24/7 News Coverage
December 26, 2017
FIRE STORM
Wet winters may not dampen small wildfires



Washington DC (SPX) Dec 26, 2017
NASA scientists conducting research on the connection between fuel moisture and fires have uncovered a paradox: a wet winter corresponds to more small wildfires in the following fire season, not fewer, as is commonly assumed. Large fires behave more "logically," with fewer large fires after a wet winter and more after a dry one. "This is the most surprising result from our study, because we would expect small fires to follow suit with larger fires," said Daniel Jensen, a Ph.D. candidate at UCLA wh ... read more

EARTH OBSERVATION
Prototype space sensors take test ride on NASA ER-2
Pasadena CA (JPL) Dec 26, 2017
Scientists recently completed test flights with prototypes of potential satellite sensors - including two from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California - over the Western United Stat ... more
EARTH OBSERVATION
China launches land exploration satellite
Jiuquan, China (XNA) Dec 26, 2017
China launched a land exploration satellite into a preset orbit from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi desert at 12:14 p.m. Saturday Beijing Time. The satellite is mainly used fo ... more
DISASTER MANAGEMENT
Displaced Syrians survive war but face battle against cold
Ain Issa, Syria (AFP) Dec 26, 2017
Khadija Alloush made it out alive from Syria's battle-ravaged Raqa with her five children, but she lost her seven-year-old son to the biting cold of life in a displacement camp. ... more
WHITE OUT
Three people die in avalanches in Swiss Alps
Geneva (AFP) Dec 25, 2017
Three mountain climbers from Switzerland and France have been killed in avalanches in the Swiss Alps in the past three days, police said on Monday. ... more
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AFRICA NEWS
Kabila residence burned down in DR Congo
Bukavu, Dr Congo (AFP) Dec 25, 2017
A residence of President Joseph Kabila was burned down early Monday in a suspected militia attack that killed a police officer in the Democratic Republic of Congo, witnesses said. ... more
EXO WORLDS
Fungi made life on Earth possible, researchers claim
Washington (UPI) Dec 22, 2017
Life on Earth wouldn't be possible without fungi, new research suggests. ... more
EARLY EARTH
Fossils Show Life on Earth Began Before 3.5 Billion Years Ago
Madison WI (SPX) Dec 22, 2017
Researchers at UCLA and the University of Wisconsin-Madison have confirmed that microscopic fossils discovered in a nearly 3.5 billion-year-old piece of rock in Western Australia are the oldest foss ... more
DISASTER MANAGEMENT
China, Russia oppose UN criticism of Myanmar over Rohingya
United Nations, United States (AFP) Dec 24, 2017
The UN General Assembly on Sunday urged Myanmar to end a military campaign against Muslim Rohingya and called for the appointment of a UN special envoy, despite opposition from China, Russia and some regional countries. ... more
SHAKE AND BLOW
Philippines storm death toll climbs to 240, scores missing
Manila (AFP) Dec 25, 2017
The death toll from a storm that unleashed landslides and floods across the southern Philippines has climbed to 240 with scores of others still missing, officials said Monday. ... more
SHAKE AND BLOW
Two die in Iran quake panic
Tehran (AFP) Dec 21, 2017
An elderly woman and a young girl died and nearly 100 people were injured as a 5.2 magnitude earthquake sparked panic in the Iranian capital and neighbouring areas, officials said Thursday. ... more


Thomas fire mostly contained in charred

EARLY EARTH
Giant marine reptile lived in Antarctic 150 million years ago: scientists
Buenos Aires (AFP) Dec 22, 2017
Scientists in Argentina have found the remains of a giant carnivorous marine reptile, or plesiosaur, that lived 150 million years ago in Antarctica. ... more
ICE WORLD
Algae growth is accelerating melting in Greenland
Washington (UPI) Dec 21, 2017
The growth of algae is accelerating the melting of Greenland's ice sheet, according to new research. ... more
FLORA AND FAUNA
Nepal's last known dancing bears rescued
Kathmandu (AFP) Dec 24, 2017
Nepali authorities have rescued the country's last known "dancing bears", officials said Sunday, ending the medieval tradition of abuse of the beasts for entertainment. ... more
FLORA AND FAUNA
Norway court orders slaughter of reindeer
Oslo (AFP) Dec 21, 2017
Just days before Rudolph flies off to draw Santa's sleigh at Christmas, dozens of his reindeer kin received a death sentence Thursday when a Norwegian court ordered they be slaughtered to preserve pasture land. ... more





