Diversity prevents resistance
Leipzig, Germany (SPX) Apr 02, 2015 -
Our opponents always seem to be one step ahead. Although pest controllers now have numerous chemical preparations available, allowing them to take action against unwanted insects, the species targeted are developing a resistance against the different active substances at a rapid pace. Often a single change in the organisms' genetic material is enough to do this.
This means that scientists ...
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Researchers improve efficiency of human walking
Washington DC (SPX) Apr 02, 2015 -
Humans have evolved to be incredibly efficient at walking. In fact, simulations of human locomotion show that walking on level ground and at a steady speed should theoretically require no power input at all.
But anyone who works on their feet or has taken an arduous hike knows otherwise. In fact, people expend more energy during walking than any other activity in daily life, and for the el ...
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Picturing peanut contamination with near infrared hyperspectral imaging
London, UK (SPX) Apr 02, 2015 -
Study the label of almost any food product and you're likely to see the rather vague warning "May contain peanuts" somewhere on there, unless of course it's a product that definitely does contain peanuts. As now revealed in a paper in the latest issue of JNIRS--Journal of Near Infrared Spectroscopy, these warnings of peanut contamination could soon lose much of their uncertainty, thanks to a nov ...
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Polar bears unlikely to thrive on land-based foods
Anchorage AK (SPX) Apr 02, 2015 -
A team of scientists led by the U.S. Geological Survey found that polar bears, increasingly forced on shore due to sea ice loss, may be eating terrestrial foods including berries, birds and eggs, but any nutritional gains are limited to a few individuals and likely cannot compensate for lost opportunities to consume their traditional, lipid-rich prey - ice seals.
"Although some polar bear ...
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Atmospheric energy escaped from the Tibetan Plateau
Beijing (SPX) Apr 02, 2015 -
The increase of green-house gases in the atmosphere reduces outgoing radiation and thus causes global warming. About 93% extra energy trapped by the greenhouse gases is stored in oceans and only 1% is used to heat the atmosphere. As a main reservoir of heat sink, Oceans are slowing down the global warming magnitude by absorbing the extra energy.
Global warming hiatus was observed since 199 ...
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Soft, energy-efficient robotic wings
Washington DC (SPX) Apr 02, 2015 -
Dielectric elastomers are novel materials for making actuators or motors with soft and lightweight properties that can undergo large active deformations with high-energy conversion efficiencies. This has made dielectric elastomers popular for creating devices such as robotic hands, soft robots, tunable lenses and pneumatic valves - and possibly flapping robotic wings.
Reporting this week i ...
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Israeli options limited despite warnings on Iran deal
Jerusalem (AFP) April 3, 2015 -
Israel has warned relentlessly against a nuclear deal with Iran, but experts say Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's options are limited and immediate military action is unlikely.
Netanyahu slammed Thursday's announcement in Lausanne on the framework of a potentially historic deal, saying that if implemented it would jeopardise the Jewish state's very existence.
"PM Netanyahu to Pres Oba ...
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Nuclear sanctions on Iran to be lifted if it meets deal
Lausanne (AFP) April 2, 2015 -
A raft of biting global sanctions imposed on Iran for its suspect nuclear activities will be lifted over time, if the Islamic republic sticks to the terms of a final deal with global powers.
Under a framework struck Thursday, the US and EU will lift all nuclear-related sanctions after the UN atomic watchdog, the IAEA, has verified that Iran has taken key steps laid out in the final comprehen ...
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Despite nuclear deal, US-Iran relations far from rosy
Washington (AFP) April 3, 2015 -
US President Barack Obama, eager to resolve at least one intractable conflict in his final two years in office, has his eye on a major prize: reconciliation with Iran.
Thursday's agreement on a road map for the final phase of negotiations on a nuclear accord could open a way to a broader realignment that would redraw the map of the Middle East.
But analysts warn that the long-time foes r ...
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Even full deal with Iran could fail to stabilise Mideast: analysts
Paris (AFP) April 2, 2015 -
Negotiators hope a nuclear deal will bring Iran back into the diplomatic fold, but experts are divided on whether it will douse the many fires of the Middle East.
Iran and six world powers agreed Thursday on the outline of a potentially historic deal to curtail its nuclear programme in return for the lifting of economic sanctions on the Islamic republic.
Even while struggling under sanct ...
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Iran, world powers agree 'historic' framework nuclear deal
Lausanne (AFP) April 3, 2015 -
Iran and six world powers agreed Thursday on the framework of a potentially historic deal aimed at curbing Tehran's nuclear drive, marking a major breakthrough in a 12-year standoff after marathon talks in Switzerland.
The framework, agreed between Iran and the West - which has long feared Tehran wants to build a nuclear bomb - raised hopes the deal could help stability in the Middle East. ...
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