https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/science_society/disaster_plan/ A scientific view on disaster plans, disaster preparedness and pandemic risk. Read the latest research on this and related topics. en-us Fri, 17 Apr 2026 09:16:05 EDT Fri, 17 Apr 2026 09:16:05 EDT 60 https://www.sciencedaily.com/images/scidaily-logo-rss.png https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/science_society/disaster_plan/ For more science news, visit ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260416071945.htm The ozone layer has been on track to recover thanks to the Montreal Protocol—but a loophole may be holding it back. Chemicals still permitted for industrial use are leaking into the atmosphere at higher rates than expected. Scientists now estimate this could delay ozone recovery by up to seven years. Closing this gap could speed up healing and reduce harmful UV exposure worldwide. Thu, 16 Apr 2026 07:53:40 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260416071945.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260405003937.htm A hidden Roman sanctuary discovered beneath Frankfurt is offering rare clues about ancient rituals, including possible human sacrifice. With major funding secured, scientists are now racing to uncover how this mysterious, multi-god cult site operated. Sun, 05 Apr 2026 00:39:37 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260405003937.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260403224505.htm Modern food systems may look stable on the surface, but they are increasingly dependent on digital systems that can quietly become a major point of failure. Today, food must be “recognized” by databases and automated platforms to be transported, sold, or even released, meaning that if systems go down, food can effectively become unusable—even when it’s physically available. Sun, 05 Apr 2026 00:23:02 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260403224505.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260401071947.htm A mysterious Greek inscription found beneath the Great Mosque of Homs could pinpoint the long-debated location of an ancient sun temple. Scholars now think the mosque sits atop a sacred site that transitioned from pagan worship to Christianity and then Islam. The find supports the idea that religious change in the region happened gradually, with overlapping beliefs rather than sudden shifts. It also reconnects the site to the powerful cult of Elagabalus, whose priest once became a Roman emperor. Thu, 02 Apr 2026 03:08:16 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260401071947.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260314030521.htm When the Asian financial crisis sent rice prices soaring in Indonesia in the late 1990s, the shock didn’t just strain household budgets—it left lasting marks on children’s bodies. Researchers from the University of Bonn found that kids exposed to the food price surge were more likely to experience stunted growth and, years later, a higher risk of obesity. The findings suggest that during crises, families often maintain calorie intake but cut back on nutrient-rich foods, creating hidden nutritional deficiencies that disrupt healthy development. Sun, 15 Mar 2026 04:53:48 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260314030521.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260313002645.htm In medieval Denmark, people could pay for more prestigious graves closer to the church — a sign of wealth and status. But when researchers examined hundreds of skeletons, they discovered something unexpected: even people with stigmatized diseases like leprosy were buried in these high-status spots. Instead of excluding the sick, many communities appear to have treated them much like everyone else. Fri, 13 Mar 2026 05:38:00 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260313002645.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260212023028.htm As cash transfer programs expand across the United States, critics often warn that giving people money could spark reckless behavior, leading to injuries or even deaths. But a sweeping 11-year analysis of Alaska’s long-running Permanent Fund Dividend program tells a different story. Researchers examined statewide hospital records and death data and found no increase in traumatic injuries or unnatural deaths after annual payments were distributed. Mon, 16 Feb 2026 21:29:23 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260212023028.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260201231255.htm New research reveals a forgotten side of medieval Christianity—one rooted not in cathedrals, but in fields, forests, and farms. Historian Dr. Krisztina Ilko uncovers how the Augustinian order built its power through “green” miracles: restoring barren land, healing livestock, reviving fruit trees, and taming deadly landscapes once blamed on dragons. Far from symbolic tales, these acts helped rural communities survive and gave the order legitimacy at a time when its very existence was under threat. Mon, 02 Feb 2026 09:36:55 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260201231255.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260116035308.htm Humans pay enormous attention to lips during conversation, and robots have struggled badly to keep up. A new robot developed at Columbia Engineering learned realistic lip movements by watching its own reflection and studying human videos online. This allowed it to speak and sing with synchronized facial motion, without being explicitly programmed. Researchers believe this breakthrough could help robots finally cross the uncanny valley. Fri, 16 Jan 2026 10:28:30 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260116035308.