Learning & Developments Archives - Page 11 of 13

Aug122024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Antarctic Polar Vortex Faces Unprecedented Instability, Raising Global Weather Concerns

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Learning & Developments

The Antarctic polar vortex, a typically stable mass of cold air swirling above Antarctica, is showing alarming signs of instability, with the potential to split for the first time in over two decades. This unprecedented situation could lead to significant warming in Antarctica and trigger extreme weather patterns, including unusually hot and dry summers in Australia and South America, according to recent reports from the New Scientist. This year, the polar vortex has weakened dramatically, with wind speeds plummeting to unprecedented levels. This weakening has allowed cold air to escape from Antarctica while warmer air has moved in, causing the vortex to shift from its usual position. As a result, regions in Australia, New Zealand, and South America have experienced unusually cold weath...

Jul222024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Discovery of Intermediate Mass Black Hole in IRS 13 Offers Vital Clues to Black Hole Evolution

Breaking News, Learning & Developments, Space

In a breakthrough that could significantly advance our understanding of black hole evolution, astronomers have identified a potential intermediate mass black hole within the star cluster IRS 13 near the Milky Way's core. This discovery, only 0.1 light-years from the supermassive black hole Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*), offers critical insights into the missing link between stellar mass black holes and their supermassive counterparts. Intermediate mass black holes, those with masses between 100 and 100,000 solar masses, are exceedingly rare. Their scarcity has left a puzzling gap in the evolutionary chain of black holes, which ranges from stellar mass black holes (up to about 80 solar masses) to supermassive black holes (millions to billions of solar masses). The detection of an intermediate ...

Jul92024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Rajasthan to Launch First 10 Year Road Safety Action Plan in India

Breaking News, Learning & Developments

Rajasthan is set to become the first state in India to adopt a comprehensive 10-year action plan for road safety, aiming to reduce road accidents by 50% by 2030. The action plan, supported by a government policy, seeks to raise public awareness and foster behavioral changes for better compliance with road safety rules. On July 8, Deputy Chief Minister Prem Chand Bairwa announced that the action plan is being developed by the Transport Department's road safety cell as part of the BJP government's 100-day blueprint. The World Bank will assist in preparing the action plan and policy, incorporating best practices from around the world. “The action plan will be implemented in three stages,” said Mr. Bairwa, who also oversees transport and road safety. The stages are: 2025-2027: Focus o...

Jun202024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Climate Change Poses Growing Threat to Maternal and Infant Health, New Research Finds

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Learning & Developments

Climate change, one of the most pressing health threats facing humanity, is now being linked to long-term adverse health and socioeconomic effects on children born during periods of extreme heat. A systematic review of existing research has revealed alarming connections between rising temperatures and poor health outcomes for both mothers and their babies, prompting urgent calls for action. Rising Temperatures and Health Risks The new study highlights that global warming, an integral aspect of climate change, is exacerbating health issues, particularly among vulnerable populations such as pregnant women and children. Previous research has already established that heat exposure during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, congenital abnormalities, gestational hypert...

Jun192024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Scientists Warn: Climate Change Could Bring Deadly Heat and Humidity to More Regions

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Learning & Developments

Recent weather patterns have brought extreme heat to many parts of the world, but in most inhabited regions, it typically doesn't become "too hot for people to live," especially in dry climates. In these areas, our bodies can usually cool off through the evaporation of sweat. However, in regions where hot deserts meet warm oceans, dangerous heat and humidity can combine, posing serious health risks. Regions like the Middle East, Pakistan, and India frequently experience deadly combinations of heat and humidity during summer heat waves. The humid air from nearby seas hampers sweat evaporation, preventing our bodies from cooling effectively. Hundreds of millions of people in these areas lack access to air conditioning, making the situation even more dire. Wet Bulb Temperatures and Thei...

Jun182024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Major Earthquake 2,500 Years Ago Likely Altered Ganges River Course, Study Finds

Breaking News, Disasters, Learning & Developments

A major earthquake more than 2,500 years ago likely caused one of the world's largest rivers to change its course, according to a study published today in the journal Nature Communications. The findings by a global research team suggest that a similar event could have the potential to alter the river's course again in the future. The modern Ganges River, spanning 2,500 kilometers, flows from the Himalayas southeastward into Bangladesh, where it is known as the Padma River. It then connects with the Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers. Currently, the Ganges-Padma is located around 50 kilometers south of Dhaka. However, satellite imagery has revealed evidence of its former course, approximately 100 kilometers from the city. This discovery indicates that a major event, likely seismic activity...

May302024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

CDRI Launches Major Funding Initiative to Enhance Infrastructure Resilience in Small Island Developing States

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Learning & Developments

The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) has unveiled a substantial funding initiative aimed at bolstering infrastructure resilience in Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The announcement was made during the United Nations 4th International Conference on SIDS, held in Antigua and Barbuda. The initiative is open to all 57 SIDS nations and offers a comprehensive package of technical support, knowledge resources, and financial assistance. The goal is to fortify critical infrastructure sectors, including transport, power, telecommunications, water, health, and education, against the escalating threats posed by natural disasters and climate change. "This funding will support SIDS with the knowledge products, tools, and partnerships needed to achieve climate and disas...

May292024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Urgency of Tackling Erratic Monsoons and Climate Change in India: Study

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Learning & Developments

India's monsoon season is approaching amid a heatwave, with the India Meteorological Department predicting "above normal" rainfall. The monsoon, critical for agriculture and water supply, has become increasingly erratic due to climate change, impacting the economy and livelihoods. Dissecting 40 Years of Rainfall Data As a data scientist, I have analyzed four decades of rainfall data across more than 4,500 Indian tehsils. Our research at the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) shows significant changes in monsoon patterns, affecting local preparedness. For instance, historically arid states like Rajasthan, Gujarat, and central Maharashtra have seen a 10-30% increase in southwest monsoon rains in the past decade. Conversely, around 11% of tehsils, particularly in the Indo-G...

May282024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Study Links the Heatwaves to Increase in Early Births of Babies

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Learning & Developments

A new study examining 53 million births over 25 years in the United States has found that early births become slightly more frequent during hotter, longer heatwaves. The study, conducted by University of Nevada epidemiologist Lyndsey Darrow and colleagues, analyzed national birth records between 1993 and 2017 across the 50 most populous metropolitan areas in the US. The research reveals that pregnant individuals, along with newborns and infants, are particularly sensitive to extreme heat, as they cannot cool themselves down as effectively as others. This vulnerability is similar to that seen in the elderly. As heatwaves in the US have become 24 percent more intense and are occurring twice as often as in the 1960s, the researchers found a small increase in daily rates of preterm births (...

May242024 by Editor DeskNo Comments

SpaceX Launches First Batch of Spy Satellites for New U.S. Intelligence Network

Breaking News, Learning & Developments, Space

SpaceX successfully launched an inaugural batch of operational spy satellites on Wednesday, marking the first deployment of a new U.S. intelligence network aimed at enhancing the nation's space-based surveillance capabilities. The launch took place from Vandenberg Space Force Base in Southern California. The newly launched satellites are part of a vast system designed to significantly upgrade the United States' ability to rapidly detect and monitor ground targets globally. This development follows earlier reports revealing that SpaceX is constructing hundreds of satellites for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), an intelligence agency responsible for satellite reconnaissance. The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 4 a.m. EDT, carrying what the NRO described as the "first launch...