French judges finish probe into attack that sparked Rwanda genocide
Paris (AFP) Dec 21, 2017
French anti-terror judges have finished their investigation into the missile attack that sparked Rwanda's 1994 genocide and will now decide whether to send the highly sensitive case to trial, legal sources said Thursday. The missile strike on a plane near Kigali's airport in April 1994 killed Rwandan president Juvenal Habyarimana, triggering 100 days of bloodshed that left an estimated 800,0 ... more
Miami (AFP) Dec 20, 2017
Hurricanes, heat waves, fires ravaged planet in 2017
Hong Kong (AFP) Dec 20, 2017
Remote Hong Kong island holds nuclear emergency drills
United Nations, United States (AFP) Dec 24, 2017
China, Russia oppose UN criticism of Myanmar over Rohingya
New synthethic protocol to form 3-D porous organic network
Ulsan, South Korea (SPX) Dec 22, 2017
A team of Korean researchers, affiliated with UNIST has recently announced the principle of producing porous organic materials in the blink of an eye, like firing bullets. This is similar to the mechanism of chemical reaction in explosives in which pulling the trigger causes the detonator to explode. This breakthrough has been led by Professor Jong-Beom Baek in the School of Energy and Che ... more
Yekaterinburg, Russia (SPX) Dec 22, 2017
Russian scientist found out what happens with 'smart' magnetic gel in a magnetic field
McLean, VA (SPX) Dec 22, 2017
Pentagon Challenged to Procure a New Satellite in Less Than 12 Years
Washington (UPI) Dec 20, 2017
Raytheon tapped to support Cobra Dane radar system


Elbit's Seagull unmanned surface vessel completes Israeli-British exercise
Washington (UPI) Dec 21, 2017
Elbit Systems' Seagull unmanned surface vessel completed an exercise recently that included counter-mine operations. During the joint Israeli-British exercise in Haifa Bay, the Seagull scanned surroundings to set a safe course for the HMS Ocean, a Royal Navy helicopter carrier, the company said in a release Thursday. Elbit said the Seagull vessel has modular mission payload suite ... more
Washington (UPI) Dec 21, 2017
Giant orgy produces one of the loudest sounds in the ocean
Fort Collins CO (SPX) Dec 14, 2017
Sustainable dams - are they possible
Beijing, China (SPX) Dec 14, 2017
New mechanism to explain how El Nino influences East Asian and WN Pacific climate
Algae growth is accelerating melting in Greenland
Washington (UPI) Dec 21, 2017
The growth of algae is accelerating the melting of Greenland's ice sheet, according to new research. Previous studies have focused on the role dust and black carbon play in encouraging melting, but the latest study - published this week in the journal Geophysical Research Letters - suggests algae is a greater threat to Greenland's ice. Like dust and soot, algae reduces the refl ... more
Greenbelt MD (SPX) Dec 18, 2017
NASA scientists embark on extreme Antarctic Trek
Washington DC (SPX) Dec 18, 2017
A dynamic East Antarctic ice sheet has repeatedly grown and shrunk
Potsdam, Germany (SPX) Dec 14, 2017
Tiny ice losses at Antarctica's fringes can accelerate ice loss far away