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260111214447.htm A new study warns that war in Gaza has pushed children to the edge, leaving many too hungry, weak, or traumatized to learn. Education has nearly collapsed, with years of schooling lost to conflict, hunger, and fear. Researchers say children are losing faith in the future and in basic ideas like peace and human rights. Without urgent aid, Gaza faces the risk of a lost generation. Sun, 11 Jan 2026 22:45:42 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260111214447.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251227082716.htm Stanford scientists have uncovered how mRNA COVID-19 vaccines can very rarely trigger heart inflammation in young men — and how that risk might be reduced. They found that the vaccines can spark a two-step immune reaction that floods the body with inflammatory signals, drawing aggressive immune cells into the heart and causing temporary injury. Sat, 27 Dec 2025 10:52:27 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251227082716.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251224032347.htm AI writing tools are supercharging scientific productivity, with researchers posting up to 50% more papers after adopting them. The biggest beneficiaries are scientists who don’t speak English as a first language, potentially shifting global centers of research power. But there’s a downside: many AI-polished papers fail to deliver real scientific value. This growing gap between slick writing and meaningful results is complicating peer review, funding decisions, and research oversight. Wed, 24 Dec 2025 08:53:28 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251224032347.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251221043221.htm Sediments from a Roman latrine at Vindolanda show soldiers were infected with multiple intestinal parasites, including roundworm, whipworm, and Giardia — the first time Giardia has been identified in Roman Britain. These parasites spread through contaminated food and water, causing diarrhea, weakness, and long-term illness. Even with sewers and communal toilets, infections passed easily between soldiers. The discovery highlights how harsh and unhealthy life could be on Rome’s northern frontier. Sun, 21 Dec 2025 08:59:23 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251221043221.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251205054731.htm An immense Bronze Age settlement has emerged from the Kazakh Steppe, revealing a surprisingly urban and industrial society where archaeologists once expected nomadic camps. At Semiyarka, researchers uncovered massive residential compounds, a possible ceremonial or administrative building, and an entire industrial zone dedicated to producing tin bronze—an extremely rare discovery for the region. The site’s strategic perch above trade routes and mineral-rich mountains suggests it was a major hub of exchange, craftsmanship, and power. Fri, 05 Dec 2025 10:41:58 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251205054731.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251202052222.htm Archaeologists excavating the ancient Roman city of Gabii have uncovered a massive stone-lined basin that may represent one of Rome’s earliest monumental civic structures. Its central placement hints that early Romans were already experimenting with dramatic public spaces centuries before the iconic Forum took shape. The site’s remarkable preservation—made possible because Gabii was abandoned early—offers an unprecedented look at how Romans adapted Greek architectural ideas into powerful symbols of politics, ritual, and identity. Tue, 02 Dec 2025 08:40:05 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251202052222.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251130205421.htm Researchers exploring Bolivia’s Great Tectonic Lakes discovered a landscape transformed over centuries by sophisticated engineering and diverse agricultural traditions. Excavations show how Indigenous societies adapted to dynamic wetlands through raised fields, canals, and mixed livelihoods. Today’s local communities preserve this biocultural continuity, guiding research and conservation. Sun, 30 Nov 2025 23:45:19 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251130205421.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251126095041.htm Researchers studying Classic Maya cities discovered that urban growth was driven by a blend of climate downturns, conflict, and powerful economies of scale in agriculture. These forces made crowded, costly city life worthwhile for rural farmers. But when conditions improved in the countryside, people abandoned cities for more autonomy and better living environments. The story turns out to be far more complex than drought alone. Wed, 26 Nov 2025 10:49:20 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251126095041.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251124025654.htm Ultra-processed foods are rapidly becoming a global dietary staple, and new research links them to worsening health outcomes around the world. Scientists say only bold, coordinated policy action can counter corporate influence and shift food systems toward healthier options. Mon, 24 Nov 2025 03:07:46 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251124025654.