United States

Plant gene tweak would make toxic soil hospitable for crops

Environmental News NetworkWashington, Oct 6 : By tweaking a single gene in plants, scientists would now be able to use a large portion of Earth’s now-inhospitable soil to grow crops, alleviating one of the most pressing problems facing the planet’s rapidly growing population.

According to a report in ENN (Environmental News Network), scientists at the University of California, Riverside, made plants tolerant of poisonous aluminum by tweaking a single gene.

This may allow crops to thrive in the 40 to 50 percent of Earth’s soils currently rendered toxic by the metal.

Chicken manure to power 90,000 homes in Netherlands

NetherlandsWashington, Oct 6 : The world’s largest biomass power plant running exclusively on chicken manure has opened in the Netherlands, which will deliver renewable electricity to 90,000 households.

According to a report in ENN (Environmental News Network), the power plant has a capacity of 36.5 megawatts, and will generate more than 270 million kWh of electricity per year.

The biomass power plant is more than merely “carbon neutral”.

If the chicken manure were to be spread out over farm land, it would release not only CO2, but also methane, a very potent greenhouse gas.

World’s nations more adept at protecting land areas than territorial seas

Washington, Oct 6 : The world’s nations are showing that they are much more adept at protecting land areas than territorial seas.

1,400 years old archaeological evidence of yucca found

Washington, Oct 6: Archaeological studies have revealed that the yucca, which is the main ingredient of some Central American dishes, has been parts of crops in El Salvador and the Maya region for more than 1,400 years.

The studies, undertaken at Joya de Ceren, El Salvador revealed archaeological material of a Maya village, including houses, fields, temples, warehouses and sweat lodges.

The “American Pompey”, as Joya de Ceren is also known, was near Loma de Caldera Volcano; which erupted towards 600 AD, resulting in a human catastrophe.

Evidence of yucca plantations were found under 14 layers of ashes, declared Fabricio Valdivieso, coordinator of Archaeology Department of the El Salvador National Council for Culture and Art.

Kids aware of the exclusion of Blacks and women from US presidency

Kids aware of the exclusion of Blacks and women from US presidencyWashington, Oct 6 : They may seem to be aloof from the whole world, but American kids are aware that there has never been a female, African-American, or Hispanic President in the United States, according to a study from The University of Texas at Austin.

The study by Rebecca Bigler, professor of psychology, and a team of researchers at the university and the University of Kansas, also cited that many of the children attributed the lack of representation to discrimination.

Obama, McCain present conflicting strategies on Iraq

Washington, Oct. 6 :Obama, McCain present conflicting strategies on Iraq Presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain have presented conflicting visions of how they plan to shrink American military presence in Iraq.

According to a New York Times report, Obama, reacting to General Petraeus’s demand for “maximum flexibility” in setting withdrawal schedules, said he “pushed back” when he met with the commander in July by making the case for sending more forces to Afghanistan, which the Democratic candidate views as the main battleground against terrorists.

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