Heat patterns help bees pick which flowers to pollinate
Washington (UPI) Dec 19, 2017
Heat plays an important role in flower-pollinator interactions. According to new research, heat patterns serve as signatures for flowers, advertising their availability to passing bees. When scientists at the University of Bristol analyzed the dispersion of heat across the petals of common garden flowers, like poppies and daisies, they found heat patterns reflect the visual patterns pro ... more
Washington (UPI) Dec 21, 2017
Oil palm plantations threaten protected Malaysian forests in unexpected ways
Washington (UPI) Dec 20, 2017
Pesticides, poor nutrition deadly one-two combo for honey bees
New York (AFP) Dec 24, 2017
Florida orange industry hit by hurricane, disease
Two die in Iran quake panic
Tehran (AFP) Dec 21, 2017
An elderly woman and a young girl died and nearly 100 people were injured as a 5.2 magnitude earthquake sparked panic in the Iranian capital and neighbouring areas, officials said Thursday. The epicentre of the quake, which struck shortly before 11:30 pm (2000 GMT) on Wednesday, was just 40 kilometres (25 miles) west of the capital, according to the seismological centre of the University of ... more
Manila (AFP) Dec 25, 2017
Philippines storm death toll climbs to 240, scores missing
Tehran (AFP) Dec 20, 2017
Magnitude 5.2 earthquake felt in Iran capital
Jakarta (AFP) Dec 16, 2017
Toll rises to three dead after Indonesia quake


Congo rebels, government sign ceasefire pact
Brazzaville (AFP) Dec 23, 2017
A key Congolese rebel group signed a ceasefire deal with the central government in Brazzaville on Saturday, after months of renewed armed conflict in the oil-rich nation. Fighters loyal to ex-rebel chief Frederic Bintsamou - seen as having disbanded after a 2003 peace deal - rose up again April last year in protest at the re-election of President Denis Sassou Nguesso. The fighting in t ... more
Bukavu, Dr Congo (AFP) Dec 25, 2017
Kabila residence burned down in DR Congo
Gbarnga, Liberia (AFP) Dec 20, 2017
Liberia's wartime ghosts return to haunt election
Bunia, Dr Congo (AFP) Dec 20, 2017
UN to close four bases in DR Congo
Primordial mutation helps explain origin of some organs in vertebrates
Madrid, Spain (SPX) Dec 18, 2017
A neutral genetic mutation - a fluke in the evolutionary process that had no apparent biological purpose - that appeared over 700 million years ago in biological evolution could help explain the origin of complex organs and structures in human beings and other vertebrates, according to an article published in Nature Communications by a team led by CRG group leader Manuel Irimia, university profe ... more
London UK (SPX) Dec 12, 2017
Scientists show how Himalayan rivers influenced ancient Indus civilization settlements
Washington (UPI) Dec 8, 2017
Scientists revamp 'Out of Africa' model of early human migration
Copenhagen, Denmark (SPX) Dec 11, 2017
Archaeologists revise chronology of the last hunter-gatherers in the Near East


Space Climate Observatory agreed ahead of One Planet Summit in Paris
London, UK (SPX) Dec 14, 2017
The UK's world-leading space sector will help create a new Space Climate Observatory, following an agreement adopted by national space agencies Monday 11 December. At an event in Paris, the UK Space Agency signed up to the global agreement to improve long-term sustainability and accessibility of climate data captured by satellites. The Heads of the national Space Agencies have commit ... more
Washington (UPI) Dec 19, 2017
BHP defends climate positions and Paris support
New Orleans LA (SPX) Dec 14, 2017
UCI scientists unveil new satellite-based global drought severity index
Paris (AFP) Dec 12, 2017
'We're losing the battle', Macron tells Paris climate talks
Air Force Secretary unveils final DMSP satellite at SMC
Los Angeles AFB CA (SPX) Dec 18, 2017
With the help of Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson, the Space and Missile Systems Center has unveiled the final Defense Meteorological Support Program satellite, DMSP-20, for display at the Schriever Space Complex within the Gordon Conference Center. "This display represents a nearly 60-year history of environmental monitoring success by a satellite constellation that continues to ... more
Pasadena CA (JPL) Dec 26, 2017
Prototype space sensors take test ride on NASA ER-2
Jiuquan, China (XNA) Dec 26, 2017
China launches land exploration satellite
Boulder CO (SPX) Dec 14, 2017
Space Mystery Solved by Student Satellite


