New Europe-wide maps show the potential of landscapes to provide ecosystem goods and services over the next 20-30 years.

An analysis of conservation management strategies in the EU identifies a number of options for increasing the cost-effectiveness of conservation within the Natura 2000 network of protected areas. More time and money should be given to implementing conservation measures than planning them and governments should guarantee conservation funding over longer terms, say the researchers.

Crop pollination is a vital ecosystem service, yet the numbers of animal pollinator species, such as bees, are in decline. Now, a team of German and American researchers have demonstrated how crops that provide the highest levels of vitamins and minerals essential to our diet globally depend heavily on animals for pollination.

Wild animals are more likely to be hit by vehicles during times where roads have poorer surface conditions and during periods of low light, according to a study of moose in Sweden. The researchers emphasise that it is not possible to accurately predict hotspots for wildlife collisions using data on the movement of the animals alone, and suggest that efforts to reduce accidents should focus on driver awareness and road conditions.

The advantages of soft ecosystem-based climate change adaptation over hard infrastructure-based approaches are becoming increasingly recognised. A new analysis highlights these advantages and calls for more effort to improve our understanding of ecosystem-based adaptation's (EbA) effectiveness.

Woodlands in the grounds of old manor houses or castles can provide high quality habitat for numerous forest species, a recent study from Estonia concludes. The researchers found that, compared to nearby forests, old rural park woodlands appeared to be better at supporting biodiversity.

Rates of carbon storage by mangroves are substantially higher than previously thought, research suggests. Using new data, researchers have estimated that worldwide, mangroves bury 26.1 megatonnes of organic carbon per year, which is 42% more than the estimations made in 2008.

Drainage tunnels running under roads can provide small animals with safe road crossings, mitigating habitat fragmentation, a new study has confirmed. The researchers suggest that the tunnel design can be further improved to aid animal movements, for example, by providing dry ledges to ensure the routes are still available in times of high rainfall.

New research from central Italy shows that high nature value farmland in the region can be accurately identified by the presence of just four bird species. Once such groups of species have been identified for different regions, they can provide a quick and inexpensive tool for assessing the ecological value of farmland, the researchers say.

Offshore renewable energy sites may provide new 'stepping stone' habitats for marine species, a recent study suggests. They could allow some species to spread beyond their present range and help vulnerable creatures survive in the face of climate change. However, they may also allow harmful invasive species to spread, the researchers warn, and the effects of such projects must be assessed by examining their impacts on the ecosystem as a whole.

Eradication of invasive mammal species is a strategy used to help conserve biodiversity on islands and restore populations of native species. Researchers have now assessed the success of this strategy globally, highlighting the importance of controlling invasive species to protect biodiversity on islands and achieve global conservation targets.

Voluntary non-monetary conservation — where citizens implement actions without a financial incentive — is an emerging approach to biodiversity protection that could be applied in many countries and environments, a new study shows. This study makes recommendations for actions, such as being simple and affordable, and calls for conservation scientists to recognise their value as a complementary tool alongside traditional market-based and coercive approaches, such as payment for ecosystem services and national parks.

Urban gardeners in Barcelona, Spain, identified 20 ecosystem service benefits, from pollination to environmental learning, in a recent study. Cultural ecosystem services — mainly related to the opportunity for residents to interact with nature — were the most common and highly valued of the ecosystem services identified.

A new long-term monitoring study is the first to demonstrate that climate changes are having divergent effects on populations of bird species across Europe and the United States. The study identifies broad-scale impacts on the abundance of common bird species over a 30-year period, to show that, overall, populations of bird species across both continents are being affected by changes in climate. The research adds to a growing body of evidence that climate change is affecting biodiversity either positively or adversely, depending on species’ climate preferences.

Habitat fragmentation is a threat to biodiversity, especially in agricultural land where there are also many endangered species. Corridors between habitats are one way to counteract its effects. A study suggests that grassy field margins — established throughout Europe to improve water quality — could act as corridors. The study, which measured the effects of field margins on butterflies, concludes that agricultural schemes should include this corridor function.

