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Engineers describe novel method that collates trace heavy metals in water

An unfortunate consequence of many industrial and manufacturing practices, from textile factories to metalworking operations, is the release of heavy metals in waterways. Those metals can remain for decades, even centuries, in low but still dangerous concentrations.

17 Dec 2011

Debate on freedom of speech regarding vaccines at Woodford Folk Festival

The Woodford Folk Festival is one of Australia's largest and most popular festivals with approximately 130,000 people attending over six days and six nights. On this year's speakers list is anti-vaccine lobbyist Meryl Dorey, spokesperson for the Northern NSW-based Australian Vaccination Network (AVN).

15 Dec 2011

Horn of Africa food crisis could last into summer 2012, E.U. Aid Commissioner says

"The crisis in the Horn of Africa, which has left more than 13 million people at risk of starvation, will continue into the spring, and possibly the summer," European Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva said Tuesday, Reuters reports.

8 Dec 2011

Longer lives of US Presidents contrary to popular belief

According to Dr. Michael Roizen U.S. Presidents may be aging twice as fast as the rest of us while they occupy the Oval Office. Roizen, chairman of the Wellness Institute at the esteemed Cleveland Clinic, is the developer of RealAge, whose premise is that one’s calendar age isn’t necessarily in sync with the actual wear and tear on the body.

7 Dec 2011

Global carbon dioxide emissions increase by 5.9% in 2010 after GFC

Global carbon dioxide emissions increased by a record 5.9 per cent in 2010 following the dampening effect of the 2008-2009 Global Financial Crisis (GFC), according to scientists working with the Global Carbon Project.

7 Dec 2011

International trade agreements need to help save water globally: UNESCO

With greater water scarcity in some regions and increasing global demand for high quality water, international trade agreements need to help save water globally. This was the main conclusion of a special report, published by the UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education.

6 Dec 2011

Fatal snakebites emerging global threat

Fatal snakebites are a bigger-than-acknowledged global health problem that has been vastly under-reported, according to research presented today at the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene’s (ASTMH) annual meeting.

5 Dec 2011

British American Tobacco buckles up to fight plain packaging legislation

British American Tobacco (BAT) has challenged the High Court against the cigarette plain packaging legislation. BAT argues the ban is invalid because the federal government is trying to acquire valuable intellectual property without compensation. BAT lodged the writs launching its challenge in the High Court Sydney registry on Thursday. The date for hearing is likely to be no earlier than the second quarter of next year.

4 Dec 2011

Insight into plant mechanism may protect other organisms against dehydration

Plant seeds represent a special biological system: They remain in a dormant state with a significantly reduced metabolism and are thus able to withstand harsh environmental conditions for extended periods. The water content of maturing seeds is lower than ten percent. Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research in Cologne have now discovered that the genetic material in seeds becomes more compact and the nuclei of the seed cells contract when the seeds begin to mature.

3 Dec 2011

Comprehensive assessment on climate change to be presented at Mountain Day

Scientists from the Kathmandu-based International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and eight Asian countries that make up the Hindu Kush-Himalayan (HKH) region will present the most comprehensive assessment to date on climate change and the first authoritative accounting of snow cover and glacier extent in Asia's mountainous HKH region on Sunday, 4 December at Mountain Day on the sidelines of COP17 in Durban.

3 Dec 2011

Radiation can be used to effectively sterilize light brown apple moth

A new study published in the Journal of Economic Entomology shows that radiation can be used to effectively sterilize the light brown apple moth (LBAM), an insect pest found in Australia, New Zealand, California, Hawaii, Sweden, and the British Isles.

1 Dec 2011

Study provides critical information about how climate change affects Pacific island

A new report presents the most comprehensive scientific analysis to date of climate change in the Pacific region.

29 Nov 2011

Abusive supervision affects employee's marriage and family life

Having an abusive boss not only causes problems at work but can lead to strained relationships at home, according to a Baylor University study published online in journal, Personnel Psychology.

29 Nov 2011

Harmful BPA found in canned foods

According to a new study canned foods may contain harmful chemical Bisphenol A or BPA. BPA is a common chemical used in plastic products and in the lining of cans. BPA keeps them from corroding, but it may also be creeping into the food.

24 Nov 2011

EC’s amended rulings on bottled water claims – it keeps one cool and healthy

Last week after Brussels bureaucrats announced that bottled water does not prevent dehydration and manufacturers cannot claim so in their labels and advertisements, they were met with ridicules and derision.

24 Nov 2011

Abnormal levels of caffeine in water indicate human contamination

Researchers led by Prof. S-bastien Sauv- of the University of Montreal's Department of Chemistry have discovered that traces of caffeine are a useful indicator of the contamination of our water by sewers.

23 Nov 2011

Increasing food supply through production, trade policies necessary to prevent widespread hunger

"If we are to succeed in alleviating poverty and providing the necessary framework for sustainable development on our planet, there is no more pressing need than ensuring the supply of affordable food for our people," Pascal Lamy, director-general of the World Trade Organization, writes in the Guardian's "Poverty Matters Blog."

22 Nov 2011

EU ban on labels claiming water helps in dehydration draws reaction

Brussels bureaucrats faced ridicule for banning drink manufacturers from claiming that water can prevent dehydration. EU officials concluded that, following a three-year investigation, there was no evidence to prove the previously undisputed fact. And now manufacturers of bottled water are forbidden by law from making the claim and will face a two-year jail sentence if they defy the edict, which comes into force in the UK next month.

21 Nov 2011

NSF renews cooperative agreement for arctic research facility

The National Science Foundation awarded $16.3 million to the University of Alaska Fairbanks in support of the Toolik Field Station, a major site for national and international research in the North American Arctic since 1975.

18 Nov 2011

High-level panel releases recommendations to address food security, climate change in anticipation of U.N. meeting

In advance of a U.N. climate change conference this month in Durban, South Africa, the Commission on Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Change, a high-level international panel, on Wednesday announced its recommendations for achieving food security while addressing the effects of climate change, VOA News reports.

17 Nov 2011