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  New York (AFP) Dec 24, 2017 Hit by Hurricane Irma and a citrus ailment known as "Yellow Dragon Disease," Florida orange growers are bracing for potentially the worst harvest in more than a half century. Forecasters are projecting a yield of 46 million boxes of oranges for the 2017-2018 Florida orange season, a drop of 33 percent from last year and the lowest output since at least 1944-1945, according to the US Agriculture Department. Some areas have lost as much as 90 percent of their fruit due to winds from Irma, or root ... read more |
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Oil palm plantations threaten protected Malaysian forests in unexpected waysWashington (UPI) Dec 21, 2017 The growth of oil palm plantations in Southeast Asia is responsible for the clearing of thousands of acres of forest. But new research suggests the threat of oil palm plantations extends beyond habitat destruction. ... more 
Pesticides, poor nutrition deadly one-two combo for honey beesWashington (UPI) Dec 20, 2017 Lack of nutrition and exposure to pesticides are a deadly combination for honey bees, new research shows. ... more 
Heat patterns help bees pick which flowers to pollinateWashington (UPI) Dec 19, 2017 Heat plays an important role in flower-pollinator interactions. According to new research, heat patterns serve as signatures for flowers, advertising their availability to passing bees. ... more  
India faces painful move to cleaner energyUncha Amirpur, India (AFP) Dec 10, 2017 Subedar Singh bears the scars of India's painful reliance on dirty power and its struggle to pay for the costly transition to the brave new world of solar and renewable electricity. ... more |
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Europe, Mediterranean coast saw record drought in August: AFP analysis of EU data
Philippine lawmaker quits top job as graft probe moves forward Floods devastate India's breadbasket of Punjab Landslides kill 12 after eastern Malaysia deluges Philippines president says corruption scandal protests justified Philippines commission to probe widening flood project scandal Magnitude 7.4 quake strikes off Russian Far East, tsunami warning lifted Magnitude 7.4 quake strikes off Russian Far East, tsunami warning issued S.Sudan flooding displaces 100,000 in matter of weeks: UN Afghan deputy PM visits earthquake hit area |
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| Previous Issues | Dec 26 | Dec 25 | Dec 22 | Dec 21 | Dec 20 |
 
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How much soil goes get washed down the drainBasel, Switzerland (SPX) Dec 18, 2017 According to a new study by the University of Basel, the European Commission - Joint Research Centre and the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH, UK), almost 36 billion tons of soil is lost every ... more  
UCI scientists unveil new satellite-based global drought severity indexNew Orleans LA (SPX) Dec 14, 2017 Just in time for the holidays, researchers at the University of California, Irvine and other institutions are rolling out a new satellite-based drought severity index for climate watchers worldwide. ... more 
Meadows beat out shrubs when it comes to storing carbonTrondheim, Norway (SPX) Dec 12, 2017 Excess carbon dioxide, emitted by burning fossil fuels like coal and petroleum, is one of the most important factors in driving global warming. While the world is focused on controlling global warmi ... more 
Uncovering varied pathways to agricultureRehovot, Israel (SPX) Dec 12, 2017 Around 15,000 years ago, the Natufian culture appeared in what is today's Middle East. This culture, which straddled the border between nomadic and settled lifestyles, had diverse, complex origins - ... more 
Archaeologist says fire, not corn, key to prehistoric survival in arid SouthwestCincinnati OH (SPX) Dec 12, 2017 Conventional wisdom holds that prehistoric villagers planted corn, and lots of it, to survive the dry and hostile conditions of the American Southwest. But University of Cincinnati archaeology ... more 
In food waste fight, Brits turn bread into beerDriffield, United Kingdom (AFP) Dec 12, 2017 At a brewery nestled in rolling farmland in northern England, the process of making beer begins with dropping dozens of unwanted loaf ends, thrown away by a sandwich factory, into a large stainless steel tank. ... more |
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 US transportation and water infrastructure not broken 
Soil researchers quantify an underappreciated factor in carbon release to the atmosphereAmherst MA (SPX) Dec 11, 2017 Soil plays a critical role in global carbon cycling, in part because soil organic matter stores three times more carbon than the atmosphere. Now biogeochemist Marco Keiluweit at the University of Ma ... more 
