Science | The Journalistic

A trial using nature to help reduce flood risk hailed a success

20Apr

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Nature, Science

A trial using nature to help reduce flood risk hailed a success

A trial to help test how nature based solutions such as creating wetlands can be used to help reduce the risk of flooding has been successfully completed at Marlfield Farm, in Earby. This is one of a series of pilot projects which are part of Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme using natural flood management (NFM) techniques to help protect the people of Leeds and those living near the River Aire from the risk of flooding. Evidence from these projects is being gathered to fully understand the benefits of NFM and develop how best to work with landowners, tenants and key partners in the future. A team from the Environment Agency has been working with the River Stewardship Company and landowners at Marlfield Farm, which is on the border of Yorkshire and Lancashire, since last September to...

Power roll: bringing cheap solar power to Africa and India

20Apr

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Africa, Asia, Science, Technology, World News

Power roll: bringing cheap solar power to Africa and India

Power Roll has installed two mini solar grid systems in rural locations in Africa and India. These grids demonstrate the use of their innovative solar film and energy storage technologies that have the potential to disrupt the global solar power market. Paul Laidler, project lead at Power Roll, explained: The mini solar grid systems use flexible solar PV that is thin, light, easy to install and can be used off-grid. This makes it very attractive to communities who might struggle to get access to technology, particularly if their location is remote. Power Roll’s solar film will be produced as a roll and can be used on a variety of surfaces in off-grid settings; for example, curved around a technology pole or attached to a fragile roof. Its lightness and versatility give it numerous adv...

Stone Age bear genome reconstructed from DNA in Mexican cave

20Apr

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Education, Science, Technology

Stone Age bear genome reconstructed from DNA in Mexican cave

Scientists have reconstructed ancient DNA from soil for the first time, in an advance that will significantly enhance the study of animal, plant and microorganism evolution. "Analysis of DNA found in soil could have the potential to expand the narrative about everything from the evolution of species to developments in climate change – fossils will no longer be needed." - Eske Willerslev A team of scientists led by Professor Eske Willerslev in the University of Cambridge’s Department of Zoology and the Lundbeck Foundation GeoGenetics Centre, University of Copenhagen, have recreated the genomes of animals, plants and bacteria from microscopic fragments of DNA found in the remote Chiquihuite Cave in Mexico. The findings have been described as the ‘moon landings...

University of Cambridge brings together physicists, chemists, biologists, mathematicians, and earth scientists to answer fundamental questions on the origin of life in the Universe

20Apr

By thejournalisticNo Comments

Education, Science, Technology

University of Cambridge brings together physicists, chemists, biologists, mathematicians, and earth scientists to answer fundamental questions on the origin of life in the Universe

Led by 2019 Physics Nobel Laureate Professor Didier Queloz, the Cambridge Initiative for Planetary Science and Life in the Universe will be the driving force for the development of a new Cambridge research community investigating life in the Universe, from understanding how it emerged on Earth to examining the processes that could make other planets suitable for life. "By bringing together chemists, geologists, biologists, and astrophysicists to work toward a common goal, we can exploit the full potential of this exciting new field of research, bringing us closer to understanding life in the Universe and finding life beyond Earth" - Didier Queloz The initiative comes at a crucial moment in science, as scientists are able to study exoplanets – planets orbiting stars other than our Sun ...

DEWA, WGEO to organise 7th World Green Energy Summit at Expo 2020 Dubai

11Apr

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Middle East, Science, Technology, World News

DEWA, WGEO to organise 7th World Green Energy Summit at Expo 2020 Dubai

DUBAI, 14th March, 2021 (WAM) -- Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) and the World Green Economy Organisation (WGEO) will organise the 7th World Green Economy Summit (WGES) on 6 -7 October 2021 at Expo 2020 Dubai. Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, and Chairman of WGES, made the announcement, noting that WGES will be held in conjunction with the Water, Energy, Technology, and Environment Exhibition (WETEX) and Dubai Solar Show, which is organised by DEWA from 5 to 7 October 2021 at Expo 2020 Dubai. "The World Green Economy Summit’s goals are aligned with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mo...

