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Genetic breakthrough on tropical grass could help develop climate-friendly cattle farms![]() Palmira, Colombia (SPX) Apr 10, 2019 Cattle are a mainstay for many smallholders but their farms are often on degraded lands, which increases cattle's impact on the environment and lowers their production of milk and meat. Researchers at the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) have shown that Brachiaria grass species can reduce greenhouse gas emissions from cattle and increase productivity - and breeding improved varieties can potentially augment the environmental and economic benefits. But the breeding process is ... read more |
Just how much does enhancing photosynthesis improve crop yield?Brisbane, Australia (SPX) Apr 09, 2019 In the next two decades, crop yields need to increase dramatically to feed the growing global population. Wouldn't it be incredibly useful if we had a crystal ball to show us what are the best strat ... more
Survival in arid eastern Chad depends on struggle for waterHadjer Hadid, Chad (AFP) April 9, 2019 "I've already earmarked a customer for this drum - I need to get a move on!" ... more
Farming for natural profits in ChinaStanford CA (SPX) Apr 08, 2019 A new strategy being rolled out in China relies on the idea that farmers can harvest much more than crops. The idea is that well-managed, diverse agricultural lands can provide flood control, water ... more
Genome assembly of pasta wheat leads to new insights for modern wheat breedingLeibniz, Germany (SPX) Apr 10, 2019 Scientists from the Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK Gatersleben) participated to perform the assembly of the genome using the method of 3D-Conformation Capture Seque ... more |
IMF approves $206 mn aid to Sri Lanka after Cyclone Ditwah
Flights cancelled, roads flooded as rare storm soaks UAE Sri Lanka plans $1.6 bn in cyclone recovery spending in 2026 Brazil megacity Sao Paulo struck by fresh water crisis Indonesians reeling from flood devastation plea for global help Levee break near Seattle prompts evacuation order Flash flood kills dozens in Morocco town At least 20 dead in eastern Bolivia floods Press Release from Business Wire: Textron Inc. Flash floods kill 37 in Moroccan coastal town |
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| Previous Issues | Apr 09 | Apr 08 | Apr 05 | Apr 04 | Apr 03 |
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Farmers and nomads take to violence in drought-stricken ChadAbeche, Chad (AFP) April 7, 2019 The chief medical officer at Adre hospital takes a routine phone call: a patient has been admitted with gunshot wounds and needs emergency surgery. ... more
'Cow toilets' in Netherlands aim to cut e-moo-ssionsThe Hague (AFP) March 29, 2019 Teaching cows to use the toilet is not the easiest task, but a Dutch inventor is banking on a new bovine urinal to help cut emissions that cause environmental damage. ... more
Libya chaos leaves city residents struggling for waterZintan, Libya (AFP) April 2, 2019 Hundreds of blue pipes lay abandoned in Libya's Zintan, leaving residents struggling to get enough water after the 2011 revolution halted their spot on the world's largest irrigation project. ... more
Plant seed research provides basis for sustainable alternatives to chemical fertilizersSt. Paul MN (SPX) Mar 27, 2019 Recent advances in next-generation sequencing technologies have allowed scientists to access and assess previously undetectable plant microorganisms. Scientists have long known that various plant-as ... more
Scientists propose a new benchmark skill for decadal prediction of terrestrial water storageBeijing, China (SPX) Mar 27, 2019 Terrestrial water storage (TWS) includes all phases of water over land (e.g., surface and groundwater, snow etc.) and acts as an important fresh water resource. It is a critical component of terrest ... more |
![]() Monsanto ordered to pay $81 mn in Roundup cancer trial
Seeds share memories with their offspringWashington (UPI) Mar 26, 2019 Seeds inherit memories from their mom. According to a new study, the experiences of a mother seed influence the dormant states of offspring. ... more |
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Glyphosate under fire from San Francisco to Sri LankaParis (AFP) March 28, 2019 Glyphosate, the world's most widely used herbicide and the active ingredient in Monsanto's weedkiller Roundup, is the subject of fierce controversy across the globe and is classified by the World Health Organization as "probably" being carcinogenic. ... more
