Science Live News Content

UN approves complaint process for carbon credit projects

Paris (AFP) May 3, 2024 The United Nations said Friday it had introduced new rules to allow people harmed by projects under the global carbon credit market it is designing to file a formal appeal. Under the Paris climate agreement, the UN was tasked with creating a credible mechanism ...

Vietnam temperature records tumble as heatwave scorches

Hanoi (AFP) May 4, 2024 More than 100 temperature records fell across Vietnam in April, according to official data, as a deadly heatwave scorches South and Southeast Asia. Extreme heat has blasted Asia from India to the Philippines in recent weeks, triggering heatstroke deaths, school ...

Health Risks from Gas Stoves Highlighted in U.S. Study

Los Angeles CA (SPX) May 06, 2024 A recent study reveals that U.S. households using gas or propane stoves are exposed to unhealthy levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), significantly impacting indoor air quality. Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability Professor Rob Jackson, the senior author ...

Rescuers brave Indonesia volcano eruptions to save pets

Tagulandang, Indonesia (AFP) May 5, 2024 An Indonesian volunteer returns from a dangerous rescue mission to a remote island where a volcano recently unleashed huge eruptions, cradling an abandoned, emaciated dog covered in burn blisters. Mount Ruang in Indonesia's northernmost region has ...

UTA scientists explore quantum aspects of gravity using neutrinos

Los Angeles CA (SPX) May 03, 2024 Einstein's theory of general relativity describes gravity as a result of space and time curving. This theory accounts for the Earth's gravity, which anchors us and causes objects to fall. In contrast, high-energy physics investigates subatomic particles that ...

Philippine bishops instruct flock to pray for rain, heat relief

Manila (AFP) May 4, 2024 Catholic bishops in the Philippines are pitching in to seek divine relief from the extreme heatwave scorching the country, instructing their flock to recite special prayers for rain and lower temperatures. Rising temperatures have forced the government to shut down ...

NASA's Psyche hits 25 Mbps from 140 million miles away – enough for Ultra HD Netflix

Turbid waters keep the coast healthy

To preserve the important intertidal areas and salt marshes off our coasts for the future, we need more turbid water. That is one of the striking conclusions from a new study.

Study Suggests Genetic Cause for Some Alzheimer’s Cases

People with two copies of the gene variant APOE4 are almost certain to get Alzheimer’s, say researchers, who proposed a framework under which such patients could be diagnosed years before symptoms.

Starliner: Nasa to fly new craft to space station

Two Nasa astronauts are due to set off to the International Space Station in a new spacecraft in the early hours of Tuesday morning UK time.

Enhanced gravitational wave detection accelerates neutron star and black hole research

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Apr 26, 2024 A recent collaboration led by the University of Minnesota Twin Cities College of Science and Engineering and an international team has developed new technology to improve gravitational wave detection. This advancement allows for sending alerts to astronomers ...

Biomechanical dataset for badminton performance analysis

In the sports industry, player data collection aids in personalized training feedback. Researchers have now gathered a detailed dataset and laid the foundation for delivering coaching assistance and feedback through the same. Utilizing wearable sensors and machine learning, their dataset offers ...

Hyperfluorescent OLEDs promise more efficient displays that won't make you so blue

Lead in Beethoven’s Hair Offers New Clues to Mystery of His Deafness

Using powerful technologies, scientists found staggering amounts of lead and other toxic substances in the composer’s hair that may have come from wine, or other sources.

Self-critical perfectionism gnaws on students' well-being already in lower secondary school

A new study among ninth-graders attending lower secondary school in Swedish-speaking areas of Finland identified four perfectionistic profiles with varying associations with students' psychological well-being.

Bluetongue virus warning as midges blown into UK

Midges blown from northern Europe could spread a serious virus across farms in England, experts warn.

Tourist influx turns Lake Windermere green - report

New research links algal blooming at England's largest lake with increased visitor numbers

Boeing capsule heads to ISS today in 1st crewed flight

The gumdrop-shaped CST-100 Starliner with two astronauts aboard was due for liftoff at 10.34pm (8.04am IST Tuesday) from Nasa's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, carried atop an Atlas V rocket furnished by the Boeing-Lockheed Martin joint venture United Launch Alliance (ULA).

