'The talk of space wars, colonisation is still in the realm of fiction'
Weaponisation of space has long seemed inevitable and Trump's announcement of Space Force diverges from historical conventions that consider …
This drink can treat severe depression
Ayahuasca, a psychedelic brew made from two plants, has been used in Amazonia for centuries
$306 billion—total cost of climate disasters in US in 2017
A hyperactive hurricane season and deadly wildfire events are responsible for this record-breaking economic loss
Climate change-induced flooding may put at least 327 contaminated sites in US at risk
Nearly two million people live within a mile of 327 Superfund sites, which are vulnerable to sea-level rise due to climate change
US proposes to subsidise coal and nuclear power plants, calls them ‘reliable’
The proposed rulemaking is meant to subsidise and salvage coal power plants at the cost of renewable energy sector
Irma and Harvey: very different storms, but both affected by climate change
This hurricane season sea temperatures have been persistently 1-2℃ above normal over the tropical Atlantic Ocean, which allowed stronger storms …
Scientists develop new molecule to fight antibiotic resistance
A piece of synthetic DNA has been developed that restores effectiveness of a carbapenem
Latin America, the most unequal region of the world in land distribution
Economic elites use their clout to influence regulatory decisions to serve their interest by either funding political parties or controlling the media
Santa Clarita wildfire threatens air quality in Los Angeles
The Southern California Air Quality Management District and LA County Public Health have issued a smoke advisory for Los Angeles due to the smoke …
Antibodies will prevent recurrence of Zika for at least a decade, says study
48 countries have reported incidences of Zika fever since the first outbreak in 2015
Ensuring food security, building resilience must to fight drought in Central America's Dry Corridor
The region, which covers nearly one-third of the Central American territory, is characterised by recurrent droughts
Packaged food labels in US to have bigger, bolder display of calories
US Food and Drug Administration behind move aimed at helping people to make better informed choices
Eastern cougar extinct, says US conservation agency
The eastern cougar, a subspecies of the North American cougar, has likely been extinct for at least 70 years. It was last sighted and hunted …
Hackers—good and bad
Documentary>> We are a legion • directed by Brian Knappenberger
Reforming the cyber nation
Book>> I know who you are and i saw what you did; social networks and the death of privacy • Free Press • US $26
Animal rights primer
Book>> Animal Rights: What Everyone Needs To Know • by Paul Waldau • OUP, New York • US $10.7
Environmentalists block waterway
Environmentalists have opposed a plan to transform the Paraguay and Parana rivers into a waterway linking the impoverished interior regions of …
The back up man
BOOK>> MAGNIFICENT DESOLATION, THE LONG JOURNEY HOME FROM THE MOON • by Buzz Aldrin and Ken Abraham • Bloomsbury • Rs 750
The file drawer bust
Daniele Fanelli, researcher at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, probes the problem of quantity versus quality in scientific research. …
A flesh-eating parasite carried by dogs is making its way to North America
A ‘One Health’ approach, requiring the collaboration of human, animal, and environmental health partners, is key to preventing …
Climate change was partly responsible for May floods, landslides in Brazil
7-day average rainfall had 1-in-500 chance, finds study; Current climate warmer by 1.2°C
Sea-level rise: 6 states in US may lose 83% coastal marshes
The coastal area will stop being a carbon sink and start releasing more carbon into the atmosphere
Factsheet: Global Emissions
In 2013, the Netherlands Environmental Agency (NEA) jointly with the European Commission (EC) published a report on global carbon emissions. One …
Carving the carbon cake
NGOs literally cut up a carbon cake and distrbuted crumbs to the G77 president while the US delegates refused to accept their overwhelming portion.
Factsheet: The emissions imbalance
In 2007, the US had less than 5 per cent of the global population, but it accounted for 20 per cent of global CO2 emissions. India, with almost …