Satellites key to addressing water scarcityParis (ESA) Mar 26, 2019 Today is World Water Day, but with millions of people in Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe struggling to cope in the aftermath of Cyclone Idai, the notion of water shortages may not be at the forefron ... more
Droughts could hit aging power plants hardDurham NC (SPX) Mar 28, 2019 Older power plants with once-through cooling systems generate about a third of all U.S. electricity, but their future generating capacity will be undercut by droughts and rising water temperatures l ... more
China expands ban on Canadian canola imports to second firmBeijing (AFP) March 27, 2019 China has banned imports from a second Canadian canola firm, its customs administration said Tuesday, the latest escalation of a burgeoning row between the two countries. ... more
China expands ban on Canadian canola imports to second firmBeijing (AFP) March 26, 2019 China has banned imports from a second Canadian canola firm, its customs administration said Tuesday, the latest escalation in a burgeoning row between the two countries. ... more |
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DLR and the UStuttgart test transmission of EO data using laser communications Bonn, Germany (SPX) Apr 08, 2019
Earth observation satellites play a key role in weather forecasting, climate research, monitoring of the planet's surface and the detection of forest fires. These tasks require satellites to transmit very large amounts of data to the ground for analysis. Today's radio systems are reaching their limits in this area.
Optical transmission methods, however, offer the possibility of sending dat ... more |
Industry collaboration on avionics paves the way for GAINS navigation demonstration flights London, UK (SPX) Apr 10, 2019
The GAINS project has moved one step closer to demonstrating that general aviation (GA) is able to fly instrument procedures with radius-to-fix (RF) legs, thanks to a strong collaboration with EASA and the manufacturing industry, who worked together to clear the way for existing avionics to be used.
GAINS - General Aviation Improved Navigation and Surveillance, is a project co-funded by th ... more |
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Help NASA Measure Trees with Your Smartphone Greenbelt MD (SPX) Mar 27, 2019
Healthy forests play an crucial role in Earth's ecosystem as growing trees take up carbon from the atmosphere. NASA satellites and airborne missions study forests to see how carbon moves through ecosystems - and now citizen scientists can help investigate this key question as well by using their smartphone to measure tree height.
The GLOBE Observer app provides a step-by-step guide for peo ... more |
Tracking sludge flow for better wastewater treatment and more biogas Melbourne, Australia (SPX) Apr 02, 2019
A new way of tracking how sewage sludge flows during thermal treatment could help engineers design better wastewater treatment plants and boost production of biogas.
Researchers at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia, demonstrated how the flow behaviour of sludge can be used as a tool to gauge how quickly organic matter is dissolving at high temperatures, paving the way for online moni ... more |
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Renewables are a better investment than carbon capture for tackling climate change Lancaster UK (SPX) Apr 09, 2019
Solar panels and wind turbines coupled with energy storage offer a better hope for tackling climate change than trying to capture carbon from fossil fuel power stations, according to new research published by Nature Energy.
Carbon capture technologies - that is new, or as yet undeveloped, technologies that capture CO2 emissions from coal and gas-fired power stations - play a fundamental pa ... more |
The complicated future of offshore wind power in the US New Haven CT (SPX) Apr 03, 2019
Over the past decade, wind power production in the U.S. has tripled, becoming the largest source of renewable energy in the country, the American Wind Energy Association has reported. There are more than 56,800 wind turbines in 41 states and territories, generating more than 6 percent of the nation's electricity, supporting more than 105,000 jobs and garnering billions of dollars in private and ... more |
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Contentious India-backed Australia mine clears major hurdle Sydney (AFP) April 9, 2019
A major Australian coal mine project near the Great Barrier Reef was controversially approved by the federal government Tuesday, days before national elections are expected to be called.
