Breaking News Archives - Page 95 of 135

Nov142024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Geospatial Technologies Propel Climate Adaptation Efforts Across Asia

Climate change, a crisis that defies national borders, demands urgent action as highlighted by the latest State of the Climate in Asia report. This report warns that extreme weather events like storms, heatwaves, and floods are intensifying, and rising sea levels are worsening the risks for coastal communities. In response, geospatial technologies are proving essential in Asia's climate adaptation efforts, enabling precise monitoring, risk assessment, and disaster preparedness. In Japan, the Arakawa 3D Flood Hazard Map offers Tokyo’s residents real-time flood risk data for the Arakawa River area, detailing inundation depths and flood retention times. By integrating live camera feeds, residents can gauge potential flooding impacts on homes or workplaces and make timely evacuation plans. ...

Nov142024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Earthquake of Magnitude 5.2 Jolts Jammu and Kashmir, No Reported Damage

Breaking News, Disasters

Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir – A 5.2-magnitude earthquake struck the Jammu and Kashmir region on Wednesday morning, prompting people in the Kashmir Valley to rush outdoors in a panic. The tremor, originating in the Afghanistan region, was felt at 10:43 a.m. according to local officials. Though the quake was strong enough to be widely felt, initial reports indicate there were no casualties or significant damage to property. Authorities continue to monitor the situation, but early assessments suggest minimal impact on infrastructure. Residents of the valley, accustomed to seismic activity, were nonetheless alarmed as the quake briefly rattled buildings and caused moment. From News Desk

Nov142024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Toxic Smog Engulfs New Delhi as Air Pollution Soars to 50 Times WHO Limit

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

New Delhi, India – A dense toxic smog blanketed New Delhi on Wednesday, with pollution levels surging to over 50 times the World Health Organization's recommended daily limit. Residents of the sprawling city of over 30 million grappled with choking air, as monitoring firm IQAir reported hazardous levels of PM2.5 pollutants topping 806 micrograms per cubic meter – microparticles that pose severe risks as they can enter the bloodstream through the lungs. Many in the city cannot afford air filters or create sealed indoor spaces to protect themselves, and the smog has led to delayed flights, with visibility dropping below 500 meters in Delhi and even lower at 18 airports across northern India. The hazardous air is attributed to a range of factors, including agricultural stubble burning i...

Nov142024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Breakthrough Stem Cell Transplant Restores Vision in Patients with Severe Corneal Damage

Breaking News, Learning & Developments

Osaka, Japan – A revolutionary stem cell transplant has significantly improved vision for three patients suffering from severe corneal damage due to limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD). This first-of-its-kind clinical trial, conducted in Japan, marks a major advancement in stem cell research and offers new hope for millions affected by corneal vision loss. Two years post-operation, no major safety concerns have arisen, and all three patients’ corneas appear noticeably clearer. LSCD, the disorder affecting these patients, leads to scar tissue buildup on the cornea, impairing vision. While current treatments for LSCD in a single eye involve transplanting healthy corneal tissue from the other eye, patients with damage in both eyes require scarce donor transplants. Globally, only one in s...

Nov142024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

World Edges Closer to Climate Crisis as 1.5°C Warming Threshold Is Set to Be Surpassed

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment, Thoughts & Talks

Baku, Azerbaijan – The world is on track to mark 2024 as the first full year of 1.5°C global warming above pre-industrial levels, according to data presented at the United Nations’ COP29 climate summit. Recent analyses from Copernicus, Berkeley Earth, and the UK Met Office underscore this troubling milestone, with average temperatures this year setting new records and surpassing last year’s high of 0.6°C above the 1991-2020 average. Despite the recent El Niño event contributing to temperature increases earlier this year, the excessive heat has endured well after its dissipation. This persistence signals a new climate reality, with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warning of increasing natural disasters as a direct result of fossil fuel emissions. “Record-breaking rainfall,...