Morning news brief

The Israeli military urges civilians to leave Rafah. China's president begins a five-day European tour. NASA and Boeing are set to launch astronauts to the International Space Station Monday night.

After some setbacks, Boeing prepares for Starliner's first crewed launch into space

Boeing is set to launch humans to space for the first time Monday night aboard its Starliner capsule. This mission is years behind schedule and over budget.

False GPS signal surge makes life hard for pilots

Paris (AFP) Mar 10, 2024 False GPS signals that deceive on-board plane systems and complicate the work of airline pilots are surging near conflict zones, industry employees and officials told AFP. A ground collision alert sounds in the cockpit, for instance, even though the plane is flying ...

Japan urges 400 to evacuate northern city over forest fire

Tokyo (AFP) May 5, 2024 More than 400 residents in northern Japan were urged to evacuate on Sunday over fears a forest fire that has been blazing for two days could spread to residential areas. Helicopters poured water for hours on the mountains around Nanyo city in Yamagata prefecture ...

Mission control ready for EarthCARE despite disruption

Teams at ESA’s European Space Operations Centre in Darmstadt, Germany, are currently engaged in intensive preparations for the critical ‘Launch and Early Orbit’ phase of the agency's EarthCARE satellite.

Jack Dorsey, founder of Twitter, quietly quits board Bluesky

Dorsey-backed Bluesky, an alternative to Twitter/X, reached two million users in November last year.

EU's Green Deal target of disinfo ahead of June vote

Paris (AFP) May 6, 2024 The EU's Green Deal has been the target of virulent online disinformation ahead of European parliament elections in June, such as fabricated claims that Brussels plans to introduce a "carbon passport" or ban repairs of cars older than 15 years. A key project for ...

Kenya floods death toll at 228 as crisis persists

Nairobi (AFP) May 5, 2024 Kenya said Sunday that the death toll from weeks of devastating rains and floods had risen to 228 and warned that there was no sign of a let-up in the crisis. While Kenya and neighbouring Tanzania escaped major damage from a tropical cyclone that weakened after ...

How To Know When a Good Dog Has Gone Bad

Gov. Kristi Noem suggested that President Biden should have euthanized the family dog, as she did. Animal experts said that such an option should be a last resort.

NASA Invites Media to Attend Louisiana Space Day 2024

NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, several aerospace companies, and GNO Inc. will host Louisiana Space Day 2024 at the Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. CDT on Wednesday, May 8. Media are invited to attend and should contact Craig Betbeze ...

White Sands Propulsion Team Tests 3D-Printed Orion Engine Component

When the Orion spacecraft carries the first Artemis crews to the Moon and back, it will rely on the European Service Module contributed by ESA (European Space Agency) to make the journey. The service module provides electrical power generation, propulsion, temperature control, and consumable ...

Redwire to supply antennas for Rocket Lab's SDA Tranche 2 satellites

Los Angeles CA (SPX) May 07, 2024 Redwire Corporation (NYSE: RDW) has been chosen by Rocket Lab USA, Inc (NASDAQ: RKLB) to supply antennas and RF hardware for the Space Development Agency's (SDA) Transport Layer Tranche 2 Beta variant satellites, a key component of the Proliferated ...

This sound-suppressing silk can create quiet spaces

Researchers developed a silk fabric, which is barely thicker than a human hair, that can suppress unwanted noise and reduce noise transmission in a large room.

Researchers use foundation models to discover new cancer imaging biomarkers

Researchers have harnessed the technology behind foundation models, which power tools like ChatGPT, to discover new cancer imaging biomarkers that could transform how patterns are identified from radiological images. Improved identification of such patterns can greatly impact the early ...

NASA's Ion Thruster Expertise Sustains Satellite Operations

Los Angeles CA (SPX) May 07, 2024 In the ongoing battle against atmospheric drag in low Earth orbit, which gradually degrades satellite trajectories, the emergence of ion thrusters presents a significant improvement in space navigation. Unlike traditional propulsion systems that utilize ...

