Paris (AFP) Feb 1, 2021 That dream house in southern France that so many fantasise about is going to become uncomfortably hot in coming decades, according to new climate change projections Monday by the country’s national weather service. Even if humanity manages to modestly reduce greenhouse gas emissions – which so far has only happened during a raging pandemic or a global recession – France … Continue reading Southern France set to sizzle due to climate change

Washington DC (UPI) Feb 2, 2021 Most models underestimate the rate of sea level rise, according to a new study. Researchers at the Niels Bohr Institute and the University of Copenhagen have developed a new method for testing sea level rise models against the historical record. Scientists described their methodology in a paper published Tuesday in the journal Ocean Science. “Our study finds a new … Continue reading Study: Sea levels to rise faster than models predict

Boston MA (SPX) Feb 02, 2021 In many ways, our brain and our digestive tract are deeply connected. Feeling nervous may lead to physical pain in the stomach, while hunger signals from the gut make us feel irritable. Recent studies have even suggested that the bacteria living in our gut can influence some neurological diseases. Modeling these complex interactions in animals such as mice is … Continue reading Our gut-brain connection

Washington DC (UPI) Feb 1, 2021 The body of the nano-chameleon, a new species discovered in Madagascar, measures just over a half-inch in length – with its tail, the male chameleon measures just less than an inch – according to researchers. The diminutive dimensions make the nano-chameleon, Brookesia nana, the smallest known non-avian reptile, according to a new paper published recently in the journal Scientific … Continue reading Tiny chameleon species is the world’s smallest reptile

Vladivostok, Russia (SPX) Feb 02, 2021 Titanium dioxide nanoparticles decorated by gold absorb about 96% of the solar spectrum and turn it into heat. The material can accelerate the evaporation in desalination plants up to 2.5 times and can track hazardous molecules and compounds. An international research team with representatives from Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU), ITMO University, and the Far Eastern Branch of the … Continue reading Physicists have developed new material for water desalination

Washington (AFP) Jan 31, 2021 Food banks, immigrant rights groups, and struggling colleges across the US discovered a surprise benefactor last year as billions of dollars flowed into organizations hurting during the pandemic from MacKenzie Scott, the ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. Scott unlocked a staggering sum of nearly $6 billion in charitable gifts last year, and unlike many other large donors did not … Continue reading With Amazon billions, MacKenzie Scott shakes up philanthropy

Like many companies in these pandemic-ridden days, the Smash My Trash group uses videoconferencing in its business dealings. One potential franchisee used the information gleaned from Smash’s videoconferences to set up a direct competitor. Smash filed suit for injunctive relief, alleging its trade secrets were breached and confidential information was used. The court denied the injunction.http://dlvr.it/RrgwQ3 Continue reading How Videoconferencing Can Put Trade Secrets at Risk

The incoming presidential administration has proposed an extraordinary increase in support of federal investments in high technology. As part of the administration’s plan to deal with the economic impact of COVID-19, the proposal includes $10 billion for various federal information technology programs.http://dlvr.it/RrgYX3 Continue reading New Administration Seeks $10B Boost for Federal IT Programs

Washington DC (UPI) Jan 28, 2021 Cyclones have been shifting poleward over the last few decades. Now, new research suggests the tropical storms are also drifting westward across the Pacific and Indian oceans, causing the cyclones to reach their maximum intensity closer to land. The shift was identified by recent statistical analysis comprising two datasets: tropical cyclone best-track data, as well as what’s called reahttp://dlvr.it/RrZT3L Continue reading Cyclones drifting closer to the coast in Pacific, Indian oceans

Bamako (AFP) Jan 28, 2021 The United Nations said on Thursday that its investigators have visited the scene of a French air strike in central Mali, which locals said killed dozens of civilians. Several residents, and an association promoting the Fulani ethnic group, have said that on January 3 a helicopter attacked the village of Bounti during a wedding party, killing about 20 people. Separately, … Continue reading UN investigators visit scene of French airstrike in Mali