Nov132024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Gurugram High Rise Conducts Artificial Rain to Tackle Worsening Air Pollution

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

In a proactive response to the severe air quality crisis gripping Delhi NCR, authorities implemented “artificial rain” in Gurugram’s DLF Primus high-rise complex in Sector 82. Sprinkler systems and fire lines at the top of the 32-story buildings were used to release water, creating a rainfall effect aimed at reducing air pollution levels. The Resident Welfare Association (RWA) President of DLF Primus, Achal Yadav, stated, “This artificial rain initiative is our effort to curb pollution in the area. If AQI levels continue to rise, we’re ready to make this a daily measure.” Additional efforts, such as encouraging carpooling, are also underway to address the ongoing air quality issues. A video from the site shows light rainfall from the high-rise towers, clearing the skies and helping r...

Nov132024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Solar Surge Curtin University’s Binar Satellites Lost to High Solar Activity

Breaking News, Idea & Innovations, Space, Tech

Three Australian CubeSats from Curtin University's Binar Space Program recently burned up in Earth's atmosphere after only two months in orbit one-third of their expected mission duration. Named Binar-2, 3, and 4, these satellites were intended to last around six months in low Earth orbit but met an untimely end due to unexpected solar activity. In fact, “Binar” fittingly means “fireball” in Noongar, an Indigenous Australian language. Launched to gather scientific data and test new systems, the Binar satellites faced increased atmospheric drag caused by the Sun’s heightened activity. The Sun is currently in the peak phase of its 11-year solar cycle, known as solar cycle 25, during which solar flares, solar winds, and charged particles intensify. Recent solar indicators have shown activi...

Nov122024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Florida Faces a Critical Choice: Building Resiliently for the Future After 2024’s Hurricanes

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters

As Florida and the Southeast recover from 2024's hurricanes, many residents and experts are asking how to rebuild in ways that prevent future losses. Civil engineering and disaster recovery experts are finding ways to build homes more resilient to extreme weather, but homeowners often encounter obstacles. One challenge is the high up-front costs of sustainable building materials, especially when the demand surge after a disaster raises prices and strains supply. Additionally, insurance coverage tends to fund only basic rebuilding, leaving residents without resources to add resilience-focused upgrades. Cost and Complexity: Rebuilding Challenges When disaster strikes, the urgency to restore housing clashes with the time and costs of "building back better." With FEMA's stretched reso...

Nov122024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Smallest Nations Biggest Impact: Study Shows Small Island States Facing Severe Flooding Risks Due to Climate Change

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

A new study led by the University of Bristol has highlighted how Small Island Developing States (SIDS), which contribute the least to climate change, are already facing severe and escalating flood risks. The research reveals that nearly 20% of people living in these islands about 8.5 million are now exposed to coastal and inland flooding. For nations like the Bahamas, Guyana, and Tuvalu, this figure skyrockets, affecting over 60% of their populations. The study, published with data from Fathom’s Global Flood Map and worldwide population databases, marks the first comprehensive assessment of flood risks across all 57 SIDS. These islands, spread across the Pacific, Caribbean, Indian Ocean, and South China Sea, are particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels and severe weather due to thei...

Nov122024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Kenyan Lesser Mealworm Larvae Show Promise in Plastic Degradation, Offering New Hope for Pollution Control

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment, Learning & Developments

In an innovative approach to tackling plastic pollution, a team of scientists from the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology has discovered that Kenyan lesser mealworm larvae can consume polystyrene a common yet hard-to-recycle plastic. This is the first time an insect species native to Africa has been found to break down polystyrene, adding it to a small but promising group of plastic-degrading insects. How Do They Do It? Polystyrene, often known as Styrofoam, is widely used in packaging and is notoriously difficult to recycle due to its durable nature. While traditional recycling methods are costly and polluting, the Kenyan lesser mealworm has a unique ability to chew through polystyrene with the help of gut bacteria that aid in breaking down the plastic. These larv...