Shining a light on plant growth and developmentRiverside CA (SPX) Dec 12, 2017 Plants don't have eyes, but they do "see" their surroundings using light. That's made possible by proteins called photoreceptors that absorb light and convert it into a signal that turns genes ... more 
NASA, University of Maryland Join Forces on Food SecurityCollege Park MD (SPX) Dec 08, 2017 NASA has tapped the University of Maryland to lead a new consortium focused on putting satellite data to use to enhance food security and agriculture around the world. The Earth Observations f ... more 
Drought-resistant plant genes could accelerate evolution of water-use efficient cropsOak Ridge TN (SPX) Dec 07, 2017 Scientists at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory have identified a common set of genes that enable different drought-resistant plants to survive in semi-arid conditions, which ... more |
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  Pasadena CA (JPL) Dec 26, 2017 
Scientists recently completed test flights with prototypes of potential satellite sensors - including two from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California - over the Western United States, probing basic science questions about aerosols, clouds, air quality and global ocean ecosystems.
The flight campaign, called Aerosol Characterization from Polarimeter and Lidar (ACEPOL), sou ... more Jiuquan, China (XNA) Dec 26, 2017China launches land exploration satellite  Los Angeles AFB CA (SPX) Dec 18, 2017Air Force Secretary unveils final DMSP satellite at SMC  Boulder CO (SPX) Dec 14, 2017Space Mystery Solved by Student Satellite |
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 Washington (AFP) Dec 19, 2017 
With GPS-guided bombs, armed drones beaming footage via satellite and spy cameras scooping up intel from the heavens, America's military machine is growing ever more reliant on space-based technology.
But what would happen if an enemy were to target the military's satellites, or somehow jam their signals?
The disastrous scenario is one the Pentagon knows all too well could happen, and fo ... more Geneva, Switzerland (SPX) Dec 19, 2017New satellite tracking of in-flight aircraft to improve safety  Denver CA (SPX) Dec 15, 2017First GPS 3 satellite receives commands from new OCX ground control segment  Kourou, French Guiana (ESA) Dec 11, 2017Arianespace's second Ariane 5 launch for the Galileo constellation and Europe |
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 Washington (UPI) Dec 20, 2017 
Trees synchronize their reproductive schedule with the North Atlantic Oscillation, a climate pattern that influences zonal winds and the strength of storms.
The NAO describes fluctuations in the region's air pressure differences. Shifts in the region's pressure gradients affect atmospheric circulation and Europe's climate patterns.
And according to the latest analysis, the oscill ... more New Haven CT (SPX) Dec 14, 2017African deforestation not as great as feared  Munich, Germany (SPX) Dec 14, 2017Cascading use is also beneficial for wood  New York NY (SPX) Dec 14, 2017New maps show shrinking wilderness being ignored at our peril |
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 Golden CO (SPX) Dec 14, 2017 
A new study from the Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) establishes a novel catalytic method to produce renewable acrylonitrile using 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3-HP), which can be biologically produced from sugars. This hybrid biological-catalytic process offers an alternative to the conventional petrochemical production method and achieves unprecedented acrylonitrile ... more Washington DC (SPX) Dec 19, 2017Microbes help turn Greek yogurt waste into fuel  Bristol UK (SPX) Dec 12, 2017Bristol scientists turn beer into fuel  Golden CO (SPX) Dec 13, 2017NREL research finds a sweet spot for engineering better cellulose-degrading enzymes |
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 London, UK (SPX) Dec 19, 2017 
Largely driven by an improvement in the outlook in China, global photovoltaic (PV) demand is forecast to reach 108 gigawatts (GW) in 2018. According to business information provider IHS Markit strong demand from the Chinese market is expected to continue on the back of strong policy support, a successful transition to a more diverse market and strong momentum in the distributed-PV (DPV) sector. ... more Washington (UPI) Dec 22, 2017French company ENGIE lays out 5.2 GW renewable goal Uncha Amirpur, India (AFP) Dec 10, 2017India faces painful move to cleaner energy  Washington (UPI) Dec 14, 2017U.S. solar power group says it sees headwinds ahead |
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 Washington (UPI) Dec 14, 2017 
The provincial government in Alberta said the industry response to a renewable energy program was better than expected, with almost $1 billion committed.
