Environment
Nitrous oxide emissions from rice farms ‘fuelling global warming’
Study suggests that paddy fields worldwide could be responsible for up to twice the level of climate impact to what was previously estimated
Scientists could finally provide early-warning detection system for volcanoes
Drones are used to drop the ultra-heat resistant 'dragon eggs' in dangerous locations around the top of active volcanoes where they can provide valuable real-time data.
Hedgehogs have disappeared from almost 80 percent of the British countryside
One of our favourite mammal is being wiped out by intensive farming and climate change, say scientists.
Bee venom could cure an annoying human health condition
A protein found in the insect's poison dampens down inflammation, according to new research
The biggest birds in your garden are high up the pecking order
A study of bird feeders found larger species monopolised the best food and spent longer feeding than smaller birds, who fed quickly and on lower value food
Dramatic image shows ‘aerosols’ swirling across Earth’s atmosphere
The visualisation by Nasa shows smoke, sea salt and dust blowing across the planet
Food Crisis UK – Almost 4 million children don’t have enough money for healthy diet
A shocking new report has discovered that nearly four million children in the UK are too poor to have access to a healthy diet. The report, by the Food Foundation, calculated that a family of four needs to spend over £103 to ensure they have a healthy diet rich in vitamins, minerals and other essential food stuffs. Sadly, around 3.7 million children come from households who earn under £16k a year, which means they are unlikely to be able to...
Watch – Poor social housing is making peoples’ mental health problems worse
On the back of the publication of the Green Paper, a major study by Mind emphasises need for Government to ensure mental health is at the heart of social housing policy A study by Mind, the mental health charity, has found that one in three (33 per cent) people with mental health problems living in social housing is dissatisfied with where they live. Social housing is provided by local authorities, housing associations or charities to people affected by issues such as...
London’s streets to be closed to give disadvantaged children a place to play
An organisation which offers disadvantaged children and communities across London the best free play opportunities and the chance to come together, has just been awarded over £380,000 of National Lottery funding to transform more streets into temporary play zones. The funding from the Big Lottery Fund, the largest funder of community activity across the UK, will enable London Play to develop sustainable play opportunities across the capital. This will be delivered through the simple act of temporarily – but regularly –...