A new mother's immune status varies with her feeding strategy

In one of the first studies of its kind, UC Santa Barbara researchers have found that the immune status of postpartum mothers shifts with how she feeds her baby. Certain inflammatory proteins -- substances that are secreted as part of an immune response -- peak at different times of day, ...

How a 'conductor' makes sense of chaos in early mouse embryos

The earliest stages of mammalian embryo development are like an orchestra performance, where everyone must play at the exact right moment and in perfect harmony. New research identifies one of the conductors making sense of the chaos.

Mexico tourist train an environmental 'nightmare,' activists say

Solidaridad, Mexico (AFP) May 4, 2024 In a cave in Mexico's Riviera Maya, where nature has sculpted a subterranean landscape of stunning beauty, thick steel columns supporting a controversial new tourist railway intrude into a delicate ecosystem. The Yucatan Peninsula boasts an estimated ...

Eight DR Congo troops handed desertion death sentence

Goma, Dr Congo (AFP) May 3, 2024 A military court in the Democratic Republic of Congo's war-torn east on Friday handed a death sentence to eight soldiers, including five officers, for desertion and cowardice when fighting M23 rebels. Prosecutors had sought the death penalty against ...

Genetics, not lack of oxygen, causes cerebral palsy in quarter of cases

The world's largest study of cerebral palsy (CP) genetics has discovered genetic defects are most likely responsible for more than a quarter of cases in Chinese children, rather than a lack of oxygen at birth as previously thought.

Free-forming organelles help plants adapt to climate change

Plants' ability to sense light and temperature, and their ability to adapt to climate change, hinges on free-forming structures in their cells whose function was, until now, a mystery. Researchers have now determined how these structures work on a molecular level, as well as where and how they form.

20 Years Ago: NASA Selects its 19th Group of Astronauts

On May 6, 2004, NASA announced the selection of its 19th group of astronauts. The group comprised 11 candidates – two pilots, six mission specialists, and three educator mission specialists – and included two women, two Hispanic Americans, and one African American. Three astronauts from the ...

How the EU transformed tech

Paris (AFP) May 6, 2024 As millions of voters prepare for next month's European Parliament elections, AFP explores some of the deep transformations the 27-member bloc has made in the field of technology. - Goodbye cookies, hello pop-ups - For years, any website aiming to make money through ...

Rocket Lab Advances SDA Satellite Program with New Subcontractor Partnerships

Los Angeles CA (SPX) May 07, 2024 Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) announced it has finalized the selection of subcontractors that will supply payloads and ground systems for the 18 satellites the company is constructing for the Space Development Agency (SDA). Under a $515 million USD ...

Apple launches new 13-inch iPad Air with M2 chip, redesigned 11-inch iPad Air, price starts at just Rs...

Customers can order the new iPad Air today, with availability beginning Wednesday, May 15.

Mars helicopter sends final message, but will keep collecting data

'Better than graphene' material development may improve implantable technology

Move over, graphene. There's a new, improved two-dimensional material in the lab. Borophene, the atomically thin version of boron first synthesized in 2015, is more conductive, thinner, lighter, stronger and more flexible than graphene, the 2D version of carbon. Now, researchers have made the ...

Efficacy of solar panels boosted

Solar energy is a crucial asset in the fight against climate change, and researchers have now devised a smart approach to optimize its effectiveness. Their innovative method includes incorporating artificial ground reflectors, a simple yet powerful enhancement.

World sweltered as April smashed global heat records

Paris (AFP) May 8, 2024 April marked another "remarkable" month of record-breaking global air and sea surface temperature averages, according to a new report by the EU's climate monitor published on Wednesday. The abnormally warm conditions came despite the continued weakening of the El Nino ...

Researchers show that slow-moving earthquakes are controlled by rock permeability

A research group explores how the makeup of rocks, specifically their permeability -- or how easily fluids can flow through them -- affects the frequency and intensity of slow slip events. Slow slips' role in the earthquake cycle may help lead to a better model to predict when earthquakes happen.

AI predicts tumor-killing cells with high accuracy

Using artificial intelligence, scientists have developed a powerful predictive model for identifying the most potent cancer killing immune cells for use in cancer immunotherapies.

