Idea & Innovations Archives

Jan242026 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Drone Technology Helps Scientists Detect Early Drought Stress in Trees, Offering New Hope for Forest Protection

Rising temperatures and frequent droughts are placing forests under increasing pressure, making it harder for trees to survive changing climate conditions. Scientists at the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research have developed a new method to detect drought stress in trees using drone-based multispectral imaging, allowing them to monitor forest health from the air across large areas. During the unusually hot summer of 2023, researchers studied how seven native tree species respond to water shortages. Using drones equipped with special cameras, they were able to identify early signs of stress that are not visible to the human eye. These findings could help forestry experts better understand which tree species are more resilient to climate cha...

Dec162025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Scientists Develop Fish-inspired Filter Removes 99% Microplastic from Wastewater

Idea & Innovations

Researchers at the University of Bonn have developed a groundbreaking filtration system inspired by the natural feeding mechanism of fish, offering a powerful new solution to the growing problem of microplastic pollution from washing machines. Early tests show that the newly designed filter can remove more than ninety nine percent of plastic fibres from laundry wastewater, marking a major advance in efforts to protect water systems and public health. The findings have been published in the scientific journal npj Emerging Contaminants, and the design has already entered the patent application stage in Germany, with European-wide patenting now underway. Washing machines emerge as a major source of microplastic pollution Microplastics released during washing are i...

Nov192025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

COP30 Unlocks Trillions for Grids and Storage, Tackling the Clean Energy ‘Bottleneck’

Idea & Innovations

The 30th Conference of Parties (COP30) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change delivered one of the summit's most consequential developments on November 18, 2025, by directly addressing what leaders repeatedly called the “biggest bottleneck” to the global clean-energy transition: outdated electricity grids and inadequate energy storage systems. Governments, development banks, and industry announced billions in fresh financial commitments, signaling a pivotal shift in climate funding priorities. Massive Financial Pipeline Confirmed The most significant financial signal came from the Utilities for Net Zero Alliance (UNEZA), which announced plans to spend $148 billion every year, establishing a $1 trillion pipeline for grid and storage expansion to 2030. This was...

Sep52025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

A Greener Ghee: Researcher Patents Bioplastic from Dairy Waste

Fact Check, Idea & Innovations

VISAKHAPATNAM – Dr. Rasheeda Khanam, a faculty member at Gitam Deemed to be University, has been granted a patent for an innovative, eco-friendly bioplastic derived from a common dairy industry byproduct: ghee residue. This dark, mass-like substance, typically discarded by dairies, has no practical use and is often dumped in agricultural fields. Dr. Khanam's research transforms this waste into a sustainable alternative to conventional plastic, suitable for various applications. The patented bioplastic is made by blending a ghee residue extract with glycerol to provide flexibility. To enhance its durability and water resistance, she incorporates natural, hydrophobic compounds like beeswax, chitin, and zein protein. The resulting material is a biodegradable and non-toxic film that can be ...

Aug272025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

IITians Launch RaastaFix, A Citizen First App To Tackle Civic Woes In Gurugram

Environment, Idea & Innovations

Gurugram residents struggling with potholes, garbage heaps or waterlogging may now have a quick fix at hand. A group of IIT graduates has launched RaastaFix, a web-based application that allows people to report civic issues in less than 30 seconds. The app, which went live just five days ago, geo-tags and time-stamps every complaint. Once submitted, the report is automatically forwarded to multiple civic agencies, including the Municipal Corporation, Metropolitan Development Authority, NHAI, PWD, local councillors, MLAs and RWAs ensuring that the right authority gets the update without delays. Simple Process, Fast Results Residents can submit an issue in four easy steps: choose a category, upload photos, allow location detection, and hit submit. The process is designed to be seaml...

Aug272025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Why the BBNJ Treaty Could Be a Game Changer for the Mediterranean Sea

Environment, Idea & Innovations

The Mediterranean Sea covering less than 1% of the world oceans, holds more than 18% of all known marine species. Yet this ecological jewel faces mounting threats from climate change and overfishing to pollution and overlapping territorial disputes. Experts say the recently adopted UN treaty on ocean biodiversity known as the BBNJ Agreement could be the breakthrough the region urgently needs. A Global Treaty With Local Stakes In June 2023, after nearly two decades of negotiations, the global community adopted the “Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction,” or the BBNJ Agreement. Hailed as a milestone in ocean governance, the treaty cr...

Jun42025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Anti-Smog Guns & AI Cameras in Delhi’s 2025 Air Pollution Mitigation Plan

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Idea & Innovations, Tech

With Delhi air quality once again under global scrutiny, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday rolled out the Air Pollution Mitigation Plan 2025 a bold, tech-powered initiative to combat the capital’s perennial pollution crisis. Under the sweeping measures: ▸ Anti-smog guns are now mandatory for all high-rise commercial structures in Delhi malls, hotels, and office complexes exceeding 3,000 sq metres. ▸ Mist sprayers will be deployed at 13 identified air pollution hotspots across the city. ▸ From 1 November, only BS-VI compliant, electric, and CNG vehicles will be allowed to enter Delhi’s borders. Gupta’s announcement marks one of the most stringent efforts to date in tackling the city's toxic air, especially as Delhi braces for yet another hazardous winter season. AI Cam...

Jun22025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

AI Set to Revolutionize Flood Forecasting After Hurricane Success

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Idea & Innovations, Learning & Developments

Artificial intelligence is reshaping hurricane forecasting, with major breakthroughs already recorded in 2024. Google’s AI model correctly predicted Hurricane Beryl’s landfall in Texas days ahead of traditional systems that anticipated a Mexico strike. Another AI system successfully forecasted Hurricane Francine’s Louisiana impact well before conventional models issued similar warnings. Now, researchers are exploring AI’s potential in a critical new area: predicting flooding caused by hurricanes. At Florida International University (FIU), scientists are developing AI-driven flood models that promise rapid, high-resolution forecasts, potentially transforming emergency responses during storm events. Unlike traditional physics-based systems that simulate water movement through compl...

May282025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Which Hurricane Models Can You Trust in 2025?

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Idea & Innovations, Tech

When a hurricane is brewing in the ocean, where do you turn for the most accurate forecast? With so many computer models out there especially two brand-new ones introduced just last year it can get confusing. But experts still say: trust the National Hurricane Center (NHC) first. Their track forecasts are the most reliable. In the 2024 hurricane season, which was very active, NHC broke accuracy records. Their storm path predictions up to five days in advance beat all other models, nearly every time. Even the best individual models couldn’t outperform NHC or its top three “consensus” models (which are created by blending forecasts from multiple models). The Most Trusted Track Models in 2024 European Model (ECMWF) and GFS Model (USA): These two were the top performers. GFS was b...

May272025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Earth Core May Be Leaking Gold: Hawaiian Volcano Rocks Reveal Hidden Connection

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Idea & Innovations, Learning & Developments

A new scientific breakthrough suggests Earth’s molten core may be releasing precious metals like gold into the planet’s surface, and the evidence has been found in volcanic rocks from Hawaii. In a study published in the journal Nature, researchers from the University of Göttingen in Germany used advanced isotopic analysis to investigate volcanic rocks from Hawaii. These rocks, formed by magma plumes rising from deep inside the Earth, contain unusually high levels of a rare form of ruthenium, a metal more common in the planet’s core than its upper layers. The discovery challenges long-standing assumptions that the Earth’s core is completely sealed off from the rest of the planet. Since the formation of Earth 4.5 billion years ago, scientists believed that over 99.99% of the planet’s g...