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251111005957.htm Historians have traced myths about the Black Death’s rapid journey across Asia to one 14th-century poem by Ibn al-Wardi. His imaginative maqāma, never meant as fact, became the foundation for centuries of misinformation about how the plague spread. The new study exposes how fiction blurred with history and highlights how creative writing helped medieval societies process catastrophe. Tue, 11 Nov 2025 10:43:22 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251111005957.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251107010306.htm An 18th-century mechanical artwork depicting Mount Vesuvius’ eruption has finally erupted — 250 years later. University of Melbourne students reconstructed Sir William Hamilton’s imaginative fusion of art and engineering using modern technology. Their re-creation glows with programmable lights and movement, reanimating history’s forgotten passion for science and spectacle. Fri, 07 Nov 2025 09:42:19 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251107010306.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251027023809.htm New research shows that the rise of Sumer was deeply tied to the tidal and sedimentary dynamics of ancient Mesopotamia. Early communities harnessed predictable tides for irrigation, but when deltas cut off the Gulf’s tides, they faced crisis and reinvented their society. This interplay of environment and culture shaped Sumer’s myths, politics, and innovations, marking the dawn of civilization. Mon, 27 Oct 2025 02:38:09 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251027023809.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251026021749.htm Researchers found that life expectancy growth in wealthy nations has dramatically slowed since 1939. Once driven by major reductions in child mortality, longevity gains are now limited by slower progress in older-age survival. The study suggests no generation since 1939 will live to 100 on average, reshaping how societies must plan for aging and pensions. Sun, 26 Oct 2025 23:58:38 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251026021749.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251026021727.htm Researchers have uncovered microbial evidence in the remains of Napoleon’s soldiers from the 1812 Russian retreat. Genetic analysis revealed pathogens behind paratyphoid and relapsing fever, diseases likely contributing to the army’s massive losses. Using advanced DNA sequencing, the team pieced together centuries-old infection clues, connecting historical accounts with modern science. Their work redefines our understanding of how disease shaped history’s most infamous retreat. Sun, 26 Oct 2025 04:36:13 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251026021727.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251013040314.htm Vast amounts of valuable research data remain unused, trapped in labs or lost to time. Frontiers aims to change that with FAIR² Data Management, a groundbreaking AI-driven system that makes datasets reusable, verifiable, and citable. By uniting curation, compliance, peer review, and interactive visualization in one platform, FAIR² empowers scientists to share their work responsibly and gain recognition. Mon, 13 Oct 2025 08:46:51 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251013040314.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251012054606.htm Overdose deaths from fentanyl mixed with stimulants have skyrocketed among seniors, increasing 9,000% in just eight years. Once thought to affect mainly the young, the opioid epidemic’s fourth wave now engulfs older adults too. Cocaine and methamphetamine are the leading culprits, and experts warn that multi-drug use makes these overdoses especially lethal. Doctors are urged to educate patients and caregivers on prevention and safer pain management. Mon, 13 Oct 2025 02:47:25 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251012054606.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251005085635.htm Despite massive technological and industrial changes, American cities have stayed remarkably coherent in how their economies fit together. This hidden order governs how cities diversify, grow, and reinvent themselves without losing their economic identity. Sun, 05 Oct 2025 08:56:35 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251005085635.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250923021204.htm NASA has chosen 10 new astronaut candidates who will train for missions to the Moon and Mars. Their selection represents a powerful blend of talent and ambition, fueling humanity’s next great leaps into space. Tue, 23 Sep 2025 10:10:07 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250923021204.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250914205853.htm On remote islands of Papua New Guinea, people carry a story that ties us all back to our deepest roots. Although their striking appearance once puzzled scientists, new genetic evidence shows they share a common ancestry with other Asians, shaped by isolation, adaptation, and even interbreeding with mysterious Denisovans. Yet, their unique history — marked by survival bottlenecks and separation from farming-driven booms — leaves open questions about the earliest migrations out of Africa and whether their lineage holds traces of a forgotten branch of humanity. Mon, 15 Sep 2025 08:38:14 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250914205853.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250828002415.htm Scientists have finally uncovered direct genetic evidence of Yersinia pestis — the bacterium behind the Plague of Justinian — in a mass grave in Jerash, Jordan. This long-sought discovery resolves a centuries-old debate, confirming that the plague that devastated the Byzantine Empire truly was caused by the same pathogen behind later outbreaks like the Black Death. Sat, 30 Aug 2025 04:47:37 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250828002415.