Half-billion-year-old microscopic animal fossils found in Greenland
Washington (UPI) Dec 22, 2017
Scientists have found a treasure trove of tiny fossils in the rocks of Greenland. The microscopic organisms date to more than half a billion years ago, offering new insights into the Cambrian Explosion, a dramatic increase in the planet's biodiversity that began 541 million years ago. During this period, Earth's shallow seas teemed with life, and the first modern ecosystems forme ... more
Madison WI (SPX) Dec 22, 2017
Fossils Show Life on Earth Began Before 3.5 Billion Years Ago
Buenos Aires (AFP) Dec 22, 2017
Giant marine reptile lived in Antarctic 150 million years ago: scientists
Chicago IL (SPX) Dec 14, 2017
How much can 252-million-year-old ecosystems tell us about modern Earth? A lot
'Virtual gold' may glitter, but mining it can be really dirty
Paris (AFP) Dec 24, 2017
As the poster child for the growing ranks of computer-generated currencies, bitcoin's recent stratospheric price rises have propelled it from the chat forum-hosted depths of nerddom into the global consciousness. As it rose from under $1,000 to over $19,500 at one point this year, hordes of tech-savvy punters have rushed in to buy, while any investors can now do the same on the US futures ma ... more
Baoding, China (AFP) Dec 17, 2017
China shivers as shift from coal to gas sputters
Paris (AFP) Dec 12, 2017
US void hard to miss at Paris climate summit
Beijing (AFP) Dec 19, 2017
Top polluter China unveils nationwide carbon market


New test procedure for developing quick-charging lithium-ion batteries
Munich, Germany (SPX) Dec 14, 2017
When lithium-ion batteries are charged too quickly, metallic lithium gets deposited on the anodes. This reduces battery capacity and lifespan and can even destroy the batteries. Scientists at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and the Forschungszentrum Julich have now presented a process that, for the first time ever, allows this so-called lithium plating process to be investigated directl ... more
Plainsboro NJ (SPX) Dec 19, 2017
AI helps accelerate progress toward efficient fusion reactions
Washington (UPI) Dec 13, 2017
Lasers could soon trigger fusion energy, researchers predict
Waterloo, Canada (SPX) Dec 18, 2017
Battery research could triple range of electric vehicles
Chinese firm turns panda poop into toilet paper
Beijing (AFP) Dec 20, 2017
When life gave one Chinese company giant panda poop, it decided to make paper - and profits. The Qianwei Fengsheng Paper Company in southwest Sichuan province has teamed up with the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda to recycle the animal's faeces and food debris into toilet paper, napkins and other household products, state media reported Wednesday. The goods, s ... more
Kathmandu (AFP) Dec 24, 2017
Nepal's last known dancing bears rescued
Washington (UPI) Dec 18, 2017
Fossil shows ancient bear had a sweet tooth
Washington (UPI) Dec 19, 2017
Plants used to variability most likely to adapt to climate change
Daily Newsletters - Space - Military - Environment - Energy

At least 10,000 killed in 1989 Tiananmen crackdown: British cable
Beijing (AFP) Dec 23, 2017
At least 10,000 people were killed in the Chinese army's crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in Beijing's Tiananmen Square in June 1989, according to a newly released British diplomatic cable that recounts the bloodshed in gruesome detail. The document, made public more than 28 years after the event, describes injured girls being bayoneted, bodies being ground up by armoured vehicles and h ... more
Tianjin, China (AFP) Dec 26, 2017
Chinese activist jailed for 8 years after major crackdown
Beijing (AFP) Dec 18, 2017
Chinese convicts executed after stadium trial; Chinese ink-brush artwork sells for $144M
Beijing (AFP) Dec 25, 2017
Artist 'released' in China after Liu Xiaobo tribute
North Atlantic Oscillation dictates timing of tree reproduction in Europe
Washington (UPI) Dec 20, 2017
Trees synchronize their reproductive schedule with the North Atlantic Oscillation, a climate pattern that influences zonal winds and the strength of storms. The NAO describes fluctuations in the region's air pressure differences. Shifts in the region's pressure gradients affect atmospheric circulation and Europe's climate patterns. And according to the latest analysis, the oscill ... more
New Haven CT (SPX) Dec 14, 2017
African deforestation not as great as feared
Munich, Germany (SPX) Dec 14, 2017
Cascading use is also beneficial for wood
New York NY (SPX) Dec 14, 2017
New maps show shrinking wilderness being ignored at our peril


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