Floods misery reminder of climate's role in supercharging rain

Paris (AFP) May 8, 2024 Floods have been tearing a path of destruction across the globe, hammering Kenya, submerging Dubai, and forcing hundreds of thousands of people from Russia to China, Brazil and Somalia from their homes. Though not all directly attributed to global warming, they are ...

OpenAI unveils tool to detect DALL-E images

San Francisco (AFP) May 7, 2024 OpenAI, the Microsoft-backed artificial intelligence company behind the popular image generator DALL-E, on Tuesday announced the launch of a new tool aimed at detecting whether digital images have been created by AI. Authentication has become a major concern ...

Oceans suffer from record-breaking year of heat

Every single day of the past 12 months has seen a new global sea temperature high for the time of year.

Starfish Space and D-Orbit successfully conduct satellite rendezvous

Sydney, Australia (SPX) May 08, 2024 In a significant development in space logistics, Starfish Space and D-Orbit have successfully completed an on-orbit rendezvous between Starfish's Otter Pup and D-Orbit's ION SCV006 satellite. The coordinated effort involved precise maneuvering by the ION ...

New iPad points to Apple's AI future

San Francisco (AFP) May 7, 2024 Apple on Tuesday announced a line of new iPad tablets revamped with a powerful AI chip that signaled the company is ready to introduce artificial intelligence across its devices. The latest version of the iPad Pro uses a new chip called the M4, which ...

Brazilians queue for precious water as flood damage intensifies

Porto Alegre, Brazil (AFP) May 7, 2024 Teams in flood-ravaged southern Brazil scrambled Tuesday to deliver humanitarian aid to Porto Alegre and other inundated municipalities, where queues formed for drinking water as forecasters warned of more downpours. The worst natural calamity ever ...

More than 321,000 U.S. children lost a parent to drug overdose from 2011 to 2021

An estimated 321,566 children in the United States lost a parent to drug overdose from 2011 to 2021, according to a new study. The rate of children who experienced this loss more than doubled during this period, from approximately 27 to 63 children per 100,000. The highest number of affected ...

Strengthening CAR-T therapy to work against solid tumors

Researchers have shown that a breakthrough therapy for treating blood cancers can be adapted to treat solid tumors -- an advance that could transform cancer treatment. The promising findings involve CAR-T cell therapy, which supercharges the immune system to identify and attack cancer cells.

NASA's planet hunter shakes off reaction wheel woes and gets back to work

Endangered 44-foot whale dead on collision with massive cruise ship, dragged into New York city port

An endangered whale, measuring 44 feet in length, tragically perished, likely struck by a 19-deck cruise ship in the East River at the Port of Brooklyn on Saturday morning. Marine experts state that it's impossible to ascertain how long the deceased mammal was towed by the vessel before its ...

OTPS seeks input from the lunar community to inform a framework for further work on non-interference of lunar activities

Questionnaire responses due by June 7, 2024 NASA’s Office of Technology, Policy, and Strategy (OTPS) is asking members of the lunar community to respond to a new Lunar Non-Interference Questionnaire that will inform the development of a framework for further work on non-interference of lunar ...

Malaysia offers trade partners 'orangutan diplomacy'

The great apes are proposed as gifts for palm oil importers, but conservationists voice concerns.

Pore pressure diffusion led to microseismicity at Illinois basin carbon sequestration site

Pore pressure diffusion generated by carbon dioxide injected underground at a carbon storage site in the Illinois Basin is the likely cause of hundreds of microearthquakes that took place at the site between 2011 and 2012, according to a new analysis.

Cybersecurity education varies widely in US

Cybersecurity programs vary dramatically across the country, a review has found. The authors argue that program leaders should work with professional societies to make sure graduates are well trained to meet industry needs in a fast-changing field. A research team found a shortage of research ...

MAF EAP – Trauma-Informed Workplace

Trauma-Informed Workplace Organized by Health 4 Life. In today’s dynamic professional landscape, understanding and addressing the impacts of trauma is essential for fostering a supportive and inclusive work culture. Join us as we explore the principles of trauma-informed care and their ...

