Droughts in the sixth century paved the way for Islam
Extreme dry conditions contributed to the decline of the ancient South Arabian kingdom of Himyar. Researchers from the University of Basel have reported these findings in the journal Science. Combined with political unrest and war, the droughts left.....»»
BYD sets higher annual sales target, brokerage report shows
The goal would put BYD almost at par with Ford, which ranked sixth by global sales in 2023 with 4.4 million vehicles sold......»»
New research sinks old theory for the doldrums, a low-wind equatorial region that stranded sailors for centuries
During the Age of Sail, sailors riding the trade winds past the equator dreaded becoming stranded in the doldrums, a meteorologically distinct region in the deep tropics. For at least a century, scientists have thought that the doldrums' lack of wind.....»»
Opinion: Planning smart and sustainable cities should not result in exclusive garden utopias for the rich
One of the big ideas of the 21st century, "smart cities" promised a new world of connected, data-driven and sustainable urbanism. Pervasive digital infrastructures would monitor flows from sewage to traffic to criminal activities, providing informati.....»»
The Golden Age of offbeat Arctic research
The Cold War spawned some odd military projects that were doomed to fail. Enlarge / At the US Army’s Camp Century on the Greenland ice sheet, an Army truck equipped with a railroad wheel conversion rides on 1,300 feet of track.....»»
Why Polio Has Reemerged in Gaza
After a quarter of a century, the disease has returned to Gaza, prompting a campaign to immunize all of the territory's children against the virus......»»
Did lawmakers know role of fossil fuels in climate change during Clean Air Act era?
How much was known at the mid-20th century about the dangers of human-caused climate change? A lot more than most Americans think......»»
Scientists create guidance to help emergency managers prepare for weather hazards of the future
Climate change is fueling more severe storms and floods, droughts and fires, and communities around the world are grappling with how to prepare. Emergency managers regularly meet to examine possible disasters and discuss preparations and responses fo.....»»
South Korea sees highest average summer temperature on record
South Korea experienced its highest average summertime temperature since such records began half a century ago, nearly two degrees higher than the historic average, the weather agency said Thursday......»»
Jack Black stars as expert crafter Steve in A Minecraft Movie teaser
"Anything you can dream about here, you can make." Jason Momoa and Jack Black star in A Minecraft Movie. Minecraft is among the most successful and influential games of the early 21st century, winning many awards and selling over 30.....»»
Heat waves and droughts cause billions of dollars in global economic losses, research finds
Severe weather costs the global economy billions of dollars a year, highlighting the costs of climate change and the value of mitigating extreme weather, according to a new analysis of weather and economic data......»»
Beef industry can reduce emissions by up to 30%, says new research
Greenhouse gases resulting from human activity have been the largest driver of climate change since the mid-20th century—especially from agriculture. The U.S. beef industry alone is responsible for 3.3% of the nation's total emissions, and even wit.....»»
Research shows 50-year generation gap in the bigmouth buffalo, Minnesota"s longest-lived fish
A recent study in one of the most pristine spawning grounds for a Minnesota fish has found a half-century gap between successful broods, and that number's climbing......»»
The best Western of the 21st century is now on Netflix. Here’s why you should watch it
This 2007 movie with Christian Bale and Russell Crowe, is one of the best of its genre. It's now streaming on Netflix, and here's why you should watch it......»»
Farmer suicides may rise with climate change. Is Australia prepared?
Droughts, fires, and floods can have devastating consequences for farmers' mental health......»»
From rhino horn snuff to pangolin livestock feed: A half-century of patents reveals the wildlife trade"s evolution
The bright blue blood of the horseshoe crab is used around the world to detect bacterial contamination in vaccines. Synonymous with luxury, sturgeon caviar has been patented as an antidote to impotency in China. Rhino horn is used in traditional Asia.....»»
Exploring Darwin"s longstanding interest in biological rhythms
A close reading of Darwin's work suggests a deep interest in cyclical events. Rhythmic phenomena in nature—today the subjects of the field of chronobiology—have been studied since at least the 18th century. In a perspective, Tiago Gomes de Andrad.....»»
Satellites reveal ecosystems most vulnerable to drought
More severe droughts that will also last longer: this will primarily be a problem for irrigated croplands, as discovered by environmental scientist Qi Chen. Mixed forests with a variety of plant species will be the least vulnerable. Chen compared the.....»»
This bird species was extinct in Europe. Now it"s back, and humans must help it migrate for winter
How do you teach a bird how, and where, to fly? The distinctive Northern Bald Ibis, hunted essentially to extinction by the 17th century, was revived by breeding and rewilding efforts over the last two decades. But the birds—known for their distinc.....»»
South Africa"s scarce water needs careful management—study finds smaller, local systems offer more benefits
South Africa is a water-scarce country, the 30th driest in the world. Using water wisely will become more and more important as the population grows and droughts related to climate change increase. A lack of clean, fresh water has a negative impact o.....»»
Will the ‘Car-Free’ Los Angeles Olympics Work?
Organizers of the 2028 Summer Games will attempt to re-create the city’s public transport heyday of the early 20th century, but ousting the car—even for just a few weeks—will be costly......»»