Along with much of the Canadian economy, Alberta is adding layers of diversity with low-carbon ambitions. Solar power in the province doubled in 2015 thanks in part to municipal and farm-area incentive programs. Since a municipal rebat ... more Canberra, Australia (SPX) Dec 13, 2017Construction to start on $160 million Kennedy Energy Park in North Queensland  Washington (UPI) Nov 30, 2017U.S. wind turbines getting taller and more efficient  Washington (UPI) Nov 22, 2017New wind farm in service off the British coast |
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 Warsaw (AFP) Dec 19, 2017 
Polish state-controlled energy company Enea on Tuesday inaugurated Europe's largest coal-fired power unit, at a time when other nations want to shift away from greenhouse gas-emitting fossil fuels.
Enea opened a 1,075 MW capacity unit built by Japan's Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems at its Kozienice plant to join a dozen other units in the 250-300 MW range at the site.
"The B11 section ... more Yekaterinburg, Russia (SPX) Dec 18, 2017Scientists develop new mode of energy generation from bituminous coal  Washington (UPI) Dec 18, 2017Coal demand falling, IEA says  Sydney (AFP) Dec 19, 2017BHP to exit global coal body over climate change policy |
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 Tianjin, China (AFP) Dec 26, 2017 
China sentenced an activist known by the online pseudonym "Super Vulgar Butcher" to eight years in prison Tuesday, one of the harshest punishments meted out to the group of lawyers and activists swept up in a major crackdown on civil society two years ago.
The punishment handed to Wu Gan, who refused to plead guilty to charges of "subverting state power", was intended as an unmistakable sign ... more Beijing (AFP) Dec 27, 2017Scholars call for release of detained Maoist in China  Beijing (AFP) Dec 26, 2017Chinese killer who played mute for 12 years loses power of speech  Beijing (AFP) Dec 25, 2017Artist 'released' in China after Liu Xiaobo tribute |
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 Ithaca NY (SPX) Dec 18, 2017 
While engineers have had success building tiny, insect-like robots, programming them to behave autonomously like real insects continues to present technical challenges. A group of Cornell University engineers has been experimenting with a new type of programming that mimics the way an insect's brain works, which could soon have people wondering if that fly on the wall is actually a fly.
Th ... more Tokyo, Japan (SPX) Dec 15, 2017Lockheed Martin and NEC to Enhance Satellites, Space Travel with Artificial Intelligence  Moscow (Sputnik) Dec 13, 2017Not Your Grandpa's Robot: Russian Robot 'FEDOR' May Become Self-Learning  El Segundo CA (SPX) Dec 13, 2017Aerospace's SeedTECH AI advances to second round of $5M IBM Watson XPRIZE |
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 New Delhi (AFP) Dec 20, 2017  India on Wednesday unveiled a new weapon against air pollution - an "anti-smog gun" which authorities hope will clear the skies above New Delhi but which environmentalists say amounts to a band-aid solution.
The cannon's Indian manufacturers say the fine droplets of water it ejects at high speed can flush out deadly airborne pollutants in one of the world's smoggiest capitals.
The giant ... more Accra (AFP) Dec 27, 2017Turning e-waste into art at Ghana's toxic dump  Tehran (AFP) Dec 17, 2017Heavy air pollution shuts schools in Iran  Argonne IL (SPX) Dec 18, 2017Clearing the air |
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 Los Angeles (AFP) Dec 21, 2017 
Firefighters in California on Wednesday said the massive Thomas wildfire - about the size of sprawling Los Angeles - was about 60 percent contained but they warned strong winds were still forecast.