Ozone's influence on exoplanetary climate dynamics highlighted in new research

London, UK (SPX) May 09, 2024 In a significant study led by Dr. Assaf Hochman from the Fredy and Nadine Herrmann Institute of Earth Sciences at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, new insights have been unveiled into the atmospheric dynamics of Earth-like exoplanets, with a focus on ozone's ...

Health body recommends Brussels night flight ban

Brussels, Belgium (AFP) May 7, 2024 Belgium's health authority called Tuesday for a ban on night flights to and from Brussels airport to protect around 160,000 residents from noise pollution. The Superior Health Council of Belgium pointed to several risks from excessive noise, including ...

Herbert Pardes, Who Steered the Growth of a Giant Hospital, Dies at 89

A psychiatrist, he ran New York-Presbyterian after a merger, improving patient care, finances and fund-raising to expand its footprint across the region.

Satellogic unveils expansive high-resolution image dataset for AI training

Los Angeles CA (SPX) May 03, 2024 Satellogic Inc. (NASDAQ: SATL) has made public a substantial open dataset from its collection. This dataset is composed of approximately 3 million unique location images, doubling to 6 million with revisits, and is designed to enhance the training of AI ...

International SWOT Mission Can Improve Flood Prediction

Pasadena CA (JPL) May 08, 2024 A partnership between NASA and the French space agency, the satellite is poised to help improve forecasts of where and when flooding will occur in Earth's rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. Rivers, lakes, and reservoirs are like our planet's arteries, carrying ...

Israel reopens Kerem Shalom Crossing with Gaza

Washington DC (UPI) May 8, 2024 The Kerem Shalom Crossing between Israel and Gaza was reopened Wednesday, Israel said, permitting humanitarian aid to enter the Palestinian enclave via the border for the first time since it was closed over the weekend following a Hamas rocket attack in the ...

An entirely new COVID-related syndrome

An international collaboration recently uncovered a previously overlooked COVID-related syndrome: MDA5-autoimmunity and Interstitial Pneumonitis Contemporaneous with COVID-19, or MIP-C for short.

Study: Heavy snowfall and rain may contribute to some earthquakes

Boston MA (SPX) May 09, 2024 When scientists look for an earthquake's cause, their search often starts underground. As centuries of seismic studies have made clear, it's the collision of tectonic plates and the movement of subsurface faults and fissures that primarily trigger a temblor. But ...

Space Tech Firm Xona Secures $19M for Enhanced Satellite Navigation Network

Los Angeles CA (SPX) May 09, 2024 Xona, a developer of a new satellite network, has announced the successful closure of a $19 million Series A funding round, led by Future Ventures and Seraphim Space, with contributions from NGP Capital, Industrious Ventures, Murata Electronics, Space ...

Chinese mill blamed for turning Serbia village red with pollution

Smederevo, Serbia (AFP) May 7, 2024 In the eight years since Chinese company HBIS bought a steel mill near the eastern Serbian city of Smederevo, locals say they have been plagued by heavy air pollution and thick red dust. "There are times of the day when breathing normally is impossible," ...

GPS-like system shows promise as HIV vaccine strategy to elicit critical antibodies

A team has developed a vaccine approach that works like a GPS, guiding the immune system through the specific steps to make broadly neutralizing antibodies against HIV.

Good vibrations: New tech may lead to smaller, more powerful wireless devices

What if your earbuds could do everything your smartphone can, but better? A new class of synthetic materials could allow for smaller devices that use less power.

Why You Can Hear the Temperature of Water

A science video maker in China couldn’t find a good explanation for why hot and cold water sound different, so he did his own research and published it.

Tuna Crabs, Neither Tuna Nor Crabs, Are Swarming Near San Diego

Divers and marine biologists are getting a window into the lives of a red crustacean most often found in the guts of other species.

AI in Earth observation: a force for good

Paris, France (ESA) May 10, 2024 The upcoming launch of the Fsat-2 mission is a prime example of the pioneering work that ESA does in the field of AI in Earth observation. But when it comes to AI, hopes and fears abound in equal measure. In this interview, ESA's Rochelle Schneider sets the ...

Isro achieves major milestone with 3D printed rocket engine

On May 9, Isro achieved a significant feat by successfully hot testing a liquid rocket engine manufactured through additive manufacturing. This innovative approach has led to the redesign of the engine for the PSLV's PS4 stage, showcasing remarkable advancements in space technology.