Dubai to establish one of world’s largest energy-from-waste projects

11Apr

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Middle East, Science, Technology, World News

Dubai to establish one of world’s largest energy-from-waste projects

DUBAI, 29th March, 2021 (WAM) -- Dubai Holding has partnered with Dubal Holding, ITOCHU Corporation, Hitachi Zosen Inova, BESIX Group and Tech Group to develop one of the world’s largest energy-from-waste (EfW) facility. The consortium of leading international companies will build and operate the AED 4 billion project under a 35-year concession period with Dubai Municipality. This landmark public-private partnership represents one of the most significant renewable energy investments in the United Arab Emirates. The Dubai Centre for Waste Processing, located in the Warsan area, will treat 5,666 tonnes of municipal solid waste produced by Dubai per day. A total of 1,900,000 tonnes of waste per year will be converted into renewable energy. The approximate 200 MW of electricity generated...

Work to repair river breach at local nature reserve gets underway

6Apr

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Nature, Science

Work to repair river breach at local nature reserve gets underway

Significant rainfall during Storm Christoph damaged one of the banks of the River Alt which caused flooding to the Lunt Meadows Lunt Meadows, which is managed by Lancashire Wildlife Trust, has been designed to act as both a flood storage area and a nature reserve, providing wetland habitats for species, such as water vole, marsh harrier and kingfisher, while also holding excess rain and river water Work to repair an embankment on the River Alt at Lunt meadows Nature Reserve and flood storage area has begun as part of the Environment Agency’s programme of recovery to last month’s floods. The river burst its bank on 20 January during significant and severe rainfall caused by Storm Christoph which also saw the Environment Agency issue two Severe Flood Warnings in Maghull, coverin...

Leading UK businesses and researchers in £75 million collaboration to create technologies of the future

5Apr

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Business, Technology

Leading UK businesses and researchers in £75 million collaboration to create technologies of the future

Nine innovative business-led research partnerships backed with over £75 million to develop new technologies partnerships led by Unilever, EDF and the Francis Crick Institute will look at accelerating medicine discovery, creating green household products and developing sensor technology for drivers part of government’s ambition to build back better and drive economic growth and job creation through innovation Leading UK businesses and research institutions will join forces to develop new technologies, from 3D imaging accelerating medicine discovery, to transforming waste into eco-friendly household products. Announced today (Friday 2 April 2021) by Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng, 9 new partnerships will bring together expertise from some of the UK’s most prominent bus...

New technology to help identify those at high risk from COVID-19

1Apr

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Science, Technology

New technology to help identify those at high risk from COVID-19

New predictive risk model to help clinicians identify adults with multiple risk factors that make them more vulnerable to COVID-19 Over 800,000 adults will now be prioritised to receive a vaccine as part of the current vaccination cohorts Research is developed by subgroup of NERVTAG, led by the University of Oxford and funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) New technology has been introduced in England to help clinicians identify, for the first time, a new group of people who may be at high risk from COVID-19. Over 800,000 adults will now be prioritised to receive a vaccine as part of the current vaccination cohorts. The technology analyses a combination of risk factors based on medical records, to assess whether somebody may be more vulnerable than was...

Study in Nature: Protecting the Ocean Delivers a Comprehensive Solution for Climate, Fishing and Biodiversity

1Apr

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Nature, Science

Study in Nature: Protecting the Ocean Delivers a Comprehensive Solution for Climate, Fishing and Biodiversity

A new study published in the prestigious peer-reviewed scientific journal Nature today offers a combined solution to several of humanity’s most pressing challenges. It is the most comprehensive assessment to date of where strict ocean protection can contribute to a more abundant supply of healthy seafood and provide a cheap, natural solution to address climate change—in addition to protecting embattled species and habitats. An international team of 26 authors identified specific areas that, if protected, would safeguard over 80% of the habitats for endangered marine species, and increase fishing catches by more than eight million metric tons. The study is also the first to quantify the potential release of carbon dioxide into the ocean from trawling, a widespread fishing practice—an...