Washington DC (SPX) Jul 07, 2021 A unique study of ancient diamonds has shown that the basic chemical composition of the Earth’s atmosphere which makes it suitable for life’s explosion of diversity was laid down at least 2.7 billion years ago. Volatile gases conserved in diamonds found in ancient rocks were present in similar proportions to those found in today’s mantle, which in turn indicates … Continue reading Ancient diamonds show Earth was primed for life’s explosion at least 2.7 billion years ago

Moscow (Sputnik) Jul 08, 2021 The effort is aimed at the asteroid Bennu, a 492m in diameter spinning-top shaped rock, which will pass within 7.5 million kilometers of Earth’s orbit between 2175 and 2199. The space rock will be designated as potentially harmful at this time, with scientists predicting a 1-in-2,700 risk of colliding with our planet. In a newly published research, experts at China’s … Continue reading Chinese Scientists Suggest Launching Dozens of Rockets to Prevent Asteroid Collision With Earth

Washington DC (UPI) Jul 9, 2021 Scientists have developed a method for remotely controlling a plant’s stomata, the pores that allow leaves to regulate the amount of CO2 they absorb and the amount of water that’s allowed to transpire. Each stomatal pore is sandwiched by a pair of guard cells. When internal pressure in the guard cells drop, they slacken and close the pore. When … Continue reading Scientists remotely control plant’s pores with light

Madrid (AFP) July 10, 2021 Meat-loving Spaniards were outraged this week when a member of the government took aim at the industry over environmental and health concerns, prompting the prime minister to declare himself unable to resist a perfectly cooked steak. In a nation where the average person tucks into around 50 kilogrammes (110 pounds) of meat per year, a backlash may have been inevitable … Continue reading Spanish govt in rib-eye rumble as minister attacks meat industry

Grand Junction, United States (AFP) July 11, 2021 “The grass should be up to here,” Janie VanWinkle says, holding a hand next to her knee above the scant growth on her ranch in Colorado, which – just as in 2020, and 2018 – is again being hit by devastating drought. “Here we are again,” she says, wearing a checkered shirt and a persistent smile that … Continue reading Colorado ranchers face not just drought but rising social pressures

Washington (AFP) July 7, 2021 US biotech firm Moderna said Wednesday it had dosed its first participants in a human study of an mRNA vaccine that targets multiple strains of influenza. The company intends to recruit 180 adults in the United States for the Phase 1/2 portion of the trial to evaluate the safety and strength of immune response to the shot, called mRNA-1010. It … Continue reading Moderna begins human trial for multi-strain mRNA flu vaccine

Puumala, Finland (AFP) July 7, 2021 The serene, icy waters of Finland’s Lake Saimaa are a boon to fishermen and tourists, but their presence also threatens one of the world’s rarest and most endangered seals. Despite seeing numbers recover in recent decades, the Saimaa ringed seal still faces extinction amid climate change and die-hard fishing habits. Out on Saimaa, a dark grey, whiskered creature pops … Continue reading Finland rallies to save one of world’s most endangered seals

Bogota (AFP) July 7, 2021 Colombia lost more than 1,700 square kilometers of forest in 2020, an area the size of the capital Bogota and an eight percent increase on the previous year, the environment ministry said Wednesday. Some 64 percent of wildfires and deforestation affected the Amazon, the world’s largest tropical rainforest that is shared with eight other countries and territories. “That’s where we … Continue reading Colombian deforestation up 8% in 2020: ministry

From an initial expression of interest, to a purchase, to receiving ongoing support and ultimately buying again, customers take a variety of journeys as they interact with brands. The more a company considers and plans for the paths its customers will follow, the more likely it is that the business will be able to design effective journeys for those customers.http://dlvr.it/S3JsYJ Continue reading Creating Paths of Engagement for Effective E-Commerce Journeys

Miami (AFP) July 7, 2021 After battering Cuba with drenching rain and strong winds, Elsa regained hurricane strength late Tuesday as it moved toward Florida, where rescue workers pressed on with their search of the debris of a Miami condominium that collapsed almost two weeks ago. The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Elsa had maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 kph) and was … Continue reading Elsa strengthens to hurricane, takes aims at Florida