Humanity goes into debt with natureSeptember 25th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Humanity went into debt Friday, having used up all that the earth's natural systems can produce this year, according to data from Global Footprint Network (GFN), a research organisation that measures the natural resources we have and we use. A GFN spokesperson said over e-mail that by this Friday, people had already demanded from the earth all the ecological services it can provide in the whole year -- from filtering the main greenhouse gas carbon dioxide to producing the raw materials for food.
A splash of graphene can improve battery materialsSeptember 23rd, 2009 WASHINGTON - In a new research, scientists have determined that a splash of graphene can improve battery materials. Researchers would like to develop lithium-ion batteries using titanium dioxide, an inexpensive material.
Planets have to be about the size of Earth to be conducive for lifeSeptember 7th, 2009 LONDON - In a new research, it has been determined that rocky worlds have to be about the size of Earth to be conducive for life. According to a report in New Scientist, the discovery of extrasolar super-Earths - rocky planets about five to ten times the mass of Earth - has raised hopes that some may harbour life.
Scientists design "gravity tractor" to save earth from asteroidsAugust 30th, 2009 LONDON - British space scientists have designed a special spacecraft that can save the earth from a catastrophic asteroid collision. The 10 tonne spacecraft named "gravity tractor" would be deployed to intercept an asteroid en route to the earth and has the ability to fly 160 ft alongside it.
"Artificial trees" can soak up world's carbon emissionsAugust 27th, 2009 LONDON - Engineers have said that a forest of 100,000 "artificial trees" could be deployed within 10 to 20 years to help soak up the world's carbon emissions. According to a report by BBC News, the trees are among three geo-engineering ideas highlighted as practical in a new report by researchers form the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
Delhi switches off lights to save powerJuly 31st, 2009 NEW DELHI - Historical monuments, several government buildings and many households turned dark Friday evening as Delhi voluntarily switched off the lights for an hour to save power and become environment friendly. Exactly at 8.30 p.m., the Delhi secretariat, old secretariat, Humayun's Tomb, the Archaeological Survey of India building and several other government offices went for a voluntary blackout, abiding a call from Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit to save power.
Delhiites to switch off lights to save power FridayJuly 31st, 2009 NEW DELHI - Many parts of the capital are expected to go dark as the clock strikes 8.30 p.m. Friday with Delhiites planning to voluntarily switch off non-essential lights for one hour to save power.
Indian-American devises cleaner way to capture carbon dioxideJuly 23rd, 2009 WASHINGTON - An Indian-American physicist has devised a cleaner and more efficient way of capturing carbon dioxide from its polluting source, like coal-fired power plants. Lawrence Livermore National Lab (LLNL) researcher Amitesh Maiti has come up with a screening method that would use ionic liquids -- molten salt that becomes liquid under the boiling point of water (100 degrees Celsius) -- to separate carbon dioxide from its source.
UK government presents plan to cut carbon emissions, add 'green' jobs in renewable energyJuly 15th, 2009 Britain presents plans to cut emissions, add jobsLONDON — The British government detailed ambitious plans Wednesday to cut carbon emissions substantially by 2020, and said 40 percent of the country's electricity by then would come from renewable sources. The proposal on fighting climate change envisions expansions in wind energy as well as continued use of nuclear power and clean coal.
Scientists can account for only half of global warmingJuly 15th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Current climate change models prepared by scientists can explain only half the warming that took place on earth in the ancient past, says a new study. The study contains an analysis of published records from a period of rapid climatic warming about 55 million years ago known as the Palaeocene-Eocene thermal maximum (PETM).
Massive greening of Earth 700 mln yrs ago triggered off explosive growth of lifeJuly 9th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A team of scientists has suggested a massive greening of the planet by non-vascular plants, or 'primitive ground huggers', triggered off the Cambrian explosion of life, roughly 700 million years ago. The Cambrian explosion of life was one of the biggest moments in Earth's lifetime, around 540 million years ago, when complex, multi-cellular life burst out all over the planet.
Researcher creates fireproof concrete out of waste ashJuly 8th, 2009 SYDNEY - A researcher has converted waste ash, a by product of coal-fired power stations, into fireproof concrete. The concrete could be used to build fireproof bunkers in rural areas, and could prevent tonnes of fly ash from being dumped.
Ozone hole responsible for saturation in Southern Ocean's CO2 absorptionJune 27th, 2009 LONDON - In a new research, scientists have found that the ozone hole is responsible for the drop in carbon dioxide (CO2) absorption in the Southern Ocean, which is considered as a major carbon sink. In theory, oceans should absorb more CO2 as levels of the gas in the atmosphere rise.
Airlines shaving spoon size, dumping magazines to beat recession!June 10th, 2009 LONDON - Airlines have been shaving spoon sizes and dumping in-flight magazines in a bid to make planes less heavier and save fuel during the credit crunch, reveals the International Air Transport Association. According to Paul Steele, director of the environment at IATA, US' Northwest Airlines axed spoons from its cutlery pack if the in-flight meal does not need one.
Meteor bombardment may have made earth more habitableJune 2nd, 2009 LONDON - Large bombardments of meteorites nearly four billion years ago probably made earth and mars more habitable by modifying their atmosphere. When a meteorite enters a planet's atmosphere, extreme heat causes some of the minerals and organic matter on its outer crust to be released as water and carbon dioxide before it breaks up and hits the ground.
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