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Media agency unveils high-tech virtual shopping mall for Estée Lauder

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A Welsh technology brand has emerged from the global pandemic, not only offering one of the most popular ways for retailers to connect with wholesalers virtually – but now, with a completely innovative way for them to sell direct to consumers inside the Metaverse.

BrandLab360, based in Newport and with offices in New York, Los Angeles and France, has fast become known in the fashion industry for its immersive virtual showrooms – using CGI and 3D rendering streamed from virtual machines to allow buyers to meet wholesalers online and view and buy products – attracting the attention of large global brands including Barbour, Timberland, Skechers, Mundi Westport Corporation and Mercedes Benz Fashion Week.

In fact, the firm saw enquiries increase by 2,000 percent during Covid-19. [Read more…] about Media agency unveils high-tech virtual shopping mall for Estée Lauder

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    New digital clothing app helps retailers cut costs during pandemicOnline clothes shopping has never been more in vogue, and the MySizeID app can help consumers find the right fit – across brands and size charts – conveniently and privately. MySizeID uses a patented algorithm to take measurements using the technology already available in mobile phones without accessing the camera.…
    Tags: online, retailers, customers, shoppers, technology, consumers, costs, news, economy, digital

Space scientists reveal secret behind Jupiter’s ‘energy crisis’

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New research published in Nature has revealed the solution to Jupiter’s ‘energy crisis’, which has puzzled astronomers for decades.

Space scientists at the University of Leicester worked with colleagues from the Japanese Space Agency (JAXA), Boston University, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center and the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) to reveal the mechanism behind Jupiter’s atmospheric heating.

Now, using data from the Keck Observatory in Hawai’i, astronomers have created the most-detailed yet global map of the gas giant’s upper atmosphere, confirming for the first time that Jupiter’s powerful aurorae are responsible for delivering planet-wide heating. [Read more…] about Space scientists reveal secret behind Jupiter’s ‘energy crisis’

Can East Asian monsoon enhancement induce global cooling?

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The study of the orogenic effects of the Tibetan Plateau uplift on global climate during the Cenozoic has focused almost exclusively on the India-Asia collision zone, the Himalayas.

The strong erosion in the Himalayas was assumed to be a primary driver of Cenozoic atmospheric CO2 decline and global cooling predominantly through accelerating silicate chemical weathering in the India-Asia collision zone or through effective burial of organic carbon in the nearby Bengal Fan in South Asia.

However, the size of the India-Asia collision and the associated closure of the Tethys Ocean had a prominent effect on the reorganization of the climatic patterns beyond the collision zone. [Read more…] about Can East Asian monsoon enhancement induce global cooling?

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  • Climate and carbon cycle trends of the past 50 million years reconciled
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    Climate and carbon cycle trends of the past 50 million years reconciledPredictions of future climate change require a clear and nuanced understanding of Earth's past climate. In a study published today in Science Advances, University of Hawai'i (UH) at Mānoa oceanographers fully reconciled climate and carbon cycle trends of the past 50 million years--solving a controversy debated in the scientific literature for…
    Tags: carbon, cycle, climate, ocean, weathering, global, cenozoic, study, science

A long day for microbes, and the rise of oxygen on Earth

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Virtually all oxygen on Earth was and is produced by photosynthesis, which was invented by tiny organisms, the cyanobacteria, when our planet was still a rather uninhabitable place.

Cyanobacteria evolved more than 2.4 billion years ago, but Earth only slowly transformed to the oxygen-rich planet we know today.

“We do not fully understand why it took so long and what factors controlled Earth’s oxygenation,“ said geomicrobiologist Judith Klatt. “But when studying mats of cyanobacteria in the Middle Island Sinkhole in Lake Huron in Michigan, which live under conditions resembling early Earth, I had an idea.” [Read more…] about A long day for microbes, and the rise of oxygen on Earth

Improved prediction of Indian Monsoon onset three months in advance using machine learning

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The onset of the Indian summer monsoon has been predicted three months ahead for the last 40 years with the highest precision up until today.

The result indicates longer seasonal forecasts based on machine learning may be a way to mitigate the consequences of an erratic monsoon system under future global warming.

