Wednesday, July 9News That Matters

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Volcanic Activity Unveiled on Moon’s Far Side: Chang’e-6 Mission Breakthrough

Volcanic Activity Unveiled on Moon’s Far Side: Chang’e-6 Mission Breakthrough

Breaking News, Learning & Developments, Space
A groundbreaking collaborative study by U.S. and Chinese scientists has uncovered evidence of ancient volcanic activity on the Moon's far side, a region often shrouded in mystery. The analysis of basalt fragments collected during China's Chang'e-6 mission reveals volcanic eruptions dating back over 4.2 billion years, with some surprisingly recent activity around 2.83 billion years ago. The findings, published in prestigious journals Nature and Science, shed new light on the Moon's lesser-explored far side, offering insights into its unique geological history compared to the near side visible from Earth. Chang'e-6 made history as the first mission to retrieve samples from the Moon's far side, braving significant challenges during its nearly two-month operation. Using advanced radiomet...
Milky Way Strips Large Magellanic Cloud’s Gas Halo Like a ‘Giant Hairdryer’: Hubble

Milky Way Strips Large Magellanic Cloud’s Gas Halo Like a ‘Giant Hairdryer’: Hubble

Breaking News, Learning & Developments, Space
NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has captured a dramatic cosmic event as the Milky Way galaxy interacts with the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), a dwarf galaxy passing through its outer regions. Dubbed a "giant hairdryer" by scientists, the Milky Way’s immense gravitational and environmental forces have stripped much of the LMC’s gaseous halo, leaving behind a compact remnant. Andrew Fox, the principal investigator from the European Space Agency, explained: "The Milky Way is pushing back so forcefully that the ram pressure has stripped off most of the original mass of the LMC's halo. There's only a little bit left, and it's this small, compact leftover that we're seeing now." Science Behind the Stripping The phenomenon, known as ram pressure, occurs as the dense environment of the M...
Scientists Suggest That Octopus Could Rule Earth if Humans Disappear

Scientists Suggest That Octopus Could Rule Earth if Humans Disappear

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment, Learning & Developments
As humanity grapples with existential threats like climate change and technological advancements, scientists have pondered a thought-provoking question: which species might dominate the Earth if humans were to vanish? One intriguing answer has emerged the octopus. Renowned for their intelligence and adaptability, octopuses possess a unique combination of traits that could position them as Earth’s future rulers in a post-human world. Their advanced nervous system, problem-solving abilities, and capacity for learning make them unlike most other animals. "Octopuses are among the most intelligent, adaptable, and resourceful creatures on Earth," said Professor Tim Coulson of the University of Oxford. "With their dexterity, curiosity, and ability to communicate, they are in pole position t...
Time Travel: New Research Suggests It’s Possible Without Paradoxes

Time Travel: New Research Suggests It’s Possible Without Paradoxes

Breaking News, Idea & Innovations, Learning & Developments, Space
The concept of time travel has long captivated the human imagination, inspiring countless films and theories. But a 2020 study led by Germain Tobar, a physics student at the University of Queensland, suggests that time travel could theoretically work without creating the infamous "grandfather paradox." This paradox challenges the logic of time travel: if someone went back in time and prevented their grandparents from meeting, their own existence and thus the possibility of time travel would be erased. However, Tobar's calculations indicate that the universe might naturally adapt to prevent such contradictions. For example, if a time traveler attempted to stop a disease from spreading, Tobar's research suggests the disease would still emerge through a different route, ensuring history...
Typhoon Man-yi Nears Philippines Forcing Evacuations Amid Ongoing Recovery Efforts

Typhoon Man-yi Nears Philippines Forcing Evacuations Amid Ongoing Recovery Efforts

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment
The Philippines braces for another powerful storm as Typhoon Man-yi approaches, bringing winds of up to 150 kilometers per hour. Expected to make landfall on Catanduanes Island late Saturday, authorities have initiated mass evacuations, moving hundreds of residents to safer areas. Roberto Monterola, operations chief of the Catanduanes civil defense office, expressed concern over the lack of sufficient evacuation centers. “Some evacuees will need to shelter with neighbors whose homes are built with stronger materials,” he stated, adding that thousands more are expected to evacuate before the typhoon strikes. This comes as the nation is still reeling from Typhoon Usagi, which caused extensive flooding, uprooted trees, and damaged infrastructure in Kaigan Province earlier this week. Res...
NASA Unveils Sea Level Data to Support Coastal Communities