ONe novae stellar explosion may be source of our phosphorus

Astronomers have proposed a new theory to explain the origin of phosphorus, one of the elements important for life on Earth. The theory suggests a type of stellar explosion known as ONe novae as a major source of phosphorus.

Week in images: 06-10 May 2024

Week in images: 06-10 May 2024 Discover our week through the lens

London, Frankfurt hit records as rate hopes boost markets

Hong Kong (AFP) May 10, 2024 Growing hopes that the US Federal Reserve and other central banks are close to cutting interest rates helped push London and Frankfurt to records Friday, while Asian markets also chalked up healthy gains. Traders tracked gains in New York and Europe as they ...

A solar storm is hitting earth’s atmosphere, and the northern lights may be visible

ERR-gamma 'trains' stomach stem cells to become acid-producing cells

Researchers have identified molecular and genetic pathways that direct the generation and maturation of parietal cells, the only cells in the body that produce acid, from stem cells. The findings can lead to new strategies to regulate parietal cell function in different diseases involving these ...

Metabolism of autism reveals developmental origins

Researchers have shed new light on the changes in metabolism that occur between birth and the presentation of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) later in childhood. The researchers discovered that a small number of biochemical pathways are responsible for the majority of these changes, which could ...

How climate change will affect malaria transmission

A new model for predicting the effects of climate change on malaria transmission in Africa could lead to more targeted interventions to control the disease according to a new study. Previous methods have used rainfall totals to indicate the presence of surface water suitable for breeding ...

Researchers delve into the brain's translation of sounds into actions

Lisboa, Portugal (SPX) May 11, 2024 Understanding how the brain interprets sounds and prompts subsequent actions has advanced, thanks to new research from the Champalimaud Foundation. This study, recently conducted by the Renart Lab and published in Current Biology, offers fresh insights ...

Clashes as protesters try to force entry into German Tesla plant

Grunheide, Germany (AFP) May 10, 2024 German police on Friday drove back several groups of environmental activists who tried to enter Tesla's factory outside of Berlin, a spokesman said. The spokesman said there were injuries among protesters and police but could not provide figures. ...

Hope for rare mountain chicken frog thanks to London-born froglets

Frantic efforts are being made to save the endangered mountain chicken frog, native to just two Caribbean islands.

Rescue operations continue in flooded southern Brazil despite new rain

Porto Alegre, Brazil (AFP) May 12, 2024 Rain continued to soak waterlogged southern Brazil on Saturday, bringing fresh misery to victims of flooding that has killed 136 people so far. "Many people see the rain and are traumatized. We've seen how scared people are," said Enio Posti, ...

Iraq hopes oil reserves will exceed 160 bn barrels: minister

Baghdad (AFP) May 11, 2024 Iraq, one of the world's biggest oil producers, aims to boost its crude reserves to more than 160 billion barrels, Oil Minister Hayan Abdel Ghani said on Saturday. The minister's comment came during the launch of new licensing rounds for 29 oil and gas fields. ...

Enabled Intelligence partners with Pixxel for advanced hyperspectral data solutions

Los Angeles CA (SPX) May 10, 2024 Enabled Intelligence, known for its scalable and secure AI data solutions, has formed a partnership with Pixxel, a company focused on constructing a network of the highest-resolution hyperspectral earth imaging satellites. This collaboration will provide ...

FAA now requires reentry vehicles to get licensed before launch

12 dead after Indonesia flash floods, cold lava flow

Padang, Indonesia (AFP) May 12, 2024 At least 12 people, including several children, were killed and four others were missing after flash floods and cold lava flow from a volcano hit western Indonesia, rescue officials said Sunday. The disaster hit Agam and Tanah Datar districts in West ...

Advancing DRE through unified measurement standards

Nairobi, Kenya (SPX) May 10, 2024 The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) and its alliance partners hosted the inaugural Climate Africa Warsha on World Press Freedom Day. The "Warsha" which means 'workshop' in Swahili creates a platform where journalists can connect with key ...

Clock is ticking for NASA to fix bucket of issues before next Artemis mission