Dr. Takahito Mitsui and Dr. Niklas Boers of the Potsdam Institute of Climate Impact Research (PIK Potsdam), Germany, published the results in Environmental Research Letters. The work is part of the European TiPES project, Coordinated from The Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Denmark and PIK Potsdam. [Read more…] about Improved prediction of Indian Monsoon onset three months in advance using machine learning

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  • Global warming already responsible for one in three heat-related deaths
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    Global warming already responsible for one in three heat-related deathsBetween 1991 and 2018, more than a third of all deaths in which heat played a role were attributable to human-induced global warming, according to a new article in Nature Climate Change. The study, the largest of its kind, was led by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine…
    Tags: climate, warming, global, news
  • Will global warming bring a change in the winds? Dust from the deep sea provides a clue
    32
    Will global warming bring a change in the winds? Dust from the deep sea provides a clueThe westerlies – or westerly winds – play an important role in weather and climate both locally and on a global scale, by influencing precipitation patterns, impacting ocean circulation and steering tropical cyclones. So, finding a way to assess how they will change as the climate warms is crucial. Typically,…
    Tags: will, warming, climate, global, news, environment

The main reason for the worldwide heatwaves, wildfires and floods

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Now, this is not a scientifically researched theory – it’s not even a complete enough thought to be classed as a theory. Perhaps you could call it just a whim or musing, but it’s uncomfortably hot in here and I feel the need to vent somewhat. 

Think of me as a mad citizen scientist who mostly talks rubbish, or speculatively, if you want to be kind, but there might be something in what I’m saying that’s worth looking into.

What I would like to rage about right now is dams. Yes, those magnificent constructions that stop the flow of gigantic rivers in order to harness Mother Nature’s awesome power and convert it to usable energy for lightbulbs and other creature comforts of modern towns and cities. [Read more…] about The main reason for the worldwide heatwaves, wildfires and floods

Global warming already responsible for one in three heat-related deaths

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Between 1991 and 2018, more than a third of all deaths in which heat played a role were attributable to human-induced global warming, according to a new article in Nature Climate Change.

The study, the largest of its kind, was led by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and the University of Bern within the Multi-Country Multi-City (MCC) Collaborative Research Network. Using data from 732 locations in 43 countries around the world it shows for the first time the actual contribution of man-made climate change in increasing mortality risks due to heat.

Overall, the estimates show that 37% of all heat-related deaths in the recent summer periods were attributable to the warming of the planet due to anthropogenic activities. This percentage of heat-related deaths attributed to human-induced climate change was highest in Central and South America (up to 76% in Ecuador or Colombia, for example) and South-East Asia (between 48% to 61%). [Read more…] about Global warming already responsible for one in three heat-related deaths

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  • Will global warming bring a change in the winds? Dust from the deep sea provides a clue
    46
    Will global warming bring a change in the winds? Dust from the deep sea provides a clueThe westerlies – or westerly winds – play an important role in weather and climate both locally and on a global scale, by influencing precipitation patterns, impacting ocean circulation and steering tropical cyclones. So, finding a way to assess how they will change as the climate warms is crucial. Typically,…
    Tags: warming, climate, change, future, global, news
  • The most discussed and shared research and commentary of 2020
    36
    The most discussed and shared research and commentary of 2020Covid-19, racial justice, climate change, the origins of life and other crucial issues all garnered attention in 2020. The annual Altmetric Top 100 highlights research and scholarly commentary published in 2020 that generated significant international online attention and discussion – from patents and public policy documents to mainstream media, blogs,…
    Tags: climate, change, global, news
  • Almost half of world heritage sites could lose glaciers by 2100
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    Almost half of world heritage sites could lose glaciers by 2100Glaciers are set to disappear completely from almost half of World Heritage sites if business-as-usual emissions continue, according to the first-ever global study of World Heritage glaciers. The sites are home to some of the world’s most iconic glaciers, such as the Grosser Aletschgletscher in the Swiss Alps, Khumbu Glacier…
    Tags: study, change, global, climate
  • Population and climate change point to future water shortages
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    Population and climate change point to future water shortagesA new study suggests that reductions in agricultural water use will probably play the biggest role in limiting future water shortages. Climate change plus population growth are setting the stage for water shortages in parts of the U.S. long before the end of the century, according to a new study…
    Tags: study, future, climate, news
  • Improved prediction of Indian Monsoon onset three months in advance using machine learning
    33
    Improved prediction of Indian Monsoon onset three months in advance using machine learningThe onset of the Indian summer monsoon has been predicted three months ahead for the last 40 years with the highest precision up until today. The result indicates longer seasonal forecasts based on machine learning may be a way to mitigate the consequences of an erratic monsoon system under future…
    Tags: climate, global, warming, news