NASA Unveils Sea Level Data to Support Coastal Communities

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Idea & Innovations, Tech
NASA has launched a global sea level change platform to help coastal communities prepare for the rising oceans disrupting livelihoods and infrastructure worldwide. Accessible through the Earth Information Center, the platform offers projections of sea level rise until 2150 and flood risks for the next 30 years, integrating data from ice sheets, ocean monitoring, and climate assessments. Developed in collaboration with organizations like the World Bank, U.S. Department of Defense, and the United Nations, the tool aims to guide critical planning and adaptation strategies. "NASA innovates for humanity," said Karen St. Germain, head of NASA’s Earth Science Division. "This data supports communities in addressing natural hazards and planning for resilience." Rising Faster Than Ever NASA...
COP29 Urges Swift Action on Early Warnings for Extreme Weather

COP29 Urges Swift Action on Early Warnings for Extreme Weather

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment, Thoughts & Talks
Baku, Azerbaijan: A flagship campaign to ensure universal access to life-saving early warning systems is gaining momentum, but vulnerable nations continue to bear the brunt of climate disasters, leaders stressed at COP29. The high-level event spotlighted the UN Secretary-General's Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative, which aims to protect everyone from hazardous weather and climate events by 2027. “This year is on track to be the hottest in history, marked by record-breaking heatwaves, rains, and deadly droughts,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres. “Early warning systems are no longer a luxury; they are a necessity and a sound investment, with a ten-fold return.” COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev highlighted that effective early warning systems could avert losses of up ...
Strengthening Social Protection: An Urgent Economic and Climate Necessity

Strengthening Social Protection: An Urgent Economic and Climate Necessity

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Learning & Developments
As climate change intensifies and economic uncertainties mount, robust social protection systems have become essential for resilience and inclusive development. A new report by the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) underscores the critical need to address financing gaps to strengthen these systems and safeguard vulnerable populations. Far from being a mere expense, social protection is an investment in people that yields significant socioeconomic returns. Research highlights its role as an economic stabilizer, particularly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic when cash assistance programs and unemployment benefits supported incomes and stabilized aggregate demand. Such measures demonstrate how social protection systems enhance resilience and foster social c...
ESCAP Says Robust Social Protection Systems Vital Amid Climate Challenges

ESCAP Says Robust Social Protection Systems Vital Amid Climate Challenges

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Learning & Developments
New Delhi: As climate change and economic uncertainties intensify, robust social protection systems are becoming a necessity, not a choice, warns the Social Outlook 2024 report by the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). The report highlights a dire need to close financing gaps to safeguard vulnerable populations and build resilience. The Asia-Pacific region currently spends only 8.2% of its GDP on social protection, significantly below the global average of 12.9%. ESCAP cautions that without increased investment, rising poverty driven by climate change, digital disparities, and aging populations could become unavoidable. Social protection is more than a safety net; it’s an investment that stabilizes economies during crises. This was evident during the COV...
Delhi’s Air Quality Deteriorates: Second Most Polluted City in the World

Delhi’s Air Quality Deteriorates: Second Most Polluted City in the World

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment
New Delhi: Delhi's air quality remains in the "severe" category for the third consecutive day, with the city now ranked the second most polluted globally. According to Swiss air quality monitoring firm IQAir, Delhi recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 498 on Friday morning, trailing only Lahore, Pakistan, which reported a shocking AQI of 770. Top Polluted Areas in Delhi The Central Pollution Control Board’s Sameer app highlighted the city’s worst-affected areas: Jahangirpuri: AQI 458 Bawana: AQI 455 Wazirpur: AQI 455 Rohini: AQI 452 Punjabi Bagh: AQI 443 Transport Hit Hard by Smog Thick smog reduced visibility across the city, with Palam and Safdarjung areas reporting visibility as low as 500m and 400m, respectively. This has severely disrupted transport servic...