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Small bees better at coping with warming, bumblebees struggle: study

Climate change could lead to more small-bodied bees but fewer bumblebees, according to research published Wednesday, warning of potential "cascading" effects on plant pollination and across whole ecosystems.

Third dust storm in two weeks sweeps through Iraq

Iraq was hit Wednesday by its third heavy dust storm in two weeks, temporarily grounding flights at Baghdad and Najaf airports, as the weather phenomenon grows increasingly frequent.

WHO launches traditional medicine hub in India

The World Health Organization launched its Global Centre for Traditional Medicine at a site in India on Tuesday, aimed at unlocking its potential by blending ancient practices with modern science.

Water on Jupiter's moon closer to surface than thought: study

Ridges that criss-cross the icy surface of Jupiter's moon Europa indicate there are shallow pockets of water beneath, boosting hopes in the search for extra-terrestrial life, scientists said Tuesday.

After failed tests, NASA's Moon rocket heads back to workshop

NASA's Space Launch System rocket is heading back to its assembly building for repairs next week, pushing the earliest possible launch date for its uncrewed test flight to the Moon to later this summer, officials said Monday.

Libya's underground homes wait for tourism revival

Gharyan's unique underground houses were hewn into the mountainside centuries ago, and many lie abandoned, but residents of the Libyan town are hoping tourism can help restore their heritage.

Three Chinese astronauts return to Earth after six months in space

Three Chinese astronauts landed in northern China on Saturday after 183 days in space, state broadcaster CCTV said, ending the country's longest crewed space mission to date.

In US, every dog has its... DNA test

The routine is now a familiar one: Open the kit, swirl a swab around, put it in solution and wait impatiently for the results. Except this time it's not a test for Covid -- it's a DNA test for dogs.

Washington resumes oil and gas drilling leases on federal land

The US government, under pressure to lower gas prices, announced Friday it will resume the sale of leases for oil and gas drilling on federal lands while imposing new conditions, including the first hike in royalties in more than 100 years.

Global warming: even cacti can't take the heat

Sixty percent of cactus species will wind up in less hospitable climates over the coming decades as global warming sets in, according to new research challenging the long-held assumption the iconic desert plants will thrive with more heat.

'Time to close' Parthenon marbles row: Acropolis museum director

The new director of the Acropolis Museum has called for an end to the long-running dispute for the return of the Parthenon marbles to Greece, noting that London's parliament could rule on the issue.

Toll in South Africa's deadliest floods on record tops 300

The death toll from devastating floods in and around the South African port city of Durban has risen to 306, the government said Wednesday, after roads and hillsides were washed away as homes collapsed.

Paris climate targets feasible if nations keep vows

If all nations honour promises to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, there is a chance of capping the rise in global temperatures to under two degrees Celsius, the cornerstone target of the Paris Agreement, researchers said Wednesday.

California start-up sends tiny robots on voyage into brains

Sending miniature robots deep inside the human skull to treat brain disorders has long been the stuff of science fiction -- but it could soon become reality, according to a California start-up.

Lost golden toad heralds climate's massive extinction threat

Those lucky enough to have seen them will never forget.

Somalia at risk of famine 'catastrophe': UN agencies

Millions of people in Somalia are at risk of famine, with young children the most vulnerable to the worsening drought, UN agencies said Tuesday, warning that the troubled nation is on the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe.

Dozens hospitalised as Iraq gripped by dust storm

A dust storm that has swept through much of Iraq has left dozens of people in hospital with respiratory problems, a health ministry spokesman said Saturday.

First private mission reaches International Space Station

The first fully private mission reached the International Space Station early Saturday with a four-member crew from startup company Axiom Space.

Space tourism: the arguments in favor

To its many detractors, space tourism amounts to nothing more than joy-rides for the global super rich that will worsen the planet's climate crisis.

First private mission launches for International Space Station

The first fully private mission to the International Space Station blasted off from Florida Friday with a four-member crew from startup company Axiom Space.

