Science & Technology

El Niño: Un Fenómeno Meteorológico en Ascenso In a recent update released midweek, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has forecasted a nearly 100% chance that the El Niño phenomenon will continue through February. The organisation has stated, "This is the first time an update regarding El Niño/La Niña has been so unequivocal," highlighting that this certainty reflects "the strong consensus within the extensive WMO network." El Niño is a natural weather phenomenon characterised by above-average ocean temperatures in the eastern tropical Pacific, a pattern that disrupts weather systems globally. Since the start of the year, scientists have been warning about the imminent arrival of a particularly intense El Niño. The latest predictions suggest that this event could become the strong...

Global Conservation Goals and Current Challenges In December 2022, member countries of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity adopted the ambitious 30x30 target, aiming to conserve at least 30% of the planet's terrestrial, freshwater, coastal, and marine areas by 2030. However, by 2024, only 8.4% of oceanic and coastal regions had been officially designated as protected or conserved. Achieving this goal will necessitate not just a substantial expansion of protected areas, but also an enhancement in scientific research to comprehend the changes occurring within ecosystems, the threats they face, and the actions needed to safeguard them. The Perpetual Planet Initiative, launched by Rolex in 2019, embodies this combination of scientific research, conservation, and on-the-ground...

New Regulations Addressing Youth Engagement with Technology In December 2025, Australia set a significant precedent by mandating several leading social media platforms to implement measures preventing individuals under the age of 16 from creating or maintaining accounts. Following this, in September 2026, France expanded its prohibition on mobile phone usage during school hours to encompass all educational levels, from preschool through to secondary education. These initiatives are part of a growing response to the perceived risks associated with technology use during crucial developmental stages. Peter Gray, an American developmental psychologist, argues that while certain restrictions may be beneficial at specific times, simply limiting access to smartphones or social media will not reso...

Astronomers Discover New Atmospheric Structure on Saturn A team of astronomers has identified a striking decagonal atmospheric feature near Saturn's south pole. This discovery introduces a significant new polygonal structure on the gas giant, complementing its well-known hexagonal formation situated at the north pole, which has been observed for over 44 years. The confirmation of the decagon was made possible through images captured by the Hubble Space Telescope, and the findings have been published in the journal Science Advances. It is important to clarify that the formations at both the north and south poles are not solid structures, akin to a wall or rock formation. Rather, they represent intricate patterns created by clouds as a result of atmospheric dynamics. Unlike Earth, Saturn lac...

A Journey of Eight Years to Mercury Embarking on an eight-year journey only to arrive back at the starting point may seem paradoxical. However, this is precisely the case for BepiColombo. This ambitious mission, a collaborative effort between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), commenced its voyage in October 2018 and has since been traversing the inner solar system. It is now entering a critical phase that will enable its instruments to orbit Mercury, aiming to unravel some of the most pressing mysteries surrounding the planet closest to the Sun. The initial milestone has been successfully achieved. On 3rd September, while approximately 3.3 million kilometres from Mercury, BepiColombo detached from the Mercury Transfer Module (MTM) — the modu...

Exploring Africa’s Hidden Waterways Steve Boyes possesses pale blue eyes that seem to capture the essence of the African sun, yet they radiate a childlike wonder that complements his warm smile. This South African explorer has dedicated a significant portion of his life to traversing some of the most remote river systems across the continent, aiming to unravel their mysteries. A conservationist, National Geographic explorer, and the founder of the Great Spine of Africa expeditions, Boyes focuses his research on understanding the origins of the water that sustains millions of people and ecosystems throughout Africa. His career includes years of in-depth study in the Okavango Basin and the highlands of Angola, where his team has documented relatively unexplored ecosystems, identified new spe...

Assessment of Global Temperature Rise by the UN Environment Programme The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has reached a concerning conclusion: the planet is on a trajectory to surpass the critical global warming threshold of 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels, as outlined in the Paris Agreement. This alarming prediction could materialise before the end of this decade. This forecast forms the crux of the latest report titled ‘Limiting Global Overheating’, which delves into the potential impacts and risks associated with the impending rise in global temperatures. It also highlights the urgent actions humanity must take in light of a future likely dominated by overheating. The document acknowledges the strides made by the international community in addressing climate change but st...

Significant Desalination Project in Mexico Mexico is set to host one of the largest desalination plants in Latin America, employing reverse osmosis technology to convert substantial quantities of seawater into potable water. With a production capacity of up to 380,000 cubic metres per day, this facility is poised to make a significant impact on local water supply. The construction contract has been awarded to the Spanish company Grupo Cox by the National Water Commission (Conagua) following a public tender. The project is scheduled to be established in the community of Rosarito, Baja California, over the next three years, with a total investment of $304 million aimed at enhancing water security for the municipality of Playas de Rosarito and the southwestern region of Tijuana. Officials est...

Japan's Ambitious Return to Mars Exploration The Japanese space agency, JAXA, has confirmed the launch of its Mars mission, marking the country’s first foray into Martian exploration in 28 years. Scheduled for October 20, 2026, the Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission aims to land on Phobos, one of Mars' two moons, with the ambitious goal of collecting over 10 grams of samples to return to Earth. The journey to Mars is expected to take approximately one year, followed by around three years conducting operations in Martian orbit. The return trip to Earth will add another year to the timeline. If successful, this mission will represent a historic achievement as the first in the world to bring back samples from a Martian moon. Scientific Goals of the MMX Mission JAXA's mission outlines a p...

Un problema silencioso entre las madres primerizas In the United Kingdom, a significant number of first-time mothers may be unknowingly suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following childbirth, a condition that could adversely affect their long-term physical and mental health. This alarming conclusion stems from a study conducted by researchers at the University of East Anglia (UEA), who highlight that the issue often goes unnoticed during postnatal consultations due to a lack of proper tools and training among primary care physicians. The researchers scrutinised publicly available data regarding the number of births, the prevalence of PTSD among mothers, and mental health records documented during the recommended six-week postnatal check-ups. Findings suggest that between...