Stories about Science
Just in time for Earth Day, Trinidad & Tobago gets a new bat
Scientists record a new bat species in Trinidad and Tobago, bringing the total number of locally recorded bat species to an astounding 70.
Unverified claims that a popular herbal medication prevents COVID-19 triggers online backlash in China
While Shanghai residents are struggling with food shortages, they have an abundant supply of “Lianhua Qingwen”.
As international negotiations end in Jamaica, the threat of deep-sea mining hangs over the world's oceans
From the impact on global fisheries to destruction of carbon storage on the seabed, environmentalists say deep-seabed mining could herald even more catastrophic effects for climate change.
Mass coral bleaching of Australia's Great Barrier Reef goes under the media radar
This week Will Smith got more media coverage for bad behaviour than the ongoing decline of the world’s coral reefs.
In Turkey, health workers mark Doctor's Day by going on strike
To mark the holiday, health workers across the country said they would be on a two-day strike starting March 14 despite earlier warnings from the Ministry of Health against the protests.
Mixed response to Australia's Great Barrier Reef funding boost in lead up to election
"Good to see greater effort going into reef management but the greatest threat to the Great Barrier Reef is still climate change and we need greater commitment ...on that front."
Australian town of Onslow hits record 50.7 degrees Celsius, as global warming rolls on relentlessly
A disaster film occurring daily in real time... Rising ocean temps are inextricably linked to massive extreme weather/climate events, destabilization of Antarctic ice shelves and massive sea level rise
As Turkey rolls out its own COVID-19 vaccine, questions loom over its efficacy
In December 2021, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan approved the Turkovac vaccine for emergency use. Experts say there is an absence of scientific data and evidence proving the efficiency of the vaccine.
In Russia, an ongoing battle for the future of science
Fear, self-censorship and job insecurity are leading to ethical violations in the country’s universities and scientific establishments.
Malawian scientist who forewarned about Omicron-type variant speaks out
"When an unvaccinated person is infected, there is more virus and for longer, so chances are just higher that these new variants will emerge" notes Bandawe, the Malawian scientist.
High infection, low vaccination—could mandatory COVID-19 vaccines be the answer for Caribbean nations?
"Having demonstrated that mandatory vaccination is constitutionally appropriate given the leeway granted in favour of public health imperatives, [...] employers could justify a requirement in a pandemic context."
Post-COP26, a Caribbean view on climate injustice and ‘1.5 to stay alive’
What has the Caribbean, on the frontline of the climate crisis, gained now that COP26 is over? We speak with Yves Renard of Panos Caribbean, who shares some fascinating insights.
Colonial prejudices and vaccine nationalism drive COVID-19 African travel bans
Omicron has spread to many countries, but most Western countries red-listed only southern African countries. This is reflective of the colonial stereotyping of Africans as savages from a diseased continent.
Turkey's Medical professionals call for better working conditions
Health care workers marched from Istanbul to Ankara to draw attention to the harsh working conditions medical workers faced during the pandemic, including mobbing, long shifts, and economic hardships.
Barbados prime minister Mia Mottley's defence of Small Island Developing States at COP26 makes her a regional rock star
"How does Barbados feel about [Prime Minister] Mia Mottley? Because the rest of the Caribbean feels as though y’all won the lottery in the PM dept."
The best of both worlds? Guyana wants to be a low-carbon oil producer
The South American nation believes it is time to make its citizens rich, and thinks it can do so while keeping the forests intact and pursuing a prolific oil industry.
Caribbean negotiators should seek solutions and support at COP26
“If you don’t have a proper system to transparently account for [certain measures], you can’t really tell whether you’re making it to carbon neutrality by 2050.”
Prince Charles calls on Australia's Prime Minister to attend Glasgow global climate change conference
After jibes from Britain, reports indicate that Prime Minister Morrison will likely attend COP26. However, government sources have apparently denied that the prince’s remarks may have influenced him.
Jamaica forced to dump 55,000 doses as COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy persists
"Before [social media] those who were uninformed knew they were uninformed ... now [the] same uninformed listen to two fake news video clips [and] pronounce themselves experts."
Three Melbourne teenagers inspire public with their COVID-19 data tracking website
"[We] had our first dose of vaccine. Thought this would be a good time to share who we really are. Thrilled that we will finally be included in our data!"
Asking for a cousin's friend: The viral load of Nicki Minaj's vaccine misinformation tweet
The controversial tweet followed others that dealt with COVID-19 vaccination, including Minaj's announcement she would forego the Met Gala because attendance was vaccine contingent and she hadn't done “enough research.”
