet are sometimes scattered into Earth's upper atmosphere where they can contribute to beautiful auroral displays.
Yet for decades, no one has known exactly what is responsible for hurling these energetic electrons on their way. Recently, two spacecraft found themselves at just the right places at the right tim ... more Greenbelt MD (SPX) Nov 20, 2017NASA detects solar flare pulses at Sun and Earth Greenbelt MD (SPX) Nov 15, 2017Proposed NASA mission would investigate where space weather begins Garching, Germany (SPX) Nov 14, 2017View the 2019 solar eclipse from La Silla Observatory |
Lawrence KS (SPX) Nov 17, 2017
Do researchers need to "hit the brakes a little" before declaring a species is new to science?
A recent University of Kansas study published in the peer-reviewed journal Molecular Ecology demonstrates the misuse and abuse of methods scientists commonly use to place boundaries between different species, especially so-called "cryptic" species, could lead to the overestimation of species dive ... more Miami (AFP) Nov 20, 2017How odd flies prized by Mark Twain dive and thrive in super-salty lake Washington (AFP) Nov 20, 2017Trump reverses elephant trophy decision, keeps ban Washington (AFP) Nov 15, 2017US court convicts Irish man of rhino horn trafficking |
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