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250826081915.htm Knee osteoarthritis is a major cause of pain and disability, but routine X-rays often do more harm than good. New research shows that being shown an X-ray can increase anxiety, make people fear exercise, and lead them to believe surgery is the only option, even when less invasive treatments could help. By focusing on clinical diagnosis instead, patients may avoid unnecessary scans, reduce health costs, and make better choices about their care. Tue, 26 Aug 2025 09:27:09 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250826081915.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250825234019.htm Researchers uncovered that the Maui wildfires caused a spike in deaths far higher than reported, with hidden fatalities linked to fire, smoke, and lack of medical access. They warn that prevention rooted in Native Hawaiian ecological knowledge is critical to avoiding another tragedy. Mon, 25 Aug 2025 23:57:00 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250825234019.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250820000803.htm In a health system where speed often replaces empathy, researchers highlight the life-changing power of listening. Beyond simple questions, values-driven listening—marked by presence, curiosity, and compassion—can transform both patients and providers. Wed, 20 Aug 2025 10:50:52 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250820000803.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250812234532.htm Advanced computer modeling suggests that by 2080, waves driven by sea level rise could flood Ahu Tongariki and up to 51 cultural treasures on Rapa Nui. The findings emphasize the urgent need for protective measures to preserve the island’s identity, traditions, and tourism economy. Wed, 13 Aug 2025 01:44:06 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250812234532.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250807233054.htm A new study reveals that an earthquake early warning system, similar to the USGS ShakeAlert used in California, Oregon, and Washington, could give Alaskan communities precious seconds to prepare before strong shaking hits. Modeling shows that towns like Sand Point, King Cove, and Chignik might receive between 10 and 50 seconds of warning during major quakes, while a simulated magnitude 8.3 event could provide up to half a minute in some areas. Sat, 16 Aug 2025 02:45:53 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250807233054.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250803233104.htm New research led by Mass General Brigham reveals that people facing social challenges—like food insecurity, financial strain, and limited healthcare access—are two to three times more likely to develop long COVID. Mon, 04 Aug 2025 07:33:05 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250803233104.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250724232419.htm What would happen if a nuclear war triggered a climate-altering catastrophe? Researchers have modeled how such a scenario could devastate global corn crops cutting production by as much as 87% due to blocked sunlight and increased UV-B radiation. Using advanced climate-agriculture simulations, they propose a survival strategy: emergency resilience kits containing fast-growing, cold-tolerant seeds that could keep food systems afloat not just after nuclear war, but also after volcanic eruptions or other mega-disasters. Thu, 24 Jul 2025 23:24:19 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250724232419.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250724040935.htm Even people who never caught Covid-19 may have aged mentally faster during the pandemic, according to new brain scan research. This large UK study shows how the stress, isolation, and upheaval of lockdowns may have aged our brains, especially in older adults, men, and disadvantaged individuals. While infection itself impacted some thinking skills, even those who stayed virus-free showed signs of accelerated brain aging—possibly reversible. The study highlights how major life disruptions, not just illness, can reshape our mental health. Thu, 24 Jul 2025 12:32:20 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250724040935.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250718031218.htm In a groundbreaking UK first, eight healthy babies have been born using an IVF technique that includes DNA from three people—two parents and a female donor. The process, known as pronuclear transfer, was designed to prevent the inheritance of devastating mitochondrial diseases passed down through the mother’s DNA. The early results are highly promising: all the babies are developing normally, and the disease-causing mutations are undetectable or present at levels too low to cause harm. For families once haunted by genetic risk, this science offers more than treatment—it offers transformation. Fri, 18 Jul 2025 10:05:48 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250718031218.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250716000854.htm A groundbreaking study from Flinders University reveals that it's not just making eye contact that matters, but precisely when and how you do it. By studying interactions between humans and virtual partners, researchers discovered a powerful gaze sequence that makes people more likely to interpret a look as a call for help. Even more surprising: the same response pattern held true whether the "partner" was human or robot, offering insights into how our brains instinctively process social cues. Thu, 17 Jul 2025 02:19:28 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250716000854.