Environment

Global fight against HIV 'In Danger' amid resource crunch, says UN

The global fight against HIV has stalled from shrinking resources due to Covid-19 and other crises, according to a new report presented at the International AIDS Conference in Montreal, Canada.. "The response to the AIDS pandemic has been derailed by global crises from the colliding pandemics of HIV and Covid, to the war in Ukraine and the resulting global economic crisis," UNAIDS executive director Winnie Byanyima told reporters.

Wed, Jul 27, 2022 3 mins read

Environment

James Lovelock, famed UK scientist behind Gaia theory

The independent British scientist James Lovelock, who has died on his 103rd birthday, was hugely influential for his Gaia theory that Earth is a single self-regulating system -- and later his dire warnings about climate change.  . Johan Rockstrom, director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, said the Gaia theory had galvanised a new generation of prominent Earth system scientists. 

Wed, Jul 27, 2022 3 mins read

Environment

Climate, collectors blamed for S.Africa's succulents decline

Climate change and collectors of rare plants are decimating succulents in South Africa, government researchers said Wednesday, warning hundreds of these rugged species are at risk of extinction. . Unique species growing in the Succulent Karoo -- a region shared between South Africa and Namibia which includes some of the world's most biodiverse desert and semi-desert areas -- are particularly sought after, it said.

Wed, Jul 27, 2022 1 mins read

Environment

Antibiotic taken after sex drastically reduces STDs: study

An antibiotic taken after sex without a condom can drastically reduce the rate of three bacterial STDs among high-risk groups, data from a clinical study showed Wednesday.. She stressed, however, that right now the data supports the treatment as targeted intervention among high risk groups that have a high prevalence of STDs -- not everyone.

Wed, Jul 27, 2022 2 mins read

Environment

UK scientist James Lovelock, prophet of climate doom, dies aged 103

Influential British scientist James Lovelock, famed for his Gaia hypothesis and pioneering work on climate change, has died at the age of 103, his family announced Wednesday.. The legendary scientist's family said in a statement that Lovelock died Tuesday on his 103rd birthday as the result of complications from a fall.

Wed, Jul 27, 2022 2 mins read

Environment

Fourth person 'cured' of HIV, but is a less risky cure in sight?

AIDS researchers announced on Wednesday that a fourth person has been "cured" of HIV, but the dangerous procedure for patients also battling cancer may be little comfort for the tens of millions living with the virus worldwide.. He is the second person to be announced cured this year, after researchers said in February that a US woman dubbed the New York patient had also gone into remission.

Wed, Jul 27, 2022 4 mins read

Environment

Botswana hits 'historic' UN goal against HIV: report

Botswana has become the second nation in the world, after Eswatini, to reach a landmark UN goal towards eradicating AIDS, researchers said Wednesday, in what health experts hailed as "stellar results".. To put it simply, these are really stellar results."

Wed, Jul 27, 2022 2 mins read

Environment

France on course for driest July on record: weather office

France is on track to experience its driest July on record, the national weather service said Wednesday, with drought-like conditions leading to increasingly severe water restrictions around the country.. "The month of July will very likely be the driest July ever recorded since 1959," spokesman Christian Veil from Meteo-France told AFP. On average, just eight mm (0.3 inches) of rain fell across the country from July 1-25, less than the previous low of 16 mm which was clocked in 2020, he said.

Wed, Jul 27, 2022 1 mins read

Environment

'Don't go near': Japan beachgoers warned over biting dolphin

Beachgoers in the Japanese region of Fukui have been warned to stay away from a displeased dolphin accused of biting swimmers, with officials urging visitors to "watch from afar".. "We encourage visitors to watch the dolphin from afar if they come across it," the official said.  tmo/sah/aha

Wed, Jul 27, 2022 1 mins read

Environment

Miners unearth pink diamond believed to be largest seen in 300 years

Miners in Angola have unearthed a rare pure pink diamond that is believed to be the largest found in 300 years, the Australian site operator announced Wednesday.. A 170 carat pink diamond -- dubbed The Lulo Rose -- was discovered at Lulo mine in the country's diamond-rich northeast and is among the largest pink diamonds ever found, the Lucapa Diamond Company said in a statement to investors.

Wed, Jul 27, 2022 1 mins read