Ukrainian scientists feel helpless at Antarctic base as war rages

For a dozen Ukrainian scientists thousands of kilometers from home at the Vernadsky Antarctic base, the biting cold hurts less than the feeling of helplessness over the war in their homeland.

First private mission readies for launch to ISS

The first fully private mission to the International Space Station is set to blast off Friday with a four-member crew from startup company Axiom Space.

'Mystery' boson finding contradicts understanding of universe

After a decade of meticulous measurements, scientists announced Thursday that a fundamental particle -- the W boson -- has a significantly greater mass than theorised, shaking the foundations of our understanding of how the universe works.

The metaverse threat: 'TV will die with its audience'

TV companies will need to radically adapt themselves to the fast-evolving world of online entertainment if they hope to survive, experts have warned.

Canada approves controversial Bay du Nord offshore oil project

Canada's environment minister approved Wednesday a controversial offshore oil project expected to see 300 million barrels of oil extracted over 30 years -- and to set back efforts to curb climate change.

Lots of low- and no-cost ways to halt global warming

Not only do we have the tools to slash emissions and curb global warming by 2030, but half of available carbon-cutting options are cost-free or very cheap, UN climate experts say.

NASA delays final test for moon shot

The latest test of NASA's giant Moon rocket SLS has been pushed back to allow for a SpaceX rocket to launch later this week, the US space agency announced Tuesday.

In space, Russians and Americans remain 'dear friends': astronaut

After nearly a week back on Earth, NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei said Tuesday the relationship between US astronauts and Russian cosmonauts remained positive while on board the International Space Station, despite their countries' animosity over Moscow's February invasion of neighboring Ukraine.

Compact, green and car-free. Can city living beat climate change?

With a whopping 70 percent of humanity predicted to be living in urban areas by the middle of the century, UN climate experts see a huge opportunity to create ideal cities that are walkable, leafy and energy efficient.

Climate scorecard: good news and bad news

The task is clear -- stop burning fossil fuels, radically reduce energy demand and slash all planet-warming emissions in order to keep the planet cool enough so humans, animals and plants can survive and thrive.

Colombian researchers seek safety for bees in urban jungle

Far from the flowery fields that are their natural home, honey bees imperiled by pesticides in rural Colombia are finding sanctuary on university campuses in the bustling capital Bogota.

Fly less? Go vegan? How people can take climate action

Individuals along with economy-wide efficiencies can make a major difference in the drive to avert the worst of global warming, UN climate experts say, estimating that sharp cuts to demand for energy-guzzling services could slash emissions up to 70 percent by 2050.

'Punishment from above': Hobby pilots build Ukraine's drone fleet

At a secret location in the Ukraine city of Lviv, the windows taped up to ward off unwanted attention, underground hobbyists improvise deadly drones bound for the front line of the war against Russia.

NASA begins critical final test on mega Moon rocket

NASA on Friday begins a critical two-day-long test of its giant Space Launch System (SLS) rocket complete with a mock countdown, as the agency gears up to return humans to the Moon.

Falkland islanders, UK veterans look back and to the future

Tom Herring knows exactly what he was doing on April 2, 1982. He was 31, a member of the 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, and on weekend leave before Easter.

First audio recorded on Mars reveals two speeds of sound

The first audio recordings on Mars reveal a quiet planet with occasional gusts of wind where two different speeds of sound would have a strange delayed effect on hearing, scientists said Friday.

Blue Origin launches its fourth crew to final frontier

Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin successfully carried out its fourth crewed spaceflight Thursday, a ten-minute joyride beyond the planet's atmosphere and back again.

Hubble telescope spots most distant star ever seen

The Hubble space telescope has peered back to the dawn of cosmic time and detected light from a star that existed within the first billion years after the Big Bang -- a new record, astronomers said Wednesday.

Russian, US ISS record-holders return to Earth

A record-breaking US astronaut and two Russian cosmonauts returned to Earth from the International Space Station Wednesday, with tensions between Moscow and the West soaring over Ukraine.

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