2024 Disasters in Numbers
<p>In 2024, the Emergency Events Database (EM-DAT) recorded 393 natural hazard-related disasters. These events caused 16,753 fatalities and affected 167.2 million people. Economic losses totaled US$241.95
United States Of America (US)
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Industry holds sway
The us government has silently shelved a proposal to ban fuel additive methyl tertiary butyl ether (mtbe) that has been contaminating drinking water in many communities. Critics say the decision is
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The survey
The third report of the National Family Health Survey was carried out during 2005-2006 and provides information on the population, health and nutrition in all 29 states. A total of 199,000 men and women were interviewed to collect data. The International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai, carried out the survey with technical assistance from Macro International of the US. The Government of India, US Agency for International Development, Department for International Development, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, UNICEF and the UN Population Fund provided the funds.
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Lasers to track erosion
Scientists at the US National Soil Erosion Research Laboratory have developed a portable laser scanner than can accurately measure soil roughness, a key determinant of erosion. The laser scans the
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Electronic bulbs
NEXT YEAR, a longer-lasting and more efficient bulb known as the electronic light, or "E-Lamp," will hit the US market. A magnetic coil generates a radio signal that interacts with the gas inside the
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Launch by a bomber
A US B-52 bomber has been given a new role -launching satellites Recently, a modified B-52 dropped rocket carrying a Brazilian satellite an altitude of about 12.8 km. Five seconds later,
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Malaria vaccine tests positive in trials
A MALARIA vaccine made in Colombia by synthesising protein segments from the malaria parasite is proving promising in field trials, but its efficacy is still low. Vaccine developer Manuel
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Wings clipped by age
A US study refutes the notion that airline pilots nearing 60 are more likely to cause accidents than their younger colleagues. The two-year study, which analysed accident data between 1976 and
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Fact and film
LIFE IMITATES art more than art imitates life, said Oscar Wilde. His statement was borne out recently when US scientists re-enacted in their laboratory the plot of Steven Spielberg's latest film,
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Spit personality
YOUR SALIVA may give a clue to your personality, says James M Dabbs, professor of psychology at Georgia State University in the US. Dabbs is trying to establish whether a relationship exists between
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Clear view
Lockheed Corp of the US has developed an inexpensive, part liquid, part solid telephoto lens that guarantees a sharper and better-contrasted picture than the conventional lens. Besides correcting