Woody networks in agricultural landscapes are known to harbour high intrinsic biodiversity (i.e. diversity of plant species) and functional biodiversity (i.e. ecosystem services that arise from biodiversity). In order to clarify the drivers of intrinsic and functional biodiversity in woody networks, researchers analysed the plant species diversity, pollinator resource value (PRV), and potential edibility value (PEV) of a woody network in northern Belgium. The analysis confirmed that woody elements are a rich source of intrinsic and functional biodiversity and identified several important drivers. From a policy perspective, this research highlights the value of protecting existing woody elements and thoughtfully designing and locating new ones to maximise intrinsic and functional biodiversity in the countryside.

As the threat of novel corona virus COVID-19 spreads through the world, we live in an increasingly anxious time. While healthcare workers fight the virus in the front line, we do our part by practicing social distancing to slow the pandemic. Today's guest blogger, Toshi Takeuchi, would like to share how he spends his time by analyzing data in MATLAB.... read more >>

The official criteria used to assess how easily a chemical is taken up by biological organisms, known as the bioaccumulation potential, are considered reliable for most types of chemical. However, according to a new analysis, the criteria need updating to include uptake from contaminated sediment and food in order to reflect the realistic bioaccumulation risk for all chemicals.

The presence of organic pollutants in waste water and drinking water can have alarming environmental and public health implications. Current water treatment methods have limitations: they can only remove certain contaminants, to certain extents, and also produce harmful by-products. New and improved methods are required. A recent review paper presents radiation processing as a promising approach, providing strong evidence of its efficacy, efficiency, safety, and feasibility. Focusing particularly on the use of electron-beam processing for the removal of organic pollutants from waste water and drinking water, the researchers present a compelling picture, relevant to stakeholders involved in water treatment and management.

Last week, my colleague Mariano Lizarraga Fernandez pointed me to the Washington post simulation of COVID-19 and we thought it would be interesting to implement something similar using MathWorks products.... read more >>

In a previous post, I introduced a model simulating the exponential spread of a phenomenon like COVID-19. With more and more talks in the news about deconfinement plans, I thought it would be interesting to run multiple simulations with different deconfinement scenarios and observe the potential outcomes.... read more >>

Planting trees in urban areas has been recognised as a cost-effective means of reducing air pollution for several major cities worldwide. In a new study, the impact of tree species diversity on levels of ozone pollution in Rome was assessed. The results suggest that different species of tree complement each other in providing this important ecosystem service.

A mixture of fine particles in air leads to harmful effects on human health. Currently, particulate matter (PM) is defined in policy by particle size, but according to a new study, focusing on air pollutants and their toxic effects on cells may provide an effective way to legislate for PM.

New software has been developed to rate the health risks of different activities in the urban environment, for example, cycling or driving in different areas of a city. 'CENSE' is based on a variety of different pollutants and environmental health hazards encountered in urban environments and may provide a useful tool for urban planning and improving residents’ quality of life, its developers say.

A recent analysis highlights the potential of natural products as an indispensable source for drug discovery. Natural compounds can be used directly as potential medicines or can provide templates for the design of synthetic and semi-synthetic drugs. Furthermore, because of their ability to interact selectively with biological macromolecules, they also provide a tool to better understand biochemical processes and thus identify new potential targets for the treatment of human diseases.

A new study from Poland has confirmed the potential of fungal Trichoderma species to control diseases of oilseed rape crops. The use of Trichoderma can reduce the growth of disease-causing oilseed rape pathogens, which may allow a decrease in the use of harmful pesticides.

A recent Gartner study offers some useful guidelines on how to choose an enterprise-level cloud storage provider. But don’t forget that providers need to work together effectively too.

As part of the county’s response to the rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation, view Parks, Recreation and Community Services closures and operating status information.

Lease uploader and online signing tools round out digital suite of services like 3D Home Tours, unlimited applications for one low fee and rent payment portal to support online rental transaction

Rupert Guinness is cycling across America — from his living room in Edgecliff.

The post Mining to help dig economy out of COVID-19 hole appeared first on The Lead SA.

I used to have advice for girlfriends meeting my mum. Don’t be fooled by the whole caring, compassionate physiotherapist for babies and children thing. It’s a trap. Because come nightfall, if you dared stand within 1.5 metres of her and a board game, you saw another side that threatened to send you into self-isolation from her – for life.

Novità president Christine Abbate joins The PR Week to discuss her work in the design and architecture comms space and the latest industry news.

