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    In a world still shaped by the aftermath of COVID-19 scientists are racing against time to answer one critical question: which animal virus could trigger the next global outbreak? A new breakthrough study offers a smarter and much safer way to find out. Instead of waiting for viruses to spill over into humans, researchers have developed a method to identify risky viruses in advance, without ever exposing themselves to dangerous pathogens. This could transform how the world prepares for future pandemics. Millions of Animal Viruses The planet is filled with viruses circulating in animals, especially in species like bats. Most of these viruses will never infect humans but a small number can jump species, with devastating consequences. The challenge has always been ...

    Wetlands of northeastern Bangladesh a dangerous cycle is unfolding where climate change, migration and environmental degradation are combining to intensify flood disasters in the haor region. What were once predictable seasonal floods are now becoming more destructive, leaving vulnerable communities trapped in repeated loss and displacement. Every year, vast bowl-shaped wetlands known as haors remain submerged for nearly seven months. With the arrival of the monsoon, heavy rainfall from the hills of Meghalaya flows downstream through transboundary rivers, triggering sudden and often violent flash floods across districts like Sylhet and Sunamganj. While flooding is not new to the region, its scale and intensity have sharply increased in recent years. Experts point ...

    Rapid urbanisation combined with rising global temperatures is exposing billions of people to extreme heat, with new research warning that future conditions could far exceed anything experienced today. Scientists say that without urgent climate action, cities across the world will become increasingly dangerous places to live, particularly for vulnerable populations. The study, published by researchers including Hamish Lewis and Luke Harrington, highlights how heatwaves often underestimated compared to disasters like floods or wildfires are already causing significant health impacts. These include increased deaths, hospital admissions due to heatstroke and dehydration, and worsening cardiovascular conditions. Experts estimate that more than one-third of heat-relate...

    Climate change is increasingly reshaping the world of sports, forcing organisers and athletes to adapt to rising temperatures, extreme weather events and environmental disruptions. A new report by the World Economic Forum warns that the global sports industry valued at 2.3 trillion dollars annually is facing mounting risks due to climate-related challenges. From extreme heat affecting player safety to declining snowfall disrupting winter sports, climate change is no longer a distant concern but an immediate reality for sporting events worldwide. Experts say that as global temperatures continue to rise, the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events are also increasing, directly impacting when, where and how sports are played. Major Events Already Feeling The He...

    A New high tech surveillance system is transforming how authorities respond to bushfires in South Australia, with artificial intelligence helping detect fires earlier and improve emergency response times across vast forested regions. The system rolled out across more than one million hectares in the state’s Green Triangle forestry region, has already identified nearly 90 unplanned fires since its launch. Officials say the technology is enabling firefighters to act faster, often when fires are still small and easier to contain. Developed by Pano AI and supported by a $2.35 million investment from the state government in 2023, the network consists of eight AI-powered cameras installed in key locations across the South East and Limestone Coast. These cameras continuo...

    Rivers across the world are undergoing alarming changes, with rising temperatures, declining oxygen levels and increasing greenhouse gas emissions, according to a new global study. Scientists warn that these shifts are not only damaging aquatic ecosystems but are also contributing significantly to climate change. The research, led by Ricky Mwangada Mwanake at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, analysed river systems across 5,084 catchments between 2002 and 2022. The findings reveal a consistent global trend of rivers becoming warmer and more polluted, with increased levels of heat-trapping gases such as carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. Experts say these changes are closely linked to rising global temperatures and human activities, which are accelerat...

Climate crisis is no longer a distant environmental concern it is now actively reshaping education systems, ecosystems, economies, cities, and even human activities like sports. A growing body of research and reports from global institutions reveals a connected story: climate change is not a single problem, but a cascading crisis affecting every layer of life on Earth. From disrupted classrooms in Africa to overheating cities, collapsing water systems, and warming rivers releasing greenhouse gases, the impacts are accelerating faster than adaptation efforts. What emerges is a stark reality climate change is no longer about the future. It is already redefining the present. Education Under Climate Pressure One of the most alarming impacts is unfolding in education. Across Eastern and ...

    Natural hazards are not only destroying infrastructure and livelihoods they are quietly eroding employment on a massive scale, according to new global research that quantifies job losses linked to disasters and rising temperatures. The study estimates that fast onset hazards such as floods, earthquakes, storms and tsunamis cause an average of 9.4 million full time job equivalent losses (JEL) every year across 132 countries. Among these, earthquakes and floods account for the largest share of employment disruption. The burden is not evenly distributed. Regions such as East Asia and the Pacific, along with Sub-Saharan Africa, are experiencing the most severe job losses from these sudden disasters, reflecting both high exposure to hazards and limited resilience in la...

    A major environmental warning has been issued over rising agricultural pollution, with regulators calling for “significant change” to prevent further damage to water bodies and ecosystems. The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) has reviewed the effectiveness of the Nutrients Action Programme (NAP), the key policy aimed at reducing pollution from farming. While acknowledging “considerable progress,” the watchdog concluded that current regulations are not strong enough to deliver meaningful improvements in water, air, and land quality. Farming Practices Driving Water Pollution Crisis The report highlights that modern agri-food systems have become heavily reliant on imported animal feed and fertilisers. This excess nutrient use leads to agricultural run-off...

    A new study has overturned common assumptions about polar bear behavior, revealing that the growing number of encounters between humans and these Arctic predators is driven more by disappearing sea ice than by hunger. Researchers recorded over 580 polar bear visits across a decade using trail cameras at sites in Wapusk National Park and near the Churchill Northern Studies Centre. Their findings show a clear pattern: the longer the Arctic remains ice-free, the more frequently polar bears approach human camps and infrastructure. Polar bears depend on sea ice to hunt seals, their primary food source. However, as climate change causes ice to melt earlier in spring and return later in autumn, bears are being forced to spend extended periods on land. During these times,...