The most discussed and shared research and commentary of 2020

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Covid-19, racial justice, climate change, the origins of life and other crucial issues all garnered attention in 2020.

The annual Altmetric Top 100 highlights research and scholarly commentary published in 2020 that generated significant international online attention and discussion – from patents and public policy documents to mainstream media, blogs, Wikipedia and social media platforms.

This year’s Top 100 represents the most discussed research from all disciplines, selecting the top five works by Altmetric Attention Score from twenty subjects.

Unsurprisingly, Covid-19 research accounts for roughly 30% of the Top 100 across many disciplines including biomedicine, built environment and design, and economics. Virus transmission and face mask protection were among the most heavily discussed topics. [Read more…] about The most discussed and shared research and commentary of 2020

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  • Global warming already responsible for one in three heat-related deaths
    36
    Global warming already responsible for one in three heat-related deathsBetween 1991 and 2018, more than a third of all deaths in which heat played a role were attributable to human-induced global warming, according to a new article in Nature Climate Change. The study, the largest of its kind, was led by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine…
    Tags: climate, change, global, news

Semiconductor Industry Association to discuss global chip shortage with US government

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The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) is to meet with officials in the administration of newly elected president of the United States, Joe Biden, to discuss the ongoing global shortage in chips, which is affecting many areas of manufacturing and the wider economy.

The SIA released a statement from its president and CEO, John Neuffer, welcoming the upcoming meeting at the White House between Biden Administration officials and leaders from the semiconductor industry and other sectors to discuss the global chip shortage, President Biden’s infrastructure plan, and other issues related to the semiconductor supply chain.

In the statement, Neuffer says: “We welcome this high-level engagement between the White House and industry leaders and see it as an important opportunity for a discussion on the need to fund investments in domestic semiconductor manufacturing and research to help ensure the long-term strength and resilience of America’s semiconductor supply chain.” [Read more…] about Semiconductor Industry Association to discuss global chip shortage with US government

Virtual pollination trade uncovers global dependence on biodiversity for food consumption

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Recently, a published study in Science Advances assessed the contribution of pollinators to international market flows and showed that biodiversity conservation is essential to sustain global consumption patterns.

This study results from the work of an interdisciplinary team that integrated researchers across the fields of economics, ecology, environmental sciences and social sciences.

Given the growing global demand for crops, sustainability in agriculture is one of the main challenges for human society. Together with the excessive use of chemical inputs, the loss of natural habitat associated with cropland expansion is one of the main drivers of biodiversity decline, and more specifically of pollinator decline. [Read more…] about Virtual pollination trade uncovers global dependence on biodiversity for food consumption

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    Ecologically friendly agriculture doesn't compromise crop yieldsIncreasing diversity in crop production benefits biodiversity without compromising crop yields, according to an international study comparing 42,000 examples of diversified and simplified agricultural practices. Diversification includes practices such as growing multiple crops in rotation, planting flower strips, reducing tillage, adding organic amendments that enrich soil life, and establishing or…
    Tags: crop, study, crops, biodiversity, yield, ecosystem, services, university, news, environment
  • Current food production systems could mean far-reaching habitat loss
    30
    Current food production systems could mean far-reaching habitat lossThe global food system could drive rapid and widespread biodiversity loss if not changed, new research has found. Findings published in Nature Sustainability shows that the global food system will need to be transformed to prevent habitat loss across the world. It shows that what we eat and how it is produced…
    Tags: biodiversity, habitat, global, loss, university, international, expansion, study, conservation, production