FRIDAY 9. JUNE 2023
El Niño Has Begun. What to Know About the Weather Phenomenon
El Niño—the natural climate phenomenon of warm temperature in the Pacific Ocean—has officially begun, and it’s sure to affect weather patterns globally in conjunction with climate change.
On Thursday morning, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) announced that El Niño conditions were present and that its strength is expected to gradually...
How a pending Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action could affect the scientific workforce
U.S. higher education officials, including those trying to diversify the scientific workforce, have spent the past year pondering how to respond if the U.S. Supreme Court bans the use of race as a factor in undergraduate admissions.
Such a ruling, in related cases involving
Harvard University
and the
University of North Carolina
(UNC)
,...
New cat contraception method using gene therapy could help manage feral populations
Controlling feral cat populations is controversial and often involves capturing, surgically sterilizing and releasing the animals, which is complex and expensive. U.S. scientists have developed a new method for cat contraception that involves a single injection of a gene that prevents cat eggs from...
Destruction of Ukrainian dam threatens nature reserves, rare species
As emergency managers in southern Ukraine evacuate people there from disastrous flooding caused by this week’s mysterious breach of a major dam, conservation scientists are pondering the effects on the region’s plants and animals. The collapse of a section of the Kakhovka hydroelectric dam has released a torrent that is only beginning to subside, leaving downstream nature reserves...
Liquid metal sticks to surfaces without a binding agent
- ScienceDaily
- 23/6/9 22:06
Everyday materials such as paper and plastic could be transformed into electronic 'smart devices' by using a simple new method to apply liquid metal to surfaces, according to scientists. The study demonstrates a technique for applying a liquid metal coating to surfaces that do not easily bond with liquid metal. The approach is designed to work at a large scale and may have applications in wearable...
Octopuses could help us conceptualize a different form of extraterrestrial intelligence
It's unlikely that aliens, should they exist, will have a single brain and walk on two legs like they do in the movies, writes Bob...
Marine viruses: Submerged players of climate change
While the world has been heavily focused on the usual players of global climate change, like fossil fuels and deforestation, a group of unlikely contenders has emerged from the depths of the ocean—marine viruses. These minuscule but mighty entities are now stealing the limelight as scientists unravel their profound influence on our planet's climate.
Seismic waves convey lithospheric delamination mechanism in South China
A research team led by Prof. Zhang Haijiang from the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Prof. Hou Zengqian from Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, revealed the seismically imaged lithospheric delamination and its controls on the Mesozoic Magmatic Province in South China by using a new joint seismic inversion algorithm. The study was...
Importance of Wolbachia-mediated biocontrol to reduce dengue in Bangladesh and other dengue-endemic developing countries
Mosquito-borne diseases, particularly dengue and chikungunya have become global threats, infecting millions of people worldwide, including developing countries of Southeast Asia and Latin America. Bangladesh, like many other developing countries, is experiencing frequent dengue outbreaks. This article, therefore, critically discusses the current status of dengue disease, vector control approaches,...
Which is better—digitalization or digital transformation?
Have you ever wondered what the terms digitalization and digital transformation really mean? Are you unsure about when to use these terms and what they mean to you? And, more to the point, what's the difference?
Unlocking early Earth chemistry: Salt-induced changes in polyester microdroplet structure
Billions of years ago, Earth was an extremely hostile planet with active volcanoes, a harsh atmosphere, and no life. This prebiotic Earth, however, was filled with a wide array of abiotic organic molecules derived from its early environment, which underwent chemical reactions that eventually led to the origin of life.
First satnav receiver designed to operate in lunar orbit delivered to satellite maker
The first satnav receiver designed to operate in lunar orbit has been delivered to satellite maker Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd in the UK for integration aboard the Lunar Pathfinder spacecraft.
Jiu Jitsu club stage physical assaults to help advance forensic research
Researchers from Northumbria University and King's College London have published findings outlining the extent that textile fibers transfer during controlled assault scenarios.
Underwater noise shown to disturb feeding behavior of marine organisms
Many marine organisms, such as fish, marine mammals and crustaceans, produce and use sound to navigate, reproduce, detect prey and avoid predators. However, anthropogenic sound, for example from the construction and operation of offshore wind farms, drilling, seismic surveys and shipping, is changing the acoustic landscape in the ocean.
Local newspaper coverage improves information about public companies
Accounting researchers at the University of Arkansas are deepening their understanding of the effect of shrinking newsrooms on the financial information of public companies.
Push-pull practices 'control pests, increase maize yields'
So-called "push-pull" agricultural practices that aim to improve crop yields by minimizing the use of synthetic herbicides and insecticides increases yields and prevents pests from adapting over time, a study shows.
Invasive oak processionary moth caterpillars cause concern for England's trees
An insect that can be hazardous to human health is spreading across southeast England.
Opinion: An El Niño looms over Australia's stressed electricity system, and the nation must plan for the worst
The Bureau of Meteorology this week declared a 70% chance of an El Niño developing this year. It's bad timing for the electricity sector, and means Australians may face supply disruptions and more volatile energy prices.
World's first city-wide plastic survey: Harnessing people power to help with plastic pollution in Portsmouth
A UK city has become the first in the world to use city wide surveys to track plastic waste, in an effort to tackle plastic pollution.
Image: Hubble observes jellyfish galaxy JO206
The jellyfish galaxy JO206 trails across this image from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, showcasing a colorful star-forming disk surrounded by a pale, luminous cloud of dust. A handful of foreground bright stars with crisscross diffraction spikes stands out against an inky black backdrop at the bottom of the image. JO206 lies over 700 million light-years from Earth in the constellation...