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Agriculture & Environment: Water

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Here is a list of the latest articles

Model to predict cholera outbreaks earlier, better

A new cholera prediction model can warn of outbreaks 11 months in advance and also describe the possible severity.

14 February 2012 | EN

UN headquarters

UN 'needs greater integration between science and policy'

A report by the UN secretary-general's panel on global sustainability adds weight to calls for more science in policymaking.

3 February 2012 | EN

Nevado Taulliraju, Cordillera Blanca

Peru may run out of glacier water earlier than expected

Mountain glaciers in Peru are melting quickly, which could result in a water shortage long before the expected 10-30 years, says a study. 

23 January 2012 | ES

Brahamputra river

Latest models 'could give Asia ten-day flood warnings'

Developing countries could prepare better for extreme weather events if they used more than one weather model, say scientists.

10 January 2012 | EN

Fisherman with tuna

Pacific island fisheries face climate challenge

A new book on the vulnerabilities of Pacific island fisheries to climate change finds that although some will benefit more are at risk.

31 December 2011 | EN

Climate change killing trees across the Sahel, says study

Rising temperatures and less rainfall are causing the deaths of swathes of trees across the Sahel region in Africa, a study claims.

19 December 2011 | EN | FR

New inventory of Himalayan glaciers, snow

A new survey establishes the extent of the glaciated area in the Himalayas and forms a baseline for further study.

12 December 2011 | EN

Jordan centre to support tech research and innovation

A technology centre in Jordan hopes to unlock the research potential of countries of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia.

7 December 2011 | EN

Floods in Bangkok

Super 'floodway' mooted for Thai floods

Thai researchers have suggested a series of measures, including a huge expressway for water, to prevent future flooding in Bangkok.

2 December 2011 | EN

Cape Leeuwin, Western Australia

Ten-point plan to save the oceans

Performance on commitments made 20 years ago to protect the world's oceans is unimpressive, say reports.

17 November 2011 | EN | ES | FR | 中文

Lake Hume, Australia

Australia to share farming lessons with Africa

Australia is establishing a centre to share its knowledge of farming in extreme climates with African agricultural researchers.

15 November 2011 | EN | FR

Commercialising genes 'may help conserve Mexican oasis'

Underground oasis may boost Egypt's development

Scientists may have discovered a way of unlocking Egypt's huge underwater aquifer, but critics question the feasibility of the project.

10 November 2011 | EN

Hand holding groundnuts

Awards will go to scientists in Ghana, Tanzania

A scheme that provides three-year awards for collaborative research projects between UK and African researchers is to enter a second round.

9 November 2011 | EN | FR

A desert

Scientists unite to put drylands on Rio+20 agenda

African and Latin American scientists are calling for drylands, which are home to two billion people, to be a key part of the Rio+20 agenda.

7 November 2011 | EN | ES | FR | 中文

Scientists suggest alternative source of arsenic contamination

A study on arsenic contamination suggests that the problem lies with aquifers, not with man-made ponds.

Source: Nature

28 October 2011 | EN

A water sources in Nepal

Genes and GPS used to map spread of typhoid

Researchers have combined genetic and location data to track typhoid fever — a technique that could be used for other diseases.

26 October 2011 | EN | ES

Africa's mollusc stocks at risk from ocean acidification

Climate change may reduce crop and animal size

Climate change may shrink crops and animal food sources, damaging ecosystems and human livelihoods, warn scientists.

20 October 2011 | EN

Banana tree

Banana compost could boost crop yields, a study finds

Recycling old banana plants to make compost could help boost crop yields while reducing fertiliser use, says a study.

17 October 2011 | EN | FR

Mina Marlin, Guatemala

Study proposes to suspend activity of mine in Guatemala

A report has warned that the environmental hazard of the Marlin mine in Guatemala outweighs the profits for local communities and the country.

17 October 2011 | ES

A woman holding a mobile phone

Micro-insurance scheme pays off for Kenyan farmers

Farmers whose crops failed in the Horn of Africa drought may still be able to farm next year, through a mobile phone insurance scheme.

14 October 2011 | EN

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