Environment
Watch – Hero litter picker collects 42 tonnes of rubbish to keep Britain tidy
A litter picker who is walking across the UK on a five-year mission to Keep Britain Tidy has collected around 42 TONNES of rubbish - in 6,000 BAGS. Wayne Dixon's remarkable quest has taken him through outlying parts of Scotland and along the coast of Wales with his dog. The 45-year-old has clocked over 2,000 miles - walking between counties carrying a 60lb kit bag and living off £50 a week, He carries a tent, sleeping bag, waterproofs, a stove...
Renewable energy could entirely power 139 industrialised countries by 2050
Renewable energy could entirely power 139 of the world's industrialised countries by 2050 - including Britain, according to new research. By using 100 per cent wind, water and solar energy, 24 million jobs could be created and many deaths from air pollution prevented, the scientists claim. The plans for a 100 per cent renewable energy future, by scientists at Stanford University in the United States, outline the infrastructure changes needed. They said the transition could mean less global energy consumption...
Northern de-lights – Rare pic of Aurora & Milky way in one image
These rare photographs show the Northern Lights and the Milky Way in one awe-inspiring frame. In one star-filled image, you can see the billions of stars that make up the galaxy, along side the purple and green hues known around the world as the Aurora. Photographer Maciej Winiarczyk, 44, watched the fascinating display from his window. He said: "On that particular night, I went out and I thought, 'I hope to catch Aurora.' "The spot is five minutes drive from...
Penguins discovered ‘talking’ to each other while diving for food
Penguins with video cameras strapped to their backs have been discovered 'talking' to each other while diving for food. Scientists managed to obtain 80 hours of remarkable recordings showing the 'functional role' of their sounds as they foraged in the sea. After producing the calls in waters off the coast of Antarctica the behaviour of the Gentoo penguins changed as they undertook shallower, shorter dives. They also travelled to a new area to devour krill, their favourite food, and other...
Farmers can grow bigger, juicier tomatoes – thanks to a gene mutation
Farmers can grow bigger, juicier tomatoes - thanks to a gene mutation, according to new research. When humans first began cultivating the wild tomato in the Andean mountain regions of Ecuador and Northern Peru, they continually selected plants that produced larger fruits. Now, thousands of years later, tomatoes on the market can weigh 1,000 times more than the fruits of their ancestors. In the new study, researchers investigated a gene they named Cell Size Regulator, or CSR, that boosts fruit...
What are Geomats and Why are They Being Used?
Previously used for agricultural applications, geomats are now becoming more common for industrial, corporate and residential purposes. These mats are known as the future of ground design and layout due to their extended bi-oriented polyethylene construction. The three-dimensional design of geomats is manufactured with water permeable synthetic materials such as polymer and polypropylene. A mixture of both can also be used for manufacturing the mats. The layers of geomats are adjoined with thermal technology which enhances their life and weather...
Exquisite flowers from a prehistoric tree hasve been discovered preserved in amber
An extinct rainforest tree has been identified from its beautiful flowers - dislodged by a rampaging dinosaur 100 million years ago. A Triceratops or Tyrannosaurus rex could have been crashing its way through a pine forest when it knocked off the blooms, which then became trapped in chunks of amber. It's the first time seven complete flowers this old have been found together. They are tiny - ranging from 3.4 to 5 millimetres in diameter - but so well-preserved they...
These glass blocks allow buildings to generate their own power
New glass blocks that convert the sun’s energy into electricity could soon be used to build houses thanks to innovative new technology. Renewable Energy experts from the University of Exeter are developing a pioneering new technique that could accelerate the widespread introduction of net-zero energy buildings through the latest Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV). These products, similar to the solar tile created by Tesla, can become a part of a building’s architecture to generate electricity. The team have created an innovative glass block, which...
New species of damselfly dating back 70 million years named after Sir David Attenborough
A new species of damselfly dating back more than 70 million years has become the latest creature to be named after veteran TV naturalist Sir David Attenborough. The discovery was made in the Hukawng Valley of Kachin Province in Myanmar. The fossil was found in a piece of mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber. A new species of damselfly dating back more than 70 million years has become the latest creature to be named after veteran TV naturalist Sir David Attenborough. The discovery...