Breaking News Archives - Page 134 of 135

Dec222023 by disastersNo Comments

The impact of artificial intelligence and virtual reality: How artificial intelligence and VR are transforming society and their long-term effects

The convergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR) technologies has led to a profound transformation in various aspects of society. AI’s ability to process massive amounts of data and VR’s ability to create immersive experiences have opened up new opportunities and challenges across many industries. A revolutionary industry The integration of AI and VR is reshaping industries across all disciplines. In healthcare, VR is used to train doctors, run simulations and help with mental health treatment. Artificial intelligence-based medical algorithms improve diagnostic accuracy and streamline treatment plans, improving patient outcomes. In addition, AI and VR are transforming manufacturing by optimizing production processes, predicting maintenance needs and reducin...

Dec222023 by disastersNo Comments

Climate Change Poses Growing Risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods in the Third Pole Region

Breaking News, Environment, Thoughts & Talks

December 17, 2023, A new study published in the journal Nature Communications has raised climate change alarms about the increasing threat of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) in the Third Pole region, encompassing the Tibetan Plateau, the Himalayas, Hindu Kush, and Tianshan Mountain ranges. Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences have highlighted the vulnerability of this ecologically crucial area to the impacts of climate change. The research indicates that the expansion of glacial lakes and the emergence of new ones in the Third Pole region are likely to result in a higher frequency of GLOFs in the coming years. This calls for the development of improved analytical methods and datasets to anticipate and mitigate potential disasters associated with these events. The Thi...

Dec222023 by disastersNo Comments

How space technology helped humanity in the field of early warning of weather related disasters and connectivity

Breaking News, Space

Space technology can measure and predict the effects of unforeseen disasters that can threaten both the environment and the population. Atmospheric technology can take care of disaster risk assessments, mitigation, and disaster risk management adjustments. Before using this type of technology worldwide, there must be a growing awareness of potential disasters, building national capacity and developing a solution that is more specific and specific to the needs of the developing world. The purpose of this paper is to propose a conceptual model of early warning and control system using satellite telemetry, as well as to determine what current unresolved issues and future needs of advance warning platforms are currently analyzing current global trends. Climate change is changing the global ...

Dec222023 by disastersNo Comments

Understanding and Managing Cascading Disasters in the Himalayas

Breaking News, Disasters, Thoughts & Talks

On October 4, 2023, a tragic event unfolded in the Himalayas, as a cloudburst above Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim triggered a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF). This disaster claimed over 30 lives, obliterated the 1,200 MW Urja Hydroelectric Chungthang dam, and left a trail of destruction downstream. A stark reminder of the compounding and cascading risks induced by climate change, the Sikkim GLOF exemplifies the fragility of the Himalayan mountainous region and the severe threats it faces. Unveiling GLOF and Cloudburst Dynamics in Himalayas Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) stem from the sudden rupture of glacial lake dams. The Sikkim Himalayas, particularly the Teesta basin, are home to a plethora of such glacial lakes. South Lhonak Lake, one of the largest and fastest-growing gl...

Dec222023 by disastersNo Comments

Fukushima Nuclear Plant Worker Found with Elevated Radiation Levels in Nose

Breaking News, Tech

A worker at Japan’s Fukushima nuclear plant has been discovered with elevated radiation levels in his nose, raising concerns about the ongoing challenges associated with the decommissioning process of the plant. The worker is suspected to have removed their full-face mask after completing tasks, potentially exposing themselves to radioactive materials. Tokyo Electric Power (Tepco) reassured that the employee is not facing immediate health issues, and a comprehensive full-body scan showed no signs of internal contamination. This incident follows a similar one three months ago when four workers were splashed with water containing radioactive materials, resulting in hospitalization for two of them. The Fukushima nuclear plant suffered a major disaster in 2011 after a massive earthquake and...

