Viruses that spread from animals to humans are on the rise.

Viruses that develop in animals and can spread to humans are on the rise around the world and scientists say more research is needed to prevent them from evolving. Viruses that pose a risk to both human and animal health are known as zoonotic diseases.The more severe examples include ebola in west Africa, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in the Arabian Peninsula, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in Asia, and even Hendra in Australia. The University's Dr Siobhan Mor has just completed a study into how much scientists know about such animal diseases before they develop.She said half of the data that exists focuses on known zoonotic diseases, and there is a lack of information on animal viruses that have the potential to develop into human ones."We identified 10 diseases that occur at the livestock-wildlife interface, majority of which also affect humans, and found that the majority of the research has been occurring on these [10] particular diseases since the 1960s," Dr Mor said."There has been a lot of research on these particular diseases, with far less on other diseases occurring."Dr Mor said the findings are concerning, given animal diseases could pose a greater risk to human health as livestock production systems become more intensive."We are seeing more diseases occurring now in people as a result of those livestock systems and the way we are producing human food," she said.We are seeing more diseases occurring now in people as a result of those livestock systems and the way we are producing human food. Dr Siobhan Mor, University of Sydney, "We are raising animals in close proximity to wildlife because we have cleared land in order to make way for our agricultural production." Dr Mor said sometimes new diseases are detected in humans first, which are later found to have initially developed in animals, such as HIV."Historically, we know that HIV comes from animals, but what the research shows is there are increasingly new diseases being found in humans and we later determine have been occurring in animals as well."Dr Mor said Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS, is a more modern example of an animal disease that has become more problematic for humans in recent decades."I think everyone's eyes are on viruses known as coronaviruses," she said. Zoonotic diseases have become more publicised recently with the west African ebola outbreak, which has so far killed more than 10,000 people.Fruit bats are thought to be the natural hosts of the ebola virus, as is also the case with the deadly Hendra virus in Australia. Hendra has infected seven Australians and killed four, as well as countless horses, since it was first recorded in the Brisbane suburb of Hendra in 1994. Dr Mor said human Hendra cases demonstrated a need to understand more about bats, which are linked to a number of zoonotic diseases."Bats are really interesting and we now know they harbour many germs which can make people very sick," Read more here; http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-21/researchers-say-more-information-is-needed-zoonotic-diseases/6635738

ELECTRICITY FROM WASTE!!!

Waste is generated from our activities everyday.The choice of waste management depends on the people involved and the innovation prowess of those involved.Waste management is a global issue and as such numerous efforts are put in place to ensure a cleaner and safer environment. Waste generated from animals,food and humans can be processed using a biodigester and the gas generated used as electricity and cooking fuel. The electricity crisis is in every nation,with most developed nations thinking of how to cut energy costs by sourcing for alternatives, the developing and underdeveloped nations do not have enough energy,thus also looking for ways to provide electricity for all. Solar, and other energy have been used,but that which is most currently explored is electricity from waste. The benefits of biogas are enormous; see how a farmer is making use of it. Ta Quang Nah is a Vietnamese rice farmer, pig breeder, builder and fisherman. But for several months now he has also been running a power station from his home on the Ca Mau peninsula.All the family’s waste goes straight from their outdoor latrine to join that of their four pigs in an airtight underground chamber, and the methane gas that is naturally let off as the combined excreta decomposes collects in a long polythene bag secured above ground. Ta Quang Nah was advised by Oxfam how to set up his family biodigester, and when I met him last month he was proudly cooking on his own gas, and saving money by not buying wood or charcoal. His simple operation cost less than $50 to instal, paid itself off in a few months, needs little maintenance and is more than big enough for his family’s needs. Dozens of his neighbours want one too. Using vegetable or livestock waste to generate biogas is now common and growing fast as cattle farmers and food companies in Europe and the US are encouraged with subsidies to set up anaerobic, or airless, digesters like Ta Quang Nah’s rudimentary one. But using human waste is still largely taboo outside Asia.( story; the guardian) Housing estates stand to benefit from this; where all the waste generated is passed to a central collecting point, then to the biodigester for processing.The electricity produced can be passed to grid,thus reducing cost of electricity and also ensuring that power is always available.The plant can also use foodwaste,thus the central bin in the estate can be sorted and fed to digester to produce more power. This is truly an independent power source, that will ensure a clean environment.

