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Trump Administration To Fire Hundreds Of Government Scientists, Researchers
The Trump administration plans to lay off hundreds of scientists and researchers from the US federal government as part of drastic cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), lawmakers warned Tuesday.
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ISRO Expands with Two Launchpads, Chandrayaan-4 to Launch in 2028 with Lunar Sample Return Mission
Isro is developing two new launchpads in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu to support its growing space program. Chandrayaan-4, a 9,200 kg mission planned for 2028, will involve a lunar sample return. The organisation is also collaborating with NASA on the NISAR satellite for environmental monitoring. In the past decade, Isro has launched 433 satellite...
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World’s Largest Iceberg A23a Grounds Near South Georgia, Raising Wildlife and Environmental Concerns
The world’s largest iceberg, A23a, has run aground near South Georgia, a key wildlife haven. Scientists are monitoring its impact on marine life, particularly on penguins and seals, as it could disrupt feeding routes. Some experts suggest the iceberg may also enhance ocean productivity by releasing nutrients. If it fragments, it may pose risks to...
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Neanderthal Genetic Bottleneck 110,000 Years Ago May Explain Their Decline
A study suggests that Neanderthals experienced a population bottleneck 110,000 years ago, drastically reducing their genetic diversity. CT scans of their inner ear bones revealed a sharp decline in variation, indicating a drop in population size. This event may have made Neanderthals more vulnerable to environmental and competitive pressures, contr...
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Scientists Find Wastewater Bacteria That Break Down PET Plastic, Aiding Pollution Control
Research has revealed that bacteria commonly found in wastewater can break down PET plastic, a widely used material in bottles and textiles. Scientists identified a specific enzyme responsible for degrading the plastic into smaller particles. While experts see promise in this discovery, concerns remain about its scalability for tackling large-scale...
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New Farm Fertilizer Could Remove CO2 from Air, Improve Soil Quality
Researchers have identified a method to accelerate carbon mineralisation using calcium silicates in farm fertilizers. The process could sequester billions of tons of CO2 while benefiting soil health. Unlike traditional magnesium silicates, calcium silicates react faster with CO2, making the approach more efficient. Scientists are exploring ways to ...
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Scientists Detect Rising Microplastics in Human Brains, Study Raises Concerns
A study has found microplastics in human brains, with concentrations rising over recent years. Researchers suggest possible links to dementia, but some experts question the findings due to potential flaws in the analysis. While microplastics have been previously detected in human bodies, their impact on brain health remains unclear. Scientists call...
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Historical Records Unveil 16th Century Transylvania’s Climate Struggles
Centuries-old records from Transylvania offer insight into the extreme climate events of the 1500s. Researchers examined handwritten manuscripts in multiple languages to trace shifts in temperature, droughts, and floods. The study reveals how people endured environmental hardships, including famine and disease. Evidence suggests the Little Ice Age ...
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MIT Develops Tiny Robotic Insect Drones with 100x Longer Flight Time Than Before
A new generation of robotic insects can fly 100 times longer than previous models, making artificial pollination more viable. Researchers improved endurance and agility by refining wing structure, reducing energy use, and incorporating power storage. Future advancements will integrate sensors and navigation systems to optimise their role in agricul...
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Microplastics Found in Human Brain Tissue, Study Shows Rising Levels
A study has detected microplastics and nanoplastics in human brain tissue, showing a 50 percent increase in levels over recent years. The findings suggest these particles may bypass the blood-brain barrier, leading to concerns over potential health effects. Experts are now focusing on how these plastics enter the brain and their possible role in ne...
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SpaceX Starship Flight 7 Explosion Raises Concerns Over Air Pollution
The explosion of SpaceX’s Starship Flight 7 in mid-January has raised concerns among scientists about atmospheric pollution. The upper stage, weighing 85 tons without fuel, detonated at 90 miles (146 km) above Earth, potentially releasing 45.5 metric tons of metal oxides and 40 metric tons of nitrogen oxides. Experts warn these pollutants could i...
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Polar Bear Fur's Natural Oil Prevents Ice Build-Up, Study Finds
Scientists have uncovered a surprising feature of polar bear fur: a natural oil that prevents ice accumulation. Unlike penguins, which rely on feather structure, polar bears benefit from a chemical composition that keeps their fur ice-free. A study published in Science Advances found that unwashed polar bear fur performed as well as high-performanc...
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Ocean Warming Rate Quadruples Over Four Decades, Accelerating Climate Change
New research highlights a troubling acceleration in ocean warming, with the rate of temperature rise quadrupling since the 1980s. According to a study in Environmental Research Letters, ocean surface temperatures now rise at 0.27°C per decade, up from 0.06°C. This rapid warming, driven by greenhouse gases like CO2 and methane, is worsening Earth'...
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Neanderthal Blood Protein Incompatibilities May Have Contributed to Extinction
Research indicates that genetic differences in Neanderthal blood proteins may have played a role in their extinction. Scientists discovered that Neanderthals had a rare RhD blood type, which was incompatible with the blood types of Denisovans and Homo sapiens. This incompatibility could have led to hemolytic disease in mixed-species offspring, resu...
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Microbes Uncovered in Amazon Peatlands Could Alter Global Carbon Dynamics
Microscopic organisms found in the tropical peatlands of Peru’s northwestern Amazon are helping regulate the carbon cycle, a key factor in Earth’s climate. These microbes, part of the Bathyarchaeia group, thrive in waterlogged, oxygen-deprived conditions and exhibit unique metabolic behaviours that either store or release carbon. Researchers wa...