Firefighters took advantage of weaker winds on Monday and Tuesday to battle the voracious blaze, which has already destroyed more than 1,300 structures.
After the brief respite heavy winds a ... more Washington DC (SPX) Dec 27, 2017Wet winters may not dampen small wildfires  Los Angeles (AFP) Dec 20, 2017Returning winds churn up heightened alert in fire-hit California  Houston TX (SPX) Dec 18, 2017After the fire, charcoal goes against the grain, with the flow |
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 Washington (UPI) Dec 21, 2017 
Elbit Systems' Seagull unmanned surface vessel completed an exercise recently that included counter-mine operations.
During the joint Israeli-British exercise in Haifa Bay, the Seagull scanned surroundings to set a safe course for the HMS Ocean, a Royal Navy helicopter carrier, the company said in a release Thursday.
Elbit said the Seagull vessel has modular mission payload suite ... more Washington (UPI) Dec 21, 2017Giant orgy produces one of the loudest sounds in the ocean  Fort Collins CO (SPX) Dec 14, 2017Sustainable dams - are they possible  Beijing, China (SPX) Dec 14, 2017New mechanism to explain how El Nino influences East Asian and WN Pacific climate |
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 Manila (AFP) Dec 19, 2017 
The death toll from a tropical storm that pummelled the central Philippines rose to 43 with hopes fading for dozens of others still missing after massive landslides, authorities said Tuesday.
Slow-moving Kai-Tak finally swept out to the South China Sea on Monday after inducing days of heavy rain that led to deadly floods and landslides as it sliced across the central islands last weekend. ... more Manila (AFP) Dec 18, 2017Rescuers search for dozens missing after deadly Philippine storm  Miami (AFP) Dec 13, 2017Global, Asian heat waves in 2016 due purely to climate change: study  Jakarta (AFP) Nov 28, 2017At least 11 dead as floods and landslide hit Indonesia |
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 Beijing (AFP) Dec 20, 2017 
President Xi Jinping stamped his authority over China's economy at a major meeting ending Wednesday, which called for "reasonable" credit expansion, increased imports and more open markets and efforts to curb noxious pollution.
The pledges were made under a new banner, "Xi Jinping Thought on Socialist Economy with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era", at the end of the annual Central Econo ... more Beijing (AFP) Dec 20, 2017China's economic growth to slow next year, says state think tank  London (AFP) Dec 21, 2017UK accused of trying to block US trade deal transparency  Shanghai (AFP) Dec 19, 2017China issues code of conduct for firms investing abroad |
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 Silver Spring, MD (SPX) Dec 21, 2017 
Some experts in the emergency management community believe that the first "trillion-dollar storm" won't come in the form of a tornado, hurricane, or flood, but rather will come from the sun. A new report funded by NOAA's National Weather Service begins to quantify impacts from space weather on the United States economy.
Space weather broadly refers to time-variable conditions in the near-E ... more Washington DC (SPX) Dec 18, 2017Eclipse 2017: Science from the Moon's Shadow  New Orleans LA (SPX) Dec 14, 2017Space weather, EarthScope, and protecting the national electrical grid  Boulder CO (SPX) Dec 11, 2017CU Boulder solar instruments, experiments headed for space |
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 Kathmandu (AFP) Dec 24, 2017 
Nepali authorities have rescued the country's last known "dancing bears", officials said Sunday, ending the medieval tradition of abuse of the beasts for entertainment.
The Himalayan nation banned performing bears back in 1973 but the illegal practice - a traditional occupation for some street performer communities - lingered on in parts of its southern region.
Police and animal chari ... more Kuala Lumpur (AFP) Dec 20, 2017Malaysia's last female Sumatran rhino gravely ill Banda Aceh, Indonesia (AFP) Dec 27, 2017Pregnant elephant 'poisoned' in Indonesian palm plantation  Haima, Oman (AFP) Dec 23, 2017Oman opens sprawling oryx reserve to ecotourists |
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