Washington, Dec 9 : Research at the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands has led to better understanding of the behavior of clouds, which would help to make reliable predictions on climate change.

The behaviour of clouds is the great unknown quantity in current climate models. To make reliable predictions on climate change, more knowledge about clouds is thus essential.

Delft researcher Thijs Heus has tackled this issue with a combination of detailed computer simulations and airplane measurements.

He charted data including cloud speed, temperature and the ''life span'' of clouds to arrive at new observations.

Washington, Dec 9 : In an effort to improve the on-board entertainment and internet access enjoyed by train passengers, University of York researchers have developed a new technology that could not only offer internet and live media services on the move but will not be too harsh on your pocket as well.

With the advent of the new technology, the researchers have overcome two of the major technological challenges, which severely limit the services currently provided on trains.

Washington, Dec 9 : Video sharing websites like YouTube face major problems dealing with proper labelling of videos and monitoring for copyright infractions. But now, a revolutionary technology has been developed that will help ward off these issue.

The breakthrough technology, developed by one student from the University of Toronto, will not only improve the efficiency of such websites but cut down on copyright infringement also.

Washington, Dec 9 : Scientists have identified two new species of extinct corals, which provide an important link between corals in the Atlantic and Pacific.

The corals - Isopora curcaoensis and Isopora ginsburgi, were found by Dr. Ann F. Budd from the University of Iowa and Dr. Donald McNeill of the University of Miami.

The new species was originally thought to be an elkhorn coral (genus Acropora), a species widely distributed throughout the Caribbean that was informally christened Acropora ginsburgi in 1995.

Washington, Dec 9 : In a new study, it has been found that oil spray can reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere.

Greenhouse gas emissions can potentially become a limiting factor in the development and sustainability of animal production and technologies are needed to mitigate pollutant gas emissions.

Oil spray has been used as a mitigation technique to reduce pollution from animal buildings. However, little is known about its effect on greenhouse gas emissions.

Scientists at Purdue University and the University of Missouri have investigated oil spray on air pollutant emissions from pig barns in northern Missouri.

London, Dec 9 : A team of scientists has devised a unique way of refueling aircraft, using a high-powered laser to recharge on-board batteries.

A fundamental problem with aircraft is the amount of fuel they have to carry. Designers are forced to make compromises to reduce fuel consumption and to squeeze the necessarily large fuel tanks into the craft.

All this drives up cost and reduces manoeuvrability.

One alternative is in-flight refuelling, but that can be logistically difficult as well as dangerous, requiring to aircraft to meet in mid-air and transfer liquid fuel via a flexible hose.