The controversial Queensland project backed by India's Adani would significantly boost coal production, but must now get approval from state and local governments.
The project faces fierce opposition and ... more |
Diplomats, activists decry Chinese 'threats' at UN rights council Geneva (AFP) April 1, 2019 Diplomats and activists on Monday denounced intense Chinese lobbying, pressure and even threats to rein in criticism of Beijing during last month's session of the UN Human Rights Council.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) charged that the Chinese mission in Geneva had sent a letter to a number of missions urging them to stay away from a US-organised event on March 13 about China's treatment of Uighur ... more |
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Robots to autocomplete Soldier tasks, new study suggests Adelphi MD (SPX) Apr 08, 2019
Smart phones autocorrect in texting, search engines autocomplete queries, and mapping applications redirect navigation in real-time to avoid slowed traffic. These ubiquitous AI-based technologies adapt to everyday needs and learn user habits by focusing on making the algorithm better, but Army researchers want to enhance AI by providing more information about the intent of the user.
New re ... more |
Hong Kong admits world's largest air purifier choked on debut Hong Kong (AFP) April 9, 2019
Red-faced Hong Kong officials admitted on Tuesday that a record-breaking air filter for a new bypass under the city broke down shortly after it began operating.
Hong Kong opened a long-awaited $4.6 billion tunnel under a 3.7 kilometre (2.3 mile) long section of the main island in late February with much fanfare.
The bypass was greeted by traffic-weary residents with relief and heralded a ... more |
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A polymer added to fuel could have saved the twin towers, researchers say Washington (UPI) Apr 4, 2019 Scientists at Caltech have developed a new type of polymer that prevents fuel from misting during an explosion. The breakthrough could decrease the amount of damage caused by industrial accidents and terrorist attacks.
Had the new polymers been added to the fuel of American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175, the Twin Towers might have survived the 9-11 terrorist attacks. ... more |
Through machine learning, new model holds water Lemont IL (SPX) Apr 08, 2019
While water is perceived to be one of the simplest substances in the world, modeling its behavior on the atomic or molecular level has frustrated scientists for decades. To date, no single model has been able to accurately represent the plethora of water's singular characteristics, including the fact that it is densest at a temperature slightly higher than its melting point.
A new study fr ... more |
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27 killed, hundreds injured, in Nepal storm Kathmandu (AFP) April 1, 2019
A freak storm tore down houses and overturned cars and trucks as it swept across southern Nepal killing at least 27 people and leaving more than 600 injured, officials said Monday as a major rescue operation gathered pace.
The rare spring storm battered the rural district of Bara and adjoining areas late Sunday with high winds. Five children were among the dead, the home ministry said, as re ... more |
China, US could win big on no-deal Brexit: UN Geneva (AFP) April 9, 2019
If Britain leaves the EU without a deal, the bloc and Britain's smaller trading partners stand to lose big, but Beijing and Washington could reap huge benefits, the UN said Tuesday.
In a fresh report, the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) examined what repercussions it would have for Britain's trading partners if the country crashes out of the European Union without a deal.
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NASA launches two rockets studying auroras Wallops Island, VA (SPX) Apr 09, 2019
NASA successfully launched the Auroral Zone Upwelling Rocket Experiment or AZURE mission on April 5 from the Andoya Space Center in Norway.
Two Black Brant XI-A sounding rockets were launched at 6:14 and 6:16 p.m. EDT on April 5 carrying scientific instruments for studying the energy exchange within an aurora.
The AZURE mission is designed to make measurements of the atmospheric dens ... more |
Evolution imposes 'speed limit' on recovery after mass extinctions Austin TX (SPX) Apr 09, 2019
It takes at least 10 million years for life to fully recover after a mass extinction, a speed limit for the recovery of species diversity that is well known among scientists. Explanations for this apparent rule have usually invoked environmental factors, but research led by The University of Texas at Austin links the lag to something different: evolution.
The recovery speed limit has been ... more |
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