Dec222023 by disastersNo Comments

Australia to Unveil DeepSouth: World’s First Supercomputer to Simulate Human Brain Networks

Breaking News, Tech

Australian researchers are on the verge of unveiling the world’s first supercomputer designed to simulate brain networks at an unprecedented scale. Named DeepSouth, this groundbreaking supercomputer is being developed by Western Sydney University, with the potential to revolutionize our understanding of how the human brain processes information with incredible energy efficiency. The human brain, consuming a mere 20 watts of power, achieves the processing equivalent of an exaflop, or a billion-billion mathematical operations per second. DeepSouth, set to go online next year, will boast a remarkable capability of 228 trillion synaptic operations per second, rivaling the estimated rate of operations in the human brain. The primary objective of DeepSouth is to unravel the mysteries of th...

Dec222023 by disastersNo Comments

Octopus DNA Reveals Evidence of West Antarctic Ice Sheet Collapse During Last Warm Spell

Breaking News, Environment

In a groundbreaking study published in Science, scientists have turned to the DNA of octopuses living in Antarctica’s frigid waters to uncover evidence of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet’s (WAIS) collapse during the Last Interglacial, a warm period 129,000 to 116,000 years ago. Lead author Sally Lau from James Cook University and her team analyzed the genes of geographically-isolated populations of Turquet’s octopus, discovering genetic mixing that indicated the existence of trans-West Antarctic seaways connecting the Weddell, Amundsen, and Ross seas. The findings suggest that WAIS collapsed during the Last Interglacial when global temperatures were approximately 1.5 degrees Celsius warmer than pre-industrial levels, reflecting current conditions due to human-induced climate change. The st...

Dec222023 by disastersNo Comments

Cosmic Slide-Whistle: Mysterious Signal from Deep Space Baffles Scientists

Breaking News, Space

In a cosmic symphony of peculiar signals, scientists have captured an unprecedented occurrence within the depths of the cosmos. Amidst the repetition of fast radio bursts (FRBs), researchers have identified a drop in the center frequency of the signals, likened to a cosmic slide-whistle when translated into musical notes on a xylophone. The mysterious nature of fast radio bursts, or FRBs, continues to intrigue scientists, defying easy explanations and offering glimpses into the enigmatic workings of the universe. FRBs are powerful bursts of radio emission lasting from microseconds to seconds, each releasing energy equivalent to 500 million Suns. While elusive and challenging to study, a select few FRB sources exhibit a unique behavior—they repeat, allowing for detailed analysis and pote...

Dec222023 by disastersNo Comments

Australia’s Submerged Ancient Landscapes Revealed: Northwest Shelf’s Hidden History

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Learning & Developments

Recent research published in Quaternary Science Reviews unveils the hidden history of Australia’s Northwest Shelf, which was once an expansive, habitable landscape connecting the Kimberley and western Arnhem Land. This submerged continental shelf, stretching nearly 390,000 square kilometers, formed a unique cultural zone during a significant part of Australia’s human history, around 18,000 years ago. As the last ice age concluded, rising sea levels submerged this vast area, creating a complex landscape that remained undiscovered until now. The study used high-resolution maps and projections of past sea levels to reveal an archipelago, lakes, rivers, and a large inland sea that existed on the Northwest Shelf. This region, previously thought to be environmentally unproductive, turns ou...

Dec222023 by disastersNo Comments

2°C Global Temperature Rise Could Make Indus Valley Uninhabitable for 2.2 Billion

Breaking News, Environment, Learning & Developments

A new study in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences warns that if global temperature rise by 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, about 2.2 billion people living in the Indus River Valley in northern India and eastern Pakistan may face prolonged periods of heat exceeding human tolerance. The research indicates that regions including northern India, eastern Pakistan, eastern China, and Sub-Saharan Africa will experience high-humidity heatwaves, which are even more dangerous due to reduced evaporative cooling capabilities. These areas are primarily home to lower-to-middle-income countries, where many individuals lack access to air conditioning or effective means to combat the health risks associated with extreme heat. Beyond specific thresholds of he...