Science
Mystery space object that passed Earth ‘is the same size and shape as London’s Gherkin skyscraper’
The mystery object some experts claimed was an alien craft passing Earth has a greyish/red surface and is the size and shape of London's Gherkin skyscraper, according to latest research. The strange visitor - which has been named 'Oumuamua - the Hawaiian word for “messenger” or “scout” -has triggered worldwide speculation since it passed close to Earth in October after arriving from deep interstellar space. Scientists from Queen's University Belfast led an international team of astronomers - from Britain, the United...
17 states vow to sue Trump’s FCC attack on a “fair and open internet” amid accusations of massive identity fraud
The United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted along party lines - three Republicans vs two Democrats to end Net Neutrality and the principle of a free internet that everyone can access equally. - A principle that heralded an era of innovation, freedom of speech and new forms of communication and social organisation predicated on everybody’s voice being able to be heard equally online. The Chairman of the FCC Ajit Pai had been appointed by President Trump, an opponent of...
Homes of 153m people at risk as seas may rise up to 8ft this century: interactive map
Latest study predicts sea rises of between 3.1ft and 8ft this century Heavily populated US Atlantic and Gulf coasts could face up to 11ft sea rise Homes of 153 million people in at risk areas around the world threatened If carbon emissions "immediately and aggressively” cut, rise could be limited to 1ft10 this century According to a new peer reviewed study of global warming using the latest scientific studies of Antarctica’s vast melting ice sheets, seas could rise by double...
Astronomy boffins come up with new set of modern day star constellations which include Sir David Attenborough, Tim Peake and Usain Bolt
Astronomy boffins have come up with a new modern day series of star constellations - which include famous names like Usain Bolt, Tim Peake and Sir David Attenborough. University of Birmingham scientists created the star-studded designs in a bid to get younger people more interested in the cosmos. In one of the constellations, Harry Potter’s glasses light up the night sky as a tribute to the famous author JK Rowling. Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt can also be seen pulling his...
Revealed: The sinister lobbying network spreading disinformation about climate change
This interactive map below exposes the links between those trying to thwart efforts to tackle global warming. Research by Mat Hope ,Editor of Desmog UK. Donald Trump is nothing if not distracting. And so he promises to be again this week on Tuesday, when world leaders gather in Paris for President Macron’s ‘One Planet’ summit. Timed to coincide with the second anniversary of the Paris Agreement on climate change, it is intended to be an opportunity to celebrate (and work out how...
British scientists have discovered two of the oldest ever galaxies right on edge of space
British scientists have discovered two enormous galaxies sitting right on the edge of space - forged in the early stages of the universe. Observations show the massive primordial galaxies at a time when the universe was just 780 million years old – only about five per cent of its current age. The galaxies are so close together they will soon merge to form the largest galaxy ever observed at that period in cosmic history, according to the international research team,...
World’s oldest eye discovered in 530 million year old fossil
The world's oldest eye has been found in a 530 million year old fossil. The remains of an extinct sea creature include an early form of the eye seen in many modern day animals including crabs, bees and dragonflies, researchers believe. Scientists made the discovery while examining the well-preserved fossil of a hard-shelled species called a trilobite. Trilobite fossil. The world's oldest eye has been found in a 530 million year old fossil. The ancestors of spiders and crabs lived...
A new study shows pigeons can have abstract thoughts
The humble pigeon is far more intelligent than previously thought and can even have abstract thoughts, reveals new research. Rather than being bird brains, pigeons can understand both space and time, according to the study. Not only can they discriminate these abstract concepts, but researchers found that pigeons seem to use a different region of the brain than humans and primates to do so. In experiments, pigeons were shown a static horizontal line on a computer screen and had to...
Climate change poses the greatest threat to medium sized predators such as foxes as it forces them to spend more time hunting for food
Climate change poses the greatest threat to medium sized predators such as foxes as it forces them to spend more time hunting for food, British researchers found. Medium-sized carnivores which generally weigh between one and ten kilograms, are more vulnerable because they spend the most time foraging. As the climate affects their prey they must spend more time hunting to survive, scientists said. And they found failing to diversify their prey could put the species at greater risk of climate...