A renewable streetlight that fights mosquitoes.

Researchers in Malaysia have created a light that not only combats climate change; it fights mosquito-borne diseases too. The LED street light is a renewable energy hybrid, incorporating both a solar panel and a wind turbine. Mosquitoes are drawn to the lamp because it emits carbon dioxide, the same gas that humans naturally give off. Lead researcher Dr Chong Wen Tong said the CO2 given off is “relatively low” and outstripped by the benefits of the clean energy it provides. A fan then prevents the mosquitoes from escaping. The researchers hope that the new form of lighting could help to prevent dengue fever, a virus that is widespread in the tropics and for which there is currently no vaccine. Two pilot lamps are currently in use on the campus at the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur where the researchers are based and six installed elsewhere in Kuala Lumpur. The product is now set to enter the market. The product has much more longevity than traditional street lighting, but the pilot cost £20,000 to produce and the individual lamps currently cost around £1,700. Solving the power issue and preventing diseases and nuisance of mosquitoes; its a worthy innovation. Story credit;the guardian.

AGRICULTURE ; KEY TO FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE.

Attention is turning towards the role of agriculture and the management of natural resources to ensure global warming does not exceed pre-industrial levels by more than 2°C.Scientists believe that any greater temperature rise would be catastrophic for the planet, exceeding survival thresholds of crop, tree and fish species. Climate change threatens to derail efforts to end poverty and hunger, and achieve the sustainable development goals. A focus on agriculture is key to combat climatic change and here are some of the pointers. The poorest are hit hardest Climate change disproportionately affects the world’s poorest countries - particularly small island developing states, landlocked countries, arid and semi-arid areas - where people are most dependent on natural resources. In a cruel twist, these countries have contributed the least to causing climate change. Food producers are most vulnerable Drought, floods, sea level rises, and hurricanes destroy crops, livestock and fish resources and devastate ecosystems, irrigation systems and infrastructure. Family farmers, pastoralists, fisherfolk and foresters - the same people who provide the bulk of the planet’s food – are those whose lives and livelihoods will be most affected. A threat to global food production Agricultural production needs to increase globally by an estimated 60% by 2050 to meet projected demands for food and feed from a growing and changing world population. However, scientists predict that production may fall by as much as 2% each decade for the rest of this century as a consequence of rising temperatures. The socio-economic impact could be devastating. Stressing the planet The expected increase in extreme weather events will only add to the challenge of current food production systems, which are already under stress through degradation of land and water resources and loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services resulting from unsustainable practices. Today, a third of farmland is degraded, up to 75% of crop genetic diversity has been lost and 22% of animal breeds are at risk. More than half of fish stocks are fully exploited, and in the first decade of this century, some 13m hectares of forests were converted into other land uses each year. Reducing agriculture’s carbon footprint Agriculture, forestry and fisheries can make a significant contribution to global mitigation efforts by reducing their carbon footprint, adopting low emission growth strategies and enhancing carbon storage in soils, forests and aquatic systems. While agriculture and deforestation account for about a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions from human activities, forests retain as much carbon as in the whole atmosphere, and soil makes up the greatest pool of terrestrial organic carbon. The agricultural sector has considerable transformational potential as it is uniquely positioned to simultaneously address all three dimensions of sustainability. Agro-ecology schooling Sharing knowledge with farmers on agro-ecological approaches and how to adapt them to local conditions through farmer field schools and other networks can have a positive long-term impact on climate change. For some time now, FAO has been working with countries and partners in developing and promoting approaches that avoid deforestation, over fishing and focus on improving soil fertility and increased ecosystems services that lower emissions while ensuring human and ecosystem well-being. Transforming food systems Modern food systems are heavily dependent on fossil fuels. Moving away from dominant input-intensive food systems and pursuing climate-resilient approaches to agriculture can contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, the cost of shifting to sustainable agricultural practices will require long-term public and private investment and cannot be borne alone by poor farmers, fisherfolk, foresters, and indigenous communities. Saving energy One third of the food the world produces is lost or wasted. That amounts to about US$2.6 tn per year, including $700 bn of environmental costs and $900 bn of social costs. Reducing food losses through improved access to post-harvest technologies, and reducing waste through consumer education and initiatives like FAO-UNEP’s Save food can help cut the energy bill. Ultimately, the agri-food value chain will have to gradually decouple from fossil fuel dependence to deliver more food with less and cleaner energy. The big picture The big picture Action on climate change must be part of the bigger picture of sustainable development, taking into account the fight against hunger and poverty while investing in renewable resources. Nearly 80% of the world’s poor live in rural areas, and most depend on agriculture for their living. Achieving zero hunger by 2030 largely depends on ensuring that agricultural systems and rural communities are healthy, productive, sustainable, and resilient in the face of climate change. Measuring and monitoring A better understanding of the influence of a changing climate on agricultural sectors has to be the first step. Providing essential information for climate change adaptation planning and reporting on greenhouse gas emissions, FAO has developed tools for assessing the impact of climate change, monitoring natural resources and harmful emissions. read more here;http://www.theguardian.com/fao-partner-zone/2015/dec/01/10-reasons-why-agriculture-is-key-to-combating-climate-change