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250706230323.htm Danish and Welsh botanists sifted through 400 studies, field-tested seed mixes, and uncovered a lineup of native and exotic blooms that both thrill human eyes and lure bees and hoverflies in droves, offering ready-made recipes for transforming lawns, parks, and patios into vibrant pollinator hotspots. Mon, 07 Jul 2025 07:49:17 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250706230323.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250705084325.htm Immersing stressed volunteers in a 360° virtual Douglas-fir forest complete with sights, sounds and scents boosted their mood, sharpened short-term memory and deepened their feeling of nature-connectedness—especially when all three senses were engaged. Researchers suggest such multisensory VR “forest baths” could brighten clinics, waiting rooms and dense city spaces, offering a potent mental refresh where real greenery is scarce. Sun, 06 Jul 2025 08:17:22 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250705084325.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250704032925.htm A promising path to fighting COVID and other coronaviruses may have been based on a serious mistake. Scientists had zeroed in on a part of the virus called the NiRAN domain, believed to be a powerful target for new antiviral drugs. But when a Rockefeller team revisited a highly cited 2022 study, they found the evidence didn’t hold up. Key molecules shown in the original virus model were actually missing. Their discovery could help prevent wasted time and resources in the race to develop better treatments—and highlights how even one bad blueprint can throw off years of research. Fri, 04 Jul 2025 08:28:05 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250704032925.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250629033429.htm India’s complex ancestry—intertwined with Iranian farmers, Steppe herders, and local hunter-gatherers—has now been decoded through genomic data from 2,762 people. The study uncovers surprising levels of Neanderthal and Denisovan DNA, and how ancient migrations and community traditions have shaped today’s genetic diversity and disease risks. Sun, 29 Jun 2025 07:43:16 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250629033429.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250623072753.htm Despite widespread fears, early research suggests AI might actually be improving some aspects of work life. A major new study examining 20 years of worker data in Germany found no signs that AI exposure is hurting job satisfaction or mental health. In fact, there s evidence that it may be subtly improving physical health especially for workers without college degrees by reducing physically demanding tasks. However, researchers caution that it s still early days. Mon, 23 Jun 2025 07:27:53 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250623072753.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250622030429.htm AI is revolutionizing the job landscape, prompting nations worldwide to prepare their workforces for dramatic changes. A University of Georgia study evaluated 50 countries’ national AI strategies and found significant differences in how governments prioritize education and workforce training. While many jobs could disappear in the coming decades, new careers requiring advanced AI skills are emerging. Countries like Germany and Spain are leading with early education and cultural support for AI, but few emphasize developing essential human soft skills like creativity and communication—qualities AI can't replace. Sun, 22 Jun 2025 03:04:29 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250622030429.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250621233836.htm HIV is surging among adults over 50 in sub-Saharan Africa, yet prevention and treatment campaigns still focus mainly on the young. New research reveals older adults face comparable or higher infection rates but remain largely invisible in HIV studies, which hampers progress toward global health goals. Persistent stigma, outdated perceptions, and limited education or access in rural areas worsen the situation, especially for older women. Sat, 21 Jun 2025 23:38:36 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250621233836.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250616040235.htm A lifelong fascination with nature and fieldwork led this researcher to the world of ethnobiology a field where ecology, culture, and community come together. Investigating how local people relate to species like the anaconda, their work blends traditional knowledge with scientific methods for better conservation. The tale of the mythic Great Snake morphs into economic concerns over vanishing chickens, revealing how cultural beliefs and practical needs coexist. Mon, 16 Jun 2025 04:02:35 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250616040235.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250614034233.htm Study suggests that appetite for bushmeat -- rather than black market for scales to use in traditional Chinese medicine -- is driving West Africa's illegal hunting of one of the world's most threatened mammals. Interviews with hundreds of hunters show pangolins overwhelmingly caught for food, with majority of scales thrown away. Survey work shows pangolin is considered the most palatable meat in the region. Sat, 14 Jun 2025 03:42:33 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250614034233.