New soil tester to assess earth's healthOctober 2nd, 2009 WASHINGTON - Our planet has a fever. But global warming's effects on farming and water resources is still a mystery.
Scientists make 'thermometer' to assess Earth's healthOctober 2nd, 2009 WASHINGTON - Scientists at Tel Aviv University (TAU) in Israel have developed what is literally a 'thermometer' for the Earth, which would assess the health of our planet. Known as the "Optical Soil Dipstick" (OSD), the instrument has been developed by Professor Eyal Ben-Dor of TAU's Department of Geography, along with his team.
China completes highest resolution 3D map of moonSeptember 28th, 2009 BEIJING - Chinese experts Monday announced that the country's space scientists have completed the world's highest-resolution three-dimensional map of the moon. The map, covering the whole surface of the moon, is based on image data obtained by a charge-coupled device (CCD) stereo camera carried by Chang'e-1, China's first lunar probe vehicle, launched Oct 2007.
Pak Govt following Musharraf's corporate agriculture farming policySeptember 14th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - The Pakistan Government is virtually threatening the country's sovereignty by allowing Arab conglomerates to lease millions of acres of agricultural land and repatriate all produce and profits, The Dawn opines. Although American drone attacks against the Taliban are routinely condemned as violations of national sovereignty.
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.
Methane under permafrost could speed up global warming 20-foldSeptember 3rd, 2009 WASHINGTON - Melting permafrost in arctic regions, triggered by global warming, will release underground methane. Once released, methane would speed up global warming by trapping the earths heat radiation about 20 times more efficiently than the greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide.
Humans causing erosion comparable to world's largest rivers and glaciersSeptember 3rd, 2009 WASHINGTON - A new study has found that large-scale farming projects by humans can erode the Earth's surface at rates comparable to those of the world's largest rivers and glaciers. The research offers stark evidence of how humans are reshaping the planet.
China tries to calm unease over curbs on rare earths exports but says limits neededSeptember 2nd, 2009 China tries to calm unease over rare earths curbsBEIJING — A Chinese official tried to calm unease about curbs on exports of rare earths used in clean energy products and superconductors, saying Thursday that sales will continue but must be limited to reduce damage to China's environment. China produces nearly all the rare earths used in batteries for hybrid cars, mobile phones, superconductors, lightweight magnets and other high-tech products.
India befriends Afghanistan, irking PakistanAugust 21st, 2009 KABUL - India has become a major donor of Afghanistan, and its growing presence here is riling arch rival Pakistan. From wells and toilets to power plants and satellite transmitters, India is seeding Afghanistan with a vast array of projects.
Human-induced land cover changes can influence regional climateAugust 9th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Scientists have analyzed seven different climate models to come to the conclusion that human-induced land cover changes (LCCs), such as the clearing of forests for farming, can affect climate. To study the regional and global effects of LCC, A.
Planet-hunting telescope sees three alien worldsAugust 7th, 2009 LONDON - The planet-hunting Kepler space telescope has found its first extrasolar planets, in the form of three alien worlds that had been previously discovered with ground-based telescopes. According to a report in New Scientist, the finds confirm that Kepler's instruments are sensitive enough to detect Earth-like planets around sun-like stars.
Spices Board may consider contract farming in South AfricaJuly 26th, 2009 JOHANNESBURG - The Spices Board of India may consider the possibility of pushing cultivation of Indian spices in South Africa through contract farming amid growing requests for seed exports by locals. The board, which exhibited Indian spices at the July 19-21 South African International Trade Exhibition (SAITEX), says it has found buyers but not enough distributors.
How iron isotopes were distributed in Earth's deep interior 4.5 bln yrs agoJune 16th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Two geochemists have produced the first picture of how different isotopes of iron were initially distributed in the solid Earth 4.5 billion years ago, opening the door to new studies of planet's geologic history. The picture was produced by the two UC (University of California) Davis geochemists by using a super-computer to virtually squeeze and heat iron-bearing minerals under conditions that would have existed when the Earth crystallized from an ocean of magma to its solid form 4.5 billion years ago.
China says it will strictly enforce environmental controls on economic stimulus packageJune 5th, 2009 China: Will ensure stimulus protects environmentBEIJING — China said Friday it will strictly monitor the government's economic stimulus package for projects that cause pollution, addressing worries that officials would ignore the environment in an effort to maintain China's high economic growth rates. The stimulus will not damage the environment, Ministry of Environmental Protection Vice Minister Zhang Lijun told a news conference.
Scientists create metal that pumps liquid uphill like a treeJune 3rd, 2009 WASHINGTON - Trees draw vast amounts of water from their roots up to their leaves hundreds of feet above the ground through capillary action. But now University of Rochester scientists have created a simple slab of metal that lifts liquid using the same principle, but at a much faster speed.
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