000
WTCA45 TJSJ 221030
TCPSP5

BOLETIN
Tormenta Tropical Sebastien Advertencia Numero 12
Centro Nacional de Huracanes Miami FL AL202019
Traducido por el Servicio Nacional de Meteorologia San Juan PR
500 AM AST viernes 22 de noviembre de 2019

...NO SE ESPERA QUE SEBASTIEN SE FORTALEZCA...


RESUMEN DE LAS 500 AM AST...0900 UTC...INFORMACION
-------------------------------------------------------
LOCALIZACION...24.8 NORTE 57.0 OESTE
CERCA DE 600 MILLAS...965 KM NE DEL NORTE DE LAS ISLAS SOTAVENTO
VIENTOS MAXIMOS SOSTENIDOS...60 MPH...95 KM/H
MOVIMIENTO ACTUAL...ENE O 65 GRADOS A 15 MPH...24 KM/H
PRESION CENTRAL MINIMA...999 MB...29.50 PULGADAS


VIGILANCIAS Y AVISOS
----------------------
No existen vigilancias o avisos costers en efecto.


DISCUSION Y PERSPECTIVA
------------------------
A las 500 AM AST (0900 UTC), el centro de la Tormenta Tropical
Sebastien estaba localizado cerca de la latitud 24.8 norte, longitud
57.0 oeste. Sebastien esta moviendose hacia el este-noreste a cerca de
15 mph (24 km/h). Se espera un movimiento hacia el este-noreste a noreste
durante los proximos dias.

Los vientos maximos sostenidos estan cerca de 60 mph (95 km/h) con
rafagas mas fuertes. Algo de fortalecimiento se espera durante las
proximas 24 horas y Sebastien pudiera convertirse en ciclon post-
tropical este fin de semana.

Los vientos de Tormenta Tropical se extienden hasta 160 millas (260
km) del centro.

La presion minima central estimada es de 999 mb (29.50 pulgadas)


PELIGROS AFECTANDO TIERRA
-------------------------
NINGUNO


PROXIMA ADVERTENCIA
-------------------
Proxima advertencia completa a las 1100 AM AST.

$$

Pronosticador Cangialosi
Traduccion RVazquez

000
WTNT64 KNHC 110400
TCUAT4

Tropical Storm Michael Tropical Cyclone Update
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL142018
1200 AM EDT Thu Oct 11 2018

...12 AM EDT POSITION UPDATE...
...MICHAEL WEAKENS TO A TROPICAL STORM OVER CENTRAL GEORGIA...
...DAMAGING WINDS STILL OCCURRING INLAND...

NOAA Doppler weather radar data indicate that the center of Michael
is now moving into south-central Georgia. Tropical storm-force
winds continue over central and southern Georgia, and are spreading
across the coast of southeastern Georgia.

This will be the last hourly position update issued by the National
Hurricane Center on Michael. The next intermediate advisory will be
issued at 2 AM EDT...0600 UTC.


SUMMARY OF 1200 AM EDT...0400 UTC...INFORMATION
-----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...32.3N 83.6W
ABOUT 30 MI...45 KM SSW OF MACON GEORGIA
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...70 MPH...115 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...NE OR 40 DEGREES AT 17 MPH...28 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...975 MB...28.79 INCHES

$$
Forecaster Beven

Fifth-year students at the NTU Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine have started on SimConsult - a simulated clinical training - after postings to hospitals were suspended due to the Covid-19 outbreak....

...

Researchers from NTU Singapore have developed a semi-autonomous robot that can disinfect large surfaces quickly. Named eXtreme Disinfection roBOT (XDBOT), it can be wirelessly controlled via a laptop or tablet, removing the need for cleaners to be in contact with surfaces, thereby reducing the risk of picking up the virus from potentially contaminated areas....

...

Primary care health workers now have a guide for conducting remote consultation of suspected COVID-19 patients, developed by a team of researchers from Singapore and the UK....

...

NTU Singapore has unveiled its COVID-19 Relief Package comprising three new coordinated measures to assist students facing hardship due to the pandemic....

Singapore's expertise in fighting the coronavirus is the fruit of the continuing investment in the health and biomedical sciences that the country started decades ago. One scientist featured in the article is microbiologist Julien Lescar from NTU’s School of Biological Sciences....

At least two research groups in NTU are working on speeding up the process of identifying infected Covid-19 patients with test kits that can show results in minutes, instead of the current day-long wait for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test results....