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250611083736.htm California s solar energy boom is often hailed as a green success story but a new study reveals a murkier reality beneath the sunlit panels. Researchers uncover seven distinct forms of corruption threatening the integrity of the state s clean energy expansion, including favoritism, land grabs, and misleading environmental claims. Perhaps most eyebrow-raising are allegations of romantic entanglements between senior officials and solar lobbyists, blurring the lines between personal influence and public interest. The report paints a picture of a solar sector racing ahead while governance and ethical safeguards fall dangerously behind. Wed, 11 Jun 2025 08:37:36 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250611083736.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250602155338.htm Flooding in coastal communities is happening far more often than previously thought, according to a new study. The study also found major flaws with the widely used approach of using marine water level data to capture instances of flooding. Mon, 02 Jun 2025 15:53:38 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250602155338.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250602154901.htm Researchers have developed a deep learning model called LSTM-SAM that predicts extreme water levels from tropical cyclones more efficiently and accurately, especially in data-scarce coastal regions, to offer a faster, low-cost tool for flood forecasting. Mon, 02 Jun 2025 15:49:01 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250602154901.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529124357.htm The global measles outbreak must trigger an urgent debate into whether a vaccine should be recommended earlier to better protect against the highly contagious disease during infancy, a new review states. Thu, 29 May 2025 12:43:57 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529124357.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529124114.htm Reducing travel speeds and using an intelligent queuing system at busy ports can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from oceangoing container vessels by 16-24%, according to researchers. Not only would those relatively simple interventions reduce emissions from a major, direct source of greenhouse gases, the technology to implement these measures already exists. Thu, 29 May 2025 12:41:14 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529124114.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250528214228.htm A study finds small-scale tree cover in Costa Rica boosts biodiversity while limiting dangerous mosquito species. Wed, 28 May 2025 21:42:28 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250528214228.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250528131538.htm Involving communities in nature-based solutions to tackle urban climate and environmental challenges leads to innovation and multiple benefits, a study shows. Wed, 28 May 2025 13:15:38 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250528131538.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250522124851.htm From deadly floods in Europe to intensifying tropical cyclones around the world, the climate crisis has made timely and precise forecasting more essential than ever. Yet traditional forecasting methods rely on highly complex numerical models developed over decades, requiring powerful supercomputers and large teams of experts. According to its developers, Aurora offers a powerful and efficient alternative using artificial intelligence. Thu, 22 May 2025 12:48:51 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250522124851.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250521125115.htm A study has found that implementing robust air pollution control measures could mean Southeast Asian countries prevent as many as 36,000 ozone-related premature deaths each year by 2050. Wed, 21 May 2025 12:51:15 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250521125115.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250521124621.htm AI-driven “sentiment maps” built from geotagged Instagram posts reveal how city dwellers actually feel in specific locations. By pairing emotional signals with Google Street View imagery, researchers at Mizzou can pinpoint which physical features—lush parks, calming streetscapes, or safety concerns—spark joy or frustration. The goal: feed these real-time mood insights into urban digital twins so planners can design spaces that not only function efficiently but also uplift everyday human experience. Wed, 21 May 2025 12:46:21 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250521124621.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250521124607.htm Hurricane winds are a major contributor to storm-related losses for people living in the southeastern coastal states. As the global temperature continues to rise, scientists predict that hurricanes will get more destructive -- packing higher winds and torrential rainfall. A new study projects that wind losses for homeowners in the Southeastern coastal states could be 76 percent higher by the year 2060 and 102 percent higher by 2100. Wed, 21 May 2025 12:46:07 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250521124607.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250520183839.htm Poor mental health, rising obesity rates, exposure to violence and climate change are among the key challenges facing our adolescents today, according to a global report. Tue, 20 May 2025 18:38:39 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250520183839.htm