emerging technology
A new satellite system could revolutionize wildlife tracking
Scientists are on the brink of launching a satellite-based system to monitor animal migrations, endangered species, and global changes through thousands of tiny tracking devices.
In short:
- The ICARUS project, conceived by ornithologist Martin Wikelski, aims to create an "internet of animals" by attaching solar-powered tracking devices to wildlife and monitoring them via satellites.
- The system will launch in 2025, using low-cost CubeSats, providing data on animal movements and environmental conditions, crucial for understanding global change.
- The initiative promises to democratize ecological research, enabling more scientists to study animal behaviors and migrations with detailed, accessible data.
Key quote:
“These tags are so smart, they can tell us if a female is nesting and if the clutch disappears. Then we can link individuals to populations and understand the drivers of change.”
— Martin Wikelski, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior
Why this matters:
This groundbreaking technology offers a transformative approach to preserving the intricate web of life that sustains our planet. This tech-savvy approach could be our best bet in safeguarding biodiversity and, by extension, our own future. Read more: Winged Warnings: Built for survival, birds in trouble from pole to pole.
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A global push to develop climate-resistant coffee
An international partnership is driving innovative coffee breeding to protect coffee farmers from the impacts of climate change.
In short:
- Arabica coffee, the most consumed coffee species, is highly vulnerable to climate change, risking significant drops in production by 2050.
- Innovea, led by World Coffee Research, is developing climate-resilient coffee varieties through global collaboration, aiming to help farmers like those in Kenya.
- The project combines traditional breeding with genetic technology to create high-yield, disease-resistant coffee plants.
Key quote:
“The idea is to identify the genes we’re looking for and move on with those plants instead of others.”
— Jane Cheserek, lead breeder at Kenya’s government-run Coffee Research Institute
Why this matters:
Innovea is driving a cutting-edge experiment aimed at creating the climate-proof coffee of the future. This isn't just about preserving your daily caffeine fix; it's about safeguarding the livelihoods of millions of farmers worldwide while protecting our environment. Read more: Alexa White on supporting small-scale farmers.
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Wireless charging: The roads where electric vehicles never need to plug in
The first wireless electric road in the US has been installed in Detroit, but at nearly $2m (£1.6m) per mile, is this really the future of transport?
Could large heat pumps revolutionize how we warm our homes?
The German city of Mannheim heats thousands of homes using ice-cold water. With the concept gaining ground around the world, DW reporter Tim Schauenberg took to the Rhine River to find out how it works.
Enter smellphone: Your next phone may double as an air quality monitor
A new cellphone feature will alert you to open a window or turn on an air purifier.
Will hotter heat pumps win over homeowners?
Could a new generation of heat pumps overcome British fears that they can't heat a home.
World's tallest wooden wind turbine starts turning
Wood and glue is better for the environment than steel, says manufacturer, and could see taller turbines.
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