AGRICULTURE AND CLIMATIC CHANGE.!!!

Maria Helena Semedo, UNFAO deputy director-general describes the importance of agriculture in addressing climate change at COP21, Maria Helena Semedo, UNFAO deputy director-general. Climate change can risk all progress made so far in fighting poverty, hunger and food security, says Maria Helena Semedo, UNFAO deputy director-general for Natural resources. Agriculture should be considered a solution and not a threat,” she stresses, adding that FAO’s work on climate change is aimed at strengthening the resilience of smallholder farmers through a number of actions and strategies. These include providing technologies to improving production, to the implementation of systems as agro-ecology and climate smart agriculture. Working with policy makers on a global approach to climate change, FAO has helped develop a variety of solutions available for farmers, fishermen and foresters to choose the ones that best suit their needs.Because it cuts across all 17 sustainable development goals of the 2030 agenda, failing to address climate change risks achieving the global goals. Read more here and watch video here;http://www.theguardian.com/fao-partner-zone/2015/dec/01/no-other-sector-is-more-sensitive-to-climate-change-than-agriculture?CMP=ema-1702&CMP=

CAT MUSIC.

David Teie has developed music that’s designed specifically for cats. , Teie has been working on “species-specific” music since 2009. He figured starting with cats would be more practical than starting with, say, elephants.

The music is supposed to offer our beloved fuzzballs a comforting, enriching experience that allows us to bond more deeply with them. The process of designing cat music began with studies to figure out what sounds “elicit feline feelings.”

 As opposed to feline “Feelings.” We get our first taste of rhythm in our mothers’ wombs, but cats encounter them only after they’re born. I checked this out, and it’s true: Newborn kittens arrive deaf and blind and a cat's first comfort sound, for example, is likely its mother's purr, a very different rhythm than our moms’ slow and steady heartbeats.


 Cat music is based on this and other sounds that make a cat's ears pivot. Watch video here; http://www.slate.com/articles/video/video/2015/11/musician_creates_perfect_music_for_cats_thanks_to_scientists_video.html

VACCINATION OF HORSES AGAINST THE HENDRA VIRUS.

The disease is carried by bats and can be fatal for horses and humans.Hunter Valley vets are reporting a drop off in the number of people getting their horses vaccinated for Hendra virus.Ian Gollan recommends getting horses vaccinated, even though there have been no cases of the deadly disease locally.Read more here;http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-12-01/vets-urge-horse-owners-to-remain-vigilant-over-hendra-vaccinati/6988886