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Trump Administration To Fire Hundreds Of Government Scientists, Researchers
The Trump administration plans to lay off hundreds of scientists and researchers from the US federal government as part of drastic cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), lawmakers warned Tuesday.
-
ISRO Expands with Two Launchpads, Chandrayaan-4 to Launch in 2028 with Lunar Sample Return Mission
Isro is developing two new launchpads in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu to support its growing space program. Chandrayaan-4, a 9,200 kg mission planned for 2028, will involve a lunar sample return. The organisation is also collaborating with NASA on the NISAR satellite for environmental monitoring. In the past decade, Isro has launched 433 satellite...
-
World’s Largest Iceberg A23a Grounds Near South Georgia, Raising Wildlife and Environmental Concerns
The world’s largest iceberg, A23a, has run aground near South Georgia, a key wildlife haven. Scientists are monitoring its impact on marine life, particularly on penguins and seals, as it could disrupt feeding routes. Some experts suggest the iceberg may also enhance ocean productivity by releasing nutrients. If it fragments, it may pose risks to...
-
Neanderthal Genetic Bottleneck 110,000 Years Ago May Explain Their Decline
A study suggests that Neanderthals experienced a population bottleneck 110,000 years ago, drastically reducing their genetic diversity. CT scans of their inner ear bones revealed a sharp decline in variation, indicating a drop in population size. This event may have made Neanderthals more vulnerable to environmental and competitive pressures, contr...
-
Scientists Find Wastewater Bacteria That Break Down PET Plastic, Aiding Pollution Control
Research has revealed that bacteria commonly found in wastewater can break down PET plastic, a widely used material in bottles and textiles. Scientists identified a specific enzyme responsible for degrading the plastic into smaller particles. While experts see promise in this discovery, concerns remain about its scalability for tackling large-scale...
-
New Farm Fertilizer Could Remove CO2 from Air, Improve Soil Quality
Researchers have identified a method to accelerate carbon mineralisation using calcium silicates in farm fertilizers. The process could sequester billions of tons of CO2 while benefiting soil health. Unlike traditional magnesium silicates, calcium silicates react faster with CO2, making the approach more efficient. Scientists are exploring ways to ...
-
Scientists Detect Rising Microplastics in Human Brains, Study Raises Concerns
A study has found microplastics in human brains, with concentrations rising over recent years. Researchers suggest possible links to dementia, but some experts question the findings due to potential flaws in the analysis. While microplastics have been previously detected in human bodies, their impact on brain health remains unclear. Scientists call...
-
Historical Records Unveil 16th Century Transylvania’s Climate Struggles
Centuries-old records from Transylvania offer insight into the extreme climate events of the 1500s. Researchers examined handwritten manuscripts in multiple languages to trace shifts in temperature, droughts, and floods. The study reveals how people endured environmental hardships, including famine and disease. Evidence suggests the Little Ice Age ...
-
MIT Develops Tiny Robotic Insect Drones with 100x Longer Flight Time Than Before
A new generation of robotic insects can fly 100 times longer than previous models, making artificial pollination more viable. Researchers improved endurance and agility by refining wing structure, reducing energy use, and incorporating power storage. Future advancements will integrate sensors and navigation systems to optimise their role in agricul...
-
Microplastics Found in Human Brain Tissue, Study Shows Rising Levels
A study has detected microplastics and nanoplastics in human brain tissue, showing a 50 percent increase in levels over recent years. The findings suggest these particles may bypass the blood-brain barrier, leading to concerns over potential health effects. Experts are now focusing on how these plastics enter the brain and their possible role in ne...
-
SpaceX Starship Flight 7 Explosion Raises Concerns Over Air Pollution
The explosion of SpaceX’s Starship Flight 7 in mid-January has raised concerns among scientists about atmospheric pollution. The upper stage, weighing 85 tons without fuel, detonated at 90 miles (146 km) above Earth, potentially releasing 45.5 metric tons of metal oxides and 40 metric tons of nitrogen oxides. Experts warn these pollutants could i...
-
Polar Bear Fur's Natural Oil Prevents Ice Build-Up, Study Finds
Scientists have uncovered a surprising feature of polar bear fur: a natural oil that prevents ice accumulation. Unlike penguins, which rely on feather structure, polar bears benefit from a chemical composition that keeps their fur ice-free. A study published in Science Advances found that unwashed polar bear fur performed as well as high-performanc...
-
Ocean Warming Rate Quadruples Over Four Decades, Accelerating Climate Change
New research highlights a troubling acceleration in ocean warming, with the rate of temperature rise quadrupling since the 1980s. According to a study in Environmental Research Letters, ocean surface temperatures now rise at 0.27°C per decade, up from 0.06°C. This rapid warming, driven by greenhouse gases like CO2 and methane, is worsening Earth'...
-
Neanderthal Blood Protein Incompatibilities May Have Contributed to Extinction
Research indicates that genetic differences in Neanderthal blood proteins may have played a role in their extinction. Scientists discovered that Neanderthals had a rare RhD blood type, which was incompatible with the blood types of Denisovans and Homo sapiens. This incompatibility could have led to hemolytic disease in mixed-species offspring, resu...
-
Microbes Uncovered in Amazon Peatlands Could Alter Global Carbon Dynamics
Microscopic organisms found in the tropical peatlands of Peru’s northwestern Amazon are helping regulate the carbon cycle, a key factor in Earth’s climate. These microbes, part of the Bathyarchaeia group, thrive in waterlogged, oxygen-deprived conditions and exhibit unique metabolic behaviours that either store or release carbon. Researchers wa...
