Satellite images confirm uneven impact of climate change

University of Copenhagen researchers have been following vegetation trends across the planet's driest areas using satellite imagery from recent decades. They have identified a troubling trend: Too little vegetation is sprouting up from rainwater in developing nations, whereas things are headed in the opposite direction in wealthier ones. As a result, the future could see food shortages and growing numbers of climate refugees.

source https://phys.org/news/2020-11-satellite-images-uneven-impact-climate.html

Exploring the use of artificial intelligence in architecture

Over the past few decades, artificial intelligence (AI) tools have been used to analyze data or complete basic tasks in an increasing number of fields, ranging from computer science to manufacturing, medicine, physics, biology and even artistic disciplines. Researchers at University of Michigan have recently been investigating the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in architecture. Their most recent paper, published in the International Journal of Architectural Computing, specifically explores the potential of AI as a tool to create new architectural designs.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2020-11-exploring-artificial-intelligence-architecture.html

For Big Tech, Biden brings a new era but no ease in scrutiny

The Obama-Biden administration was a charmed era for America's tech companies—a moment when they were lionized as innovators, hailed as job creators and largely left alone.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2020-11-big-tech-biden-era-ease.html

US agency investigating Tesla front suspension failures

The U.S. government's road safety agency is investigating complaints that suspensions can fail on nearly 115,000 Tesla electric vehicles.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2020-11-agency-tesla-front-suspension-failures.html

Climate change is making autumn leaves change colour earlier—here's why

As the days shorten and temperatures drop in the northern hemisphere, leaves begin to turn. We can enjoy glorious autumnal colours while the leaves are still on the trees and, later, kicking through a red, brown and gold carpet when out walking.

source https://phys.org/news/2020-11-climate-autumn-colour-earlierhere.html

Delivery rider deaths highlight need to make streets safer for everyone

Five food-delivery cyclists have died on Australian roads in the past three months, four in Sydney. Most commentary has focused on the harsh employment conditions that force people to take risks they shouldn't have to. These problems should of course be fixed, but cycling in general is too dangerous in our cities.

source https://phys.org/news/2020-11-delivery-rider-deaths-highlight-streets.html

How will sharks respond to climate change? It might depend on where they grew up

They may have been around for hundreds of millions of years—long before trees—but today sharks and rays are are among the most threatened animals in the world, largely because of overfishing and habitat loss.

source https://phys.org/news/2020-11-sharks-climate-grew.html

Being good at your job won't stop age discrimination

How old you are could be more important to some employers than your experience, or your capacity to do the job—particularly for older candidates. That was the conclusion of research my colleagues and I recently published on age discrimination. We tested 500 managers across nine European countries, using job applications of people aged between 43 and 63, and showed more suitable job candidates did not experience less discrimination.

source https://phys.org/news/2020-11-good-job-wont-age-discrimination.html

The UK government's COVID spending may lead to inflation

The UK government is spending an enormous amount on COVID-19 - supporting the health service, helping to relieve the suffering of those who have lost their incomes, and helping businesses keep afloat.

source https://phys.org/news/2020-11-uk-covid-inflation.html

Why Mauritius is culling an endangered fruit bat that exists nowhere else

The endangered Mauritius fruit bat is once again the centre of a controversial cull at the hands of its government, much to the alarm of wildlife conservation organisations. Under pressure from both farmers and the public, the government of the Indian Ocean island recently announced a plan to cull 10% of its 80,000 or so fruit bats to protect the nation's fruit industry.

source https://phys.org/news/2020-11-mauritius-culling-endangered-fruit.html

New research shows even small ships pose deadly threat to North American right whales

It has long been known that ship strikes involving large vessels pose one of the greatest threats to North Atlantic right whales, whose coastal habitats and tendency to stay close to the water's surface make them vulnerable to such deadly collisions.

source https://phys.org/news/2020-11-small-ships-pose-deadly-threat.html

Urgent action needed as 1 in 3 native mammals at risk of extinction in Wales

A third of native mammals are currently at risk of extinction in Wales, according to a new report.

source https://phys.org/news/2020-11-urgent-action-native-mammals-extinction.html

Time for total rethink on the management of alien species

Non-indigenous or alien species need to be appreciated for their potential benefits and not just the negative impacts they can have on the environment, according to new research.

source https://phys.org/news/2020-11-total-rethink-alien-species.html

It's not too late to save 102 species at risk of extinction

The Fraser River estuary in British Columbia is home to 102 species at risk of extinction. A new study says it's not too late to save these species if action is taken now.

source https://phys.org/news/2020-11-late-species-extinction.html

Mining companies are required to return quarried sites to their 'natural character'. But is that enough?

New Zealand has more than 1,100 registered quarries. Some of these mined sites are small, rural operations, but a significant number are large and complex, and within a city's urban boundaries.

source https://phys.org/news/2020-11-companies-required-quarried-sites-natural.html

The case of the missing dark matter: new suspect found in galactic mystery

A faraway galaxy with almost no dark matter has threatened to break our theory of galaxy formation. New evidence suggests the galaxy isn't an anomaly—but a victim of theft.

source https://phys.org/news/2020-11-case-dark-galactic-mystery.html

Iceberg A-68A: hit or miss?

An enormous iceberg, called A-68A, has made headlines over the past weeks as it drifts towards South Georgia in the Southern Ocean. New images, captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-1 mission, show the berg is rotating and potentially drifting westwards.

source https://phys.org/news/2020-11-iceberg-a-68a.html

ESA and Auroch Digital launch Mars Horizon game

You're controlling your very own space agency at the dawn of the space age, with the ultimate goal of setting foot on the surface of Mars. Which technologies should you research? Which rockets should you build? Should you aim for the Moon first or head straight to the Red Planet?

source https://phys.org/news/2020-11-esa-auroch-digital-mars-horizon.html

UK to launch new watchdog next year to police tech giants

Britain plans to create a new watchdog to police big tech companies including Google and Facebook to counter their market dominance and prevent them from exploiting consumers and small businesses.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2020-11-uk-watchdog-year-police-tech.html

Japan spacecraft carrying asteroid soil samples nears home

A Japanese spacecraft is nearing Earth after a yearlong journey home from a distant asteroid with soil samples and data that could provide clues to the origins of the solar system, a space agency official said Friday.

source https://phys.org/news/2020-11-japan-spacecraft-asteroid-soil-samples.html

Tesla recalls 870 cars in China over defective roofs

US electric car maker Tesla is recalling 870 vehicles in China over defective roofs, part of which could fall off, China's market regulator said on Friday.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2020-11-tesla-recalls-cars-china-defective.html

Battered by virus and oil slump, biofuels fall out of favour

Hit by the coronavirus pandemic and a sharp drop in oil prices, biofuel demand has declined for the first time in two decades and may struggle to recover, according to experts.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2020-11-battered-virus-oil-slump-biofuels.html

Man United unable to fully restore systems after cyberattack

Manchester United has been unable to fully restore its computer systems a week after being targeted in a cyberattack.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2020-11-unable-fully-cyberattack.html